"Charles-You cannot mean it!" Caroline Bingley cried.
"Why can I not?" her brother asked.
"A courtship-with Miss Bennet-it is unthinkable. Think of her family, her fortune, her connections. She is a good sort of girl, to be sure, but to court her and possibly marry her? It is not to be born!"
"That is quite enough, Caroline-I have asked her for a courtship, she has accepted, and Mr. Bennet gave his approval. I do not need your consent, nor do I desire your opinion," Bingley stated firmly.
"Two attorneys in the family and an uncle who lives within sight of his warehouses? You would align us with such a family? Charles, what of my prospects? Surely, I should suffer from such a degradation in connections!" Caroline tried to reason.
"Have you forgotten, madam, where our fortunes originate? Shall I point out the factories that our father owned when next we are in Scarborough?" asked Bingley, "She is a gentleman's daughter, of a family that goes back many generations as landed gentry. I count myself as fortunate that her family is not so fastidious as to scoff at our background and has instead chosen to allow the courtship."
"Surely you must see that she is only interested in your fortune, regardless of the origins, and that is why they have allowed the match!"
"I have been assured by both Wickham and Darcy that such is not the case. They would not lie to me."
"Wickham! The son of the late Mr. Darcy's steward and her brother-in-law? He would say such things in hopes of increasing his own prospects!"
"Cease, Caroline!" Bingley shouted. His sister started for he had never raised his voice to her before. "You will not malign Mr. Wickham, Miss Bennet, or anyone else in the Bennet family. For that matter, cease disparaging the rest of the local society as well, for they are to be your neighbours for the foreseeable future, that is, unless you wish for me to release your dowry to you, and you may set up your own establishment where you please."
"Brother, you would not do so!" she cried.
"I suppose you might be able to convince Hurst to allow you to live with them. You always have wanted to live in town," Bingley continued.
"Charles!" she cried out.
"Caroline!" Bingley responded mockingly in like manner, "You have two days to decide."
"Caroline and the Hursts are gone then?" Darcy asked, greatly surprised.
"I gave her a choice and two days to decide, but then she began to throw things and storm about, yelling at the servants. The Hursts were more, shall we say, civil in their displeasure, but equally displeased. They have removed to London, and I will release Caroline's dowry to her. She needs to learn her place in this world. She is a tradesman's daughter who puts on airs and believes herself above everyone around her who does not have as great a fortune," said Bingley.
"And is the maid well, the one that faced the brunt of her displeasure? Who was it? One of the housemaids or was it Ruth?"
"Ruth, and she is well. She began to cry in the face of Caroline's fury, and afterwards when she realized Caroline and the Hursts were leaving. She believed she would be let go. I told her not to worry, for she may help with housekeeping for now. When I wed Jane, she shall be a lady's maid again."
"You did not reduce her wages in the interim, did you? After suffering such abuse, she should not suffer further," said Darcy
"Certainly not. She shall be paid the same and be placed above the other maids, just under Mrs. Nicholls. I daresay she is rather relieved. Certainly, I would rather dust furniture than be subject to Caroline's whims."
"As would anyone with sense," replied Darcy, standing to get himself an additional serving of brandy, "I will send for Mrs. Annesley to join us. Without another woman in the house, Georgie needs her companion present."
"Darcy," said Bingley, "I had not thought. I am so very sorry."
"Do not worry yourself. I, as her brother, am present, so propriety is not violated. Besides, with some luck, Mrs. Annesley will be here in less than a sen'night."
"Brother, might I go to Meryton to shop with the Miss Bennets and Mr. Bingley?" asked Georgiana, a few days later, "Mr. Bingley says he will leave in half-an-hour for Longbourn, and I do so desire to purchase a length of pink ribbon to replace that which I lost. I am so dreadfully bored now that there is no hostess and the Bennets cannot call."
"Certainly," said Darcy, "And I shall accompany you, for I have been too much indoors the past few days. Some exercise will do me good."
Thus, the two Darcys, Mr. Bingley, and three of the four unmarried Bennet sisters were walking to Merton not more than an hour later. Kitty and Georgiana led the group, walking arm and arm together. Elizabeth and Darcy followed them, while Jane and Bingley strolled along behind, seeming to have no aim besides conversing in whispers with their heads together.
"Your sister's company has been greatly beneficial to Kitty," Elizabeth said when the younger girls were out of hearing, "I have often thought that she would be greatly improved with an example of propriety such as your sister."
"I thank you for the compliment," said Mr. Darcy, "Likewise, Georgiana has benefited from female company of her own age and station. She is too often only in the company of Mrs. Annesley, her widowed companion. While she is a delightful lady who has served as almost a mother to Georgiana, she is rather wanting in youth and vivacity."
"Forgive my impertinence, but does she not have friends and acquaintances? I understand that she is reserved, but surely, she must have some close confidants."
"I believe, unfortunately, that is my fault," said Mr. Darcy, "I am often wary of young ladies of marriageable age, for often the women only wish to endear themselves to Georgiana as a means to get to me—or rather, more accurately— Pemberley. I have escaped too many schemes of entrapment to feel comfortable allowing Georgiana to choose her friends freely."
"And yet you willingly visit a house with four unmarried daughters? Forgive me, do not think that any of us have designs on you, or Pemberley, but it does seem to contradict your own statements."
"Ah, but you and your sisters do not agree with my every word, simper, and compliment my sister incessantly. Your mother, while certainly matchmaking, is innocent in her intentions. She would not purposefully stage a compromise, like many a mother in the ton," Darcy explained.
"Certainly not. She cried for days after Mary and Wickham's compromise. I will warn you, however, that does not mean she will not try to arrange things in other ways to her liking. She is certain that you will marry one of us, although she has not yet decided which one. I believe she is debating being myself and Kitty, for she cannot imagine that you may simply wish for your sister to have friends. You are a single man of good fortune, therefore, you must be in want of a wife."
"As I am not worried about entrapment, I believe I shall resist the machinations of seating me next to you at dinner and her telling me of Miss Kitty's many talents."
"Are you certain you are equal to it? Kitty does trim bonnets remarkably well. I may even be asked to play pianoforte terribly ill for you," Elizabeth said sardonically.
"I shall attempt to resist such tempting charms," he teased, causing her to laugh. He was unsure of the certainty of his own words, for it would not be the pianoforte but the musical laugh that would be a charm difficult to resist. They walked to the milliners and after spending nearly an hour looking at and deciding between various colours, designs, and thicknesses of ribbon, each Kitty and Georgiana made several purchases and they continued on to the Wickhams' home.
"Sisters!" Mary called, running out the door on catching sight of them, hugging each of the three in turn.
"Dear Mary, you look so very well!" Elizabeth said, taking in her sister's appearance. She did look well, her face bright and her air confident.
"I am very well! I am so very happy, Lizzy. That I might but see all my sisters gain such felicity in marriage, I would want for nothing. Come inside, for I wish to speak with you all," said Mary, ushering them into the house. Wickham was inside and after greetings and embraces were exchanged, Mary and Wickham wished Bingley and Jane happy in their courtship. Mary served tea and leftover cake from the wedding, apologizing that she had nothing else, as she had not yet gone to the shops since the wedding. She thanked Darcy for the care in ensuring the baskets were sent with them, for she was still getting used to cooking and cleaning-The baskets had allowed her to postpone at least some of her new duties as a wife.
"And when shall you need to return to work, Wickham?" Darcy asked.
"Mr. Phillips has been kind enough to give a fortnight's reprieve with pay, so I shall return to work on the 21st of this month."
"That was very kind of Uncle Phillips," said Jane, "How awful it would have been if you had been required to work immediately with no time for Mary to become adjusted to her new home."
"Indeed, it was very kind, although I fear that so long away will mean that I will be required to work late into the evening upon my return. I will be relying on Mary's friends and sisters to keep her company, so she does not become very lonely. She is used to always having someone about when she was at Longbourn, so I fear she may be quite unused to the quiet."
"Shall I send Mama to call, Mary, for you should not then suffer from the silence?" Kitty teased.
"Mama and Papa are both very welcome to call, for I would not disrespect my parents by implying otherwise," Mary scolded, "I should certainly like to call at Longbourn as well, so I may see all of my family, and perhaps some friends as well." She smiled at Mr. Bingley and the Darcys when she said the last.
"Certainly, and we would be glad to have you at Netherfield as well, both you and Mr. Wickham, whenever you desire to visit. As it is such a distance, both to Netherfield and Longbourn, if you ever do not desire to walk, my carriage is fully at your disposal," said Bingley, "Although I must inform you all that my sisters and brother-in-law have decided to return to town, so they will not be able to enjoy any calls at Netherfield. Miss Darcy does remain and her companion, Mrs. Annesley, should join us tomorrow evening."
"They left so suddenly?" asked Jane, alarmed, "I hope all is well. They said nothing of a trip to London when I spoke to them at Sunday services."
"Yes, well," Bingley said uncomfortably, "Some sudden news they received necessitated their removal, although they are well and simply must tend to some matters at Hurst's house in Town." Both Mary and Elizabeth eyed Bingley quizzically, but Jane and Kitty seemed relieved at his words.
"I am glad to hear they are well. I hope the business at Hurst's house is resolved quickly so we may enjoy their company again soon," said Jane.
"Yes, although, once Caroline and Louisa are in London, it is rather difficult to remove them, I fear," Bingley said.
"I am the same whenever I visit my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner in London. I never wish to leave as I am enthralled by the theatres and museums, shops, and tea rooms. Why, if it were not for such good friends here, I might have begged my aunt and uncle to take me with them when they returned after the wedding," declared Elizabeth, smoothly changing the subject. Bingley shot her a grateful look.
"Certainly, last I was in Town, I went to the theatre twice and was still disappointed that I could not go a third time for I greatly desired to see a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream that was to premiere the very day of my departure," said Bingley.
"That does sound most disappointing," said Jane.
"It was, especially as Darcy and my family had remained for five days longer than I, for this was directly before I took up the lease at Netherfield, and I did not know anyone here yet. They were able to see the production, while I went to Netherfield, quite alone, without knowing anyone in the area. Now I would not be so reluctant to leave town, for Hertfordshire has many more inducements now." Jane blushed at Bingley's words. They continued to speak of the delights of London for some time, until Bingley asked if he might see the rest of the house, for he had not been inside the home previously.
"Before I give the tour, Mary and I must share some information that some of you do not know," began Wickham, "Darcy, Bingley, and Elizabeth have been informed, but I have not had a chance to tell anyone else, including Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, so I would ask your restraint in sharing the news with others until such time as I have the opportunity." Elizabeth raised her eyebrows knowing what would be shared and was surprised that they would make the announcement so soon.
"I-I have a natural daughter," Wickham said, stuttering, "Her name is Esther, and Mary and I have decided that she will come to live with us after the current term ends at the school in Kingston where she has been residing. She is six years of age. Mary has been so wonderful and understanding, and we both hope that you all will welcome her. I decided, so she may come to know Mary a little before she is to reside with us, that we will bring her for at least one short visit in the interim."
Everyone except Elizabeth, Bingley and Darcy looked surprised. Ending the awkward silence that ensued, Darcy offered, "Would you like the use of a carriage to convey you to gather your daughter from Kingston for her visits?" Wickham graciously accepted the offer, and it was decided that Wickham would go to Kingston to bring his daughter back overmorrow, returning her on the following Monday, so she would not miss very much of her studies.
"With that explanation given, I will begin the tour," said Mr. Wickham. They left the drawing-room and were shown through the main rooms of the house. They did not, of course, show their own bedchamber. Mary showed their guests the chamber that would belong to his daughter. Mary had made herself busy over the fortnight since she had learned of the child, having finished the rag doll, which sat atop the bed in the room, and she had given the girl some of her ribbons and hairbrushes, which lay on a vanity.
"Oh, it is lovely, Mary," said Elizabeth. The room would do very well for a little girl. There was soft blue wallpaper with ivory flowers, a blue and white quilt on the bed, the rocking horse in the corner, and the rag-doll sitting on the bed as if it awaited a little girl to love it. It all painted a very pretty picture.
"I must request some of the toys from our attic at Darcy House be sent to the Wickhams!" cried Georgiana, "There are oh so many paper dolls, books of children's rhymes, games, and balls. They have simply gathered dust in our attics." The Wickhams tried to demur, but at Georgiana's insistence, they decided that just a few toys might be sent, but she must keep the majority for the possibility of her own children or that of her brother in the future.
"While I would love to have you all stay, I do see that the sky is becoming rather dark," said Mary.
With that hint, which was true enough for the dusk set in earlier as the autumn leaves fell, the visitors took their leave of the Wickhams and walked back to Longbourn. Kitty and Georgiana talked excitedly of Kitty having a niece to play with and spoil, the clothing they wished to make for the child, and what toys might be brought from Pemberley. Darcy and Elizabeth listened to the conversation, occasionally contributing a warning or a suggestion as to what might suit a child of that age better or what items should be saved for their own children someday.
"You may only give the toys that belonged to yourself, Mary, or me, Kitty," said Elizabeth to her sister.
"Why? So many were shared so I cannot remember whose things were whose," said Kitty.
"Jane will likely marry, and Lydia is too young to know if she wishes to marry or not. You know what things of yours are especially sentimental, but you cannot make assumptions about the belongings of others," said Lizzy.
"Then why may I give away the toys and things that belonged to you," asked Kitty.
"I doubt that I shall marry, Kitty," said Elizabeth.
"Why do you doubt it?" asked Georgiana in surprise.
"I cannot tolerate being told what to do simply because I am a woman, nor do I hold my tongue simply because what I have to say may injure men's sensibilities," said Elizabeth, "Combined with my mediocre looks, I shall certainly be an old maid. Do not look at me so, Georgiana. I am not put out by the possibility. I would rather be an old maid than in an unhappy marriage."
"But surely someone will appreciate you," said Georgiana, "Brother, might you not introduce her to your friends. Many of his friends are quite erudite and may appreciate your wit."
"We Bennets have already claimed two of Mr. Darcy's friends," said Elizabeth, "Should Bingley and Jane suit, that is. I daresay we ought to leave some of his friends to others, lest Mr. Darcy become sick of us or think we are using him for such a purpose."
"He would not think so," said Georgiana, "Would you, Brother?"
"I would not," confirmed Darcy.
Yet, his stomach turned at the thought of introducing Miss Elizabeth Bennet to his friends, watching her dance with them, and possibly marry one of them. He did not know how he would stand it. He knew he could not marry her, but some of his friends might find her a good match. Mr. Mark Bickering came to mind, for he was so much like Bingley, but more intelligent. Bickering was the third son of a tradesman and had gone into the Navy. He had been injured, but had enough of a fortune from prize money that he lived the life of a gentleman on an estate roughly equal to that of Longbourn. Darcy sighed aloud, which earned him a raised eyebrow from Elizabeth.
When they reached Longbourn, Darcy could not help but wonder what he would do if Elizabeth did marry. Further, could he marry whilst pining after her?