Chapter 20 Autumn Breeze

London 1813

Mr and Mrs Bingley were strolling down Bond Street at the most fashionable hour of the day. It was a crowded afternoon with the unusually fine weather they had been blessed with lately. The pair had been married for a little over two months, but unlike the new Mr and Mrs Darcy, had opted out of a wedding trip. Although it had been close to a year since Elizabeth disappeared, Jane did not feel like celebrating.

The wedding had been a quiet affair with only their closest family in attendance. It had been at Jane's insistence but Mr Bingley did not mind as long as Jane exchanged Bennet for Bingley as her surname. Their quiet sojourn at Netherfield had not turned out so well though. Certain neighbours did not know the appropriate time to call on newlyweds and had come knocking at their door at all hours and much too often for his liking. It had been an immense relief when he discovered that Jane felt the same way. It was her family and some close friends like Mrs Lucas who seemed unaware of common decency. It had quickly become grating, hence the swift relocation to London which was a fortunate happenstance indeed.

Mr Bingley had visited his club the previous evening to give his wife and sister some time to themselves. Louisa had taken to his serene Jane when she understood that the marriage was inevitable. Bingley suspected that she had liked Jane very much from their first introduction but had followed her younger sister's lead. Caroline had come around too when she discovered that Mrs Darcy had specific plans for Miss Darcy's matrimonial state that did not include Mr Bingley. Reconciled with the fact that her brother would never be Miss Darcy's husband, his matrimonial state became less important. Caroline even admitted that she thought Jane to be pleasant company which was as much as he could hope for. It did not matter much after Caroline wed and she was no longer his responsibility. It would have been another matter if she was still unwed and living under his roof.

Anyhow, his sister's wedding to his closest friend had left nothing but pleasure if one was willing to overlook the occasional snide remark from the senior Mrs Darcy. Caroline had the wherewithal to reply in kind and the support of her husband, she did not suffer much. He could not imagine a better outcome for his sister's fortune in the marriage mart than the one she had managed with as little inconvenience to himself as possible.

But at this very moment, another pleasant rumination occupied his thoughts, the possibility of relocating to Nottingham. His friend, Mr Rupert had heard of a very well-maintained estate on the market, three miles south of Nottingham. Kimberley Heights sounded exactly what he wanted for himself and particularly for Jane. Jane had admitted that she felt like Elizabeth was still in Derbyshire. He reckoned his wife would not mind being closer to where she felt her sister resided while not too close to be constantly overwrought by grief.

The estate had the additional perk of being situated one and thirty miles south of Pemberley, with the town of Nottingham so close with entertainment to be had and shops to acquire what one needed, it seemed like the perfect solution to their problems. What remained was to make the suggestion to Jane and travel north to assess the estate.

The first obstacle he had planned by wooing his wife into submission. He steered her elegantly towards Gunter's and bought her a bribe ice cream before he related his plan.

"Dearest, I have a proposition for you. I met an old friend at Watier's last night." Mr Bingley was not refined enough to be a member of White's nor Brook's, he frequented Watier's when he could not accompany Mr Darcy as a guest at his club, White's.

"What did he have to offer?"

"He had nothing, not after losing heavily at the card table but he knew of an estate, not too far from Pemberley that was currently on offer. He suggested that the property would be in high demand as the owner is in dire straits and the estate is a very fine one. The house is relatively new and the grounds are prosperous and fertile. It may not be as close to Pemberley as you wanted, it is a little more than thirty miles but it may be the ideal home to raise a family."

The Bingleys had already discussed the possibility of moving away from Meryton, it was, however, rather soon after their nuptials. The lease on Netherfield expired at Michaelmas, if he did not want to add a year to the lease, they were in some hurry to find a replacement. The Hurst Townhouse was at their disposal but he did not relish an entire year spent at the mercy of his relatives if he could help it.

"Have you enquired of Mr Darcy's opinion?"

"No, he does not frequent Watier's and I do not have a membership at White's."

"We could visit," Jane expressed while licking her ice cream.

The delicate movement threw him off his course and he had a hard time gathering his faculties to form a response.

"I guess they have been home from their bridal trip for two weeks now, it would not be an imposition to pay them a visit."

"No, no one offered us the courtesy of withholding any visits, the Darcys have been married for more than a month and Mrs Darcy is our sister. I should say we are not imposing unduly."

"Could we depart for Darcy house, that is as soon as you have finished your ice cream?"

"I would rather leave at once."

Mr Bingley did not hesitate, he rose from his chair and aided his lady from her seat. The carriage was waiting nearby and a flick of his wrist sent it scurrying in their direction. It arrived at their side within minutes and Mr Bingley handed his wife into the carriage himself. The drive was short but somewhat delayed by the heavy afternoon traffic as everyone at once was heading home to dress before dinner. It was almost too late to be polite when they drew near Grosvenor Square.

"Did you notice undue attention was heaped upon us at Gunter's?" Jane enquired before the carriage drew to halt.

"I cannot say I did," Mr Bingley truthfully replied but his attention had been very much engaged by gazing upon his most beautiful wife.

The knocker was up on Darcy House but it could mean that senior Mr and Mrs Darcy were in London. Mr Bingley gave the lion head a firm rap and they were soon escorted into the foyer where Mr Gilbert left them to seek out his master. He was gone a few minutes before he returned alone.

"I beg your pardon, Mr Bingley, but Mr Darcy is not at home."

"Is my sister in attendance, I would very much like to hear about their trip to Cornwall."

"Mrs Darcy is not at home, Mr Bingley."

"That is unfortunate but I guess it cannot be helped. Do you know when Mr and Mrs Darcy is expected to return home?"

"I cannot say, Sir."

Mr and Mrs Bingley had no choice but to return to Hurst House and prepare for dinner. The Hursts were immediately inclined in favour of the estate Bingley had found and suggested he should not tarry but travel north while the weather was still cooperating. It would soon enough be autumn and heavy rainfall would most likely set in.

Mr Bingley was quite convinced he had no time to lose before the meal had ended. A sojourn to Nottingham was decided upon two days hence where they would all travel together to survey the property. Mr Bingley would have preferred his friend to his brother but Mr Hurst was no estate novice unlike himself. He had had ownership of his estate in Sussex since his father passed two years ago.

#

Kimberley Height was situated at the top of a hill like a single white rose amongst leaves of green. The backdrop of the forest created a new and inviting ambience, just as Mr Rupert had described.

The house was in the Palladian style and about the same size as Netherfield, perhaps a little smaller. The garden was meticulously tended in the latest fashion and the land looked fertile. Mr Bingley examined the estate ledgers with his brother while Jane and Louisa toured the house. The light in his wife's eyes was enough to make him sign the deed. The price was reasonable, as far as he could tell and the house would be theirs in four weeks. It was working out in every way apart from the conference with his friend. He doubted very much that Mr Darcy would mind although he might be a little miffed he had not been able to advise him. They would know soon enough as he encountered Mr Knightley at his cobbler. Mr Knightley was Mr Darcy's attorney and just had lunch with him at White's. Mr Bingley was anxious to be the one to break the news about his recent purchase to Mr Darcy himself. Mr Knightley had divulged that Mr Darcy was on his way to meet his wife at Clarisse's, Mrs Caroline Darcy's preferred modiste.

Mr Bingley hastened in the direction of Clarisse's as soon as his order at the cobbler had been jotted down. He saw his friend enter the modiste and was exiting with his wife on his arm when Mr Bingley approached them, somewhat out of breath.

"Darcy!"

He did not hear him and was moving hurriedly in the opposite direction.

"Mr Darcy!" Mr Bingley shouted as loud as he dared in broad daylight in Bond Street. Mr Darcy drew to a halt and turned slowly.

"Thank heavens I managed to draw your attention. I have great news to import but first I must know if you had a pleasant journey on your bridal trip to Cornwall?" Mr Bingley smiled at his friend and sister. They looked much the same so he surmised they had suffered no hardships although Mr Darcy was even more serious than was his want.

"I am afraid I cannot oblige you, we are late for an appointment and must be off. Good day, Mr Bingley."

Bingley was left on the side of the road as the Darcys hurried to their carriage and were off before he had the wherewithal to make a later appointment. It was all very odd how Darcy had brushed him off, almost like he was an undesirable acquaintance. It was strange that he had not mentioned another time that would be more convenient. When he thought about it, no note had been sent from Darcy House as to when he might receive him after he and Jane left their card.

He would wait until tomorrow as Darcy had an engagement tonight but he would get to the bottom of his strange behaviour.

#

For the second time since his marriage, Mr Bingley knocked on Mr Darcy's door and was admitted by his butler, Mr Gilbert. He disappeared down the hall while Mr Bingley wondered why he had opted not to bring his wife. It was an instinct more than any rational thought but he had learned to trust it without questioning its verity.

Mr Gilbert took an inordinate amount of time to return but at least he was admitted. He was led down Darcy townhouse's hallways to the study at the end. Mr Darcy preferred to be far away from the hustle and bustle of the foyer when dealing with his business matters.

Mr George Darcy was at his father desk with stacks of papers in front of him. Mr Bingley knew that he was relieving his father of much of his correspondence as the master had not been well lately. It was an admirable trait until he would not look up from his work when a dear friend entered. Mr Bingley cleared his throat to catch his attention. Mr Darcy wrote another sentence before he looked up.

"Mr Bingley, what brings you here?"

"Do I need a reason to visit my brother and sister whom I have not seen in more than a month?"

Mr Darcy did not answer immediately. He had this unsettling habit of looking straight at you whilst not saying anything when he needed to think before imparting some particular distressful or distasteful news. Bingley waited patiently, knowing that hurrying him along was futile.

"I have heard some alarming reports," he finally confessed. "It is of such a nature that I hardly know where to begin."

"I suppose you could start with the beginning." Mr Bingley retorted unimpressed. If it was bad news, stalling would not lessen the impact. The thought of Elizabeth's body may have been found made him instantly relieved he had not brought his wife. Darcy could be abrupt in manners; he would like such delicate matters to be handled with more stealth.

"It has come to my attention that rumours have spread around town about Miss Elizabeth's disappearance." Mr Darcy paused again, leaving Mr Bingley rather impatient.

"Yes? It is not a secret that she went missing last summer."

"The rumours have it that she is not missing but has been hidden away in a remote cottage for a gentleman's entertainment."

"I do not believe it; she must be held against her will. Who would do such a despicable thing?"

"Apparently, me..."

Mr Darcy let the implications of that revelation sink in before he continued.

"But—you would never do such a thing; I cannot comprehend who would believe such a blatant lie!"

"I am relieved you do not believe this falsehood but there is more. According to the quidnuncs, I have bargained for the favours of Miss Elizabeth by offering to elevate you in superior society. I have married your sister and I am supposed to gallivant you and your wife around town and get you accepted into superior society. I have married Caroline; it cannot be altered nor do I regret it, although it is obvious, I did not marry as advantageously as I was expected. Your association to trade and connections so decidedly beneath my own must, naturally, make society at large question my reasons for acting thus. With the Bennets showing a general lack of propriety, Mrs Bingley I naturally must exclude from this, but any further interaction between me and your family must desist until the rumours either die down or are proven false. We both know that the latter is unlikely to happen so I beg of you not to greet us or try to contact me or your sister for the time being. I will contact you when I deem it safe to reacquaint ourselves with each other."

"Surely, there must be some other way..."

"There is not! Caroline and I have discussed this thoroughly. Your sister agrees with my assessment which is why she is not present at the moment."

Mr Bingley did not know what to say, it was all too fanciful to contemplate. He nodded his consent and left his friend to appraise his wife of this new development while contemplating why anyone would strive to be accepted in such a volatile society. Very little he had seen so far endeared to upper ten thousand to him. Trying to appear so innocent and superior on the outside while being rotten to the core. The entertainments in London were numerous and engaging but they were accessible to all layers of society that had the coin to pay the entrance fee. Why everyone aspired to be accepted, he could not fathom if this was the result.

Hopefully, he would manage to convince Jane to leave town, pack up their possessions at Netherfield and head to a new beginning in Nottingham. With some fortune, the rumours had not travelled as far as Nottingham before they could establish themselves in society. Bingley was a sociable creature, as was his wife. Jane was his uppermost priority, if his sister and friend wanted nothing to do with him, he would be content with the most beautiful creature, inside and out, to keep him company. He was rather convinced she might be the wisest person he knew as well. Jane would not fret and unnerve over some insignificant, blatantly false rumours. He wished he possessed the courage to voice his opinion on the matter with more force but he very much doubted Darcy could be swayed.

"Bingley!"

He had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he had not noticed his brother calling after him. Mr Hurst was rather winded when he caught up with him.

"Hurst, I did not hear you."

"I could tell but never mind that now that I have found you. You will never believe what I have heard at Watier's. The rumours about foul play with Miss Elizabeth's disappearance are spreading like wildfire. I was playing a game farao when I overheard a Mr Wickham telling Lord Ellenborough, he owns an estate in Hertfordshire, that Miss Elizabeth is the mistress of Mr George Darcy and is currently tucked away in a hunting lodge at Pemberley."

"I know."

"You know?"

"Yes, I have just come from Darcy House, Darcy wants us to act as indifferent acquaintances until this debacle blows over. Apparently, the rumour has it that we have made a bargain with Elizabeth's virtue to elevate ourselves in superior society."

"Mr Darcy is afraid of his standing diminishing in the eyes of upper ten thousand, is he?"

"Yes, something in that direction."

"Good riddance, I say. He has not the mettle of his father, that is certain."

"Hurst, it is my dearest friend you are denigrating."

"Yes, and where is he now that the wind is blowing on the peaks? Hiding in his townhouse, immersing himself in business?"

"Probably," Bingley admitted while they reached the door of Mr Hurst's townhouse.

"I need to inform my wife about this new development. I intend to leave shortly for Netherfield to oversee the packing of our possessions and remove to Nottingham."

"Sounds like a sensible plan. What did Mr Darcy think of your purchase?"

"I do not know, I forgot to inform him."