During the final week he was hard-pressed to keep his spirits up before Anne and Georgianna knowing how distraught they would feel when the time came for them to know their beloved cousin would be leaving the safely of England to face the danger of war.
As for how Anne would take the news of Josh leaving for France, he doubted she'd feel anything but a natural concern for a friend in peril. They had indulged in a light flirtation but Darcy was sure that their regard for each other wasn't of a romantic nature. Too often Anne had left Joshua's company to retire early to her rooms to read, leaving Josh with a kind smile and a brief curtsy. Never once did Josh look like a disappointed and forlorn suitor.
Usually Georgianna and Anne retired early so as not to interfere with the pleasure of the men. They were both rapacious readers and though Georgianna was only thirteen years old she knew what ribaldry meant and she suspected that under the influence of brandy and cigars there was a lot of that going on in the game room.
Once Anne and Georgianna retired to their rooms for the night it was expected that Miss Bingley would follow suit. Unfortunately, Miss Bingley broke all the rules of propriety by remaining behind as the sole female in a roomful of young men. She always took quick advantage of these moments and invariably approached Darcy and any of the men he was conversing with. Wasting little time she engaged him in her own conversation waxing ecstatic about Pemberley, the grounds, the furniture, his sister and her musical gifts. All this Darcy bore with good grace while Bingley looked on with increasing embarrassment while the other three men looked on with increasing amusement.
Richard said on one of these occasions, "you must have been bored to tears, Miss Bingley, to have to endure a stag party. I know my sister would never dream of attending a reunion of five old school boys. My cousins knew what to expect since they are family and were resigned to an all man party" and here Richard laughed hardily, "you must have noticed how early they retire. They can take just so much of our stories about the good old days when we attended Cambridge. I'm sure the next time you hear of an upcoming reunion you'll make yourself scarce. I know we can be a tiresome lot."
If Richard thought this speech would disconcert Miss Bingley, he was seriously mistaken. She responded with a coquettish smile and replied, "not at all," Captain Fitzwilliam. I just love hearing stories about Cambridge. There is nothing like a higher education. It's why I insisted that my brother attend Cambridge."
The woman was incorrigible and dense.
Bingley sighed, "and all this time I thought the idea was father's and mine."
Miss Bingley ignored the interruption, "what I always say is that neither looks nor wealth could ever induce me into matrimony . The only men I truly admire are those who are well read and treasure books above all things."
The remark was so patently ridiculous that the men were embarrassed for her but especially for Bingley who stood in mortified silence.
"Well, Bingley," Darcy said "the chess board awaits us. I'm two games down but I will have my revenge tonight." Richard, taking Darcy's cue said, "to the game room, Guy. And you too, Josh. There's nothing like a game of billiards while sipping my cousin's best brandy."
They bid Miss Bingley a brief good night and left the room quickly.
Once in the library, Darcy poured a generous amount of brandy into two snifters and handed one to Bingley. They sat down and several minutes passed in silence.
"So, Bingley, how's your love life? Anything on the horizon?"
"My love life?" Bingley said in mild confusion. "Since I see you haven't set up the chessboard I rather thought you brought me in here to demand my departure on the morn. And not to forget to take my sister with me."
Darcy laughed in genuine amusement, "not at all," he said. I want to know about your love life."
"On the assumption that you have an ulterior motive for asking," Bingley replied, "I'll play along by reminding you of what you've obviously forgotten about attending Cambridge. Just when would I find the time to search for my lady love? But never fear, come next year I'll attend every dinner and every ball that Caroline can procure. I will be finished with school and at my leisure to pursue the ladies."
"And what will you do when you find your lady love?"
"I'll marry her and we'll have a dozen kids and live happily ever after."
Darcy laughed at his friend. "Oh, Bingley," he said, "if only life were that simple."
"Darcy, you think too much. It is that simple. See what you want and go for it. You're the one who said that the chances of finding the perfect woman for you is like a million to one. So if you find her you'd be a fool not to grab on to her. Well," Bingley grinned, "maybe not grab her until you've been introduced."
"Alright, suppose you are lucky enough to find the perfect woman And what if she were flawed in some way."
Bingley sat up and frowned. "flawed?"
Darcy hesitated for a moment. "suppose she didn't belong to the ton?"
Bingley laughed, "once I'm married that will be of little importance. Don't forget I'm planning to buy an estate. Chances are we'd live in the country."
"Suppose she had no dowry?"
Bingley waved the suggestion away. "I have enough for both of us to live happily ever after."
"Suppose Miss Caroline disapproved of her?"
Bingley stared at his friend. "She wouldn't dare."
Darcy stared back, "and if she did dare?"
Bingley took a large gulp of brandy and leaned back with closed eyes. "I can't remember a time when she didn't dominate me," he said quietly. "Even as small children she browbeat me. Louisa says it's because when I came along and usurped her place as the baby she was resentful especially since I was a boy and the heir. I try never to upset her for fear she'll go into one of her rages. It's become a habit to just let her have her way."
Darcy nodded sympathetically "she's a younger version of my Aunt Catherine, my cousin Anne's mother. She's always been autocratic but her husband kept a tight rein on her. After his death she became controlling and abusive towards her daughter. She was willing to do anything to force a marriage between us. She almost destroyed her daughter in the process. She broke Anne's spirit and the poor girl was so shattered emotionally she was incapable of reaching out for help. Now the family feels guilty for not coming to her rescue sooner. It's the main reason I've stayed here in Derbyshire. She needed the time to heal herself."
"But Darcy, surely my sister isn't that bad."
"Remember your first day at Cambridge when she insisted on having use of your carriage despite the fact that it was already packed and ready to go? Remember how frazzled you were when you arrived? You were nervous enough about attending school. Did you need the added vexation? And do you remember how terrified you were when you had the temerity to buy your own home with your own money? And look how close you came to missing this past month with our friends?
"Bingley, you're one and twenty years of age. You are the head of your family. You must take her in hand or you will eventually come to regret it. It may seem far-fetched now, but there could come a time when your sister's actions could bring you heartache. What woman would want a man whose sister dominates him so. An intelligent woman would see the trouble ahead and would dismiss you out of hand.But suppose this same woman married you despite her reservations. Your sister's interference could and very likely would destroy the respect that a husband deserves from his wife. That's when love dies, Charles. I would not like to see you in a loveless marriage. You deserve much more."
"You're right, of course. I've been away too long and I still have a year to go. Once I take up permanent residence in Town there will have to be some changes. If I hadn't run into Richard I wouldn't have come here and enjoyed myself so much. It's been like a balm to my soul. I can face my final year at school more easily now. I would never have been able to forgive my sister if I'd been denied this pleasure."
Darcy refilled their glasses. "Lecture is over, Charles. So let's make plans for Christmas."
With a heavy heart Darcy wished Richard and Joshua farewell then stood watching as their carriage pulled away from Pemberley house. His eyes followed the coach until he heard the Bingley carriage making it's approach then turned and began his slow ascent up the steps. He hadn't gotten halfway up when he was met by an obviously distraught Bingley.
"Darcy," Bingley cried, "Caroline isn't in the house! Mrs. Reynold says that she decided for a last walk in the gardens before our departure and that was over an hour ago. She knows we have to get an early start in order to reach the inn before dark. What could she be thinking?"
Darcy tried to calm his friend and sent his men out to track her down. Nearly another hour passed before they saw her walking at a leisurely pace across the lawn towards the house. Caroline had for the first time in the past month chosen that morning to venture out to examine the beauty of the Pemberley woods and according to her story had completely lost track of time.
If they left now, they would have to stop at an inn that catered to a more rowdy crowd and Darcy had warned Bingley that it would be unsuitable for a lady to stay the night there.
Bingley was mortified and furious. They would have to stay another day.
Darcy was embarrassed for his friend and couldn't find the words to comfort him. "I'll be in the library for the rest of the afternoon," he told Bingley. "Feel free to join me anytime you want." He didn't see Bingley until that evening when brother and sister joined Darcy, Anne and Georgianna in the dining room.
Anne addressed Bingley in her gentle voice, "I hope Mr. Bingley, that this delay won't interfere with your return to Cambridge."
"Not at all, Miss Anne," Bingley replied softly, "I hope this delay won't delay your trip to Town."
"Not at all, Mr. Bingley. We're not planning to leave for several more days."
Miss Bingley spoke up, "how wonderful you and darling Georgianna will be gracing London again, Mr. Darcy. And you too, Miss De Bourgh, I assure you. I look forward to hosting a dinner for you all."
"I'm afraid, " Anne said, "that I won't be accepting or extending any invitations for some time, Miss Bingley. I have much to do. But thank you anyway,"
"And," Darcy added, "my plans are all made, Miss Bingley. Your brother and I plan to attend the theatre and a few private dinners with some mutual friends of ours. Our time is solidly booked."
"But surely," Miss Bingley replied, "you can spare time for at least one dinner. And I've already made plans for a ball."
"Caroline," Bingley said, "you have forgotten that during the holidays, I will be occupying my home. I will be having my own guests to entertain. I suggest you join the Hursts for the holidays."
Miss Bingley's eyes flared wide as she stared at her brother. "Don't be preposterous, Charles, she said. "You need a hostess to properly entertain."
"Perhaps, but not this Christmas. The guests I will receive during the holidays will not require a hostess. You would just be in the way. You will go to the Hursts. I insist." This was all said in a quiet but steely voice that no one at the table had ever heard from Charles Bingley.
Caroline's mouth had tightened, but aware of her audience she attempted a smile. "We'll talk about this later Charles."
"Yes, Caroline. We'll talk about it tomorrow. Our journey will take the best part of three days and during that time we shall have time to talk of many things and I assure you, we will."
The Darcys and Anne bid a fond farewell to Bingley. Their farewell to Miss Bingley was cool but proper. All three heaved a sigh of relief as the coach pulled away from Pemberley.