Chapter Five - Darcy Thinks
AN:Well, someone asked for Mr. Darcy's point of view.Author shakes her head. What a pair of star-crossed lovers!On the bright side, I'm moving into my new apartment after both my parents died last year and we had to sell the family (make that my) very large suburban home to cope with two elderly and infirm loved ones. I'm looking forward to the increased time to write, fingers crossed and my living room resembling a relaxation space rather than coming home from a hospital to one! I might actually get some of my PP stories finished and start on the others sitting on my hard drive. Well, at least that's the plan.
In London, on the same day that Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her sister ran indoors to escape the rain, Darcy looked out the window of his townhouse contemplating a lonely future. He'd always felt uneasy in society, but never to this degree. The constant soft stream of water from grey skies seemed to mirror his own internal struggles since his return from Netherfield three weeks previously. Fitzwilliam Darcy, one of the richest and well-connected men in Derbyshire didn't want to go out, nor did he want to be confined indoors with the present company. A storm raged between what society dictated he ought to do and what he felt would be right for him. It left Darcy in a constant state of turmoil as he attempted to hide these disabling emotions from his friends and relations, making him seem even more severe than usual.
After Christmas, he would accompany Georgiana to the family estate well to the north of Town. They would spend New Year's Eve at Pemberley, without company, which suited the siblings very well. Brother and sister would pass the entire social season alone, neither needing the distraction of London society, nor the gossip, as they came to terms with their recent bereavements. Only the Bingley's visit in July would break the monotony, apart from the obligatory Easter visit to Rosings, when he would be forced from his beloved country manor. Darcy would lament the company of his sister then, but he would not force Georgiana to face the wrath of their Aunt Catherine, for he intended spending all his time at Pemberley and nursing his broken heart back to some semblance of health.
The way Darcy felt at this present moment in time, the family's great estate would fall to his sister's first son because he'd almost made up his mind to never marry. Of course, business would draw him back to London on occasion as the years passed and, no doubt, make him the prey of any mother wanting to palm off her daughters to any eligible young man of ten thousand a year. In fact, due to careful planning and investments, the incomes from his estate and industries exceed twice that. Not that Darcy allowed such information to be circulated. It would make him even more the hunted bachelor, not less.
Then there would be the family obligations he could not refuse, especially those of his maternal Aunt and Uncle, Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam. As if administering his own lands and investments weren't enough, Darcy had inherited the management of Lady Catherine's property as well. Darcy could ensure the commercial visits to London would be few and far between by using his man of business, Mr. Gilliam, to transact on his behalf. Anything requiring his personal presentation would be of the shortest possible duration. He needed peace and quiet to establish the logic of his mind over his wayward heart. That could only be achieved at his beloved Pemberley, and, Darcy believed, many years of solitude.
For the last three weeks, Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst had called every second day under the guise of keeping his sister company. Each time they visited Leighwood House, Miss Bingley made a point of asking after Mr. Darcy's whereabouts. Claiming business interests, Darcy avoided most of the calls by locking himself in his study, unless Charles accompanied his sisters. Then he felt honour bound to take tea with the Ladies. However, he had not been able to refuse the weekly dinners at Mr. Hurst's London home. Georgiana needed the exposure to society and the company of others before her coming out two years hence. Stuck in London with only her brother and a companion, Darcy felt obligated to attend a few intimate social functions. Thus, he found himself hosting the Bingley's and Hurst's for the evening.
"Mr. Darcy," Caroline walked up behind him, laying a predatory hand on his shoulder, which he instantly shook off. The woman was becoming more voracious and inappropriate in her familiarity the more time they spent time in each other's company. "I hope you are not out of spirits."
"Not at all," Darcy offered politely, hoping the woman would take his hint and re-join her sister's party. He did not want to call attention to her unwanted interest and embarrass his friend. In Darcy's mind, Charles should have rebuked his sibling long ago for her flirtatious behaviour.
He'd never sought Caroline Bingley's affections, yet she seemed to give them freely and determinedly. While the woman dressed well and had an adequate dowry, her conversation lacked any depth and her whole character was insincere. He doubted she felt any true affection or understanding of him, rather that she wished to elevate her position in society by marrying a gentleman of means. Her manners might be considered fashionable by the dubious standards of the Ton, but two decidedly negative factors went against her in Darcy's mind. He could have overlooked that her wealth was begotten in trade, but he could not bypass the fact his heart rejected her on every level, especially now it had been engaged by a set of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman.
"Finally, we are saved from the country and the tedious company of four and twenty families," she smirked. Darcy found the woman's tone of voice grated like nails on a board. "I would not have thought you as eager to return to Netherfield as Charles. I believe Hertfordshire holds little of value for you or my brother, although he does not see it that way presently."
"Indeed, I am not eager to go anywhere but Pemberley," Darcy stated with a steely determination. He didn't move a single muscle. Returning to Netherfield was not an option until he had his emotions under good regulation. Three weeks absence from a certain lady and she still invaded his dreams.
"So, you are not missing a pair of fine eyes and the pert opinions of one particular lady," Caroline teased. Frowning when he didn't react to her taunt, she delivered her intended news in a slightly waspish tone. "I believe my brother is determined to return to Hertfordshire in the New Year and continue his attentions to Miss Bennet. Louisa and I are quite undone. What shall we do, Mr. Darcy, to convince him otherwise?"
"Nothing," Darcy answered in a monotone, still looking to the grey sky in the deepening night.
"Nothing, Mr. Darcy," shocked, Caroline shared her mortified expression with Louisa, who sat close enough to listen to the conversation. Initially they believed Darcy to be their fellow conspirator in this matter. It seemed the man disliked the country's company as much as they. He had gone so far as to speak out against Jane's relations, and challenge Charles' devotion towards his object of affection, early in their acquaintance with that family. Further, Darcy openly warned him against making a reprehensible connection that could damage his acceptance into refined society upon their arriving in London. Changing tactics, Miss Bingley asked in a sultry tone, "I believe you witnessed the lack of decorum exhibited by the Bennet Family the last time we met at the Netherfield Ball. I'm sure you wouldn't wish your sister to be related to such a family?"
"Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet cannot be considered in the same fashion as the rest of their family," Darcy defended. The frown on his features deepened. "Their manners and deportment are more than respectable."
Why, he asked, did I just defend the behaviour of a woman I wish to forget? Has she bewitched me as completely in the waking hours as her Spectre has in the night? Why can I not forget her when she can be nothing to me? She maybe a Gentleman's daughter, but her status in life forbids me from paying her any attention.Keeping his heavy sigh internalised, Darcy added, "but their relations will always be a regrettable connection and disadvantage their chances of making a good marriage."
"I am all astonishment," Caroline tittered, shocked to the core by this sudden turn about. "May I take it you approve of Charles' association with Miss Bennet then? That you would see Louisa and I related to such a family?"
"Indeed not," Darcy finally turned to face the woman trying his patience. "Miss Bennet's charms may well fade on better acquaintance. She smiles too much and I fear her heart will not be easily revealed. I have counselled your brother, given Bingley my opinion. However, your brother is a grown man and, as such, should make his decisions where his heart is engaged."
"You advance a union based solely on the heart, Mr. Darcy," Caroline could not hide her shock, "rather than an equal in consequence? You would forgo wealth and connections in favour of affection?"
"I propose your brother should marry for both," Darcy countered. Understanding the poison behind her pretty words, he felt the loathing rise in his throat. Aware of Caroline Bingley's design to become Mrs. Darcy, he felt little for the woman. The Master of Pemberley tolerated Bingley's sister only out of respect for his friend. Tonight, she had picked her battles very ill, and Darcy felt it high time to remind Caroline of her position in society and his lack of interest. "I know I certainly shall. However, I have yet to meet a woman who is my equal in consequence and whom I can admire and respect enough to spend an entire life with."
Eyes wide, Caroline lifted her hand to her throat. Wounded by Darcy's harsh words, she took a step backward. The man nodded at her, dismissing her as if she were a servant. Thunderous and indignant anger erupted as she tried valiantly and failed to conceal her rage. Miss Bingley withdrew to sit beside her sister, her ill humour lurking for the rest of the evening.
"What," Georgiana asked once the visitors departed, "did you discuss with Miss Bingley before we sat down to dine, Brother, to place her in such an attitude? She barely spoke a word all night after your conversation by the window."
"No doubt you have heard me mention a young lady, a Miss Elizabeth Bennet, whom I met while I stayed in Hertfordshire," Darcy questioned, a faraway expression in his eye.
"Yes," the young girl, only just recovered from her own near elopement, suddenly noticed the signs of an engaged heart in her brother. To the best of her knowledge, Georgiana had never witnessed William react with such devotion to any woman. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, it seemed, affected his emotions, although he would never admit it to another living soul. "Miss Bingley has mentioned meeting the Bennet sisters while at Netherfield. She does not speak well of Miss Elizabeth, or her sister. I cannot believe you would hold someone in such esteem if they were as Caroline describes them."
"I would not," Darcy smiled down at his sibling, suddenly feeling a little better at her interest. Leading her back into the entry hall, he guided his sister upstairs to her chamber. "The two elder Miss Bennet's are both perfectly amiable. However, their connections mean they can be nothing more to us but casual and indifferent acquaintances. We move in very different circles, Georgiana."
"I understood Mr. Bennet holds the estate which bordered Netherfield. Is the family so poor? Or have I been mistaken and they are in trade?" Georgiana asked innocently, a frown appearing on her face as she tried to consolidate this new information.
Darcy managed to hold back a groan. Approaching midnight, he did not wish to engage in this conversation while hiding the emotion he felt from a most beloved sister. "Mr. Bennet is a gentleman; however, his estate is entailed upon a distant cousin. Mrs. Bennet's family is in trade and the whole family's behaviour, excepting the eldest sisters, breaches propriety. It leaves the Miss Bennet's in an unfortunate position with little in the way of dowry to attract eligible gentlemen. One of them, at least, must marry very well to improve their fortune. Yet, they have not the means to attract such a union. In short, they have little but their charms to recommend them, which is unfortunate for I find myself admiring Miss Elizabeth more than any woman of my acquaintance."
"I do not understand Miss Bingley's aversion to Miss Bennet if this is the case. While our friend Mr. Bingley may be wealthy," observed the astute girl, "his fortune has come from trade. Did you not help him, Brother, in his endeavours when his father died and he had to take over the family business suddenly? I believe you felt particularly sorry for your friend, given that our own father similarly left you to run the estate at such an early age."
"I believe that is exactly why Bingley and I are such friends. We have much in common," Darcy marvelled at the woman beside him, for either Georgiana had matured greatly or she spoke with complete innocence; he could not determine which.
"I understood from Mrs. Hurst that Mr. Bingley is considering making an offer to Miss Bennet, who is a gentleman's daughter," Georgiana bit her lip, trying to make sense of the evening's conversation. So many ideas whirled in her head, not least her brother's solemn mood since returning to London. "Is that not a fortunate connection for Mr. Bingley if they marry, even if she is poor? Would it not give him more respectability and a higher social standing? And what of affection? Surely a man the like of Mr. Bingley is able to see through a woman who is only after the comforts of his home and income? I have seen you evade many such young ladies who only wanted the Darcy name and all it entitled. I would rather see you settled happily to a poor woman than with a wife you could not respect. I could easily welcome such a sister!"
Smiling genuinely for the first time in days, Darcy bowed to his sister as they stopped before her chamber door. "I believe you are correct on all accounts, Georgiana. It appears your recent troubles, time with your cousins at Matlock House, and the appointment of Mrs. Annesley, has matured you beyond my expectations. I am prodigiously proud of you."
Embarrassed by her brother's words of praise, Georgiana offered a quiet, "thank you" while dropping him a curtsey.
"Goodnight," Darcy lent in and lovingly kissed the sister, who he considered more like a daughter, on the forehead. Watching as she entered her room, he sighed in weary resignation. "You have given me much to think about," Darcy whispered, making the move across the hall to his chamber.
On the other side of the door, the young woman almost collapsed at her forward behaviour. Georgiana had not meant to say so many words to her brother, especially as they could be taken as censure of his behaviour while in Hertfordshire. Usually shy, she'd known the Bingley's for years, and feared the hopes of Miss Bingley in particular. It gave Miss Darcy the insight to truly watch the interactions occurring around her tonight. After her own misfortunes, she'd become even quieter and more resistant to giving her opinions, as she coped with the shame of a near elopement no one knew about. It seemed the weeks of reflection away from her beloved brother had changed Georgiana. It also gave her a better understanding of his character and his needs.
"You need a wife," Georgiana whispered, finally seeing her sibling's loneliness. Just how she could entice William to elucidate on Miss Elizabeth Bennet's character, or become reacquainted with her, she didn't know. "But I must try. For any woman to make you stand up to Miss Bingley is well worth getting to know. I make this promise; I will never see Caroline as my sister or the Mistress of Pemberley."