The remainder of the day passed with the elder Benet sisters remaining out of sight of the majority of the occupants of the house. Mr Collin spent the day in his room requesting his meals be brought to him so that he may remain undisturbed. The result of his day's contemplation appeared in the form of a single piece of correspondence he bade be delivered with all haste before he retreated behind the study door of his chamber.
The morrow produced no further intelligence. Mr Collins attended the morning meal but offered no more than the bare civilities. Mrs Bennet was suitably vexed by her inability to claim Mr Collins in conversation and organise things as to her liking. After Mr Collins had eaten sufficiently, he excused himself and was heard in the hall calling for his coat.
A letter was delivered to Miss Bennet, it came from Netherfield and was opened immediately. The envelope contained a sheet of elegant, little, hot-pressed paper, well covered with a lady's fair, flowing hand. Elizabeth saw her sister's countenance change as she read it and saw her dwelling intently on some particular passages. Jane recollected herself soon, and putting the letter away, tried to join with her usual cheerfulness in the general conversation, but Elizabeth felt an anxiety on the subject. Mrs Bennet espied her daughter's missive and sought to inquire as to the sender.
"It is a letter from Caroline."
"What does she have to say, Jane, does she wish for you to visit?"
"No Mama. Caroline writes that she has decided that she will join Mr. Bingley in London where she foresees spending the rest of the winter."
"Oh, that is unfortunate, for if she is not there, you shall be unable to call upon her and see Mr Bingley by chance. But perhaps not all is lost, for he shall be able to visit and without his party, we can invite him to dine with us. Yes, I can see that working very well indeed. I will speak to cook and make sure the menus include some of his favourites."
Jane only nodded to her mother's outpouring of plans. When she rose from the table, Elizabeth followed her. With an understanding glance exchanged, they headed upstairs to Jane's room. Jane sat against the headboard while Elizabeth perched at her feet the usual arrangement for their sister discussions.
Just as they were to begin, a hesitant knock came at the door and Mary poked her head around.
"Forgive my intrusion, but I noticed you did not seem at ease at the table and I hope that nothing is truly amiss. I do not wish to intrude on an exchange of confidences to which I have no part, but Mama indicated that she would be speaking to Mr. Collins then myself and I do not feel I have the strength to stand up to her."
"It is quite alright Mary you may come in," Jane said warmly to her sister.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at Jane who merely held out a hand to Mary. Mary came into the room carefully. She shut the door and hesitated slightly, her eyes flickering between Jane and Elizabeth and Jane's outstretched hand.
"Come, Mary, we do not bite. I too noticed Jane was not disclosing the matter fully and she was just about to illuminate me on the topic. You have not missed anything of import so far," Elizabeth offered to reassure her sister.
"Mama will not look for you in here," Jane said comfortingly.
That seemed to decide her, and Mary came towards the bed. Elizabeth patted the space next to her against the foot board.
"It is tradition between Jane and me, that the person who has things to tell, gets the head of the bed and those that listen, the bottom. Come to sit by me, Mary. Here, the bolster does well at cushioning your back. Now, as a rule, Jane only allows questions at the end and is most severe about interruptions. I, on the other hand, welcome discourse at any point."
"Oh," Mary said looking between them. "Then I shall abide by your rules, of course."
"They are not rules, Mary," Jane said smiling. "Only Lizzy is apt to go off on a tangent which can mean that the matter in hand is never gotten around to."
"Jane, of course, is far too good as to do anything so unladylike as ramble," Elizabeth teased. Mary didn't look entirely at ease but nodded and turned her attention to Jane focusing much as Elizabeth had seen her do in church during the sermons. She bit her lip to hide her smile at the thought, and she too turned to Jane expectantly.
"This is from Caroline Bingley; what it contains, has surprised me a good deal. The whole party have left Netherfield by this time and are on their way to town, and without any intention of coming back again. You shall hear what she says.''
Jane then read the first sentence aloud, which comprised the information of their having just resolved to follow their brother to town directly, and of their meaning to dine that day in Grosvenor Street, where Mr. Hurst had a house. The next was in these words.
"I do not pretend to regret anything I shall leave in Hertfordshire, except your society, my dearest friend; but we will hope at some future period, to enjoy many returns of the delightful intercourse we have known, and in the meanwhile may lessen the pain of separation by a very frequent and most unreserved correspondence. I depend on you for that.
When my brother left us yesterday, he imagined that the business which took him to London, might be concluded in three or four days, but as we are certain it cannot be so, and at the same time convinced that when Charles gets to town he will be in no hurry to leave it again, we have determined on following him thither, that he may not be obliged to spend his vacant hours in a comfortless hotel. Many of my acquaintance are already there for the winter; I wish I could hear that you, my dearest friend, had any intention of making one in the crowd, but of that, I despair. I sincerely hope your Christmas in Hertfordshire may abound in the gaieties which that season generally brings, and that your beaux will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling the loss of the three of whom we shall deprive you.''
"Did Mr. Bingley not communicate with Miss Bingley his intentions?" Mary queried when Jane paused, glancing between her sisters confusedly. "To me, he seemed most pleased with gaining your consent to courtship, and I believe he mentioned to Lizzy that he was going thither to ensure the correct matters were in place once he secured your affections. That reads as if Miss Bingley is unaware of his true purpose."
"To me too it seemed the same. I cannot think why Mr. Bingley might delay in telling his sister of his intentions."
"But you have not told Mama," Elizabeth pointed out. "For reasons which we are all in agreement with. Perhaps Mr Bingley did not wish for Mama to be the last to be informed. She would not like it and see herself quite hard done by. Perhaps he intends to host a gathering where he might announce his happy news, where you will both be able to enjoy the congratulations together rather than apart. It seems to me not unholy reasonable."
"Yes," Jane said nodding a relieved expression on her face. "Perhaps you are right, it would upset Mama to be the last to know. I had not thought of that Lizzy. But I shall read you the next part, for your wisdom is much needed here as well. I confess that on first reading the words I found myself quite distressed as you noted at the table.
Mr Darcy is impatient to see his sister and to confess the truth, we are scarcely less eager to meet her again. I really do not think Georgiana Darcy has her equal for beauty, elegance, and accomplishments; and the affection she inspires in Louisa and myself is heightened into something still more interesting, from the hope we dare to entertain of her being hereafter our sister. I do not know whether I ever before mentioned to you my feelings on this subject, but I will not leave the country without confiding them, and I trust you will not esteem them unreasonable. My brother admires her greatly already, he will have frequent opportunity now of seeing her on the most intimate footing, her relations all wish the connection as much as his own, and a sister's partiality is not misleading me, I think, when I call Charles most capable of engaging any woman's heart. With all these circumstances to favour an attachment and nothing to prevent it, am I wrong, my dearest Jane, in indulging the hope of an event which will secure the happiness of so many?''
"Oh now!" Elizabeth exclaimed as Jane lowered the letter and waited for a response. "Honestly you cannot believe that! Far be it from me to accuse Miss Bingley of listening at doors, but how else could such an account come together? Why it is almost laughable."
Jane's hurt and confusion showed on her countenance. Elizabeth reached out to grasp her hand, shaking it slightly and warmly continued. "Jane, dear sweet Jane. You cannot think that Mr. Bingley is the type of man to engage the affections and gain the permission to court a lady then run off with another. Another whom, I may point out, is the younger sister of his close friend, a friend who is most assuredly aware of Mr. Bingley's intentions towards you. Dearest, please discard this missive as spurious conjecture. Miss Bingley must have heard Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy discussing Mr Darcy's plans to bring Miss Darcy to Netherfield. Miss Bingley has ably demonstrated her distaste for the country and has presumed that that means that any time spent in company together would be done so in town.
If she chooses to willfully ignore the affection betwixt her brother and yourself, she must then delude herself that any warm words of praise Mr Bingley has uttered have been towards another. Miss Darcy is preferred as it will bring her closer to her own goal. By removing the whole party to town, she lends weight to the argument that it would be more convenient to stay there where she would rather be. I fear that she is in for a rude shock when she discovers the truth. Indeed, Jane, it is nothing for you to concern yourself with."
"Then why would she write such a thing? It seems to me that Caroline would know of her brother's regard and be an astute judge of his actions."
Elizabeth scoffed. "Miss Bingley has set her cap upon Mr. Darcy. If she feels that one marriage between the family might encourage another, would she not then encourage any scheme that could advance her goal?"
"I cannot see that Lizzy, while we were in company together, Caroline made every overture of friendship towards me. I cannot believe that she would be so insincere, what advantage would it gain her to be so false."
"Then you must choose," Mary said haltingly. "To believe either Miss Bingley's account as your friend or Mr Bingley who has asked and received permission to court you. Do you think the gentleman capable of such villainous behaviour?"
"No," Jane said. "Mr Bingley is a good man he would not trifle with my feelings in such a manner. If he wished only a flirtation, then why speak to Papa? Why raise such hopes and expectations? I will not doubt his intentions, to do so would credit neither of us."
"You are not wrong about Mr Bingley Jane. I too do not think him capable of such deception. I do not think that his behaviour would escape his friend's notice and I am certain that Mr Darcy would not welcome such a character in his circle," Elizabeth declared in support of her sister's beau.
"So, then you must be wrong about Miss Bingley," Mary ascertained.
"Perhaps she is simply mistaken in her thinking. If Mr Bingley has been praising me to Mr Darcy," Jane dropped her gaze as her face flamed in embarrassed pleasure. "And Miss Bingley is unaware of her brothers' intentions, perhaps it is a misunderstanding on her part. Once we are able to announce our happy news, I am sure that this can be cleared up. I am sure that Caroline would not to intentionally hurt me with her words."
Elizabeth exchanged a glance with Mary that showed that they at least were in agreement. However, as to not further upset Jane, Elizabeth changed the topic of conversation to the next time they might walk out to the circulating library and what might be on offer. She and Jane both suggesting to Mary one or two books that she might try.
Darcy descended the stairs of his club and entered the dining room where the morning meal was being served. To his surprise found Bingley already seated. "You rose early," he commented taking his seat. The server brought the coffee pot and filled his tray. Bingley accepted the proffered refill, and the server faded back to the wall.
"I profess to not quite attending you yesterday when we arrived as to the time that food would be served. I thought it best to be early than late. I am grateful to be here over some hotel."
Darcy shrugged. "As our stay is to be short I saw no point in staying at my house. Our time would only be interrupted by constant callers. Better to stay here and get matters sorted."
"Still it is most convenient, and I thank you."
Darcy waved him off, picking up his cup. "Have you decided what you shall do today? If you are serious in your intent to have a contract drawn up, you will need to see your solicitor as soon as may be. These things take time."
"I sent a message out yesterday upon our arrival requesting an interview. I hope that I am fortunate as to be granted one today. I am aware of what Miss Bennet brings to any union. Mr Bennet, I think, thought it should dissuade me, but it shall not. I shall settle on her a goodly sum, and I shall have every hope that she keeps better accounts than Caroline, she can hardly do worse."
"Longbourn is not overly prosperous, but it is hardly destitute, and Mrs Bennet has a reputation for keeping a fine table. If she has taught her daughters, I think you shall not have to worry."
"Do you think I should buy Miss Bennet a trinket? I thought perhaps a small brooch, she wore a coral necklace at the ball. Perhaps something that might match. Forgive me for the asking, but I dare not ask Caroline, and while perhaps it is not quite the same thing, you buy your sister trinkets do you not?"
"Yes, and I should think that a desire to please applies, be it a sister or a suitor. I can offer an opinion, but I hardly know Miss Bennet I would think that anything you pick out would suit."
"Then I shall go today while I wait to hear, and see what I can find."
Their conversation broke off as they were approached by a servant bearing a tray.
"Sir, Mr Bingley, sir, these have arrived for you by messenger. He was instructed to wait for a response, sir."
Bingley looked surprised. "By Jove that was quick, I've never known Boot to rise this early to attend business." He scooped the letters from the proffered tray. His expression fading from anticipation to concern.
"Bingley?"
"Caroline, and this one I do not know. Though why Caroline is writing to me? She must have had the messenger chasing our heels the entire way here. Surely, she recalls we came on horseback. We cannot be expected to return bearing hat boxes!"
Bingley opened the letter, his face creasing with concern as he took in the message.
"Bingley? Netherfield has not burnt down has it?" Darcy asked trying to be jovial in the face of his friend's concern.
"No but it might be better had it for that would excuse my sister's behaviour. It seems that leaving the carriage at her disposal was an error. She and the Hursts have removed from Netherfield to Hurst's house on Grosvenor Street. This is a summons to join them for the remainder of the winter so that we might enjoy a more civilised society."
"She has quit Netherfield entirely?"
"That is my understanding. Dash it all Darcy I shall have to send an express to Netherfield. Mrs Nicholls shall have to be informed that my plans have not changed."
"The messenger that brought the letter is he from Hurst or Netherfield?"
"I do not know. I shall have someone enquire."
"Perhaps your second letter?" Darcy reminded Bingley of the seemingly forgotten missive waiting for him.
Bingley put Caroline's letter down frowning at it as he opened the second shorter note. "Ah!" he exclaimed, the smile returning to his face. "Mrs Nicholls," he waved the note by way of explanation. "Caroline asked for her letter to be sent express but did not wish to wait for the rider to be summoned, so Mrs Nicholls sent it via one of Netherfield's men. She wishes to know if the house is to be closed as Caroline ordered. Will my sister ever not be a nuisance? I shall have to respond at once. Will the kitchen scrounge up a bite for my man?"
"I should think so. Write your reply I shall see it done."
Bingley nodded rising from the table to seek out a desk where he could pen his reply. Once it was done and sent on its way, he found Darcy in the library. They settled to wait till a more civil hour before venturing outside so took up the newspapers.
"Did you send a reply to Caroline?" Darcy asked curiously.
"No," Bingley answered. "I communicated my plans, she has chosen to make her own. I shall not stand in her way. I shall understand if you wish to remain in town, your sister too."
"No, I see no need to change our plans. Georgina will be accompanied by Mrs Annersley and myself and as she is not out there can be no censure levied."
"Is your cousin Richard still overseas? I am happy to extend the invitation to him as well. We shall be a merry party indeed."
"I am uncertain, the Army being what it is, Richard's time is rarely his own. I believe that the Earl and his mother may wish to see him if he is returned, but I shall send a message and extend the invitation on your behalf. Unless you wish to ask the Earl and Lady Matlock as well?"
Bingley laughed. "If Caroline should hear that an invitation had been extended I believe that she shall find the society at Netherfield tolerable once more."
"Then perhaps just Richard," Darcy agreed. "You two can revisit that horse race that you were unable to decide. I shall remain on hand to call the physician."
"You say that as if you did not take that stretch alongside the road too fast. That horse of yours is a fine beast to manage those fences at such a pace."
"She is," Darcy agreed.
Bingley checked the time on the mantle clock. "I say, Darcy, it has just occurred to me, do you think Caroline took her leave of my neighbours?"
"Of the society in Meryton specifically, or of Miss Bennet?" Darcy indulged.
"Well, that is to say, I meant the society in general but yes Miss Bennet. I hope that she shall not feel abandoned."
"I cannot pretend that Caroline shall be pleased with your choice when you tell her," Darcy paused. "I should, in your position, rather hope she said too little than too much."
Bingley paled. "Do you think she might set Miss Bennet against me?"
Darcy folded the newspapers tossing it onto the side table. "Bingley, are you so insecure of your position in Miss Bennet's affections that you think Caroline might come between you?"
"I am concerned that Caroline has told Miss Bennet that she intends for our entire party to spend the winter in town. Caroline has no reason to think I should not agree to do so."
"Yet Miss Bennet does. Come, man, you are worrying over nothing. You will be back in the neighbourhood in no more than three days. You will be able to spend the entire winter courting Miss Bennet and marry her in the spring. I am given to understand you feel violently for Miss Bennet but a few days apart this early on can hardly be a hardship."
"Perhaps you are correct. I shall return when I said I would whether my business is complete or not. I shall not leave Miss Bennet waiting or wondering. Perhaps once I have secured Miss Bennet, Caroline will look more seriously towards finding a match of her own."
"As long as she does not look in my direction."
"Your cousin is still single is he not?"
"Richard? Even if you could persuade him to look at Caroline seriously, he is the second son. Your sister is aiming higher than that. Although the connection to the Earl is notable Richard stands to gain nothing but a smaller estate upon the Earls demise. It would not be what Caroline considered suitable."
"Caroline considers too few suitable," Bingley acknowledged. "I shall hope, however, upon seeing my felicity she shall be encouraged towards her own." Another glance was thrown towards the mantle clock.
Darcy shook his head at his friend. "I see that your mind is elsewhere. Come then, we shall be about our business and on our return, you might have word."