Checkmate, Mr Darcy Chapter 7, a pride and prejudice fanfic

~O~

Chapter 7

The following day, Colonel Fitzwilliam called at Gracechurch Street. When offered refreshments by Mrs Gardiner, he demurred and suggested, 'I noticed a pleasant park nearby. Perhaps Miss Elizabeth would care for a walk?'

Relieved not to be cooped up in a parlour yet again, Elizabeth eagerly agreed, and in no time at all, she and Fitzwilliam were walking in the park, trailed by one of the Gardiner's footmen.

Despite the fairly brisk pace, they managed to speak.

'I am most grateful that you asked me to take a walk,' Elizabeth sighed with happiness and tilted her face towards the sun.

'I had an ulterior motive for my suggestion. I was hoping to spend some time with you without the interference of family and friends, no matter how well-meaning.'

'I confess that the last couple of days have been rather stressful, and I discovered that I was not made for high society. Please, do not misunderstand, I thought your mother is everything delightful and meeting the Queen was a great honour, yet I do not truly feel comfortable in such exalted company.'

Fitzwilliam gently squeezed the hand resting in the crook of his elbow. 'I am relieved to hear you say that.' He noticed her quizzical expression and explained, 'I suppose one of the reasons I joined the army was because it allowed me to deal with men from all walks of life. Instead of the artificial rules of society I dealt with real people and had a chance for honest conversations.'

'I think I understand. Propriety has its place in ensuring the safety of ladies, but it does not allow us to really understand people. There are too many restrictions because ladies are considered too delicate to deal with the realities of life.'

'I confess that when I enjoy a conversation, I often forget to censor my words.'

Elizabeth tilted her head as she looked up at Fitzwilliam. 'I believe that may be the reason why I feel safe with you.'

'You feel safe with me?'

'Indeed. Incongruous as it may seem, but the fact that you do not sugar-coat things makes me trust you, and because of that trust I feel safe.'

Fitzwilliam broke into a huge smile and said, 'Be careful. If you keep saying things like that, I might start speaking to you as if you were a soldier.'

'As long as you do not attempt to order me about, all shall be well.'

'You would react badly to being ordered about?'

'Quite badly, indeed.' Elizabeth enjoyed the teasing but then stopped to think for a moment before she added, 'Unless of course there was an emergency, and you had the expertise to deal with it.'

Richard looked at the teasing smile and wondered what kind of an emergency would allow him to order her to kiss him.

~O~

With Elizabeth's birthday coming soon, Mrs Gardiner arranged for a treat for her niece. She and Jane would accompany Elizabeth to Hatchard's book shop followed by a visit to Gunter's.

On the day of the outing, Elizabeth was in the closest thing to heaven as she browsed the shelves at the book shop. She would have completely lost track of time if Mrs Gardiner had not reminded her that they were to meet Colonel Fitzwilliam at Gunter's.

Elizabeth reluctantly confined her selection to three novels before leaving the shop. Even though it was only a few blocks to Berkley Square, they used the Gardiner's carriage, allowing Elizabeth's new treasures to be stored in the vehicle.

Their timing was perfect as Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived at the teashop at the same time.

After exchanging greetings, Elizabeth asked, 'I hope you managed to conclude all your business successfully?'

'Indeed,' he replied with a smile and escorted the ladies inside.

They had barely had time to place their orders after taking seats at a corner table when they were approached by a familiar face.

'Miss Bennet, what an unexpected pleasure to run into you today. Are you in town to do some shopping?'

Jane was stunned to be addressed by Mr Bingley with a brilliant smile and a carefree manner without the slightest sign of guilt for having abandoned her without a word. Apart from a letter by Miss Bingley, indicating that he would not return to Netherfield because he was courting Miss Darcy, she had not heard from the man in almost five months. And to top it off, when Jane had paid a visit to Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst, they had made it quite clear that neither they nor their brother wished to continue their acquaintance.

She was still struggling to decide how to respond to the gentleman when he continued to babble. 'But might I introduce my aunt to you?' Without waiting for a response, he introduced Mrs Mathilda Bingley to the Bennet sisters and Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Good manners required Jane to respond by introducing their aunt, Mrs Edward Gardiner.

As soon as the formalities were done with, Mrs Bingley gushed, 'I am so very pleased to meet you at last, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. Charles has not stopped speaking about you since he came to Scarborough to help us in our troubles. After all these months of hearing him sing your praises, I feel like you are almost family.'

'Scarborough… troubles… months…' stuttered Jane in complete and utter confusion as she looked from one Bingley to the other.

Jane's confusion confused Bingley in turn. Mrs Gardiner, the consummate hostess picked up on this and invited, 'I think you had better join us. I believe there is a story which would go better with a cup of tea.'

Once they were all seated with the refreshment of their choice, Bingley had recovered enough to ask, 'Miss Bennet, did not your father share the letter I sent to him before I dashed off to Scarborough?'

'I do not believe that our father received a letter from you,' Jane replied.

Elizabeth clarified immediately, 'The only letter we received was from Miss Bingley the day after you left Netherfield, in which she informed us that she was closing the house as none of you had any intention to return. She also made it very clear that you were courting another lady.'

'But I wrote a letter explaining everything,' Bingley protested.

'I think there might have been some sabotage,' commented Colonel Fitzwilliam. 'I suggest that you relate what has happened since you left Netherfield, without worrying what information should have been relayed. And do not leave out anything.'

Bingley was startled and dismayed by Fitzwilliam's words while Mrs Bingley only looked grim and nodded. 'Go ahead, Charles,' she urged. 'I believe that a quote from Hamlet might be in order.'

Elizabeth muttered, 'Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,' to which Mrs Bingley nodded agreement.

Ignoring the literary reference, Bingley said, 'The day after ball, Darcy and I travelled together to London. While I have sold some of my businesses, I still have an interest in several, which was why I had to come to town to negotiate some contracts.' He coloured a little as he added, 'I was also going to speak to my solicitor about a marriage settlement which I planned to take to Mr Bennet.'

Once he stopped fidgeting, he continued, 'Along the way, Darcy and I talked and when I mentioned my hopes to propose to Miss Bennet, he argued against the idea. I am afraid he was not complimentary towards your family, although he allowed that you two ladies are everything genteel. But he argued that he had not seen any preference in your manner towards me and he was concerned that your mother would force you to accept my suit regardless.'

'Did you believe him?' Jane whispered in mortification.

'No. But I confess that I did not wish to argue and said that I would think about what he had said. When we arrived in London, he dropped me off at my house and after cleaning up, I went to see my solicitor. He should have a finished marriage contract waiting for me this afternoon. The following morning, I saw my man of business and we had the meeting for which I had come to town. When I arrived back at my house to change for the evening, as I was planning to go to my club, I discovered that my sisters and Hurst had followed me to London.'

'Now we come to the intrigue,' muttered Fitzwilliam.

Bingley looked at him askance but simply continued. 'Caroline did not like the country and I was determined to return to Netherfield. I was still arguing with Caroline when an express arrived from Aunt Mathilda, informing me that there had been an accident involving her husband and son.'

'My husband was very badly injured and not expected to survive. And he did indeed pass away within a week. Our only son was injured as well but fortunately not as badly, and he has since recovered. But with both men in the family incapacitated, I needed help to look after the business. Which is why I asked Charles to come to Scarborough to assist.'

'That evening, I wrote letters to Mr Bennet to explain my extended absence and to beg him to inform you of my firm intentions of returning as soon as possible. I also wrote letters to Mrs Nicholls and Mr Carter, the housekeeper and the steward at Netherfield,' he added for the benefit of those of their party who did not know the people, 'to ensure the staff were kept on and preparations for the winter were carried out.'

'I am afraid that none of those letters arrived,' Elizabeth informed Bingley. 'I know that Netherfield is closed up and the staff were let go without a reference and I am not certain if they were paid. And Mr Carter was unable to do much for the tenants for Christmas.'

'I left those letters on the tray to be sent. I do not understand how they could all have become lost,' Bingley said in confusion, but after a shrug, he continued. 'Be that as it may, in the morning at first light, I set off for Scarborough as fast as I could travel. I arrived just in time to say goodbye to my uncle.'

'Charles has been indispensable to us. It was only a fortnight ago that my son was able to return to running the business. Since my husband is gone and Robert is married, I thought it best if I left them to get on with their lives. Because there are also too many memories for me in Scarborough, I was happy to take up Charles' invitation, to have me at Netherfield as his hostess.'

'After Caroline was so unhappy in the country, I thought it would be better to have a more congenial hostess.'

'How long have you been back in London?' asked Jane.

'We arrived last night,' Bingley answered. 'Oh, and you should know that I sent a letter to Mr Bennet two weeks ago, informing him of the planned date for my arrival.'

'I doubt that he would even have opened the letter by now,' thought Elizabeth before she asked, 'Have you spoken to your sisters about your plans?'

As Bingley looked embarrassed, his aunt answered, 'As we planned to be in town for only two days, we are staying at an hotel. I am afraid that I do not particularly care for my nieces.'

'Who does,' muttered Fitzwilliam, and while Elizabeth did not voice her agreement, she gave him a benign look.

Bingley ignored the comment. 'I did not wish for an argument as I only wished to pick up the marriage contract from my solicitor before returning to Netherfield.' Bingley looked around the table. 'Now that you know what I have been doing, what has happened here?'

'As I said, Jane received a letter from your sister claiming that you would not return as you would soon be engaged to Miss Darcy–'

'Stop right there,' exclaimed Fitzwilliam. 'I know that to be a lie as I would never allow my ward to marry at such a young age. She has only just turned sixteen and is not even out.'

Elizabeth gave Jane a pointed look. 'I told you so.'

'That is not a nice habit, Lizzy.'

Elizabeth did not look contrite as she said, 'What can I say…'

Mrs Gardiner thought it was time to intervene and continue their story. 'After Christmas, Jane came to town with us to get her away from Mrs Bennet who was inconsolable by your defection. In the middle of January, Jane and I paid a call on your sisters, who brushed us off and informed us that you were not interested in Jane.'

'Darcy has been congratulating himself for having saved you from a fortune hunter. But after I met Miss Elizabeth, and I discovered who the lady was and something of the circumstances, I went to see you last week. Your sisters claimed that you were visiting relatives, but made it seem like a pleasure trip,' Fitzwilliam contributed.

'Those little harpies,' fumed Mrs Bingley while her nephew's expression portrayed devastation at the betrayal.

'You suspect that my sisters destroyed the letters I wrote before I went north,' Bingley said to Fitzwilliam.

'That is the only explanation which makes sense.'

'Aunt, I am afraid that we will have to stay in town for a few days longer. Caroline and Louisa have gone too far this time.'

'You have no proof that they burnt the letters,' Mrs Bingley pointed out.

'I do have the letter which Miss Bingley sent to me…' offered Jane.

Bingley turned hopefully toward the Colonel. 'Fitzwilliam, will you assist me?'

Richard responded with a wolfish grin, 'Since that letter could be devastating to my ward, I will do you one better. I will involve my mother.'

'You are a cruel man, Colonel,' said Mrs Bingley with an approving smile.

~O~

During this explanation, the mood of the Bennet sisters had gone from displeasure at seeing Bingley to much warmer feelings.

While Elizabeth felt vindicated in her evaluation of the various members of that family, Jane felt a rush of pleasure.

The months since the Netherfield ball had been difficult for her. Despite the fact that she had not displayed much emotion, she had fallen deeply in love with Bingley and hoped that he reciprocated her feelings. Then, when Caroline Bingley had sent that cruel letter, Jane had felt devastated. She wanted to believe Elizabeth, who insisted that Charles Bingley loved her, but against the disdain of his sisters, it was a losing battle.

While, during his explanation, she felt a little put out by how casually he spoke about wanting to propose to her and the marriage articles he had had drawn up, that very casualness declared to her that he had no reservation about his intentions.

Of course, Mrs Bingley's welcoming attitude greatly helped as well.

Because of all that, by the end of the conversation Jane had gone from upset with the man to incandescently happy and her whole demeanour shone.

Fitzwilliam watched the transformation and thought that only a fool could mistake the feelings of Miss Bennet for Bingley.

~O~