Chapter 32 -

Elizabeth's escape to call upon Miss Darcy had been no small matter to her hostess. Her Ladyship had insisted that Elizabeth's Cheapside relations could have no greater claim upon her time than her ladyship's own. She balked, threatened, and claimed ill-usage but Elizabeth persisted, never betraying her destination.

Even as she descended the stairs that morning Elizabeth's alarm increased. The servants were affected by some unknown strain, odd clamoring came from behind closed doors, it was obvious they had been given some urgent instruction. Elizabeth's courage did not fail her; she believed herself perfectly equal to enduring the morning repast without trepidation. As she entered the breakfast room, she found Lady Catherine animated with new vigor. Her energies, her attentions were all for Elizabeth's prospects.

Sparing not a second to deliver a greeting, and ignoring Elizabeth's, her Ladyship shuffled her invitations and said, "Miss Bennet, as you well know, you must marry, and you must marry well. I'll brook no delay; it must be accomplished before I leave London if it is to be accomplished at all."

Elizabeth strived to hide her smirk at the absurd pronouncement. Feeling herself no longer in need of, or indebted to her host, she said, "Your ladyship has me at a disadvantage, for I have not yet met the groom. Who is the fine fellow who has wooed you so sufficiently as to be allowed to make me an offer?"

"You may think this all a fine joke, but this occasion might very well be your only opportunity to be well settled."

"Indeed not, matrimony is no laughing matter. I assure you I shall not approach the matter with any less consideration than it warrants. I shall think soberly and seriously upon the topic for some time before accepting any offer, no matter the inducements."

"Miss Bennet, both you and Mr. Bingley shall be engaged before I leave Town, of that, you may be assured. You are mistaken, young lady, if you think I shall be made to dally here while you entertain silly notions that ought to be of no consideration when the subject is matrimony. I send no compliments to your mother, nor your father on that score. To have raised at least three such ridiculous daughters—two with such romantic sensibilities that they refuse to bring a suitor to the point and while their family is in peril of the worst sort, for there is nothing worse than a loss of consequence— and another who thinks only of lowering her family's estimation through vulgar flirtations with officers. As to the defects of the other two I am sure to be astounded."

"Mary is rather religious ma'am. Her worst defect is failing to apply scripture in any sensible manner, and also that her playing provides rather less enjoyment than she would suppose. Katherine, or Kitty, as you may hear her called, is easily led and joins whatever activity will bring her the most amusement. Really ma'am I can understand your desire to see Mr. Bingley settled, but I fail to understand such an urgency for my state. It can be of little consequence to you if I never do marry, and instead teach my sister's children to play very ill."

Her Ladyship scoffed, entirely unconvinced that her guest's disdain for Darcy could withstand the inducements of such a brilliant offer. He might lose his head, he might forget what he owes himself and all his family, she thought, remembering what brought her to Town. He might suppose that because this one is at least gentleman's daughter his family might be brought to tolerate her. "Miss Bennet you might choose to ignore your precarious situation in life, but I shall not. You should have been taught to think seriously on such topics, you should have learned to use your every inducement to secure an offer from the moment you were out."

Wronging supposing such discourse was due entirely to the rivalry between sisters, Elizabeth said, "I assure you Madam, in that, at least, my mother was not remiss. Such lectures are as fervent as they are frequent at home, and as a result, those considerations have become so familiar that we can no longer allow them to cause us any concern. They are, I suppose, much like the threat of illness, such a thing is perfectly possible but ought not be allowed to intrude upon our enjoyment. Pray, I hope you'll forgive my departure as I do not wish to leave my sister waiting."

At that, Lady Catherine was reminded of her initial inducement to come to Town. "Upon your return I shall expect your report on their engagement. I suppose your uncle might see to her settlement, but I insist upon reviewing it myself to ensure everything is seen to properly. That is all that ought to remain. Mr. Bingley has had ample time to ask, and I have advised your sister to accept him. If anything other than an agreement between them has transpired, they may count upon my further interference."

Desiring no further censure from her sister, Elizabeth said, "As your ladyship knows, they are not engaged until my father has consented, which must be impossible so soon after their becoming reacquainted. It would not be proper to speak on the subject until it is settled." Not that such considerations have ever tempered yours or my mother's exclamations.

"But has he yet asked? And has she answered? That is all I require. As your father would by no means refuse such a connection, one that could so well provide for your mother and sisters. Or is he insensible to what he ought to consider as well? He must be, to have such a wife, and such daughters with so little fortune set aside for them, and not one of them taught to understand the importance of creating alliances." She huffed, then added this additional censure, "Your middle sister ought not play you know, if she cannot provide her audience with any enjoyment. But she must pactice, and she must practice daily, if she is ever to improve. I shall speak no further on the subject of your other sisters."

And so it continued, until Elizabeth departed at last, after the inordinate amount of fuss over paying calls with her relations, Elizabeth was in the carriage with Jane.

Immediately upon their being alone in their uncle's carriage, Elizabeth said to Jane. "I am anxious for your news, and I have so very much to relay myself. But first I must hear from you. Were you finally able to speak with Mr. Bingley?"

Jane at first hesitated, not wishing to be the subject of any further gossip, then said, "Charles has gone to Pappa."

Elizabeth smiled at once, Jane's joy could only be a source of happiness for their entire family. "I am very glad for you Jane. You must tell me everything. I wish I might have been there to share it with you."

"I think some matters must remain between Charles and I, Lizzy."

Elizabeth hesitated, then said, "Am I not yet forgiven then?"

"Of course you are, but I believe we must be allowed to find our own way and I would not have the matter spoken about anymore that it has already been."

"For my part I can assure you I have learned from your censure. I understand you perfectly and apologize for my part in the matter, betraying what I already have. With your permission I would like to tell Lady Catherine he has gone to pappa. I hate to do it Jane, but she threatened to send him other young ladies."

Jane nodded.

"Though I wish our journey could be spent healing the breech between us, there is something far more pressing. I have permission to share this with you." Said Elizabeth, handing her the letter.

Elizabeth watched as Jane read; not even Jane's serene disposition could disguise her horror. Surely my countenance betrayed the same sentiments at my first perusal.

"Lizzy we must do something! It is not right that such a man should be amongst good people that are so entirely unsuspecting of his character. I had hoped at first that it was some horrible misunderstanding, or at least that Mr. Wickham did mean to amend his behavior, but when I got to the part…the part Miss Darcy heard…Oh Lizzy, how could such a man be worked upon?"

"You know very well he could not be worked upon. There is nothing that could be done for such a man. No Jane, he is evil, and he will very likely remain so."

Though Jane could not like the idea that anyone, even such a man, was beyond redemption, she had to agree that it was unlikely he should repent. She wished to recall some moment when he at least appeared capable of introspection or displayed some outward look of remorse in an unguarded moment, but there was none to be found. His happy manners displayed no contrition, no sense of sense of the suffering others felt at his hands, he seemed to be entirely free of any concern for his victims.

"He might very well ruin the young ladies as well as the shop keepers." Elizabeth huffed. They shared a look that confirmed to them both that each thought of their youngest sister.

"And I must say, Lizzy, I think it too hard that Mr. Darcy should suffer estrangement from his friend when he was acting in defense of his sister."

"Though I cannot like him — as I cannot forget the harm done to you Jane —I must say, I like him very much as a brother. So then, I suppose a must concede your point. But how could they be reunited? Miss Darcy is unlikely a to allow us to share the letter. Indeed, I mean to return it to her, and even if she were willing, I think likely as not to cause a further breech."

"By why should it Lizzy? Mr. Bingley is brother himself."
"Because Jane, Mr. Bingley believed Mr. Darcy's advice disinterested at the very least and this proves he not only deceived Mr. Bingley into abandoning you for his sister, but he also meant to deceive him into an engagement with her eventually. Though I feel pity for him as Miss Darcy's brother, I could not pity him if I were his friend. Imagine if their roles were reversed."

"I see what you mean Lizzy, but the harm was not of permanent duration, and I believe we are both better for it. We shall be a little less trusting of others and more inclined to trust our own judgement."

"That's all very well, and I am happy for you, but the harm would have been of considerable duration if Mr. Darcy had succeeded. If it were not for Lady Catherine," she stopped, not wanting to remind Jane of what she had done, then said, "But I do think something might be done about Mr. Wickham."

Elizabeth leaned in and shared her plan; Jane consended just as the carriage stopped.