Chapter 8

"Eliza, what a surprise… What are you doing here?" Caroline asked, trying to sound as casual as possible. She would not let that woman steal the attention of the man of her dreams.

"Miss Darcy invited us to dinner, and we gladly accepted, Miss Bingley," Elizabeth replied. She did not like how that woman spoke to her and thought staying as far away from her was better.

"I understand. My dear friend Georgiana is so good that she has no difficulty sharing with people from all walks of life," Caroline said with a fake smile.

"That is correct, Miss Bingley. My sister is a very generous person. But in Miss Bennet's case, Georgiana does not need to make any effort. Mr. Bennet is a gentleman, as my father was. Therefore, they are both daughters of a gentleman and belong to the same social class," Mr. Darcy explained.

Caroline was furious, but she would never dare contradict Mr. Darcy. Then she sat next to Louisa and started talking about how entertaining it had been traveling with Georgiana and what great friends they were.

Occasionally, she asked Elizabeth some indiscreet questions, but she answered briefly and politely. She did not want to ruin that evening, much less make Georgiana uncomfortable. She had noticed that she was a rather shy girl and got very nervous with Caroline and Louisa's impertinent remarks.

Since Caroline could not get Elizabeth's attention, she decided to attack her family. It was true that Eliza Bennet was the daughter of a gentleman, but her family consisted of merchants, and she wanted to make that clear.

"Mr Gardiner, Jane told us that you had a warehouse in London and that you lived in Cheapside. I imagine it must be difficult to be able to go on vacation and leave your business abandoned," Caroline said with mock concern.

"That is correct, Miss Bingley. I have a warehouse, but I do not live in Cheapside but near there. I appreciate your concern, but my business is not abandoned. I have excellent employees who are in charge while I am on vacation. If you plan things, they always turn out well," Mr. Gardiner responded.

"Of course, Mr. Gardiner. My father was also a merchant and had many good and loyal employees who helped him make his business very prosperous," added Mr. Bingley to stop his sister from being rude to the other guests.

"Mr. Bingley, your father is known and admired for his work discipline, honesty, and good business instincts," Mr. Gardiner added kindly.

Caroline and Louisa were furious with Mr. Bingley. They did not understand their brother's desire to talk about things that were part of the past and that humiliated them in front of people of lesser importance.

Elizabeth and Georgiana remained silent, listening and observing what was happening around them. Georgiana was too shy to say anything in a conversation that seemed rather malicious, and Elizabeth was afraid that the Bingleys could discover her secret.

Mr. Darcy stood watching the conversation. He could distinguish the elegance and class with which the Gardiners behaved. Despite Caroline and Louisa's openly confrontational and rude comments, they never lost their calm and responded naturally. Once again, he felt ashamed that he had judged them so harshly, and he wondered how many times he had missed the opportunity to meet fair, sound, and friendly people because of his prejudices.

As Elizabeth watched the conversation, some memories came to mind. At first, she was unsure if it was her imagination or actual memories. Still, after thinking about it for a few minutes, she believed they were indeed memories that had returned to her mind. She decided to say something to prevent Mr. Bingley's sisters from continuing to ruin the evening.

"Mr. Darcy, excuse the out-of-place question, but I would like you to clarify something for me. Have you met five or six accomplished women?" Elizabeth asked with a mischievous smile.

Mr. Darcy was a little surprised by the curious question, but when he realized that Elizabeth was telling him that shehad remembered that episode, he could not help but smile, too.

"Eliza, what kind of question is that?" Caroline said scornfully. But she could not add anything else because Mr. Darcy ignored her and continued talking to Elizabeth.

"There were six young ladies whom I considered accomplished. But I must say that recently I have changed my mind."

"Of course, it is complicated to find a woman who meets so many conditions and behaves like a lady," Caroline said, and Louisa supported her.

"My opinion has changed for reasons other than those you have stated, Miss Bingley. For me, there are two things that are essential: a lady must read and cultivate her mind and have wit to make any situation, even the most unpleasant or distressing, pleasant."

Caroline was confused and did not want Elizabeth to continue distracting Mr. Darcy, so she began questioning Georgiana and did not allow another conversation.

Mr. Darcy could not stop admiring Elizabeth. His face was illuminated by a smile that left no doubt about his feelings. Fortunately for everyone, they announced that dinner was served, and Mr. Darcy immediately approached Elizabeth and her sister to escort them to the table.

Caroline had no choice but to resign herself, take her brother's arm, and remain silent for much of the meal. She had a plan, but she realized that she could not do anything at the moment. She would have to wait until the next day to talk to Mr. Darcy. She would not allow that horrible woman to ruin her vacation at Pemberley.

For his part, Mr. Bingley had been anxious for much of the evening to speak with Elizabeth. Fortunately, he was sitting next to her, so when he noticed that his friend Darcy was busy talking with the Gardiners, he took advantage of the opportunity to ask some questions.

"Miss Elizabeth, how is your family…and all your sisters?"

"Everyone is well, thank you for asking," Elizabeth replied.

"I really miss all the nice people I met in Hertfordshire. I spent so many unforgettable moments in that place. You are very fortunate to live surrounded by such happy and friendly people. Do you remember when we met at that assembly? I danced all night, and as always, Darcy did not want to dance..."

Mr. Bingley talked non-stop, and although he said many things, deep down, he seemed to say nothing. Elizabeth liked that gentleman very much. He seemed kind and cheerful, but she found it difficult to understand why he had left so abruptly, abandoning Netherfield and Jane.

"Mr Bingley, if you do not plan to return to Hertfordshire, it would be best if you gave up Netherfield for another gentleman to take over. That would be best for the neighborhood and for the tenants who depend on the property." Elizabeth wanted to make Mr. Bingley see that he had acted irresponsibly and tell him so in the nicest manner she could.

"You are correct, Miss Bennet. In recent days, I have been thinking a lot about some of my decisions, and you are absolutely right. I must make a decision as soon as possible regarding Netherfield and what I wish to do with my life."

"I am very glad, Mr. Bingley. I hope your decision is the best and, above all, leaves you at peace and content."

After dinner, Elizabeth and Georgiana played the piano and sang. Louisa and Caroline remained distant and did not participate in any of the exciting conversations the Gardiners were a part of. Before the guests left, Mr. Darcy found a moment to speak with Elizabeth.

"Miss Bennet, I was very pleased to know that you have remembered some other events from your past. I have a lot of faith and hope that very soon you will be able to recover a large part of your memories."

"I have the same hope, Mr. Darcy. Let me thank you for defending me from Miss Bingley's constant attacks. From what I can remember, it is clear that she is interested in you and does not like me stealing your attention."

"She is interested in Pemberley and the social position she believes she can achieve through me. But I did not approach you to talk about Miss Bingley. I would like to know if you can receive me for a moment tomorrow… The day after tomorrow you will travel early and will be very busy… I…"

Elizabeth blushed a little but responded without looking away from him. "Tomorrow, I plan to take a morning walk along the route that follows the small river. Do you want to walk with me?"

"Yes, I shall be there."

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth agreed to meet on the bridge before the church at ten in the morning. Then, they sat next to Georgiana and talked for a few more minutes until it was time for the visitors to return to Lambton.

Georgiana said she was tired, excused herself, and retired. For his part, Mr. Darcy was thinking of doing the same, but Mr. Bingley told him that he wanted to talk to him. So, he invited him to his study to be more comfortable and to be able to speak more privately.

Mr. Hurst, Louisa, and Caroline had no choice but to retire to their rooms after an evening when no one took them into account.

After several minutes of talking about inconsequential things, Mr. Darcy lost his patience and asked his friend directly what the important topic he wanted to discuss with him was.

"Darcy, now that I have seen Miss Elizabeth, I have not been able to get Miss Bennet out of my mind. I know you told me that she… But what if you were wrong…"

"Bingley, I must admit with shame that I thought I could determine the feelings of a young lady I practically do not know. I am sorry if, Bingley. If my poor advice led you to decide something you do not feel suitable now, please disregard it."

"Darcy, in all the time I have known you, I have never heard you openly admit an error. Do you think I did not notice how you looked at Miss Elizabeth? Did she change your mind?"

"Yes, she was the one who made me understand how wrong I was. But if I have changed my mind, it is because I am convinced I had no right to intervene and affirm things of which I had no certainty."

"So, do you think I should return to Hertfordshire?"

"I think you should make that decision. I do not want to intervene anymore in your affair; I just want to help you but not interfere anymore in your decisions."

"I just need help deciding."

"I understand. I advise you to make a list of all the benefits and disadvantages of returning to Netherfield and then make a decision."

"Thank you, Darcy; I shall do that and tell you how it went tomorrow."

Mr. Darcy gave his dear friend a firm handshake and wished him well. After drinking a glass of brandy, they both retired to their bedrooms. Mr. Bingley to make the list his friend recommended, and Mr. Darcy to think of everything he wanted to say to Elizabeth.

P&P

Francis looked at the facade of the elegant mansion for several seconds before knocking on the door. Three days ago, he had said goodbye to Jane Bennet, and he missed her like he had never missed anyone before. He was very sorry to leave her alone with her indolent father and spoiled sister, but there was nothing else he could do. He had no right to do or demand anything, and he was determined to do something to change her fate.

Francis thought that everything that had happened in his life in the last few weeks was no coincidence. Meeting Jane and having the opportunity to help her, and now, having to stay on land for three months while his ship was repaired, had shown him that this was his chance to find happiness. He had very little love in his life, and his dream was to have a family to love and protect.

When the butler opened the door, he was slightly surprised but immediately ushered him in. After a minute of waiting, Lord Evans entered the room, pleased to see his most valuable son.

"Francis, my son, you do not know how happy I am to see you. It has been two years without seeing you... Son, I want you to know that I am very proud of you and the life you have built. I know I was not the father you deserved, but…"

"My Lord, please, I prefer not to talk about that. I have come because I need your assistance with an important matter. I am a man of the sea, and I do not understand how some things work on land."

"Please tell me, Francis, how I can help you. But please, son, sit down. Also, do not call me my Lord. I know I do not deserve to be called father, but I am already seventy-two, and I do not know how much time I have left. I hope you understand that I am very sorry, and if you could forgive me, I..."

When Lord Evans found out that his young wife had never been unfaithful to him, at first, he did not want to believe it. However, as the years passed and he saw how Francis looked like him, he could no longer deny the undeniable. Furthermore, of his two sons, Francis was the only one who had led a productive life, so much so that he had been decorated for his services to the crown. He was willing to do everything possible to get his forgiveness so he could die in peace.

"Alright, father. But please let us not waste any more time talking about the past," Francis said. He was not spiteful, but he could not pretend to have affection he did not feel; he just could be cordial with his father. Lord Evans was an older man, and he did not want to create problems for him, much less make him sad.

Father and son sat in the drawing room of the house to converse. Francis told his father he would be on land for three months and needed a place to stay in London. Furthermore, he explained to his father that he wanted to buy an estate and needed his advice.

"Do not worry, Francis. Tomorrow, I shall ask my solicitor to come so you can explain to him your plans. Also, I shall tell Mrs. Arnold to prepare your room. You do not know how happy I am to have you with me, son. I shall also write a note to Mr. Kane, I know that he is interested in selling an estate in Hampshire that he inherited."

"It is not necessary, father. I want to buy an estate in Hertfordshire."

"Why Hertfordshire? "You will have a much better chance of finding something that suits you if you have a range of places to look."

"I am just interested in finding something in Hertfordshire."

"Any special reason, son?"

"Yes."

"I understand. Does that special reason have a lady's name?"

"Yes."

"I understand. It will be Hertfordshire, then. We shall find something in there, son. I want you to know that I have been saving money for the last fifteen years to help you…"

"That will not be necessary."

"I know, my son. I know you are a man of worth and must have probably saved much of what you have earned. But I have also saved money. Other parents must pay for all their children's whims, while I can proudly boast of how my son has contributed to the greatness of our kingdom. Francis, do not think that I want to buy your forgiveness; I only want to give you what belongs to you." Lord Evans had saved almost forty thousand pounds, which he had planned to give to his son when he bought his estate.

"I thank you for your help, father," Francis replied excitedly. He did not expect a gesture like that from Lord Evans and was able to recognize that his father was attempting a rapprochement between them.

Francis settled into his room and began devising everything he planned to do in the coming days. He also asked his father to provide lodging to Glover and Logan because he needed their help. They were the only people he trusted and wanted to include in his plans. He was very uneasy to travel to Hertfordshire, but he needed an excuse, and after speaking to his father's solicitor, he thought he would have one.

P&P

Jane was content. In a few days, Elizabeth would return to Longbourn. She had written to tell her that she had remembered some events and was optimistic that she would soon be able to remember everything she had forgotten. Furthermore, she told her that Mr. and Miss Darcy had been very kind and had developed a beautiful friendship. Finally, she mentioned that she had met the Bingley family and that only Mr. Bingley had seemed pleasant.

Jane was confused because hearing about Mr. Bingley had not caused her any particular feelings. It no longer hurt her to think about him; it only made her sad to know that he had played with her feelings. However, she knew that was in the past. Jane did not want someone so inconsistent in her life. In the past few weeks, she had had to take control of many situations, and in doing so, she realized that she no longer wanted to wait for life to pass in front of her eyes. She was twenty-two, and despite what she told her mother, she knew she would probably never receive a marriage offer. So, she planned to dedicate her life to helping her sisters so that they could have better opportunities than her.

As Jane looked out the window of her room, she remembered that morning when Captain Coleman said goodbye to them. He was such an exceptional man that Jane felt very sorry that she could not have known him better. At least he had promised her that they would correspond through Mr. Bennet and that he would tell her all about his travels. Jane was very excited to know that she would be able to travel across the world through the eyes of Captain Coleman. She could not stop thinking about what he told her: "I am sure we will meet again, Miss Bennet."

'I hope to see you soon, dear Captain... Your friendship is the best thing that has happened to me in a long time,' Jane thought. But her reflections were abruptly interrupted by Lydia's screams.

Mr. Bennet, Jane, and Lydia had returned the day before after a long and rather unpleasant trip due to Lydia's constant complaints. After dinner, everyone retired to their rooms, and it seemed that Lydia had regained her energy and was talking to her mother to get her support.

"Mama, it is not fair that my father did this to me. I should be in Brighton having fun with Harriet and all the officers. I had to spend almost two weeks in a town where there was nothing to do because Harriet's mother became ill, and when I returned to Brighton, my father ruined all my plans. I was going to marry Wickham, but he stopped us. But not content with that, he brought me back…"

"Lydia, dear, please do not be sad. Let me talk to your father…"

Mrs. Bennet tried to comfort her dear daughter, but she kept screaming, saying how unfair everyone was to her. Lydia had resigned herself to not marry Wickham, but she did not want to miss all the enjoyment of being in Brighton, attending balls, and flirting with the officers.

Mr. Bennet was locked in his study when he heard Lydia's screams. Then, he went directly to the drawing room to clarify some points with his wife. "Mrs. Bennet, let me make it clear that there is nothing you can tell me that will change my mind. Lydia will not leave this house unless it is with me, Jane, or Elizabeth when she returns."

Mary and Kitty, who were also in the room, were stunned to hear their father being so definite. Without a doubt, something had changed forever, and Mrs. Bennet and Lydia were the only ones who still did not realize it.

"Mr. Bennet, you are being very unfair to my poor dear Lydia…" Mrs. Bennet tried to say, but Jane entered the room and interrupted her.

"Mother, I cannot believe you are so careless. My father and I told you that Lydia almost eloped with a man who had no intention of marrying her unless he received ten thousand pounds as payment. How can you be so irresponsible and support Lydia after what she almost did? Do you not realize that she will never understand how wrong her behavior is if you continue to protect her?

"Jane, how can you talk to me like that? I am your mother," said Mrs. Bennet, on the verge of tears.

"Because I have heard you say my whole life that you want your daughters to marry well. Do you think that an honorable gentleman with some fortune will want to have as a sister-in-law a girl who does not know how to behave and who could put her family's reputation at risk?" Jane asked, also with tears in her eyes.

"Jane…I…" Mrs. Bennet did not know what to say. She knew that Jane was honest, and she greatly respected her opinion.

"Lydia, you will go to your room and not come out until you learn to behave like a decent lady. Jane, daughter, I thank you very much for supporting me, but I do not want to cause you any further distress. Mrs. Bennet, if I hear again that you continue to support Lydia's irresponsible behavior, I shall be forced to cut your pin money indefinitely."

Mrs. Bennet was upset with everything that had happened, and as she always did, she began to cry and went to her room. Jane went out to the garden to calm her nerves. She was not used to arguing and even less to having to reprimand her mother, but she felt it was what she should do.

She sat on a bench and could not help crying with great sadness. Then Kitty and Mary sat down beside her and hugged Jane affectionately.

"Do not cry, Jane. I was so glad you said what I have wanted to say so many times," Mary said.

"Our mother has always spoiled Lydia and allowed her to do whatever she wants. I was thrilled to hear what you told her, and I regret having supported Lydia…" Kitty said sadly.

"Do not worry, dear sisters. If we are together, we can improve our family's behavior," Jane replied, hugging them.

After calming down, the three sisters talked for more than an hour about everything they wanted to do to change. They did not want anyone to ever speak ill of the Bennet family again.

P&P

Mr. Darcy had gotten up early and was in his study, waiting for the hours to pass so he could go to Lambton to talk to Elizabeth. But his peace was abruptly interrupted when he heard a knock on the door.

"Mr. Darcy, I got up early because I need to talk to you about something urgent."

"Well, Miss Bingley, you can come in. But leave the door open," said Mr. Darcy. He did not want to be alone with Caroline, much less talk to her, but he preferred to get this matter over as soon as possible.

"Mr. Darcy, I am very concerned about you. We have known each other for several years, and we are almost family. That is why I dare to talk about this…"

"Excuse me, Miss Bingley, but I have many things to do. I ask you to please tell me why you are here."

"I understand… Mr. Darcy, I do not know if you have noticed, but how you treat Eliza Bennet can generate rumors. I am sure her tradesman uncle will not hesitate to use your kindness against you..."

"Excuse me, Miss Bingley, but what are you implying?"

"Mr. Darcy, do you not realize they are trying to create a compromise? Sir, it is better to keep those people as far away from you as possible, or they will find a way to force you to... well, you understand. It breaks my heart to think of them abusing your kindness to force a union between you and that woman. Imagine, Mr. Darcy, having a tradesman uncle and such a vulgar mother-in-law…"

"Miss Bingley…" said Mr. Darcy. He did not want to listen to that woman for another second, but he knew he had to put her in her place in the most gentlemanly manner possible.

P&P

Many thanks to everyone who follows the story and leaves supportive comments.

In the next chapter, the action will be transferred to London and Hertfordshire.

See you soon!

Saludos,

Yo

P.D. My daughter asked me to thank everyone who has read the story "I already knew you" on K and KU. Many thanks to everyone who has always followed and given us your support.