1 September 1812
Bingley gazed absently out of the carriage window; the passing scenery blurred by the tumult of his thoughts. The events of the past few weeks weighed heavily on him. Just days after the devastating fire at his mill, like his cousin, he had been violently accosted by a group of men who had confronted him with menacing threats. One particularly aggressive individual had warned him that if he did not provide financial compensation to all the workers affected and to the families of the deceased, they would take his life. This encounter had instilled in him a profound fear that it was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
Despite the physician's strong recommendation to remain in Scarborough for at least one month to ensure a complete recovery from his injuries, Bingley resolutely decided to leave the area immediately.
To further complicate his already dire circumstances, Caroline demanded her dowry, £20,000, asserting that she no longer wished to continue living with him. She made it unequivocally clear that she intended to sever all communication for a considerable period. In her frustration, she leveled harsh accusations against him, claiming that he had irrevocably damaged her prospects for securing an advantageous marriage. Her words stung deeply, intensifying his sense of isolation and despair.
At that point, Bingley was left with £50,000 and found himself utterly uncertain about his future course of action. The journey to London proved arduous, taking him over two weeks to complete. He experienced considerable pain, prompting him to stay for a week at an inn located 50 miles from Scarborough. This respite allowed him to recuperate, yet the weight of his recent misfortunes hung heavily on his mind. Each mile seemed to amplify his reflections, and the solitude of the journey forced him to confront the realities of his situation—a stark contrast to the vibrant life he once led.
By chance, a few days after he arrived in London, Bingley encountered Mrs. Long, who was visiting one of her nieces. After engaging in light conversation about various trivial matters, he seized the opportunity to inquire about the Bennet family.
Mrs. Long revealed that following the death of Mr. Collins and the absence of any male heirs, the entailment of Longbourn had been broken, rendering Miss Jane Bennet the heiress of the estate. This revelation left him profoundly astonished, stirring emotions he believed he had long buried.
Several months earlier, Bingley had been enamored with Jane Bennet. However, his sisters and Mr. Darcy had successfully persuaded him against returning to Hertfordshire, insisting that Miss Bennet did not harbor any affection for him.
Initially devastated, he had endured several weeks of sadness, but over time he gradually began to forget her. In April, when Darcy returned from his annual visit to Kent and revealed that he had discovered Jane Bennet did have tender feelings for him, Bingley ultimately concluded that it was not worth the trouble to revisit Hertfordshire.
Shortly thereafter, he had even met a beautiful young actress, Ariadne. Her lively spirit, coupled with her striking beauty, captivated him from the outset. After some weeks of ardent pursuit, he successfully convinced her to become his mistress. Ariadne proved to be an exceptional lover, and their encounters were imbued with an intoxicating blend of passion and laughter. With each passing day, his infatuation with her deepened, and he became increasingly enchanted by her charm and wit.
Yet, in the aftermath of the discussion with Mrs. Long, Bingley thought of Jane Bennet and the implications of her newfound status and fortune.
His situation had changed drastically, and Miss Bennet, in addition to being beautiful and sweet, was now an heiress. The prospect of rekindling their connection grew more appealing with each passing hour and he finally decided to return to Hertfordshire.
At last, the carriage came to a halt in front of Longbourn. Bingley disembarked, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, donning his most charming smile as he approached the door. A swirl of uncertainty filled him as he contemplated how he would be received. Yet, if fortune smiled upon him, he was determined to execute his carefully devised plan to persuade Miss Jane Bennet that he had been a victim of circumstance, misled by the advice and falsehoods of Darcy and his sisters.
His heart raced as he knocked on the door. With every passing second, he wondered if he could bridge the chasm that had formed between him and Miss Bennet and reclaim her affections. As he waited, he mentally rehearsed his words, determined to express himself using the correct words.