Compromised! Page 15

  Once Mrs. Bennet was satisfied, she gave her husband a small smile and turned to walk back up the steps of the portico to the open doorway. Mr. Bennet, as was his usual wont followed behind. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas herded their youngest daughter, Maria, along with Kitty and Lydia back into Netherfield Park. That left Darcy, Elizabeth, Georgiana, Bingley, Jane, Charlotte, Anne, and the colonel standing close together, waiting until the carriage had gone some distance down the road to Meryton.

  Darcy walked over to his friend, slapping him on the shoulder as men do. He was proud of the younger man for standing firm and not allowing his sister to justify her actions. It was new behavior for Charles Bingley. If he continued on that path, the blessings of peace in his house would be immense. “You did well, Bingley.”

  Bingley’s eyes traveled to Jane to see if she felt the same. She did.

  “I pray all return to dinner. Colonel Fitzwilliam, a place has been set for you.” Bingley offered his arm to Jane, which was readily accepted.

  The colonel spied the adoration on Jane’s face turned towards his friend and felt resignation, not jealousy or envy. Well, that is that. It must be that my heart was not as touched as I had thought. Am I now as fickle as Bingley had been? He shuddered at the thought.

  Not giving any attention to his placement in relation to the others, he spun around and moved forward, the thought of dinner and the conversation he needed to have later with Darcy now being uppermost on his mind. The colonel was unaware Charlotte Lucas was immediately behind him. In trying to save her after the collision, he, too, lost his balance. They landed in a heap, the gravel from the driveway biting into Charlotte’s backside.

  Of all the foolish things to happen after the events of the evening! Colonel Fitzwilliam was embarrassed when he realized his hand landed where a man’s hand ought not to be on an unmarried woman. He quickly removed it from Charlotte’s waist, knowing scarlet red was flooding his face. He was mortified at his own distraction and clumsiness. Quickly rising from off of her, he extended his hand to assist the lady to stand.

  Charlotte could not help her response. In less than half a week she had been compromised by Mr. Wickham with a steamy kiss, and now compromised by Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam by his landing squarely on top of her. She did the only thing a proper maiden could do under the circumstances—she laughed, a deep throaty laugh. It took a few moments to regain her composure and recognize the offer the colonel had made. Wiping her tears on her ever-present handkerchief, she accepted his hand and stood.

  “Colonel Fitzwilliam, I believe?” They had never been properly introduced. She curtseyed as much as her tender posterior would allow, wishing she could rub the pain away.

  “At your service, ma’am.” The colonel snapped his heels together and bowed. He knew what propriety demanded. His actions and graceless behavior sealed his future. Richard looked as closely at the woman in front of him as he could. The lanterns held by the grooms and footmen of Netherfield Park cast shadows that made it difficult to see clearly. Before he could drop to his knee and say the words that he had assumed until earlier that evening would be spoken to another, Miss Lucas spoke.

  “Pray do not think I will demand an arrangement because of an unintentional accident, sir. All here who witnessed our… our collision, are friends. Do not worry you need to attach yourself to me. My future is set.”

  “How do you mean, Miss Lucas?” Richard was grateful at the reprieve. “Are you attached to another?”

  “No, Colonel. I am not. I will be companion to your cousin, Miss Darcy, until a home can be established for me to live independently. I hope to settle close to my good friend, the future Mrs. Darcy.”

  Her comments gave the colonel pause for thought. A young woman who wanted independence, one who Darcy approved of to be in constant company with his sister. This spoke highly of the kind of woman she must be.

  “Then I thank you, Miss Lucas, for being reasonable.” Again, he bowed to her. Offering her his arm, they walked to the door.

  The others followed until only Darcy and Elizabeth remained outside the house.

  “Well, this has been quite a night, Fitzwilliam.”

  “My dearest, I doubt I have ever heard anything so understated from your lips from the moment we met until now.” Taking advantage of the semi-darkness, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. “We have yet to announce our plans to marry on the morrow. Then, my love, I shall kiss you properly.”

  Elizabeth squeezed the arm she had taken and smiled up at her beloved. “I shall look forward to both the announcement, Fitzwilliam, and the kiss.”

  ***

  The evening ended with Darcy and Richard ensconced in Bingley’s study. The colonel had hinted earlier that there was much from his visit to the inn they would need to discuss. What came out of his mouth was a shock to Darcy.

  “What!” Surely, he had heard incorrectly. “They would do thus to Georgiana?”

  It had been hard for Richard to say aloud the vile suggestions which had emanated from his father’s mouth. Never had he been as disgusted with another human being.

  “Yes, Darcy, I am afraid so.” On the ride back from Meryton to Netherfield Park, Richard realized there was no filial love lurking in his father’s heart. His aunt fared no better. Their selfish attention to their own desires had left them completely devoid of feelings towards others. “Their plan to remove Georgiana from your home by the means they spoke of is tantamount to kidnapping. Having Collins keep her in the parsonage would have ruined our sweet, innocent girl.”

  Darcy was livid. The total lack of moral character left him reeling. That his aunt and uncle chose to use Caroline Bingley and Collins for their own purposes without a care for the impropriety of placing them in a carriage alone in the dark was disgusting. That they would scheme to place his cherished sister under that man’s care and domination was loathsome. Darcy could not stop the shudders that wracked his body.

  Georgiana was only now recovering her spirit from Ramsgate. He could not begin to imagine what their plans, had they been successful, would have done to her.

  “Richard.” Darcy stopped his pacing and looked his cousin in the eye. “I am resolved. No longer will I have anything to do with the houses of Matlock or Rosings. The break will not heal.” He paused to let his pronouncement settle in and then asked, “What are your plans, cousin?”

  Without any hesitation, the colonel replied. “I stand with you, Darcy. Georgiana is as much under my care as yours. We will do all we can to protect her from any enemy, including those of our own family.”

  “Then know that we will keep Georgiana with us. If Elizabeth and I go on a wedding trip in the spring, my sister will be alongside us. If Georgiana wants to continue her studies with the masters in London, we will be with her. We will not part from her until her future is secure.”

  Before they could continue, a knock sounded at the study door. Darcy walked quickly to see who dared interrupt them, hoping it was not another disaster. His hope was in vain.

  “Bingley, what brings you here? You were headed to bed but a few moments ago. Did you forget something?

  Darcy was curious as he watched his normally articulate friend sputter and stammer. He also realized that Bingley was not able to look him in the eye.

  “Out with it, Bingley!” Darcy was ready to head to his rooms to put the distasteful events of the evening behind him and dream of his wedding to be held in a few hours. He was in no way prepared for what came out of Bingley’s mouth.

  “My deepest apologies, Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam.” Bingley’s eyes seemed glued to the floor. “Apparently, I was so upset at the actions of my sister and at the same time relieved to have the affections of Miss Bennet that I did not pay attention to my directions when I reached the top of the stairs.”

  At this, the colonel moved to Darcy’s side. He may not have loved Jane Bennet with the depth that Darcy loved his Elizabeth, but she was soon to be family and he was prepared to defend her honor.

 
“You compromised, Miss Bennet?” Richard demanded an answer. He had seen how focused Bingley had been on Jane. The assumption was only natural.

  “If only I had.”

  “What are you saying, Bingley?” Darcy was frustrated.

  “It was an accident, I assure you. I never meant for it to happen.” Bingley took a gulp of air and for the first time looked at his friend, completely ignoring Richard. “It was not Jane’s room that I stumbled into. It was your cousin, Miss de Bourgh.”

  “What?” Darcy and Richard exclaimed together.

  “And, that is not all.” Bingley’s voice trembled. “She was changing into her night clothes and…”

  “Where was her maid when this happened?”

  “She apparently had left the room for a moment and walked back in once I was already inside.”

  “Oh, good heavens, Bingley!” The mental image flying through Darcy’s mind was terrifying. He loved his cousin, but…. well, he could not think on it. “You have truly gone and done it this time.”

  Bingley felt the same emptiness inside as he had when he realized what he must do. “I offered for her.” He raised his eyes to the ceiling, then closed them tightly, breathing slowly in and out through his nostrils. “She accepted.”

  There, it was done. Charles Bingley would likely be marrying Miss Anne de Bourgh at the same time his sister would tie herself to Mr. Collins. Both siblings would be under the constant control of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

  A chuckle started deep in Colonel Fitzwilliam’s chest, fermenting until it burst out as unrestrained laughter. It was not borne of merriment as there was nothing funny about the evening. It was what burst forth when a man was more inclined to tears. What a night it had been.

  Chapter Twenty

  Despite the early hour, two important meetings had already taken place. First, Bingley had met with his unrepentant sister and Mr. Collins at the inn in Meryton. Men had been hired to escort the pair back to Bingley’s townhouse in London where they would be staying with the Hursts until they wed. Instruction had been given to obtain a special license. A letter had been written to their aunt in Ireland stating that Caroline would no longer be in need of the refuge of her home. Her place would now be at Hunsford Parsonage. The sooner the marriage would take place, the sooner Bingley could permanently remove his sister from his responsibility and regain a semblance of peace.

  Caroline’s resistance was heightened when Collins had referred to her, in as affectionate a tone as the man could muster, as “his little tomato.” It was not an appellation she apparently felt was complementary. Although, upon reflection, the heightened color of her cheeks against the background of her red hair did resemble the approximate hue.

  Bingley shook his head as he thought upon his sister’s future, knowing he had no choice but to see the marriage carried through. It had been poor decision-making on Caroline’s part and an inflated sense of value which had led to her betrothal. In reality, had his own actions been any better?

  His second meeting had been back at Netherfield Park with Miss Anne de Bourgh, Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Darcy’s impatience to be done with the matter had resulted in a directness of speech that Bingley was unused to, even after years of close association.

  “Bingley, explain your actions.” Darcy demanded. “What were you thinking? What could possibly have moved you to act in a manner unbefitting a gentleman?”

  Charles Bingley’s head pounded to the same beat as the thud of his heart. His stomach churned. He looked over to Colonel Fitzwilliam before his eyes settled on Miss de Bourgh, only to find her slumped in a chair looking directly at him. He swallowed the lump growing in his throat, threatening to choke him into oblivion.

  “I was not thinking, Darcy.” Bingley stood up to his friend. He owed him and Miss de Bourgh this explanation, so he determined to be as honest and forthright as possible. “When Miss de Bourgh became ill last night and Mrs. Bennet arranged for Miss Jane Bennet to stay with her rather than Miss Mary, I thought only to check on the two ladies when I went upstairs.” He gulped air before continuing. “I would be only too happy to blame my conduct on too much brandy; however, you and the colonel know that not to be true.” He dropped his chin to his chest. “I freely admit that my motive was to see…” Bingley moved his eyes to Anne and apologized. “I am sorry, Miss de Bourgh. As my betrothed, I am ashamed to admit to you that my intentions were to confirm the welfare of Miss Bennet. My humblest apologies.”

  At the slight tipping of her head in acceptance, he continued. “When I approached the door, my intention was to knock softly and make my inquiry. However, just before my arrival I heard a sound reflecting deep pain.” Again, he looked to Miss de Bourgh only to see her nod. “It was the sound of agony which prompted me to open the door and step inside. Events of the night still fresh in my mind, I was concerned there were other unscrupulous individuals involved with my sister and Mr. Collins with the possibility they had entered my house to cause harm. Truly, there was nothing else that would have moved me to act.”

  Before Darcy could speak, Anne did. “You are correct that you heard a sound, Mr. Bingley. The noise was mine.”

  Instantly, Darcy and the colonel went to her side asking after her health, both appalled that they had yet to do so. They both knew how sickly and frail she truly was. She brushed aside their concerns.

  “The salient fact here, gentlemen, is that Mr. Bingley had no intentions of placing me in a compromising situation. I believe we all know where his heart lies.” She looked to each of the three gentlemen to determine there was no argument with her words. When they remained silent, she continued. “Mr. Bingley, there was but one reason I accepted your hastily offered proposal of marriage.” A blush rose over her cheeks as she continued, determined to be just as candid as Bingley had been. “I wanted to hear the words.”

  “Pardon?” Bingley was unsure of her meaning.

  “From a young age, I knew I would never marry, sir. My fragile health would not permit me to be any sort of wife to a good man. Yet, I am no longer a girl with girlish dreams. I am a woman who two years ago inherited properties that, if it were publicly known, would make me the target of fortune hunters who would care nothing about my inability to act as Mistress of Rosings. They would only care when they found Rosings coffers were dry.”

  “Years ago, when I contemplated my future, my only disappointment was that I would never know what it would be like to have a respected gentleman offer for my hand in marriage.” Anne chuckled softly, the gleam in her eyes softening at the same time. “Your proposal was superb, Mr. Bingley, everything a girl would long for.” She smiled at the man in front of her. “Therefore, while I have the memory of being betrothed for just under twelve hours, I hereby release you from that arrangement. As kind as you are, as good a man as you are, Mr. Bingley, I do not want to marry you any more than I wanted to marry my cousin Darcy.”

  The relief Bingley felt was instantaneous and almost overwhelming. He stepped in front of where she was sitting, slowly dropping to one knee.

  “Miss Anne de Bourgh, might I then offer my hand of friendship to you.” Reaching in his pocket, he withdrew the fine linen handkerchief his valet had placed there earlier that morning. There were no frills, only a small initial embroidered in one corner signifying ownership by one Mr. Charles Bingley. “Please accept this token in exchange for your benevolence, my lady.”

  “I will gladly do so, sir.”

  For the first time since the disastrous proposal of the night before, Bingley smiled, his headache vanishing like a mist and his torso erect.

  Anne understood that kind of release. Being out from under the dominion of her mother for the short period she had been in Hertfordshire had been a blessing. She knew Bingley was attracted to Jane Bennet and, from the look of intense sadness on that lady’s face when she heard of the engagement, Anne was confident that Bingley’s feelings were returned. However, Jane had traveled back to Longbourn before breaking her fast to prepare
for her sister’s wedding. She did not yet know Bingley was free to pursue her or be pursued. What a misunderstanding!

  ***

  When he arrived at Longbourn chapel and tried unsuccessfully to capture Jane’s eyes, his heartache and headache returned. Despair settled into his bones, threatening to take up permanent residence.

  Charles Bingley sat behind the few individuals gathered on the groom’s side of the chapel and watched as Darcy took Miss Elizabeth Bennet to be his wife. To witness the love the couple effortlessly displayed was painful when he pondered all he had most likely lost. Dropping his eyes to the floor, Bingley felt the events of the past day sit as a crushing weight upon his shoulders not unlike a large millstone used to grind grains of wheat into powder.

  Jane Bennet stood next to her sister in front of the altar, struggling to keep her gaze focused forward. She had no success, for her rebellious eyes slid sideways first to where Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam stood on the right side of his cousin. The colonel never looked at her—not once, as his attention was centered on the woman sitting three rows behind the bride’s side of the chapel, Charlotte Lucas.

  As the wedding ceremony continued, she glanced back at Bingley where he sat behind Miss Anne de Bourgh and an older woman that Jane assumed to be Lady Matlock. She could not help but sigh in crushing disappointment. Had she accepted Bingley’s proposal when he had offered, her heart would not be broken and he would not be tied to a woman who was a virtual stranger to him. She had received the news from her maid that morning.

  Jane was happy for Lizzy. Mr. Darcy was all her sister could talk about when they were apart and all she could think of when they were together. Their heartfelt goodbyes the night before, their tender looks and quiet conversation were what legends were written of.