Page 94 of To Go Against Her Heart
“No! She ought to be imprisoned for life, yet the trial, even though it would surely end in our favor, would prove an unnecessary torment for us. So…”
“So?”
“I do not know the particulars. Aunt Margaret does not want us to know the details; she will be removed and confined somewhere, and all I know is it would not be in the same soil as us. But my aunt assures Bingley that she would be cared for better than she deserves.”
“Good Lord! I cannot imagine what Mr. Bingley and Mrs. Hurst are going through. I somehow feel guilty that I am the cause of their pain.”
“Don’t you dare blame yourself. If you read that letter, you would…” His voice trailed off.
“Can I read it? I surely would like to know what she accused me of.”
“You shall not,” he replied firmly.
“I am truly grateful for your aunt’s interference in this matter, and to understand that she has known the Kingston family for a long time, and has forsaken her friendship with them because of me, is beyond my imagination.”
“She regards you no differently than Georgiana and has often expressed her admiration for the strength with which you carried yourself with grace during the ball, even after encountering him.”
Elizabeth remained silent, and Darcy immediately stopped walking.
“Elizabeth, look at me. None of this is your fault, and whatever has befallen Miss Bingley is entirely of her ownmaking. I cannot understand why you feel guilty for something you had no connection to.But, as I have promised, I shall never disparage your feelings, should you ever think fit to speak of your past,” he said, and Elizabeth looked at him with unwavering love and respect.
“You are truly a wonderful man, Mr. Darcy, I cannot tell you how much I love you”, she whispered, even though she addressed him formally at that moment, Darcy found himself drawn to her like never before.
***
That night, Jane and Elizabeth sat tired and weary from their long conversation, as they had spent over two hours deliberating on Miss Bingley’s misdeeds.
“Whatever you say, Lizzy, had I known before the party, I would have never been in the temperament to stand next to Charles, fully aware of her evil schemes, and I still cannot believe she shares the same blood as him.”
“He does not deserve this, nor does Mrs. Hurst.”
“He feels deeply guilty for allowing his sister even to imagine harming you. Please trust me; he feels nothing but shame to have let matters go out of his hands.”
“I did not expect her to be sent away,” Elizabeth said.
“She deserves it; she could have gone to prison instead. I am certain she would have done anything to harm you had she known that Mr. Darcy and his aunt did not believe in those letters. I do not doubt that she is a woman incapable of change and that she will persist in hurting others to obtain whatever she desires.”
“I am sorry, Jane, as this may forever haunt your relationship with Mr. Bingley. I cannot imagine how long it would take for him to get past it.”
“You are not wrong, but he understands how wicked she was. He knows, better than anyone, the seriousness of her actionsand how you and Mr. Darcy could have been impacted.He assured me that he would never permit the past to disturb our happiness,” Jane reassured.
Elizabeth perceived, at last, how all around her had contrived to shield her from her past. Though what she had feared had indeed come to pass, the trust she placed in the man she loved prevented it from breaking her, and she was ever so grateful for the same.
That same night in town, Mrs. Harrington summoned her husband to her chamber. Though their relationship had grown strained, Mr. Harrington eagerly entered, assuming she had finally abandoned her probation into his past. To his confusion, she was still dressed, and it seemed that she had just returned from a call.
Mr. Harrington walked in and tried to sit on the settee, but she stopped him.
“Do not presume that I have summoned you here to spend the night with you as your wife—the woman whom you married for her fortune,” she said.
“Cynthia, I …”
“No, I do not wish you to speak, but merely listen, and I shall make my conversation brief. I have just returned from speaking with your sister, and unfortunately, she is not as resolute as you. One threat—when I warned her that I would reveal your character to my brother—startled her. She confessed to me whom you loved and still do: Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Mr. Harrington’s face turned white.
“I do not wish to argue or quarrel over what you have done, or why you broke your engagement, and yes, your sister confessed everything,” she said, advancing toward him.
“I admired her that evening at the ball—for her beauty, the grace with which she carried herself, and for winning the affections of Mr. Darcy, the most eligible bachelor in town. Butnow I know it is not only Mr. Darcy, but my very husband, who favors her above me. Only my wealth has compelled you to forsake her and marry me; it has forced you to share my bed and to convince me of every lie you spoke about your devotion. You must understand, Daniel, that I am not one of those thoughtless women who would remain with a man merely for society’s sake; above all, I cannot allow you or anyone to wound my pride.”
