Page 51 of To Go Against Her Heart
Mr. Gardiner nodded as they reached home and Elizabeth imparted every particular to her aunt, much to her astonishment.
“So, you were right all along. Must we inform Jane that Mr. Bingley was unaware of her presence? It should relieve her from her current state of suffering.”
“I suggest we refrain from doing so, as I cannot bear to see her disappointed again. Mr. Darcy was very much concerned aboutthis misunderstanding, and I trust him in this matter. He would definitely inform Mr. Bingley about Jane’s visit.”
“Mr. Darcy seems to have improved on you after all this while, hasn’t he?” her aunt asked with a raised eyebrow. Elizabeth had written to her aunt regularly about her life in Hertfordshire, and Mrs. Gardiner was aware of her initial resentment towards him.
“I do not have anything against him now. I trust he values Mr. Bingley’s friendship to do the right thing.”
Her aunt looked at her earnestly. From what she understood from Jane, she sensed that Elizabeth was indeed affected in some way by Darcy’s presence in Hertfordshire. She also sensed that though she looked troubled, it was not due to her past bitterness with Mr. Harrington.
Elizabeth carefully avoided discussing Darcy with her aunt and was impatient to know how he had chosen to act upon seeing her and understanding that Miss Bingley had kept his friend away from her sister.
She could not deny her regard for him and wondered why she could not keep her resolve while facing Darcy.
What must he think of me? After all my admonitions to keep away, I offered him nothing but pleasantries this day.
When she looked at Jane, Elizabeth felt guilty for concealing her meeting with Darcy, but she now knew better than to raise her sister’s hopes without solid grounds.
***
On the other side of town, Mr. Bingley angrily stormed into his house.
“Where is my sister?” he yelled at the first servant he met in the hallway. He was then directed to the parlor, where Miss Bingley sat with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst.
The moment he entered the room; he approached Miss Bingley in rage.
“Caroline, do you think I would never come to know? How dare you play with my life like this?” he asked as he shook his sister.
“Charles! What is wrong?” cried Mr. Hurst in shock.
“Answer me, now!” yelled Mr. Bingley, ignoring his brother.
“What did I ever do?” Miss Bingley asked in alarm.
“Did Miss Bennet and her sister call on us?” he asked with a piercing gaze. Mrs. Hurst tried to interrupt, but her husband stopped her.
“Answer me now, Caroline,” Mr. Bingley said, shaking his sister.
“I…I do not know what you are saying. Miss Bennet?”
“Enough! Please do not lie to me. I became aware of everything today; how did you get the courage to deceive your own brother? She has been in town all this time. Not only did you conceal this from me, but you have spitefully lied to her, stating that I was aware of her presence in town.”
Miss Bingley stared at him in shock.
How did he know?
“I will spare you the confusion. Darcy met Miss Elizabeth today, and trust me, he is even more angry than I am at present. Did you mention Georgiana in this matter? Did you say that I was not available to meet Miss Bennet because of her?”
Miss Bingley was unable to reply and looked at her sister to come to her aid. However, Mrs. Hurst said nothing.
“How could you do this to me?She would never have called upon me, had she not truly cared. Good Lord! I was foolish to believe everything you said. Now I know why she was withdrawn during the ball, you must have planted the doubt in her mind about me and Georgiana. I am well aware of your intention to marry Darcy, and you have always hoped that I would favor his sister to secure your match. I am disgusted with you, Caroline, and you know that Georgiana is like a sister to me. Darcy isenraged beyond measure, and as a result of which you are no longer welcome in his home or anywhere near his sister.”
“You have misunderstood everything. That Elizabeth is a spiteful creature, God knows what she fed into Mr. Darcy’s mind.”
“Enough! Do you deny that you mentioned to her that I was aware of her presence in town but still chose to avoid her?”
Miss Bingley was silent.
