Page 88 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“I am glad you agree. We will go to Longbourn, and you will apologize this afternoon. You would expect it of anyone who acted the same toward me or Miss Bingley. And though I saw enough of Miss Elizabeth’s character to suspect she would accept any apology, she deserves better than perfunctory words. Mr. Bingley, I presume you wish to spend more time with Miss Bennet. Everything I witnessed and heard her say supports the notion that she is everything lovely. Do come with us.”
“I will be ready in minutes, Ana,” Bingley said.
“Excellent. One last thing? Inform Miss Bingley you intend never to make her an offer of marriage, Brother. I fear her interference when you decide to pursue someone you find worthy of your affection.”
“True, Caroline can know no hope in your quarter that she might seek her future elsewhere,” Mr. Bingley said.
“You have always said you would consider a woman who cared not a whit for your fortunes or connections, Brother. One who saw in you the man you truly are. I wish you luck. Your road to being worthy of such a woman is longer than I believed this morning. Gentlemen, I will meet you in ten minutes in the entrance hall.
“That young lady is a fearsome thing to behold, Darcy. She will make you keep your word. You have done well in raising her. She is upset because you were unkind to Miss Elizabeth and those of the neighborhood. My sister is unkind to all unless they have a title or she knows they belong to the first circles,” Bingley said, patting his shoulder. “I do not intend to be late to meet her at the door, for then your sister might scoldme.”
Darcy rubbed his eyes, then ran his palms down his face. He did not know if he appreciated this side of his sister, but he loved that she had taken him to task for his bad behavior. His memory of their mother was of a woman who would face down any man with but the sheer strength of her will and truth on her side.
He had acted opposite to the way a gentleman should and had insulted a woman who had done no wrong. His actions had been unworthy of the Darcy name. Having always believed his parents were watching over him and his sister, Darcy was filled with despondency. If true, theyhadwitnessed his behavior. His conscience filled with shame.
His sister’s question of what he would do if a man spoke to and of her with such condescension before any, let alone all their family, friends, and neighbors? It required no contemplation. He would give the one spouting such of his sister the cut direct. That same man would be fortunate to escape his cousin’s fists once her other guardian heard of it.
It was whathedeserved, but the Miss Bennets had no brother. Where was the lady’s father the previous evening? More, why had he not come that morning to demand satisfaction?
Speculating that his status in the first circles was the cause of the man's inaction, He felt all the worse. While Darcy believed it would not matter to him what rank or status a man had if they slighted his daughter, he was aware that not all men could afford the same opinion. It was, therefore, up to him to render an apology.
He knew he should not, rather,could notexpect Miss Elizabeth to be so charitable as to forgive him since he had shown none. Still, Darcy prayed he might gain it. And not just because his sister would be there to bear witness.
Georgiana was correct in every way regarding his behavior. If she was also correct about Miss Bennet, he hoped he had not damaged Bingley’s prospects. And while the woman Georgiana described as Miss Elizabeth matched everything he claimed would be the sort of woman who would suit him in essentials, he did not leave the study with any hope of redemption.
Chapter 4
Mr. Darcy Visits Longbourn
Kitty rushed into the drawing room. “Mother, a carriage comes down the drive.”
“Maybe it is the Longs with their nieces,” Mrs. Bennet said, sitting up and setting her cap to rights.
“I will ring for tea,” Mary said.
Lydia looked out the window facing the drive. “I do not think it is the Long carriage, Mama.”
“Oh, move over, child.” Mrs. Bennet waved Lydia aside, gasping when Mr. Bingley stepped from the carriage. “Oh, dear heaven above, it is Mr. Bingley. Jane? Jane, you must put on the new pink gown.”
“Do please cease, Mother. He will hear you and might leave out of embarrassment,” Elizabeth said, whispering into their mother’s ear. “Remember why the last suitor left?”
“I am certain it had nothing to do with my behavior, no matter his claims,” Mrs. Bennet said tartly.
“You push suitors away rather than draw them in. If you would but stop trying to manipulate our every turn, you may get the results you want.”
“I do not think—”
“That is the problem. Youneverthink before you speak. The Darcys and the Bingleys of the worlddo. You will embarrass Jane if you do not cease.”
“You have no right to talk to me in such a manner, Miss Lizzy.”
“Your way did not work. Try allowing your daughters to speak when they are addressed. And, above all, ask them to dinner.”
“That is an excellent thought. Why did you not suggest such when the carriage was spotted? Now I must wait to speak with the cook. Suggest for you young people to go out walking the moment they agree upon it. Then Mr. Bingley will see Jane with a bloom to her cheeks. A very excellent thought indeed.”
Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Miss Darcy were announced.
“It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Darcy,” Jane said, taking Elizabeth’s arm.
