Page 11 of Unwillingly Mrs. Darcy
If his feelings for her had been as strong as he claimed, how could he have turned so quickly to another? Had she been mistaken about the sincerity of his proposal? And why, when she had every reason to dismiss him, did she find herself pierced by the thought of him with another woman?
“Lizzy?” Jane’s soft voice broke through her thoughts.
Elizabeth looked up, startled. Jane’s face was kind but concerned. “You seem troubled.”
“I am only tired, Jane,” Elizabeth replied with a wan smile. “Nothing more.”
But as the conversation dissolved and the sisters each retreated into their private thoughts, Elizabeth slipped quietly from the room. As she wandered the grounds of Longbourn, she tried to make sense of the turmoil that churned inside her.
The announcement shouldn’t matter, she told herself, over and over. And yet, no matter how she framed it, the thought of Mr Darcy bound to someone else lingered in her mind like a shadow, too solid to be ignored.
Chapter 7
Darcy
Darcy bolted out of Brooks frazzled, for he had barely sat down for a fifth of whiskey when he had been set upon by not one but two different acquaintances whose names he barely remembered, but who had wished to give him their heartfelt congratulations on his impending wedding to his cousin.
This had been a recurring theme over the last week and a half, wherever he went, be it for a stroll in the park, or a meal out, or even to church. Last Sunday, people were congratulating him on a wedding he had never agreed to.
Not even at his gentleman’s club was he safe from reminders of his upcoming wedding. He’d thought of possible solutions for the situation—claiming that the newspaper had made a mistake had been at the top of his list. Alas, his aunt had sent similar announcements toTheTimes,The Morning Post, andThe Courier. There was no way to claim that they had all been mistaken.
He would have had to tell all of the ton that his aunt had schemed behind his back.
He had considered it, but he knew that would be a scandal too far. The entire family would be talked about. Society liked nothing better than a scandal, and Darcy knew he could not be the one to give it to them. It would affect not only his aunt—who would be humiliated—but Anne and possibly the entire Fitzwilliam side of his family.
Of course, his aunt must have known he would not do this to his own flesh and blood, and thus felt safe in her manipulations
Vexed, he made his way along St James Street but then paused. Among the congratulations and well-wishes he had received not only in person, but in writing, had been a note from Bingley, asking him to stop at Grosvenor House so that they might take a drink together and talk, for it had been a few weeks since they had had a proper conversation.
Darcy had not seen his friend since the fateful visit to Rosings and his disastrous proposal. In truth he had been avoiding him, not just because he didn’t wish to burden Bingley with his current situation, but also because he knew if he saw his friend, he’d have to tell him about Kent and his conversation with Elizabeth Bennet—and admit what he’d done.
He’d have to confess that he had made a mistake with regard to Jane Bennet, and Darcy genuinely feared Bingley might never forgive him. Still, such pride had to come to an end.
Besides, the most selfish part of him needed to talk to his friend. To gain his advice. How ironic that was. Usually, Darcy considered himself the one who gave advice, not the one to receive it. However, he had been a prisoner of his own racing thoughts for far too long. He had to talk to someone. And then, once he had unburdened himself he hoped that Bingley could forgive him.
He made a turn and hastened towards Grosvenor Square. Once there, he knocked and was properly admitted by Hazelton, the Hurst’s butler.
He was shown into the parlour. Bingley joined him momentarily. Immediately, he saw that his worst fears had been right. Bingley looked as though he had not slept well in weeks, the dark circles under his eyes bore witness to this. His face also looked somewhat gaunter than Darcy was used to, although the same amiable smile played around his lips.
“Darcy, as I live and breathe! It has been an age and a half since I last saw you! Say, how has Rosings treated you?” He waved his hand as he walked to the sideboard, picked up two glasses and poured whiskey without asking.
“Faith, it was a disaster,” Darcy said and his friend nodded sympathetically.
“Well, I can imagine. I have seen the announcement. I daresay, I suspect a scheme by your dear aunt?”
“Aunt Catherine has taken it upon herself to force a match neither myself nor Anne desire. I left Rosings after making it quite clear to her that I did not wish to wed. And not two days later, there is an announcement of our impending nuptials.”
Bingley handed him the drink, one eyebrow raised. “You said Anne does not wish it either? You spoke to her on the matter?”
“I had to. I was quite blunt with my aunt regarding my feelings towards Anne, and then I felt it necessary to explain to Anne. I did not want to hurt her feelings. To my surprise, I discovered that she already has an admirer, and he is someone she is fond of as well.”
Bingley crossed one leg over the other, head slightly dipped to the side.
“And who, pray, might that be?”
Darcy quickly made a report on what had transpired, and Bingley raised his eyebrows even higher.
“Richard and Miss de Bourgh? A curious match though, I suppose it makes sense. They are both beset upon by parents who are very strong-minded. Your Uncle Matlock likes things done his way too, doesn’t he?”
