Page 50 of The Wager
“He did. Bingley also decamped from Netherfield.”
Startled by this unexpected information, Elizabeth looked to Darcy to gauge his reaction, and she wondered if the rest of his family would soon follow. It was no secret Miss Bingley abhorred everything about Hertfordshire and more specifically, Meryton.
“He made no mention of leaving when we spoke last night.”
“There were some pressing concerns regarding one of his ships and he wished to speak with the captain when it docks later today,” Darcy explained. “However, I have a confidential source who told me he left earlier than planned because a certain lady turned down his offer of marriage and he is not willing to remain in the company of my cousin for any length of time. He did not even ask to travel with Ashton, but took his own carriage.”
“Poor Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth mused, thinking the gentleman was devastated that last night did not go as planned.
“You would not feel such compassion if you knew how poorly he treated your sister.”
Elizabeth canted her head to one side and frowned. While Jane had been almost unbearably giddy over accepting Ashton’s proposal, she had not said a word about Mr. Bingley other than he had made her an offer and she had refused him.
“I take it he did not behave the gentleman?”
“Not exactly. The only way I can describe it without becoming vulgar is that he did not expect a refusal from your sister and his reasons for marrying did not reach the high standards any decent woman should expect from a suitor.”
“In other words, he fully expected Jane to fall at his feet and thank him for saving her from penury?”
“Your definition is much more precise than mine, but yes, that is what he expected.”
Elizabeth could not understand the Bingley family. They seemed to have everything a reasonable person could ever want – wealth, a comfortable social status for their background, and good looks. Yet, they were constantly dissatisfied with their lives. It was perplexing to her how someone could have so much and remained unhappy.
“I imagine this has put a dent in your friendship with Mr. Bingley.”
“For five years I have enjoyed his company and never witnessed such careless demeanor until we arrived in Hertfordshire. I must confess I am utterly disappointed in his conduct.”
“Mayhap, in town, his behavior was not scrutinized as closely as in a small community. There, he did not have the social consequence he enjoyed in Meryton. Also, had he shown such tendencies, he blended in with the other rakes and rogues that prowl the ballrooms of London.”
“He does have a reputation of falling in and out of love quite easily.”
“Am I correct in presuming no one ever speaks of the women that he dangles at the end of a pretty ribbon?” At Darcy’s brief nod, she felt a growing anger at the younger man’s sense of entitlement. “Of course not. A lady can only wait for a gentleman’s attention while Mr. Bingley is allowed – nay, expected to prance around society, flirting and making love to innocent young women, and when he finally abandons them for his next angel,theyare the ones who are exposed to the censure of the world for caprice and instability. ‘Tis a good thing he fled to London. I am of a mind to set my father’s hounds on him.”
“Enough of Bingley. I came here to whisper pretty words in your ear and make you blush.”
She did that very thing and he smiled.
“You shall behave, Mr. Darcy,” she said as they entered the house and began divesting themselves of their outerwear for the waiting footmen. “What of yourself? Are you anxious to leave our little shire for a few weeks?”
“Not exactly, however, I am looking forward to being with Georgiana. I have not seen her since September.”
“I will not begrudge you any time spent with your sister.” She dared to look up at him. “I cannot say the same about your social calendar, knowing what your plans are for the tenth of December whereupon you must dance with three different women.”
Darcy stopped walking and she turned to face him.
“I will not go if it gives you distress, I am confident Ash will treat Arion in the manner he deserves.”
“You would forfeit your horse to ensure my happiness?”
Darcy lifted her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles.
“I would forfeit many things to make you happy.”
“Go on, you silly man. Attend Lady Kildair’s ball and get this chapter of your life over with. I am not a jealous woman.”
“Mayhap I want you to be jealous.”
“No, you do not, because then my character would not be one you admire.”
