Page 14 of Compromise & Consequence
“Does she even know you are getting married?”
“Again, no.”
“Please tell her before you travel back to Derbyshire, or she will wonder who the strange woman sleeping next to you in the mistress of Pemberley’s bedchamber is.”
“I will tell her in my own time.”
Richard only shook his head, letting his cousin know without words that he was playing with fire.
“While in Meryton, I will question our friend Wickham about your bride. It is imperative to discover if he did conspire to set up a compromise.”
“And if he has?”
“Then, you will know for certain what type of woman you married.” Richard stood to leave. “And if he hasn’t, you will forever regret not taking the time to court your wife properly and help her maintain a modicum of dignity. You could always postpone the wedding until after my visit.”
“Tempting, but I want this charade over with. As it is, the sword of Damocles hangs over my head. I wish to have some peace in my life, and with her at Pemberley awaiting the verdict of whether she is with child or not, I can continue with some normalcy here in Town.”
His gut twisted at the thought of Elizabeth heavy with Wickham’s child. If she was his lover, could he ever take her as his true wife, or would the tender shoots of his affection be completely strangled by the weeds of hatred he held for that man?
Richard tutted and shook his head.
“You have already cast judgment before the evidence has been gathered.” He turned to leave and tossed over his shoulder, “I hope you do not regret this.”
“I already do, cousin,” Darcy muttered under his breath. “I already do.”
Chapter Five
“Oh, Jane! This is such a dreadful business!” Mrs. Bennet entered the drawing room without even having removed her pelisse and bonnet so great was her agitation. “I have just returned from my sister’s, and she told me that she had heard from Mrs. Long, who heard from her maid that Netherfield Park has been closed. Mr. Bingley has left Hertfordshire!”
“Everybody? Even his sisters?”
“Did you not hear what I said, Lizzy? Mr. Bingley has left for London!”
***
“Well, Lizzy,” Mrs. Bennet said later that same day as she and her niece sewed in the little family parlor. “What is your opinion now of this sad business of Jane’s? For my part, I am determined never to speak of it again to anybody. Mr. Bingley is a very undeserving young man, and I do not suppose there is the least chance in the world of her ever getting him now. There is no talk of his coming to Netherfield again this winter.”
“I do not believe he will ever live at Netherfield any more.”
“Are you aware of something I do not know?”
“I am trying to see this in a rational manner. He is a great friend of Mr. Darcy’s, and Mr. Darcy is very upset over this rushed marriage. Mr. Bingley will do nothing to make his friend even angrier. He is like Jane in that way. He prefers smooth waters to a tumultuous sea.”
“Oh, well! it is just as he chooses. Though I shall always say he used my daughter extremely ill, and if I were her, I would not have put up with it. Well, my comfort is, I am sure Jane willdie of a broken heart, and then he will be sorry for what he has done.”
Elizabeth knew her aunt expressed herself poorly, but she also knew her adopted mother truly worried over her eldest daughter’s heartache. She did as well.
“I was going to direct Mr. Collins’s attention toward Jane. If Mr. Bingley is not going to court her, she may as well wed her cousin. He can no longer embrace any thoughts of marriage in your direction.”
“Auntie! Jane will not entertain the idea. She is still very much in love with Mr. Bingley even if he does not return her affection. She cannot even begin to think of marrying another.”
“And why not? She is not getting any younger and beauty such as hers will fade, then no one will make an offer. She should entice Mr. Collins to ask for her hand in marriage.”
“No!”
Mrs. Bennet gasped at her outburst. Elizabeth took a deep breath and willed herself not to panic, to answer in a calm voice and allay her aunt’s fears.
“You forget I am marrying a wealthy man. I will ensure Jane meets a suitable gentleman,” Elizabeth soothed, hiding her crossed fingers within the folds of her skirt.
