Page 17 of The Cheapside Runners
Bingley asked, “If there is something worrisome about my guest, I should like to know. Why are you not worried aboutmy sister?”
“Isaid…”she replied heatedly, in a voice suggesting her level of annoyance was increasing rapidly, “…that I would not allow my friends or sisters to reside in the same house.Your sister is neither.”
“What do you mean?”
“She has done naught but insult and belittle me, my family, my home, my friends, and my neighbourhood since the moment she stepped into the assembly. Perhaps you recall‘She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellentwalker. I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She really looked almost wild.’”
She stared hard at both men as if daring them, to contradict her, then continued, “That was hardly the first or last slight to me particularly, and I doubt my friends appreciate being called country mushrooms by some upstart parvenu. In short, she is neither friend, nor relative,nor my responsibility.”
Bingley had a frown fit for a gorgon, but since his sistershadsaid those things, and both he and Darcyhadheard them, and neither man had done anything about it many times, he had to concede. “You make a fair point, madam.”
“I wish I could say your sister isshockinglyrude, but I have endured far worse and expect to do so in future. I cannot honestly say my mother, or two youngest sisters, are noticeably better, though I doubt Miss Bingley would appreciate the comparison. I could endure your sister for days or weeks without strain, but the viscount is another matter entirely.”
Darcy walked closer very carefully. “I know my cousin is a bit of a flirt, but…”
“He is most definitely not a flirt, sir!” she snapped angrily, having finally endured enough of their recalcitrance. “He is a seducer, pure and simple!”
“How do you know?” he asked, though he was not entirely sure he wanted to hear the answer, since it sounded like his cousin could be another Wickham.
She stared at him disconcertingly for some time, and finally said, “I told you I spend time in town. His reputation is well known among his victim class, though I doubt his peers, or his family are aware. He likes to keep his… ah… indiscretions… private.”
She stared a bit more to see if he said anything, but fortunately, he had enough sense to hold his tongue.
She finally held out her hands palm up. “I once held oneof his natural daughters in these hands right here. Iknowof whence I speak.”
Bingley shook his head violently, and snapped, “I shall eject him this very minute.”
Darcy struggled for anything to say.
Elizabeth had no such qualms, so she shrugged. “You may do as you will. I have taken steps. All I require is your carriage at seven, and I shall never speak of the matter.”
Darcy asked, “Is there anything else we should know?”
Elizabeth looked distinctly uncomfortable, then finally sighed. “I took the liberty of moving Jane and myself. I recommend you refrain from telling Miss Bingley, as have I.”
Both stared at her, clearly having a tough time believing it.
“Are you suggesting he might accost one of youtonight?” Bingley squeaked.
“Do you really want an answer?”
“I do,” Darcy said, and then had to stand his ground when she stared him down for a minute.
“I would appreciate your forbearance, Miss Elizabeth,” Bingley begged. “It pains me to think I might have a snake in my midst, and aside from that, Caroline is neither your sister nor your responsibility,but she is mine!”
Elizabeth paused a moment and stared in a way that left Darcy believing she was considering whether Bingley was worthy of her sister or not. It seemed an odd notion for a family as desperate for husbands as the Bennets, but then again, in many cases, no husband was better than a bad one. One thing was certain. Miss Elizabeth was vastly different from her mother.
Miss Elizabeth finally explained, “You need to understand the concept ofunbalanced risks.Shall I explain?”
Both men nodded.
“The world is a cruel place for women. What you considerflirting, could lead to a man’s inconvenience, or embarrassment—but a woman’s loss of reputation, acquisition of an unwanted child, ruination of her family, or even death. The viscount has ruined more than one woman’s life, and yet here he is, welcomed in this house by one and all. Even should you make his poor character public, he will still be welcomed at every club, ball, and party in London. It will not hurt his reputation in the least.”
Both men had enough sense not to reply.
“Women have to beextremelycareful… all day, every day… and every night, for that matter. Men are allowed dozens or hundreds of ‘mistakes,’ while we are not allowed even one. I will not waste Jane’s chances at a good life on your worthless cousin.”
Darcy was very much reminded of Mr Gardiner’s words about mistakes being irreversible and had to admit that he was correct. The unambiguous fact was that Georgiana was essentially in hiding, while absent Gardiner’s intervention, Wickham would still be a free man. Darcy had to be honest with himself. Even if he had rescued his sister personally, he doubted he would have brought the rogue to heel.
