Page 48 of Roses from Pemberley
“Shall we make an attempt to visit the parsonage today?” he asked.
“But it is raining, Bingley!”
“So? What of it? We can take umbrellas.”
Darcy looked out the window at the torrential downfall. “I do not think that a mere umbrella would be enough, Bingley.”
Bingley sighed and sat down, but not before pouring himself a hefty helping of brandy and doing the same for Darcy.
“Is it not too early for such strong drink, Bingley?’ he asked, taking a sip anyway.
Bingley shrugged. “No one shall ever know. Besides which, this time away from Miss Bennet is grating on my nerves. What if she has lost all respect for me?”
“You are just being silly, Bingley. It is obvious that she cares for you. Once the rain ends, you can see her again and all will be well.” He took another sip and added, “At least for you.”
“And what of you, Darcy? You are not giving up, are you?”
“I love Miss Elizabeth,” he responded, “I always will, but…”
“Yes? What could be more important than that?”
He rolled his eyes. “I should think it would be obvious.”
“What would be obvious?”
“That she does not love me, hardly cares for me, for that matter.”
“Nowyouare being silly,” said Bingley. “For did you not see how upset she was that you were leaving?”
“Was she? I did not even notice.”
Bingley's mouth hung open. “That is because you were too busy feeling sorry for yourself.” He clucked a little, took another sip and added, “Self-pity does not become you, Darcy.”
“I am just trying to be realistic!”
“Well, you are failing miserably. The lady cares for you and wishes to work it out with you. And all you can do is sit here and complain of her lack of affection.”
Darcy took a sip, leaned back in his chair and sighed. “If you only knew what Wickham had done to me…and to my family.”
Bingley nodded thoughtfully. “You have never told me what Wickham did to you. Nor do you have to. But…perhaps you should tell Miss Elizabeth.”
Neither spoke for some time.
“Darcy?”
“Yes, Bingley?”
“Perhaps you should tell Miss Elizabeth.”
Darcy looked at his friend but did not respond. Eventually Bingley quitted the room, leaving him to finish his drink while contemplating the raindrops as they trickled down the windowpane. Soon afterwards, he developed a headache and returned to bed.
Two days later, the rains finally abated. But the roads were so muddy that no one wished to venture outside. However, in the early afternoon, a large carriage appeared on the front drive. Everyone was gathered in the drawing room when Mr. Cullen entered and said, “The Earl and Countess of Matlock and Lady Diana Fitzwilliam.”
“Henry! What are you doing here?” asked Lady Catherine as her brother, his wife and daughter all entered the room.
“We heard about Richard’s courtship of Anne and came for a surprise visit.”
“And you thought to further the match, Mother?” asked Richard.
