Page 10 of Roses from Pemberley
He stood up abruptly from the table as everyone turned to Bingley.
“Mr. Bingley!” said Lady Catherine. “What are you doing here?”
“I apologise, Lady Catherine,” began Bingley “but…”
“He came at my request, Aunt,” said Darcy, rising and saving him from answering.
“This is most irregular, Darcy,” said Lady Catherine, who thankfully had met Bingley before, “but I suppose we can accommodate Mr. Bingley.”
She gestured for a footman to set another place at the table for him.
“Alas,” said Darcy abruptly, “my friend has no time to eat at present. Pray, excuse us.”
He pushed Bingley out of the room then led him into a small parlour where he motioned for Bingley to sit down.
“Where is Miss Bennet?” he asked as soon as he had closed the door.
Bingley looked surprised by his behaviour but only answered, “I dropped her, the doctor, and the maid who accompanied us off at the parsonage. That is where Miss Elizabeth is staying according to your letter. Thankfully, I was able to get to Gracechurch Street in good time and Miss Bennet was more than willing to accompany me.”
“And Miss Elizabeth? Is she well?”
“I do not know, for Jane was taken upstairs immediately by Mrs. Collins and I did not wish to intrude.”
“I see…and the doctor? How did you manage to bring him?”
“There was nothing to it. For when your man came to deliver your letter, he also mentioned that the other rider hadgone to fetch the doctor. So I sent a note to him, offering to transport him to Rosings as well.”
“That was smart thinking of you, Bingley,” said Darcy, allowing his body to relax a little. “But did Mrs. Collins not say anything while you were there? About Miss Elizabeth’s condition, I mean?”
“She only said that Miss Elizabeth was sleeping and that she would take Miss Bennet to her immediately.”
Darcy nodded absently, knowing that he owed Bingley an explanation. But at least he’d done as much as he could for the time being. Jane Bennet and the doctor were with Elizabeth now, and he could only hope that they were able to help her.
“The doctor did say,” continued Bingley, “that he would call on you here after he examined Miss Elizabeth.”
“Oh! I had not thought of that. That is good to hear…”
“But tell me everything, Darcy. How is it that you are so involved in Miss Elizabeth’s personal concerns? And more importantly why do you think that Jane is in love with me?”
Darcy thought about how he might tell Bingley about it without mentioning the proposal. Perhaps he would tell Bingley about it later, but he was too tired at present to get into too many details.
Thus he said, “I went to call on Miss Elizabeth yesterday and…during the conversation she told me that Jane…loved you…”
“But how did such a subject even come up?”
Darcy shrugged. “I believe that Miss Elizabeth was not feeling well at the time…”
“And so she let on that Jane loved me?”
Darcy shrugged again. “She was even more ill the next day, and so I offered to send a carriage for Jane and the doctor.” It was close enough to the truth, he supposed. “And,” he concluded, “recalling what Elizabeth said about Jane's feelings, Ithought it best to informyouof it and haveyoubring her here. Tell me, do you still love her? For, if you do not, then I have made a terrible mistake in telling you about her sentiments.”
“Of course I still love her. Why do you think I am here now?”
“Gentlemany conduct, perhaps? You were simply doing what was honorable?”
“No, not at all. I love Jane and never stopped loving her. And I would do anything to help her or her family.” He looked reprovingly at Darcy and added, “And your mistaken beliefs have led both meandJane to experience some of the worst months of our lives. I thought I would never see her again! Do you know what that is like?”
“Yes, I do,” said Darcy impetuously.
