Darcy suppressed his anger, though it stirred hot in his breast. “Never did I claim any such knowledge,” said he, keeping his tone icy rather than furious. “I offered my opinion—that is all.”
Bingley started pacing. “All I can see is that I allowed Fitzwilliam to stay at Netherfield, and now he is engaged to the woman I had nearly begun to court. Then you, Darcy, came to Netherfield supposedly to deal with that friend of yours, yet you are still in the neighborhood months later,andyou are engaged to Miss Elizabeth. How am I supposed to interpret this as anything other than a betrayal?”
“You may see it as you choose, Bingley,” replied Fitzwilliam. “Yet you must also bear the responsibility for your ruined hopes. If you had possessed the resolution to defy your sisters and trust your convictions, Miss Bennet would not have been at liberty to accept me.”
“But she loved me,” said Bingley, a hint of desperation in his face. “I am certain of it.”
“No, she did not.”
Bingley stopped his pacing and turned wide eyes on Fitzwilliam. Though it was clear he wanted to object, something stopped him—the truth of the situation might break him, but it was kinder that he know the truth rather than continue in delusion. It may also save their friendship.
“I have this from Miss Bennet herself,” continued Fitzwilliam, his tone almost gentle. “Miss Bennet didnotlove you when you left Meryton, though she did not understand her sentiments until later. I cannot say what would have happened if you had come back, but I can tell you without disguise that she was not in love with you when you left in November.”
The devastation in Bingley’s features was enough to break Darcy’s heart.
“I apologize, Bingley,” said Fitzwilliam, “for it is not my intention to cause you pain. You should understand this point. My engagement to Miss Bennet wasnottheft, but the natural result of my interest in her and her returning affection for me.”
“I should have come back,” Bingley breathed, unable to fathom what he was hearing. “But you should have told me, Darcy, and you should not have acted to convince me away from Hertfordshire and Miss Bennet. I can never forgive you for that.”
With those words, Bingley departed, leaving the ruin of their friendship behind as he left. Other than Fitzwilliam, Bingley had been his closest friend for many years—losing him felt like ripping his heart from his chest.
“It appears you have your answer, Darcy.”
Nodding, Darcy sat heavily on the sofa. “I had hoped he would rebound as he always does, but it appears his blame is too great to overcome.”
Fitzwilliam snorted—it sounded like disdain. “If you will forgive me, Bingley has only himself to blame. He is a good man, but he allows that sister of his far too much influence in his life.”
“Well do I know it.”
“IT WAS PATHETIC,” SAIDElizabeth later that day when the gentlemen visited. “Mr. Bingley arrived with hope and dreams and departed a broken man.” She paused, considering, and then added: “I have never seen a face so pale as when he learned the truth of Jane’s engagement.”
William—for so she thought of him now that their engagement was official—nodded, appearing pained. “Bingley has so often fallen in and out of love that I expected as much.”
“I apologize for the sentiment,” said Elizabeth, “but everything has turned out for the best. Jane would have been happy with Mr. Bingley, yet his lack of fortitude and his wandering eye would not have made it long-lasting.”
With a shake of his head, William said: “Bingley does not have awandering eye; hedoeshave a tendency to admire, but I cannot say he would not have been completely faithful to your sister.”
“Perhaps you are correct, but it remains a concern.” Elizabeth paused and put a hand over his in comfort. “The other concern is valid. Miss Bingley is of such a forceful disposition that I have no trouble believing she would have ruled them.”
William sighed and nodded. “Yes, I suppose you are correct. My friendship and loyalty to Bingley have perhaps blinded me a little, but I cannot help but suppose my actions have resulted in his unhappiness and ended our friendship.”
Elizabeth shook her head, feeling no little exasperation. The Mr. Darcy who had presented himself in those assembly rooms in October had given every appearance of pride and a haughty disdain for the feelings of others. Now that Elizabeth knew him better, she acknowledged his tendency to far too much pride. However, she knew that his true failing was his propensity to take too much on his shoulders. That had been the source of his mismanagement of the Wickham situation, and even more with this business of Mr. Bingley and Jane.
“William,” said Elizabeth, her stern tone drawing his attention, “though I know your cousin has told you on multiple occasions, I shall reiterate: what happened with Mr. Bingley wasnotyour fault.”
Though he tried to protest, Elizabeth would not allow it.
“You gave your opinion, and Mr. Bingley acted on it. That advice may have proceeded from a faulty understanding of Jane, and it may even have been a desire to avoidme.”
Elizabeth offered a playful grin, which prompted a tentative smile.
“But you did not do it with malicious intent. And even more important, Mr. Bingleychoseto stay away from Hertfordshire. He is his own man—he could have returned at any time of his choosing, yet he elected to stay away. Acknowledge your failings if you must, but please do not lose sight of the culpability of others.”
“That is why I love you so dearly,” said William, taking her hand and raising it to his lips. “You see clearly where I sometimes see only obscurity, and you do not hesitate to inform me when I am being ridiculous.”
“You arenotridiculous, William,” replied Elizabeth. “Sometimes it is easier for others to see what is near to our hearts. I have little history with Mr. Bingley, while yours encompasses years of friendship. That allows me a certain perspective you cannot see.”
“Then I shall try to put it in the past, Elizabeth. I hope you will bepatient with me.”
