Love Among the Gifted - A Pride & Prejudice Alternative

Chapter Eighteen

The first thing Miss Elizabeth did when she and Darcy arrived at Netherfield was to rush to her sister's room to assess her condition and progress. Darcy was relieved to see Bingley had returned from his mission of delivering the notes of reassurance to all the estates in the neighborhood. He was not sanguine that the danger had passed with the capture of the three miscreants. But it was Miss Bingley that demanded his immediate attention.

"Mr. Darcy! I am so relieved to see you safe. Surely, we should take advantage of your victory over those terrible men to leave this dreadful place and return to London. If I had any idea that country living would be so ... dangerous, I should never have encouraged Charles to take a country house." She stopped for a moment, as she realized she might offend the great landowner. "That is to say, I should have insisted he take a property some place well regulated, with neighbors of quality, such as in Derbyshire, near Pemberley."

"While I believe my efforts to keep order near Pemberley have had some success, no place is completely proof against outside agitation or the depredations of a lunatic. Even London has enough dangers to require due diligence."

"I am glad this is over," Bingley said, evidence of the resilience of his optimistic outlook. "I think we should consider ways we might assist in our neighbor's recovery from this tragedy."

"That is a fine idea, Bingley. A very proper sort of attitude for a country landholder." Darcy wanted to encourage his friend's sense of responsibility to the welfare of not only his tenants, but his neighbors as well.

"But that means we are not leaving!" Miss Bingley displayed her pique at her suggestion being denied.

"I do not see how we can. If I flee from the country now, I would never be able to return." Bingley explained. "I might even be branded a craven. That would not aid in your plans to advance our prospects. If we are to be landed, we must accept, embrace even, the dangers and duties that come with the privileges and prerequisites."

"Charles!" Miss Bingley protested, cutting her eyes sharply towards Darcy. He assumed she was upset her brother had alluded to the poorly kept secret that she wanted to advance the family's status, just as her father had before them. "I ... must see the cook. We have delayed dinner until your return, Mr. Darcy. I hope you will join us."

He considered for a moment. "I am afraid I must draft a report of the events of the last few days for the Royal Magistrate. It will likely take me all evening. I will just have a tray sent to my room."

"Very well," said Miss Bingley, her disappointment plain in her tone. "I wish you a good evening."

After she left Darcy turned to Bingley. "I have a favor to ask of you."

"Anything, old man."

"You can reach London and return much more quickly than an express rider. I must ask if you would be willing to play messenger tomorrow. My report need to go to Sir Walter and Mr. Bennet has a report for Mr. William Wickham at the Alien Office."

"Wickham?" Bingley interrupted.

Darcy offered a grimace of distaste, "I believe the relation is very distant. Anyway, either man may have a response. I would much rather trust this task to you than to an unknown royal messenger."

"Of course. I'd be happy to go. I'll leave early and stop at Longbourn to collect his missive. I should be in London by nine o'clock. If all goes well, I'll be back by noon."

"Thank you. I have a feeling this may just be the beginning of something much larger and more terrible than we have yet seen." Darcy retired to his chamber.