“We are all well, Lizzy! There is nothing to fear.” He responded. “I love you.” William leaned and kissed her ardently until a knock disrupted their activity.
Mr. Nicholls entered with a grim look on his face. “Mr. Darcy, I apologise for disturbing you but Mr. Charles Bingley sent word through a man that his father just passed. I thought you would wish to know right away.” He bowed and departed after William thanked him and nodded.
Lizzy gasped, “Oh, no! I knew he was seriously ill but I did not think so soon! He was such a kind man! Oh, poor Charles. Poor Jane!”
William rubbed her back, “I shall need to ride to Purvis Lodge to see him, Lizzy. Will you let your parents and Jane know of the situation? I will tell my parents before I head out and I am afraid mama will need to assist Charles since Caroline Bingley will likely be useless and they do not know many people here. Will you ask your mother to help as well?” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Charles is only twenty years old and is now orphaned. I feel terrible that he is going through this while I am to be celebrating my wedding in ten days.”
“Well, at least Mr. Bingley knew that Charles was deliriously happy with his situation here, and Jane and he are informally engaged. Mr. Bingley was unhappy with Caroline’s attempt to compromise you and he worked with my Uncle Philips to place several clauses in his will regarding her future. Charles was prepared for his father’s passing and he will be well, but he will need your guidance and support.” She lifted to her toes to kiss his cheek. “Go to your friend. Send word to Longbourn with whatever is needed and Jane and Mama will help Charles in his time of need.” She held his hand for a second longer, “But will you take Richard with you? I trust you implicitly but I would feel better if Richard went with you to handle Caroline. I do not trust her and I do not wish for any harm to come to you.”
William softly smiled and nodded. “Of course, Lizzy. I will ask Richard to join me. I will see you at Longbourn tonight, my love.” He kissed her lips and departed to speak with his parents immediately.
~*~
“I am very sorry for your loss, Charles,” William consoled his friend as they sat together with Richard in the drawing room. “My mother will be working with your housekeeper to give instructions and is making arrangements with Mrs. Bennet to be of aid to you in your time of need.”
“Thank you, Darcy,” Charles Bingley softly replied. “He was not well for a while and I saw him grow weaker but he did not tell me about it until after Caroline had advised him that they should not be coddling me any longer. I thought my sister had changed but she has been nothing but a disappointment since we arrived here. I know papa was at peace with my future with Jane but he did worry for Caroline and I promised him that I would care for her. She is devastated by our loss, of course, but I think it is rather due to her loss of papa’s gifts and indulgences rather than missing him. She looked most like mama, you know, and papa spoiled Caroline more than he ought.” Bingley wiped the corners of his eyes. “I will miss him but I know he is at peace now.”
William tapped his friend’s shoulder, “I will do all I can to assist you. Your father leased this place with a two-year contract at a very good price and you will have a home to return to between terms. You will be close to Jane and your sister can invite Mr. and Mrs. Hurst to stay here if they choose to reside in the countryside, or Miss Bingley can stay with your sister while you are at your last year of school; the choice is yours and hers. After you complete your schooling, you are welcome to stay with me at Netherfield and if you are prepared to marry, you can look for an estate to purchase. I will be on hand to support you, my friend.”
Charles smiled, “Thank you, Darcy. I am truly grateful for your guidance. Thank you for enlisting Lady Anne and Mrs. Bennet’s assistance as well. Caroline has been inept and has no idea what needs to take place. My sister and her husband should be arriving tomorrow and they will be better help but we know few people here and Caroline does not want to show her face to the neighbours, either.”
“It will be well.” William responded. “There are many who will assist and with the matrons on it, you will not have to worry about the details of the funeral but only to work with your solicitor to iron out the specifics of your father’s will. I do not have much experience of it but my father will certainly help you with that point.”
Richard spoke gently, “I know much about wills since I had to ensure everything was reviewed carefully when I received my inheritance, and I had to write another one since becoming engaged. I will help you, Bingley.”
“I will go and fetch it right now, then.” Charles nodded. “Thank you, gentlemen.” He stood to gather his father’s last will and
