Mr Darcy's Christmas Carol

Part 15

"Was this not worth rising early?" Darcy asked as he and Charles slowed their horses to a walk the next morning. They had planned to go out at first light, seizing the opportunity for a morning ride without the interference of any of the ladies at Pemberley, and seeking not to disturb them with their early morning activities. As it was, his friend had been bleary-eyed and uncharacteristically quiet on meeting. A quick ride had blown the sleep from Darcy's brains, and he could only hope the same was true for Charles.

"What fine countryside!" Charles said, looking around at the green expanses and the grey hills that could be seen in the distance. "It does me good to see it! Do you know, I have not had such exercise since before we returned to London?" He shook his head, marvelling at the fact. "And how I have missed it!"

"In that case, you must ride just as often as you wish to, while you are here," Darcy said, turning his horse and beginning to retrace their route back towards the house.

"Might we ride on a little further?" Bingley asked. "That is, you do not have any pressing desire to return just at present?"

"We can stay out as long as you wish. The ladies are well catered for and will be quite content to breakfast without us, I don't doubt."

Charles smiled, and they rode on in silence for a few moments, before he spoke again.

"It is good of you to host us, Darcy, and at such short notice."

"Was it so very short?" Darcy shook his head. "There is no such thing, surely, when one visits family."

"Nonetheless..." Charles trailed off, and Darcy was left wondering what lay behind the sad smile that lingered on his friend's features, or the quietness that seemed so uncharacteristic of Charles Bingley yet had become his apparent norm since his arrival at Pemberley.

"I wished to leave London," he said, at length. "That is, I rather had to leave London."

"I have warned you about those card tables..." Darcy remarked, drily. He bit back his attempt at humour when he saw the deep flush that tainted his friend's cheeks.

"You see, I knew there was little point in attempting to deceive you. You know me too well and could surely tell at first glance that financially...we are not...that is, I -" He trailed off.

"Have you come into difficulty?" Darcy asked, his voice gruff in an attempt to extract the truth from his friend whilst sparing his pride.

"Not exactly." Charles' voice was flat. "That would suggest some accident of fate. I rather think my wife..." he shook his head. "I ought not to speak so. And yet how can I be anything but truthful with my oldest friend? The truth of the matter is that Annabelle has little concept of money or how quickly it might be spent, particularly in London." He sighed. "You know I am no miser, Darcy, nor have I ever wanted for much, thank heavens. But even I can see her extravagance lacks wisdom and foresight." When he lifted his gaze to Darcy's his features were miserable. "I sometimes think she is intent on bankrupting me. If we stay in London it is certainly a very real possibility!"

Had it been anyone other than Bingley, Darcy would have laughed, and advised the fellow to keep a tighter grip on his purse strings, but Charles looked so miserable that Darcy knew any reproach, however lightly offered or genuinely meant would hit his friend too hard.

"Then do not stay in London."

Bingley frowned.

"I am not sure I can afford to remove, at present."

"Stay here." Darcy warmed to the idea as soon as it was spoken. "You know you are welcome to stay as long as you wish it. Surely Annabelle would benefit from having companions under the same roof, and I assure you I would be more than grateful to have you stay."