Miss Bennet & Mr Bingley Page 7

  Then Mrs Bennet began repeating her thanks to him for his kindness to her daughter.

  ‘It is my pleasure, madam. It is no more than you would do for myself or my sister if we had been so struck down when visiting Longbourn. You must not consider it at all.’ Charles stared pointedly at Caroline and she added her remarks.

  ‘Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth are welcome here as long as necessary, Mrs Bennet. We are pleased to have them with us, and you may have no fears they will not be well looked after at Netherfield.’

  As they were leaving, the youngest Bennet girl, Lydia, approached him, she had easy manners and an air of assurance that belied her age.

  ‘Mr Bingley, do you remember that at Meryton you promised you would hold a ball here? It would be the most shameful thing in the world if you do not keep your promise.’

  He did recall speaking about it at the first assembly the one at which he had met Jane. If he held the ball at Netherfield he would be able to spend an entire evening in her company and there was nothing he would like better.

  ‘I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement; and when your sister is recovered, you shall, if you please, name the day of the ball. We would not wish to be dancing while she is ill.’

  Lydia declared herself satisfied. ‘Oh! Yes, it would be much better to wait until Jane is well, by that time most likely Captain Carter shall be at Meryton again. When you have given your ball, I shall insist on them giving one also. I shall tell Colonel Forster it will be quite a shame if he does not.’

  It was with a general sense of relief that Mrs Bennet and her daughters departed, with an embarrassed smile in his direction, Elizabeth returned to her sister, and he did not blame her in the slightest. Instantly Caroline and Louisa began to censure Mrs Bennet and her daughters, including Elizabeth.

  He was pleased to notice that Darcy, however prevailed upon to join in the criticisms, remained aloof from it all. ‘Darcy, shall we escape from the house for an hour or two? I need to clear my head and an energetic ride around the countryside will do it admirably.’

  During the ride he had the opportunity to mull over his visit of the Bennets. How could such a vulgar woman have produced such a paragon as Jane? He wondered how she had such impeccable manners when her younger sisters were little better than hoydens. His horse stumbled because of his inattention, he lost his stirrups and almost his seat.

  Darcy laughed as he regained his balance and took control of his mount. ‘You are wool gathering, Bingley. And from the expression on your face you are thinking of Miss Bennet.’

  ‘I was, Darcy. I was considering how the older girls are so different from their mother and the younger ones; I wonder where they learnt how to behave?’

  ‘Perhaps it is from their father. Remember, before you become too attached, what sort of family Miss Bennet comes from. Would you wish to tie yourself permanently to them?’

  ‘And what of you? Have you not an admiration for Elizabeth?’

  ‘I cannot think what you mean.’

  ‘No? You are not attracted to her?’

  ‘Perhaps. Yes, I admit it, I am. I have never seen such fine eyes before. And she is very spirited. But it would never do. Her family are abominable.’

  ‘I will not have you include Jane in that condemnation. She is everything a man could wish for in a partner.’

  ‘That’s as maybe; but Mrs Bennet is the most vulgar woman I have ever met and apart from Elizabeth Bennet her sisters are little better than common flirts.’

  Darcy kicked his horse into a canter and Bingley had little time to dwell on the subject until they were walking through the wood, giving the beasts time to cool down. If he offered for Jane he could take her away from her garrulous mother and feckless sisters, give her the kind of environment she deserved. He sighed. Love was a difficult journey fraught with dangers for the unwary traveller; he would talk some more with his friend on the subject later that evening.

  Once changed and presentable he sent immediate enquiries to the sick room and was relieved to hear that Miss Bennet was a little better. Of his sisters he saw little, believing that they spent most of the day with the invalid and it wasn’t until the evening that Elizabeth joined their party in the drawing-room.

  * * * *

  ‘Miss Bennet, we shall leave you to rest this afternoon. You are looking pale after so many visitors.’

  ‘Thank you for sitting with me this morning, Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst, I have enjoyed your company; but you are correct, I do feel a trifle fatigued.’

  Her sister escorted them to the door and then closed it with a decided snap. ‘I do not see why they wish to spend the entire morning with us. I believe that I know as much about their wardrobes and their acquaintances in town, as they do!’

  Jane smiled. ‘You must not make fun of them, they have shown me nothing but kindness. I cannot understand why they should wish to make me an intimate, but I do deeply appreciate the honour.’

  ‘Well, you did not hear them talking with Mr Darcy last night. You can not imagine what he said about an accomplished women.’ Elizabeth straightened, linked her hands behind her back and stared haughtily down her nose, Jane instantly knew whom she was mimicking. ‘‘The word is applied to many a woman who deserves it no otherwise than by netting a purse, or covering a screen. But I am very far from agreeing with you in your estimation of ladies in general. I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen, in the whole range of my acquaintance, that are really accomplished.’’

  Jane giggled. ‘You have caught him to perfection, Lizzy. Poor man, I cannot see why you have taken him in such dislike.’

  ‘He is the most pompous man I have ever had the misfortune to meet. If he expects a woman to be perfect then it is no wonder he is still unmarried. I doubt there is a woman good enough for him.’

  ‘Please, Lizzy, can you not try to like him just a little? He is a particular friend of Bingley’s and you are well aware that I am half way to falling in love with him.’

  ‘Halfway? My dear Jane, you are already head over ears! But I like Mr Bingley - you have my full permission to love him as much as you wish. Hopefully you will not have to live with Mr Darcy if you marry his friend.’

  ‘I do love him, you are right to say so. He is everything I have ever wanted in a partner. However, do not talk as though the matter is settled between us. At the moment we are good friends, but he has made no mention of the future and it is not my place to speak of it if he does not.’ Jane knew that whatever happened she would not embarrass him by revealing how much she loved him until he was ready to declare himself.

  ‘Lizzy, it is time that you repaired to your own room and changed for dinner. Promise me you will behave?’

  ‘I shall promise to be polite to everyone for your sake, dearest sister,’ and with a smile and kiss she ran out laughing.

  Chapter Six

  Tonight the card table did not appear. Darcy, had told him he intended to write a letter to his sister, Georgiana, and Caroline was watching the progress of this missive, constantly interrupting him by asking him to add messages to his sister from her.

  He turned to his brother-in-law. ‘Well, Hurst, shall we have a hand of Piquet? Everyone else is happily occupied. Miss Elizabeth has her needlework, and Darcy his letter to write.’

  It was hard to concentrate on the game with the constant chatter between Caroline and the laconic answers from Darcy. Eventually he was moved to intervene, as Caroline was giving the poor fellow no chance to complete his note.

  Conversation flowed back and forth and he was pleased to notice that Darcy and Elizabeth appeared to be getting a great deal of pleasure from it. They discussed whether it was a good thing to be influenced by a friend or to be of firm character and to make up one’s own mind.

  ‘By all means,’ he interrupted, ‘hear all the particulars, not forgetting their comparative merits; decide which will have more weight. I assure you that were Darcy not such a great tall fellow, in comparison with m
yself, I should not take half so much notice of his opinion. I declare I do not know a more awful object than Darcy, on particular occasions, and in particular places; at his own house especially, and of a Sunday evening when he has nothing to do.’

  His friend smiled, but Charles could see that he was rather offended. He noticed that Elizabeth hid her own amusement perhaps not wishing to add to Darcy’s discomfiture. Caroline told him he was talking nonsense. ‘I see your design, Bingley,’ Darcy eventually said. ‘You dislike argument, and wish to silence this one.’

  ‘Perhaps I do. Arguments are too much like disputes. If you and Miss Bennet will defer yours until I am out of the room, I should be very thankful; then you may say whatever you like about me.’

  ‘What you ask,’ said Elizabeth, ‘is no sacrifice on my side. Mr Darcy had much better finish his letter.’

  His friend took her advice, and returned to his writing, leaving him to consider whether in fact he did allow himself to be too influenced by others. When the letter was completed Caroline moved at once to the pianoforte and began to play. From his position on the sidelines he watched Darcy staring at Elizabeth. Then to his astonishment when Caroline began to play a lively Scotch air, his friend got to his feet and walked over and addressed their guest.

  ‘Do not you feel a great inclination, Miss Bennet, to seize such an opportunity of dancing a reel?’

  She smiled but made no answer, and so Darcy repeated the question obviously surprised at her silence. ‘I asked if you would care to join me in a reel?’

  ‘Oh! I heard you before; but I could not immediately determine what to say in reply. You wanted me, I know, to say yes, that you might have the pleasure of despising my taste. However, I always delight in overthrowing those kind of schemes, and cheating a person of their premeditated contempt. I have therefore made up my own mind to tell you, that I do not want to dance at all, and now despise me if you dare.’ Elizabeth smiled sweetly at Darcy and Charles could see that he was disarmed by it and smiled down at her with equal charm.

  ‘Indeed, Miss Bennet, I should not dare.’

  The two fell into a softly murmured conversation which he could not overhear; he could see his sister looking daggers and knew her to be jealous. Caroline had set her cap at Darcy years ago, but so far his friend had been no more than polite, he thought the interest was all on her side. How much of this was because his friend was a handsome and desirable husband, or because he was rich, he did not care to speculate.

  Darcy would be much better off with someone like Elizabeth; she was the first woman with the courage to stand up to him and maybe this had piqued his interest. She seemed to be always teasing him and it only seemed to make Darcy more determined to be in her company. Bingley thought of all the women who had thrown themselves at Darcy over the years.

  There had been Clarissa something or other, she had been everything his friend wanted for a wife - from a good family, pretty and quite definitely not opinionated. He grinned, the poor girl had been so terrified of Darcy she barely opened her mouth in his presence.

  Then the most recent was the daughter of an earl, Lady Marianne Carruthers. This young lady was an incomparable, reasonably intelligent and with a pedigree better than Darcy’s. Lady Marianne had been as determined as her mother to capture him. Bingley smiled at the memory. Poor Darcy had been reduced to peering around doors before entering the room in case either of the ladies were waiting for him. In the end he had retreated, in the middle of the season, to Pemberley where he was safe.

  The girl had been married to a duke twice her age, it was no wonder she had been desperate to make his friend the alternative. Some had even pretended not to be interested in the hope that that would catch his attention, but they had been easy to see through. Whereas with Elizabeth it was genuine. Whether Darcy would still be intrigued by her if he did manage to win her respect Charles did not know. However, it would be fascinating to find out.

  He suspected that Caroline would not find it interesting, in fact he was certain that she would do everything in her power to turn his friend against Jane’s sister. He frowned. He wished everyone to be happy and comfortable, but he feared there were some stormy times ahead.

  * * * *

  Jane was hoping that Elizabeth would call in and speak to her before she retired. She was feeling a little better and more than ready to be entertained before she went to sleep. A little after eleven o’clock the door opened softly.

  ‘Are you awake, Jane? Shall I come in and tell you how the evening went?’

  ‘Oh, yes, come in Lizzy. Tell me, in what way did Mr Darcy displease you this evening?’

  Once settled comfortably beside her on the bed Elizabeth began to tell her about her evening. ‘Miss Bingley invited me to play but I refused, I shall not perform and have her pour scorn on my efforts.’

  ‘And Mr Bingley, what did he say for himself this evening? Did he enquire after me?’

  ‘Of course he did, you goose, he was most insistent that I take his good wishes up with me. So far I believe you have had three books, three notes, a fruit bowl and a flower arrangement; I do not think he could do more if he tried.’

  ‘He has been very kind, but he could do so much better than me, I have no fortune and my family connections leave a lot to be desired.’

  ‘In Mr Darcy’s opinion perhaps, but I am certain Bingley should not let something like that stand between him and the woman he loved. Do you know, Mr Darcy asked me to dance with him.’

  Jane was astounded. ‘I thought he never danced! I take it from your smile that you refused.’

  ‘Indeed I did, I vowed never to dance with him after he was so insufferably rude to me at the Meryton assembly a few weeks ago.’

  ‘It is odd, do not you think, that he asked you in the first place? I wonder if he is developing a fondness for you? What other reason could there be?’

  Her sister scrambled from the bed. ‘What fustian you speak sometimes, my dear sister. I am certain he only asked me in order to find fault with the way I danced.’

  ‘Surely not? He is everything that is polite, I cannot believe he would be so ungentlemanly.’

  ‘Well, you have not spent as much time his company as I have recently. He finds country people of little interest and believes London society is superior in every way. As for the idea that he would lower himself to develop a tendre for a provincial like myself, it is quite absurd! Have you forgotten, Mr Darcy is the owner of Pemberley and in receipt of £10,000 a year!’

  ‘Oh Lizzy, do be serious.’

  ‘I am being serious. Mr Darcy has not the slightest interest in me I can assure you. Now, you must go to sleep and I shall see you in the morning.’

  Dutifully Jane lay down, but she was not so sure. Lizzy and Darcy? Was it possible that both she and her sister were about to be involved with gentlemen at Netherfield?

  Jane felt so much better the following evening that after she had eaten the supper that had been sent up, she allowed Elizabeth to help her dress. ‘I own, Lizzy, that it will be pleasant to be in company again after being shut up here so long.’

  ‘Jane, you have not been short of visitors, surely?’

  She felt her cheeks colour, her sister’s sharp intelligence had understood at once that she was referring to Mr Bingley. He had not come himself to see her, that would not have done, but every day he had sent messages of encouragement and concern and now that she was feeling better she could not wait to see him and thank him in person for his kind enquiries.

  In the drawing-room both Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst greeted her with many profusions of pleasure and made themselves so agreeable that Jane felt her sister had been sorely mistaken in her opinion of them. But, when the gentlemen entered, she could not help but see that Miss Bingley’s eyes were instantly turned towards Mr Darcy. Hers were drawn to Mr Bingley who rushed to her side.

  ‘My dear Miss Bennet, I am so glad to see you down here with us. How are you feeling? Here, allow me to adjust your cushions.’<
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  Laughing, Jane waved him away. ‘I am very comfortable, thank you, Mr Bingley. I have been well looked after. And I must thank you personally, for the messages, fruit and flowers and books that you have sent to my bedchamber these past days.’

  ‘It was entirely my pleasure, Miss Bennet. I do believe that fire is not sufficiently powerful to keep you warm.’

  She watched as he piled logs on to it and when he suggested that she moved to the far side of the fireplace, so that she was further from the door, she agreed. This meant sitting on a chaise-longue; immediately he placed himself beside her, and they were able to talk privately together.

  ‘I am so pleased to be here after so long upstairs. I must apologize for being a sore trial and adding extra work to your household.’

  ‘Enough! I shall have no more talk of apologizing or of being a nuisance. You could stay here all year and I should not be dissatisfied.’

  Jane felt her cheeks colour under his scrutiny. Was she reading more into his remarks than he meant? Surely to say such a thing must mean he returned her affections in some measure. She decided to answer flippantly, not to take his words too seriously. ‘You might not be, sir, but I can assure you my family would have something to say on the matter. I should be sorely missed.’

  ‘Indeed you would, what I should have said, my dear Miss Bennet, is that I should never tire of your company.’ He smiled at her and she felt herself dazzled by his charm and affability. ‘Did you know that Miss Lydia reminded me that I had promised to hold a ball here, Miss Bennet? I said I could not possibly do so until you were well enough to attend. Should you like me to hold a ball at Netherfield? I would like to know your opinion on the subject?’

  ‘I should like that above anything, Mr Bingley. When shall you hold this ball do you think?’

  He was not able to make a reply as Miss Bingley, hearing the mention of a ball, turned suddenly towards him and said. ‘Fie, Charles, are you really seriously considering holding a dance at Netherfield? I would remind you, before you do so, to consult the wishes of the present party; I am much mistaken if there are not some among us to whom it will be rather a punishment than a pleasure.’