Miss Bennet & Mr Bingley Page 9

  As they walked home she and Elizabeth discussed what they had seen pass between the two gentlemen. Neither of them had any explanation as to why both had behaved so strangely.

  It was not until after they had spent the evening at Mr and Mrs Phillips house, during which Mr Wickham had shown a decided partiality for Elizabeth, that she learnt the truth. The evening had passed pleasantly enough, Mr Collins had certainly enjoyed himself, but it was not the same for her unless Charles was present.

  As soon as they were closeted alone in their bed chamber, Elizabeth said she had something astonishing to tell her about Mr Wickham and Mr Darcy, but the long day had tired Jane and she was not ready to hear this news.

  ‘Please, Lizzy, I am far too fatigued to hear it now. Tell me about it tomorrow.’

  It was not until later the following morning that she and Elizabeth could escape for a walk together. Immediately her sister began her tale.

  ‘Jane, you will not believe what Mr Wickham told me last night. It would seem that he was the godson of Mr Darcy’s father, and a very great favourite of his. The late Mr Darcy promised that Mr Wickham should have the best living when it became vacant, it was written in the will. However when the living was available and Mr Wickham was of age, it was given to someone else by Mr Darcy. It would seem, Jane, that the late Mr Darcy was one of the best men that ever drew breath and a true friend to Mr Wickham.’

  Jane was horrified by the story. ‘It is quite shocking. I cannot believe that Mr Darcy should go against his father’s will in that way.’

  Her sister became quite agitated on the subject. ‘It would seem that Mr Wickham’s father was the estate manager and devoted his entire life to the benefit of Pemberley. He was highly esteemed by the late Mr Darcy, a most intimate and confidential friend, according to Mr Wickham. He told me that if he had been less of a favourite, the present Mr Darcy might not have treated him so badly.’

  ‘Lizzy, I am sure there must be some mistake. I cannot believe that Mr Bingley would hold Mr Darcy in such high regard if he was a man so unworthy of it. And yet I must agree with you, Mr Wickham gives every appearance of being amiable and of veracity. I cannot bear to think of his having endured such unkindness.’

  It was too awful to contemplate, that a young man should have been so cast off by the closest friend of the man she loved. There could only be one explanation. ‘They have both been deceived, I daresay, in some way or other, of which we can form no idea. It is just that people have perhaps misinterpreted them to each other. It is, in short, impossible for us to conjecture what causes or circumstances may have alienated them, without actual blame on either side.’

  ‘Very true, indeed; and now, my dear Jane, what have you got to say on behalf of interested people who have probably been a consideration in the business? Do you clear them too, or shall you be obliged to think ill of somebody.’

  Jane forced a smile. ‘Laugh as much as you choose, you will not laugh me out of my opinion. My dearest Lizzy, you must consider in what a disgraceful light this places Mr Darcy, to have treated his father’s favourite in such a manner. One that his father had made a promise to provide for. It is impossible. No man of common humanity, no man with any value for his character, could be capable of it. Can his most intimate friends be so excessively deceived in him? Oh! No, I shall not believe it of him.’

  ‘But I can much more easily believe Mr Bingley as being imposed on, then that Mr Wickham should invent such a history himself. He gave me names, facts, everything mentioned without ceremony last night; If it be not so, let Mr Darcy contradict it. Besides, there was truth in his looks.’

  ‘It is difficult indeed. It is distressing. One does not know what to think.’

  ‘One knows exactly what to think,’ Elizabeth said firmly.

  Jane could think with certainty of only one. Charles, if he had been imposed on, would have much to suffer when the affair became public. She wished with all her heart that it would turn out to be a sham, that both Mr Wickham and Mr Darcy could somehow be exonerated of bad behaviour.

  They heard the sound of the carriage arriving on the gravel as they emerged from the shrubbery. It was Charles and his sisters arriving for a morning call. She was relieved that Mr Darcy, on this occasion, had not accompanied them. ‘Lizzy, is my nose red? Have I smuts on my face?’

  ‘No, you look lovely as usual. You must not fret; I am certain that if you appeared dressed in black bombazine from head to toe he would still find you perfect.’

  Smiling, Jane hurried forward to greet the guests; she could see Charles appeared as pleased to see her as she was to see him. He did not release her hand until Miss Bingley coughed pointedly.

  ‘Miss Bennet, we have come specially to invite you to my ball. It is to be held at Netherfield next Tuesday night. I did not wish to send you a card, but invite you in person.’

  ‘That is kind of you, Mr Bingley. I know we are all looking forward to the event with eager anticipation.’ She turned to welcome Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst.

  ‘Miss Bennet, it seems an age since we have met you, what have you been doing with yourself whilst we have been separated so long?’

  ‘We have a guest with us, he is a cousin of Mr Bennet’s, a Mr Collins. It has meant that I have been obliged to remain at home to assist my parents in entertaining him.’

  ‘I expect that he shall wish to come to the ball next week as well. An extra gentleman is always welcome, is he not Louisa?’

  Jane led the ladies inside where her mother was waiting in the drawing-room. She had no time to talk to Charles in private, but whenever she glanced up from her conversation with his sisters it was to see his eyes resting upon her. They had not been with them more than ten minutes when Miss Bingley, followed immediately by her sister, jumped from her seat.

  ‘Oh, Caroline, Louisa, are we to leave so soon?’ He shrugged in resignation and smiled at her. ‘I have had no time to talk to Miss Bennet.’

  Without answering the ladies swept from the room and he had little choice but to follow. Jane watched him go, knowing that it was the noise that had driven Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst away. They were ladies of superior delicacy, no doubt they found too much inconsequential chatter unsettled their nerves.

  That evening the conversation was all about the forthcoming ball. Jane knew it should be a happy evening for her in the society of her two friends and their brother. She had seldom been so happy, had so much to look forward to. She pushed the unpleasantness about Mr Wickham and Mr Darcy to the back of her mind; she would not discuss it further even when her sister brought the matter up. It was nothing to do with them - it was much less best left alone.

  She was content with her daydreams about the moment when Charles would go down on one knee and declare his love for her. Every time they met she loved him more and was finding it increasingly difficult to hide her partiality. The ball at Netherfield would give him the perfect opportunity to make his feelings clear.

  Chapter Eight

  Preparation for the ball had thrown his entire household into chaos and Charles wished to escape from the bustle and confusion. He found Darcy and Hurst hiding in the billiard room. His friend grinned as he came skulking in.

  ‘Ah ha! I had a wager with Hurst that you would join us very soon. Such matters are best left to the ladies.’

  ‘You are quite right, Darcy, you did warn me to absent myself. I cannot imagine what possessed me to agree to holding the ball at Netherfield. I have never seen such a fuss and botheration. God knows why the banisters have to be polished?’

  Darcy laughed out loud. ‘God knows, indeed, my friend. It would seem that your guests shall find you wanting if there is a single finger mark upon the banisters, so polished they must be.’

  Hurst shook his head, not following the conversation at all. ‘This is a mystery to me; the ball is being held in the ballroom, not upstairs.’

  Charles exchanged smiles with his friend. ‘The ladies shall go upstairs, Hurst, they must have a chamber in w
hich to withdraw in order to arrange themselves and attend to any minor repairs that may arise. There also has to be, so Caroline informed me, a room for their maids to wait.’

  ‘And the white soup? Has Nicholls made sufficient do you think, Bingley?’

  ‘Devil take the white soup, I say. They shall have lobster patties, and whatever else cook fancies, I have no further interest in the subject.’

  He stomped across to a convenient armchair and slumped down, stretching out his legs and closing his eyes. He had been looking forward to the evening, believing it would be an occasion when he could spend several hours in the company of Miss Bennet, whilst his sisters would be otherwise occupied, and his friend not watching his every move with disapproval. If Jane gave him the slightest indication that she loved him he would make her an offer.

  However, if he had known it would take so much effort on everyone’s part he would have suggested a dinner party instead. He felt Darcy looming over him and reluctantly opened one eye. ‘Go away, Darcy, I have no wish to converse with you. You have not been obliged to oversee table decorations, to inspect silverware, and admire floral arrangements.’

  Darcy chuckled. ‘I should hope not. And in future, my friend, I should think you would have the sense to stay well away. Why else did you ask your sister to be your hostess, if it was not to arrange such things for you?’

  He sat up, his good humour immediately restored. ‘Are you intending to enjoy yourself tonight, Darcy?’

  ‘I always intend to enjoy myself, Bingley, unfortunately circumstances more often than not, conspire against this happening.’

  ‘Well, I intend to devote the entire evening to entertaining Miss Bennet. No, do not raise your eyebrows at me, Darcy. She is the most beautiful girl I have ever met, and her sweetness of disposition is matched by her happy nature. She is perfect in every way.’

  Hurst, becoming bored with the conversation, grabbed a billiard cue and thumped it loudly on the boards. ‘As long as I don’t have to dance, I shall be a happy man. Now gentlemen, are we going to play billiards or stand here gossiping all day?’

  That afternoon when the ladies had retired to their rooms and Hurst was asleep in the billiard room Charles suggested that he and Darcy walk around the grounds. There was something he needed to tell his friend and he could put it off no longer.

  ‘Darcy, I have something to tell you and I believe that you shall not be best pleased.’

  ‘Good God! What have you done? I shudder to think what it could be that is making you look so miserable.’

  ‘I was obliged to invite George Wickham along with all the other officers. It would have been an obvious slight if I had not included him. I do not know why you have taken the fellow into such dislike, but I know you have.’

  For a moment his friend did not answer. ‘I cannot tell you why I hold Wickham in such contempt; let it suffice to say that I have every reason to distrust the man and know him to be dishonest. You must take my word on this, Bingley.’

  ‘I must say Wickham seemed a pleasant enough fellow, but I shall avoid his company. Your word is good enough for me.’

  ‘Thank you; it is a great pity that man is to come tonight. I shall not enjoy the ball knowing that he is under the same roof as I.’

  Charles slapped his friend on the back. ‘You had no intention of enjoying yourself before I told you this, Darcy. You are a famous curmudgeon, I think you have forgotten how to find pleasure in a simple event.’

  * * * *

  At Longbourn one would have thought from the amount of fuss and excitement that the ball was to be held in this house. Tonight Mr Bennet was to accompany them, and Mr Collins also, which would mean a party of eight and which ever way you looked at it, the carriage could not happily accommodate so many.

  ‘Mr Bennet, I believe that you and Mr Collins shall have to ride tonight or our carriage must make two journeys. It is the outside of enough to expect us to crush our finery in the way that you propose.’

  ‘I have no intention of riding, and I would not dream of asking a guest to do so either. Neither do I expect my horses to make the journey more than once. Mr Collins, myself and you, madam, shall sit in comfort on one side, and the girls manage the best they can on the other. Lydia and Kitty can sit on the laps of Jane and Lizzy; they have done so before, I am sure we can manage it tonight.’

  He vanished into the sanctuary of his library before Mrs Bennet could continue to harangue him. ‘Did you hear that Jane? You are to have Kitty sitting on your lap tonight. I am sure that no other party shall be as embarrassed and overcrowded as we shall.’

  ‘I think it would be better, Mama, if Lydia was to be seated, and Kitty and Mary on our laps. Lydia is by far the biggest of us all.’ And there the matter was left.

  Jane ran upstairs to her apartment knowing that Elizabeth was already there making her preparations for the evening. As she entered her parlour, Lydia hurried out. ‘It is so unfair that you have a maid to share, whilst Kitty, Mary and I must make do with one between us.’

  ‘Lydia, as soon as we can, we shall send Sarah along to your chamber.’

  Elizabeth was all but ready. ‘Jane, wherever have you been? You have scarcely left yourself time to dress. The ball is starting in one and one half hours from now.’

  ‘I know exactly when it starts, Lizzy. I have been counting the minutes off in my head since Mr Bingley came with his invitation four days ago.’ She stepped on one side the better to admire her sister’s ball-gown. ‘That dress is perfect on you, Lizzy. It could have been made by the finest modiste in town. We are so fortunate to have a seamstress locally who is able to copy the fashion plates for us in this way.’

  ‘Yes, I rather think my choice of gold sarcenet over pale yellow silk is exactly right for me.’ Her sister spun, allowing her matching gold slippers to peak out beneath her petticoats.

  ‘It is a pity that you do not have a domino to match, but navy blue is perfectly acceptable with anything.’

  Sarah, their shared maid, tipped out warm water into the basin so that she could begin her ablutions. She took special care, everything about her appearance must be perfect this evening. Both Elizabeth and herself had washed their hair earlier in the day, and then been obliged to sit like mermaids in front of the fire waiting for it to dry.

  The dress she was wearing was also new. They were all allowed one evening gown each year, and she was glad she had saved it for the ball at Netherfield. It was in her favourite colour, green, but this was not the usual shade she chose. It was eau-de-nil, a very fashionable shade, and the low neck was finished with matching silk roses. The hem was decorated in similar fashion, and her evening slippers also had roses stuck upon them.

  Her sleeves were short, and even with elbow length gloves to keep up arms warm, Jane knew the matching wrap would be a useful addition to her ensemble. When the final pin was pushed into her hair she was ready to step into the gown.

  Jane felt like a society belle and knew she had never looked better. Sarah draped the shawl around her shoulders and stepped back to admire her mistress.

  ‘My, Miss Bennet, you look a treat, I reckon you’ll be the prettiest at the ball.’

  ‘Thank you, Sarah. Now, please go and assist my sisters in any way you can.’ The girl smiled and vanished through the dressing-room door.

  She slipped her reticule over her wrist, picked up her fan and was ready to leave.

  ‘Come out, Jane, it is my turn to admire you in your new finery,’ Elizabeth called from their sitting room. Jane had no need to ask what her sister felt, her expression told her everything.

  Downstairs Mrs Bennet was waiting in the drawing-room. Like them she did not choose to sit in case she creased her gown prematurely. She was smiling happily.

  ‘You shall never guess, your father has been teasing us. We are to travel in two carriages tonight; Mr Collins, myself and Mr Bennet and Jane in one, and everyone else in the second. Mr Collins has kindly volunteered us the use of his chaise.’


  ‘I am relieved to hear you say so, Mama, none of us wishes to be squashed this evening.’

  ‘Indeed we do not, Jane. I must say that you look very fine, girls. Jane, I think that colour an excellent choice for you. I am certain that Mr Bingley will appreciate the effort you have taken.’ She smiled coyly at Elizabeth and tapped her on the wrist with her fan. ‘And you too, my love, I am sure there is at least one gentleman who will appreciate your beauty.’

  Jane saw her sister frown and wondered to whom their mother could possibly be referring. She did not think that Mrs Bennet knew about Elizabeth’s interest in Mr Wickham. Soon Mr Collins and Mr Bennet joined them, resplendent in their evening regalia. Lydia, Kitty and Mary arrived soon after in a flurry of white taffeta and giggles.

  ‘Excellent, the carriages are outside. And, thank the Lord, it has not been raining in the past two hours.’

  Jane knew her father was thinking of his horses, but the ladies of his party were relieved they would not get mud on their slippers. They travelled the short distance with more room, and less noise, than she was accustomed to inside the carriage.

  ‘Look at that, the entire drive has been lit by flambeaux. Such extravagance! But then, Mr Bennet, think what you could do if you had £100,000 to spend as you pleased.’

  He cleared his throat. ‘Indeed, my dear Mrs Bennet, I think of nothing else, especially when the bills from the seamstress drop upon my desk.’

  Their carriage pulled up behind the one containing Sir William and Lady Lucas, Miss Charlotte and Maria. Their coachman held the horses steady and a liveried footman ran forward to open the door and let down the steps. The first thing Jane noticed was that a carpet had been laid from the gravel circle up to the front door. There was no danger of anyone’s ball-gown becoming soiled tonight.