by Jann Rowland
Though Bingley was between Darcy and his sister, that did not stop Miss Bingley from attempting to speak down the table with both Darcy and Georgiana. It was a small enough company, he supposed, that those seated in the middle of their dining table could speak to those on the ends with little difficulty. That Miss Bingley did so, often speaking over other diners, did not seem to enter the woman’s head. Then again, she was often unaware of her poor behavior.
Despite this, conversation flowed freely, in large part to Miss Bennet’s adroit ability to direct them to subjects in which they could all take part. They spoke of unimportant matters, for the most part, their recent doings and the events they had attended. In this, it seemed Miss Bingley yet had a substantial part of the conversation.
“The season has been such a pleasure,” said Miss Bingley, waxing poetic about her experiences. “Did I inform you of my attendance at Lady Diane Montrose’s party?”
“Yes, Miss Bingley, I believe you mentioned it,” said Georgiana. As Darcy recalled, Miss Bingley had dropped that bit of information at least three or four times. “I do not know Lady Diane, but I have heard she is well-known in the ton.”
That was an understatement. Lady Diane was the daughter of a wealthy baron, known for throwing lavish parties and behaving in an almost scandalous manner with her friends. Lady Diane was also one of the most supercilious women Darcy had ever met; if he had his way, Georgiana would never be known to the woman.
Miss Bingley prattled on for several moments, bringing a halt to the rest of the conversations around the table due to the volume of her voice.
“Did you attend, Elizabeth?”
The way Miss Bingley shot a glance at Miss Bennet seemed to accuse her of having the temerity to be addressed by her first name when Georgiana had never done so to her. Miss Bennet, as was her wont, ignored her.
“I did not, Georgiana, for I have yet to make Lady Diane’s acquaintance.”
“Oh, you should not expect Lady Diane to take any notice of you, Eliza, for she is most discriminating about those with whom she associates. I do not believe you meet her standards.”
“That, Miss Bingley,” said Miss Bennet, “is unlucky, indeed, for I have heard that Lady Diane is quite the spectacle. As I have, however, made many acquaintances whom I find pleasing, I shall not repine the loss of her friendship.”
Miss Bingley eyed Miss Bennet, wondering if her words were a slight against her high-born friend. It appeared she could not take the trouble to defend her; or perhaps she decided Miss Bennet’s opinion did not matter. In Darcy’s opinion, Miss Bennet’s opinion mattered more than thirty women of Lady Diane’s ilk.
“You must look toward your own coming out with breathless anticipation,” said Miss Bingley, turning back to Georgiana. “I can understand your excitement, for there is so much to do in London during the season that a young girl cannot even imagine it all! And I suppose you shall have the support and patronage of your lady aunt. What a wonderful spectacle to which you shall be treated! How I long to take part in it!”
“I have no wish to hasten my entrance to society,” said Georgiana, her tone not at all excited.
Miss Bennet also seemed to understand that Georgiana had little wish to speak of her coming out and was not anticipating it, for she changed the subject. “Do you paint, Georgiana? My sister, Kitty, painted a portrait of my aunt of late and shall soon paint Jane’s portrait too.”
“And I am eager to see it,” said Mr. Bingley, fixing his wife with an adoring look. “I shall hang it in the study of my new estate when I purchase, so I might always have Jane with me, even when I am at work on estate business.”
“Oh, I should like to see it too,” said Georgiana with unfeigned enthusiasm. “In answer to your question, I paint a little, though I should not say that I was accomplished.”
“I doubt you could fail to be accomplished if you set your mind to it,” fawned Miss Bingley. Then she turned to Elizabeth and said: “If your sister is painting it, then I suppose it shall be adequate for my brother’s needs and spare him the expense of engaging a master”
“Actually, Caroline,” said Bingley, his temper rising, “I do not doubt that Kitty’s painting shall be every bit as pleasing as the portrait I have already commissioned. I will hang the one by the master in a location of honor; the one painted by Jane’s sister, however, shall be infused with love and devotion, an excellent piece for those reasons alone.”
Miss Bingley sniffed and nodded, seeming to understand she should speak no more on the subject. It was fortunate Georgiana spoke to fill the silence, else Darcy thought it might become awkward.
“Shall you also have your portrait painted, Elizabeth?”
“Perhaps I shall,” replied Miss Bennet, turning her smile on Georgiana. “But at present, I am unmarried, and I do not know where my home shall be after the season, so a portrait will only be a bother.”
“You do not know?” asked Miss Bingley, fixing a severe look on Miss Bennet. “I had assumed you would return to Longbourn to live with your family there.”
“That is a possibility,” said Miss Bennet. “But Jane has invited me to live with her and my uncle has indicated his willingness to host me. I have not yet decided.”
“And we anticipate having you,” said Bingley, forestalling whatever acid remark was poised on the tip of his sister’s tongue. The look with which he pierced her suggested she had best not deliver it. That Miss Bingley wished to say whatever had crossed her mind was obvious, but she refrained from speaking.
“As we do not know where our home shall be,” continued Bingley, “it is premature to make firm plans.”
“At least you have chosen not to settle at Netherfield,” said Miss Bingley. If her nose rose any further into the air, she would need to stand on a chair to keep it affixed to her face. “That is a sensible decision, given the drawbacks of living in such an insupportable, unsuitable location.”
“There is nothing the matter with Meryton,” said Mr. Bingley. “But the estate did not suit. Darcy has promised to assist me in my search for something more appropriate.”
“Oh, yes!” cried Miss Bingley. “Do look in Mr. Darcy’s neighborhood, Charles, for I am certain there can be no society as exceptional as that of Derbyshire.”
“I said nothing of looking in Darcy’s neighborhood,” replied Bingley, his amused smile causing a little of Miss Bingley’s enthusiasm to wane. “As I understand, those of Darcy’s neighborhood are well established and are not looking to sell.”
“That is true,” said Darcy. “There should be estates in Derbyshire which will suit, but until my man of business reports on what is available, we will not know.”
“Well, as long as it is in Derbyshire, I shall approve,” said Miss Bingley. “For it is the best of counties.”
“That is my opinion also.”
While the woman preened as if he had paid her the highest compliment, Darcy knew his opinion, was nothing like her own, which was nothing more than based on his. There was little further to say, and they changed to other subjects.
Later that evening, when their guests had departed, Darcy and his sister sat together for a time before they retired. Listening to his sister speak of the evening, noting how much of her conversation focused on Miss Bennet, Darcy could not help but think of how much he approved of the young woman himself.
“I believe, Brother, I should like to have Elizabeth’s friendship forever.”
“From what I know of her, now that you have her friendship, it is yours for as long as you wish.”
Georgiana flashed him a pleased smile. “And yet, I should like to become even closer, for I have not yet known her for a week.”
“That should not be impossible,” replied Darcy. “She will be available as often as you like.”
With an absent nod, Georgiana fell silent, thinking of some weighty subject. Darcy was curious, wondering what she could be considering. As it turned out, he did not have long to wait.
“D
o you think it would be acceptable to invite her to spend the summer at Pemberley with us?”
Surprised, Darcy said: “You wish to invite her to Pemberley?”
Georgiana nodded, her confidence growing by the moment. “Yes, it would be perfect. You know that Miss Bennet does not wish to return to her sister’s home?”
“Though I was not aware of it, I am not surprised,” said Darcy. The thought of Collins caused him to grimace with distaste. “Her sister’s husband is one of the most objectionable men I have ever met.”
“That is what Elizabeth says. If we should ask her to come to Derbyshire with us, she need not return to Hertfordshire.”
“We cannot protect her from that eventuality forever, Georgiana.”
“No, but we can delay it,” said Georgiana. A determination Darcy did not think he had ever seen settled over his dearest sister. “Given Mr. Bingley’s statements tonight, Mr. Bingley will move to the north, at which time Elizabeth can live with her sister. If she stays with us for a time, she can avoid Mr. Collins altogether.”
“Her sister’s current situation does not preclude her from staying there.”
“No, but she does not wish to be a burden.” Georgiana clapped her hands. “If you can find an estate near to Pemberley for Mr. Bingley, we shall have her close at hand.”
Diverted, Darcy said: “Then I shall do my best for you, dearest sister.”
“Yes, see that you do,” said Georgiana in an imperious approximation of Lady Catherine’s speech. “For I shall be forever grateful if Elizabeth is nearby.”
“And what if she marries and moves away?”
Georgiana paused, contemplating his question. “Then we must ensure she marries someone who lives nearby. Perhaps if we invite her to Pemberley, we can see to it.”
While Darcy was certain his sister was jesting, it occurred to him he had made a tactical error, for it seemed Georgiana had gotten the idea that perhaps he would make Miss Bennet a suitable husband. Though Darcy was not eager to tie himself to any woman, he found the notion was not at all onerous. It only reinforced the thoughts Lady Susan had awakened.
Could Darcy make such a woman an offer? It would not be the stupendous match he had always thought he would make. The specter of his father and what he would say if he knew such an alliance had even flitted across Darcy’s thoughts filled his mind, and he shied away from it.
“Perhaps we should leave off thoughts of matchmaking,” suggested Darcy to his sister. “We have not known her long, and such talk is gauche.”
“Oh, very well,” replied Georgiana, though her laconic response was belied by her grin. “Then I shall content myself with her presence this summer if I can get it. May I invite her, Brother?”
“Let me consider it further.” Georgiana appeared mutinous at his less than firm agreement, and he laughed and patted her hand. “Much may change between now and June, Georgiana. Let us allow our acquaintance to lengthen, for we have only known her for a week. I am not against her staying with us, but I would prefer to be cautious.”
“Very well,” said Georgiana.
Rising to her feet, Georgiana bid him good night and then skipped from the room. Darcy knew she considered the invitation a decided matter, and he could say nothing to restrain her ebullient spirits. For Darcy’s part, he thought it probable they would extend the invitation. Miss Bennet’s presence in Derbyshire would do them both good. Perhaps seeing her at his estate would firm Darcy’s opinion of her, for if she took to Pemberley as he thought she might, her nigh overpowering allure would become irresistible. The shadow of his father still loomed over his mind, but the menace had receded, if only a little.
Chapter XIV
Many were the times when Elizabeth wished she could indulge in the cleansing release of a hearty laugh. The reason for these ruminations was none other than Miss Caroline Bingley.
Having lived in Mr. Bingley’s house for a matter of weeks by now, Elizabeth might have thought Miss Bingley would understand—if she had not already, as incomprehensible as that may seem—that Elizabeth was not one to be intimidated. And yet, she continued to speak to Elizabeth as if she were a girl of twelve, rather than a woman full-grown, to contradict what Elizabeth had seen with her own eyes, had heard without the possibility of error.
“It seems to me,” said Miss Bingley to Elizabeth the morning after the dinner with Mr. and Miss Darcy, “that you seem to consider Georgiana to be quite the bosom friend.”
Elizabeth regarded Miss Bingley with a level look, understanding the thrust of her comment but refusing to allow the woman to bait her into an argument. “I do not know that I can say anything about bosom friendship, for I have only known her for a week. However, I have high hopes that our acquaintance will continue to grow.”
“Yes, I suspect you do,” said Miss Bingley, her sneer beating down upon Elizabeth. “No doubt other hopes have wormed their way into your heart.”
“If there is something you wish to say, then I suggest you say it,” said Elizabeth, not willing to continue to trade words with her. “Since I know you will regardless, we might as well speak and be silent, for I tire of this.”
“Perhaps it is best that we do not speak of it at all,” interjected Mr. Bingley from where he sat beside his wife. Jane was regarding them with some consternation, while her husband’s look was much more censorious and directed at his sister.
“I have no objection to answering whatever your sister wishes to address,” said Elizabeth, directing a smile at her brother-in-law. “Better to speak of it now than allow whatever has offended her to fester.”
Though Mr. Bingley did not speak at once, he allowed it at length, seeming to understand Miss Bingley would have her say at some time or another. It surprised Elizabeth she had chosen to speak now, as she always reserved the worst of her attacks for when no one else could overhear her. Miss Bingley regarded her brother for a few moments and then turned back to Elizabeth, her words more conciliatory than they might have been had they been alone.
“Do not concern yourself, Charles, for I have no intention of abusing your wife’s sister. I only wish to impart some advice.”
“And what advice would that be?” asked Mr. Bingley, his tone short.
“That she refrain from expecting anything from Mr. Darcy.” Miss Bingley raised an eyebrow at Elizabeth and said: “Are you unable to speak for yourself, Eliza?”
“You should know me well enough by now that I am well able to respond,” said Elizabeth. “In the present circumstance, however, I do not have the pleasure of understanding you.”
“Many young ladies, having a hint of friendship from Georgiana and a whiff of approval from Mr. Darcy, will come to harbor other aspirations. If you do, it will lead you to disappointed hopes. That is what prompts me to warn you.”
It was at this point the hilarity built in Elizabeth’s breast and she wished she could release it, informing this woman how ridiculous was her attack. As she had determined what seemed like a thousand times already, she must maintain a modicum of peace with Miss Bingley as long as she stayed in this house, that principle guided Elizabeth’s response.
“Then allow me to set your mind at ease, Miss Bingley. I have no expectations, as you call them, other than friendship. I esteem Georgiana very much and hope that she returns the sentiment. As for Mr. Darcy, the gentleman is an excellent man from what I can see, yet I do not understand your reference to my hopes. My acquaintance with the gentleman is not, I will note yet again, long in duration.
“Thus, you may be assured that my priorities are firmly in place, and you may leave this subject alone, for I tire of it. Furthermore, I hope you are as adept at following your own advice as you are at giving it.”
Perhaps it was impolitic for Elizabeth to include that last barb, but after enduring such comments since she had arrived, Elizabeth thought she was allowed to return some of the woman’s venom. Miss Bingley’s eyes narrowed, and she seemed on the verge of some retort when her brother spoke.
/> “I cannot agree more, Elizabeth,” said he, fixing his sister with a look which dared her to speak again. Miss Bingley, exercising better judgment than Elizabeth thought she possessed, sniffed and thrust her nose into the air while turning away.
Mr. Bingley nodded with satisfaction and addressed them all: “Now that that bit of drama is in the past, I have something of which I must speak to you all.”
“It shall have to wait, Charles,” said Miss Bingley, rising from the chair in which she sat. “I have plans today.”
“If you go, that is your prerogative. But I will give you a warning—you will regret it if you leave before you hear what I have to say.”
The look with which Miss Bingley speared him suggested impatience, which after a moment turned to curiosity. A moment later she sat again and nodded, saying: “Very well, Charles. I may spare a few moments.”
Bingley’s sardonic grin spoke volumes. “At dinner last night, Darcy informed me that his aunt, Lady Susan Fitzwilliam, has requested an introduction to my family.”
Miss Bingley gasped, the first among them to respond. She was not the first to speak, however, for Jane replied before she could gather her wits.
“Mr. Darcy’s aunt wishes to meet us?” At her husband’s nod, Jane said: “Whatever for? We cannot be of much consequence to a lady of her standing.”
Though it was clear Jane and Miss Bingley saw nothing in Mr. Bingley’s manner, Elizabeth thought she caught a hint of satisfaction in the gentleman, as if his wife had provided him an opening. What it could presage, Elizabeth could not be certain, a preemptive suggestion that what Mr. Bingley was about to say was not the entire truth.