by Jann Rowland
With a chuckle and a shaken head, Mr. Darcy said: “If anyone can win her over, Miss Elizabeth, I declare it would be you. There is little you could not do if you set your mind to it.”
Elizabeth blushed and looked away, pleased Mr. Darcy thought as highly of her as he did. Then a stray thought came to her, and she voiced it to the gentleman.
“Where have Jane and Mr. Bingley gone?”
A look about did not reveal the missing couple. Though Jane did not walk as much as Elizabeth, they were close enough to Longbourn that her sister could not become lost. A chuckle from her side caught Elizabeth’s attention, and she turned to her companion, wondering what he was about. Seeing her watching him, Mr. Darcy shrugged.
“It may be naught but perception, but Bingley was as excited as I have ever seen him when we left this morning.”
Surprised, Elizabeth could only gasp: “Mr. Bingley means to propose?”
“It is only conjecture,” replied Mr. Darcy. “Bingley said nothing to me. I only observed a change in his demeanor.”
“Then let us return the way we came.”
Though they had walked for some time, their pace had been slow, meaning they were not far distant from Longbourn. Elizabeth had no notion of when her sister had disappeared, so she monitored the surrounding environs, hoping to glimpse them if they had left the path. The search proved fruitless, however, for soon they arrived at Longbourn without sighting them.
The commotion at the estate when they arrived, however, told Elizabeth something momentous had occurred. Giving the gentleman an expressive look, she hurried to divest herself of her bonnet and spenser, before hurrying to the sitting-room. There, she found her mother and sisters all crowding around Jane, giving her their hearty congratulations.
“I believe I am offended,” said Elizabeth, fixing her sister with a grin. “Why did you not stop us and inform us of your marvelous news, Jane?”
“That would be my fault, Miss Elizabeth.”
Turning, Elizabeth beheld a grinning Mr. Bingley, along with her father standing inside the door. “I was eager to gain your father’s approval and rushed Jane back to Longbourn to make my case.”
“It seems I have no choice,” said Mr. Bennet, grinning at his eldest daughter. “Though I might have thrown this young buck from my house for the great sin of believing himself good enough for my daughter, I cannot refuse him if Jane has given her consent.”
“Oh, Mr. Bennet!” said Mrs. Bennet, fixing her husband with an affectionate glare. “You do not fool us, for we know how happy you are for our Jane”
“I could not be happier,” said Mr. Bennet, holding out his hand for Mr. Bingley, which the gentleman accepted without hesitation. “I believe you will do, sir, as long as you make my daughter happy.”
Mr. Bingley pumped Mr. Bennet’s hand with unmistakable enthusiasm. “That shall always be my priority, sir.”
“I am so happy for you, Jane!” exclaimed Elizabeth, pulling her sister into an embrace.
Amid family and friends, happy tidings and lives destined to be entwined together, Elizabeth celebrated her sister’s good fortune. It could not be supposed, however, that Elizabeth would not turn her thoughts, at least a little, to her own situation. A glance at Mr. Darcy revealed his thoughts to be nothing less than pure happiness for his friend. Then Mr. Darcy’s eyes found hers, and Elizabeth thought she caught a sign of her own future in his countenance.
The return to Netherfield brought its own surprise. As they rode back to the estate, Darcy allowed his friend to wax elegant regarding the perfections of Miss Jane Bennet, not an onerous task. Bingley possessed the ability to speak with indefatigable zeal about a young lady, and his true attachment to Miss Bennet augmented that talent. It worked well for Darcy also; as Bingley did not require a response, Darcy could allow him to continue to speak while he considered the perfections of his own Bennet sister. That she was not his yet did not bear thinking about—Darcy was becoming convinced she would be his before long.
The arrival at the estate saw them leave their mounts with a groom and enter the house, Bingley eager to share his news with his family. Darcy was not eager for the fireworks he knew would follow their return but he did not shirk his duty to support his friend, though the thought occurred to him as he changed with his valet’s help that it might be better to stay in his room.
His better nature coming to the fore, Darcy joined Bingley at the top of the stairs after he had changed, following his friend to the sitting-room where his sisters were waiting. It was clear to Darcy that Miss Bingley saw something in his demeanor the moment he entered the room, for her eyes narrowed as she regarded him.
“Your visit was enjoyable, I presume?”
“Far more than enjoyable,” replied Bingley. “I have the pleasure to inform you all that I have made Miss Bennet an offer of marriage, which she has accepted. You see before you an engaged man.”
Several emotions flitted across Miss Bingley’s face at once, including anger, annoyance, contempt, and despair. While Darcy thought she might say something several times, she took some time to find the words to reply to her brother’s sudden news. The response, when it came, was not what Darcy might have expected.
“Are you certain this is what you want, Charles?”
Bingley was so astonished that he did not reply, allowing his sister to speak again. “Against Miss Bennet herself, there is little enough to criticize. But you know her dowry is nonexistent and the Bennets have no connections worth mentioning. She will not assist you in society.”
“I thank you for acknowledging there is nothing to hold against Jane herself,” said Bingley, “for she is everything lovely.”
Miss Bingley inclined her head to acknowledge his words but pressed him again. “What of my other points?”
“Acceptance in society has always been your wish, Caroline, not mine,” said Bingley, not unkindly. “I am more than content with the welcome I now receive. It is much better to find happiness in marriage than to marry with every thought bent toward improving my standing in society.”
Though Miss Bingley did not appear to like her brother’s reply, she passed a hand over her eyes in weariness and nodded her acceptance. Darcy, who had thought she would rail against his choice, regarded her with some interest. Could it be the woman was less reprehensible than he had thought?
“Though I would not have made your choice,” said Miss Bingley, “I cannot deny your right to make it. I hope Miss Bennet is worth what you are giving up, Charles.”
“Worth that much and more,” replied Bingley, giving his sister an affectionate smile. “You will see, Caroline. She may not be the daughter of an earl, but she will be a credit to me in society. My situation has never been enough to induce a woman of high society to accept me.”
“Well do I know it,” said Miss Bingley, though sounding regretful. “But another woman of greater standing and possessing the necessary connections might be within your reach. But you have done it, and I suppose it cannot be undone now.”
How the conversation might have proceeded Darcy could not say but the sound of someone approaching caught his attention. From the voice demanding to see the residents, Darcy knew who it was, though he had thought she would go straight to Longbourn rather than appearing at Netherfield. The door swung open, and the lady barged her way into the room without waiting for the servant, her gaze falling on Miss Bingley with the force of a hammer.
“Are you Miss Elizabeth Bennet?” demanded she without preamble.
Diverted that Lady Catherine did not seem to realize she was at the wrong estate, and further that she had not seen him at once, Darcy said: “Miss Elizabeth is at Longbourn, Lady Catherine. You find yourself at Netherfield Park.”
It was comical the way the lady’s eyes swung to him and widened in shock. Then they narrowed, and she looked at him as if it was his fault she had gone astray.
“Netherfield Park, you say?” The woman huffed her annoyance. “I see Mr. Collins is as silly
as ever. He informed me I would come to Longbourn if I took the right fork out of Meryton.”
“Then perhaps you should confirm your parson knows right from left when you see him next,” said Darcy, to the amused snorts of Bingley and Hurst. The ladies said nothing. “This is most definitely Netherfield. I have always taken the left fork to get to Longbourn.”
Lady Catherine peered at him as if wondering if he was taunting her. Then she turned her attention on Miss Bingley.
“Then I presume your friends must be Miss Bingley and Mr. Bingley?”
“Yes, Lady Catherine,” said Darcy.
Taking her words as a request for an introduction, Darcy performed the office, introducing those present to her ladyship’s acquaintance. Lady Catherine accepted them all with better manners than Darcy might have expected. Before she could say anything more than a perfunctory greeting, however, the door behind them opened again and admitted Georgiana, who had not been present when Darcy had returned.
“William—” said she, though she stopped in astonishment when she caught sight of her aunt. “Aunt Catherine! What do you do here?”
The soft smile which came over their aunt’s face was out of place on her stern countenance, but then Darcy remembered his aunt had always had a soft spot for her sister’s daughter. “Georgiana, my dear. I did not know you were here, though I suppose I should have guessed. How are your studies?”
“Very well, Lady Catherine,” replied Georgiana, approaching her aunt and bussing her cheek. “Mrs. Annesley has everything in hand.”
“That is good to hear. Now, if you will be still for a moment, I have a matter to discuss with your brother’s friends. Then I must pay a visit to this Longbourn of which I have heard. After that, I will be at liberty to visit with you.”
Though Georgiana liked Lady Catherine’s mention of Longbourn as little as Darcy did himself, she knew better than to contradict her aunt. With a smile, she chose a seat near to Miss Bingley as if to offer support. Georgiana knew, as well as Darcy did himself, what Lady Catherine’s probable purpose was in wishing to speak with the Bingleys.
“As long as I am here,” said Lady Catherine, “I may as well attend to one matter which drew me to Hertfordshire.”
The lady fixed a gimlet eye on Miss Bingley and continued: “It has come to my attention that you, Miss Bingley, have rejected a very eligible offer of marriage. Given what I understand of your background and connections, I might wonder why you rejected Mr. Collins out of hand.”
“I did not favor him,” said Miss Bingley with a shrug, understanding it was useless to put the lady off.
“And why is that?” pressed her ladyship. “I hope, Miss Bingley, that you do not harbor other, more prestigious hopes.”
No one misunderstood Lady Catherine’s significant look in Darcy’s direction, least of all Miss Bingley. It was fortunate she was also cognizant of the folly of declaring her interest in Darcy to his aunt.
“Whatever my hopes, I do not wish to bandy them about for the consumption of all. Though I am aware it must pale in comparison with what your ladyship must possess, I am blessed with a substantial dowry and am not limited to the choice of Mr. Collins as a husband. Furthermore, Mr. Collins was here for naught but a week, and if he did not consider the time too short to attach himself to me, still he ignored every hint I gave him of my lack of interest in him as a prospective husband.”
“Miss Bingley,” said Lady Catherine, her mien stern and unyielding, “your possession of a dowry is a point in your favor, but you must consider that it is by no means assured you will ever achieve your desire. Though it is possible you may attract some gentleman to offer for you, it is likely he will do so because he needs your dowry. Is that a situation you wish to obtain upon entering the marriage state?”
“Is that any different from marrying your parson?”
“Mr. Collins will not be a parson forever. Or do you not know of his position as heir to Longbourn estate?”
“He informed me of this.” Miss Bingley’s posture was as stiff as Darcy had ever seen.
“Of course, he did. I would not have supposed he would remain silent about it for even two minutes. Knowing that, I must wonder why you spurned him.”
“Lady Catherine,” said Miss Bingley, her patience exhausted, “let me ask you a simple question: would you be willing to marry a fool such as Mr. Collins?”
The lady was silent for a moment before nodding. “Yes, I understand my parson is not the most sensible specimen.”
“That is an understatement,” muttered Miss Bingley. Then she fixed Lady Catherine with a confident look, sensing the lady was not so severe as she had been before. “I could not accept Mr. Collins, your ladyship, and maintain my dignity. Mr. Collins fixed his attention on me for no other reason than the desire to acquire my dowry, imposed upon me despite my disinterest, proposed within a week of making my acquaintance, and refused to hear my refusal, claiming I was nothing more than an ‘elegant female attempting to increase his love by suspense.’ What say you? Should I—or any other woman—have accepted such an insulting application? If your parson continues to behave thus, I cannot imagine he will find a woman who will be willing to hear him.”
Lady Catherine nodded slowly. “Your arguments are rational and cannot be contested, Miss Bingley. I came here, thinking to try you, to discover whether you were attempting to reach higher than you ought. It seems you had every reason to refuse Mr. Collins’s suit, and I cannot blame you for it.”
“Thank you, Lady Catherine,” said Miss Bingley, no trace of irony in her voice. “I appreciate your understanding.”
“Yes, well, it appears you are a genteel woman, despite your unfortunate descent. I am glad to hear it.”
Darcy almost groaned at the lady’s insolence, but Miss Bingley smiled. “I have attempted to use my education to improve myself, Lady Catherine. Should you stay with us, I hope to demonstrate my worth to you.”
Lady Catherine nodded her approval. Then the other matter for which she had traveled so far intruded and she turned to Darcy.
“You know, the reason I sent Mr. Collins here in the first place was to secure one of his cousin’s daughters for his wife. I do not know why the silly man instead focused on your friend’s sister.”
“To hear the Bennets speak of it,” said Darcy, “it was because he wished to have a handsome dowry, as Miss Bingley suggests.”
Lady Catherine huffed and shook her head. “What does Mr. Collins need with a large dowry? The man will never be anything other than a country squire. By creating closer ties with his cousin’s family, he will ensure their support should Mr. Bennet die early.”
“It is my understanding,” interjected Bingley, “that securing their support is not required.”
Lady Catherine fixed Bingley with an interested look, as did Darcy. As his friend had proposed to Miss Bennet that very day, he would have some notion of the extent of her dowry. Darcy knew little of the matter himself, though he had heard each of the girls had a small fortune with which they could support themselves if they never married.
“That is interesting, Mr. Bingley, for I had understood the estate did not generate much income.”
Bingley shrugged and said: “It is not a large estate, that is true. However, Mr. Bennet has been investing in his daughters’ futures for many years, and in this, he has his brother’s assistance, a man whose knowledge of such investments is extensive, as I understand.”
The notion of a possible tie to trade induced a tightening of Lady Catherine’s mouth. “Perhaps I might induce my parson to release this silly desire for wealth and marry this Miss Elizabeth of whom I have heard.” Lady Catherine turned a challenging glare on Darcy. “Or do you wish to refute what Mr. Collins has told me of your behavior with her?”
Though Darcy knew the conversation had been leading to this since Lady Catherine entered the room, Darcy could feel little more than mirth for the lady’s predictable nature. “I should like to see you attempt it. Mr. Co
llins offended his hosts repeatedly after arriving, leading Mr. Bennet to declare he would allow none of his daughters to marry his cousin. Then, when he left, I understand they exchanged harsh words which have led to an irrevocable estrangement between them.”
“Yes, I have heard of this too,” said Lady Catherine. “But Mr. Bennet can be worked upon to change his mind for the good of his family.”
“I believe, Lady Catherine, that Mr. Bennet would disagree with you as to what constitutes the good of his family. Much as Miss Bingley would not wish to marry a fool, I cannot imagine any of the Bennet sisters taking leave of their senses enough to accept your parson’s proposal, even if he should be induced to offer it.”
Lady Catherine opened her mouth to retort, but Darcy interjected, saying: “Given your words to Miss Bingley, you cannot blame the Bennets for espousing the same opinions. You will someday be rid of Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine; the woman who marries him must endure him as long as he lives.”
“Very well,” said Lady Catherine. “It seems I must go to Longbourn to speak with this girl who dares to imagine herself fit to fill the shoes my sister wore.”
“That would not be wise, Lady Catherine,” said Darcy.
“It seems I must since you have forgotten what you owe the family.”
“Let me be clear on this matter, Lady Catherine,” said Darcy. “There is no understanding between myself and Miss Elizabeth. At the same time, I am not bound to Anne, as you know. There is no contract, no engagement, and while you might wax eloquent on the matter, you have no leverage with which to force me to bend to your will. Can I not convince you to desist before there is a break between us?”
Lady Catherine peered at him, seeming to gage his determination. Why she should question it, Darcy could not say, for she had never turned him from his course, though she had tried many ties. It seemed she came to that conclusion, for the look she directed at him was as sour as vinegar.