by Jann Rowland
The raised eyebrow with which Lady Margaret regarded Mr. Bingley did nothing to cow the man—the opposite seemed to be true, for he was not hesitant to explain himself.
“When my father passed away, I might have been lost if it were not for Darcy and his father. Their advice and assistance have been invaluable, for I was in no way prepared to assume the burden.
“Furthermore, Darcy has been a good friend to me all the years I have known him. He is, perhaps, not the most voluble of men, and at times he can be downright taciturn, but he is a good man—the best I have ever known.”
Lady Margaret regarded Mr. Bingley for a moment before saying: “No doubt he offered help and friendship to bring you under his control. These Darcys are all that is arrogant and condescending—there are many in the neighborhood under their thrall.”
“I know little of the difficulties between your family and the Darcy family,” said Mr. Bingley, his tone slow and hesitant, as it to ensure he was not giving offense, “but I know Darcy and he is not all you say. There is no firmer friend than Fitzwilliam Darcy, and I have ever benefited from his society.”
“And yet he stands about at assemblies and refuses to give consequence to those he does not consider his equal,” said Elizabeth, her tone challenging.
Mr. Bingley laughed in response. “It is amusing to hear you say it, Miss Elizabeth, for that is something I might have said to Darcy myself.”
“It comes from something I overheard last night, Mr. Bingley.”
With a shaken head, Mr. Bingley said: “Though it is unfortunate, it is true Darcy is not at his best in a social situation. But I stand by my words concerning his character.”
“Did he not disapprove of your interest in my daughter?” challenged Lady Margaret.
“It is unfortunate, but he did,” replied Mr. Bingley. “Given the situation between your two families, it is not surprising.” Mr. Bingley eyed Lady Margaret and asked: “May ask as to the origin of the dispute between you? I have asked Darcy, but he did not wish to speak of it.”
Lady Margaret was silent for a moment, and then she spoke with hesitation like the words were being pulled from her lips. “I do not know the origin of the dispute, Mr. Bingley.”
“And you would find no one who does,” said Lord Arundel, speaking for the first time. “Though some of the eldest members of the community might remember, I do not myself, for the enmity was already established when I was a young man.”
“If you will forgive me saying it,” said Mr. Bingley, “is it not silly to continue to despise the Darcys if no one remembers the reason?”
“When you put it that way,” replied Lord Arundel, “perhaps it is silly. But then again, we Bennets have had dealings with the Darcy family over many years, and we know them to be inherently untrustworthy.”
Though Mr. Bingley opened his mouth to speak, Lord Arundel waved him to silence. “I know what you will say young man, and it is to your credit that you defend your friend. It does no good for me to continue to inform you of the evil of the Darcy family, for I do not believe they are. Any reconciliation, however, is many years in the future, if it is a possibility at all.
“Of more importance,” continued Lord Arundel, “Is the status of your friendship with the Darcy heir. Your own words tell me you disagreed with your friend, but you have said nothing of the current state of your friendship. Do you mean to maintain it?”
Mr. Bingley was silent for a moment, considering the question, but when he opened his mouth, it was with a curious mix of hesitance and determination. “Will you deny me the opportunity to court your daughter if I tell you I have every intention of keeping the connection?”
A laugh was Lord Arundel’s response. “Well said, young man. It seems to me you have grown these years, for when you were a young man of eighteen, I know you would have given me an answer designed to appease me.”
Lord Arundel, still chuckling and shaking his head, turned his attention to his daughter, noting how Jane appeared unmoved. Jane, Elizabeth knew, was incapable of seeing in anyone anything other than the best, and this talk of continued friendship between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley would not alter her opinion of either man.
“What I will expect,” said Lord Arundel, coming to the correct conclusion, “is that your loyalty will be to my daughter first. I will not require you to give up your friendship, but I wish my daughter’s suitor to protect her.”
“That is easy to promise, Mr. Bennet,” said Mr. Bingley. “If I were not prepared to give my first loyalty to Miss Bennet, I would not bother her with my attentions.”
“Well said, young man. Well said, indeed. Then I believe you may proceed at your leisure and as long as Jane welcomes you.”
Pleased, Mr. Bingley turned his attention to Jane, and could not be moved from her side for the rest of his visit. Elizabeth watched, once again happy her sister had such an ardent and devoted admirer. Even more than this, Elizabeth felt more than a hint of relief that he had shown such an assurance of purpose, for as her father said, she well remembered when the young man’s character had been described as more complying than firm. With such a protector, Elizabeth knew her dearest sister could not help but attain her happiness.
With these thoughts, Elizabeth’s mind turned to the difficulties with the Darcy family. Though she had not thought of it much before, she could not help but suppose Mr. Bingley had made an excellent point. Not knowing the origin of the dispute, was it worth it to continue to hate each other? It all seemed so silly.
While Mr. Bingley was visiting his lady, another visit was in progress, though the situation was reversed from the visit occurring at Longbourn. For one, Darcy would have cheerfully dispensed with this visitor, for he had no interest in the Lady in his family’s sitting-room with his sister. For another, the lady’s intelligence of her brother’s visit to Longbourn that morning brought to mind again his stated intention to woo Longbourn’s eldest daughter, setting Darcy to brooding again.
“Charles is foolish—very foolish,” said Miss Bingley, for perhaps the fifth time. “Though Jane Bennet is beautiful, I cannot but think he will regret this reckless decision to throw his lot in with them.”
Though Darcy could not but agree, he did not make any response, as he had not the last time she had made this same statement. As for Georgiana, her youth was such that she was little aware of such matters which prevented her own response.
“I tried to counsel against it, but he will not listen to me.” Miss Bingley made a sound of annoyance, which served to annoy Darcy. “There was a time when Charles was eager to please and willing to listen to my advice, but of late he has grown hard-headed and recalcitrant. I cannot talk to him any longer.”
As Miss Bingley droned on, Darcy allowed his mind to wander. Her purpose, he knew, was to inform them of her loyalty and continued support, all while intending to procure his good opinion in the hope he would offer for her. Darcy had never considered favoring her with his addresses regardless of her brother’s folly or any other stratagem she might attempt. He did not find her interesting, let alone possessed any feelings for her which were not tinted by disdain for her mercenary ways.
“I assure you I have no intention of committing such a betrayal,” said Miss Bingley, drawing Darcy’s attention back to her continual blathering. “You will never have a firmer friend than me, Miss Darcy, for those awful Bennets will not lure me into their webs.”
“It is my hope your brother will be happy in his choice,” ventured Georgiana in a hesitant tone. “Though I have never spoken to Miss Bennet, she has always seemed like a lovely woman.”
“Of course, she seems that way,” replied Miss Bingley in a tone which was all that was condescending. “The entire family excels at appearing respectable. But underneath, they are everything to be despised, true wolves and sheep’s clothing.”
“And yet, they are a family respected by society,” said Darcy, drawing Miss Bingley’s eyes back to him.
“Has your opinion of them s
oftened, Mr. Darcy?” asked she. While Miss Bingley exuded confidence, underneath, Darcy detected a note of insecurity.
“The Darcys and the Bennets have never gotten on, Miss Bingley,” replied Darcy. “But that does not mean I refuse to see any worth in them. In particular, it would be best if you recalled that the Bennets are of the peerage—Lord Arundel is a baron. It would not do at all to offend him by speaking in such a fashion. Should it reach his ears, he would be displeased, and rightly so.”
“But I am among friends,” said Miss Bingley with a smile which carried a hint of uncertainty. “I am sure neither you nor your lovely sister will bear tales to the baron.”
“No, we shall do no such thing. Speaking in such a manner, however, can become habit, and may result in something imprudent being said when in a position of being overheard. Thus, it is better to avoid the subject altogether.”
For an instant, Miss Bingley regarded Darcy, attempting to discern whether there was some hidden meaning in his words. There was not, but Darcy was more than happy to allow the woman to continue in uncertainty and silence. She came to the correct conclusion, though she did not appear to be any more certain of herself than she had been before.
“Thank you for your advice, Mr. Darcy. I shall accept it in the manner you offered it.”
For the rest of the visit, Miss Bingley concentrated on his sister, leaving Darcy in peace. Though he knew Georgiana was not enamored of her, she spoke politely, and Darcy knew she did not begrudge him the lack of his own share of Miss Bingley’s attentions. When the time for the visit elapsed, Miss Bingley rose and departed, albeit with obvious reluctance.
“What do you think of Mr. Bingley’s attentions to Miss Bennet?” asked Georgiana when Miss Bingley had departed.
It was all Darcy could do to suppress a grimace. “Bingley is his own man,” said he with what had become his default response, and if his reply was a little short, he did not think Georgiana noticed.
“I know he is,” said Georgiana, impatience coloring her voice. “I was asking what you think of it. You would not begrudge him his happiness because you do not approve of the Bennets.”
“As I informed Miss Bingley,” replied Darcy, “it is not my place to approve or disapprove of the Bennets. Lord Arundel is of the peerage—speaking rashly against any man of his position cannot end well.”
“But we are connected to several lines of the peerage.”
“That is part of the reason the Bennets have never used their advantage in society against us.”
“Do you think they would have if we were simple gentleman farmers?”
Darcy paused and shook his head. “The current Lord Arundel does not strike me as a man who uses his position in such a manner, though I might be incorrect. I can say nothing of his predecessors. You must understand, Georgiana, that in our society, the peerage can often obtain what they want because of the position they hold.”
“But Uncle Hugh does not do such things,” said she of Lord Matlock, their late mother’s brother.
“Uncle Hugh is a man who, while he is well aware of his position, he considers such abuse of power immoral, and I cannot disagree with him.”
Georgiana did not speak for a moment, and when she did, her voice was quiet. “To be honest, Brother, I consider this whole mess to be more than a little silly. Should we not forgive and forget, especially since so many years have passed?”
“Our parson would agree with you,” replied Darcy, fixing his sister with a smile. “Old grievances die hard, however, and there are newer grievances at play.”
“I am concerned for our brother,” replied Georgiana. “How will the neighborhood and the Bennets, in particular, receive him when he returns?”
“Mr. Gardiner does not seem to be a man who holds a grudge, and what happened was an accident—or at least an unfortunate event in which he was as much at fault as Alexander. If Alexander behaves himself, all should be well. I also do not expect Alexander to return for some time—by the time he is called home all should be well.”
“But will he behave himself?” countered Georgiana.
Darcy chuckled and put an arm around his sister’s shoulders. “I shall do my best to ensure he does. All will be well, Georgiana. You will see.”
Chapter III
“What can you be thinking, Charles? What can Miss Bennet possibly have that would tempt you into betraying a man who has been your friend for many years?”
“Miss Bennet is everything I could ever wish for in a wife,” replied Bingley, maintaining a calm demeanor in the face of his sister’s provocation. “And before you say anything further, you should remember she is the daughter of a baron, and as such, outranks you by several degrees.”
“I do not speak of her position in society,” growled Caroline in reply. “For those who care for such things, I am sure the Bennets are acceptable. This has nothing to do with their position, and everything to do with your friendship with Mr. Darcy.”
“If Darcy cannot accept my choice, then he is no true friend.”
“Perhaps it would be best—” attempted Mrs. Bingley, but Caroline was not to be denied.
“A true friend would not descend to such betrayal.”
“How is it a betrayal to follow my heart? There is a fallacy in your thinking, Caroline, for Darcy is a friend, and has been a good friend for many years, but in the matter of my happiness, I am the only one who may judge what is best for me.”
A cry of dismay escaped Caroline’s lips and she stepped away, pacing the floor in her agitation, wringing her hands together as her slippers glided over the tiles. Mrs. Bingley sat on a nearby chair, watching the confrontation with increasing alarm, though when she looked to Bingley, he shook his head to inform her it would be best for her to remain silent. Caroline felt she had the moral high ground in this situation, and Bingley knew she would have her say. It was better to do so now rather than allow her to continue to believe she had any power to change his mind.
“A fine judge you have shown yourself to be,” said Caroline at length, venom dripping from her tone. “There are many acceptable ladies in society, some of whom live in this very neighborhood. Can you not aim for one of them? If none of them strikes your fancy, then turn your attention to some other woman of society.”
“None of them hold my heart, Caroline,” replied Bingley, proud of how his tone stayed reasonable in the face of her provocation.
“I am sure you would fall in love with another woman if you only allowed yourself to do so.”
“There is no need to look elsewhere—I have found the perfect woman for me.”
“Then what of our friendship with the Darcys? Do you mean to throw that all aside? I assure you, I will not.”
“Nor would I expect you to,” said Bingley, unable to keep the wry note from his tone. “And I have not either. Darcy was surprised but I have hope he will not prove unreasonable.”
“Is that what you call me?” demanded Caroline, turning to him, fury shooting from her eyes.
“In this instance, yes,” replied Bingley.
“This situation does concern me,” said Mrs. Bingley, when Caroline proved incapable of responding through her anger. “This quarrel between the Darcys and the Bennets was old when I married your father and came to the neighborhood, and it has not abated with time. I would not wish my children to be courting opposite sides of the dispute.”
“Courting!” exclaimed Caroline, spearing Bingley with a look. “That is exactly it, though it is not as if my brother is the one doing the courting. That Jane Bennet has sunk her claws into you and drawn you in—if anyone is courting another, it is she!”
“Please,” said Bingley, shaking his head in disgust. “Why would Miss Bennet target me in particular? She is the daughter of a baron and cannot be in want of suitors.”
“Those Bennet girls are artful,” was his sister’s dismissive reply. “Who knows why they do what they do?”
“In other words,” replied Bingley, his resentment g
rowing, “you cannot answer my question. There is no ‘drawing in’ of anyone because it makes no sense for her to turn to me if she was inclined to such behavior.”
“You do not know that,” snapped Caroline.
“I know one thing, Sister dearest,” replied Bingley. “Any courting is all on my side, for there will never be anything on yours. Darcy will not offer for you, no matter how much you flatter him or his sister—you are wasting your time.”
“My marital prospects are not at issue here!”
“No, they are not, for you have none with Darcy. But I well know that your objection to Miss Bennet is because of your desire to elicit a proposal from Darcy, and I can tell you that will never happen. Darcy does not consider you a potential wife—he does not even like you.”
A cry of frustration once again escaped Caroline’s throat, and she threw her hands into the air and stalked from the room, her voice floating back to then. “You will regret throwing over Mr. Darcy’s friendship!”
“Charles,” said Mrs. Bingley, her tone faintly chiding, “that was no kind thing to say to your sister.”
“Perhaps it was not,” replied Bingley, “but she is deserving of it. It is also the truth—Caroline is lying to herself if she thinks to provoke a proposal from Darcy.”
Mrs. Bingley paused, doubt etched upon her features. “Caroline has been so certain she will be Mr. Darcy’s wife.”
A snort conveyed Bingley’s feelings on the subject of Caroline’s confidence. “When does Caroline ever see anything other than what she wishes to see? It is unfortunate father coddled her so as the youngest, for he taught her to believe that whatever she wished was hers by right.
“Darcy has no interest in Caroline, Mother—he tolerates her for the sake of our friendship. It would be best if you would take Caroline to London for the season and concentrate on finding her a husband, for I cannot expect my future wife to endure her in my home, given her virulent opposition.”