Miss Bennet & Mr Bingley

by Fenella J Miller

  Even Lydia and Kitty were subdued by the extravagance of the occasion. Mr Bennet, with Mrs Bennet on his arm, headed the party, followed by Mr Collins who had offered his arm to Elizabeth and her sister had not been quick enough to refuse. Jane knew it should have been she who followed her parents, but she was not bothered by such nonsense. She was just glad she did not have to listen to Mr Collins.

  As they waited to go in she turned to Lydia and Kitty. ‘You must be on your best behaviour, girls. Do not flirt with the officers, behave yourselves. You especially, Lydia. In my opinion you are far too young to be out, and it is up to you to prove me wrong by behaving with decorum.’

  Lydia ignored her words, but Kitty smiled. ‘I promise I shall keep Lydia in check, Jane. I would not dream of upsetting you or Lizzy in any way.’

  The spacious entrance hall was ablaze with candlelight. Handsome floral arrangements stood on either side of the door. Footmen offered to take the gentlemen’s hats, gloves and outer garments; a row of smartly dressed maids waited to be of service to the ladies.

  They were led upstairs to the very chamber that Jane had stayed in when she had been unwell. Set out on the tables were every requisite that they might need. The maid had accompanied them in order to help them remove their cloaks and check that their appearance was perfect. The room was remarkably quiet, where were all the other ladies? She asked the girl and was told, to her surprise and Mrs Bennet’s delight, that this room had been allocated to the Longbourn ladies alone.

  Mrs Bennet was in high alt at the news. ‘Only think of that, Jane, it is exactly as I thought. Mr Bingley holds you in such regard, he has everything done for your benefit.’

  ‘Mama, I wish you would not speak so openly about such matters. There is no understanding between us, we are just good friends. If there was anything else, I should be the first to tell you.’ Her mother smiled archly and swept out. Jane joined her sisters in the line waiting to be greeted by Charles and Caroline.

  She dropped into a curtsy and he raised her from it, taking her hand to his lips. He murmured quietly, for her ears alone. ‘I must remain here until all my guests arrive, Miss Bennet. But I intend to lead you out in the first and then devote all evening to your entertainment.’

  Jane had no time to answer, she smiled in acknowledgement and nodded, but was then obliged to go into the ballroom and mingle with the other guests. She had not been in here before, there had been no need during her stay. It would have been presumptuous to ask Caroline to show her around the establishment when she was an uninvited guest.

  Elizabeth touched her arm. ‘It looks magnificent, does it not, Jane? No expense spared here, that is obvious. I had no notion that Netherfield had such a spacious ballroom as this. I believe it is almost as large as the assembly rooms at Meryton.’

  Jane gazed round, her eyes shining. ‘There is even a gallery for the orchestra, and there must be over one hundred gilt chairs arranged along the walls for those who do not wish to dance. Do you think they have an ante-room where the gentleman can play cards?’

  ‘I am sure that they do. That is why the place is so crowded; do you see, Jane, there are gentleman here with their families that we never see at the assemblies, including our own dear father.’

  Lydia and Kitty had already detached themselves from the Longbourn party and were weaving their way through the crowd towards the group of scarlet regimentals that could be seen at the far end of the room.

  ‘Do you intend to dance much, Lizzy?’

  ‘Did I not tell you, unfortunately I am engaged for the first two dances with Mr Collins. I had hoped that Mr Wickham would be here but I cannot see him over there, can you?’

  Jane scanned the faces; she saw several that she knew but Mr Wickham was not amongst them. ‘Lizzy, do not frown so. I am sure that he has not been excluded deliberately. After all, he is in the militia, is he not answerable to others? He could have been called away to attend to business matters for his regiment.’

  She could see that her sister was not convinced by this feeble explanation, knew that she blamed Mr Darcy for Mr Wickham’s absence. She would not think of that now, she had come to enjoy herself; but first she would talk to her friends. This would make the wait for Charles to come and claim her for the first dance seem less tedious.

  * * * *

  Charles watched Jane, and her sister, vanish amongst the crowd. She looked ravishing tonight, and Elizabeth almost as beautiful. He wished that Darcy could take more pleasure in the evening; he had not liked to press his friend for further information about the rift between Wickham and himself. He vaguely recalled Colonel Fitzwilliam, who shared the guardianship of Darcy’s sister, also mentioning that young man’s name with loathing.

  Wickham would be persona non grata at Netherfield in future. Whatever the reasons, he was disappointed that his friend would no longer feel inclined to mingle with the guests. He had hoped to see Darcy dancing with Jane’s sister; whatever his friend said to the contrary, he knew that Caroline would not be so incensed against Elizabeth Bennet if she did not see her as a rival.

  He was forced to return his attention to greeting the line of people and was puzzled, although relieved, to realize that Wickham had not been amongst those who had arrived. In a lull he turned to Caroline. ‘I have not seen Mr Wickham tonight? Is he not coming?’

  ‘Oh, I had forgot to mention it. He sent his regrets, it seems he has been called away to London on urgent business.’

  That was excellent news; as soon as he was done he would find Darcy and tell him the good tidings.

  Chapter Nine

  Mr Bingley stared with dismay at the row of guests still waiting to be greeted. He glanced towards the ballroom but could not see his Jane amongst the swirling crowd. The orchestra were already tuning up, no doubt they would play something or other until he was free to open the occasion with his chosen partner.

  He had no idea that Caroline had invited so many to the event. He had left matters to her, the only party he had been intent on inviting had been those from Longbourn and the officers. He bowed and smiled and nodded for a further twenty minutes and then the queue had gone. He could still hear the sound of carriage wheels on the gravel outside, but there was no one waiting for his attention.

  ‘Caroline, I have done with standing here. Anyone who arrives after this must find their own way to the ballroom.’

  ‘Charles, there are still at least ten more couples to arrive. It will look decidedly odd if you, as the host, are not at your station to greet them.’

  He grinned, unrepentant. ‘In which case, my dear Caroline, you must make my excuses. The orchestra is ready to play and I am ready to dance.’

  He heard her sniff of disapproval as he threaded his way through the throng and into the ballroom. He wished he was as tall as Darcy, then he could see over the heads of his guests and immediately locate his partner. Now, where would she stand? He remembered that the Longbourn party had gathered near the orchestra at the Meryton assembly he had attended.

  Perhaps that would be the best place to start his search.

  Several hopeful matrons, no doubt with marriageable daughters, attempted to intercept him but he was fixed in his determination to find his love. He emerged on to the dance floor, and stared down the long room. His smile widened when he saw his quarry.

  He had always known that she was the most beautiful young woman he had ever met. Tonight his opinion was doubly confirmed. Jane stood next to Elizabeth, her head erect, her nut brown hair piled up in a complicated arrangement. Her gown, of an unusual blue green colour, moved around her figure like water in a pool.

  Elizabeth saw him first and touched her sister’s arm. Immediately Jane turned and the smile that lit her face made him clumsy, almost stopping him in his tracks. He recovered swiftly and strode towards her, bowing deeply.

  ‘I believe this is my dance, Miss Bennet, allow me to lead you out.’

  She rested her gloved hand on his arm and he was the happiest man alive t
o have this lovely creature at his side. The conductor waved his baton and the opening chords echoed around the room.

  * * * *

  Jane glided gracefully into the centre of the ballroom. She curtsied and he bowed and they waited for the other couples to make up the set. As soon as there were sufficient, the music began in earnest. Her feet had never felt so light, the music so enchanting. She scarcely saw the other dancers, her attention entirely on her partner.

  ‘Mr Bingley, your sisters have surpassed themselves to night. I had no idea that Netherfield was so grand. We could be in a fine house in London, not in deepest Hertfordshire.’

  ‘Exactly so, my dear Miss Bennet. I believe that Hertfordshire has everything in it that a man could possibly desire. What reason do I have to return to town?’

  They were separated temporarily as they were obliged to dance around the other couples to meet again at the far end of the set.

  ‘I believe that Miss Elizabeth is dancing with your cousin, Mr Collins.’

  Jane glanced across at the adjacent set concerned for her sister’s discomfort. ‘Oh dear! Yes, you are quite correct, Mr Bingley. That is indeed Mr Collins. He is a most willing gentleman, eager to please and not short of ready conversation.’ She saw Elizabeth have her toes stepped on for the second time in as many minutes. ‘However, I do not believe that dancing is one of his strengths. But then he is a clergyman.’

  He chuckled and she responded with a smile. ‘Perhaps Miss Elizabeth will have more congenial partners later on. She is attracting a deal of attention from the gentlemen. I am not an expert on such things, but permit me to say that I think your ensemble tonight is delightful.’

  Jane felt herself flush. ‘Thank you, Mr Bingley. I was not sure of the colour, it is not in the usual way, you know. I am so glad that you approve.’

  He whirled her around with such vigour as they danced down the centre of the set that she was too breathless to speak again for some time. The end of the first reel they stood together waiting for those that wished to continue to rearrange themselves, and those that had had enough, to depart the floor.

  ‘I do not intend to dance with anyone else tonight, Miss Bennet. I should like our second dance to be the supper dance, would that to be acceptable to you?’

  Jane was not sure if she should remonstrate with him or if he expected her to agree to do the same. It would be marked by all the guests if Mr Bingley refused to dance with anyone but herself. She raised her eyes to stare earnestly at him.

  ‘I am deeply honoured, sir, that you have decided I should be your only partner. However, you must dance with both your sisters and with at least one of mine or they will feel decidedly left out. Remember you are the host- it would not do to offend your guests. ‘ For a moment she thought he would refuse, then he nodded amiably.

  ‘You are correct, but do not think that I shall enjoy it for one minute. The only lady that I wish to be with tonight is you.’

  His eyes held hers and his hand tightened. Her heart beat so loud she was surprised he did not remark on it.

  As the orchestra struck up the second set Jane caught Elizabeth’s eye and smiled sympathetically. It must be unpleasant to be obliged to dance twice with someone who stood on one’s toes so frequently. Then she forgot her sister’s woes in the pleasure of her own partner. Never had a fifteen minutes passed so quickly, of what they had conversed she had no idea. She, without a shadow of a doubt, knew herself to be the happiest woman in the room.

  After the final curtsy and bow Charles drew her arm through his and walked her out on to the terrace. Although it was November the evening was surprisingly mild, the heat from the hundreds of candles and the press of people had made the ballroom unpleasantly warm.

  ‘My dear Miss Bennet, do I need to send for your wrap? Shall you catch a chill out here?’ His concern made Jane glow.

  ‘No, Mr Bingley, it is a pleasure to be outside for a few moments. I am not the delicate flower that you imagine; it was most unusual of me to contract a cold so quickly after my drenching a few weeks ago. I am rarely ill, you know…’ she stopped, appalled. Did he think she was recommending herself to him as a healthy specimen? But he took what she said without offence.

  ‘Then that is something else that we have in common, Miss Bennet. I also have the constitution of an ox. I can even tumble headlong from my horse and not break a bone. I have frequently got wet through and never had so much as a sniffle from the experience.’

  They strolled companionably up-and-down a few moments longer. They were not alone out there as several other couples were enjoying a respite from the dancing as well.

  ‘Mr Bingley, I am afraid that I must go back inside. I believe that Mrs Bennet might become alarmed if she discovers that I am absent from the room.’

  Instantly he was apologizing for his thoughtlessness and inconsiderate behaviour. She stopped him with a laugh. ‘You know how it is, Mr Bingley, my mother has five daughters and it is her dearest wish to see us all happily settled. The slightest sign of partiality on either our part, or a gentleman’s, and she is ready to believe there is an offer coming.’ Jane intended that Mr Bingley did not think she was pursuing him, whatever her mother might say.

  ‘I know exactly what you mean, Miss Bennet, it would not do to give the tabbies something to gossip over.’ He escorted her back into the noise and light and bowed low over her hand. ‘I shall not leave you for long, Miss Bennet; I shall ask one of my sister’s to dance and possibly one of yours as well, as you suggested, but then shall return to your side. I shall dance again with others later on.’

  Jane saw Colonel Forster approaching to claim her for the next quadrille. ‘I am dancing the next set with Colonel Forster and then I shall return to sit with my mother.’

  ‘I shall come and find you there, my dear Miss Bennet. We can stroll around the ballroom, and make conversation together until it is time for our second dance. Then I shall have the great pleasure of leading you into supper.’ He paused, a worried expression upon his face. ‘You shall join me for supper, Miss Bennet, I hope?’

  Jane nodded. ‘I should be delighted, Mr Bingley, and look forward to spending more time with you later.’

  Colonel Forster was an excellent dancer, as many of the military were, and a good friend of the family. They had completed almost the first set when he touched on the subject of Charles and herself. ‘Mr Bingley appears very taken with you, Miss Bennet. He is a charming and amiable young man, and has a fortune of £100,000, I hear.’

  Jane blushed painfully, this would not do. She did not wish him to be speculating on her behalf, although her affections were engaged, and she had every hope that he reciprocated, nothing had been said by either of them that indicated a lasting attachment had been made. It would be better to stop this rumour before it reached her mother.

  ‘Colonel Forster, Mr Bingley and I have much in common, but it is his sisters that I am friends with you know. He is a kind gentleman, and pays me attention for his sisters’ sake, but there is nothing more to it, I do assure you.’

  He looked at her narrowly, then nodded. ‘If you say so, my dear, but you do make a handsome couple.’

  For the remainder of the dance the conversation was on general things, the excellence of the orchestra, the lavishness of the decorations, the excessive number of guests, and the delights of the supper to come.

  As Jane was threading her way back to join Mrs Bennet, who was seated by Lady Lucas deep in conversation, she was startled to see her sister Elizabeth being led on to the floor by none other than Mr Darcy. She paused, standing a little behind one of the marble pillars, the better to observe without herself being seen. Charlotte appeared at her side.

  ‘My word, Mr Darcy and Lizzy make a fine pair do they not?’

  ‘Oh no, there is nothing like that between them. She holds him in dislike, is constantly telling me how proud and disagreeable he is. I am certain that he is only dancing with her because Mr Bingley asked him to.’

  Her fri
end was claimed by Mr Collins and they walked off together leaving Jane alone to speculate on what had been said. Could Charlotte be correct? She watched the couple more closely hoping to see something that would reveal how they felt about each other. She thought she detected admiration in his glance but she might have been mistaken. They seemed to have little to say to each other initially and she wondered why he had asked her if that was the case, and why Elizabeth had accepted.

  Then she saw the conversation commence, before long it had become quite animated. She smiled, it would be better if Elizabeth let go her dislike of Mr Darcy. She stiffened as she watched his expression change. She knew what had taken place, Elizabeth had asked him about Wickham and he had taken offence at it. But it was not until later that evening that she learned more.

  * * * *

  Charles had seen his friend dancing in the adjacent set and noticed that they had not parted amicably. He waylaid Darcy and drew him to one side. ‘So, Darcy, you danced with Miss Elizabeth?’

  ‘How observant of you; Bingley. I can assure you I merely did so in order to be polite.’

  ‘I noticed you were arguing again; has she been teasing you?’

  ‘Teasing? No she is impertinent; I have no wish to discuss the matter.’

  ‘Come now, Darcy. You must admit that she is braver than any of the other young ladies of your acquaintance. It must be a novel experience for you to have someone take you to task in that way. Normally they are fawning on your every word.’

  Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Caroline. ‘My dear Mr Darcy, are you not bored with the dancing? I am sure that, like me, you much prefer to converse with like-minded friends than skip about on the dance floor.’

  Darcy replied politely and walked away, he could hear his sister talking as she followed him. He smiled, wondering if his friend would consider Caroline as a sycophantic admirer? Up till now he had been no more than courteous, the overtures had definitely come from her side. He would go and look for Jane - it would soon be time the supper dance.