Chapter 32
Drawing Room
Netherfield Hall
21 st November, 1811
Thirty Minutes Later
Darcy accepted his tea with a nod of thanks, took a sip, and then asked, "Is Bingley in his study?"
"Our brother left some two hours ago on horseback to tour the western section of the estate," Mrs. Hurst said. "I presume he will be back shortly."
"I see," Darcy replied, and he did. It was entirely likely that Bingley's journey had started at Netherfield and ended at Longbourn.
"Did you enjoy your time in Town, Miss Darcy?" Caroline Bingley asked.
"It was well enough," Georgiana replied softly, "but I do prefer the country to Town. The air is so much fresher here, and it is far quieter."
Miss Bingley snorted inelegantly and complained, "It is far too quiet, to my mind. It is all very well for Sir William Lucas to claim that there are four and twenty families in the local gentry, but given that the Bennets, for example, have close ties to trade, I do not think any of those families can truly claim the title of being elegant members of the ton."
"You are likely correct," Miss de Bourgh said, "but then, I daresay they do not wish to be members of the highest circles. I have never been presented to the Queen, but according to Darcy, the Season is more or less a supremely irritating affair."
Miss Bingley turned a stunned, horrified look on Darcy who, in turn, gazed reproachfully at his cousin Anne. It was true enough that he thoroughly disliked the Season, but for her to say such a thing to Miss Bingley?
Anne smiled cheekily at him, and he fought to maintain a calm demeanor. He was suddenly reminded of an episode from a full twenty years previously, the only time that Lady Catherine and Anne de Bourgh had visited Pemberley. Anne had been but five years of age and moderately healthy during the month she had stayed with the Darcys. He distinctly remembered Anne snatching the last apple pastry from a tray in the nursery, sticking her tongue out at her cousin Fitzwilliam Darcy, and running away. Eight-year-old Fitzwilliam Darcy had been thoroughly annoyed at his younger cousin's behavior. Eight-and-twenty-year-old Darcy, on the other hand, found himself thankful for his cousin's improved health and joie de vivre .
"Surely Miss de Bourgh is joking," Miss Bingley said, drawing Darcy's attention. "As the master of Pemberley, as the nephew to an earl, I am confident that you must greatly enjoy the myriad balls, and breakfasts, and entertainments of the Season!"
Darcy shook his head, hesitated, and then said, "No, Anne is entirely correct. I am not the sort of man who enjoys crushes of any kind, even ones filled with the members of high society. I am not a particularly outgoing gentleman and find interacting with dozens of gentlemen and ladies to be onerous."
"But surely London parties are different!" Miss Bingley exclaimed plaintively.
Darcy was profoundly relieved when the door opened at this moment to reveal the welcome sight of Charles Bingley, who advanced into the room with a beaming smile lighting up his handsome countenance.
"Good day," he cried out to his guests. "I hope you had a pleasant journey from Town?"
"All went well," Darcy said, rising to his feet. "It was chilly, but the roads were dry."
"Excellent," Bingley continued with more than his usual bonhomie. He walked over to his younger sister and accepted the tea which she had just poured for him, and then claimed one of the remaining seats.
"I have marvelous news," he said after he took a sip of tea. "I called at Longbourn this morning and, during my visit, had the opportunity to ask for Miss Bennet's hand in marriage. I am delighted to inform you all that she accepted my offer, and we are now engaged."
There were simultaneous gasps from Bingley's sisters, and Darcy, stealing a glance at both their faces, saw not delight, but horror.
"Many congratulations," Georgiana said, rather to Darcy's surprise. She was, of course, a kindly girl, but she was also shy and rarely the first to speak.
"Yes, I am very happy for you, Mr. Bingley," Anne agreed. "I think that you and Miss Bennet will deal very well with one another."
Darcy took a few steps forward and slapped Bingley's shoulder enthusiastically. "Yes, congratulations. I am confident that Miss Bennet will prove an excellent wife."
"Thank you, Darcy. I am more concerned about being an excellent husband. Miss Bennet – Jane – is lovely and kindly and gracious, and I am sure we will enjoy a successful marriage."
Louisa Hurst had managed to collect herself sufficiently to say, "Charles, congratulations. Miss Bennet is a lovely, charming woman."
"Thank you, Louisa," Bingley replied and took a sip of tea before announcing, "I have never, in all my life, been so full of joy. I am grateful to God above that my friend Stinson recommended Netherfield Hall for lease. I would never have met my angel otherwise!"
Darcy, stealing another quick glance at Miss Bingley, was not surprised to observe that the lady's eyes were wide with shock and her lips nearly colorless in dismay. It was a pity that Miss Bingley was so ready to put rank and wealth and connections over genuine love and respect.
Though truly, he had been guilty of the same error in agreeing to marry Anne de Bourgh. He now liked his Cousin Anne more than ever, but he was aware that he had absolutely no desire to wed her. In spite of her newfound boldness, Anne was still a quiet lady, and he was a quiet man.
He would benefit from a woman of more energy, more charm, more playfulness, more warmth, and more cheer.
A woman, in fact, like Elizabeth Bennet.
/
Dining Room
Longbourn
21 st November, 1811
Mrs. Bennet, feeling that a celebration of Jane's engagement was in order, had sent a maid to Meryton to purchase a fine piece of beef, and the mashed potatoes alongside the meat gleamed with butter. It was unaccustomed luxury for a mere family dinner, and Elizabeth intended to relish every bite of it. But even more than that, she knew that Mrs. Bennet had ordered a special treat for dessert; apple tarts. Elizabeth swallowed at the thought, her mouth watering in her eagerness. She had always been very partial to apple tarts.
A movement at her side drew her attention. Mr. Bennet had joined his family for dinner, filling his plate fuller than usual with a hearty smile. His wineglass was already half empty, despite him having eaten only a small portion of his food as yet, and Elizabeth regarded the ruby liquid apprehensively. Still, his mood remained cheerful and tractable – not a single vicious remark had passed his lips yet. It made for a pleasant change, and Elizabeth found herself enjoying the general conversation.
When the servants left the room, Mr. Bennet lifted his glass toward first Jane, and then Mary, and declared, "My dear daughters, I find myself very satisfied tonight. You have both successfully captured exceptionally eligible men, and I suppose there is even some hope that you will be happy!"
Elizabeth winced a little, but Mary was too phlegmatic and Jane too pleased for either to be hurt.
"I am certain we will be," Mary said calmly. "Mr. Collins and I are well suited, and Mr. Bingley is, I think, Jane's perfect match."
"I am confident he is," Jane agreed, and her eyes were so full of happiness, and her skin so beautifully flushed, that Elizabeth felt tears of joy fill her eyes. She loved all her sisters, but Jane was her closest friend, and to see her well engaged seemed a dream come true.
She was also aware, with a trickle of shame, that part of her happiness pertained to her hope that she might be able to spend time with Jane and Bingley in the future. As much as she loved Longbourn, she found her father's erratic and quixotic behavior exhausting. It would be a relief to be able to call on, and perhaps stay with, Jane on occasion.
"When do you think you and Mr. Bingley will marry?" Lydia asked curiously.
Jane looked startled, and then chuckled and said, "In truth, we did not discuss the date. Soon, I believe."
"I did speak with Bingley on the matter," Mr. Bennet remarked, "and my suggestion was that Mary and Jane share their wedding day."
This provoked gasps of amazement from his womenfolk, and Jane protested, "Oh, I would not wish to take away Mary's special day!"
"Nonsense," Mary said promptly. "I would be delighted to share a wedding ceremony, though you would not have time to call the banns."
"Bingley is wealthy," Bennet said carelessly. "He can afford a license."
"Perhaps we can discuss the details later," Mrs. Bennet said. "Now Jane, we must speak of the dress you will be wearing at your wedding. We should visit Mrs. Anderton on the morrow and arrange for a new dress…"
"That is not necessary, Mamma!" Jane protested. "I do not need a new gown."
"Nonsense. We purchased one for Mary, and we will purchase one for you. I think blue or yellow, perhaps, to match your eyes or hair? Or maybe yellow with blue lace?"
The ensuing discussion on fashion was sufficiently exhaustive that Mr. Bennet retreated from the room as soon as he finished his apple tart. Elizabeth felt her entire body relax as the door closed behind her sire. Unfortunately, even when Mr. Bennet was in a good mood, he had proven time and again that he could turn unpleasant in a moment. Based on how much wine he had imbibed at dinner, she hoped that her father would remain in his library for the rest of the evening.
"Mary," Jane said worriedly, "are you certain that you wish to share your wedding day? I can think of nothing I would enjoy more, but…"
"I would like it very much," Mary said. "I do not relish being the center of attention. It would also save money if we could share the wedding breakfast."
"Perhaps you should speak to Mr. Bingley on the matter," Mrs. Bennet suggested to her eldest daughter. "If he is agreeable, I think it would be wonderful to celebrate both of your weddings on the same day."