Chapter XXII

M iss Caroline Bingley was a confusing study. The account of the day after the ball Mr. Darcy had given to Elizabeth at the first available opportunity, so she had some notion of Miss Caroline's professed misunderstanding which had led to her actions at the ball. That she had offered an apology to Mr. Darcy did not surprise Elizabeth, not considering her obvious desire to keep his good opinion. To her certain knowledge Miss Caroline also apologized to Mrs. Long, the lady whose good information she had so vehemently denied. That she would also apologize to Elizabeth herself, however, she had never imagined.

? "Do not consider it for a moment longer," assured Elizabeth when Miss Bingley communicated her regrets. "I was not offended."

? Miss Caroline nodded and changed the subject, allowing them to turn to other matters, engaging in a conversation both intelligent and, in Elizabeth's opinion, not especially interesting.

? In the following days, there was much congress between the residents of Longbourn and Netherfield Park. Elizabeth's father was much in company with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, as all three men seemed to share managing the two estates. That Mr. Darcy was the indisputable leader was clear, but Elizabeth knew her father was becoming more accustomed to the work and more confident the longer he was at Longbourn.

? Mr. Darcy, of course, spent much of his time at Longbourn engaged with Elizabeth, and the interest Mr. Bingley had shown toward Jane on his first visit was blossoming before their eyes. Mr. Bennet looked on all this with indulgence and a sense of wistful acceptance, for his daughters were all of marrying age and destined to leave his home for that of their future husbands. This was of some concern to Elizabeth and her sisters, for they were their father's comfort, his future solitude after losing their mother becoming a stark reality as their courtships progressed. When the sisters raised such matters with their father, he laughed and pushed their concerns aside.

? "Do not worry for me, for I shall be well." Mr. Bennet's eyes glittered with amusement. "Mary has not yet lost her wits to some man, so I shall be content with her company for the nonce."

? "I shall stay with you and Mary," declared Georgiana, "though Pemberley may draw me when Elizabeth and William remove there."

? "Nothing is yet decided, Georgiana," remonstrated Elizabeth.

? "No, but if I know my brother, I cannot imagine your courtship will end in anything other than marriage."

? Georgiana was smug at that notion, leading Elizabeth to drop the subject altogether, knowing it would lead to more teasing. The glare she directed at Georgiana in lieu of a response did nothing but widen the girl's grin, the promise of retribution should Elizabeth have some say in Georgiana's future happiness disregarded in the girl's glee.

? While the gentlemen were often in Mr. Bennet's company, the ladies of Netherfield Park were often in the company of the Longbourn ladies, either at one estate or the other, and sometimes in Meryton or at various functions of the neighborhood. The ladies at Longbourn took the opportunity of the Netherfield party's coming coupled with their growing friendship with the family at Lucas Lodge to host them one night for dinner at Longbourn.

? "It appears we now have most charming neighbors, Elizabeth," said Charlotte that evening after the company retired to the sitting-room after dinner for tea and after dinner cakes. "Mr. Bingley is not the only member of his family who has impressed the neighborhood."

? Elizabeth glanced at Miss Caroline, who sat in a group with Georgiana, Mary, Lady Lucas, and Miss Maria Lucas, Charlotte's younger sister. Mr. Bingley, she noted was by Jane's side as usual, while Mr. Darcy spoke with Sir William and the Lucases' eldest son, who was a year younger than Charlotte, by the name of Samuel. The last members of the party, Mr. Bennet and Miss Bingley, were in earnest conversation.

? "I hope you did not intend your comment as a jest at Miss Caroline's expense," said Elizabeth, showing her friend a wide grin. "The lady has been ever so proper since that unfortunate incident at the assembly."

? "Not at all," replied Charlotte, the hint of innocence in her manner suggesting there was something to Elizabeth's supposition. "You are correct about Miss Bingley's behavior, as her apology to Mrs. Long must testify. Why, Mrs. Long now heralds her as one of the finest ladies she has ever met!"

? Elizabeth chuckled softly. "I suspect Miss Bingley wishes she did not. Anyone witnessing their interactions—except the inestimable Mrs. Long, of course—can see she has no desire to encourage a close association."

? "We are all quite fond of Mrs. Long, Lizzy," said Charlotte. "She is an excellent lady, and her late husband was a fine parson."

? "I do not dispute that, Charlotte," said Elizabeth. "But you must own that Mrs. Long is more than a little silly."

? Charlotte laughed and touched Elizabeth's hand. "Yes, we all know it. Yet we esteem her, nonetheless.

? "Actually," continued Charlotte, "my comment about the fineness of the Netherfield company was more directed at Miss Bingley than Miss Caroline, though I will own the latter has not been deficient."

? A glance at the former told Elizabeth she was still in discussion with her father, though their laughter suggested they now spoke of lighter subjects. "Louisa is amiable, indeed," confirmed Elizabeth. "We have grown quite fond of her."

? "A fondness that does not extend to her sister?"

? Elizabeth shot her friend a rueful glance. "It is not the same. Louisa is far more open than her sister, and more amiable, whereas Caroline seems to care more for propriety and is more reserved."

? "With that I must agree," nodded Charlotte. "I do not know quite how to say it, but Caroline strikes me as a lady for whom propriety is paramount. It is as if she attempts to be more proper than anyone else, though as she does not lord her upright conduct over others, I cannot say why she feels that way."

? "I suspect," replied Elizabeth, "that she feels her origins and seeks to rise above them." As Elizabeth recalled, Mr. Darcy had made that exact point to her. "Those of society look down on newcomers and those with less than pristine backgrounds with a jaundiced eye, after all."

? "If you will recall," replied Charlotte, "I have a similar background, though my father can claim the title of a gentleman now."

? "So he can. What you do not consider is the difference in temperament and the society in which you move. Caroline, I dare say, is more ambitious than you are, and to her, such acceptance is more important. The circles in London are more discriminating than our neighbors in Meryton."

? "I suppose you must be correct," acknowledged Charlotte. "Tell me, Elizabeth, what do you think of your father and Louisa?"

? Surprised, Elizabeth's eyes found her father, then moved back to Charlotte. "Do you mean something in particular?"

? Charlotte regarded her for a long moment before she shook her head. "If you have seen nothing, then I suppose there is nothing to see. I had wondered at the length of time they were conversing and if there was something growing between them."

? Curious, Elizabeth regarded Louisa and her father, noting nothing out of the ordinary about their exchange. Elizabeth had seen them in company several times since the Bingleys arrived, but Louisa was as likely to be in the company of Mr. Bennet's daughters or her sister as Mr. Bennet. As for her father, he did not hesitate to engage with anyone present.

? "I know nothing of any preference for each other's company," said Elizabeth, turning back to Charlotte.

? "Then I shall recant my statement, for you have seen them in company more often than I."

? Elizabeth nodded, though distracted by Caroline's movement away from the group with which she was conversing, and her approach to Mr. Darcy's group. A snicker by her side caught her attention, and she turned to regard Charlotte, who peered at them with no little amusement.

? "It seems Caroline has not abandoned her hope of attracting Mr. Darcy's attention."

? "No, though she has been circumspect about it, such that I have no cause to complain."

? As Elizabeth watched, Mr. Darcy greeted her with his usual gravitas and Sir William with his typical civility and joviality. The warmest welcome, however, came from Mr. Lucas, who appeared pleased to see her and turned his attention away from Mr. Darcy and his father to Caroline.

? "Do my eyes deceive me," said Elizabeth to Charlotte, "or does your brother find Caroline agreeable?"

? "I thought you would see it," said Charlotte. "My brother has spoken several times about how intelligent he finds her and how handsome she is. I dare say she would not be quite so handsome if she did not possess such a substantial dowry."

? "Charlotte!" exclaimed Elizabeth, throwing a laughing glance at her friend. "Do you suggest your brother is mercenary?"

? "Not at all," said Charlotte, though her eyes gleamed with mischief. "I would never say such a thing of Samuel, for I dare say he is as amiable as the next man. However, the Miss Bingleys attract much attention in these parts from the local gentlemen. Whatever other attraction my brother might have for Caroline, he is not insensible to the benefits of her fortune."

? "If you will pardon me," said Elizabeth, shaking her head, "I doubt he has much chance of persuading her. I will again assert that I find her an estimable sort of woman, but even so, I suspect she has her eye on a much more illustrious match than your brother can provide."

? "That much is unmistakable," agreed Charlotte. "Several times I have seen her looking displeased with the attention she has received."

? "Do you suppose your brother will ignore the signs and press forward?"

? Charlotte shook her head. "I cannot say what my brother will do. His time at university taught him to value what a woman of Caroline's means might bring him, but he is not insensible. I suspect he will try his hand for a time but surrender when it becomes apparent she has no interest in his suit."

? Elizabeth nodded. "And what of your courtship?"

? They spoke of Charlotte's courtship with Mr. Herridge. Charlotte was, as she owned herself, not a romantic, yet it seemed her courtship had opened her eyes to the potential benefits of romance in choosing a partner in life. Elizabeth could not say that Charlotte loved Mr. Herridge or that the gentleman loved her in return, but Charlotte's blushes as she spoke of his attentions told her much. Given how quickly she had come to esteem her new friend, Elizabeth was pleased for her, and hoped she would find felicity if this courtship ended in an engagement as it seemed likely it would.

? "Miss Elizabeth, Miss Lucas," a voice interrupted them not long after Charlotte waxed poetic about her courtship.

? "Mr. Darcy," said Charlotte, grinning at the gentleman. "I expected you would move to secure Elizabeth's company for yourself at some time or another. The company of my father and brother must pale in comparison."

? "Not at all, Miss Lucas," said Mr. Darcy.

? The look Charlotte gave him spoke to her amusement and skepticism all at once. Elizabeth noted with a glance that Mr. Lucas now had Caroline's company to himself, and while the lady appeared everything composed, Elizabeth suspected her current position did not please her. Sir William had joined Mr. Bennet in conversation, while Louisa was now speaking with Jane and Mr. Bingley.

? "There is no need to demur, Mr. Darcy," said Charlotte with good humor, "for we all understand your preference for Elizabeth's company. On that note, I shall retreat and leave her to you, for I suspect my brother needs me." She paused and with a look of studied innocence added: "Or perhaps I should be more concerned about Caroline? Regardless, I shall leave you."

? Whether either welcomed her interference Elizabeth could not say, though she suspected a hint of relief from Caroline. Mr. Lucas was even more difficult to understand, for Elizabeth could not determine whether he thought Charlotte would help or hinder his pursuit of Caroline.

? "This is the first time you are hosting since you came to the neighborhood, is it not?"

? Elizabeth turned to regard her suitor. "Unless you count you and your sister, it is."

? "Do you?"

? "Perhaps," replied Elizabeth. "Then again, welcoming guests into one's home differs from hosting families of the neighborhood. In the latter we have, sadly, been lax since we came."

? "It is not surprising. There was much to do in the house after you arrived, and your father spent some time in town, to say nothing of how busy he kept me when I was at Longbourn."

? "Yes, that must be our excuse," said Elizabeth. "Tell me, Mr. Darcy—do you host the neighborhood at your estate in the north?"

? "Pemberley has been most derelict in this duty, Miss Elizabeth. My mother passed away when I was twelve and my father never remarried, and thereafter, his daughter was too young to act as the hostess. In the future I had thought to host a few close friends to allow Georgiana to become accustomed to it, but doubt that will be a concern."

? "Oh?" asked Elizabeth. "Why is that?"

? "Because, Miss Elizabeth, I hope to have a wife to host my neighbors. She will, of course, assist my sister to learn what must be done, providing for her education."

? Elizabeth regarded the gentleman, feeling a smile tug the corners of her mouth. "Are you certain? I must own that I have not much faith in these new wives to uphold the demanding standards their husbands require."

? "In my future wife, Miss Elizabeth, I have nothing but confidence."

? "That is well then."

? Though teasing had often been the distinguishing feature of Elizabeth's interactions with friends, she found that the more she welcomed Mr. Darcy, the more serious their discussions became. For the rest of the evening, their conversation, while still playful, turned more serious, and they discussed various matters of import to both. Any who overheard them might suspect them of laying the groundwork for a successful marriage. In this, they would be correct.

The longer Darcy remained in Hertfordshire, the more convinced he became that he wished to have Miss Elizabeth for a wife. As he might have thought, living in a different house and not possessing the liberty of her continuous company he had enjoyed at Longbourn only made him long for her more. It seemed the proverb about absence from one's love and growing affection contained some veracity.

? Busy though he was with estate business, both with Bingley and, to a lesser extent with Bennet, Darcy always found time to move his relationship with Miss Elizabeth forward, for they spent time in each other's company every day, either walking the paths of her father's estate, debating a bit of literature or philosophy, riding out, and at the various functions in the neighborhood. As the season had now moved into July, which would soon give way to August, the weather was conducive to all these activities, and the lovers did not hesitate to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.

? The party at Netherfield was far more pleasant than Darcy had any right to expect, for Miss Caroline maintained her decorum, though he was certain she was not happy with his interest in and courtship with Miss Elizabeth. As Miss Bingley was pleasant and Bingley was much as he ever was, Darcy found himself content at the estate, though part of him still wished he was at Longbourn in the company of Miss Elizabeth. Of more immediate interest to Darcy was the attention Miss Bingley and Miss Caroline were attracting from the local gentlemen of a certain age or situation.

? "Why should it surprise you, Mr. Darcy?" asked Miss Elizabeth on one occasion when Darcy made some small comment on the subject. "Those living in this district have not seen dowries such as the Bingley sisters possess for many a year—that alone would guarantee the notice of the locals, even if they were not such excellent ladies."

? Darcy regarded her, lips quirked at her earnest tone. "Perhaps I have grown so accustomed to keeping my distance from one of those ladies that I forgot hers is a desirable situation."

? "It seems you have," replied Miss Elizabeth a little primly. "After all, you and your sister taught us to hate Mr. Bingley's younger sister long before they arrived."

? They laughed together at Miss Elizabeth's jest. "I most certainly did not," replied Darcy, "for I do not hate her myself. Though she is well-behaved, I have ever known of her ambitions, but she is not so onerous as to provoke such feelings as you suggest."

? "Then why do you wonder at it? Mr. Bingley's sisters are handsome ladies—it was only to be expected that they would provoke some interest."

? "The more salient point," said Darcy, "is that one of the sisters appears to be impervious to your excellent local gentlemen, while another appears to be allowing something of an attachment to spring up, though I suppose attachment is a strong word. Neither is filling the role I expected."

? It was most curious, for a conversation at Netherfield had supported Darcy's observations. Only the day before, in the short time after dinner before the company was to seek their beds, Miss Caroline had raised the subject, and her inference was no less than a shock to Darcy's expectations.

? "Charles, what do you think of Mr. Lucas?"

? Curious, Bingley put down his book and regarded his sister, while Miss Bingley looked on. "In truth, I have thought little about him, for my attention has been on other matters."

? "That much is obvious, Charles," said Miss Bingley, offering a bemused smile. "When in company with Miss Bennet, it is impossible to tear your attention away."

? "She is the best woman of my acquaintance." Bingley grinned and shrugged. "When faced with perfection, why pay attention to anything else?"

? "Oh, Charles," said Miss Caroline, shaking her head in despair. "Surely you do not mean to offer for her on so short an acquaintance—you make it sound as if you will throw yourself at her feet when next you meet."

? "No, I will not be so impulsive," replied Bingley, appearing detached. "Even so, I have found a woman that I believe suits me, and I shall not rest until I discover if we both wish to bind our lives together."

? "You may do as you choose, of course," said Miss Caroline, while her sister murmured a quiet congratulations to her brother.

? Given the number of times Miss Caroline had hinted to Georgiana of her wish for a marriage between them, it was a surprise to see her give in with so little protest. Then again, Miss Caroline knew her brother could do as he wished without reference to his sisters, and she was circumspect enough to avoid a disagreement before Darcy. Bingley might hear of it later, but she would take care to keep any word of it from Darcy's ears.

? "I believe we diverted from our initial conversation," said Miss Bingley.

? "That we have," agreed Bingley. "In answer to your question, Caroline, Mr. Lucas is a good sort from what I see. He appears intelligent and industrious, as I understand Sir William has ceded much of the work on the estate to him, and he has not been deficient. He is one of your hordes of admirers in the neighborhood. Now, will you not tell us why you are asking for our opinions? Has he made some sort of overture to you?"

? "No, he has been perfectly circumspect," replied Miss Caroline with what appeared to be the equivalent of a mental shrug.

? "He has been attentive to you, Caroline," said Miss Bingley, regarding her sister.

? "Yes, he has." Miss Caroline's response suggested supreme disinterest.

? "Then what do you mean by it?" asked Bingley, appearing confused. To own the truth, Darcy was no less puzzled by Miss Bingley's manner.

? "Nothing in particular," replied she, again maintaining that exasperating indifference. "We are staying in the country for at least the next several months—I would not wish to associate with an unworthy man while we are here."

? She turned to Darcy and said: "You have said nothing, Mr. Darcy. Is your opinion aligned with my family's?"

? "To a large extent," said Darcy. "While I do not know Mr. Lucas well—any better than your brother knows him to own the truth—he has always struck me as a decent sort. Sir William is an upright man, and Miss Lucas has become fast friends with Miss Elizabeth. Having such good relations speaks well to his character, and I have heard nothing to give me any pause."

? The mention of Miss Elizabeth was deliberate, for Darcy wanted to know if he could provoke her to reveal her reason for bringing up the subject of Mr. Lucas. Miss Caroline had been judicious regarding Miss Elizabeth, and while he did not think she had abandoned her wish to ensnare him for herself, she had not tried to disparage or make herself look better by comparison.

? The woman gave nothing away, however, contenting herself with nodding her thanks. "Very well. Your observations matched my own, but a little confirmation is always welcome."

? With that, Miss Caroline turned back to the book she held in her hands, indicating that from her perspective, the conversation was at an end. Darcy glanced at Bingley, who returned it with an eloquent shrug and returned his attention to his book, a curiosity, as Bingley was not a great reader. Miss Bingley, Darcy noted, kept watch on her younger sister as if trying to understand her, though she said nothing. For her part, Darcy had seen Miss Bingley meet the men of the neighborhood with composure, but she had taken care never to allow any hint of admiration or even overt welcome to any of them.

? "Do you suppose Caroline means to provoke your jealousy?" asked Miss Elizabeth, pulling Darcy's attention back to the present. "If she does, she would not be the first young lady to hope to draw in a man with the use of such a foil."

? "I cannot say," replied Darcy. "If she does, it is a tactic she has not yet deployed, for she gives the exact degree of courtesy required to any other man."

? "Well, I must own that I question the veracity of your assertions, Mr. Darcy." Miss Elizabeth fixed him with a wide grin, tinged with a measure of contrived disapproval. "Miss Caroline is nothing like you said. Had you been accurate in your warnings, I might have suspected her to call me out for the privilege of your favor."

? "A pitched battle, Miss Elizabeth?" asked Darcy wryly.

? "Of course not," said she airily. "I am a lady and would never stoop to such barbaric behavior, and a woman such as you described would use guile to destroy a rival rather than open hostilities."

? "Did you not just suggest that she might call you out?"

? "I did," confessed Miss Elizabeth. "Ladies employ more discrete arts when engaged in warfare. You gentlemen may employ fisticuffs, pistols, or even swords, but our weapons are far more subtle."

? "Yet no less deadly."

? "It appears you are learning."

? A moment later, they burst out in quiet laughter together, drawing some interest from the rest of the company. No one said anything, accustomed as they were to their confidences and tendency to laugh in each other's company. Darcy felt the weight of Miss Caroline's eyes on them for some time after, but she was at some distance away, and he knew she could not overhear their conversation, so he pushed her to the back of his mind.

? "Tell me, Miss Elizabeth," said Darcy, "what do you think of Mr. Lucas?"

? With a grin, she said: "Oh, nothing adverse, I assure you. Perhaps he is a little mercenary, as my sisters and I merited nothing other than civility. By Charlotte's testimony, her brother is a good man."

? "Had he known of your fortune, he might have found you more agreeable."

? She frowned with distaste. "Which is why we kept them to ourselves. My sisters agree we would rather a man discover the state of our fortunes after they prove they have some interest in us as women, and not only a ready means of acquiring extra funds."

? "Then I hope I passed your test," replied Darcy. "Your father consulted with me on the subject, so I knew in advance."

? "Had I not known my fortune was anything other than a pittance to you, Mr. Darcy, I might have suspected you."

? "Then it is well that I am so wealthy." Darcy grinned. "As it is, I may safely declare that you are worth far more than your ‘pittance' of a dowry. I would take you if you had not a farthing to your name."

? Miss Elizabeth smiled and leaned in closer. "Which is what I have always wished to obtain, Mr. Darcy."

? Darcy could not agree more.