Chapter XXIV

W ord came a few days later of a most important affair concerning a close neighbor. When Elizabeth saw Charlotte walking toward the house that morning, a spring in her step the likes of which she had not seen from her friend, she suspected events of significance were afoot. It was best, however, to allow Charlotte to inform her in her own time—with these thoughts, Elizabeth welcomed her friend along with her sisters and Georgiana and they sat down to visit in Longbourn's sitting-room.

? "It is good to see you, my friend," said Elizabeth, grinning at their visitor. "By my count, it has been several days since we had the pleasure of your company."

? Charlotte regarded her, laughter in her eyes. "Yes, I suppose you must be correct. But I suspect you have not pined for me, for there are many things with which to keep yourself occupied."

? "Many things, indeed!" exclaimed Georgiana. "I dare say there is not a dull moment at Longbourn or the three miles between here and Netherfield!"

? "Well," drawled Elizabeth, "Mr. Bingley has been quite attentive to Jane in recent days. Do you suppose we shall hear wedding bells before the end of summer?"

? "If there are," replied Jane, "I am certain it will be for Lizzy and Mr. Darcy. Regardless of how attentive Mr. Bingley has been to me, his ardency cannot hold a candle to Mr. Darcy's."

? The ladies tittered at Jane's quip, much to Elizabeth's enjoyment. "Perhaps that is so, Jane. Mr. Darcy's interest in me has continued so long as to render the subject prosaic, do you not think?"

? "I might never have expected you of suggesting that romance is prosaic." Charlotte grinned and added: "My acquaintance with you is of sufficient duration and intimacy to understand your opinion is the opposite."

? "I shall tell William," said Georgiana, smirking at Elizabeth. "When he hears how you disparaged his lovemaking, I am certain he will redouble his efforts!"

? "If Mr. Darcy redoubles his effort," interjected Mary, "our dear sister may not survive the experience!"

? They all burst into gales of laughter, Elizabeth's merriment as hearty as the rest. She was comfortable with the gentleman's attentions as they were, and Elizabeth could not imagine him becoming many degrees more ardent. If he did, she might need to stay in her room for a time if for no other reason than to recover!

? "What of you, Charlotte?" asked Elizabeth. "As I recall, you have become embroiled in matters of the heart. Is your Mr. Herridge treating you to the same ardency?"

? "Regarding ardency," said Charlotte, "few men can compare with Mr. Darcy, though it seems Mr. Bingley is making a go of it. As for my situation, I am not unhappy with it."

? Elizabeth regarded her friend, certain there was something Charlotte was not saying. As the conversation continued around them, Elizabeth inserted her opinion where appropriate, but she was far more engaged in watching Charlotte, who appeared to glow more than usual. Certain though she knew what had happened, Elizabeth would not force a confidence, knowing her friend would inform her of the truth before long. That opportunity arrived a little later when Mary and Georgiana repaired to the small pianoforte to play together, drawing Jane into their company. When they had a little privacy, Charlotte turned to Elizabeth.

? "It seems, Lizzy, that you have some suspicion about the reason for my visit today."

? "While I have no notion of why you did not already speak of it, I will own that I noted something different in you. Do you have anything to share with me?"

? Charlotte chuckled and nodded. "You are observant as always. Yesterday, Mr. Herridge came to Lucas Lodge with the express purpose of offering his addresses to me."

? "You accepted, of course," said Elizabeth, drawing her friend into a soft embrace. "I offer my felicitations, my friend, for I suspect you will be happy."

? "I have no doubt that I shall," replied Charlotte, nodding her head, her smile appearing watery. "Mr. Herridge has two lovely children, and with the affection of a good man and a situation of my own, the chance for more children, I cannot imagine I shall not have a happy life."

? "Of course, you shall," agreed Elizabeth, feeling pleased for her friend. "It also appears as if a certain measure of my romantic nature has rubbed off on you, Charlotte, for you mentioned affection and display a pleasure far in excess of what I might expect from a woman making a practical alliance."

? "It is practical," said Charlotte, "for I would not become a burden on my brother. Yet you are correct—Mr. Herridge is a good man; I cannot imagine any woman would meet him with indifference."

? Charlotte nudged Elizabeth's shoulder with her own, saying: "I cannot imagine I will be as happy as you, but I shall do my best."

? "See that you do, Charlotte," instructed Elizabeth, much to her friend's mirth.

? "There is only one thing that bothers me," replied Charlotte.

? "And that is?"

? "That you shall marry Mr. Darcy and settle three days from here." Charlotte fixed her with an expressive smile. "Now that I have become accustomed to your friendship, I find I am loath to part with you to a man living at such a distance."

? "I feel likewise," confessed Elizabeth. "Do not despair, Charlotte, for my father will remain at Longbourn and I shall return often. I hope there will also be much congress between our houses. From what I understand, Pemberley is a beautiful estate—I should love to welcome you there as often as we may arrange."

? "That would be lovely, Elizabeth." Charlotte fixed her with a grin. "But even that may not be enough. Do you not think it would be better to throw Mr. Darcy off in favor of my brother? Then I may keep you in the neighborhood and enjoy your friendship all the days of my life."

? Elizabeth responded with a hearty laugh. "There is one slight problem with your plan, Charlotte; your brother appears to find Miss Caroline far more agreeable than he has ever found me."

? "That is a drawback," replied Charlotte. "If you should show him your sparkling wit and give him something else to consider, I am certain he will find you more agreeable than Miss Caroline."

? "Would you set Mr. Darcy and your brother on a path to a duel?" asked Elizabeth, barely able to speak through her laughter. "I cannot imagine that Mr. Darcy will give me up to your brother without a fight."

? "No, I suppose you must be correct," replied Charlotte, shaking her head with mock dismay. "Then I suppose I must console myself with meeting as often as we may arrange."

? "It shall be frequent," replied Elizabeth. "This I promise."

? At Charlotte's nod, Elizabeth grew more serious, for Charlotte's brother made her curious. "Tell me, Charlotte, do you suppose your brother will enjoy the same level of felicity as you or me if he succeeds in his pursuit of Miss Bingley?"

? "I am surprised that you would involve yourself in Miss Bingley's happiness," said Charlotte with a wry smile.

? "Oh, I do not wish to involve myself. Instead, I will say only that I am curious, for they do not seem to be a likely pair. For all Miss Caroline's behavior is proper, her ambitions are not unknown, even outside of the Darcys' testimony of their experiences with her."

? "You have not spoken of my brother," said Charlotte. "I must suppose you suspect him of favoring her because of her fortune."

? "The Bingley sisters are the most handsomely dowered ladies in the district." Elizabeth smiled her apology. "I would not cast aspersions on the character of your excellent brother, but his interest in Miss Caroline is suggestive."

? "Well do I know it," sighed Charlotte. "First, let me state my brother is a good man."

? "I never would have suggested otherwise."

? Charlotte smiled and nodded. "You and your sisters' views of love and marriage, while not singular, are less common in society, where many think of marriage as a business transaction. In my brother's situation, he is not immune to the notion of affection guiding his choice, but he also recognizes his situation.

? "Samuel will be only the second of our line to be a gentleman, Lizzy. There is no one in the neighborhood high enough to look down on us, but our position is what it is, and we are not wealthy, for all that my father purchased Lucas Lodge. The estate is not large, and our prospects are not even what your father can hope for. From the perspective of eligibility, Miss Bingley would be an excellent match for my brother, for while the Bingleys are wealthier than we are, we are now landed."

? "From that perspective, I cannot but agree," replied Elizabeth.

? Charlotte reached out and squeezed Elizabeth's hand. "Of Samuel's particular feelings I cannot be certain, but he has informed me several times of how interesting he finds her and how handsome she is. While I cannot say if he will succeed or what his life will be like should he persuade her, I have as much hope for his happiness in the marriage state as I have for myself."

? "Then we shall wish and pray for his success," replied Elizabeth, returning her friend's gesture from a moment before. "I hope you do not suspect me of harboring ill feelings for your brother."

? "Not at all," replied Charlotte, "though I will acknowledge I am curious about why you are interested."

? "Why, because Jane has been getting on so well with Mr. Bingley," said Elizabeth, waggling her eyebrows and grinning. "He has carried on so charmingly with her that I suspect Miss Caroline might become family. Thus, I must concern myself with her concerns."

? Charlotte laughed. "The mystery is revealed. Do you suppose Caroline will be at all amenable to a proposal from my brother?"

? Elizabeth shook her head. "I am afraid I cannot say, for the Caroline Bingley that presented herself in Hertfordshire differed from what we expected."

? "The Darcys spoke of her, I assume?"

? "They did," affirmed Elizabeth. "The lady they portrayed to us is not the same as the woman I have come to know. I suspect their experiences with her and Mr. Darcy's certain knowledge of her desire to provoke a proposal from him colored their perceptions. While I would not call her a warm sort of woman, neither is she the inveterate fortune hunter I thought to meet."

? "With that I must agree with you," said Charlotte. "She is polite, and even if she considers my brother beneath her, she has not betrayed it in the slightest."

? Elizabeth nodded and turned back to their previous topic. "One benefit we have not considered is the connections of marriage. Should Mr. Bingley marry Jane, and your brother marry Caroline, you and I will be family, though in a distant sort of way."

? "I shall press Samuel to fulfill your fondest wish," was Charlotte's dry response.

? "See that you do. Now, I believe my sisters and friend have been watching us for some time. Shall we not acquaint them with your good news?"

? At Charlotte's agreement, they rose and joined the other ladies, Charlotte confiding her news to them, to the congratulations of all. Elizabeth's sisters had not become as close to Charlotte as she had herself, but they all esteemed her and expressed their felicitations for her good fortune. For a time, they bantered between themselves, their wit flowing long.

? As it was nearing time for Charlotte to leave, Mr. Bennet entered the room and greeted them, nodding to Charlotte. "I believe we are about to receive visitors, my dears, though I suppose the notion of those from Netherfield visiting Longbourn is no great surprise to anyone within twenty miles."

? "No, Mr. Bennet, it is not," replied Charlotte.

? A moment later, the members of the party from Netherfield Park entered to the welcome of the Bennet family. Charlotte stayed for a few more moments, in which she acquainted the newcomers with her news, receiving their congratulations with gratitude. The most interesting interaction was with Miss Caroline, who appeared interested.

? "Your Mr. Herridge lives nearby, does he not?"

? "Just north of here," replied Charlotte with a nod. "Mr. Pearce's estate is to the north of Longbourn, and Mr. Herridge's property is north of that."

? "Then you will settle close to your family," observed Caroline, giving no hint of her feelings.

? "Yes, I shall. It is agreeable, do you not think, to settle within an easy distance of one's family?"

? Caroline offered a slight smile. "Yes, I suppose you must be correct, though to be honest I do not find York, my childhood home, to be to my taste. As my parents are both passed on, I think I would find it more agreeable to settle near my siblings, though I esteem my extended relations."

? "Of course," replied Charlotte with a grin. "Then you must ensure your brother and sister find their situations close to each other. Perhaps a pair of cousins would do well for you and your sister?"

? "Perhaps," replied Caroline.

? Thereafter, Charlotte took her leave and exited, Elizabeth escorting her to the door, informing Mr. Darcy with a look that she would return. When they reached the entrance, Charlotte turned and regarded Elizabeth, a wide smile affixed to her features.

? "What do you think of that, Lizzy? Do you suppose my brother's situation will now appear to greater advantage since he will not need to support a spinster sister?"

? Elizabeth laughed and agreed. "Perhaps, though I will note you have a younger sister who is not yet of age to find a husband."

? "That is not a concern," replied Charlotte. "Should Maria remain unmarried, I should be happy to have her at Mr. Herridge's estate, and he will not gainsay me."

? "Then I dare say all is settled. As the groom's sister, I am certain you will wish to have your say in the arrangements for his wedding."

? "Of course, I do," replied Charlotte. "I shall discuss the matter with my brother when I return home."

? With a final farewell that included a warm embrace, Charlotte excused herself and returned to her home, leaving Elizabeth to watch her as she retreated. A moment later, Elizabeth turned and entered the house and the gentleman she knew awaited her.

Love, it appeared, was in the air. Henry Bennet, who had already known love and loss, watched his daughters as they engaged in the intricate dance of courtship with their young men. Bennet felt himself fortunate to be able to acknowledge just how excellent the two men appeared, for every father worries his daughters will bestow their love on men who are most unworthy. There was no better man than Darcy—this was Bennet's firm opinion—and Bingley was an excellent sort too, such that their future happiness was now a matter of surety and satisfaction. Mary as yet had no beau, but Bennet was content with that for the moment, hoping that he might keep her company for a few more years after her sisters left his home for their own. Mary would find her own love, he was certain, but like her elder sisters, Bennet did not think that man would come from the local neighborhood.

? Then, of course, there was Charlotte Lucas, a level-headed and agreeable young woman who, according to Lizzy, was not looking for affection in a marriage, but had found it regardless. Bennet had noted her blushes as she informed their neighbors of her news, the softness that entered her eyes as she spoke of her betrothed. With her connection to the neighborhood and her proximity, Bennet knew they would keep her acquaintance, which would be especially welcome to Elizabeth, who he hoped would return to the neighborhood as often as possible in the coming years.

? Yes, love was in the air, but there was far more of that ecstasy about them than even his daughters or their beaus knew. Bennet was not so old nor so cynical as to forget the first flush of love shading his heart when he had courted and proposed to Margaret. She had been a beautiful woman, a perfect helpmeet and companion, had raised his daughters to become the excellent women they were now, and for that, she would always have his devotion. Maggie, however, had been gone for two years now, approaching three. While he would always cherish the memory of his first love and had not thought to remarry, recent events had changed his perspective. Or perhaps it was not recent events so much as recent acquaintances.

? "I appreciate your daughters' attention to my sister, Mr. Bennet," said Miss Louisa Hurst from where she sat at his side. "Though she has kept it to herself, I know Mr. Darcy's preference for your daughter has disappointed Caroline. They have all taken pains to include her—while I do not think it has assuaged her disappointment, it has helped her endure it."

? "My girls are good women," said Bennet, smiling at the ladies with affection. "Unless your sister pushes them away, they will not shun her."

? Miss Bingley turned to Bennet. "Given your comment, might I suppose you heard something of Caroline before we came?"

? Bennet had not meant to reveal such a thing, though he supposed Miss Bingley was more than capable of suspecting the truth for herself. "If you suspect Darcy of speaking something of you, then you are correct. I would not have you suppose he spoke only to censure."

? "If he did, I would not blame him." Miss Bingley sighed and fidgeted with a handkerchief she held in her hand. "Caroline has allowed our brother's acquaintance with Mr. Darcy to fuel the fantasy that he would offer for her—it is the truth, hard though it is to acknowledge. While she is not overt or shameful in her conduct, she has never hidden it either."

? "I have found her most reserved," said Bennet, "almost as much as Darcy."

? "She has been reserved here, though she is more animated in London."

? "It must be a consequence of Darcy's courtship with Lizzy."

? "Yes, it is," confirmed Miss Bingley.

? "And your brother?"

? Miss Bingley laughed softly. "Reserved is not an adjective one could attach to my brother with any accuracy. To do so would be most farcical. Charles is eager to admire pretty ladies, but I have never seen him so animated as he has been with Jane."

? "Do you suppose he will act to secure her?" asked Bennet.

? "I suspect he is already a fair way into being in love with her," confirmed Miss Bingley.

? "What of you, Miss Bingley? Do you wish to find love, or will convenience do for you?"

? "I wish what any young woman wishes," replied Miss Bingley, turning a shining smile on him. "Had I wished for convenience, I might already have had it."

? "Oh?"

? Several layers of meaning laced that one word, enough that Bennet did not even understand all of them himself. He had no notion of any previous attachments, and his esteem for Miss Bingley rendered such unpalatable. She was an excellent woman—this he had decided within days of making her acquaintance. Were they compatible? Bennet could not say at present, for he did not know her well enough. She was a different woman from Maggie who, though amiable, had not been a tower of intellect. With Miss Bingley, Bennet imagined the possibility of conversation, debates, and intellectual stimulation such that he had not experienced with Maggie, regardless of how much he had loved her.

? "Two years ago, I received a proposal of marriage," confirmed Miss Bingley.

? Bennet could not quite describe how he felt at hearing it, though he took heart that she was not married, and did not give the appearance of pining over a lost lover. There was little in her previous comments to suggest unrequited feelings—quite the opposite.

? "Mr. Hurst owns an estate in Norfolk," continued Miss Bingley, unaware of Bennet's inner musings. "He is respectable, secure, and perhaps the most unappealing man I have ever met."

? A chuckle escaped his lips, and Bennet wondered that Miss Bingley still felt that way considering she had become acquainted with Mr. Collins. Though Bennet esteemed the parson in an odd sort of way, he doubted Miss Bingley would do well with such an oddity for a husband.

? "In what way?" asked Bennet.

? Miss Bingley sighed. "I would not speak ill of one who is, after all, not a bad man. Yet Mr. Hurst is not the sort of man I had ever hoped to attract. He is pudgy and balding, loves nothing so much as his hunting rifles, his dogs, and an evening playing cards, and eats and drinks brandy to excess. If I accepted him, I would be secure, but I cannot imagine a duller situation than living a lifetime with Gerald Hurst as a husband."

? "Yes, I can understand that," replied Bennet. "There are far too many people in this world who accept partners for whom they care nothing for other reasons, rendering themselves miserable. If you will allow me a rather liberal paraphrase, a philosopher in the New World once opined that those who exchange happiness for security deserve neither."

? "That is a little harsh!" exclaimed Miss Bingley with a laugh.

? "Not at all," replied Bennet, though with a wide grin. "I understand there are far more reasons for one to marry than blind adoration, but I believe the holy book tells us that God has not placed us here so that we may experience a life of unhappiness. It is my firm opinion that he wishes us to find joy in this life."

? "Yes, I can agree with that sentiment," said Miss Bingley. "You were a parson before you came to Longbourn, were you not?"

? "I was," agreed Bennet. "I hope you do not take offense if my conversation sounds like it came from the pages of the Bible."

? "Not at all," said she.

? "Then I would ask you," said Bennet, "what do you wish in life?"

? "As I said, I wish for companionship and affection, a home of my own, children to love. My ideals are not the same as my sister, who, for all her good qualities, was not devoid of cold calculation in her pursuit of Mr. Darcy."

? "You do not require untold riches and the adulation of the masses then?"

? Miss Bingley laughed and threw him a fond look. "I just said that I do not. If you will pardon my saying it, Mr. Bennet, it seems you are being far more open than is usually acceptable."

? "You will find I care little for ambiguity at my age. I am not yet on my deathbed, but I am a man full grown who has three grown daughters and buried my first companion. If I am to find another, I prefer to get on with it, for time is too precious to waste."

? The way Miss Bingley regarded him, Bennet could see at once that his directness did not put her off. "And you wish to find another companion?"

? "In truth," confessed Bennet, "I had not thought I would marry again. Yet of late my eyes have opened to the inevitability of spending my last years alone in this house, for my two eldest daughters attracted excellent men to them, and my youngest cannot be far behind.

? "Of perhaps greater importance, while I had no thought of finding a woman to love, it appears one has fallen into my proverbial lap, if she is at all amenable to making a match with a man so many years her elder."

? "She is not opposed," said Miss Bingley, a hint of a blush staining her features. "Age, I must suppose, is not so important as felicity. However, I will own that we are not yet well enough acquainted to take such a step."

? "All in good time, Miss Bingley," replied Bennet. "I feel no need to drag my steps, but I do not mean to sprint to the chapel either."

? "Then I am happy to come to know you better, sir."

? "What of our families?" asked Bennet, jutting his chin toward the rest of the company. "It does not appear they have any notion of our connection just yet."

? "Let them remain ignorant, for I am happy for Jane and Elizabeth to take all the attention. For that matter, Caroline may have it too, though I cannot say she will accept Mr. Lucas."

? "I cannot agree more, my dear."

? It was a start. It was perhaps more than a start. Now that he had some notion of provoking a good woman to love him, Bennet was impatient to get on with it. He was not some young buck like Darcy, flush in the throes of love for the first time in his life, content to savor it as a fine wine. No, Bennet had sipped from that cup with his first wife. If Miss Bingley required such grand gestures Bennet would provide them, but she had proven her quiet nature. As he had promised her, he would not hurry, but he was also in no mood to dither. Perhaps he could secure his love before even Lizzy had hers. What an excellent joke that would be.