Chapter 9 #2
Drinks and refreshments were served, and the group was happily completed by the arrival of Lady Hardwick.
Her ladyship greeted their guest with warm politeness.
The countess had been partial to Charles Bingley since the day she first met him but less so his sisters; therefore, she did not inquire after them.
Darcy was exceedingly content to see his friend in better spirits than when he left town and Georgiana so at ease in talking to him.
“So you have spent these last two months in Oxfordshire?” Lady Hardwick started the conversation.
“Yes, Mr. Hurst’s cousin —Edmund Spencer —invited us all for the summer, but I returned earlier.”
“I know the Spencers; the estate is lovely, I assume.”
“It is, your ladyship, and quite large.”
“Better than the one you rented in Hertfordshire?” the countess asked, and Bingley paled, glancing at Darcy.
“No…not at all…Netherfield is a fairly good property. It must be even more pleasant in the summer. I rented it last September, so I would not know.”
“How is that possible? You are a landlord now. You should take care of your estate. Just ask Darcy —he takes care of his own and two of mine. I am sure he would be happy to provide you with boring business advice,” Lady Hardwick said teasingly.
Bingley coloured, and Darcy observed his uneasiness. He attempted to intervene in the conversation that Lady Hardwick —without realising —had directed towards a sensitive subject that still appeared to affect Bingley.
“Yes…well, I am not quite a landlord. I do not think I will keep it…I am considering giving it up…” Bingley mumbled.
“Really? Are you displeased with the estate? Or with the neighbourhood?”
“No…quite the contrary…I left Netherfield last November, and I have not returned since. My sister suggested I should give it up…and Darcy supported that suggestion.”
It was Darcy’s turn to lose a bit of composure as both ladies looked at him. The countess turned to Bingley again.
“Forgive me, my dear, I do not mean to intrude. You seem unwilling to speak of it. I imagine you were truly disappointed in it since you abandoned it after only two months.”
“Yes, I was very excited…it is a beautiful estate…and the house…the neighbourhood is quite lovely too. I had a most pleasant time there. Probably the most pleasant I can remember…” Bingley’s pained voice and gloomy countenance were evident to his companions.
The countess smiled.
“Well, well…my dear boy, do I sense a matter of the heart? What else could induce you to leave so quickly a place you seem to be so fond of?”
Bingley stared at her ladyship, his eyes and mouth open in astonishment. Georgiana blushed at her aunt’s daring and rather improper questions.
Darcy stepped forward.
“Aunt Amelia, I suggest we change the subject. Bingley is clearly uncomfortable, and I would be too in his place.”
“I am sure Bingley knows I inquire only because I am fond of him and wish him nothing but the best. And I know a thing or two about matters of the heart myself.”
“I do not doubt that,” the gentleman replied. “I am fond of your ladyship too, and I have always been honoured and touched by your affection. It is just rather painful to speak of it.”
“It must be serious since your usual, charming smile has faded and your liveliness has all but disappeared. Only suffering from love can bring such changes in a young man like you.”
“Aunt, please. This is not a proper conversation for any of us,” Darcy intervened again more severely. But Bingley took a seat closer to her ladyship.
“I cannot deceive your ladyship. It was indeed a serious matter of the heart. I was quite charmed by a beautiful young lady I met in Hertfordshire, but unfortunately, she did not return my affection.”
Georgiana covered her mouth with her hand to conceal her surprise, and Lady Hardwick touched Bingley’s arm.
“I am very sorry for your disappointment, but I am even sorrier for the young lady herself, and I am certain she will soon regret it. I have rarely seen a young man with so many good qualities: kindness, amiability, honour, a good fortune, and handsome features. Any young woman would be happy to be your wife.”
“Your ladyship is very generous,” Bingley replied sadly. “But I do hope she will not come to regret it or to suffer for any reason. She is truly wonderful, and I cannot hold any grudge against her. I wish her nothing but happiness.”
“And there is the proof of your admirable character, young man. I only hope you will find another lady to steal your kind, generous heart,” the countess responded.
“I doubt that will happen soon,” Bingley answered.
“It will happen; you must trust me on this. As for the present, I know suffering is painful and seems endless, but it is much better to discover another’s true feelings earlier rather than later.”
“That is true. Besides, there were some objections against her family too. So perhaps it was for the best that I left,” Bingley added, glancing at Darcy again.
“Charles, may I offer you another drink?” the host intervened to change the subject, but Lady Hardwick would not have it.
“Objections? Of what kind? And who objected?”
“All sorts of objections —mostly related to her mother and sisters’ lack of decorum. I did not mind it, but my sisters, and even Darcy, were quite opposed to them.”
“I see…so your sisters and Darcy had objections…”
The countess turned to her nephew. “I would like a glass of port, please, if your offer includes me too.”
While Darcy hurried to obey, she continued.
“May I inquire: What was her family’s situation? I presume her dowry was not a substantial one?”
“Her father owns an estate close to Netherfield. And I imagine her dowry was not significant, but I never gave it any thought. Her character and her beauty were beyond any other considerations.”
Lady Hardwick did not restrain her wonder.
“I must admit that I am curious. Why would such a young lady reject your admiration and affection? Did she give you any reason?”
Bingley appeared surprised by the question.
“She did not…I did not…I never confessed to her…I cannot say she rejected my affection. But I am certain she was aware of my feelings, and for a while, I had no doubt of hers.”
“Forgive my curiosity. If you prefer, we can change the subject of our conversation as Darcy has repeatedly suggested. But I cannot help being puzzled. If you did not confess your feelings, then was she ever confident of your affection? Did you only presume the lack of hers? Then, you left Netherfield and have been suffering all these months without even being sure of the truth?”
“Aunt, such situations are difficult to judge from afar and dangerous even to attempt for anyone who is not acquainted with the entire matter. I shall not allow this visit to turn into a distressing one for my friend,” Darcy interfered with a severity that admitted no opposition as he offered a glass to each of them.
The countess rolled her eyes in disapproval but took the offered drink. Bingley, however, seemed to ignore Darcy; his pallor increased, and he stared at Lady Hardwick, completely dazzled for a few moments.
Then he whispered, “It is not possible…I never…I believed…indeed, you are correct, your ladyship. That is precisely what I did.”
He finally took the offered brandy, and as everyone drank, an awkward silence filled the chamber.
Georgiana spoke up shyly, clearing her throat and attempting to dissipate the difficult moment.
“I just met someone who is also from Hertfordshire —someone you might know quite well, sir. My brother told me she also lived in the neighbourhood of Netherfield. Do you remember a Miss Bennet?”
Bingley dropped his glass and stared at Georgiana, appearing to be lost in disbelief.
“Jane was in town?” he whispered.
Darcy rang for a servant to clean the shards and struggled to keep his countenance during the unpardonable circumstance born of his aunt’s stubbornness. He quickly turned to his friend.
“No —it was Miss Elizabeth Bennet. But she returned to Longbourn a few days ago,” he replied seriously.
“Oh…” Bingley hurried to pour another drink for himself.
“Miss Bennet is Miss Elizabeth’s sister?” Georgiana inquired, puzzled by the turn of events.
“Yes,” Darcy and Bingley replied together, and the latter continued, resuming his seat.
“Was Miss Elizabeth in good health? Was she alone in town? I know she was very fond of Jane…Miss Bennet…and they were rarely separated.”
“Yes…from what I learned, Miss Elizabeth was in Town to offer support to her uncle and aunt. She took care of her young cousins; that is how I met her…in the park. It was a happy coincidence.”
Bingley seemed to struggle to understand Georgiana’s answer.
“I see…I am sorry I did not return earlier. Miss Elizabeth is a most pleasant young lady. And very handsome…I always admired her. I would have enjoyed seeing her again.”
“I liked Miss Elizabeth very much indeed,” Georgiana admitted. “I am glad you approve of her.”
“I most certainly do. Who would not? Did I mention she is very smart? Jane —I mean Miss Bennet —used to say Miss Elizabeth was smarter than many gentlemen. She surely is smarter than I am; I give her that. And she is also very affectionate and caring. Do you know she walked more than three miles from Longbourn to Netherfield to take care of her sister who had fallen ill?”
Bingley’s mumbled recollections troubled Darcy as much as they amused Georgiana and the countess. It was not difficult for the ladies to guess that, behind the many praises for Miss Elizabeth, the recipient of Bingley’s interest was still Miss Jane Bennet —whose name was only mentioned in haste.
“We can easily recognise the Miss Elizabeth we know in your description,” the countess said. “Darcy was rather reluctant to give us any details about her.”
“Aunt —” Darcy attempted to intervene.
“I am not surprised to hear that,” Bingley answered. “Darcy has never approved of the Bennet family, and I cannot blame him for that. Their manners are not always what propriety or decorum require. But the two eldest Miss Bennets are beyond reproach.”
“I never said otherwise,” Darcy admitted. “Bingley, since is quite late, would you like to join us for dinner?”
“Thank you, but I cannot. Miss Darcy, Lady Hardwick, it was such a pleasure to see you today, and I hope to meet you again before your departure.”
Farewells were taken, but a moment before Bingley left, the countess called to him.
“Mr. Bingley, I was just thinking…since our journey to the North will take us close to Hertfordshire, it would be a lovely opportunity for us to visit the estate that you so praised and perhaps to stay a day or two there. Such a pity that you gave up on it and will not be there to receive us,” Lady Hardwick said.
Her words left Bingley dumbfounded in the middle of the large hall while Darcy threw a glare filled with reproach towards his aunt. Her ladyship elegantly turned her back, took her niece’s arm, and walked towards the dining room.
The two gentlemen stared at each other in silence for a moment before Bingley stepped hesitantly towards his carriage.
During dinner, Darcy was mostly silent. He disapproved of his aunt’s inquisitive approach to his friend and her tactless conversation on a subject that obviously made Bingley anxious.
But the countess looked quite pleased with herself, and Georgiana was no different. His sister was clearly pleased that the conversation with Bingley confirmed her positive opinion of Elizabeth. Darcy alone was determined to avoid any reference to the Bennets —and especially to her.
“Miss Jane Bennet must be a remarkable beauty,” Georgiana said suddenly.
“Yes, she is,” Darcy agreed.
“Is she as spirited as Miss Elizabeth?” the countess asked.
“Not at all.”
“Do you disapprove more of her or of Miss Elizabeth?” the countess continued.
Darcy struggled to remain calm.
“I believe we already discussed this. I beg you not to open the subject again.”
“Forgive me for being exceedingly curious. However, while I understand your consideration that a friendship with someone below her situation in life would be inappropriate for Georgiana, I cannot comprehend for the life of me why you believe that a gentleman’s daughter, exceptionally beautiful and impeccably mannered, is unfit for a young man whose fortune was made in trade.
Just as I find it hard to accept that Miss Bennet’s family is objectionable for their behaviour since Bingley’s sisters are so far from perfection themselves.
Not to mention some of your own relatives. ”
Georgiana chuckled and quickly swallowed some fresh water. Darcy frowned as the countess continued.
“Bingley is a good man but not very self-confident. He looks up to you with so much admiration that he would never doubt anything you say, nor would he dare question the truth of your opinions or make decisions against your advice. When one has such a loyal friend, it is wise to refrain from making judgements that might affect such a friend’s life to the point where he could lose his chance for happiness. ”
Darcy met his aunt’s gaze and held it for a moment, hesitating to give an answer. Her eyebrows rose in challenge.
“Would you not agree, Nephew?”
“Your ladyship is more often right than not,” he replied, forcing a smile.
The evening ended with another lovely performance from Georgiana.
Elizabeth Bennet’s name was not mentioned again, but Darcy felt it was still in everybody’s thoughts.