Chapter 15
After noon, the Gardiners arrived, and the reunion was a pleasant one. After two visits to Gracechurch Street, Georgiana was already at ease with their family; greetings were friendly, and the children did not hesitate to embrace her and ask about Didi and Mist.
Bingley and the Darcys left for Netherfield to change and to retrieve the countess. Lady Hardwick waited for them impatiently; she had learnt of the incident with the rain, so she was anxious to know all about it.
“I am sorry to hear you had bad luck, but you honestly should not have left the house in such weather,” Louisa said.
“I hope you are not leaving again; it is raining very badly and will likely continue all night,” Caroline added.
“The Bennets expect us for dinner,” Bingley answered, appalled at the suggestion he disappoint his intended. “But you are still welcome if you want to join us. Mrs. Bennet insisted on my telling you that.”
“We appreciate the invitation, but as I said, it would be too crowded. And the weather is totally inappropriate for a late night visit,” Caroline replied.
“As you wish, but I hope the rain stops soon so we can hunt tomorrow. And I cannot even imagine that it will rain on my wedding day,” Bingley concluded.
“Louisa, Caroline, will you not come with us tomorrow if the weather has improved? We plan to take a longer trip with the carriage to see all of Netherfield, Meryton, and its surroundings.”
“Dear Georgiana, you are very kind, but I have already seen the neighbourhood more than once. And Netherfield is not as large as Pemberley —there is not much to see,” Caroline answered.
“But I am sure we will have a lovely day nevertheless,” the girl said. “You are more than welcome if you change your mind.”
“I thank you, but that is unlikely.”
“My sisters were not curious to see much of the Pemberley estate either,” Bingley remarked. “But it is good you have Jane and Miss Elizabeth to keep you company.”
“Oh yes, today we walked with Lizzy all the way to Oakham Mount and back to Longbourn,” Georgiana replied enthusiastically, and all eyes were drawn to her.
“Georgiana, I had not imagined you were on such familiar terms with Eliza Bennet.” Caroline clearly expressed her surprise as much as her displeasure.
“Lizzy and I are friends. May I ask why you disapprove of her?” Georgiana’s daring inquiry was another surprise, and Caroline glanced at her sister then back to Miss Darcy.
“Yes, I would very much like to know the same,” Bingley said. “From the very beginning of our acquaintance you have done little but criticise the family, Miss Elizabeth more than the rest.”
Darcy took his glass and moved towards the window. He knew too well the answer to that question, and he remembered the day he told Caroline about his admiration for Elizabeth’s fine eyes.
“I did no such thing,” Caroline argued. “I am only being honest. You cannot accuse me of being as blind as you are, Brother.”
“Young ladies —especially those in want of a husband —often disapprove of each other,” Lady Hardwick said with obvious amusement.
“However, I find it hard to believe that Miss Bingley and Miss Elizabeth could share an interest in the same gentleman, so there must be other reasons for their misunderstanding. However, with Bingley marrying the eldest sister, you must find a way to improve your acquaintance. It would be quite inelegant to maintain a conflict within the family.”
“Your ladyship is right of course. When Jane becomes the mistress of this house, I expect Miss Elizabeth and the other sisters to be here quite often. So everyone who stays in this house must treat them with the proper consideration,” Bingley added.
“Yes, well, I doubt any of the Miss Bennets is accustomed to what ‘proper’ means,” Caroline murmured while she poured herself a cup of tea.
Darcy observed that his sister was already distressed by a conversation that had become offensive towards her friend. Caroline’s manners were as unkind as ever, and he wondered how Bingley would manage to keep her under control once he brought his wife home.
“Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, when will you return to Town?” he asked.
“We are not certain,” Louisa answered. “We have not yet fixed our plans.”
“London was lively when we left. Most of the families of my acquaintance have already begun their preparations for the Season,” he continued.
“Quite. Would you mind my asking how it happened that you left London precisely when everybody else returned?” Caroline replied.
“We had long decided to move to Pemberley for a few months, and the Season is never an incentive for me to change my plans.”
“Yes, Darcy is rarely interested in the Season. And since I am to be married in two days, I will not be either,” Bingley said.
“But perhaps the future Mrs. Bingley will be.” Lady Hardwick smiled. “And you might enjoy showing off the exquisite beauty of your wife.”
Bingley’s eyes brightened. “Indeed, your ladyship gives me an excellent idea. I will ask Jane what her preference is.”
“You must consider you have to renew Jane’s entire wardrobe too. None of the Bennet sisters’ gowns looks appropriate for London,” Caroline murmured.
“I would gladly do that; in fact, I would gladly do anything for Jane,” Bingley declared, and Darcy smiled at his friend’s enthusiasm.
He intervened to provide help and support. “Besides, a woman as beautiful as Miss Jane Bennet does not need special gowns to draw people’s admiration.”
“True! I am glad you share my opinion, Darcy.”
“I have every reason to, Bingley. To her beauty, Miss Bennet also adds a gentle kindness and warm manners that are becoming in any accomplished young lady.”
“Yes, yes, Jane is a sweet girl, nobody denies that,” Caroline interjected once more.
“However, if we are to consider your own description, Mr. Darcy, you must admit that Eliza Bennet is deficient in all the virtues you just mentioned. Her features are far from perfect, her complexion tanned lately, and her manners are far from being described as gentle, kind, and warm.”
Darcy swallowed some brandy then replied with apparent composure. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet possesses unique attributes that enhance her charms and are rarely seen in other young ladies.”
Georgiana and Lady Hardwick smiled in approval, but Caroline seemed unable to abandon a fight that was clearly lost.
“And may I ask what attributes those might be, Mr. Darcy? Perhaps her sharp glances and impolite comments? Her ability to walk long distances?”
Darcy lost his patience, and his respect for his friend was insufficient to stop him from replying, “Yes, Miss Bingley, all those and many others but especially her fine eyes. Now that we have clarified this subject, I must beg you to excuse me; it is time to change for dinner. Georgiana, Lady Hardwick, may I show you to your rooms?”
An hour later, the three of them, together with Bingley, were in the carriage heading for Longbourn. It was still raining slightly, but the wind had stopped.
Darcy felt uncomfortable for allowing himself to be drawn into Caroline’s impertinent argument. It was like the previous year; her mischievousness towards Elizabeth had not diminished in the slightest.
He regretted that he had to be harsh to his friend’s sister, but he could not allow her to continue saying offensive things that might hurt his own. After all, it was not Georgiana’s fault that Caroline felt ridiculously jealous of Elizabeth and unreasonably angry with the entire Bennet family.
Bingley addressed the issue.
“I apologise for my sisters’ impoliteness. I am sorry they placed you in the middle of such uncomfortable arguments.”
“It is I who should apologise, Bingley. I am your guest, and I should not have quarrelled with your sister.”
Lady Hardwick intervened.
“Dear Bingley, there is no need for you to apologize to us, but you must do something with your sisters. Miss Bingley is especially rude every time she speaks of your future in-laws. And it is likely they will continue to behave the same when the new Mrs. Bingley comes to live in your house. You cannot allow it. You must realise that your future wife will have to adjust to a new life, new duties, and new expectations. She does not deserve to bear the distress of having her parents and sisters insulted by her new sisters-in-law.”
“I will not permit that! Nothing will upset Jane; of that, you must be certain.”
“I am glad to hear that, young man. And still —your sisters are staying in your house but refuse to visit your betrothed’s family or to have dinner with them.
Nor do they refrain from insulting the Bennets in every possible manner.
What will happen in two days at the wedding?
And how will you force them to change their behaviour? ”
Bingley’s discomfort was obvious; he looked from one to another, struggling for an answer.
“They are never offensive towards Jane. It seems Caroline is mostly turned against Miss Elizabeth. She is so unreasonable that I usually ignore her…”
“They might not be offensive towards Miss Bennet, but they are obviously patronising to her; I could easily observe that myself. Forgive me for insisting, but I do so for your own good. As their brother, you have affection and tolerance towards your sisters; it is only natural. But from now on, you must think with the perspective of a husband.”
Bingley’s uneasiness showed clearly on his face.
“Your ladyship’s advice is valued. I am grateful for it. I shall do that. I am happy you came to visit me, and I already regret that you have to leave so soon. You will be missed.”
Lardy Hardwick laughed. “My dear boy, in two days you will surely not think of anyone but your wife, and you will hardly miss anyone once you have her company.”
Bingley’s face coloured, and he laughed nervously.
“Yes, I imagine so… however, I shall miss your company. Darcy and Georgiana have been as close as my family in recent years. It will be hard not to see them for Lord knows how long.”