7. Chapter 7 #2
After spending half an hour in the garden, they returned to the house. Darcy and Bingley expressed their desire to join Mr. Bennet, so the ladies showed them to his bookroom. Miss Elizabeth knocked on the door, then opened it at her father’s invitation.
Mr. Bennet looked up from the book he was reading as the gentlemen entered the room.
“Gentlemen, come in! Please make yourselves comfortable.”
“Do you need anything, Papa?” Miss Elizabeth asked.
“No, thank you, Lizzy.”
Darcy watched as Miss Elizabeth left the room, closing the door behind her. He and Bingley then sat down in the chairs in front of Mr. Bennet’s desk.
“Can I get you gentlemen a drink?” Mr. Bennet asked.
They each accepted a glass of port and took a sip.
“I say—” Bingley began.
“This is very fine port,” Darcy said, breathing in the notes of fruit, clove, and vanilla from his glass.
“Indeed, it is!” Bingley said.
Mr. Bennet grinned. “Yes, my brother Gardiner is able to get his hands on some exceptional vintage. He keeps me in good supply.”
“Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth mentioned they will be going to stay a couple of months with the Gardiners,” Bingley said.
“Yes, and I just received a letter from my sister-in-law requesting Mary be allowed to come with them on this visit,” he said, sitting back in his chair with a sigh, “which means I will be losing my most sensible daughters to London for at least two months. I will miss them a great deal, especially my Lizzy.”
“Is that so?” Bingley asked with a grin.
“It is. A father should not have a favorite, but I do. I raised Lizzy like the son I never had.”
“In what way?” Darcy asked, curious.
“From a very young age, it was clear to me that Lizzy had a love of reading and a voracious appetite for learning. So, I fed it. I taught her Italian and Latin. She also managed to learn a little bit of Greek on her own. She was allowed full access to all of my books—well, with a few exceptions, of course. I would give her reading assignments and quiz her, debate her. I even taught her estate management. Lizzy can run Longbourn on her own easily,” Mr. Bennet said proudly.
“That is most impressive!” Bingley said.
“It is indeed,” Darcy agreed.
“I taught her to play chess as well,” Mr. Bennet said, smiling.
“Truly?” Darcy asked. He could not help grinning at this news.
“Truly. She is a formidable opponent.”
Still grinning, Darcy shook his head. “I do not doubt it.”
They spoke on various other topics until time for dinner.
“Gentlemen, let us go take our seats at the table. There is no need to stand on ceremony here,” Mr. Bennet said.
Ten minutes later, they were discussing crop rotation when the ladies entered. The gentlemen stood, and the ladies found their seats. Darcy looked at his sister, and she beamed at him. He gave her a smile in return.
When Mrs. Bennet took her place at the table, she turned to Bingley. "I hope you are enjoying Netherfield Park. It is such a pretty property!"
"Indeed, it is! It has quite surpassed my expectations!" Bingley said cheerfully.
"How wonderful!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. "I think you shall never wish to leave now that you are settled here! And such a comfortable distance from Longbourn. I would so love to have my Jane settled close by!"
Miss Bennet looked mortified at her mother's words, and Darcy could see that Bingley was having trouble figuring out where to put his eyes.
Understandably, he could not look at Miss Bennet nor Mr. Bennet at present.
Darcy knew Bingley did not want to give her mother the impression he was confirming her presumptuous words, so he certainly would not look at her.
Fortunately, Miss Elizabeth rescued the awkward moment.
"Mr. Bingley, do you expect your sisters to come stay with you?" she asked.
Bingley looked at her gratefully. "I do not expect them anytime soon, but I doubt they will stay away for very long. My brother-in-law is fond of sport."
"Jane would be delighted to introduce your sisters to the ladies of the neighborhood! Is that not so, Jane?" Mrs. Bennet said. "She will make an excellent mistress one day! Why, I just said to Mrs. Long yesterday that—"
"Thank you, my dear," Mr. Bennet said, interrupting her. "I believe we all gather the point."
Mrs. Bennet looked disappointed to not be allowed further recitation of her eldest daughter's talents, but she did desist. Dinner went well, and thankfully, there were no more insinuations or inappropriate assumptions made for the rest of the evening.
Mr. Bennet chose not to separate from the ladies.
This was just as well, since Bingley and Darcy had a private word earlier and agreed they would not stay long after dinner.
So, after a cup of tea and a bit more conversation, Bingley announced that he and his guests would take their leave.
Everyone stood and said their goodbyes. Soon, they were on their way back to Netherfield Park.
Darcy watched as Bingley stared at a fixed point on the desk.
“Darcy, I want your opinion on something,” he said, still concentrating on the desk.
“Of course.” Darcy looked at Bingley, waiting for him to elaborate.
“I noticed a difference in Miss Bennet today.”
“A difference?” Darcy asked.
Bingley nodded. “She seemed different in the way she interacted with me. She was friendly as usual, but it was as if she were holding a part of herself back. I have not felt this from her before. Do you think I have offended her?”
Darcy considered the question for a moment.
“No, Bingley, I do not think you have offended her. If I were to guess, I would say she has recognized you have pulled back in your attentions towards her, and so she has done the same, which is the dignified thing to do. It would also explain how things played out in the garden today.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, think about it. We were alone with the ladies in the perfect setting to pair off, but they did not even attempt it. Not when we were walking nor when Miss Bennet invited us all to sit and talk.”
“You are right. They did not attempt it. I confess, I was planning an attempt to pair off, but there was no opportunity. They never left each other’s side the entire time.”
“No, they did not. You have to admire the fact that she has read your intentions and acted accordingly. You know as well as I not every young woman would do so, especially when it is clear that her mother wishes for a match between you.” Darcy paused, his eyes narrowed in thought.
“Come to think of it, this also explains why Miss Elizabeth suddenly announced that everyone would join you two in the parlor. She was coming to her sister’s aid in the face of her mother’s obvious machinations. ”
Bingley shook his head, puffed his cheeks, and blew the air out.
They were silent for a moment, then Bingley asked, “Did you know they were going to London?”
“I did. Miss Elizabeth had mentioned it to Georgiana. However, I was not sure when they were to leave or for how long."
“So, this is not a sudden trip?”
“No,” Darcy said, shaking his head. “Do not worry that she is fleeing the country to escape you. I believe the only new piece to it is that Miss Mary is to accompany them on the visit. They have had this trip planned for some time,” Darcy assured him.
“Good. I am relieved to know that is the situation,” Bingley said.
Darcy had to admit he would be sorry to see them leave the area.
It was obvious from Bingley's reaction in the garden earlier that he felt the same way.
After the ladies' departure, Darcy and Georgiana would remain in Hertfordshire for almost two weeks.
No doubt, the ladies' absence would be keenly felt.
Of course, Miss Elizabeth would not return the sentiment, at least not in his case.
By visiting Longbourn today, Darcy was able to confirm his suspicions—she did not like him at all, and he had no idea why.