Chapter 15 #3
Mr Bennet nodded. “How thoughtful of you to take care of my daughters’ entertainment. To be honest, I hope they marry soon; then the daunting task of enjoying the Season will belong to their husbands.”
Elizabeth glared at her father in disbelief. He had never before mentioned their marriage prospects in public. Surely, this was not the time for him to find amusement in such a delicate subject. And yet, he appeared to continue to enjoy his meal with a barely concealed smile.
“Well, of course, every woman would like a husband who can afford to take her to Town for the Season. But it is not easily done, and sometimes not even the most accomplished ladies are fortunate enough to succeed in it,” Mrs Hurst said with superior understanding.
“It might be a matter of luck, or it might depend on the type of accomplishments the young ladies possess,” Mr Wilson added.
“I have noticed the tendency of many ladies to excel in ways that mean very little to the young man in want of a wife. I have observed quite a difference between the things young ladies and young gentlemen find appealing in each other.”
The colonel laughed, and Darcy’s lips narrowed into a little grin.
Miss Bingley looked displeased. “But sir, if I understand correctly, you spent the last five and twenty years abroad, mostly fighting in the war. I apologize for my presumption, but surely you cannot pretend to be aware of what most young women and young gentlemen of the ton find to be appealing accomplishments.”
“Your presumption is correct, Miss Bingley,” Mr Wilson continued with apparent amusement. “But are you aware of them? Shall we make a little test?”
“A test? What kind of test?”
“Well, shall we invite the young ladies at this table to write on a piece paper what they believe young men want most in a wife? Meanwhile, we could ask the gentlemen in attendance to do the same and then compare the results.”
Mr Wilson’s proposal dumbfounded the entire party. Some took it as a joke, others as an offence. Silence fell in the dining room for a few moments before Bingley suddenly answered joyfully.
“I think it is an excellent idea and a lovely game to play after dinner! Much more entertaining than cards! Let us do so!”
“Well, that can be called resolve, Mr Bingley! I congratulate you on such an obvious improvement in such a short time! That is proof of a man’s worthiness in my books.” Mr Wilson laughed, and Mr Bingley joined him, his face colouring from the praise and from Jane Bennet’s charming gaze.
“No lady or gentleman of good breeding and education would play such a game, especially at a party where they are barely acquainted,” Miss Bingley said sharply. “I am surprised that my brother seems to forget himself at times.”
“I apologize if my suggestion appalled or offended you, Miss Bingley. It was meant in jest; please be so kind as to ignore it. Take it as an improper joke from a man who is not accustomed to society,” Mr Wilson declared.
His words were humble and regretful, but his gaze and his countenance spoke otherwise. Elizabeth noticed and worried slightly. Again, their host’s intentions remained unclear to her, and she expected more distressing surprises, meant only to please himself.
And it did not last long as he continued. “On a different subject, may I ask how you would define ‘good breeding and education’? As with ‘accomplishments,’ these can also be relative terms. Would you not agree?”
Miss Bingley’s handsome face became severe and reproving. “What do you mean, sir? I cannot agree or disagree since I am lost as to what you imply.”
“Well, I was wondering: Is someone with the good fortune of being born into a family of wealth and connections considered to have good breeding and education under any circumstances—even if that person has no substance, honour, or willingness to be useful in the world? Is birth alone enough to consider one person superior to another? And if so, what of someone who makes his living in trade or any other honourable profession though his family is a modest one without connections or special background?”
Mr Wilson’s question fell upon the party, wrapping it in an awkward silence.
Mr Darcy cleared his throat and spoke calmly, his eyes mostly on his glass of wine.
“I believe one should not take credit for the happy accident of being born into a family of consequence. That might be a good start, but it should be followed by a good education to straighten his character and prepare him for his duties. Being born into an old, wealthy family is a fortunate event, but it does not guarantee happiness. And such luck always comes with heavy responsibility; it depends on whether the person in such a situation is willing to see it and hold himself accountable for it and for everyone under his care.”
Silence followed his words again until Colonel Fitzwilliam replied, “I fully agree with my cousin. Sadly, many of those who have the luck of an easy life choose to make it even easier by abandoning their duties in favour of shallow pleasures. And I admit that, while Darcy is an example of a man of consequence behaving well, there were times when I fell on the opposite side.”
“On this, I heartily disagree,” Darcy quickly intervened. “Nobody who happens to know you would deny your honourable and generous nature or your faultless character.”
“I tend to believe Mr Darcy is correct about this too,” Elizabeth said, smiling at the colonel and looking askance at his cousin.
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. Your support is needed and appreciated,” Darcy responded then spoke further.
“As for people who make their living in an honourable profession though born into poor families, they deserve even more credit and praise precisely because they are struggling to prove their worthiness and to improve their lives. I always believed that as my excellent father told me, but I was careless not to show it through my behaviour. On this, I accept the blame for acting selfishly, in manners if not in spirit.”
“Well, Mr Darcy, as we discussed with Mr Bingley a few days ago, the worth of a man is in his admittance of past errors and his amends to remedy them,” Mr Wilson concluded.
“Darcy is truly the best man I have ever known,” Bingley said. “I can blame him for nothing. I still cannot believe how fortunate I have been to gain his friendship.”
“That is because you are too generous and kind, Bingley,” Darcy interrupted his friend’s praise then quickly changed the subject. “Mrs Gardiner, do you plan to visit Derbyshire soon? I imagine you still have friends and relatives in Lambton you would like to see.”
“Yes, actually we do—in June if our plans do not change. I have invited Lizzy to join us. We plan to see the Lakes too.”
He briefly looked at Elizabeth. “How lovely. I am sure Miss Elizabeth will enjoy the Lakes very much. I hope she will have time to stop and visit our neighbourhood as well, if only briefly. I mean Lambton…and Pemberley.”
Elizabeth stared at him in disbelief.
“I shall join them too,” said Mr Wilson. “And I shall make sure we have plenty of time to admire Pemberley. It is the place in England I missed the most while I was away. From what I remember, there is no more beautiful park or more handsome manor, so perfectly situated beside its lake.”
“I remember the same although I never had the chance to see the house inside,” Mrs Gardiner added.
Darcy nodded. “Then let this be the opportunity, Mrs Gardiner. My sister and I shall be delighted to have you all. Perhaps Miss Bennet or Mr Bennet will decide to travel with you. We can fish, or ride, or walk in the park, and Pemberley has an extensive library for those who enjoy reading,” Darcy said with growing enthusiasm while Elizabeth’s heart pounded and her cheeks turned crimson.
On this, there could be no doubt: his generous invitation was issued mainly for her. He still wanted her in his home after her horrible mistreatment and inconsiderate accusations.
“Thank you, Mr Darcy; you are very kind, and I look forward to finally seeing Pemberley after everything I have heard about it,” Elizabeth whispered.
“Excellent,” he said hastily.
“We should be at Pemberley for the summer too. Am I right, Mr Darcy?” Miss Bingley inquired.
He barely took his eyes off Elizabeth. “Yes, of course. I invited Bingley and his family to spend the summer with us,” he explained.
“I might be tempted to come too,” Colonel Fitzwilliam confessed.
“Well, do not count on me yet,” Bingley suddenly declared. “I am not sure how I shall spend the summer. I have decided to open Netherfield, and there are several things I want to take care of. So my plans are not completely settled.”
Miss Bennet turned to him, holding her breath, her lips half parted in astonishment.
Miss Bingley dropped her fork, and Mrs Hurst choked on a piece of meat.
Mr Wilson called the footmen to serve the next course.
∞∞∞
Another three hours passed before the guests left. Their time was filled with music, card games, and talk of attendance at future meetings and common events.
Entertaining conversation was mostly carried on by Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, and the master of the house. Mr Bennet participated more than usual, Bingley’s sisters less than in the past.
Bingley and Jane remained close together the entire time.
He showed no restraint in his attempt to please her and gain absolution for abandoning her five months earlier.
And he was completely oblivious to the fact that no effort was needed as she had readily granted him her forgiveness and genuine affection the moment they met in Hyde Park.
Darcy and Elizabeth barely spoke, nor did they happen to be near one another again. But their gazes exchanged across the room, smiles of mutual understanding, and conversations that showed their common opinions on many subjects brought them together for the first time in their stormy acquaintance.