Chapter 2 #2
Bingley exited the stable quickly and walked down the lane toward the front door of Netherfield. He hoped the door was not yet locked for the night; if so, he would have to pound on the knocker. At any rate, it felt good to stretch his limbs after several hours of hard riding.
To his relief, the door was opened promptly by a footman, and a moment later, Darcy stepped into view. “Bingley! I did not expect you to arrive tonight!”
“I thought about waiting until the morning, but I was worried about Caroline. How is she?”
“She is well enough, though her ankle is probably broken.”
“I would like to hear all the details, but it can wait until tomorrow. I need to refresh myself.”
“I find myself quite awake, Bingley. I would be glad to wait in the library if you like.”
Bingley laughed and nodded. “I daresay you could spend the night in the library, even if it is not particularly well stocked. Yes, I would appreciate that. I will be as quick as I can be.”
***
The Library
Later
“Mr. Jones says that it is either broken or badly sprained, and that she will likely be seriously bruised on the morrow, but she should recover fully in time,” Darcy finished.
Bingley, who had been listening to his friend’s recitation of the day’s events with growing bewilderment, demanded, “I am glad of that, but Darcy, why were you and my sisters returning to Town? You said nothing when I left only yesterday morning about wishing to be in London!”
Darcy swallowed hard, and he looked almost nervous. A moment later, his countenance took on its accustomed expression of command, and he said, “We made the decision last night to return to Town.”
“Why?”
“Because we are worried about your attachment to Miss Jane Bennet.”
Bingley stared at him incredulously for a long moment and then demanded, “What?”
Darcy swallowed again, lifted his chin, and repeated, “We are worried about your attachment to Miss Bennet. Are you aware that the locals who constitute the gentry of this area believe that you will make her an offer of marriage?”
Bingley felt an odd desire to slink away to bed without answering, but he forced himself to say, “And would that be such a dreadful thing?”
Darcy regarded him with obvious concern. “So you are planning to make an offer to Miss Bennet?”
“Why should I not?” the younger man demanded defensively. “She is beautiful, charming, elegant, and quite the kindest woman I have ever met. I am in love with her.”
Darcy suppressed a moan of exasperation and said, “While I do not disagree about her many positive attributes, Miss Bennet’s connections are poor, given that her mother is the daughter of a solicitor. She is not the sort of bride for a man who wishes to improve his position in society.”
Bingley, to his amazement, felt a surge of genuine anger at these words.
“And what if I do not care about rising higher in society?” he demanded resentfully. “That is my sisters’ desire, certainly, but I am not ambitious like they are. Furthermore, I wish to marry a gentlewoman whom I genuinely admire and love and who loves me in return! Now despise me if you like!”
Darcy looked startled, and then his brow settled into creases of disapproval.
“Even if you do not concern yourself with Miss Bennet’s connections, what of her near family?
Her mother and three younger sisters, and occasionally even her father, behave with a total want of propriety.
Surely you do not want to marry a woman whose relations will doubtless bring shame upon the Bingley name? ”
Bingley stared at him in wonder and shook his head. “I did not realize how much you dislike the Bennets, Darcy.”
Darcy frowned uneasily and said, “I do not dislike all of them…”
“So you approve of Miss Bennet, but loathe the rest of the family?”
Now his friend looked decidedly uncomfortable. “I find Miss Elizabeth Bennet a thoroughly charming woman, along with being very intelligent.”
“But not handsome enough to tempt you,” Bingley said drily. “Well, with all due respect, my old friend, I am not inclined to trust your assessment of the Bennets, given that you formed a profound dislike of the family within minutes of meeting them.”
“Not handsome enough…?” Darcy repeated in a puzzled tone.
“That is what you said about Miss Elizabeth at the ball in Meryton, where we first met the Bennets. Do you not remember? I suggested that you dance with her, and you said ‘She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me, and I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.’”
To Bingley’s surprise and satisfaction, Darcy rocked back on his heels. “Did I truly say that?”
“Of course you did!” Bingley said, exasperated. “And very rude it was, too, especially in the lady’s hearing!”
Now Darcy looked ill. “You believe she heard me?”
Bingley cast his eyes heavenward and said, “Of course she did! You were nearby, and your voice carries. I think it should be obvious she dislikes you as much as you despise her, given that she argues with you almost every time you are in company.”
Darcy now looked absolutely dumbfounded. “I … I…”
“Darcy,” Bingley interrupted, suddenly filled with determination, “I appreciate your friendship and your perspective, and I will contemplate your warnings, but I am my own man. I will marry Miss Bennet if I wish. Now I am exhausted, and doubtless tomorrow will be tiring as well. I am off to seek my bed.”
Darcy shook his head and said feebly, “But do you not think that you ought to return to Town while you consider your future path? I fear that Miss Bennet’s presence will prove a great temptation…”
“Let us speak tomorrow,” Bingley interrupted again, and then added, “I forgot to tell you that I am most grateful for your assistance today. I know that Louisa is no good in a crisis, and I daresay Caroline was very upset.”
“It was my honor,” Darcy replied in a distracted tone.