Chapter Thirty-five
Charles Bingley was not a happy man. All his plans were going awry.
Even back at Cambridge he had a plan. Fitzwilliam Darcy would be his key to the ton.
Darcy would marry Caro. Bingley would marry an earl’s daughter or granddaughter, or maybe even Georgiana Darcy when she was old enough.
Their mother had nearly forced Louisa to marry Hurst. She held out for months but finally capitulated.
And here he was, finally leasing an estate so he could climb one wrung higher towards being a gentleman, and no one was paying him a bit of attention.
He was so tired of playing the affable puppy!
His mother always said, ‘Who does not love a puppy? You must play a role, Charles. Everyone must love you. Make people forget you are a tradesman’s son.
Do not let them know you are using them.
’ He began playing his role at Eton, and by the time he entered Cambridge, it was easy.
Smile all the time. Make others feel like they were doing him a good turn.
Bolster their self-importance. Never ask for anything but act ever so grateful for any condescension. Fools.
Miss Jane Bennet was exactly his type. He would have enjoyed flirting with her while they were in the country, but she paid him no mind at all!
Caro was not playing her part. He had served up a viscount and one of the richest and most sought-after men in England on a silver platter, and she paid more attention to the American chit than either of them!
That was a sort of in with the Darcy’s, so it was not a complete loss, but what had happened to her?
! Then there was the viscount, he had looked forward to getting him into his cups and fleecing him at cards.
There wasn’t even a brothel in this good for nothing village!
He had to keep up appearances, so he could not importune a maid or seduce the pretty baker’s daughter.
In town he could do as he pleased if he was discrete.
Lease or not, he would return to London after the ball.
Maybe he would just leave his family there for a while.
Say business kept him from returning for the weddings.
The Bennet’s and Lucas’s were of no consequence.
Maybe it was time for a new plan. Elizabeth Darcy was said to be quite rich.
Maybe he could compromise her. Once they married, he would be her master and must do what he said.
Being a Darcy cousin, Fitzwilliam would make sure she was accepted by the ton, and obviously himself!
Or, then there was Georgiana. She was a bit young for his taste, and Darcy would not continence him courting her before her come out…
but an accidental compromise? They would have to marry to save her reputation.
Was she going to be allowed to dance at the ball?
He was Fitzwilliam Darcy’s best friend. He would surely be allowed to dance with her.
Bingley had much thinking and planning to do.
~~~~~
As large as John Smith was, he could make himself very still and mostly disregarded in many cases.
That morning, he had gone for a walk in the garden quite early.
It had been a very cold night, and there was frost covering everything.
One of his favorite types of mornings. Crisp and still and sparkling when the sun rose.
He’d been quite chilled when he came back in, and there was a lovely fire in the sitting room next to the breakfast room.
Pulling a wingback chair close to the fire, he was surprisingly camouflaged by the deep green fabric.
Bingley didn’t even realize he was there when he entered and started to pace and mutter.
John was getting ready to greet him when this was heard…
“What is she thinking! I served them both up on a platter for her, and she hasn’t compromised either!”
John froze.
Pace, pace, pace. “Stupid Rosemont pretending to not drink and gamble.”
Pace, pace, pace. “Not even a brothel in this stupid place.”
Pace, pace, turn, pace, pace. “I’m so sick of playing the puppy! I need to go back to town.”
Stomp, kick, pace, pace. “She’s rich. Compromise her and she’ll have to marry me.”
What had he just heard?! John knew he had been distracted almost since they returned to Hertfordshire, but he could generally tell when someone was false.
How had he missed it in Bingley? He had been under Charlotte’s spell, of course.
Now that he heard what he did, what to do?
Confront Bingley now? Warn people? He would talk to Beth and Mamie, naturally.
William Darcy had become his friend. The Colonel would be arriving tomorrow.
Which lady was he thinking of compromising?
Bingley stomped out of the room. So, he would not confront him now, but he would go speak to Beth and Mamie immediately.
John went up and knocked on Beth’s sitting room door just as Mamie was leaving her room. She joined him with a look of concern. When Beth finally answered the door, she invited them both in quietly. It did not take long to tell them what he had heard.
“I had wondered. Caro told me about how their mother had raised them to be social climbers. Bingley’s eyes often don’t match his ebullience.
I imagine he plans to try and compromise either me or Gigi.
He could rip my dress in two and jump on top of me in the town square and I would not marry him, so we need to guard Gigi.
It would be good to catch him in the act.
I wonder if Will would even believe us. They’ve been friends for years. ” Beth shook her head.
Mamie stood by the fire with her back to them. “William seems to be a very loyal type of man. He has known us for months, and the Bingley’s for many years, as you say. He would be torn, I think. I am not sure he would want to believe us.”
“Now that we know, he can be watched more closely. I will tell Charlotte.”
“Beth, you tell Lizzy, and I will talk to Thomas. I think it will be best to catch him in the act. Maybe the Colonel too? He is Gigi’s other guardian. Even if William has split loyalties, the colonel should not.”
All three nodded to each other and went down to breakfast. The next three days would be tense.
~~~~~
“Colonel Fitzwilliam! Welcome to Netherfield! We are honored to have you here!”
Richard had left London at dawn. He was cold, and stiff, and hungry.
Bingley had entirely ignored Ratcliff, even though he had met his batman several times.
He tried to ignore that they were both tradesmen’s sons, and treated John like a lowly servant.
Technically, a batman was a servant, but they were so much more, and John was his friend.
“Yes, nice to be here Bingley, thank you for inviting us. It was quite a cold ride, so might you show Ratcliff and I to our rooms? Are we too late for breakfast?”
“Um…Nichols can show your batman to his quarters. I will show you to your room.”
“I believe I wrote that I prefer Ratcliff to be in an adjoining room. Did Miss Bingley ignore my request?”
Caroline heard the last as she entered the vestibule.
“Of course not, Colonel! I gave you a suite with an adjoining sitting room. Let me take you up now. There will be fresh breakfast items on the sideboard after you have freshened yourselves. Welcome Seargent Ratcliff. It is good to see you again.”
Bingley was fuming but plastered on his most obsequious smile. “Ah! I should have known Caroline had everything in hand. See you at breakfast!”
John Smith just happened to be walking down the hallway when Richard was being shown his room. “Ah, Smith! Do come in and catch me up while I wash the road dust off.”
John did exactly that.
“I never did like that puppy! Thought he was a bootlicker from the very first, but Darcy could never see it. Can you tell who he plans to compromise? Miss Bingley seems different.”
“Beth took Miss Bingley in hand the first week. Bingley has been cozying up to both Miss Darcy and Beth the past few days. At least he stopped flirting with Miss Bennet.”
“Theo was hit by cupid’s arrow in Ramsgate. It’s a good thing Bingley left the field for that one. I will ask you honestly, John, is Miss Bennet a fortune hunter or social climber? Does she prefer my brother over Bingley for that?”
“Miss Bennet appears to be as enamored with your brother as he is with her. No one else exists once they catch each other’s eyes. I know the feeling.”
“Ah! So, cupid has found you also? Is there something in the water here? Love potions in the wine?”
“Not that I know of. I was as surprised as anyone. You will meet my betrothed at the ball.”
“Engaged?! Not just courting? You move fast, my friend. It seems I will be the one keeping my eye out. Has my cousin fallen also?”
“Ha! Maybe there is something in the water! He is courting Miss Elizabeth Bennet…not officially…but everyone knows.”
Richard was stunned. He had never known his cousin to even flirt with a woman. “Thank you for warning me. I suppose I am not surprised. She is pretty and witty. Any other shocking tidbits before we go down? I’m famished.”
“Not really. Your ward has continued her close friendship with the younger Bennet girls. The Hursts have been keeping to themselves. Mrs. Russell and Mr. Bennet are engaged also.”
“I noticed they eyed each other a great deal in the short time I was in Ramsgate. At least that does not surprise me. I’m glad Gigi has friends. I had hoped it was not just a summer friendship. She needs girls she can trust.”
Ratcliff had finished unpacking their things, and all three men were ready to go down for a family meal.