Chapter Two
“It is often only carelessness of opinion.”
AS CUSTOMARY, DARCY ROSE BEFORE THE BINGLEY HOUSEHOLD.
Sitting alone in Netherfield’s breakfast room was becoming a habit.
Holding the coffee cup to his lips, he permitted his distaste for the previous evening’s entertainment to play through his mind.
He had never seen such gaucheness—from the supercilious Sir William to the many women of little intelligence, few true manners, and disagreeable temperaments.
A shudder of disgust briefly racked his body before an enigmatic smile and an arched eyebrow played fleetingly across his memory.
Disturbed by the vision but not knowing the reason, he rose and strode towards the stables.
He should wait on Bingley, but at the moment, Darcy sought freedom from the uncertainty that plagued him of late.
Cerberus, thankfully, stood ready, and without realizing what he did, he turned the horse towards the same hill from which he saw the flash of color along the road several days prior.
Energies depleted and his mind clearer, or so he thought, upon his return, Darcy found the Bingleys still leisurely lounging in the morning room. He spoke to his hostess, “Miss Bingley, your refinement and charity were never so appreciated as they were yesterday evening.”
Bingley added, “Yes, my dear, you and Louisa were much admired. I received so many compliments on your behalf.”
Darcy knew Miss Bingley despised last evening, for she had confided as much several times during the assembly, yet, she said, “You honor me. I pray my contribution to the evening solidified your presence in the community, Charles.”
Claiming a plate for nourishment, Darcy said, “When you have finished breaking your fast, Bingley, we should continue our review of the Netherfield books and accounts.” Though he knew such aspects of land ownership was not Bingley’s preference, Darcy thoroughly enjoyed these hours of withdrawal.
What transpired behind the study door remained within his control.
It held no double-edged expressions to dance around and no enigmatic smile hauntingly resurfacing in his memory.
Unfortunately, the favorite tirade of late from Bingley’s sisters regarding their lack of fine company resurfaced at supper. Miserable, Bingley suffered greatly, but even Darcy felt far from agreeable. He sat with a pronounced grimace.
Bingley insisted, “I never met pleasanter people. Everyone offered their attentions and their kind regards. I was pleased to make the acquaintance of many of my new neighbors.”
Initially, Darcy attempted to intervene by reminding the Bingley sisters that their father had always wanted Charles to join the landed gentry.
“Such is why the elder Mr. Bingley sent his son to Cambridge and you to a fashionable girls’ school.
The late Mr. Bingley wished his family to benefit from his labors, and Hertfordshire is much closer to London than your late father’s let property in the north, making it easier for Bingley to live both the life of the gentry and tend his business interests.
You should be pleased, Miss Bingley, that Bingley attempts to honor his father’s wishes, as I do mine.
” Darcy knew Miss Bingley thought Pemberley one of Darcy’s finer assets. “It is an important step he has taken.”
Unfortunately, Miss Bingley was not willing to abandon her arguments so easily. “Charles, you lack judiciousness,” Miss Bingley intoned. “By your judgment, the women were pretty. Yet, they lacked conversation and fashion.”
Bingley, at least, allowed that censure could not be addressed to Miss Bennet. “What say you of the lady, Darcy?”
“She smiles too much,” he replied before he realized what he had said. Darcy was attempting to block out all of the bickering by reading the newsprints.
“Smiles too much!” Bingley nearly came out of his chair in disbelief. “I can think of no one of my acquaintance who is more beautiful.”
“Then you will not be pleased with my opinions,” he warned his friend.
“Though it is true for most village assemblies, at least, in my opinion, I observed a collection of people with no manners and little beauty. Such does not mean I believe you should up and leave Netherfield. I take no interest or pleasure at the prospect of renewing their attentions, but, then again, you know me to be less than sociable in such matters, even in a crowded London ballroom.” Yet, as soon as he said it, Darcy felt an unexplained twinge of betrayal that remained throughout the evening.
Unfortunately, he did not think it was Bingley that he had betrayed.
Mrs. Hurst evidently took pity on her brother. “I will allow that Miss Bennet is a sweet girl, and I wish to know her better.” Begrudgingly, Miss Bingley followed suit.
Over a fortnight Bingley continued to prefer the company of Miss Bennet to all others in Hertfordshire.
Darcy had often observed his young friend fall in and out of romantic relationships, but he could never recall Bingley more besotted.
His friend danced two sets with Miss Bennet at Meryton, saw her one morning at his house, and dined in company with her four times.
Unfortunately, as Bingley appeared about to give his heart to a woman clearly below him, perhaps not in merit owing to being born to the gentry, but, assuredly below Bingley in proper decorum, Darcy discovered to his horror his own tendencies in that vein becoming more distinct.
Every time Bingley found Miss Bennet’s company, his friend had placed Darcy in Miss Elizabeth’s presence.
Each time as he swore he would ignore the woman, he discovered himself more enticed by her.
Unconsciously, he placed himself where he could observe her, where he could listen to her conversation, and where he could interact with her.
Although he rarely spoke to strangers, Darcy planned ways to speak to Miss Elizabeth.
When they did converse, however briefly, verbal swordplay occurred.
He knew she desired an apology for his behavior at the assembly.
Darcy also assumed Miss Elizabeth recognized he had a right to such behavior.
His distinct station in life afforded him an air of superiority.
He assumed she flirted with him through the verbal assaults, and, like it or not, and Darcy did not like it, they worked remarkably well.
As Bingley and Darcy discovered themselves distracted by the Bennet ladies, Miss Bingley’s acute awareness of the changes in her brother and Darcy increased her fervent rebukes, especially those directed towards the second Bennet daughter.
Miss Bingley congratulated herself when Darcy openly expurgated Elizabeth Bennet’s failings.
He made observations about the lady’s not having an appealing countenance; he noted with a critical eye that her figure lacked any point of symmetry; and he asserted that Miss Elizabeth’s manners showed no knowledge of fashionable acceptance.
Yet, as he had publicly castigated Miss Elizabeth’s virtues, privately, he found her face possessing a soul of its own as her dark green eyes danced with life; he recognized her figure to be light and pleasing; and he found her manners to possess a relaxed playfulness.
Each realization tormented him. As Darcy’s estimation of Elizabeth Bennet made a transition, so did his appraisal of Miss Bingley.
Uncharacteristically, he said so to his sister in a letter dispatched shortly after the assembly.
20 October
Dearest Georgiana,
Your letter of the 2nd brought me such delight; I would confess to having reread it daily of late as a way of keeping you lovingly in my heart.
Bingley’s estate possesses plausible attributes.
Miss Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst number among our party, and we suffer from varying degrees of country society.
Duties of this nature, as you know, pain me, but I consent on Bingley’s behalf.
We first undertook a local assembly. Having experienced such behavior on prior occasions when duty called me to Lambton, I found very little pleasing among those at the assembly.
Detesting dancing with strangers only added to my discomfort.
However, not wishing to discredit Bingley, I maintained my station with abridgment.
I wish I could recall as much for Miss Bingley and her sister.
I would hesitate to criticize one of Miss Bingley’s standing; yet, I found her behavior not complementary to her brother’s desire.
He executes these stratagems to advance Miss Bingley’s status; yet, she repays him most unceremoniously.
Bingley’s sisters did not please anyone but themselves.
The neighborhood, which lacks sophistication, should not have been disposed to approve of their behavior.
The Bingley sisters are fine ladies when they choose to be, but they allow their opinions to border on pride and conceit.
Both Caroline and Louisa are rather handsome and each received private seminary educations.
They associate with fine society and have a right to consider themselves privileged, but they should consider how meanly they treat others.
Their pride is a common failing and is, unfortunately, found in all circles. We all, I believe, display pride in some real or imaginary quality with some people cherishing these feelings of self-complacency.
Perhaps what the Bingley sisters display is vanity, but I argue vanity and pride differ. A person may be proud without being vain. Opinions of ourselves define our pride; what we have others think of us is our vanity.
Thankfully, our family has the benefit of generations of knowing what Society expects of us. With Mrs. Annesley to guide you, I fear no such behavior from you. With impatience, I am anticipating your concert for my benefit. I am confident the experience will be one I will cherish forever.