Chapter 9 #2
Darcy reached for her hand and held it a moment. “Then I shall look forward to seeing you again.”
He released her, mounted his horse, and rode off toward Netherfield.
Elizabeth remained where she was, watching until he disappeared from view.
***
Miss Bingley surveyed the dinner table with considerable satisfaction.
Mr. Darcy would be seated beside her, as was proper, and Miss Elizabeth Bennet would be placed farther down the table beside Mr. Collins.
Her maid had repeated a rumour that Mr. Collins intended to propose. Good. He might begin tonight.
Charles would be safely removed from Miss Bennet; she had placed her four seats from him. Poor Charles must endure Mrs. Bennet at his side. Perhaps that would cure him of any inclination toward such a connection. Yes, this evening promised to be most satisfactory.
Miss Bingley entered the drawing room. Charles and the Hursts were already seated. She took her place upon the sofa.
“Where is Mr. Darcy? Or does he intend to avoid the Bennets this evening?”
“Not at all. I am very much looking forward to it.”
Darcy entered as he spoke and took a chair at some distance from Miss Bingley.
Charles glanced toward his sister. “You will be polite to the Bennets.”
“Of course, Charles. I am always polite.”
Charles did not appear persuaded, though he said nothing.
Voices sounded in the hall, and the butler appeared in the doorway.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Miss Mary Bennet, and Mr. Collins.”
Bingley and Darcy rose as the Bennets entered.
Bingley stepped forward with easy warmth. “Welcome. I am delighted you could join us. Pray make yourselves comfortable.”
As the company settled, Miss Bingley observed that Darcy waited until Miss Elizabeth had taken her seat before crossing to her.
“Miss Elizabeth, it is a pleasure to see you this evening.”
Bingley soon joined Miss Bennet upon a nearby chair, and they fell into quiet conversation.
Mr. Collins placed himself beside Miss Bingley upon the sofa.
“This room reminds me strongly of one at Rosings Park, the seat of my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”
Miss Bingley did not immediately reply. She sat with a fixed expression, her composure just maintained.
The butler appeared once more and inclined his head.
“Ah,” she said, rising quickly, “dinner is served.” She crossed at once to Darcy and took his arm, leading the way into the dining room.
Bingley offered his arm to Mrs. Bennet and escorted her in, while Jane followed. The rest of the party proceeded after them.
Miss Elizabeth took her seat between Mrs. Hurst and Mr. Collins.
Darcy took his place between Miss Bingley and Miss Mary. He nodded to Miss Mary and started a conversation with her.
Bingley sat at the opposite end of the table from his sister, between Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Hurst. Miss Bennet was seated at the greatest possible distance. He appeared to resign himself to it, then turned to Mrs. Bennet and engaged her in cheerful conversation.
The first course was served.
Mr. Collins, much gratified by his situation, began at once to detail the many improvements Lady Catherine de Bourgh had recommended for the parsonage.
Darcy and Miss Mary started a discussion about Shakespeare’s comedies.
She turned slightly toward him. “I have always thought Much Ado About Nothing among the most instructive of his plays. It shows how easily a lady’s reputation may be damaged, and how necessary it is that truth be firmly established.”
Darcy inclined his head. “You refer to the treatment of Hero?”
“Yes. The readiness with which others believed the accusation is rather sobering.”
Darcy considered this. “Indeed. It is a reminder how fragile reputation may be when judgment is guided by appearance rather than careful inquiry.”
Miss Mary looked pleased. “I am glad you see it so, Mr. Darcy.”
Miss Elizabeth, seated beside Mr. Collins, was obliged to listen as he expounded upon his most recent visit to Rosings.
Miss Bingley took a bite of her potatoes. They might as well have been stones. Nothing was proceeding as she had arranged.
Mr. Darcy had spent much of the dinner in conversation with Miss Mary rather than attending to her.
Miss Bennet appeared entirely content as though she had no notion how misplaced such ease must be, engaged in discussion with Mr. Bennet on ancient Rome.
Even Miss Elizabeth seemed composed, despite Mr. Collins’s unceasing discourse on his patroness.
Miss Bingley turned to Darcy with a bright smile. “Did you attend the Hendersons’ ball at the end of the season? I understand it was quite a crowded affair.”
“I did not attend,” Darcy replied briefly. He then returned his attention to Miss Mary, inquiring further into her opinion of Hero’s reputation.
Miss Bingley pressed her fork into another potato, then set it down again.
At last, the final course was removed and dessert concluded. Miss Bingley rose. “Perhaps the ladies will withdraw to the drawing room.”
***
When the gentlemen entered the drawing room, Miss Bingley was seated at the pianoforte, speaking in low tones to her sister.
Bingley went at once to Miss Bennet and took a seat beside her. Darcy moved toward Elizabeth, but before he could reach her, Miss Bingley called out, “Mr. Darcy, will you turn pages for me?”
Darcy paused and glanced toward Miss Elizabeth before inclining his head. “Certainly.” He took his place beside Miss Bingley.
With evident satisfaction, she began to play.
Mr. Collins approached Miss Elizabeth and looked about for a seat near her. Finding none, he placed himself opposite and resumed his discourse on the many improvements recommended for his parsonage.
When Miss Bingley finished, the company offered polite applause.
Miss Mary stepped forward. “I should be happy to turn pages for you.” She gave Mr. Darcy a small, composed smile and took his place.
Darcy rose at once and crossed to Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, would you care to sit nearer the fire?” He offered his arm.
She accepted. “That would be most welcome. Thank you.”
They moved to two chairs near the hearth and sat together.
“This is the first opportunity I have had to speak with you all evening,” he said.
Elizabeth smiled. “I believe that was by design.” She glanced toward the pianoforte, where Miss Bingley had begun another piece, her expression less composed than it had been.
Darcy kept his attention fixed upon Elizabeth. “She overheard our plans for tomorrow and means to join us.”
Miss Bingley finished and rose, crossing directly toward them. Mary began a cheerful air at the pianoforte.
“Miss Eliza,” she said, “I understand congratulations are in order.”
“I am afraid I do not understand your meaning.”
“There is no need for coyness. I refer, of course, to your engagement to Mr. Collins.”
“I believe you are mistaken. There is no such engagement.”
“That is not what I have heard.”
Elizabeth gave a small shrug. “I cannot answer for what you may have heard. I can only assure you there is no engagement between us. Though…” she added lightly, “if you are interested in Mr. Collins, I should be happy to recommend you.”
Miss Bingley drew herself up. “Do not be absurd. I have no interest in Mr. Collins.”
“My apologies. I could not otherwise account for your concern.”
Miss Bingley made no reply and withdrew to her sister, her composure strained.
Darcy gave a quiet laugh. “That was very well managed.”
Elizabeth raised a brow. “I thought it merely practical.”
“Practical, perhaps, but executed with admirable restraint. Many would have shown less composure.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. “You credit me too highly.”
Darcy did not immediately respond. Instead, he leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice so that only she might hear.
Elizabeth felt the shift at once and turned toward him.
Across the room, Miss Bingley glanced toward them once more. Her smile grew slightly strained as she watched Mr. Darcy.