Chapter 2
When the admiral’s carriage arrived at Netherfield, it sent the entire household into chaos.
They did expect the important visit, as it had been announced by an express.
Everything was already prepared, but the anticipation still overwhelmed them all, besides Darcy, whose eagerness was moderate as usual.
But the carriage arrived empty, except for the servants, and the gentleman was delayed further. Worry enveloped them, with speculations and concerns growing with every passing moment.
Eventually, Darcy and Bingley asked for their horses and decided to go in search of him. There was no time for such an endeavour though, as the man himself was soon seen approaching on foot, with his horse following behind.
The first thing Admiral Howard did was to take care of his horse. He made straight for the stables and, together with a couple of servants and assisted by Darcy and Bingley, made sure the horse’s wound was looked at and was reassured that rest and good food would heal it soon.
Only afterwards did he greet Bingley and Darcy properly and enter the house. The Hursts and Miss Bingley received him ceremoniously. He replied in the same manner, then asked to be directed to his room and returned only later, for dinner.
The admiral’s presence made Miss Caroline Bingley and her sister, Mrs Louisa Hurst, even more conscious of their importance and made them consider once again how superior they were to the people of Hertfordshire.
“Upon my word, just imagine what a disaster it would have been if Admiral Howard had arrived while Jane and Elizabeth Bennet were still here,” Miss Bingley declared.
“Why is that, Caroline? Why would it have been a disaster? Both Miss Bennets are exceedingly pleasant company,” Bingley interjected.
“Brother, please be reasonable! Try to see beyond your first glance! As charming as Jane might be, her family is terrible, and you cannot expose the admiral to such a grotesque spectacle,” Mrs Hurst said.
“Quite,” Miss Bingley added, “and—”
“As little as I approve of the Bennets, surely the admiral has met much worse in his military life,” Darcy interrupted her. “And I agree with Bingley that the eldest daughters are pleasant company under any circumstances.”
Miss Bingley rolled her eyes. “It surprises and pains me to see that you have become as blind as my brother to the Bennets’ flaws, Mr Darcy.”
“It gives me no pleasure to mention that not everyone who thinks differently from you is blind, Miss Bingley. But I am afraid I must do so.”
Darcy’s severe reply offended and silenced Miss Bingley for a long while, and she spoke no further until she had finished a full cup of tea. For the rest of the afternoon, the ladies amused themselves, while the three gentlemen shared drinks in the library.
The admiral joined them only before dinner, and his presence seemed to impress and intimidate his hosts as well as the servants.
The table was exquisitely arranged, with dishes worthy of any fashionable party in London.
“Thank you for receiving me,” the admiral said from the place of honour to the right of Miss Bingley. “I hope my visit did not interrupt your plans. I loathe intruding on people.”
“Not at all! Quite the contrary!” Bingley answered enthusiastically. “We were thrilled to find that you would pass through Hertfordshire, and we prayed that you would stay with us for a few days. I hope you approve of Netherfield. Darcy advised me to choose it.”
“I have had no time to see much of it yet, but if Darcy thought it was suitable for you, I am sure he knows best,” he said with mock seriousness.
“However, I heartily approve of your neighbours already. I had the pleasure of meeting a young lady — exceedingly charming and witty — who kindly helped me find my way through the woods and even accompanied me for a while. Without her, I would likely still be wandering the lanes, searching for your house.”
Darcy sipped some wine, struggling not to ask more about the unnamed lady. But Bingley did so, clearly very much intrigued.
“A young lady?”
“Yes. She spoke very highly of you, Bingley. She said you were a friend of her family, and she trusted me for merely being acquainted with you. That is quite a compliment.” Bingley still looked puzzled.
Darcy put his glass on the table and said in a voice that he hoped sounded composed, “It must have been Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I know she enjoys solitary walks and is quite familiar with the area.”
“Precisely,” the admiral confirmed. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet. A charming young lady, and very handsome, I might add.”
“Yes, indeed,” Bingley approved. “Miss Elizabeth is very bright. And very amiable. She is Miss Jane Bennet’s sister. How fortunate that you have met her!”
“Oh, please, Admiral! Surely you would not wish to see a lady of your family walking alone in the woods, through the mud, all by herself. That is hardly proof of intelligence or good breeding, or even decent manners,” Miss Bingley said with a frown.
“Most likely, I would not approve of such a habit, and I told Miss Bennet as much. I am opposed to any activity that might put young ladies in any danger. But for me, her daily walk was good luck, and I cannot hold it against her,” the admiral said.
“Miss Elizabeth’s manners are unusual at times, but she certainly does not lack in any other qualities,” Darcy spoke again.
“Well, we must agree to disagree on this matter. I hope you enjoy the meal, Admiral. We have prepared five dishes for tonight.” Miss Bingley ended the annoying debate.
“Thank you. Your care is much appreciated, Miss Bingley. I am sure everything is delicious,” the guest answered. “I already appreciate Bingley’s wine and brandy.”
While the first course was served, the admiral seemed lost in his thoughts, glancing around the table several times. Darcy remained composed, but Bingley looked slightly distressed after the argument over Miss Bennet. Yet, it was not brought up again during dinner.
The rest of the evening passed following all the proper customs of society, with a neutral conversation, card game, musing, drinks, and a brief separation of the sexes.
“Admiral Howard, would you do us the great pleasure of staying another week with us? We are hosting a ball, and we would be delighted and honoured by your presence,” Bingley said.
“A ball? This is quite unexpected. But I shall consider it, I assure you. Is there any special reason for the ball?”
Bingley’s face coloured, while his sisters exchanged an exasperated glance.
“No, it is a simple private ball,” Bingley answered.
“I rented the estate two months ago, and I am trying to become better acquainted with all the neighbours. It was suggested to me that the people in the town would enjoy it. There is also a militia regiment stationed here for the winter, and where there are officers, there must be entertainment, must there not?”
The admiral laughed. “That is a very accurate statement. Where there are officers, there must be balls! Except if the officers are on a ship in the middle of the sea. But the militia have a reputation for enjoying themselves.”
“Well, that explains some of my puzzlement,” Darcy mumbled, barely heard by the others.
“Charles insisted on hosting this ball, but neither Louisa nor I supported it. And I know Mr Darcy is displeased to be part of such a tiresome event,” Miss Bingley interjected.
“Balls are such a waste of time for a married man,” Mr Hurst declared from behind his glass of brandy.
“I am not displeased,” Darcy intervened. “It was Bingley’s decision, and he is entitled to it. Just as everyone may choose to attend it or not.”
“A very wise statement,” the admiral declared. “Well, Bingley, I thank you for the invitation. I might accept it. I shall ponder it tomorrow and let you know.”
“Admiral, just please do not entertain high hopes regarding the company. After all, most of the participants will be mere country people, with simple manners, to say the least,” Miss Bingley added sharply.
“I must say, I am rather partial to country people and country balls,” the admiral replied with a trace of annoyance in his voice that only Darcy noticed.
It was rather unwise of Miss Bingley, the daughter of a man who had made his fortune in trade, to continue to criticise other people in such a pompous, disdainful manner.
In truth, she was so below an admiral herself that she would have never had the chance to eat at the same table as one, if not for the peculiar circumstances.
The gentleman’s cold and unsatisfactory reply disconcerted her, and from that moment, she refrained from speaking much.
Eventually, the admiral excused himself and retired for the night. Only then did the others follow his example, and the evening came to an end.
Darcy remained in the library, enjoying another glass of brandy. For many days now, his thoughts had been filled with the image of Elizabeth Bennet. And in the solitude of his chamber, in his own bed, just before sleep took pity on him, things usually worsened.
He was tormented by the feelings aroused in him by this young daughter of a country gentleman.
He did admit he had been wrong to call her tolerable and accepted that she had the most charming bright eyes he had ever seen.
They sparkled with wit. Her beauty was not flawless, but it was natural and lively.
Her manners were questionable at times but always open and unaltered by pretensions.
In all, she was different from any woman he had met before, and she stirred his mind and his soul in a way no other woman ever had.
He was fully aware of the danger he found himself in, and his only protection from such unexpected weakness was the inferiority of her connections and the appalling lack of decorum displayed by her mother and younger sisters.