Chapter 3 #2
“I am happy to see you all,” Mr Bingley said joyfully. “We do not wish to intrude. We only came to greet you briefly. Allow me to introduce Admiral Howard of His Majesty’s Navy. He has done us the great honour of visiting Netherfield on his way back to London.”
The ladies mumbled a greeting and curtseyed, Mr Bennet bowed, Mr Collins put a large grin on his face and bent very low, with equal solemnity and ridiculousness.
“It is an honour, Admiral,” a chorus of voices responded, while everyone tried to find a place to sit. Mrs Bennet quickly rang for refreshments, despite Mr Bingley’s assurance that they had just finished their breakfast.
“Thank you for your kind reception,” the admiral said with an unexpected amiability that contradicted his frowning countenance.
“When Bingley told me he intended to call, I asked to join him. I wished to take this opportunity to make your acquaintance and to express my gratitude to your daughter Miss Elizabeth for saving me from a rather trying situation yesterday.”
His words astounded the party as much as his appearance, and a moment of deep silence followed.
All eyes turned to Elizabeth with wonder and reproach, and she glanced at the admiral, who gave a small shrug and an apologetic smile, obviously understanding he had committed an indiscretion and that Elizabeth had never mentioned the encounter to her family.
“Saved you? Lizzy? When did this happen? Have you been hurt, sir?” Mrs Bennet asked agitatedly.
“Mama, I met the admiral yesterday while I was walking. He missed the turn to Netherfield, and I pointed it out to him. That was all,” Elizabeth explained, then turned to the admiral.
“There is nothing to be grateful for, sir. It was an honour and a pleasure to meet you yesterday and to see you again today. I hope you find Netherfield to your liking so far?”
“Very much so — from what I have seen,” the admiral answered. “Bingley made a good decision in renting it.”
“It was Darcy who advised me. I mostly owe this decision to him,” Bingley admitted.
“In that case, we must thank Mr Darcy. It would have been such a shame not to have you at Netherfield, sir,” Mrs Bennet said, glancing at the haughty gentleman with a small trace of amiability.
Mr Darcy remained silent, but Elizabeth felt his gaze on her from time to time.
“Mr Bingley, your sisters are well, I hope?” Jane enquired shyly, and Mr Bingley looked happy to be able to address her directly.
“Yes, very well, thank you.”
“I hope we shall have the pleasure of seeing them tomorrow, at dinner,” Jane continued, and Mr Bingley turned pale, tangled in an attempt at excuses.
“I am not sure…they were not sure yet, but…there might be a change of plans and…”
“Oh dear, I hope you will not abandon us too, Mr Bingley,” Mrs Bennet interjected in a desperate tone.
“No…I mean…I shall not abandon you, madam. It is just that the admiral arrived and…” Mr Bingley was looking from one to another, clearly so alarmed that he could not find his words.
“Oh, how silly of me!” Mrs Bennet cried in revelation. “How could I be so rude? Of course, the admiral is invited too! We would be greatly honoured and exceedingly pleased if the admiral would agree to join you!”
Mr Bingley turned even paler; he looked at Mr Darcy, as if begging for help, but the admiral immediately said, “That is very generous of you, madam! I gladly accept your invitation. How could an old officer deny himself the company of six lovely ladies and the prospect of a good meal?”
The entire Bennet family, as well as Mr Collins, remained silent, with apparent bewilderment.
Mrs Bennet, who received the compliment with even more pleasure than her daughters, smiled sheepishly, her face changing colour several times.
Mr Bingley looked relieved, and Jane’s eyes regained their serenity.
“How lovely! This is wonderful, indeed! What an extraordinary surprise,” Mrs Bennet repeated several times.
Elizabeth knew that having an admiral at her dinner table was something her mother had never imagined, not even in her most daring and grandiose dreams, and she could hardly breathe from her eagerness to share the news with the people of Meryton.
“I never knew Mr Bingley had a relative who was an admiral,” Lydia suddenly interjected. “And the officers from the militia that are camped in town will be surprised to hear it!”
“Oh, the admiral is not my relative. I have only had the honour of knowing him for a few years,” Bingley replied, and several pairs of enquiring eyes turned wordlessly to the admiral, who returned a friendly expression while he explained the connection.
“I apologise, more details are required since I have invited myself into the midst of your family. I am the second son of Lord Archibald Howard, the Earl of Carlisle. My sister Amelia is married to Lord Matlock, Darcy’s uncle.”
“Oh…” Mrs Bennet gasped, followed by another moment of long and solemn silence.
The maid entered with refreshments, and the astonished gazes were finally dropped.
Drinks were offered to the gentlemen and tea to the ladies, a welcome moment for the family to reflect on the latest details.
Suddenly, not only was the admiral’s presence an unexpected honour, but also Mr Darcy’s consequence had grown significantly.
The first to speak was Mr Collins, who stepped forwards and bowed deeply again before Elizabeth or her father had the chance to stop him.