Chapter 17
Seventeen
A TEMPTING OFFER
Bingley was in a much more jovial frame by the time Darcy joined the others for dinner; Mr Jones had pronounced Miss Bennet on the mend. As for Darcy, he, too, was feeling something akin to relief. Not happiness, no; purely a knowledge that he had seen his duty and taken it up, as a man ought.
The letter his sister had sent had been full of longing for her brother, for the comfort of family. She had begged him to come home, and the answer to his dilemma had been so obvious, he had known it immediately.
He would bring Georgiana to Netherfield. He need only ensure that Forster had already removed Wickham, eliminating any reason why she should not come.
Had he not gone to Netherfield with this idea in the back of his mind—arranging a good marriage for her with the finest possible bridegroom?
He could not allow the best man for Georgiana to be given to a girl who would doubtless have other opportunities to meet eligible gentlemen.
Bingley was a kind young man, a genuinely loyal man, and a close friend—the only one whom Darcy felt he could trust with his sister, yet persuade to overlook such faults as Georgiana possessed in favour of a family connexion.
He knew his sister’s imperfections, but she was so very dear.
He had comforted and cared for her after their mother died when she was but five years old; he had played with her those childish games of puzzles and hide-and-seek, and cherished the sweet, innocent letters from her which had warmed his heart all of his life.
He could not abandon her now, not for a selfish lust… or even an aching need.
It was not ideal, not when Bingley was in the midst of a lust of his own.
He knew Georgiana would never compare favourably side by side with Jane Bennet.
But if there was one thing he understood, it was Bingley’s determination to advance his family name, to become the man his father had dreamt he would become.
A marital connexion into the Darcy family would be the surest, quickest way to accomplish this.
Once the ladies had excused themselves from the table, the footmen dismissed, and he and Bingley were alone, he looked for an opportunity to broach the subject. It came more easily than he had hoped.
“You received a letter from your sister today, I hear. I hope she is well?” Bingley asked politely.
“Yes, quite well,” Darcy replied—no more than a mild prevarication, for her health was excellent, if not her frame of mind. “I have been thinking of her future a good deal of late.”
“I suppose that is natural,” Bingley nodded. “I do my best not to think of Caroline’s, but you are the better man.”
I have the better sister, Darcy thought, but did not say. “Georgiana is vulnerable, I admit. I fear that when she comes out, she will be the object of fortune hunters.”
“It has not happened to Caroline yet,” Bingley said, with only a touch of sarcasm.
“Your sister is slightly more worldly-wise than mine.”
“And a bit less, hm, encumbered by fortune and connexion,” Bingley remarked, lifting his water goblet to his lips.
There was no way around a direct approach—Bingley would never think of such a match on his own, and although his sisters might, he was liable to dismiss out of hand any suggestions from the relations who annoyed him so often.
“My deliberations have brought me to a conclusion that seems wise to mention now, despite my sister’s relative youth.
In my view, once Georgiana is older, if you were to pursue a connexion, I should not object. ”
Bingley actually snorted his water out his nose in surprise, spraying the tablecloth in front of him.
Red-faced, he began mopping up the mess with his napkin.
It was not an auspicious beginning. “Oh, why…Darcy, it is flattering, truly, that you should even regard the possibility of such a suit,” he said awkwardly.
Darcy sighed. “I know you have never thought of her in such a manner; she is very young. But she will not always be so. In a few short years, she will be ready to wed. I ask only that you consider the idea; a connexion between our two families would be highly useful to you, and to call you my brother would be highly pleasing to me. It is not as though you are ready to marry any time soon, are you?”
Bingley, still bright red, hesitated for longer than Darcy could like. But at last he said, “Um, no, not yet. And, as you say, this bears, um, further consideration. I do feel the honour of it, Darcy, I do. To know that I have earned your trust in a matter so important…well, it means much to me.”
Darcy knew that this response was about the best he could hope for from a man whose affections were currently fixed upon the ailing young woman upstairs. Even so, it was a little disheartening.
“I would like to invite Georgiana to join me at Netherfield for a few weeks, if you would not mind. You may rest easy—I have no intention of encouraging her to think of wedding plans to anyone, or permitting any betrothal for a period of years. However, she is alone in town now that my aunt and uncle have returned to Matlock, and I know she would appreciate your sisters’ companionship.
” And as long as Georgiana is here, right in front of me, I will be in no danger of forgetting or brushing aside what is best for her, and giving way to impossible feelings.
Bingley turned even redder, if that were possible.
“No, um, I mean, yes, of course, she would be quite welcome.” He stood.
“In fact, I had better tell Caroline immediately, if you will excuse me. She and Louisa will be thrilled, I am certain, and will wish to make every preparation for her comfort.”
Darcy nodded. “Thank you.”
Bingley fled from the room as if he feared that if he stayed much longer, Darcy would begin pulling out settlement papers.
Darcy sighed once more.