Chapter XVI #2
When Darcy told Miss Elizabeth of the exchange, she did not suppress her laughter. “Yes, that is my mother.”
“I beg your pardon, Miss Elizabeth, but I do not understand.”
She pulled her horse closer and set a hand on his arm. “I would not expect you to understand, Mr. Darcy. In order to comprehend my mother, you need experience you lack.
“Mama cannot understand how Mr. Bingley chose another, as she has always been convinced that Jane, the most beautiful of her daughters, must be superior to other women.”
“That is a curious stance, Miss Elizabeth,” replied Darcy, “considering your sister is two and twenty and remains unmarried.”
Miss Elizabeth offered him a secret smile. “No one has ever accused my mother of making sense.”
Their laughter startled some nearby birds, but they took no notice.
“Well, it is not natural,” said Mrs. Bennet that evening after dinner. “Mr. Bingley was Jane’s—I have no notion how some other woman prevailed on him to forget what he owed Jane, but I suppose it does not matter in the end.”
Jane had, by now, stopped trying to explain to her mother, as it did no good in the end.
“You have secured Mr. Harrington instead.”
Mrs. Bennet settled back into her chair as if she were a queen.
“You have made me proud, Jane, for you have secured the superior gentleman.” Mrs. Bennet sniffed with disdain. “Mr. Bingley is no worthy young man if he cannot see your quality. But Mr. Harrington is a gentleman, and must be worth much more than Mr. Bingley.”
“Because of course, it is the size of a man’s pocketbook that is of supreme importance,” said Mr. Bennet.
No one present was surprised when his wife ignored him.
“It has all turned out better than expected.”
“And do not forget Lizzy and Mr. Darcy,” said Lydia.
“It is so romantic,” added Kitty with a sigh. “Who would have thought that proud Mr. Darcy would bend his stiff neck long enough to look at my sister?”
“I never thought Mr. Darcy so bad as all this,” said Mary.
“Nor did I,” added Jane.
“I certainly thought nothing good of the gentleman,” said Mrs. Bennet as if she still harbored such thoughts.
“I quite like him,” said Mr. Bennet. “Darcy is a man after my own heart—he reads, can debate Chaucer and Milton, plays chess, and has a similar sense of humor to my own.”
Mr. Bennet fixed Elizabeth with a grin and said: “I shall expect frequent invitations, Lizzy, though I may refuse to leave your future husband’s excellent library once I am inside.”
“I shall allow Mr. Darcy to have that argument with you, Papa,” replied Elizabeth.
“That is for the best, my dear. I shall remain impervious, but Darcy may make his case.”
“I have no objection to your father’s presence,” said Darcy when Elizabeth related the conversation.
“Oh?” asked Elizabeth, arching her eyebrow. “It is said that men are eager to get their new brides alone after the wedding. Shall you prefer my father’s company?”
“Well, perhaps not right after the wedding,” said Mr. Darcy, making a show of reconsidering. “Though I will note that we will have Georgiana, unless she stays for a time with my aunt and uncle. The house is large, Miss Elizabeth. Should we desire privacy, there are many places we can find it.”
“Your uncle still knows nothing of me?” asked Miss Elizabeth.
There was no trepidation in her voice—even meeting one of vast social superiority did not intimidate her.
“Not yet, though my cousin mentioned you to his parents. To own the truth, I do not expect any difficulty from my uncle—they are excellent people and not inclined to excessive pride.”
“And Lady Catherine?” asked Miss Elizabeth.
“The lady is an entirely different matter.” Darcy shook his head at the mere thought of the irascible woman. “Lady Catherine’s objections, though they will contain a measure of that haughtiness, will be for an entirely different reason.”
“The arrangement she claims with your cousin.”
Darcy nodded. “For that reason, I shall say nothing to Lady Catherine until it becomes necessary, and even then, the communication will be mine and will not involve you. Lady Catherine is more than capable of rushing to Longbourn the moment she learns of it to confront you.”
An expression of comprehension came over her pretty features. “That is why you spoke to Sir William.”
“It is,” agreed Darcy. “It would not do for Lady Catherine to learn of my attentions to you from Mr. Collins. Not only would it put Mr. Collins in a difficult situation, but I would not have Lady Catherine abuse you in your home.”
“I will own, Mr. Darcy,” said she, “that I had not thought accepting your calls would complicate my life to this extent.”
“Are you reconsidering?” asked Darcy, knowing she would do no such thing.
“Perhaps not,” replied she, her tone airy, unconcerned. “Do you not think you should have warned me?”
“And risk you running away from my aunt screaming in terror?”
Miss Elizabeth gave him a delighted grin. “That was a smooth use of my own words, Mr. Darcy.”
“I rather thought so myself.”
“I received a letter from my friend today.”
Elizabeth could see at once that her mother was on the edge of demanding what Mr. Bingley could mean to them, but she checked her words, an uncommon bit of restraint. A few moments later, she donned an expression that attempted polite interest.
“Mr. Bingley has written to you?”
“Yes, Mrs. Bennet, he has,” said Mr. Darcy. The gentleman was enjoying this.
“And what he said would interest us?”
Elizabeth caught Mr. Darcy’s eye, and both refrained from laughing, though it was difficult. Mr. Bennet, who was watching both, snorted, though Mrs. Bennet ignored him.
“As you are acquainted with him, I thought it might be.” Mr. Darcy shrugged. “If you do not wish to hear, I have no objection to keeping it to myself.”
“No, Mr. Darcy,” said Mrs. Bennet, a hasty declaration that betrayed her interest. “We have no objection to hearing it.”
“Very well,” replied the gentleman. “Bingley writes to inform me of his successful proposal to Miss Clara Whitcombe.”
“That is wonderful news, Mr. Darcy,” said Jane before their mother could say anything. “Please convey our congratulations to Mr. Bingley, and ask him to pass our best wishes to Miss Whitcombe.”
“You are acquainted with Mr. Bingley’s paramour?” demanded Mrs. Bennet, appearing more than a little suspicious.
“Yes, Mama,” replied Jane with deceptive mildness. “Lizzy and I both count Mr. Bingley’s betrothed as our friend. Perhaps someday she will become a more particular connection, since Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are such close friends.”
The way Mrs. Bennet regarded Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy one after the other did not escape the attention of anyone in the room.
Mrs. Bennet might not understand or like how Mr. Bingley had chosen another instead of her most beautiful daughter, but to speak of Mr. Bingley in such a manner might offend Mr. Darcy.
Thus, she chose the sensible option of remaining silent.
“Are you acquainted with Bingley?” asked Mr. Bennet of Mr. Harrington.
“Not so well as Darcy is,” replied Mr. Harrington with a grin, “but yes, I have known Bingley for some years now. Excellent fellow, and his new fiancée is a pleasant woman who I believe suits him.”
“Then I think we should all join in congratulating our friend,” said Mr. Bennet. “Do you know what he means to do about Netherfield?”
“Before I departed London, we spoke on that very subject,” replied Mr. Darcy. “Bingley has no need to renew the lease, as his betrothed is her father’s heir.”