Chapter 5
Bingley
The invitations to a shooting and house party in honour of Darcy, in the hopes that he and possibly even Colonel Fitzwilliam would be able to come, had been sent to four of Darcy’s best friends and included the sisters of two of them.
Bingley had remembered and invited two other families that included highly eligible young ladies and their brothers, who were friendly acquaintances of Darcy’s.
He hoped against hope that he would receive more “accepts with pleasure” than “regretfully declines.” However, he was certain that many people already had plans for the coming fortnight and would not have the ability nor the inclination to change their schedules.
On the other hand, Bingley had witnessed the magic of the Darcy name on more than one occasion.
In addition to the respect people gave to an ancient and powerful family name, Darcy himself exhibited more intelligence and knowledge than anyone Bingley had ever met, and his height, strength, and handsome face, coupled with his wealth and status within the ton seemed an unfair accumulation of advantages for any one man.
Even his shortcomings—his reticence and his sky-high principles—the latter of which many people saw as rigid and sanctimonious—made him even more appealing to many.
He was described as enigmatic and mysterious rather than eccentric and uncompanionable—and was therefore much sought after and, when he deigned to appear at a ball or other event, his presence was celebrated as a social coup.
Thus this shooting/house party being connected to Darcy might lure some guests, especially among those who had already decided to come for Darcy’s wedding breakfast, which seemed destined to be a very grand affair.
During his first few days back at Netherfield, Bingley had enjoyed repeated thrills, courtesy of Elizabeth.
He knew she found him handsome, for there was no way in which a lady could smile so brilliantly at a gentleman unless she was attempting to convey her admiration.
There was no possibility that such a bold gaze—she did not hesitate to meet his eyes with her own sparkling ones, and she even held his gaze for a second or two rather than dropping her own—could mean anything other than her attraction.
As to her occasional “friendly” touches—putting her hand on his arm when he was describing Caroline’s attempts to convince him to take her back to Netherfield and a brief sideways embrace when he explained his attempts to gather people in support of Darcy—he knew that, in company, all she could do to exhibit her interest was the sort of touching that she frequently bestowed on her sisters…
but he was certain that it was her way of signalling that she was open to more romantic gestures if they were ever alone.
Bingley had no illusions: Elizabeth would not break from Darcy for him.
Darcy had twice as much money as he, plus one of the most fabled properties in England, whereas he was still only leasing a modest estate.
The Darcy name had generations of respect behind it compared to the taint of trade that clung to the name Bingley, and Darcy’s connexions were lofty compared to Bingley’s lowly counterparts.
No woman in the world would choose him over Darcy.
Still….
If he could arrange privacy for long enough, if he could convince Elizabeth that he could be discreet, what might be allowed?
In the meantime, he would continue to be his cheery, friendly self, and he would invite Jane and Elizabeth to Netherfield as often as possible.
He would be hosting a dinner party later in the week, and he intended to have Miss Darcy and Miss Mary Bennet play piano so that the guests could do some dancing—and he was certain that Elizabeth would take a turn with him.
He had so many things to look forward to!