Chapter 2.15 #2
“How are the children, Mrs Gardiner? I really miss Becky and Margaret,” Georgiana said some time later, willing to introduce a pleasant and neutral subject of conversation.
“They are very well, Miss Darcy, although quite upset that we did not bring them with us. They missed you too. I believe Mr Darcy and Lizzy are spoiling them—especially Becky—a little too much. But then again, we all do,” Mrs Gardiner answered with a warm smile.
“I confess myself guilty of the charge,” Darcy admitted. “I have rarely been as comfortable in the presence of children as I am with yours. They are not only very pleasant but also excellently educated.”
“Darcy was always awkward with children,” the colonel intervened. “In fact, he was rather awkward with adults too. I am glad that marriage has changed his manners. He is a much more pleasant fellow now.”
Darcy cast a cold glance—half-serious, half-mocking—at his cousin, who only laughed. Georgiana supported her brother while Elizabeth smiled reproachfully at the colonel.
“Oh, I would rather disagree,” Mrs Hurst said. “I preferred Mr Darcy’s previous seriousness. I have always known him as a gentleman with high expectations and impeccable behaviour. In such situations, change is rarely a good thing.”
The hidden meaning of Louisa Hurst’s statement did not go unnoticed—with the exception of Mr Bingley, who paid attention to little else but his lovely wife.
Georgiana lowered her eyes to her plate. Elizabeth glanced at her husband, observing his frown. She would not allow either of Bingley’s sisters to ruin their evening, so before Darcy had time to reply, Elizabeth addressed the colonel teasingly.
“I also disagree, sir. I do not think marriage improved anything in regard to Mr Darcy as he has always been the best of men. I hope you gentlemen do not take offence for my being biased.”
The colonel laughed again.
“Of course not; it is a lady’s duty to praise her husband. I am certain Mrs Bingley would say the same about hers. I wonder whether I should marry to benefit from the same treatment.”
“Oh, you must ponder that carefully, Colonel,” Caroline Bingley intervened. “Marrying for the wrong reasons or with the wrong person is an error that cannot be easily remedied.”
Several pairs of eyes turned to her, some embarrassed or quite angry. Elizabeth breathed deeply, trying to keep her calm.
“True,” Darcy said gravely. “However, marrying for the right reason and with the right person is a lifetime of gratification. I am happy I am only at the beginning of enjoying my reward,” he concluded.
“I say, only watching you and Bingley here gives me an inducement to consider matrimony,” the colonel said then turned to Caroline. “But I appreciate your concern for my future felicity, and I thank you for warning me.”
Caroline did not reply but cast a disgruntled glance to her sister.
The colonel continued, keeping his good mood.
“If we are to speak of marriage, I would say it suits very well both Mrs Bingley and Mrs Darcy. You ladies look more beautiful than ever, and I am honoured to have you both among my acquaintances.”
Jane’s face coloured while she thanked the colonel for his kindness.
Elizabeth smiled with gratitude, not so much for the colonel’s praise of her but for his amiability toward Jane.
A colonel in his majesty’s army and the son of an earl complimenting the new Mrs Bingley was very helpful for her self-confidence.
As for Elizabeth, as much as she admired the colonel, the only opinion that mattered to her was that of her husband.
“I am sure marriage would suit any woman who marries a man with a situation in life significantly above hers,” Caroline Bingley said, and Darcy’ face became severe, his eyes narrowing in anger. He almost rose from his seat, but Elizabeth’s glance convinced him to allow her to respond.
“That may be true, Miss Bingley. I cannot speak for Jane, but in my case, it is less about my husband’s situation in life than his love and devotion for me that makes this marriage suit me so well.”
“As for our situations in life, I am a gentleman and Elizabeth is a gentleman’s daughter. I would rather say we are equal,” Darcy declared with solemnity. “Except that Elizabeth is a much better person than I am, and I am grateful for every moment I spend with her.”
“Yes, well…I am sure Caroline did not mean—” Mrs Hurst intervened, but Bingley interrupted her.
“Well, I would rather say I was lucky to secure Jane’s affection.
She is not only the most beautiful woman I have ever met, and with a most excellent character, but while her father is a gentleman, most of my fortune was made in trade.
I still wonder that she chose me when she surely could have made a much better match. ”
“Charles!” Louisa interrupted him with reproach, appalled by the reference to trade.
“Oh, Charles, never say such a thing again,” Jane objected, her adoring gaze tearful. “I could not dream of a better match.”
“As I said, I am very lucky,” Bingley concluded as he and his wife gazed at each other.
The Gardiners and the colonel exchanged smiles. Georgiana spoke in a low voice, crimson from the courage of own words.
“I know that many ladies would have been happy to marry my brother, and I thank the Lord every day for his choice. Having Elizabeth as my sister is the most wonderful thing I could imagine.”
The target of her statement was obvious, and Miss Darcy felt uncomfortable for being so harsh to Miss Bingley; yet, she could not bear having her new sister offended without supporting her. And her brother’s smile of approval showed that her gesture was correct.
“Dear Georgiana, you have always been kind and willing to think the best of all the people around you,” Miss Bingley answered with forced amiability.
“Quite unlike Mr Darcy who used to be a sharp and fastidious judge of character. When we first arrived in Hertfordshire, he could hardly bear the company and would rather not speak with anyone except us. At that time, nobody would have imagined that someday he would be related to those whom he so loathed. Time changes many things it appears. I am anxious to see what Mrs Bennet will say of Pemberley.”
For a moment, silence fell over the room, the guests’ embarrassment mixing with the hosts’ anger. Darcy started to speak, but Elizabeth’s voice—at once clear, determined, cold, and calm—dominated the room.
“Miss Bingley, before the third course is served, please allow me to be blunt about a matter to which I have paid attention for some time. I have great affection for Mr Bingley, and I consider his family as my own. Therefore, I have generously pretended to be oblivious to your rudeness, which I date almost from the beginning of our acquaintance, and I see that it continues even when you are a guest in my home. From this moment on, I shall no longer tolerate any lack of propriety with my family or me. I understand you consider me responsible for ruining your unrealistic dreams of marrying Mr Darcy. Your suffering is pitiful, but it cannot excuse bad manners. If it is so unpleasant for you to be in our company, please let me know, and I will gladly refrain from extending an invitation to you in the future, either in London or Derbyshire.”
A polite smile twisted Elizabeth’s lips, sweetening her harsh words. Her expression admitted no opposition, and neither Jane’s blushing and obvious panic nor Miss Bingley’s astonishment and barely concealed fury made any impression on her.
“It is an excellent time to discuss this since we will soon leave for Pemberley, and it would be good to know the number of people in our party,” Darcy intervened with perfect composure as if discussing a business matter.
“After all, our family has grown lately, and Pemberley might become too crowded. Since Bingley and the Bennets will join us, Netherfield would be a better option for you to spend a peaceful, undisturbed summer in the countryside.”
Elizabeth offered her husband a barely perceptible smile.
Caroline turned even paler, obviously struggling to keep her calm, and gazed at Louisa who seemed suddenly preoccupied with her plate, ignoring her sister’s signs of distress.
The dinner lasted for another four courses, and afterwards, Miss Darcy was glad to indulge her brother’s request for music. Elizabeth joined her in a duet; then the colonel amused them by performing a short song at the pianoforte.
Until the evening ended, neither Caroline Bingley nor Louisa Hurst spoke another word. It was also true that nobody attempted to involve them in conversation, nor did anyone try to stop them when they declared they intended to retire very early.