Chapter 8
Charlotte Visits Miss Darcy Later in the Week
“Miss Lucas, thank you for coming today,” Miss Darcy said.
“You act as if it has been ages.” Charlotte laughed, pressing her cheek against that of her new friend. “It has been but two days. I believe tomorrow we are both again invited to Longbourn and will stay for a greater part of the afternoon with my dearest friends.”
“I look forward to our visit. I so enjoy their company. We expect Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Mary here within the hour. I can think of no more enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.”
“I know my friends appreciated your honesty in answering the questions on decorum during our last visit. If I were not witnessing it, I would think such a change in their mother and two youngest sisters impossible. While I agree any lady who birthed Eliza has earned the occasional fluttering, I say those who might doubt their sincerity have no understanding of the single-minded determination the Bennet ladies are both blessed and cursed.”
“How can determination be considered a curse?” Miss Darcy asked once Charlotte sat next to her on the couch.
“Now that is an excellent question. Once, when Eliza spied someone new in Meryton, I think she must have been sixteen at the time…? She was determined to learn what he was about. The man was pleasant enough. Still, she was certain he had a nefarious purpose. Every day, she walked to Meryton, asking those he spoke to what their conversation entailed in her efforts to piece together his character. After a day and a half, she discovered him to be no source of mischief at all. He was a vicar who had spent some of his childhood in Hertfordshire. While passing, he stayed three days, where he had warm memories of his mother.”
“Oh, poor Miss Elizabeth,” Miss Darcy said when her laughter subsided.
“Yes, poor Eliza. She has since learnt to allow others more time and herself more information when encountering someone new before forming a preconceived notion about them. But once she decides you are a friend, there is nothing she will not do for you.”
“I am thankful she suggested you aid me in my hostess duties. What I would have feared, I am, instead, enjoying immensely. A companion may offer a kind opinion, but one can never forget that they are paid to be attentive. In you, your sister, and the Miss Bennets, I can trust what you tell me is the truth. And, after reminding you that I wish for honesty, here is tonight’s dinner plan.
And here are the week’s meals that I am planning. ”
Charlotte took time to look them over. “Well done. You incorporate what is plentiful and rely on the men having an afternoon of good shooting for dinner. At their insistence, no doubt.”
“Though they said I could plan two nights of venison and another of pheasant roast and partridge, I did consider their preoccupation with certain company.”
“I would say you are an excellent planner. Now, I understand you intend to play the pianoforte with Mary, yet you also asked Jane and Elizabeth to tea?”
“I see you have surmised my scheme. Yes, I hope to afford them more time together with my brother and Mr. Bingley, or Charles, as he prefers I address him. With me acting as his hostess, he has claimed the role of an honorary elder brother. Between us, I have never seen either of them look forward to afternoon tea. It seems they plan their days around any possible encounter with Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.”
“I do not think it wise to play matchmaker. I may well agree they would be excellent pairings, but if neither gentleman should want the acquaintance to progress beyond friendship, I think none wish to upset you.”
“But I am certain any other ladies would be mere substitutes for Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.”
“Even if the outcome is not what you wish, you shall always know we are your friends,” Charlotte said, taking Miss Darcy’s hand.
Ignoring Miss Darcy’s wistful sigh, Charlotte changed the topic to an Italian translation they had both read. They then spoke in Italian, laughing at their mistakes even as they learnt from one another.
Bingley and Darcy Speak After Hearing Georgiana Express Her Hopes
The two stepped back from the door. Bingley looked at Darcy to assess his friend’s reaction to what they overheard as they happened past the sitting room.
The wishes and intentions Miss Darcy explained to Miss Lucas should not have surprised them, but to hear it summarized in such terms was shocking.
Continuing on to the billiards room, Bingley said, “Well, Darce, are we both to make your sister happy, or will I be her favorite?”
“If you can usurp Richard’s position as her favorite, I will purchase you any bottle of cognac you select.”
“Ah, yes, him. How can anyone eclipse a man who defends his country and makes her laugh at a whim? Quite the deuced unfair advantage.” Bingley closed the door to the billiards room behind them.
“Quite.” Darcy took the first shot to scatter the balls.
“Avoiding the question?” Bingley assessed the table for his shot.
“I enjoy Miss Elizabeth’s conversation. I have never had a female acquaintance who berates and praises me in equal measure. She taunts me while complimenting me. I fear changing the nature of our relationship might change how she interacts with me,” Darcy said.
“A weak excuse. I see her behaving the same with everyone she cares for. She brightens when she spies you, so if you will accept a bit of unsolicited advice? I have never seen you laugh twice in a week. You’ve done it thrice in two days.
It is not just Ana who draws you into doing so,” Bingley said, surveying the table.
“I am all too aware.”
“You are willing to let another man, perhaps one we know, claim her? If you choose to walk away, she will be with Jane—Miss Bennet—and me in Town. Often. She will have occasion to meet our friends.” Bingley did not bother to disguise his enjoyment upon seeing Darcy’s scowling expression.
“It would not be so very often.”
“Come, man. She is attractive and vivacious. It is inevitable someone will ask for her hand. I have no intention of allowing another man the opportunity to gain Miss Bennet’s admiration.
I will soon request a courtship. I refuse to think of her being tied to anyone else, or worse, someone cruel. We are well aware those sorts exist.”
“I would warn Miss Elizabeth of anyone who might harm her.”
“If we know of his darker natures. Most keep those vices well hidden, Darce.”
“I take your meaning.”
“Then I shall change the subject to give you time for your prolonged and, I think, unnecessary ponderance of it all. By the bye, I thank you for suggesting I inform those shops that my sisters frequent that I am no longer covering their bills.”
“It is unfortunate such a step was necessary,” Darcy said and then proceeded to sink two balls in succession before failing to put another in a pocket.
“You suspected they would attempt it. I had hoped they would comprehend my gravity, but they did not. That they think me so weak is a humiliation I no longer need address. I am standing firm in this. Caroline’s attempt to usurp your future in such a way was reprehensible.
” Bingley forced himself to be calmer, choosing a more pleasant topic for them.
“I believe the ladies intend to have tea at Longbourn tomorrow.”
“I think we should send a footman to escort. With the soldiers encamped, one cannot be too careful.”
“Perhaps three?” quipped Bingley.
“I think four. Four should be enough.”
“Just so.” Bingley clapped Darcy on the back.
A knock on the door signaled the arrival of the Miss Bennets.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy Converse in Netherfield’s Gardens
“Well, Mr. Darcy, it has been a week. Your sister thrives with Charlotte guiding her to do more than she had been comfortable with before. Tomorrow at Longbourn, she will blend her own tea. It is a useful thing for a young lady to learn. It is a time-consuming yet satisfying task that can otherwise fill the dull and tedious hours of a solitary day,” Elizabeth said as they walked along a pathway weaving through the flowerbeds.
“I appreciate your suggestions. Miss Lucas has encouraged my sister to make decisions based on what she knows of Bingley and me, rather than to ask our preference at every turn. Her confidence rises when we assure her any choice she makes will be perfect. The meals are quite enjoyable, rather varied, even unpredictable.”
“Charlotte encouraged each of us in the same manner when we left the schoolroom. She even invited my sister Jane to accompany her whenever they visited a neighbor. And urged my then-shy sister to initiate conversation.”
“She does the same with my sister,” said Mr. Darcy.
“I confess, if she were a governess or a companion, I would triple her wages. Miss Lucas makes Ana decide the course of the day when they do not have plans, such as today. There were fifteen young women and matrons at Netherfield yesterday, you amongst them, and I saw no reticence in my sister. It was a triumph for Ana. Particularly because none of the ladies came with the intent to gain Bingley’s or my notice. ”
“True, you were not the focus of the conversation. A sure sign none were desperate for your notice. Though I must confess, it was also the novelty of including Netherfield in our calls and enjoying a new acquaintance, you see. But perhaps, you were the greater reason why some accepted the invitation.”
“Even if that were true, which I do not believe, it would mean you spoke of me. What was it you said?” Mr. Darcy raised a single brow in question.
Elizabeth tamped down her amusement as she felt her cheeks warm. “I was one of those delighted by the unexpected pleasure of having tea in Netherfield.”
“Ha. Shall we continue trading stories of our childhood, Miss Elizabeth? When we were last on Oakham Mount, we spoke of the times we knew our greatest fear, those of surprise, and our favorite seasonal memories.”