Chapter 16 #2
“You did not. We cannot claim a circle of society as his wife would need, no matter if I had Miss Bingley’s dowry. But this day, he is inclined toward me. And while I thank you for the sentiment, I am your daughter and cannot repine it.”
“Now, I must lament all the times I wished you were a son, or I will be the less generous again. That is two years of being on my knees, questioning God and praying for things to change. It is much harder to stand now, so this is not welcome news.”
Elizabeth’s laughter rang out, and she hooked arms with her mother as they made their way down the drive to Longbourn.
That evening, Mrs. Bennet led her daughters into the Philips residence, finding it filled with neighbors and officers alike.
She had self-appointed tasks to attend to throughout the evening.
Her first task was to warn Mrs. Goulding about the young men and what she had seen that afternoon in front of the drapers.
Whilst she attended that, the Netherfield party arrived.
Mr. Bingley walked in with Miss Bingley on his arm. Behind them, Miss Darcy and Mary.
Miss Bingley found Miss Darcy and Mary seats near Miss Maria.
When the younger girls had tea and cake, Miss Bingley moved to Mrs. Bennet and asked after Elizabeth and Charlotte; Mr. Bingley immediately went in search of Jane.
Mrs. Bennet frowned when she saw “that man” sitting with Elizabeth, who chattered away even without encouragement on Elizabeth’s part.
“Miss Bingley, this one is not to be trusted, so Lizzy occupies him that the younger girls might not gain his notice,” Mrs. Bennet said as they made their way to Elizabeth.
“I have heard Darcy was in the area. I would like to extend my greetings. I grew up at Pemberley in Derbyshire. I was a favorite of Mr. Darcy’s father. He left me a living, but Darcy, the son and now master of the estate, denied my claiming of it.”
Mrs. Bennet knew affrontery on Mr. Darcy’s behalf. Even on short acquaintance, her every feeling was against the thought of such a man as a cleric, and she thought Mr. Darcy had the right of it to deny the living.
“Miss Bingley, might I introduce to you Mr. Wickham?” Elizabeth said, delighted to see Miss Bingley with her mother.
“You say Mr. Darcy denied you a valuable living given in behest, Mr. Wickham?” Miss Bingley’s words made her brother look in her direction. “I cannot believe him so terrible as that. Brother, Mr. Wickham suggests Mr. Darcy denied him a living that he was owed. Has Mr. Darcy ever spoken of it?”
Mrs. Bennet patted Miss Bingley’s hand in motherly approval, for Mr. Wickham now looked much like an animal who had nowhere to run.
“I did not intend to make it well known, Miss Bingley,” Mr. Wickham prevaricated.
“Telling lies again, Wickham?” Bingley asked with a harder edge to his tone, one none of the ladies in their combined grouping expected but did not repine.
“Please, Miss Elizabeth, be on your guard. This man never spoke a complete truth during all the years Darcy suffered his company while attending school. Even then, Darcy was forced to pay his debts of excessive drink and more. Did you follow Darcy here to beg for more money, Wickham?”
“More money?” Elizabeth looked upon the man with disfavor.
Mrs. Bennet could not have set this scene better than the girls had done themselves as they defended Mr. Darcy. It did not escape her that Mr. Wickham had a particular something. But who was he to a man such as Darcy of Pemberley?
“Darcy has long covered this man’s debts because he is an honorable man.
Mr. Wickham was a drunkard, a womanizer, and a gamester the entire time at Cambridge and before.
” Bingley’s voice had risen so that all in attendance heard.
“If you slithered out of the gaming hells to find Darcy, Wickham, your debts must again be extreme.”
“Are you running from debtors, Mr. Wickham?” Colonel Forster called out.
“I would not wish to continue this conversation in company, sir,” Mr. Wickham attempted to delay.
“Quite right. Carter, bring your friend. I’d like to have a chat with Mr. Wickham. Besmirching a man all here know to be honorable is not the sort of thing a gentleman does.” Colonel Forster’s displeasure was obvious.
“He often manipulates the fairer sex with lies and has done so since before Cambridge,” Bingley said to Colonel Forster. “Warn the innkeeper and shopkeepers to keep their daughters away.”
Bingley Becomes Concerned
Only moments before, Georgiana glowed with animation for being amongst friends.
Now, Bingley thought her appearance wilted and pale.
He regretted that Louisa and Hurst had chosen to spend the evening at Netherfield, for she would be an immense comfort to Georgiana, he was certain.
Bingley was relieved when Miss Mary asked if she needed air, less so when Georgiana looked rooted to the spot by fear.
Bingley glanced at Miss Bennet, then Miss Mary and Georgiana. Understanding him perfectly, Miss Bennet moved to Miss Darcy’s side. Bingley joined Colonel Forster.
“I intend to do as you suggest and verify he has no debts, Mr. Bingley.”
“Colonel, allow me also to inquire whether the runners do not seek him while we await Darcy’s return from Kent,” Bingley said, noting how the colonel and Caroline looked at each other.
“Colonel, might I introduce my sister Caroline. Caroline, this is Colonel Forster. Once Darcy returns, Caroline, let us send the colonel an invitation to dine.”
“Of course. It will give you gentlemen an opportunity to discuss these matters,” Caroline said to Colonel Forster.
“I thank you, Miss Bingley. I’d be honored to sit at your table.”
Bingley glanced at Miss Elizabeth. She, too, seemed to see the mutual interest between Caroline and the colonel.
“I cannot place your scent, madam,” Colonel Forster murmured, stepping just close enough to breach propriety, breathing her in and making no attempt to hide his doing so.
“Thank you, Colonel. My friend, Miss Mary, is skilled in creating scented waters. This is one she gifted me,” Caroline whispered.
Stepping back, the colonel said, “Bingley, Miss Bingley, may I call on you tomorrow?”
Bingley was delighted to see his sister blush, and to hear her say, “I welcome the call.”
“Until tomorrow, Miss Bingley.” Colonel Forster bowed and turned to follow Carter and Wickham out of the house.
“It pains me to say so, but I think we must depart, Caroline. We should take Ana home,” Mr. Bingley whispered. “Miss Mary and she are by the door and await us with Miss Bennet.”
“I will give Mrs. Philips our apologies,” Caroline said.
“I think our stay in Hertfordshire has been a blessing in many ways,” Bingley said, leading his sister to the small entryway where Miss Bennet waited with Georgiana and Miss Mary. Miss Mary was relieved to learn they were returning to Netherfield.
Miss Bennet walked out to wish the Netherfield party a good night.
“Thank you. I did not mean to be any trouble,” Miss Darcy said so softly that Bingley struggled to hear her.
This was the same as Bingley had witnessed that spring. A renewed anger at Mr. Wickham surged in his breast. He hated that Miss Darcy was present at such a spectacle with Darcy’s old foe. The reasons Darcy detested the man were numerous.
“Think nothing of it. I will ever come to your aid. I meant what I said when you arrived. You have long been thought of as a younger sister to me,” Bingley said when he and Miss Bennet walked with her to the carriage.
After assisting Georgiana and Miss Mary into the carriage, Bingley said, “Thank you, Miss Bennet.” He bent over her hand to kiss it. “If I am able, I will call on you tomorrow. If I am delayed, I will send a note.”
“Think no further on that. I shall invite all the Miss Bennets for tea tomorrow, Charles.”
“I can speak for my sisters and say we look forward to your invitation,” Miss Bennet said, squeezing Caroline’s hand before Caroline entered the carriage.