Chapter 14
“Come, Mr. Darcy, we must have some conversation,” Elizabeth teased as they danced the supper set.
“I am at your disposal, Madam; we may discuss any subject you please,” Darcy returned with a grin.
Elizabeth had very much enjoyed their first set as Mr. Darcy, while claiming not to enjoy the activity, was one of the best dancers she had ever had the pleasure to partner.
“I suppose I could remark on the number of dancers and you on the size and decoration of the ballroom,” Elizabeth suggested in jest. The more time she spent with the true Mr. Darcy, the more attracted she became to the man.
Neither had missed the daggers sent Elizabeth’s way by Miss Bingley as they danced the first, but that was nothing to the looks she was throwing Elizabeth’s way as soon as the hoyden saw Mr. Darcy lead her enemy to the dance floor for the second set that night.
Not only had he danced the first with the chit, but now the supper set!
Her intention to compromise the man became ever more urgent. Her future was in jeopardy!
What Miss Bingley did not know was she had been ranting about her plans during the second set within earshot of Miss Lucas.
Miss Bingley had not realised she was speaking aloud, and Charlotte knew she and Thomas would be seated at supper with his daughters and their partners, as well as the Matlocks, so she was satisfied she would have a chance to mention what she had heard to Mr. Darcy.
“We could discuss books, Miss Elizabeth, as the written word is a passion for both of us,” Darcy offered as the dance brought them back together.
“No Sir! Books in a ballroom? Never! We could discuss fashion and lace,” Elizabeth stated with a mischievous look.
“Given all the trips I have made to the modiste with Gigi, I am willing to discuss that subject.” Darcy called her bluff, knowing Miss Elizabeth would not desire a subject so inane. His gambit won him a tinkling laugh from his partner.
“Eliza seems to have changed her opinion of Mr. Darcy,” Charlotte commented to her betrothed on hearing her soon-to-be stepdaughter’s mirth.
“So it seems,” Bennet stated. “Is Mr. Bingley no longer in favour with Jane?” he asked as he noted his eldest daughter dancing her second set with Andrew Fitzwilliam.
“Jane has begun to see the lack of substantial character in Mr. Bingley. In my opinion, he is far too immature, and relies too heavily on the judgements of others rather than his own,” Charlotte informed her betrothed.
“I sense some wise Charlotte-counsel in Jane’s new awareness. I agree with you, by the way. Regardless of his wealth, I would never approve of a man ruled by his sister as Bingley is. In my opinion, marriage would not change that,” Bennet opined.
“I agree, Thomas, except I believe she will do everything in her power to separate her brother from Jane, as she would not see an alliance to your family as an acceptable connection in her quest to reach the first circles,” Charlotte surmised.
“Based on what you overheard, it seems she plans a more direct route to satisfy her ambitions,” Bennet agreed.
“Have you noticed your Mary is dancing a second set with a Fitzwilliam brother?” Charlotte pointed out.
“I have. It seems that Miss Bingley’s machinations to stop her brother dancing with my Jane for the first did not go quite as she planned,” Bennet said with amusement.
“Thomas, have you noted the pinched look on the lady’s face? Miss Bingley looks as though she has been sucking on the sourest lemon in the kingdom!” Charlotte had a quiet melodic laugh at the imagery she conjured in her own mind.
Andrew Fitzwilliam was happy with his dance partner. The more he was around her, the more he could see she was so much more than a pretty face. She did not have the sharp wit either her future stepmother or her next youngest sister possessed, but she was in no way deficient in intelligence.
She was kind and considerate to a fault, and after Richard related Darcy’s gaffe he was sure that none of the Bennet sisters were fortune hunters.
Miss Bennet did not fawn over him, which he greatly appreciated, and when she disagreed with him, she stood her ground.
She did not debate as her sister did with his cousin, but she knew how to communicate her thoughts clearly.
From the conversations he had with his parents, they had offered no objections were he to decide to get to know her better, or even request a formal courtship in the future if they reached that point.
Richard had relayed to their parents how poor William had put his foot in his mouth when he asked about wealth as a deciding factor.
Both Bennet sisters had been ready to excoriate his poor tongue-tied cousin, but he had had the good sense to explain himself and apologise. However, the fact that only the deepest love would tempt the older Bennet daughters into matrimony was another point in Miss Bennet’s favour.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was enjoying his second dance with his Bennet sister.
For the first half of their first set, she had been quiet, even shy.
He had guessed correctly she was not used to being the object of a man’s interest, and he had worked to put her at ease.
By the second dance of the first set, Richard had succeeded.
During the supper set, Mary allowed her natural reserve to drop and allowed the Colonel to experience her wit and dry sense of humour. She was not quite as well read as Elizabeth, but she was getting there.
As Miss Bingley looked around, ripping her eyes away from the sight of Eliza dancing with her Mr. Darcy a second time, she gave a long look toward the other two Bennet sisters, each dancing with a Fitzwilliam brother.
Miss Bingley had written her letter to Miss Bennet already, and it would be delivered in the morning when she, her brother, and the Hursts were on their way to London.
She had made certain any expectations the fortune hunter had would be killed by her letter.
She was also sure Mr. Darcy and his relations would leave on the morrow, for she would be betrothed to Mr. Darcy and there would be no reason for him to remain in this backwater swamp.
As she had been on the opposite side of the ballroom when the supper set ended, by the time Miss Bingley entered the room where supper was being served, the table Mr. Darcy and his highborn relations sat at was full.
It grated on her that the Bennets and that plain Miss Lucas were at the same table, but after tonight it would not matter.
After Mr. Bingley sat down for dinner, nowhere near his angel to his chagrin, Sir William approached him and requested permission to make an announcement during the meal, and Bingley gave his permission freely.
Lady Lucas had suggested her husband talk to Mr. Bennet and Charlotte.
Sir William had done so during the brief break between the first and second dances of the supper set, after the talk rose to a fever pitch when Mr. Bennet led Charlotte onto the dance floor for a second significant set.
Neither member of the betrothed couple objected to the official announcement being made.
So it was that when he noticed most had completed their meal, Sir William stood and cleared his throat to garner the attention of the diners.
“It is my great pleasure to announce,” he began as soon as there was quiet in the room, “that my eldest daughter Charlotte is betrothed to my friend and neighbour, Mr. Thomas Bennet of Longbourn. Lady Lucas, my sons, and Mariah all wish the couple felicitations.”
No sooner had Sir William completed his announcement and raised his glass so all could toast the betrothed couple, the ‘I told you so’s’ began. As had been expected, the couple were mobbed by their friends and neighbours.
As none of the Netherfield party who were aware had bothered to tell her the news, Miss Bingley was taken completely unawares. She realised if the new Mrs. Bennet bore a son, there would be no more entail and she would lose one of the things she had used repeatedly to denigrate the Bennets.
When most of the guests stood and started to make their way back to the ballroom where the pianoforte waited for ladies to exhibit, Charlotte asked those at her table to remain seated.
Once no one else was within earshot, Charlotte shared what she had heard Miss Bingley ranting about. “Even if she succeeded in compromising me, I would not marry her!” Darcy stated emphatically.
“If you did, I would personally truss you up and deliver you to Bedlam,” Richard threatened in jest.
“I will have Carstens,” he saw questioning looks from the Bennets, “my valet,” he clarified, “sleep on a cot in front of my door. As added security tonight I will have two of my footmen hidden in the corridor. After we enter the bedchamber, we will transfer to an empty chamber as soon as we know the corridor is empty. Carstens will be with me, and the doors will be barricaded, so Miss Bingley could compromise naught but an empty bed!” Darcy decided.
“It is a sound plan, William. You know I will ruin her after this and it will trickle down to the family,” Lady Elaine stated.
“Whatever happens will be by her own hand. I always felt sympathy for Bingley, but that has ended, as he refuses to take charge of his own household,” Darcy said with regret at the probable loss of a friendship which had lasted many years.
With that, they all stood and joined the rest in the ballroom.
Miss Bingley had exhibited first, thinking she would show up anyone who chose to follow her.
She also wanted to highlight her superior skill on the instrument to Mr. Darcy, but, to her disappointment, the man and his party entered the ballroom just as she competed her piece.
As the next young lady was waiting her turn, Miss Bingley had no choice but to cede her place at the pianoforte to the next in line.