Chapter Eleven
Hertfordshire
Lady Rebecca Fitzwilliam was utterly in her element, for she adored intrigue and meddling in the affairs of her relations.
Her brother-in-law Charles Bingley was in desperate need of her interference; Rebecca had a great deal to consider, between the two letters she had received from Darcy, and the shocking, vastly diverting events of the Twelfth Night ball.
She allowed Charles the following day to sulk over his romantic woes, and he certainly made the most of it; the man was truly a credit to himself.
In the meanwhile, Rebecca pondered the advice from her cousin Darcy; it was something she had never done before, and the new sensation was a novelty indeed.
Darcy’s first letter entreated Rebecca to discourage Charles from pursuing Miss Bennet back to London, where she had undoubtedly gone in the hope of meeting with him.
Darcy alleged that the lady’s relations were not entirely desirable connections – the mother was vulgar, indiscreet, and ill-bred, the younger sisters were forward and ungovernable, and the father was either content to laugh at their antics or disinclined to improve them.
After such censure as this, Rebecca was surprised that Darcy bothered to add that these deterrents may perhaps be overcome if the attachment could endure a period of separation while Bingley improved himself through his endeavors at Netherfield.
The second letter from Darcy was written and sent express that morning, only two days after the first. This missive contained more to interest and amuse Rebecca.
Darcy revealed that he had met with Miss Bennet and her sister in London twice already.
At a Twelfth Night ball, the intrepid Miss Elizabeth Bennet had taken quite a bite out of Darcy for refusing to inform Charles of Miss Jane Bennet’s presence in London.
Rebecca could scarcely imagine any lady besides herself having the temerity to do such a thing, though she recollected that Miss Elizabeth was the cousin of Marianne Dashwood, who was decidedly outspoken in her opinions.
Darcy owned that he had actually heeded Miss Elizabeth’s admonishment – a sure sign he was in love with the lady, for he was always unassailably confident in his own righteousness.
He spoke candidly with Miss Jane Bennet, who informed him that she had overcome her attachment to Charles after visiting Caroline and Louisa.
The harpies misled Miss Bennet into believing that Charles had already left town, and they deliberately neglected to mention that he intended to return to Netherfield.
Miss Bennet had subsequently received the attentions of two other gentlemen, and Darcy suspected that a third might attempt, in vain, to woo her.
That Miss Bennet had been put off her attachment by Charles’s horrid sisters proved that she had good sense, and she must be as beautiful and amiable as Charles had described her if the young lady already had other suitors courting her.
It was a sad loss for Charles, but Rebecca pitied him only a little as she fretted over his foolishness.
Perhaps this might finally teach him to reign in his sisters, and not merely avoid them.
Darcy might have found the Bennets mortifying, but if they had any affection at all for one another, Rebecca would consider them a vast improvement from such relations as Caroline and Louisa.
She sent a note to her brother, who took some time away from his duties to call at Netherfield within an hour.
Charles remained sequestered, having refused every meal since the ball, and Rebecca received Richard in a sunny, comfortable parlor amidst a generous tea service.
“Well, Brother, what are we going to do about Charles? I did not travel all this way for him to sulk and starve himself, nor for the neighborhood to shun me for his foolishness.”
Richard rolled his eyes. “You danced a fair amount at the ball, for a woman shunned. But nobody likes a wealthy widow, anyhow.”
She swatted at him. “I cannot depend merely on your popularity. I am keeping house for a man who was verbally tarred and feathered before the whole neighborhood, and he is presently weeping or drinking about it – both, probably.”
“Then I suppose we must take Darcy’s advice. I know enough about estate matters, despite a profound disinterest in my Scottish shambles of a manor; I could be of some use. Or if Darcy wishes to really be of help, he might come back to Netherfield himself.”
“He may, but I doubt it will be soon. He is in love with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who is presently in London.” Rebecca grinned as she passed him Darcy’s second missive, and smiled knowingly as Richard read it and nodded his head, giving a low whistle.
“Heavens! Darcy taken to task by a plucky country miss! He must care a great deal for this lady’s opinion; it cannot have been all for Charles's benefit.”
“I know just how it was,” Rebecca declared.
“He met her when he was here with Charles, fell in love with her delightful audacity, but fled the attachment because of her relations, of whom he has a great deal to say that would probably cause Miss Elizabeth Bennet to claw him into strips. So, he thought to forget her in London, but there she was again – and not in pursuit of him, if her first impulse was to challenge him. If I must abandon my cause with Charles, I should like very much to meet the young lady who would defy our cousin.”
Richard guffawed and slapped his knee. “Miss Marianne Dashwood must be very like her cousin. Poor Charles – poor Darcy!”
“Oh, I have no pity for Darcy whatsoever – he can handle himself, and this young lady may improve him.”
Richard frowned and nodded, pouring the contents of a flask into his tea.
“Darcy is right – do not throw anything at me for saying so. Distance from Miss Bennet and his sisters will do him good. If Charles returns to London, he will often be with Darcy, who may often be with Miss Elizabeth, and in turn the elder sister.”
“Charles might bring her ‘round,” Rebecca mused. “But I suppose he might also do so when she returns from London. Unless… unless she does not meet a better match in London, and merely settles for Charles – that would be an ill thing indeed!”
“It is almost as if we ought not meddle at all,” Richard drawled.
“Perish the thought! We must do something; I cannot abide another day of his sullenness. And his neighbors despise him! But I must own, I like Miss Marianne Dashwood very much. We ought to call at Longbourn, for I should like to know the whole family better. Darcy paints a vivid picture of them as inducement, and I fully intend to shock and appall him by liking them all exceedingly. Even if Charles is not to win his lady back, I know he cannot be happy if he is not entirely beloved by his neighbors.”
“You are right about that,” Richard said, stroking his chin with a wicked smile. “I shall join you; I find the Dashwood sisters exceptionally agreeable.”
“Oho! Only one of them is that,” Rebecca cried, relishing this morsel he had given her. “You like Miss Dashwood!”
Richard made a droll face at her and stood. “Well, time to rouse Bingley; he is coming with us. I trust you will wish to observe the inevitable spectacle.”
Rebecca cheerfully agreed, though she was far from ready to let the matter of Miss Dashwood rest. She knew her brother, and she certainly understood how to choose her moments wisely with him.
For now, she was content to follow her brother upstairs, and watch as he entered Charles’s room and began issuing loud directives.
“Eat your muffin, drink your coffee, wash your face, and dress yourself at once, Bingley; I shall sit here and wait.” There was a great deal of commotion and complaint, but when it was evident that Charles had managed to comply, Rebecca hastily made herself ready to depart.
She hoped her brother-in-law would behave himself sensibly, for she desired a very leisurely visit at Longbourn, and a chance to acquaint herself with the large and fascinating family there.
***
After a morning of reading letters from Jane and Elizabeth in London, the ladies of Longbourn received callers from Netherfield.
Marianne was filled with apprehension as she watched them approach the house; she had been scolded by her mother and sister for the scene she made at the ball, but the Bennets all lauded her for it.
Marianne herself had not decided whether she was proud or chagrined after such behavior, and she was equally torn between pleasure at meeting with her new friend and bitter resentment toward Mr. Bingley.
Elinor was as serene as ever, though Marianne watched her sister in the hope of discovering some particular pleasure in the warm greeting they received from the colonel.
He was not as handsome as Edward, but he was kind and gregarious, and Marianne had nearly forgiven him for his severe punishment of Mr. Wickham.
Elinor had hinted there was more to the story than what Marianne had been told, but she had heard enough to understand that she had been mistaken in Mr. Wickham’s character, and Marianne felt herself entirely to blame for once again seeing more good in a man than he actually possessed.
The colonel and his sister received a universally warm welcome, but Mr. Bingley found kindness only from Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Dashwood. Though Elizabeth had written that Jane no longer lamented the loss of him, he was far from forgiven for wounding her.
Marianne took Lady Rebecca’s advice and sat at her side, for she was in no humor to think well of men, and she was glad of having an ally, even amongst Mr. Bingley’s own kin. Lady Rebecca seemed eager to accommodate her, for she asked after the Miss Bennets in London directly.