Chapter III
Perhaps it should have been no surprise that Miss Bingley lay in wait for them when they returned to Pemberley.
In Darcy’s defense, he had spent the return journey considering Miss Elizabeth, her kindness to his sister, and her changed manner toward him.
It would have changed nothing had he attempted to determine how to deal with Miss Bingley in advance, but he might at least have been better prepared for the annoyance.
“Mr. Darcy,” said Miss Bingley the moment they stepped through the door. “What a surprise this is, sir. I should not have expected you to absent yourselves from the house moments after our arrival.”
Jolted from his thoughts of Miss Bennet, Darcy was not pleased with her.
He had expected her to rest in her room and remain unaware of his absence, but it seemed that was too much to ask.
Her behavior was further evidence of her growing desperation—no doubt she had wished to claim his company for the balance of the afternoon.
“We were only gone a short time,” said Darcy, trying to hide all trace of his annoyance. “I might have thought you would remain in your rooms to rest.”
“I should have thought it good manners for a guest to pay her respects to her host rather than remain secluded in her rooms,” replied Miss Bingley, a slight edge in her voice. Then she regarded him with suspicion. “Will you not share the reason for your visit to Lambton?”
“It was nothing more than a visit to an acquaintance,” replied Darcy, not ready to announce Miss Bennet’s presence in the neighborhood.
Miss Bingley appeared suspicious, but the woman appeared to possess some measure of discretion—pressing them for details was not proper, even for a guest in the house.
That did not prevent her from making subtle comments designed to learn all she could.
Darcy remained impervious to all her attempts, and Georgiana did not speak at all.
That evening as they were waiting for the call to dinner, Miss Bingley made a reference to Darcy’s absence.
“You went to Lambton after we arrived here?” asked Bingley.
Miss Bingley’s comment on the subject was deliberately offhand, and Darcy saw at once that he should have expected it. What she hoped to accomplish was not apparent, but from the way she watched him, she seemed to expect him to reveal something she wished to learn.
“Georgiana and I both went,” said Darcy, not concerning himself with her machinations. “We visited a friend there.”
“I hope they were well,” said Bingley, not thinking anything was out of the ordinary.
“Perfectly well, I thank you,” replied Darcy.
Miss Bingley appeared disappointed, but the exchange provoked Darcy to consider the situation.
Miss Bennet and her family would visit Pemberley the following day, making Miss Bingley’s knowledge of her presence in Derbyshire unavoidable.
Though Darcy was uncertain what he had meant by denying Miss Bingley the knowledge of her presence, he knew he needed to consider how best to reveal the truth.
The easiest action he could take would be to inform Bingley of the matter, but that carried its own risks.
Bingley no longer displayed the acute disappointment Darcy had observed during the winter, but it was possible that this meeting would reopen the wound.
And was there any reason to prevent Bingley from following his heart?
Could he even do so? Miss Elizabeth had told him about Miss Bennet’s feelings, so Darcy’s primary objection to the match must now be without foundation.
Through dinner he mulled over the problem, endured Miss Bingley’s cloying attentions, and by the end of the evening, he resolved to take Bingley into his confidence.
A private tête-à-tête with his friend was out of the question, since Hurst, sniffing out the opportunity to consume more of Darcy’s brandy, did not hesitate to accompany them when they sought Darcy’s study.
That would not be a problem—Darcy knew Hurst only tolerated his sister by marriage, and would not have enough interest in the subject to repeat anything he heard.
“Bingley, I need to tell you something,” said Darcy after he had poured three portions. “The acquaintance we visited in Lambton—you know her.”
“Her?” demanded Hurst, considering Darcy from over his glass. “No wonder you were so coy about it. Caroline will not appreciate hearing that you went to visit a woman, not when she expects to corner you during this visit.”
Darcy decided it was best to allow that comment to pass.
“I know her, you say?” asked Bingley, though a hint of intuition appeared in his expression.
“Yes, she is known to us all,” said Darcy. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her London relations are staying at the inn in Lambton.”
Though Bingley was struck speechless, his glass stopping halfway to his lips, Hurst was under no such constraint, the evidence of which was a bark of laughter.
“This is admirable, Darcy!” chortled he. “Not fifteen minutes after our arrival, you went to Lambton to visit a woman Caroline detests above all others, and unless I am mistaken, you took your excellent sister along to introduce her.”
“Miss Bennet is an acquaintance,” replied Darcy. “I met her again in Kent in the spring when I visited my aunt. Since I made some mention of her in my letters to Georgiana, she was interested to make Miss Bennet’s acquaintance.”
Darcy had never considered Hurst to be an especially shrewd man, but at the moment, his expression suggested that he understood more than Darcy had said. Bingley, for his part, had gone silent and still at the mention of the name Bennet.
“Miss Elizabeth is staying five miles from Pemberley?”
“She is,” said Darcy.
It seemed Bingley could not muster a response, so shocked was he.
“Since you made no response to my earlier comment,” said Hurst, “I shall say it again, Darcy. Miss Bennet’s sudden appearance will displease Caroline. She has convinced herself that you will honor her with your proposal during our stay.”
“Caroline is not so blatant as this,” protested Bingley.
“No, but every word betrays her expectations,” replied Hurst. He gestured to Darcy.
“Consider her reaction to Darcy’s absence this afternoon.
In Caroline’s mind, Darcy’s every attention must be directed toward her—if she does not receive the level of devotion she expects, she will redouble her efforts. ”
This appeared to rouse Bingley from his shock.
“That is accurate enough,” said he with a grimace. “Your indifference has wounded her, my friend—she has convinced herself that you were waiting for the right moment to propose, that this stay will result in your capitulation.”
Though Darcy had avoided this subject for years, he could do so no longer. “Bingley, I mean no offense to your excellent sister, but I have no interest in her as a wife.”
Bingley and Hurst exchanged a look, one that seemed to suggest Darcy had stated the obvious. Their responses proved his supposition correct.
“I have never expected you to propose to my sister, Darcy,” said Bingley.
“The only person who does not see your disinclination for her company is Caroline herself,” added Hurst. “Even Louisa has seen the truth. The task before us, therefore, is convincing Caroline to accept reality.”
“Tomorrow she will understand, whether she likes it or not,” said Darcy. “Miss Bennet and her relations are to come to Pemberley tomorrow afternoon for a few hours. They would remain for dinner if they did not have another engagement, but they will dine with us the following evening.”
“I am not surprised,” said Hurst while Bingley looked on. “What have you planned for their entertainment?”
“My sister will host the ladies,” replied Darcy. “I have promised Mr. Gardiner that we shall indulge in some fishing.”
“Sport is a good choice, indeed,” said Hurst. “I have no objection to fishing, and if you recommend Mr. Gardiner, I suspect he is a good sort.”
“The question,” said Bingley, “is whether Pemberley will remain standing in the wake of Miss Bennet’s visit. My sister has never gotten on well with her.”
“If you will pardon me, Bingley,” replied Darcy, “I care little for your sister’s feelings on this matter. Miss Bingley is a guest at Pemberley, and Miss Bennet and her family will also be guests. It is not her place to insert her opinion.”
“No, it is not,” agreed Hurst. “But Caroline will not hesitate to make her sentiments known, regardless.”
Darcy shrugged, not because he did not care, but because he was not concerned. “Miss Bennet is well able to hold her own against your sister.”
“That is the truth!” rumbled Hurst.
“I shall take Caroline aside and explain certain facts of the situation to her,” said Bingley. “Do you wish me to inform her of Miss Bennet’s visit?”
Though he considered it, Darcy shook his head. “That is not your responsibility, Bingley. Tomorrow morning, I shall speak of it to your sisters.”
Bingley nodded. “May I assume the introduction of Miss Bennet to your sister went well?”
“They have already agreed to dispense with formality,” said Darcy, again feeling the pleasure of their instant friendship.
“Whereas Caroline presumes but has never received such permission,” said Hurst.
There was nothing to say to that. Darcy knew that Miss Bingley took liberties when addressing his sister, but he had said nothing because of his friendship with Bingley. Georgiana, he knew, ignored it, though she did not appreciate Miss Bingley’s presumption.
“Tell me, Darcy,” said Bingley, though his tone was diffident, “have you heard anything of Miss Bennet’s family?”
Before Darcy could so much as muster a response, Hurst’s snort interrupted anything he might say. “Come, Bingley, say what you mean. You are not asking about the Bennets, but more particularly about Miss Jane Bennet.”
Bingley appeared a little shamefaced, but he did not contradict his brother. Instead, he turned an expectant gaze on Darcy.