Chapter 10 #2
“I did not say,” Darcy began, and then trailed away, his mind veering unexpectedly to Miss Elizabeth, Miss Bennet’s next younger sister.
It was obvious that the two eldest Bennet sisters were the very best of friends.
It was also obvious that Miss Elizabeth would not prevaricate to capture a gentleman of fortune for her sister.
When Bingley said that he would see Miss Bennet soon, Elizabeth responded confidently that her sister would be very pleased to see him.
There had been a fervent expression on Miss Elizabeth’s countenance at these words, which meant that she, at least, believed her sister was truly looking forward to seeing his friend again.
Nor was it likely that a lady so refined and pleasing would behave in a false manner toward the master of Netherfield.
He shook his head and said, “Bingley, in truth, I do not know. I only urge you to take your time in determining your future path with Miss Bennet. Her family is not well connected, as you know. Her mother is but the daughter of a solicitor.”
“And I am a man whose father earned his fortune from trade,” Bingley argued. “Longbourn has been the home of the Bennets for many generations and Miss Bennet is a gentleman’s daughter. I would be fortunate to win her hand.”
Darcy rubbed his forehead in frustration.
“She is a gentleman’s daughter, yes, but Bingley, you know that Mrs. Bennet and her two youngest daughters are not well behaved.
Mrs. Bennet is vulgar and speaks incessantly about the beauty and dubious accomplishments of her daughters, and at the ball only a few days ago, she crowed loudly within my hearing that Miss Bennet would soon be mistress of this estate.
As for the youngest girls – they are wild, ignorant, and vain.
My friend, I dislike speaking harsh truths about the family of the woman you love, but they are beneath you.
You could find a woman with better connections and behavior in London. ”
Bingley glared back at him and said, “Well, it depends very much on what I want in a wife, does it not? Miss Bennet is beautiful, noble, kind, and gracious. As for her mother and sisters – well, they are exuberant and high spirited and yes, occasionally vulgar, but I do not particularly care. If we are speaking harsh truths, I would far rather have Mrs. Bennet as my mother–in–law than Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who asks rude questions, raps out imperious orders to all those around her, and looks upon me as more insect than man since my father was not a member of the gentry.”
Darcy opened his mouth in protest, shut it, contemplated, slumped a little, and then sighed in acknowledgment.
“There is truth in that, Bingley. My aunt is indeed a difficult woman, and that is just one of the cogent reasons I have for not marrying my cousin Anne. I confess that under the current challenging circumstances, I would far rather deal with all the Bennets than the mistress of Rosings.”
***
Mr. Collins, who was drowsing on a comfortable chair near the fire in the parlor, looked up as Longbourn’s butler entered the room. “Yes?”
“An express for you, sir,” the man said, presenting a letter on a silver tray.
“Thank you,” Collins responded with a wave of dismissal. Mr. Hill retreated and the clergyman quickly broke the seal, read it rapidly, and then lifted an ecstatic countenance toward the ceiling. Lady Catherine de Bourgh would arrive in Hertfordshire before the Sabbath!
For a moment, he was tempted to rush around Longbourn informing his relations of their upcoming good fortune, but then he decided against it.
He was not entirely certain when Lady Catherine would wish to meet the Bennets; Longbourn was a pleasant little estate, but nothing compared to the grandeur of Rosings.
No, it would be cruel to tell his cousins that his patroness was in the area given that she must, by necessity, concern herself with the health of Mr. Darcy.
No doubt Lady Catherine, who was always helpful, generous, and condescending, would be pleased to provide the Bennets with the benefits of her advice eventually.
For now, he had best wait until she summoned him to Netherfield.
***
“Fanny?” Mr. Bennet said, pulling his wife closer to him.
“Yes?” Mrs. Bennet murmured happily. It had been many weeks since her husband had visited her bedchamber at night, even longer since he had been so obviously delighted to be with her.
He pulled her a little close and looked down with fondness. For all her foolishness, his wife was still a beauty, and she had retained her figure in spite of giving birth to five children. He ought to visit her more often at night.
“My dear, I spoke to Mr. Darcy today at some length, and it seems this George Wickham was not an exemplary fellow at all.”
“Was he not? Lydia said that he was well-favored and charming.”
“Elizabeth told me the same, that his outward appearance and speech were both exceptionally pleasing. All the same, Mr. Darcy talks of gambling and debts and deceit.”
“That is quite dreadful, Mr. Bennet.”
“It is. I am concerned about the girls, dear wife. We know our neighbors well, but these militia officers, while handsome in their red coats, could be ruffians of the first order. I think it would be safest if our daughters were not allowed to mix so freely with them.”
“Oh, but Mr. Bennet, surely this Mr. Wickham was not typical! The girls must be out and about meeting men for they must marry before you die, or we will be thrown into the hedgerows.”
Her husband suppressed a grimace and spoke hastily, eager to head off an attack of his wife’s infamous nerves.
“I saw Mr. Bingley’s expression when he spoke of our Jane.
I have no doubt he will soon be asking for her hand in marriage.
But if the younger ones are involved in any sort of trouble with the officers, that might well ruin all for our eldest daughter.
Mr. Bingley would hardly wish to ally himself with a family in the midst of scandal. ”
To his relief, Mrs. Bennet closed her mouth and lay back, her gaze fixed on the ceiling above them.
A moment later her beautiful face hardened in determination, and she said, “You are entirely right, Husband. The younger ones will be disappointed, but nothing must threaten Mr. Bingley’s courtship of Jane. ”