Chapter Twenty #3
Darcy and Georgiana entered Netherfield after the visit to the farm to see Flora.
They climbed the stairs to the first floor together.
Georgiana hurried off to her bedchamber to wash, rest, and change.
Darcy strode in the opposite direction, wondering if Bingley had arrived home from his drive with Miss Bennet.
He could have asked the footman in the entrance hall, but he had forgotten to do so.
As he approached the family drawing room, his footsteps slowed.
Strong words sounded from within. A young maid hovered in the corridor, a tray of tea things in her hands, her eyes wide and staring.
She clearly did not know if she should enter the drawing room, disturbing the heated words wafting out of it.
“Leave it on the table there,” Darcy instructed, motioning to a large half-moon table in a window alcove across the corridor from the drawing room door.
She gratefully set it down, bobbed a curtsy, and scurried away.
The door stood partially open—a habit formed from allowing Miss Darcy’s favored cat to roam freely. Darcy could hear every word.
“You cannot marry that girl!” Miss Bingley cried. “What are you thinking of, Charles, to even consider such a thing?”
“Jane is a wonderful woman,” Bingley stressed. “She is kind and—”
“She has no money! And no social standing!” Miss Bingley asserted. “And her mother! Good Lord. What an embarrassing woman. She would be your mother-in-law, constantly on your doorstep, plaguing you until you want to scream.”
“I like her. Her anxiety over her daughters’ marital fate greatly influences her behavior. Once all of them are married, I am certain she will be a delightful woman,” he claimed.
Miss Bingley harrumphed, evidently not convinced. “I would not hold my breath if I were you.”
Darcy heard the rustling of her skirts and imagined her pacing about the room. While he knew he should not eavesdrop, his concern over the outcome of the argument kept him listening.
Bingley huffed. “Caroline, there can be no objection to Jane’s birth—she has a higher social position than either of us. Her character is unimpeachable. And, she is held in high regard.”
“Here! But no one knows her in London. She will do nothing to improve your social standing!”
“Your scathing remarks do you no credit, Caroline,” Bingley told his sister with forced calm. “I have no interest in improving my social standing in London society. When I am in London, I am invited to more social events than I can possibly attend. I am perfectly comfortable in my current sphere.”
“You must listen to my counsel, then, if you cannot think clearly yourself.”
“I am thinking with perfect clarity,” Bingley vowed. “It is my happiness that I endeavor to obtain. Not yours. I am certain that marrying Jane will make me happy. And, I will strive with all my heart to make her happy.”
“You will make me unhappy if you marry Jane,” Miss Bingley told him.
“Your happiness is not of paramount importance to me, Caroline.”
Darcy heard her gasp, and he winced. Miss Bingley did not react well to being snubbed. He glanced down at the floor, feeling Basile brush past him on his way into the drawing room.
“I am sorry if my words offend you, but they are the truth.” Bingley heaved a sigh.
“I thought you liked her,” he said, sounding weary now.
“I suppose I was mistaken. However, when you marry—which I hope will be soon for your sake—you will have your own household. Jane will have no effect on your life whatsoever after that happy event.”
“Louisa will arrive on Thursday and you will discover that her opinion matches mine,” Miss Bingley said.
“I hope you are wrong. I look forward to seeing our sister, and I am confident that I will have good news to tell her when she arrives,” Bingley said.
“Tomorrow I will seek Mr. Bennet’s permission to pay my addresses to Jane.
He is a charming man, and I do not expect him to refuse me.
I will be pleased to call him Father, if he permits the familiarity. ”
Darcy heard Miss Bingley stomp her foot as she screeched in her frustration. “You are impossible!”
In a quiet voice, Bingley said, “I think, Caroline, that the sooner you find someone to love, the happier you will be. Now, excuse me, I believe I heard Darcy’s carriage.”
Darcy pushed the door open far enough for Bingley to see him. “Hello. We are back. Bingley, come and show me that new hack you purchased.” He bowed to Miss Bingley, who had turned partially away from the door. “Miss Bingley, your servant.”
She did not curtsy. Instead, she flapped a hand in his direction as though pushing him away. Darcy took Bingley’s arm and led him from the room. They met Douglas coming along the corridor.
“Cousin,” Darcy said, smiling at him and staring pointedly. Douglas slowed his steps and lifted his eyebrows. “I think Miss Bingley would benefit from a stroll—down the lane where the trees overhang it and there is shade. We are going to the stables.”
“I would be delighted to escort her,” Douglas said, nodding firmly.
“Thank you. Georgiana is in her bedchamber, resting before she changes for dinner.”
“The vicar and his wife are joining us,” Bingley informed them.
“Jolly good,” Douglas said, heading for the drawing room. “There is a light breeze, which I will enjoy as much as Miss Darcy. You have no idea how hot serge is.”