Chapter 20 Port
"I say, Darcy, that was an excellent meal even by the high standards of this house," Charles Bingley noted as he accepted the after-dinner glass of port from his host. "I do not know what makes the difference, but my cook never quite manages to match yours whether it is a relatively simple meal like this or one of the fancy dinners Caroline insists on hosting. "
"It may not be so much the cook as much as the one giving the instructions," Fitzwilliam Darcy suggested seriously.
"I have never noticed anything technically wrong with any food I have eaten in your home, and the individual items are usually very good.
I think it is more in the combination of dishes and flavors where the experience falls short.
That selection is usually the purview of the hostess or, in my case, of the housekeeper.
Beyond occasionally expressing a desire for a particular dish, I would not presume to dictate menus to either Mrs. Carroll here in London or Mrs. Reynolds at Pemberley.
They have years of experience with this kind of planning, know the abilities of our cooks and have never let me down. "
"I suppose that makes sense. Before Father's death, Caroline insisted on taking over the role of hostess and continued in that role even after Louisa and Hurst came to stay with us. I think she wants to impress all our guests with her style and flair, especially you, Darcy." Bingley chuckled.
"Do not even speak of your sister's vain hopes for me again," Darcy said, shaking his head. "You would think after all these years and all the times you have talked to her about it that she would give it up as a bad job. I will not change my mind now."
"Oh, I think she has mostly given up. She has been much more serious about trying to be invited to the right places and seen by the right people to give her a good boost up the social ladder.
She would marry you in an instant if you asked, but chasing you is more a habit than a goal these days.
" Bingley sipped at his port, appreciating the flavor.
All the same, he almost choked on the drink at his friend's next question.
"Do you plan to continue hosting the Hursts for the rest of your days?"
"What?" Bingley spluttered, trying to catch his breath.
"The Hursts. Do you intend to let them continue to live in your home and off your income as they have in the two years since your father died? I know it is none of my business really, but I have wondered."
With surprise still evident in his voice, Bingley replied, "It has been nearly two years, has it not? I had not really thought about it. Sometimes it feels like he has been gone forever, sometimes it feels like he died just yesterday, and sometimes I have trouble believing he is gone at all."
"I understand completely. I still feel that way five years on.
At least I am much more confident and settled in my role as master of Pemberley now.
Even though I was expecting it and had trained for it, taking over was very difficult at first, as you well know.
I know you have been feeling more comfortable with the new responsibilities as well, which is why I began to wonder about the Hursts.
They showed up for the funeral, moved into your home and have just never left again. "
Bingley sat back in his chair and took another sip of the port before answering.
"There was so much going on when Father died, between the business needs, taking over the finances and dealing with the funeral arrangements.
It seemed a relief to have Louisa and Hurst arrive, if only so my sister and I were not alone in the house.
Of course, Caroline remained as hostess because Louisa was considered a guest. My older sister has not tried to take precedence that I am aware, and she and Caroline seem in perfect accord, so I had not really noticed how much time had passed and that they cannot really be considered just guests anymore.
I have never asked them how long they intended to stay, and they have never mentioned leaving. "
He and Darcy sipped at their wine in silence for a moment. After a bit, Darcy asked, "What do you think about the situation?"
"I really do not mind. As you say, they are living off my income, but they are not extravagant and I am not short of cash.
Hurst is undemanding company, even when he is sober.
Louisa and Caroline both seem happy enough.
Because Hurst is the son of a gentleman, they can give Caroline a bit of a social bump when they escort her to events.
I would say the situation is working out well for all of us.
I might reassess in the future but for now there is no need to address it with them. "
Darcy nodded. What his friend said made sense. He topped up each of their glasses, and they both settled back into their chairs comfortably.
"What about the good colonel?" Bingley asked. "Have you heard from him lately?"
"I had a letter from him just yesterday, in fact.
Richard assured me he is well and unharmed.
As usual, he does not go into much detail regarding his location, but he is somewhere on the continent at the moment.
He thinks he may be coming back to England by next spring at the latest. I wish it were sooner.
Every minute he spends on the front lines is another chance for him to catch a fatal bullet or cannonball. "
"You have said before that his superiors are pleased with him. Do you think he will become a general soon?"
"He has expressed some doubts as to staying in long enough to become a general.
He might receive a battlefield promotion, but that is entirely up to chance.
He has asked me to be on the lookout for a small estate that might do well for him, and I know my uncle is doing the same.
Richard has some funds saved and I think my uncle might have been preparing for this as well. "
"I thought the two of them were still not getting along because he insisted on going into the military," Bingley said.
"My uncle did not want Richard to join, and they have argued over that point.
As you know, my Aunt Catherine gave Richard his first commission and has helped with each of his promotions since then, usually timing her gifts just when my uncle thought he might convince Richard to give up the military life.
My cousin seems more serious about getting out this time, but for now it is just talk.
Nonetheless, my uncle would help him find an alternate path if that kept him here at home.
Above all, I think my cousin's mind may be turning to settling down and finding a wife. "
"Does he have any prospects?"
"My aunt fears he might offer for her goddaughter, who she says would be the ruin of him, but he has disclaimed romantic interest in any of the Bennet girls.
From things he has said, he may have someone else in mind, but he has not told me straight out or given me a name.
We generally have other concerns to speak of on the rare occasions he is back here. "
"What about you? If Caroline is not destined to be your partner in life, who might be? You normally seem to look at women only to find fault. What are you looking for?" Bingley considered his friend over the rim of the wineglass as he took another sip of the drink.
"It is funny you should ask that," Darcy replied, looking at the portion of wine still in his glass as he swirled it thoughtfully.
"I know I have been dismissive of most of the young women I have met.
None ever really took my fancy or caught my eye.
I always thought I would know the right woman when I saw her. Today, I think I might have."
"Truly? Who is she? Where did you meet her?" Bingley asked eagerly. This was unexpected news to him.
Darcy looked up from his glass, nowhere near as happy as Bingley expected he might be at such an event. In fact, he grimaced a little as he said, "I did not meet her. Or, at least, we were not introduced. I do not know her name nor do I have any expectations of seeing her again."
"What?" Bingley cried in disbelief.
"It is true. The moment took me by surprise, and I did not act quickly enough even if I had known what to do." He shook his head and returned to contemplating the swirling wine in his glass.
"Oh, you must tell me more," Bingley said. "What happened?"
Darcy sighed slightly. "I was at Hatchards, or I was just entering Hatchards actually.
I was looking for a new book or two to take along for the trip back to Pemberley.
As I came into the shop, I heard a woman laugh.
It was not one of those annoying high-pitched giggles so many women affect.
The laugh was rich and mellow in tone and expressed true amusement.
I spotted her stepping away from the counter with two other women.
All three had small parcels of books in their hands.
She was lovely - simply stunning - and I could not swear that my mouth did not simply drop open in surprise.
" He stopped speaking and his wistful expression almost caused Bingley's jaw to drop as well.
"You are absolutely serious!" he said as he recovered himself. "Describe her. What did this paragon of beauty look like?"
"She was…well…I suppose she was of average height for a woman.
I would guess the top of her head might just line up with my shoulders.
Her figure was proportionate to her height.
Perfect, so far as I could tell from the way her clothes were draped.
The clothes were definitely those of a gentlewoman in both quality and style.
I could not even tell you what color she wore, but it harmonized perfectly with her complexion and her rich, dark, curly hair.
Overall, the impression I had was of someone who was properly finished, head to toe.
Despite the abundant curls, her hair was neatly arranged under her bonnet, and the outfit was neither underdone or overdone, lacking all the fussy ribbons and whatnot so many women use to divert attention from their inadequacies.
What really caught me, though, were her eyes.
In the light of the shop, I could not tell if they were more green or brown, but they simply radiated joy and laughter…
" He broke of, still smiling ruefully as he turned back to his wineglass, giving it another small swirl.
"And you just stood and stared?" Bingley guessed, chuckling.
Darcy's answer was a little defensive in response to the teasing.
"Well, what could I do? One does not simply walk up to unknown young ladies and introduce oneself.
She was talking with the younger of her two companions at the time as well.
Her sister, I suppose, for they were similar in looks although the other did not catch my eye in the same way. "
Bingley chuckled again, shaking his head slightly. He clearly enjoyed his friend's discomfiture even as he sympathized with it. "You have no idea who she is or where to find her?"
"None," Darcy replied simply.
"Will you change your plans, stay in town and look?"
"No. I heard her mention going on an extended visit. She was exulting over finding just the right book to keep her occupied on the journey. The same volume I went in looking for, in fact."
"Ah! That was the draw," Bingley said. "You have never met a woman with the same taste in books before. Well, perhaps she will be back for in town for the Season this spring and you can find her then. You must attend, you know. It is either that or bow to your aunt's wishes and marry your cousin."
Darcy smiled, looking a bit relieved at the change in subject.
"No, unlike your sister, Anne would not have me, even if I asked her. I do not know how my aunt knows so little of her own daughter. Both Anne and Richard have asked me to simply play along and not give away Anne’s secrets. So far, I do not think I have."
"You visited there last month, did you not?"
Darcy nodded. "My aunt manufactured an emergency on one the tenant farms as an excuse to summon me there.
Her true aim was to talk about her desire for me to marry Anne, of course, and to warn me that the oldest Bennet girls would be visiting relatives by marriage in Derbyshire on the hunt for wealthy husbands.
She says they are too greedy and poorly behaved for any of the local men to accept them and must travel farther afield to find a target.
The emergency turned out to be more of a molehill than a mountain.
I dealt with it quickly and returned to town.
Now, I need to get back to Pemberley for the harvest and the winter preparations. Are you certain you will not join me?"
"No, although I appreciate the invitation.
Business concerns keep me here for a time, and then I must travel to Scarborough to handle other aspects of the family business.
I nearly have all of it transferred over to the manager there.
If I get the legal work done in time, I might drop by for a week or two around Christmas.
An advantage of having the Hursts staying here is that they can keep Caroline company and escort her to all the holiday parties she desires. "
"I suppose so," Darcy agreed. "Georgiana and I would be happy to have your company for Christmas." He lifted the bottle and checked the level of the remains. "There is enough here for another small glass each. Would you like more?"
"I thank you, no," Bingley answered, pushing back his chair so he could rise. "Delightful though it is, I had best go home now while I can still walk on my own. I have an early meeting tomorrow."
"As you wish," Darcy said, pouring the remainder into his glass before he also stood. "I will see you off and then take this to my room to enjoy while I read for a bit."
"The same volume as your lovely young lady with the expressive eyes?" Bingley teased.
"The very one."
"I will wish you pleasant dreams, then. Thank you again for an excellent dinner."
"I was glad of the company," Darcy said as he gestured for Bingley to proceed him out of the room.