Chapter 47 Predatory #2
"Yes, it is good to see you back at Longbourn," Kitty said and added, "That is such a lovely gown, and it suits you so very well.
I could see you entering a fancy ballroom and delighting everyone with that look.
Of course, it is more formal than anything the rest of us are wearing tonight.
" She lifted her hand to her mouth as she realized that might be construed as an insult.
"I beg your pardon," she said. "I meant no offense. "
Before Miss Bingley, who had clearly taken offense, could answer, Mrs. Bennet broke in loudly. What she said caused the frustrated look on her guest's face to deepen.
"Now, Kitty, you must remember Miss Bingley is used to the formality of London society.
She will soon learn we are more informal here and will dress accordingly.
Although, if I had a number of gowns of that quality, and with such exquisite lace, I would be tempted to wear them at every possible occasion even if it did make me appear to think myself above my company.
Not that my girls would do so, Miss Bingley, oh no.
They have had the good fortune to have skilled governesses to teach them far better manners than I have.
My sister and I are just country girls who do the best we can and the society in Meryton accepts us for all that.
Oh, Miss Bingley, you will get to meet my sister tonight.
After you left, I sent over a note to her.
She and Brother Phillips should be here at any time. "
Miss Bingley's face was a study in mixed emotions.
Her opening gambit was ruined, and she had been painted by her hostess as unmannerly for wearing such a fine gown precisely because she looked so elegant.
At the same time, she was trying to keep her countenance pleasant to salvage the moment with Sir Phillip.
Knowing he should probably feel more sympathetic, Darcy could barely keep from laughing aloud at the sight.
"Oh, Mama," Lizzy whispered just loudly enough for Darcy to make out the words. "That was beautifully done, even if you had no idea what you were doing."
"Are you certain she did not?" Darcy asked, just as quietly.
Lizzy looked at him in surprise. Before she could collect herself and respond, there was a commotion at the parlor door and her aunt, Jane Phillips, entered the room followed by Lizzy's uncle and father.
Darcy thought the noise level quadrupled instead of merely doubling as the two sisters greeted each other enthusiastically before Mrs. Bennet proceeded to introduce her sister to all her guests.
Since Bingley was already speaking with Bennet and Mr. Phillips, she began with Mrs. de Bourgh, who accepted both the introduction and the noise with equanimity.
After that, Mrs. Bennet quickly brought her sister over to Darcy and Lizzy.
As Darcy made his bow, Mrs. Phillips clasped her hands with pleasure, saying, "Oh, what a handsome man!
Just like your cousin, the Colonel! Are all the men your family so good looking?
I know your uncle is, but what about the Colonel's older brother? "
It suddenly struck Darcy that even though it was still a secret, he had forgotten he should be mourning his cousin and grandfather. That thought made him sound unusually sober as he replied, "I could not say, Madam. That is for the ladies to decide."
The answer must have pleased Mrs. Phillips, for she gushed, "Oh!
And modest as well, despite his heroism saving you Lizzy.
You should snap this one up as quickly as possible!
" She and Mrs. Bennet giggled as they stepped away to introduce her to Miss Bingley and Sir Phillip, ignoring the blush that suffused Lizzy's face.
"I apologize for her," Lizzy began, but Darcy smiled.
"Do not," he said. "I thought her advice was excellent, if a little over-enthusiastic. Snap away!"
Lizzy's blush deepened at his comment, but she made no answer. They both heard Mrs. Phillips enthusiastically exclaiming over Miss Bingley's gown, particularly the lace. Lizzy's embarrassment turned partially to amusement as Mrs. Phillips responded to a comment of Mrs. Bennet's.
"Yes, indeed. If I had such lovely gowns, I could not help wearing them and showing them off whether they were appropriate for the occasion or not!
And you are such a lovely woman, Miss Bingley.
I suppose you have the men in London falling all over themselves to pay attention to you.
Sir Phillip is too young, of course, although I am certain he cannot help admiring you.
All the same, he will do better with someone Kitty's age, a little younger than he is. "
"Yes," whispered Darcy to Lizzy, "I think both your mother and aunt know exactly what they are doing when it comes to Miss Bingley. They may disguise it under their cheerful ways, but they are not about to let a catch like Sir Phillip escape from one of their girls."
Lizzy blushed again. "Oh, you must think my family is so dreadful and vulgar."
"I might have, at one time," he admitted, "but I have come to admire them.
They are not so much after wealth and position as they are just wanting to find happy and safe places for the family members they love.
It is a far cry from my own aunt who simply wants to control everyone and make them miserable. "
"Poor Miss Bingley," Lizzy observed after digesting his comment. "It is a lovely gown, and she does look very good in it, but I suspect that after this evening she will never want to wear it again."
"She knew perfectly well what she was doing as well, and they are calling her out on it," Darcy said. He broke off the conversation as Bennet approached with Mr. Phillips.
After the introduction, Bennet and his brother-in-law joined in conversation with Darcy and Lizzy, while in the background Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Phillips exclaimed over Bingley.
"I am glad you and the Colonel decided to visit when you did," Mr. Phillips said. "I hate to think what would have happened to Lizzy and Miss Lucas, or rather, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, had you not. Have you heard whether the Colonel will be able to resolve the problem that took him back to London?"
"I have not yet," Darcy said. He did not know how much of the situation Mr. Phillips truly knew, so he kept to the story they had devised.
"He sent a note when he returned my carriage saying just that they had arrived safely.
My cousin could not have visited the war office until today. I expect to hear from him again soon."
"Ah, good. Let us hope he is not sent away again. He has certainly done his part for our country, and he deserves a chance to settle down and make a new life with his wife."
"I will not argue with you there, sir," Darcy replied. "I have worried about his safety ever since he went away the first time, about ten years ago. I know he has served bravely, and he is rightfully proud of what he has accomplished, but I will be glad to see him somewhere away from the fighting."
"And yet, no sooner did you arrive here than you were both fighting to rescue two young women. I understand you already knew that villain, Lieutenant Brickham."
"He is George Wickham, actually. Yes, we both knew him. I grew up with him although as we aged, we grew apart. Richard never trusted him, but I once did. I would not do so again."
"No doubt. Of course, with what he has done, it is unlikely anyone will have the misfortune to trust him ever again. I hear there is to be a court-martial."
"It seems likely," Darcy said. "I think Richard may also be having words with his contacts at the war office among his other errands in town. He was already acquainted with the investigator who came to see if a court-martial was warranted."
"Good. Good. Well, I had best collect my wife.
It looks like we are being called to dinner.
I will want to talk with you more after.
" He bowed and headed off to take his wife in.
Bennet looked at Darcy and Lizzy standing together, started to offer his daughter his arm in a very deliberate and formal manner and then winked at Darcy before walking away with a smirk on his face.
"May I escort you in, Miss Elizabeth," Darcy said, trying to ignore the amusement her father was having at his expense.
As she accepted his arm, she directed his attention to Sir Phillip, who now had Kitty on one arm and Miss Bingley clinging to the other. "I must say, Miss Bingley is persistent," she whispered.
"You have no idea," Darcy muttered.
~o~
The comedy continued through dinner. Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Phillips tried to convince Miss Bingley to sit with them so they could ask her about her modiste and all her favorite places to shop in London.
Instead, Miss Bingley quickly took a seat on one side of Sir Phillip and suggested that conversation could wait until the separation from the gentlemen after dinner.
Bennet graciously thanked her on behalf of all the gentlemen present, upon which Mrs. Bennet let the matter of seating stand as it was.
As the first course was served, the conversation remained confined to the natural small groupings.
Mrs. Bennet held court at her end of the table with Mrs. Phillips.
Bingley had brought in Mrs. de Bourgh, who sat at Mrs. Bennet's other side, and Jane.
He sat between them and happily conversed with both as well as answering questions from his hostess and her sister from time to time.
Darcy had brought in Lydia along with Lizzy, who was now seated next to her father as well.
Mr. Phillips was between his wife and Miss Bingley, who ignored the older man as she continued to try and draw the attention of Sir Phillip from Kitty, who sat on his other side between him and her father.