Chapter 47 Predatory #3
Darcy spoke of Georgiana and of growing up at Pemberley with both Lydia and Lizzy.
As he did, he tried not to be too distracted watching Sir Phillip have to turn away from Kitty again and again to politely reply to comments and questions from Miss Bingley.
A few times he looked to Bennet and saw that the man was thoroughly enjoying the situation.
In addition to his occasional comments on the conversation Darcy and his partners were having, Bennet sometimes drew Kitty's attention just so that Miss Bingley would have an opportunity to attack Sir Phillip yet again.
The younger man proved adept at answering politely without encouraging any detailed response, impressing Darcy, who knew he would not have done as well in Sir Phillip's place.
Despite the lack of encouragement, Miss Bingley persevered.
She brought up multiple topics and told stories about the events she had attended in London that were clearly intended to show how sheltered and unsophisticated Kitty was.
She tried to counter Mrs. Bennet's earlier comments about the importance of a governess by mentioning the select seminary she and her sister had attended as girls.
Darcy felt sorry for her, because it was clear she had indeed grown more desperate with age.
Her attempts to win him over had never been so clumsy or obvious.
After the ladies withdrew, he asked Bingley a question that grown in his mind while watching Miss Bingley's performance. "Bingley, your sister's dowry is secured for her even if she does not marry, is it not?"
Accepting the glass of port he had just been offered, Bingley turned to his friend curiously. "Of course, it is," he said. "Why do you ask?"
"I was just wondering why she suddenly appears so very desperate to find a husband. I have never seen her quite this relentless and predatory before. The most obvious conclusion is that she fears that when you marry, she will lose her financial support."
"Oh, I see what you are getting at. No, although I control the dispersal of her dowry principle for now, it is hers whether she marries or not.
She receives the income from it while she is single, and the principle becomes hers to manage as well if she has not married by the time she reaches twenty-five.
We have never spoken about what will happen when I marry, but surely she knows I would never just throw her out to make her own way in the world. "
"That may be obvious to you, young man," Mr. Phillips said, "but I expect it is less so to her. Are you planning to marry soon?"
Bingley turned red to his ear tips at the question. He looked to Bennet for guidance on how to answer.
"We are not telling my wife or yours just yet, but he is officially courting Mary," Bennet said with a smirk. "I thought it best to hold the news until Mary is home to deal with her mother's effusions."
"Her aunt's as well, I would say," said Phillips with a smile. "Very wise. And congratulations to you, Mr. Bingley. You have my secrecy. I take it your father is no longer living?"
"Neither parent," Bingley replied, "We are orphans."
"Ah, then it is understandable she might feel very nervous at the thought of your upcoming marriage, for I assume she knows your intent, especially if you have not discussed what arrangements would be made for her."
Nodding, Bennet added, "You must also remember, Mr. Bingley, that society places great emphasis on the need for every woman to marry as quickly and advantageously as she can, even when it might be more financially beneficial for her to remain single."
"Definitely," Darcy said. "She may also be worried because, as unfair as it may be, if she is set up in her own household upon your marriage, she will be classed as a spinster among the members of the Ton.
This will make her a less desirable partner even if nothing about her or her prospects has actually changed. "
Bingley shook his head. "I just assumed everything would work itself out," he said. "I suppose this means I need to have a serious talk with my sister, difficult though that may be."
"The sooner, the better, judging by her behavior this evening," Mr. Phillips said. "But what about you, Mr. Darcy? You appear very pleased with our Lizzy's company, and she seems likewise by yours. Is there other news that has not been shared with her mother?"
Darcy blushed slightly, but answered honestly, "Nothing that can be considered official, much to my disappointment.
I am sure you know of my earlier offenses towards her.
Although we are on good footing now, she needs some time to become better acquainted before she agrees to either courtship or marriage. "
"Oh, I think that official announcement may come sooner than you now think," Bennet said, "although I hate to lose her to you.
" He paused before continuing, "To lose any of them, for that matter.
I can hardly think where the time has gone.
It seems just yesterday they were all infants and now they are nearly grown up, getting ready to marry and, soon enough, have children of their own. "
He rubbed at one eye before saying more lightly, "You young men had best watch yourselves. You will have a father's curse upon your head if you make any of my daughters unhappy."
"Yes, sir," the three younger men said in unison, prompting all five of them to laughter. After that, the conversation turned to more mundane matters as they discussed estates and education, generally getting to know one another better.
~o~
When they joined the ladies in the music room for some after-dinner entertainment, Miss Bingley began her quest to gain Sir Phillip's attention once again.
She volunteered to play for the company, doing so in a technically perfect manner, although her performance lacked something in the way of a nuanced delivery that would have made it more compelling.
After the applause, she prodded Kitty to perform as well, clearly hoping to look even better by comparison.
Kitty, wisely, chose a simple piece that she knew well.
Her delivery was good, and she played with more feeling than Miss Bingley had.
While her performance was not up to the same technical standard as Miss Bingley, it pleased her audience and counted as a success, which had clearly not been Miss Bingley's intent in putting her on the spot.
While Kitty played, Miss Bingley attempted to take her seat by Sir Phillip, but Jane had already slipped into the spot.
With Lizzy on his other side, he was able to enjoy the performance in silence.
When Kitty completed her turn, she and Jane quickly switched places, before Miss Bingley had a chance to protest. Jane played a sweet, simple accompaniment to a duet she sang with Lydia.
The rest of the evening passed with all the sisters conspiring to keep Miss Bingley from monopolizing Sir Phillip's attention.
The men watched with amusement but made no comment and did nothing to interfere.
The predator had been blocked for the time being and they all hoped Bingley would be able to ease her mind once he had a good discussion with his sister about her future prospects.