Chapter 5
Elizabeth and Jane joined the family before dinner, and a new round of questions began.
In the middle of the conversation, a servant announced the shocking visit of Mr Bingley, which caused a gasp from both Jane and her mother.
The gentleman entered with apparent restlessness, a bow, and some apologies.
“Mr Bennet, Mrs Bennet, please forgive my intrusion.”
“It is no intrusion at all, sir!” Mrs Bennet replied. “We were about to have dinner. We would be honoured if you would join us.”
“I thank you, but I cannot. I must return as my own dinner is waiting. I just came to make sure that Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth were unharmed. And to express, on behalf of my friend and myself, our deepest gratitude for their assistance. Miss Elizabeth’s determination and courage are commendable. ”
“Mr Bingley, please. I have done nothing to deserve such praise,” Elizabeth interjected. “You would have found Mr Darcy regardless, so my intervention was unnecessary.”
“Your modesty is admirable, but I cannot allow you to deny the truth,” Mr Bingley stated. “Darcy insisted that I come, and my words are his words too.”
“Then I thank him and you for the praise, and I beg both of you never to mention it again,” Elizabeth said lightly.
Mr Bingley bowed one more time. “Now, please excuse me. I must leave. As I said, I am in a great hurry. If you do not mind, I might call tomorrow, only to enquire after Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth’s health.”
“That would be very kind of you, sir! We shall eagerly await your visit,” Mrs Bennet said with a large grin, which embarrassed both her eldest daughters, her husband, and Mr Bingley himself.
After the guest left, Mrs Bennet attacked Elizabeth with more questions.
“Lizzy, my dear, you saved Mr Darcy? Tell me everything! Mr Bingley sounded so grateful! He said he would come again tomorrow! This can only mean one thing! Tell me what happened. What did you do? What did Jane do? I am sorry that I scolded you for acting wildly. Who would have thought that your habits would earn Mr Bingley’s gratitude? ”
“Mama, let us eat. Jane and I are very hungry. I promise to give you all the details, but I must warn you that there is nothing of importance to convey.”
With such a promise, the family gathered around the table, and Elizabeth related the incident.
Then, Mrs Bennet asked Jane what Mr Darcy had said to her when they were alone.
Jane wisely forgot to mention that he had offered her his coat, as such a revelation might cause further wild speculations from their mother.
“This is quite a story! I wonder what Mr Jones said about Mr Darcy’s injury,” Mrs Bennet pondered.
“To be honest, I would be happy if it is not so serious as to worry Mr Bingley but serious enough to keep him in bed for a few weeks, so Mr Bingley cannot make plans to leave soon. A few weeks would suffice, considering his obvious admiration for Jane!”
“Mama, do you think Mr Bingley will propose to Jane in a few weeks?” Lydia asked, and Mrs Bennet glared at her.
“Well, my dear,” Mr Bennet interjected, “I am glad that you are making plans to trap men and marry them to our daughters based on their friends’ injuries. This is rather entertaining.”
“Oh, Mr Bennet, do not upset me. You know very well what I mean!”
“I do know, and I am a little scared. In case you need some distraction from your marital plans, I have just received a letter from my cousin Mr Collins.”
“Your cousin?” Lydia asked.
“Yes. The one who will throw you out to starve as soon as I am dead,” Mr Bennet added.
“I do not want to hear anything about that horrible man! Nothing at all! I cannot stand to hear his name, and I could not care less about his letters!”
“I am sorry to hear that. I am afraid you will have to bear both his name and his presence. He has expressed his intention to visit soon and spend a few days at Longbourn, in order to make peace with the family.”
“Could he be a reasonable man, Papa?” Elizabeth enquired.
“He might be reasonable, but surely wit and sense are not his strongest qualities. His letter was the most entertaining that I have read in a long time.”
“Are we forced to accept him?” Mrs Bennet asked.
“We are. We should do the best we can. Who knows? We might find his visit diverting, after all. If not, we may be thankful that it will be short.”
***
Darcy took a sip from his brandy, while Bingley filled his own glass.
The apothecary had examined him, and the verdict was what he expected: a sprained ankle — swollen, painful, and turning black.
Mr Jones insisted it was bandaged tightly and that he should keep his foot still and remain in bed for a few days, in order to avoid further complications.
Darcy did not oppose the man’s advice, as he had nowhere to go, and keeping to his room created a safe distance from Bingley’s sisters.
“So, in conclusion, Miss Elizabeth forbade both of us from thanking her again. At least for this incident,” Bingley said.
“Tonight, I saw the two Miss Bennets side by side, wearing similar gowns and with their hair arranged in a similar fashion, and I could not tell who was who. Until they spoke, of course.”
“I must admit, Miss Jane Bennet is a very sweet young lady. While we waited, she repeatedly asked me whether I was in pain, she helped me find shelter from the rain, and she was all genuine care and kindness. I was quite impressed by her. Even more so as I am certain she did it without ulterior motives.”
“I felt she was a kind person from the moment I saw her.”
“And I cannot argue with that.”
“I am aware of her lack of connections and very likely fortune. Sir William already informed me they have no dowry and that their father’s estate is entailed to some distant cousin. That is why my sisters disapprove of my admiration for her.”
“You should not worry about your sisters but about the expectations that might arise from your admiration — and if you are ready to meet them. I have always disapproved of men trifling with honourable young women.”
“I hope you do not believe me capable of improper behaviour.”
“Not at all. But I have seen you in love many times before.”
“Yes, Caroline said exactly the same,” Bingley replied with apparent vexation.
“This is the effect of your tendency to display your admiration too openly,” Darcy said.
“I hope you do not mind me telling you. On too many occasions you have related how charmed you have been by one young woman or another, but the flame died after just a short time. It is not surprising that we are cautious when you speak of another object of your admiration.”
“That might be valid in your case, Darcy! As for my sisters, I know they have ridiculous expectations of me marrying someone who possesses a name, connections, and perhaps even a title. I shall certainly not marry to please them.”
“I hope you will not, Bingley. But please consider the situation carefully before you even think of marriage, not to mention speak of it.”
Later that evening, Darcy was alone in his bed, trying to sleep.
Despite several drinks, the pain kept him awake, even after Bingley had returned to his own apartment.
But more than the pain, what prevented his slumber was the image of the lovely Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
When he had seen her at Netherfield, her hair ruined underneath her soaked bonnet, her gown wet, her petticoat dipped in mud, he had been simply enchanted.
The thought that she had endured such discomfort for him was equally satisfying and disturbing, stirring up all sorts of feelings inside him, which were more than gratitude. Much more.
***
Two days passed without event. Mr Bingley called every day, but he never stayed long.
Mrs Bennet visited her sister and friends in Meryton, usually in the company of her youngest daughters. The report that Elizabeth had saved Mr Darcy spread quickly, either from the lips of Mrs Bennet or from other sources.
Mr Bingley’s third visit in a row was a source of much joy.
“Mrs Bennet,” he said, “I very much appreciated your invitation to dinner, but, considering the situation, I cannot abandon my friend at home. In the last few days, Darcy’s ankle has improved, and Mr Jones has allowed him to leave his bed.
Therefore, I shall organise a dinner party at Netherfield in ten days’ time.
It would be my greatest pleasure to have you and your family in attendance. ”
Jane blushed with delight and responded with an enchanting smile, but Mrs Bennet erupted in a burst of joy while she expressed her acceptance.
“Of course we shall be there! What a surprise! Will there be many people?”
“I have not decided yet. You are the first I have invited,” he said, causing even more joy. “There will likely be several more families from Meryton, such as Sir William and Lady Lucas, Mr and Mrs Phillips, and others. I am sure you will be acquainted with them all.”
“Will there be music?” Lydia jumped into the conversation.
“I hope so. There are few things I enjoy more than dancing,” Mr Bingley answered with a meaningful glance at Jane, which nobody missed.
“So, is it a ball or a dinner?” Mrs Bennet insisted.
“It will be a dinner party with some music and dancing,” Mr Bingley explained, slightly confused. “Like a private ball,” he concluded, much to Elizabeth’s amusement.
“Will Mr Darcy’s ankle be healed properly,” Elizabeth enquired on an impulse which she then regretted. Why would she care?
“Probably not, but Darcy rarely dances. Since he stood up at the assembly, I expect him to wait at least a year before repeating the endeavour,” Mr Bingley said in jest.
Elizabeth scolded herself for asking such a question. Where had this interest in Mr Darcy sprung from? Why could she not control her curiosity about him?
“The regiment will arrive in Meryton in a few days,” Kitty interjected. “Will you invite some of the officers too?”
“Kitty, what sort of question is that?” Jane scolded her. “Mr Bingley may invite whomever he pleases. It is not for us to question him.”