“I enjoy challenges which I am prepared to tackle. I am not sure I am ready to try to be such a lady. For one thing, I am not sure I want to be such a lady. Aunt Madeleine has suggested I take part in the Season next year. She has mentioned me to a noble acquaintance of hers who she thinks will sponsor me in the ton, whatever that entails. Then I will have a chance to see what those ladies are like. I am hesitant to do it, but I will be going to meet her friend some time, and if her friend agrees to sponsor me, I suppose I will agree.”
“I do not understand why you would even hesitate, Lizzy. You already know there are no young men around here who will meet your criteria for marriage. Aunt Madeleine and Uncle Edward have introduced us into their circles and there were no men there that interested you. I would think you would be excited to be able to look at possibilities in upper society, if they would have you.”
“I suppose that is part of my problem, Jane. With no dowry, no impressive heritage, no experience in high society, what man of those circles would want me, other than Mr. Darcy, of course?”
“I am sure that if he believes you suitable, there are others who will. I think you let your lack of wealth and impressive ancestors convince you that your personality is not enough, but you are a unique lady, Lizzy. We all know that, and there must be a man, such as Mr. Darcy, who will desire you and whom you will find acceptable. And you still have not convinced me Mr. Darcy is not the man for you.”
Elizabeth sighed. “To tell you the truth, Jane, I cannot convince you because it is difficult for me to convince myself. I just so fear ending up like Papa and Mama in a marriage between two of such disparate backgrounds and natures that a felicitous marriage is almost impossible.”
Chapter 8: Bingley and Darcy Return
Saturday morning, as Jane and Elizabeth were walking toward Meryton, they saw an excited Mrs. Phillips, their mother’s sister, hurrying toward Longbourn. Mr. Phillips was the town lawyer and magistrate, and his wife was the person in town who always seemed to get news and rumors before anyone else. She was not averse to passing what she learned on to others, and in this case, when she saw Jane and Elizabeth, she exclaimed, “Jane, Lizzy, you will not believe what I just heard. Mr. Bingley is returning to Netherfield. Mrs. North has been to the shops in town buying food for his return on Monday or Tuesday. What do you think of that?”
Elizabeth looked at Jane and saw surprise and dismay on her face, which was not what she expected. “Is that so, Aunt Sarah?” said Jane. “That is good news for Meryton.”
“For Meryton, is it? Is it not good news for you?”
“I do not know. I suspect that since he has stayed away for so long, he is returning for reasons unrelated to me. We must wait and see.”
“Well, I am on to Longbourn to tell your mother. I am sure she will be much more excited about it.”
“I am sure she will be.”
After their Aunt Phillips had left, Jane said, “Lizzy, did you know about this?”
Looking somewhat abashed, Elizabeth said, “I knew there was a chance. Mr. Darcy accepted my word that you were in love with Mr. Bingley, and he said when he saw Mr. Bingley next, he would question him and recommend he reopen Longbourn if he was still interested in you. However, I did not expect any action this soon. Mr. Darcy must have left for London shortly after we left Lambton. I thought you would be pleased.”
“I do not know, Lizzy. Over the months I have become more and more disappointed with Mr. Bingley’s behavior. To give me all the indications that he favored me, and then to disappear without speaking to me himself is the action of either a very callous or very unsure man. I tend to think it is the latter, and I am not sure I want to marry a man who is so unsure of himself he can allow others to convince him he should not marry someone he wants to marry. I have begun to think maybe it is best he did go. However, I will be happy to meet him and see what my thoughts are when he is actually in front of me.”
Elizabeth was amazed at Jane’s attitude. She did not know whether to be pleased or concerned with Jane’s new attitude. “I have never heard you speak thusly and am somewhat surprised. I was pleased when Mr. Darcy told me he would talk to Mr. Bingley. Now I wonder if I was wrong and you are right. I assumed you would forgive him and allow him to court you. But I cannot argue with your reasoning. As you have apparently guessed, it was his sisters who convinced him to leave, by assuring him they could see no special favor for him in your demeanor or expression, which, by the way, is what Mr. Darcy told me was his impression of you. Let me advise you, if you do take up with Mr. Bingley again, be more forthright in showing your feelings. Mr. Bingley has been deceived by at least one woman of the ton and is very wary of predatory women and their mothers. I am sure you know what impression Mama made on him.”
“I am aware of his past experiences. He told me, but I expected such experiences to make him more aware and observe more closely. There were many times we looked in each other’s eyes. I cannot believe he could not see my affection, as I saw his. However, I do intend to give him a chance, if he so chooses, but I will be much warier. Charlotte has also told me I must show more feelings; therefore, I will try if I find my affections for him are still what they used to be.” She paused for a moment, “Do you think Mr. Darcy will be with him?”
Elizabeth chuckled. “Yes, I do. I even think it is probable Miss Darcy will be with him. I remember our parting conversation and recall that I should have guessed he intended to see me again soon rather than wait for London. He will bring Georgiana along with him because he knows I will welcome the chance to spend more time with her. Also, I will be interested in seeing how she relates to our sisters, particularly Kitty, who is of the same age and, when not with Lydia, can have a congenial personality.”
“If you find yourself in love with Mr. Darcy, will you accept his proposal before going to London?”
“No, because I am still concerned that a marriage between us would eventually become full of disagreements and strife. However, it will take all my will power to refuse him. He is a man such as I thought I would never meet. I wish he were not so wealthy and of such high station.”
******
Early Tuesday morning, not long after the Bennets had finished breakfast, there was a knock on the front door. When Hill opened it, he immediately recognized the two men standing before him. “Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, please enter. I will tell Mr. Bennet you are here.”
Mr. Bennet had just become well settled into his favorite reading chair and reading a new book of poetry he had recently purchased, when Hill knocked and announced. “Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley to see you, sir.”
Sighing, he put down is book. “So, it starts again,” he thought to himself. To Hill he said, “Very well, send them in.”
When the two gentlemen entered the study, they bowed and exchanged pleasantries, and then Mr. Bennet said, “I appreciate you calling on me gentlemen, but I doubt it is me to whom you wish to speak. However, before I take you into the parlor, where the family is gathered, may I ask, Mr. Bingley, if this is just a temporary, short visit to Netherfield, or do you intend to stay a while?”
“I must admit, there is some uncertainly in my plans, sir. It depends on how I am received.”
“I assume you mean by my daughter, Jane. I was not happy with the way you treated her last time, Mr. Bingley. You spent much time with her, raised her expectations, and then left without as much as a ‘fare you well,’ which was most ungentlemanly.”
“You are correct, my sudden leaving and not meeting with Miss Bennet to say farewell was inexcusable. I can only say it was because I believed she did not return my feelings for her. Thus, I allowed my sister to talk me into letting her write a note telling Miss Bennet of our departure. Again, it was inexcusable, but I was not thinking very rationally at the time.”
“Did you know she visited your sisters in London?”
“No, I did not. My sisters never informed me she was in town.”
“Why have you suddenly returned?”<
br />
“I have returned because I have discovered the feelings I developed for her have not gone away and that I was wrong about her feelings – she did have feelings for me. For some reason, I could not detect that fact. I wish to talk with her to determine if she can forgive me and we can be more forthcoming with one another about our feelings. If her feelings are still what they were, or she is willing to try again, I intend to ask to court her, with the intention of eventually proposing to her. If not, I will not renew my lease to Netherfield, which expires October 1.”
“I must say, Mr. Bingley, your actions did not seem to me to be those of one who truly cared for my daughter, but she is past her majority and has a right to make her own decisions, so I will say no more. As for you, Mr. Darcy, I believe I know why you are here. Lizzy told me about your conversations – not willingly, but I eventually made her tell me all. I must admit, I agree with her conclusions and her refusal to consider a proposal from you. She told me she did not expect to see you until she went to town. Clearly she underestimated your resourcefulness.”
“She did say that if we happened to find ourselves in the same area at the same time, she would not refuse to speak with me.”
Mr. Benner chuckled. “A statement you obviously took to heart, although, since you have returned with Mr. Bingley, I doubt she will be upset with you. Your persistence intrigues me. I am sure there are many intelligent, beautiful young women in high society who would love to marry you. Why insist on Lizzy, whose character and personality traits are hardly those typical of the ton?”
“I am surprised you would ask that. You have helped her become one of the most educated, intelligent, self-confident women I have ever known. Surely you know there are intelligent men in higher society who would prize such a woman as a wife. I have never met anyone like her and doubt I will again. I love her and believe she has some affection for me now, so how can I give up?”
“How do you hope to convince her that the disparity in your background, station, and upbringing is something you can overcome, a situation for which, I am sure you are aware, she believes she has ample proof?”
“With all due respect, Mr. Bennet, she and I are not you and Mrs. Bennet. I believe she is a woman who can overcome any obstacle placed before her. Having to deal with prejudiced and arrogant members of the upper-class should be only a slight problem to her. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, she seems just as concerned about the impact upon me and my sister, which confirms to me that she has affection for me. I am here to give her a chance to know me better and to convince her that the impact on us would be less than if she refuses my offer.”
“She told me you said that you wanted to marry her, but there were obstacles that must be removed before you proposed. Have those been removed?”
“Not yet, but they will be. They are obstacles I can tear down by myself, but I first want to see if they can be amicably removed. But be assured, I will remove them if she will give me a chance. She told me I was insane to want to marry someone as unsuitable as she is to a man of my station. I am merely beginning my campaign to convince her we are perfect for one another.”
Mr. Bennet stared at Darcy a long time, trying to reconcile the apparent character of the man who stood before him and the preconceived notion of the man’s character he had developed from earlier stories about him. This supposedly proud, haughty man wanted to go against the traditions of his class and win the hand of his unconventional daughter and was willing to admit it to him, a man who Darcy surely knew did not have a good opinion of him. He smiled and shook his head, “Mr. Darcy, you have astounded me. I believe, in a few sentences, you have made me think you might actually be the right man for my daughter. I will approve your campaign, although I assume I am not to tell my daughter.”
“I would rather you not, Mr. Bennet. I felt you needed to know that I am a serious suitor, but I do not want her to feel pressured in any way. I know society would think I am honoring her with my request, but believe me, sir, I know the biggest winner in this will be me if I succeed.”
Mr. Bennet stuck out his hand. “Mr. Darcy, I was not sure I would ever be willing to say this but having heard from Lizzy about your true relations with Mr. Wickham and how well you run Pemberley, I wish you luck with her. There are few who are worthy of her, but you may well be one who is.”
Darcy took his hand and said, “Thank you, Mr. Bennet. I appreciate your approbation. I can assure you that my pursuit of Miss Elizabeth’s hand will be all that is appropriate.”
“I believe it will. Now, let us join the ladies.”
Chapter 9: A Walk to Meryton
When the gentlemen entered the parlor, everyone looked at them expectantly, wondering what they had been discussing. “Ladies, greet our visitors, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy,” said Mr. Bennet. “As you know, Mr. Bingley has reopened Netherfield for an indefinite period and called to reestablish his connection with us.”
All of the Bennet women arose and curtsied, greeting the two gentlemen, and then Mrs. Bennet said, “Welcome back, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy. We heard you had returned and are happy to welcome you to our home. Will you take tea with us?”
When the gentlemen said it would be their pleasure, Mrs. Bennet rang for Mrs. Hill and gave the order for tea and biscuits. “May I ask,” said Mrs. Bennet, after Mrs. Hill had gone, “are your sisters and brother here with you again, Mr. Bingley?”
“They will be,” said Mr. Bingley, “although this time my elder sister, Mrs. Hurst, will act as my hostess. My sister, Caroline, will join me in two weeks. However, as you can see, Mr. Darcy is here and his sister, Georgiana, is with him. They will be staying with me for two weeks. One of our reasons for coming this morning was to invite you to dinner at Netherfield tomorrow evening, when you will be able to greet Mr. and Mrs. Hurst and Miss Darcy. Are you free tomorrow night? If not, we can make it another night.”
Mrs. Bennet looked at Mr. Bennet, who gave no indication he was going to answer, so she said, “We have no prior commitments. May I ask, is this an invitation for the entire family?”
“It is, indeed, Mrs. Bennet. I am sure all your daughters will enjoy meeting Miss Darcy.”
“May I ask when we should come?”
“Ah, yes, a small detail I forgot. If you could arrive at six o’clock, we will have time to visit before dinner at seven.”
“Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth, “I am surprised to see you here. I thought you were not going to London until next October.”
Darcy gave a mischievous smile. “Our plans changed, Miss Elizabeth. I discovered I had some urgent business in London which needed my immediate attention. I was lucky enough to meet with Mr. Bingley while I was there and managed to complete my business quickly; therefore, Georgiana and I accepted his invitation to visit him at Netherfield. We have not seen each other for some months, so decided we wanted to spend some time together before Georgiana and I returned to Pemberley.”
“It is good things turned out so well for you. I am sure you and Georgiana are pleased to enjoy the company of Mr. Bingley and the Hursts.”
The gentlemen were seated, with Darcy in a chair next to Elizabeth and Mr. Bingley on the couch next to Jane. The seats had obviously been left vacant for them – undoubtedly at Mrs. Bennet’s direction. Jane observed Bingley, surprising him by looking at him directly without lowering her eyes. “Have you been well, Mr. Bingley?” she asked.
“I have been physically well, Miss Bennet, but somewhat unhappy and distracted. It seems I made some errors in judgment, which distressed me, and I have not been able to recover from the consequences.”
“That is unfortunate. Are you hoping a change of venue to Netherfield Park may help your state of mind?”
“Yes, I hope very much that it will, but I expect it will take time to determine if it does.”
As they were talking, Elizabeth said to Darcy in a low voice, “You must have left immediately after we did. I had no idea you would act so quickly.”
“You seemed
concerned, and I decided there was no time like the present to determine Bingley’s situation. How did your sister react when she heard he was returning?”
“I will tell you later. How is Georgie?”
“Well, and anxious to see you.”
While the tea and biscuits were being consumed, there was easy conversation about what had been happening in the Meryton area. Finally, Mr. Bennet arose. “I think I will return to the study to my new poetry book. I know that Mr. Bingley would like some time to talk with Jane. May I assume, Mr. Darcy, if they were to take a walk on this fine day, you would act as chaperone?”
As Darcy, Bingley, and Jane stood to leave, Darcy replied, “I will, Mr. Bennet, but it would be best if one of your daughters accompanied me.”
Mr. Bennet thought for a moment, as Jane and Bingley left the room. “I believe you are correct. Kitty, will you please walk with Mr. Darcy.”
Mr. Bennet could only smile to himself at the look on both Darcy’s and Kitty’s faces when he said that. Kitty, very red faced, was trying to decide what to say, when Elizabeth said, “Papa, shame on you. You are teasing again. It is alright Kitty. Papa was having fun with you. He knows it is more appropriate for me to go with Mr. Darcy, since I know him best.”
“Why, Lizzy, I was trying to save you from an experience you might not enjoy,” said Mr. Bennet with a slight smile. “As I recall, you and Mr. Darcy used to have quite contentious discussions.”
“Papa, go to your study. Come Mr. Darcy, let us join Jane and Mr. Bingley for a walk toward Meryton.”
When the four started for Meryton, Jane and Bingley took the lead. Once they were out of earshot of Darcy and Elizabeth, Bingley said, “Miss Bennet, may I apologize for my inconsiderate behavior last November?”
The Lady of the Mount and Patience Rewarded: Two Stories of Darcy and Elizabeth Page 26
