by Adams, Alexa
An opportunity arose for her to act on her plan a few days later when the men of Netherfield were engaged to dine with the officers of the militia. Without consulting her sister first, as she imagined Mrs. Hurst would disapprove of the scheme, she hastily penned a missive to Miss Jane Bennet.
My dear friend the note began. A presumptive commencement, if acceptable due to being so very hackneyed, but Caroline was determined to use an artful combination of condescension and exaggeration to achieve her aim. The letter would be part summons, part plea, and part snub:
If you are not so compassionate as to dine today with Louisa and me, we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day’s tête-à-tête between two women can never end without a quarrel. Come as soon as you can on the receipt of this. My brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers.
Yours ever,
Caroline Bingley
Even mild tempered Jane felt the inconsistency between the letter writer’s words and her behavior. Though civility dictated that she must, she felt uncomfortable accepting the invitation.
Not so Mrs. Bennet. As soon as Jane had finished reading it aloud to the family while they ate breakfast, her mother snatched the note away, scanned it happily, and proceeded to use it to rapidly fan herself while declaring, “Oh my dear, dear Jane! What a sign of preferment from Mr. Bingley’s sisters, though it is very unlucky the gentlemen are dining out.”
“I wonder they did not include Lizzy,” Kitty innocently mused.
“Hold your tongue child!” Mrs. Bennett scolded. “Of course Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst would want to get to know Jane in particular, as it is she who shall be their sister! In fact, I’m certain Mr. Bingley suggested the arrangement himself. That is why the men dine out – in order to give the ladies privacy.”
“Please let us not engage in conjecture,” pleaded Elizabeth. She had no desire to listen to her mother’s grand speculations over the breakfast table as they had already spoiled her dinner the evening before.
“You must be correct, Mama, as it would explain why Aunt Phillips never spoke of it and she knows of all the officers’ engagements. It must be a newly formed plan,” Lydia surmised, not hearing her elder sister and caring for little in the letter other than the mention of officers.
“Well my dear Jane,” Mr. Bennett mercifully broke in, “it seems Mr. Bingley’s sisters have the good sense to seek your company. Please respond with my assurances that they need not fear for my consent when their brother asks for your hand, as your mother already had the two of you married off a week ago.”
“Oh Mr. Bennet! One would think you delight in vexing me! Things are progressing exactly as they should. Now, Jane dear, you must go on horseback as it promises to rain and then you must stay all night!”
“That would be a good scheme,” said Elizabeth, in a harsher tone than she usually employed, “if you were sure they would not offer to send her home.” But Mrs. Bennett chose not to heed her and well we know that she had her way. Jane proceeded to Netherfield on horseback, was thoroughly drenched by the anticipated rain, and yet another one of Mrs. Bennet’s schemes played out exactly as planned – the small sacrifice of her daughter’s health proving a worthwhile investment. Right in the middle of her dinner with the two sisters, as Caroline mercilessly pried into the Bennet family’s connections, Jane began to display the alarming symptoms of a cold. Said cold called Elizabeth from Longbourn to Netherfield and, low and behold, Mrs. Bennett had two daughters in residence at that house for the better part of a week! The history books offer few records of generals who have executed campaigns more masterfully than this one by the mistress of Longbourn.
Mere words cannot describe how taken Mr. Darcy was by Elizabeth’s appearance when she presented herself in Netherfield’s breakfast parlor glowing, disheveled, and anxious to see her sister. His actions will have to attest to the matter: the momentary breathlessness that constricted his chest as she stood before him. Her complexion was brilliant, her eyes glittered, and her forehead was lightly creased with anxiety. Noticing the dirt and mud, indicating the conditions of her journey, he was simultaneously overcome by concern for her well-being and touched by the care for her sister such exertions displayed. Darcy fully comprehended, for the first time, how much more than admiration he felt for Miss Elizabeth Bennet and what danger he was in of losing his heart.
Jane continued feverish later in the day. Mr. Jones recommended rest and draughts for the patient and Darcy seized the opportunity to suggest that the lady’s comfort would be better secured if her sister were to remain in residence to nurse her, a fine idea in his host’s mind. Despite his previous qualms – the image of Mrs. Bennet still lurked in his head – he had decided to pursue his interest in Elizabeth Bennet and having her at Netherfield was an excellent means to that end. “I only hope that Miss Elizabeth can be convinced to ‘understand the nature of our friendship’ as I now do,” he thought with a hopeful smile, watching as Bingley hurried to speak to his sister about extending the invitation.
Poor Miss Bingley! What a terrible predicament she found herself in when she had to ask her rival to remain as their guest until the unforeseen time when Miss Bennet was recovered. Her plan had certainly gone awry. Through her own machinations, the woman she sought to estrange from Darcy was now thrown into his intimate circle. But she would not allow anyone to observe her discomposure and strove to perform her duties as hostess to the best of her current ability. Louisa stayed near her, not quite trusting Caroline to maintain her civility towards Elizabeth Bennet once the men were out of earshot.
Chapter 7
Elizabeth joined the party for dinner and her immersion into the society of Netherfield began. She found herself seated next to Mr. Hurst and experienced all the enjoyment his conversation could offer – on this particular evening, a terse debate on the merits of ragout. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst flanked Mr. Darcy and the former did her best to monopolize his conversation. The joint efforts of Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Mrs. Hurst kept Elizabeth from being completely excluded, which she appreciated, but nevertheless excused herself to attend to Jane as soon as etiquette allowed.
Mere moments after the door closed behind her, Miss Bingley began to regale her not so very eager audience with all the details she had squirreled out of a weakened Jane the previous evening. “These poor Bennett girls! My heart does ache for their predicament – you know Longbourn is entailed on some distant cousin and once the house goes their gentility will truly become questionable. I cannot but imagine that the two eldest will find suitable marriages, though probably beneath them. Yet when one considers their recent behavior, perhaps I should not hold out much hope for even that,” she sighed with feigned concern and looked to her sister for assistance but, finding none, continued unabashed. “It seems the family line has long been on the decline. Mr. Bennet made a decidedly poor marriage. Mrs. Bennet’s sister is married to an attorney in Meryton named Phillips while her brother resides near Cheapside.”
Bingley had listened to his sister with growing indignation and finally could no longer remain silent, “If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside it would not make them one jot less agreeable!”
“The quantity has nothing to do with it Charles. My point is that they do not have good connections and it shows in their behavior. Why Louisa, you said yourself that Miss Eliza looked nearly wild when she arrived this morning. Very nonsensical to have come at all, really. Her hair untidy, her petticoat muddy, walking mile upon mile unescorted, above her ankles in dirt! And Miss Bennet, what of her riding here in a storm? What could she mean by it? I must say the entire family seems to display a most countrified indifference to decorum.”
Again Bingley sprang to their defense but his sister paid him little heed. She was busy studying Mr. Darcy’s reaction to her disclosures but, to her great chagrin, all the man seemed to do was stare intently at the far wall of the dining room. Internally he was angry at the ill-breeding Miss B
ingley displayed in her derision of the Bennets. It was wrong to attribute Elizabeth’s appearance that morning to anything other than sisterly affection. He still felt his head reel at the memory of her complexion and eyes, brightened by exercise. As for Jane, he had ample opportunity to observe her complacent nature and rightly attributed her means of transport on the previous day to have been the contrivance of a terribly misguided mother. Nevertheless, he was mindful enough of the content of Miss Bingley’s words to recognize the obstacles he would face if he entertained his nascent idea of pursuing Elizabeth Bennet. With these thoughts in mind he responded to his friend, “Agreeable or not Charles, their circumstances must very materially lesson their chance of marrying men of consideration in the world.”
Miss Bingley heard this with glee, thoroughly misinterpreting Darcy’s statement. “I am inclined to think, Mr. Darcy,” she said with a sniveling smile that turned his stomach, “that you would not wish to see your sister make such an exhibition as Eliza Bennet did this morning.”
“Certainly not. However, as a brother, I can understand the affection that compelled Miss Elizabeth Bennet. As a sister yourself, surely you can too, Miss Bingley?”
Caroline was flustered but undaunted, “Of course, Mr. Darcy, but is it not the aim of the truly refined lady to be dutiful without sacrificing her composure? Surely her sisterly attentions could have been secured through other means. And what of Miss Bennet getting herself into this predicament in the first place? I own great surprise that her parents allowed her to set forth on horseback when it surely promised rain.”
“Enough Caroline! I simply will not hear another word uttered against either of the Bennets,” Bingley exclaimed. “This is my home and they are my most welcome guests. Never have I met a more amiable lady than Miss Jane Bennet. I suggest you find something to like in her or you may find yourself in quite an uncomfortable position, as I intend to see much of her in the future!”
Miss Bingley reeled. Never since her childhood had her brother spoken to her in such a way. Indeed, it’s doubtful the adult Charles Bingley had ever spoken to any one in such a tone. His unaccustomed passion distracted Mr. Hurst from his wine, leading that man to make a rare contribution, and a significant one at that, to the conversation, “What’s all this now Charles? Are you planning to marry the girl?”
Bingley, rather taken aback by this turn in the conversation, responded to his brother-in-law the only way he could: with the utmost sincerity. “Never have I met a woman so truly an angel.”
“You cannot mean to marry her!” Miss Bingley shrieked. So focused had she been on Darcy and Elizabeth that this development shook her to the core. She looked in panic towards a now more supportive sister who said in a subdued voice, “Surely not Charles. It is your duty to elevate the Bingley name.”
“How would marrying Jane Bennet not fulfill my duty?” Truthfully he had never really pursued the idea to the degree it merited but, now that it was open for discussion, he felt perfectly convinced that not a woman on Earth could suit him more. “She may not be well-dowered but the family has been at Longbourn for generations, far longer than the Bingley name has been considered genteel.”
“And a fine woman she is Charles,” Mr. Hurst raised his glass to Bingley. Despite all his indolence, this simple gesture was enough to silence his wife’s opposition.
“Is this not a bit sudden, Bingley?” Mr. Darcy asked. “Can you be sure of your affections? And what of hers?”
“I am sure of mine,” was the reply, said with all the conviction of one who has long pondered a notion.
Caroline looked at the two friends in horror as she realized how frequently Darcy and Elizabeth would be in the same company should her brother be married to Jane. This was where she should have focused her attentions! “Charles,” her voice quavered, “you cannot be serious. It is simply impossible that you could even consider attaching yourself to such a family! The mother is barely ladylike and the younger sisters are sure to expose themselves in some horrifying manner. You cannot do this to me. As a brother and guardian, Mr. Darcy, you must impress upon Charles the damage such a connection would do to the chances of an unwed sister making an advantageous marriage!”
He hadn’t thought of that. What of Georgiana should he marry Elizabeth? How would it affect her? Carefully he regarded Miss Bingley and stated, “Every member of a family is concerned and must be considered when a marriage takes place but I believe, in most cases, familial affection dictates that the persons forming the union have their happiness consulted first and foremost.” Turning towards Bingley he asked, “Has Miss Bennet expressed regard for you?”
“I believe so.”
“And you are sure of yourself?”
Bingley further straightened his already stiffened spine, “I certainly am.”
“Then I wish you well.”
“Thank you Darcy.”
“But what of the degradation, Mr. Darcy? You must make Charles see reason! Surely you would never ally yourself with such a family?”
As she realized the implication of her words Miss Bingley flushed, as did Darcy. Would he not? He could not say. His anger expressed its vehemence in his reliance on his social status, a thing he hated to fall back on, as a defense, “Surely my position in society is a great deal different than your brother’s. You forget what he just acknowledged, that your social status is rather closer to the Bennets than to mine.”
The words were spoken icily and though Miss Bingley fully felt their chill she would not relent, “I speak not of heritage but of behavior! The family will never be acceptable in polite society.”
Darcy wondered if that were true. If someone would exert some control over the more unruly members of the household, would they be presentable? “Perhaps if Bingley is successful with Miss Bennet he can persuade the father to assert his authority more,” he thought, despite the reality that it still wouldn’t bridge the social hurdle between them. How would his relations respond to the Bennets? He groaned inwardly. How would the Bennets respond to his grand relations? The very idea was mortifying.
“If you wish to live with me Caroline, you must cease this line of conduct!” Bingley was clearly furious and Darcy felt grateful to him for relieving his need to respond. “I am perfectly capable of deciding for myself and either you will accept my choice or make your home elsewhere.”
Caroline stared at her brother aghast. Standing, without a word she exited and retired for the night. She had managed herself into an untenable position: one that offered no hope of ever becoming Mrs. Darcy. He had made himself perfectly clear on that point. Her one solace was the mistaken belief that she must have ruined Elizabeth’s chances just as thoroughly as her own.
Chapter 8
When Elizabeth came back downstairs she found all the company but Miss Bingley engrossed in a rather solemn game of cards. The group was clearly discomposed and Mrs. Hurst’s apology for her sister’s noticeable absence, explaining she retired with a most severe headache, did little to explain the tension in the room. The look Mr. Darcy gave her upon entry, however, filled with apology, pain, and confusion, spoke volumes. Never had he looked at her so and, to her dismay, Elizabeth almost lost herself in that gaze, starting from her reverie only when Mr. Bingley began inquiring after Jane and making room for her at the table. Having just proved her head not presently suited to gaming, she declined her host’s civilities, reported her sister much the same, and opted for a book.
The quietness of the players should have guaranteed attentiveness to her task but when paired with the palpably oppressed atmosphere it had much the opposite effect. Her thoughts drifted from Mr. Darcy and the surprising warmth she experienced when remembering the look he gave her, to the absent Miss Bingley, and then on to Jane, all in a puzzle of conflicting emotion. Something had obviously occurred between the household residents while she was with her sister and that something certainly involved the missing lady. She knew not what had happened but she had a strong suspicion, based on thei
r hostess’ undisguised disdain, that she and Jane were at its core.
Mr. Darcy had no difficulty concentrating on the game though his thoughts wandered as rapidly as Elizabeth’s. The scene with Miss Bingley had been mortifying but he was glad to know that Bingley was serious in his attentions and would not trifle with Jane Bennet. That would hurt Elizabeth and he realized he could not tolerate such a thing. There she sat at her book, wisely behaving as if oblivious to the strain in the air. He knew not how he would proceed in regards to her, recognizing that if Bingley’s intentions should come to fruition he would inevitably find himself often in her company. Should he have to watch her someday marry another ... such an idea had already become too abhorrent for contemplation. Instead he mused over the much more pleasant image of Georgiana having such a wonderful sister as Elizabeth.
