Miss Bennet & Mr Bingley

by Fenella J Miller

  He noticed Darcy’s expression change and detected a look of appreciation in his eye and knew his friend was recalling the image.

  ‘Miss Elizabeth’s eyes are the finest I’ve seen.’

  He was surprised at his friend’s interest, he did not believe he’d ever heard him use such glowing terms about another woman. Was his friend not so impervious he had first thought?

  What sort of young lady would eventually capture Darcy’s heart? That she would have to be from a good family, have lineage as respectable as his own would be essential. But what if he fell in love with a woman who was unsuitable? Would he let his head rule his heart? This would instantly rule out Miss Bennet’s sister. He smiled slightly at the notion of Darcy becoming so enamoured he forgot his ancient lineage and followed his heart. His speculations were interrupted as Caroline appeared the head of the stairs with the news he was waiting for.

  * * * *

  Jane dozed fitfully as she reclined on the day bed, a warm cover draped across her aching body. She was woken by the sound of voices approaching her sitting room. Overjoyed she pushed herself upright looking expectantly at the door.

  ‘Miss Bennet, see who is here to visit you. Miss Elizabeth has walked across the fields, by herself, in horrible weather in order to be at your side.’

  ‘Lizzy, I am so glad.’ She could manage nothing more for she felt too unwell and hoped that her smile was enough to show how pleased she was to see her sister.

  ‘My dear Jane, do you think that I should leave you languishing here alone?’ She glanced up at Miss Bingley before continuing. ‘Three miles is nothing to me; neither are dirty stockings and a mired skirt. Unfortunately the carriage was not available this morning so I had no alternative but to walk.’

  Miss Bingley smiled. ‘I shall leave you to catch up, Miss Elizabeth. Please do not hesitate to ring and ask for anything that you might require to alleviate your patient’s condition.’

  ‘Thank you, you have been too kind.’

  Miss Bingley left them together. Immediately Elizabeth tossed her cloak and bonnet to one side and swiftly unlaced her stout walking boots. ‘If I leave these by the fire, Jane, no doubt they shall be dried out by the time I wish to put them on this afternoon.’

  Jane did not feel herself equal to conversation and after Miss Bingley had left them together found she could attempt little beside expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness she was receiving. Elizabeth silently attended her.

  When a basket of hothouse fruit and a huge vase of flowers arrived with a note from Mr Bingley wishing her a speedy recovery and sending his warmest regards, she was most gratified.

  ‘Where shall I put the arrangement, Jane?’

  She gestured towards a side table. ‘Place them there, Lizzy, then I shall be able to look at them all day. How kind of Mr Bingley to think of me and to go to so much trouble.’

  Later on Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst joined them upstairs. ‘The apothecary is due to come this morning, dear Miss Bennet. Is there anything at all that we can do to make you feel more comfortable?’

  Jane smiled weakly and shook her head. ‘You are too good, Miss Bingley.’ Even those few words were painful to her raw throat. She was offered soothing drinks, cool pillows to rest on and, at Elizabeth’s suggestion, a bowl of tepid water was fetched and her face bathed in it.

  Eventually they left her to rest and the three ladies gathered at the far side of the room; Jane watched them from half closed eyes. She was pleased to observe that her sister seemed in a fair way to becoming firm friends with both Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst.

  She felt cosseted and loved, but far too ill to enquire after Mr Bingley, it was enough to know that he was thinking of her as she was of him. When the apothecary came in and examined her he told her that she had contracted a violent cold.

  ‘Miss Bennet, I would advise you to return to bed and stay there until you are feeling more the thing. I shall prescribe you some draughts to ease the headache and lower your fever.’

  Jane was happy to do so; she felt far worse than she had when she had awoken. As she dozed she could hear the soft murmuring of voices and knew that her sister had not quit her side for a moment, and that both Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst had remained close by as well.

  ‘Jane, it is three o’clock. I shall have to go. It will be dark soon. I do not like to leave you when you are so unwell. Miss Bingley has offered me the use of their chaise.’

  Jane felt her eyes filled with tears. ‘Oh, Lizzy, please do not go. I feel so much more comfortable with you here.’

  There was the rustle of skirts and Miss Bingley appeared at the bedside. ‘Miss Elizabeth, it is obvious that Miss Bennet would be happier with you here. Please, will you not stay at Netherfield for the present?’

  ‘I am most obliged, Miss Bingley. Thank you, I should feel more sanguine here, with Jane, whilst she is so poorly. Could I presume upon your kindness and ask you to send a servant to Longbourn to collect clothes for Jane and me? I shall pen a note to my family so that they are not unduly alarmed.’

  ‘I shall have the carriage sent for. You shall find writing materials in the escritoire in the sitting room.’ Miss Bingley leant down and smoothed out the rumpled sheets. ‘You must not concern yourself, my dear Miss Bennet. Mr Bingley is most anxious that you should be made comfortable and says that you must not consider returning home until you are fully recovered.’

  * * * *

  Mr Bingley was reluctant to leave Netherfield until the apothecary had declared that Miss Bennet, although very poorly, was in no danger. He had been imagining the worst for a sore throat, if neglected, could lead to a putrid sore throat, and such a condition could prove fatal. But she had, as Darcy had supposed, contracted only a feverish cold. He wished that he could go up and see for himself how she did.

  The day seemed interminable and he could settle at nothing. Reports from the sick room were not encouraging. He could not bear to think that Miss Bennet was suffering and he unable to alleviate it. He went to see Nicholls to ensure that everything that could be done for the patient was in hand. ‘Did the flowers and fruit go up as I instructed? Did my note go as well?’

  ‘Yes, sir, they did. I can assure you that everything is in place to ensure that Miss Bennet is comfortable at Netherfield.’

  All day Darcy remained at his side offering encouragement and distraction in equal measures.

  Mr Bingley sent a second note up and on receiving word that Miss Bennet was resting he allowed himself to be enticed into a game of billiards with his friend and Hurst.

  ‘It is getting dark, Bingley, you had better send for the carriage. Miss Elizabeth cannot be expected to walk home.’

  ‘Good heavens! I shall do so at once, thank you for reminding me.’ He met Caroline in the hall.

  ‘I was just coming to find you, Charles. Miss Bennet wishes her sister to stay and I have come down to send the carriage to Longbourn to fetch what belongings they might need.’

  ‘Is the patient worse?’

  ‘No, but she is no better for sure.’ She rang the bell and the butler appeared and she gave her instructions. ‘Now, Charles, do not look so worried. I am certain that our guest shall be recovered in a day or two.’

  Mr Bingley returned to the billiard room and explained the new arrangements to the other gentlemen. He could not tell from Darcy’s expression whether he was pleased or not by the news that Elizabeth was to remain at Netherfield with them.

  At half past six Louisa sent for their guest to join them for dinner. When she entered he bowed and took her hand. ‘Miss Elizabeth, how is your sister doing? I am hoping to hear good news this evening.’

  ‘She is much the same, Mr Bingley. It is most generous of you to accommodate us in this way, and I thank you for it. My sister is rarely ill, you know, that is why it was such a cause of alarm to me to hear she had succumbed so quickly.’

  ‘I cannot tell you how excessively I dislike being ill myself, it is indeed shocking to have s
uch a bad cold.’ Caroline said, but then turned her attention back to Mr Darcy.

  As soon as the last cover was removed Elizabeth excused herself and returned upstairs. The rest of the party removed themselves to the drawing-room. Immediately Caroline spoke out against their unexpected guest.

  ‘I do declare, Miss Elizabeth is nothing like her sister. Do not you think, Mr Darcy, that her manner is a very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence? She has no conversation, no style, no taste and little beauty.’

  ‘I agree, Caroline,’ Louisa said. ‘She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker. I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She really looked almost wild.’

  ‘She did indeed, Louisa. I could hardly keep my countenance. Very nonsensical to come at all! Why must she be scampering about the country because her sister has a cold? Hair so untidy, so blowsy!’

  ‘Yes, and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat, six inches deep in mud, I am absolutely certain; and the hem which had been let down to hide it not doing its office.’

  Mr Bingley had heard quite enough of this. ‘Your picture may be very exact, Louisa, but this was all lost upon me. I thought that Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably well when she came into the room this morning. Her dirty petticoat quite escaped my notice.’

  ‘But you observed, Mr Darcy, I am sure,’ Caroline said, turning to his friend. ‘I am inclined to think that you would not wish to see your sister make such an exhibition.’

  ‘I certainly would not.’

  ‘To walk three miles, or four miles or five miles, whatever it is, above one’s ankles in dirt and alone, quite alone! What could she mean by it? It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence, and a certain indifference to decorum.’

  ‘What it shows, in my opinion, is a degree of affection for her sister that is very pleasing,’ Mr Bingley said to his sister.

  ‘I am afraid, Mr Darcy,’ Caroline continued in a half whisper, ‘this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes.’

  ‘Not at all,’ he replied, ‘they were brightened by the exercise.’

  His friend was taking a very particular interest in Elizabeth’s appearance. This was not the first time he had admired her eyes. Could the impossible be happening? Was Darcy becoming attached to her?

  Darcy nodded at him, as if to reinforce this point and to tell him that he did not join in this general criticism.

  ‘I have excessive regard for Jane, she is really a very sweet girl, I do wish with all my heart to see her well settled. With such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it.’

  ‘I think I have heard you say, that her uncle as an attorney in Meryton.’

  ‘Yes, and they have another, who resides somewhere near Cheapside. I think that is capital!’ added Caroline, and both his sisters laughed.

  He jumped to his feet, he was heartily sick of this conversation. Miss Bennet was everything she should be, and was hardly her fault her family did not live up to the exacting expectations of his sisters. ‘If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside it would not make them one jot less agreeable.’

  ‘It must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any consideration in the world,’ Darcy commented, his face serious.

  Having heard enough on the subject for one evening, Mr Bingley moved away from the group to stand alone at the far end of the room, lost in thought. He had not considered until that moment more than that he found Miss Bennet a delightful companion, that she occupied his every waking moment. It was not until Darcy had said out loud that he did not believe her to be a suitable match, that he had considered the future.

  His friend’s opinion gave him pause for thought. He trusted Darcy’s judgement in everything, but in affairs of the heart he believed he had the more experience. It was not until Miss Bennet had become so unwell that he had understood how much she had come to mean to him.

  He stared unseeing at a particularly hideous portrait hanging to one side of the fireplace. What was it about her that made his pulse beat faster? In his mind’s eye he saw her smiling up at him, her eyes were a curious mix of green and brown, she often had a few shining curls escaping at the nape her neck, and her lips parted revealing two rows even teeth. He shuddered as he remembered when, several years ago, he had fancied himself in love with the squire’s daughter.

  She had lovely golden hair, big blue eyes and a perfect figure; but what he had liked especially about her was the fact that she did not talk overmuch, but listened intently to everything he had to say without interruption. It was not until he had been in her company several times that she laughed out loud, a lovely sound and he turned in delight. To his horror he had seen that she had a mouthful of ruined teeth - it was small wonder the poor girl had been told to keep her mouth closed. He sat in the window seat and gazed down the room at his friend who was now reading a newspaper.

  He could well imagine Darcy’s reaction if he was to tell him he intended to offer for Jane. (Although she must still be Miss Bennet when he addressed her, in his heart she was already his Jane.)

  Darcy would raise his eyebrows and say, ‘I do not believe you have considered this as you should. Think about her background; do you really wish to be associated with such a woman as her mother?’

  Or perhaps he would say something more conciliatory, but still as damning. ‘My dear Bingley, Miss Bennet is a beautiful woman, is everything you could possibly wish for in a wife.’

  He would leap to his feet in excitement waiting to be given his friend’s blessing and then Darcy would continue; ‘However, she is not the woman for you, her relations are intolerable and after all you have not known each other more than a few weeks, hardly time for Miss Bennet to make a lasting attachment.’

  Indeed, now that he thought of it, although she was always delightful company, and smiled warmly at him when they danced, she was not the sort of young woman to make a show of her feelings. He would have to go on his own instincts and believe that she held him in high esteem. Perhaps he was imagining there was more to their relationship than there actually was. He knew his heart to be engaged, but perhaps Miss Bennet did not feel the same way ?

  Well, not yet, anyway. But they had the whole winter before them, that was ample time to get to know each other, and he thanked God for the whim that had brought him down to Hertfordshire.

  It was quite late when Elizabeth rejoined them. ‘How is Miss Bennet? Is she resting comfortably?’

  ‘Yes, thank you for enquiring, Mr Bingley. She is finally asleep.’

  ‘I am sure you have pleasure in being with your sister, and I hope it will soon be increased by seeing her quite well.’ Charles wished his sisters would not speak so severely about Elizabeth. He thought she was most agreeable.

  ‘Thank you, Mr Bingley, it is gratifying to know that you hold my sister in such high regard.’

  He watched her walk towards the table upon which there were a few books. Perhaps there were not enough for her to find something that she liked? ‘Miss Elizabeth, I shall go at once to fetch you something else if you cannot find anything to read on the table. I have a library, but I wish my collection were larger for your benefit and my own credit; but idle fellow that I am, although I have not many, I have more than I ever looked into.’

  ‘It is kind of you to offer, Mr Bingley, but I shall find something that will suit me perfectly from what is available in here.’

  ‘I should like to choose a book for your sister to read when she is feeling well enough. What sort of thing does she like?’

  Elizabeth picked up the books on the table, examining the spines. ‘She prefers a novel, she has recently read a book called The Mysterious Protector, it was in the circulating library. We both enjoyed that novel. She also enjoys books on the flora and fauna of different countries.’

  ‘I have a far wider choice in the library, let us go there immediately and select something toge
ther that you may take up to her.’

  ‘I am astonished,’ his sister Caroline called, ‘that our father should leave so small a collection of books. You have such a delightful library at Pemberley, Mr Darcy!’

  Mr Darcy looked up from the newspaper he was perusing. ‘It ought to be good, it has been the work of many generations.’

  ‘And then you have added so much to it yourself, you are always buying books.’

  ‘I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such times as these.’

  ‘I am sure that there is nothing that can add to the beauty of that noble place. Charles, when you build your house, I wish it may be half as delightful as Pemberley.’

  He laughed at his sister’s comment. With all his fortune he knew he could never build anything to rival Darcy’s estate.

  ‘I would really advise you to make your purchase in that neighbourhood, and take Pemberley as your model. There is not a finer county in England than Derbyshire,’ Caroline cried.

  He grinned at his friend. ‘I will buy Pemberley itself if Darcy will sell it.’

  ‘We are going to the library; I wish to choose something for Miss Bennet to read when she is feeling a little better.’

  Darcy put down his newspaper. ‘Then I shall come with you, there is nothing worth reading in here, and I have finished with this.’

  ‘Are neither of you going to join us in a hand of cards?’ Mr Hurst enquired as they walked past the card table.

  As it was perfectly clear that they were not going to do so, Charles did not bother to answer. Two footmen hurried ahead of them in order to light candles in the library. He frowned, why had Darcy chosen to accompany them? He was already monopolizing Elizabeth and their scholarly talk on the merits of books he had never heard of would not help him choose something suitable for her sister.

  Then, to his consternation he heard a trill of his sister’s voice. ‘Please, allow me to accompany you, there is nothing I like better than to spend an hour or so in the library.’ This was the outside of enough! ’Caroline, the last time you opened a book it was full of fashion plates. I do not believe you have ever read an entire novel in your life.’