First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) (6 page)

“
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 their 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.

Mrs. Hurst’s thoughts were on her sibling’s unruly behavior, her husband’s on the game alone, and her brother’s on the path he had declared himself to be pursuing. It pained him to have exchanged such words with Caroline but he was quite certain of the sincerity of his affections. Never before had a lady so totally captivated his heart; with the greatest anxiety he fervently hoped that his admiration was returned.

Eventually Elizabeth abandoned her futile pursuit and returned to Jane, sadly finding her condition considerably worse. Most of that first night at Netherfield was spent at her sister’s bedside. By morning, she was highly fatigued but gratified by a noticeable improvement in her patient. Guiltily, Elizabeth acknowledged to herself some selfishness in her relief, as during the worst part of the night she had resolved to alert Mrs. Bennet, upon the morning, to come and assess Jane’s condition herself. This sudden improvement surely negated the need and Elizabeth could conceive of no possible benefit to be derived from unnecessarily exposing those at Netherfield to her mother.

Mr. Darcy also suffered a largely sleepless night and would have been gratified he had been spared Mrs. Bennet’s presence the next day had he only known of his escape, but other cares troubled his mind as he tossed and turned under the increasingly uncooperative counterpane. “What will the family say,” he wondered, “should I present them Miss Elizabeth Bennet as my betrothed?” Georgiana would certainly welcome a companion but he could only grimace at the image of his Aunt Catherine’s face. She would undoubtedly be boisterous in her disapproval; surely it was well past time she accepted that he would never marry her daughter Anne. What of his Uncle? His cousins? After getting to know Elizabeth they could not help but approve of her – but what of her family? The grimace deepened. Miss Bingley might have been pleased if she had known of his torment.

Neither Elizabeth nor Darcy, despite their best resolutions, were able to steel themselves against their susceptibility to one another. In each other’s company they could only enjoy themselves, in defiance of Elizabeth’s vulnerability and Darcy’s pride. Miss Bingley, remarkably subdued, avoided any intercourse she could with her unwanted guest, adding relief from the lady of the house’s glares to the incentives Darcy had to seek Elizabeth out. He began to wonder if much of her bravado towards himself was a facade as they had, of late, taken to gazing at each other in what he believed to be a tender way. He sincerely wanted the attraction he was experiencing to be mutual though he had no doubts that, should he ask, she would accept his proposal regardless. All the Bennet girls were surely obligated to marry as well as possible: everyone was, including himself. Therein lay his dilemma.

What constitutes a good marriage? Should wealth and breeding be the utmost concern? Many a marriage that perfectly fulfilled the worldly qualification ended in misery, as Darcy had far too often observed, and a lack of refinement was not an accusation that could be leveled at Miss Elizabeth. He marveled at how she maintained her grace and composure in the face of the incivility of her hostess.

“
Mr. Darcy, you really must not continue to frown so,” Elizabeth admonished. “If you persist you will force me to do something most unbecoming and childish”.

“
And what would that be,” he asked, instantly intrigued.

She spoke softly and conspiratorially, “When no one else is looking I shall stick my tongue out at you!”

He laughed, “Oh how ever will I survive such an attack.” Temporarily all his concerns were forgotten. She had a unique and delightful way of causing him to lose himself.

The passing of another day saw Jane well enough to join the party after dinner: Mr. Bingley fawned over her and his sister glowered while, on the other side of the room, Darcy and Elizabeth happily discussed their favorite poets. Observing Elizabeth’s approving glance at her sister and Bingley, Darcy decided the time was right to fulfill a determination he had made, upon the evening of Elizabeth’s arrival and the declaration of Bingley’s intentions, to inquire into the state of Jane’s affections.

“
Your sister seems much improved.”

“
Yes,” she responded brightly, though he thought he could detect a tinge of regret. “I believe we shall return to Longbourn soon.”

“
When Miss Bennet has not yet had the opportunity to enjoy her stay?”

“
For someone who has been ill she has had a remarkable time I assure you,” Elizabeth laughed.

“
She does seem to enjoy Bingley’s company.”

“
I believe she said he is everything a gentleman should be.”

“
High praise indeed.”

“
From Jane it certainly is.” She grew serious, “Your friend would not toy with a lady’s affections, would he sir?”

He responded in kind, “He has been known to fall in and out of love with great rapidity,” Elizabeth frowned and he hurried to reassure her, “but he does seem to be experiencing a most sincere attachment to your sister.”

“
Does he indeed?” Elizabeth asked excitedly, her sparkle returned.

Darcy laughed, thrilled to see her joy, “I cannot betray my friend’s confidence. I have already said far too much.”

“
So you have, sir, as have I. Shall we resume the much safer subject of poetry?”

--

In consequence of an agreement between the sisters, Elizabeth wrote to Longbourn requesting the carriage, which her mother promptly denied, requiring her to apply to her host for transportation or risk intruding upon the household (and her reluctant hostess) for an unseemly length of time. Mr. Bingley most emphatically insisted that there was no reason for them to leave so soon, they were more than welcome at Netherfield and surely Miss Bennet was not yet strong enough to depart. The man was so determined to keep the Bennet ladies in his home that Elizabeth acquiesced to remaining one more evening, planning to depart following the morning service on Sunday. Longer than that she could not be induced to remain, largly do to the curtness of her hostess’ civilities. Bingley was just thankful to procure himself an additional day of Jane’s companionship.

With much contrivance between his friend and staff, Mr. Bingley managed to be alone when Miss Bennet entered the breakfast room the final morning of her stay. He jumped to his feet with all the nervousness befitting a deeply in love man on the precipice of a proposal, “Good morning, Miss Bennet. You look so well I find it hard to imagine you have ever suffered a day of sickness in your life.”

“
Thank you Mr. Bingley. Good morning to you,” she beamed and blushed, flattered by his marked attention.

Shuffling nervously, he waited while she made her selections from the side board and then readily seated her in the place next to himself. A few moments passed in awkward silence before Bingley managed to summon the courage to pronounce his mentally rehearsed speech. “My dear Miss Bennet,” he began with all composure he could muster, “I cannot say how sorry I am that your time with us has been the result of illness but, nonetheless, I must admit to cherishing this opportunity to get to know you better. It has been only a few weeks since we met, I know, but I cannot help but say, Miss Bennet, that I have never met a lady who matches you in loveliness. I find myself most sincerely attached to you and would be the happiest of men if only you would consent to be my wife.”