Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman (16 page)

As Caroline watched him go, she made a mental note not to underestimate Charles's tactical ability again.

***

Elizabeth approached Netherfield with a sense of apprehension that she could barely comprehend. She knew it was not on account of seeing either Caroline Bingley or Louisa Hurst again. When they had called the previous afternoon at Longbourn, they greeted Jane and, by extension, herself, with all that was civil and insincere. Jane accepted their attention with a graciousness that Elizabeth knew she could never have mustered. Nonetheless, the visit passed pleasantly and without incident. At its close, Mr. Bingley's sisters insisted that Jane and Elizabeth come to tea at Netherfield the following afternoon. For Jane's sake, Elizabeth willingly accepted the invitation.

As the time for the visit approached, however, she was surprised to find that her stomach felt as if it contained butterflies. She knew that her anxiety stemmed from the fact that she would be seeing Mr. Darcy for the first time since their misunderstanding outside Longbourn. She chastised herself for getting into such a state. She usually left the art of useless worry to her mother. While her opinion of Mr. Darcy had taken a decided turn for the better, she thought they had little in common. In the past, on the few occasions when her prejudice against him had not colored her judgment completely, she had felt that it was either impossible to read him well enough to determine what he was thinking or she had not bothered to even try. Maybe their further acquaintance was a good idea. If nothing else, it might allow her an opportunity to ascertain who he really was.

As they entered the drawing room, Mr. Bingley excitedly welcomed them both. Caroline and Louisa parroted his greeting without any of his enthusiasm. They briefly talked of Netherfield and the renovation that Miss Bingley believed it required. Mr. Bingley's earnest attempts to garner Jane's opinion on the subject made it manifest that her thoughts carried more weight than Caroline's. Elizabeth was heartened by the turn of the discussion. It not only showed that Caroline was resolved to the fact that Mr. Bingley would be keeping Netherfield for the distant future, but it also revealed Mr. Bingley's belief that he could not envision his home without Jane's imprimatur. Despite her interest in the topic, Elizabeth found herself distracted. She wondered if Mr. Bingley's friend would be joining them. She had to admit that even though she was nervous about seeing him again, she was more disappointed that he had not yet paid his respects. Maybe he regretted what he had said about their friendship. He may have thought better of it in the cold light of day. She was surprised that the thought was sufficient to unnerve her.

As the visit began to come to a close, Elizabeth realized that she had been far too silent. In an attempt mask her inattentiveness she addressed Miss Bingley. “Do you intend then to stay on here for the summer?”

It was clear from Caroline's reaction that Elizabeth had hit on a sore subject. Caroline coldly responded, “Our plans, as of yet, are unfixed.”

“Well, Caroline, that is not exactly accurate,” interrupted Bingley. “I intend to stay on indefinitely. Darcy had invited us to Pemberley for the end of the summer, but that is not certain, as I am not sure that he has fixed his own plans yet.”

At this Jane spoke up, “Mr. Bingley, how is Mr. Darcy? I had hoped to see him today so that we could finish our discussion about poetry.”

Nodding in a knowing manner, Bingley took Jane's hint. “He had to leave on business yesterday, but I know he will very much regret missing your visit.”

Seeing her moment to shine, Caroline said, “Oh, Jane, I did not know you were interested in poetry. I so love a good verse. Mr. Darcy and I have talked many times about poetry. He is such a proficient reader and his tastes are so varied. I always look forward to our literary discussions. I was inconsolable when he had to go to town, but he specifically promised to return to us at his earliest convenience.”

“Yes, well…” sputtered Bingley, looking uncomprehendingly at his sister, “I do expect him to return when he is able.”

Jane replied, “I am sure we all look forward to his arrival. But I am afraid we must take our leave. Caroline, thank you so much for your lovely hospitality. I am in your debt. Louisa, it so good to see you again.”

With a perfunctory nod, Caroline replied, “Oh, you are quite welcome. You must come again soon.”

Standing to kiss Jane's hand, Bingley addressed his sister, “Caroline, did you not have another invitation to offer? I remember yesterday when we left Longbourn, you were lamenting that you had forgotten to broach the subject.”

With false cheerfulness, Caroline thanked her brother for the reminder and turned to Jane. “My brother is quite right. I do not know what has come over me. I was hoping your entire family could dine here in five days' time for a small family dinner, if that is convenient. If not, we can choose a later date.”

“Oh, Caroline, how lovely of you. I believe that would be fine, and I know my mother would want me to accept on her behalf.”

Clapping his hands, Bingley responded with an infectious smile, “Then it is all settled. Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, let me escort you to your carriage.”

As they walked out, Elizabeth heard Bingley request permission to call on Jane the following morning. As Jane acceded to his request, he helped her into the carriage and kissed her hand. Elizabeth could not help but see how he lingered a little longer than necessary. While Elizabeth celebrated the obvious progress her sister and he had clearly made in their relationship, she felt a pang of sadness at her own lack of comfort in that regard. Her mind immediately flew to Mr. Darcy's smiling face, as he left her several evenings ago for his nighttime stroll to Netherfield. The thought discombobulated her, as she attempted to formulate a coherent reply to Mr. Bingley's adieu.

As they drove along, Elizabeth wondered again at the disappointment she felt over Mr. Darcy's departure from Netherfield. It made her realize how much she had anticipated seeing him today. During their acquaintance, he had always appeared unexpectedly in her company, and therefore, on some level, she took his presence for granted. Her recent vow to try to get to know him better was based on her belief that she had all the time in the world to do exactly that whenever she chose to do it. Now that she could imagine commencing a friendship with him, he was gone, and his absence made her oddly unsettled. She felt frustrated that she did not know why he had left and had no idea when he would return.

Before the carriage arrived at Longbourn, Jane broke the silence. “Lizzy, do you think I should have accepted Caroline's invitation on our mother's behalf?”

Squeezing her hand in reassurance, Elizabeth replied, “Of course you should have, Jane. You know Mama would most definitely want to attend. If you had not, she would probably have sent us both back on Nellie to accept for her.”

After laughing briefly at the thought, Jane again turned serious. “I thought it was very nice of Caroline to invite us all for dinner.”

“Well, I think the invitation best pleased her brother, and that is what matters. I think you are in danger of him falling very much in love with you. I hope you will not leave him in suspense for too long.”

“Oh, Lizzy, I think you are imagining things. But do be serious, do you think his sisters are sincere about wanting to continue a friendship with me?”

“Jane, I think what is important is what Mr. Bingley wants. I think his sisters now understand that he intends to call on you quite frequently and that their acquaintance with you will be a long one. Given that, I think they want you to be easy in their company and develop a friendship from there.”

Thinking for a moment, Jane asked, “And do you think that is a sufficient basis from which to form a friendship?”

“Yes, I do. What you have in common is that you all love Mr. Bingley. Do not try to deny it. I can see it in your eyes, and I know Mr. Bingley's sisters can too. In the end, that is what will bind all of you together, and I do not think it matters whether his sisters came to it willingly or not. Ultimately, if Mr. Bingley chooses you and you accept him, then everything else will fall into place of its own accord. You need only worry about your feelings for him. You need not worry over how he feels about you. It is quite obvious.”

Upon their return to Longbourn, Elizabeth was proven correct about her mother's reaction to their invitation to dine at Netherfield. Her excitement was only surpassed by her anticipation of what Mr. Bingley's visit on the morrow might bring. By the time he did call, Mrs. Bennet had everyone in a state of confusion, as she attempted to orchestrate an opportunity for Jane and Mr. Bingley to be alone in the drawing room. In the end, her machinations proved worthwhile, as Mr. Bingley soon withdrew to Mr. Bennet's library for a private conference.

As Elizabeth approached Jane, the joy was evident on her sister's face. “Oh, Lizzy, I am so happy. I do not deserve it. I wish everyone could be this happy.”

Laughing, Elizabeth replied, “I take it, then, that you have something to tell me?”

“Yes, you know I do!” With tears of joy springing to her eyes, she continued, “Lizzy, he asked me to marry him. He told me that he loved me and that he has always loved me. He told me that I had to accept his proposal because he would never be happy without me and that, even if I were not ready to accept him now, he intended to wait for me forever. He promised to make me the happiest of women.”

“And what did you say?”

“I told him that he had already succeeded in that regard and that I want nothing more than to be his wife. I told him that I loved him dearly.”

“Oh, dear, sweet Jane, I am so happy for you.”

“Lizzy, you will be shocked, but after I accepted his proposal, I let him kiss me, and it was exquisite! I was completely lost in his arms. He is so strong and sweet. I felt dizzy at his touch, and when he took me in his arms, I thought my heart would leap from my chest. I cannot tell you how wonderful it feels to love someone who loves me in return. It is almost too much. I feel I shall burst with excitement.”

“Well, we cannot have that! You will just have to survive and be the happiest of women.”

“Oh, Lizzy, my joy will only be complete when you are as happy too.”

“Jane, I can never be as happy as you. Till I have your disposition, your goodness, I never can have your happiness. No, no, let me shift for myself, and, perhaps, if I have very good luck, I may meet with another Mr. Collins in time.”

Mr. Bennet's assent to the match was quickly given, and the day was filled with joy for everyone at Longbourn. That evening, Bingley told his sisters of his proposal, and to his satisfaction, only well wishes were heard. Thereafter, Bingley was, of course, a daily visitor at Longbourn, coming frequently before breakfast and always remaining till after supper. His friend remained in London, attending to his many responsibilities.

The day that the Bennets were to dine at Netherfield, Jane and Elizabeth called late in the morning to visit by themselves. All of the Bennet women had come the previous afternoon, at Caroline's request, to view Jane's future chambers and the whole of the residence. The offer to view the estate was mandatory for Caroline, but Elizabeth was glad to see that it came without delay or any hint of reluctance. Elizabeth thought Caroline bore the visit well, despite her perfunctory responses and her obvious exasperation at their mother's comments regarding the worth of each piece of furniture. Her mother clearly would have tried anyone's patience as she waxed on about Jane's sudden wealth and gave her unsolicited advice about every aspect of the household. While Elizabeth was once again disappointed that there was no news or mention of Mr. Darcy, she was actually relieved that he was not present to see her mother's tactless inventory of Netherfield. That night, Jane confided to Elizabeth that, through Charles, she had secured an opportunity the next morning to see the house again, without her mother's meddling, and that she wished Elizabeth to join her. Elizabeth gladly accepted the invitation, both as a means to help her sister and to escape their mother's endless conversations about the wedding.

As they began the tour, Elizabeth found Caroline's comments almost as aggravating as her mother's had been the day before. Today, Caroline's tone was clearly instructional. She obviously welcomed this second visit, as it was an opportunity to school Jane on what she had determined needed to be done at Netherfield and exactly how it should be accomplished. In the process, Jane's opinions were brushed aside. As Elizabeth lagged behind, she contemplated challenging Caroline, but thought that ultimately it would not matter, as Jane would have the final say and Mr. Bingley would support her in whatever fashion was required. She would let Caroline have a few final moments to rule the roost before advising Jane to voice her own opinions more forcefully. Listening to Caroline, however, was easier said than done. Deciding that the only way she could hold her tongue was to separate herself from Caroline, she wandered off into the next open door to take in its decor alone. To her shock, she stood face to face with a coatless Mr. Darcy, who apparently had been playing pool in the billiard room.

Quickly putting his cue stick on the table, he bowed and exclaimed, “Miss Bennet.”

“Mr. Darcy… I did not mean to intrude. I did not realize you had returned. I will leave you to your game. I am sorry for interrupting…”

Walking with long strides, he quickly stood in front of her as he said in a rushed manner, “No, you are not intruding at all. I had just arrived from town. The servants told me that Mr. Bingley was out. I thought I would just pass some time in here until he returned. I did not want to bother Miss Bingley. I was not aware that she had company.”

Looking away in embarrassment and, thereafter, often at the ground, she said, “Yes, Jane is visiting, and I accompanied her. I thought I would just take a moment to myself. But I would not dream of intruding on your privacy.”