Miss Bennet & Mr Bingley (12 page)

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The following day Jane and Elizabeth decided to accompany Lydia into
Meryton. Unfortunately Mr Collins was also to attend at the request of their
father who appeared most anxious to get rid of him and regain his library for
himself. Jane had only agreed in the hope that she might meet Mr Bingley; she
had no idea why Elizabeth came unless it was to accompany her.

They walked together, Kitty and Lydia in front, Mr Collins, with herself
on one side and Elizabeth on the other, continuing to talk at great length of
nothing in particular. All that was required of her was to answer civilly when
he paused for breath.

Every time she heard the sound of a horse approaching she looked up
hoping it might be Charles. No sooner had they arrived at the High Street then
she was dismayed to see both Lydia and Kitty were immediately staring ahead in
their quest for officers, and nothing less than a very smart bonnet indeed, or
a really new muslin in a shop window, could recall them. She looked in despair
at her sister who raised her eyebrows and shook her head, nodding towards Mr
Collins. It would not do to point out their sisters’ immodesty when he was with
them.

They had not been walking far when Jane saw a young man, a stranger to
them, but with the most gentlemanlike appearance, walking with an officer on
the other side of the way. This officer was the very Mr Denny, concerning whose
return from London Lydia came to enquire, and he bowed to them as he passed.

‘I wonder who that other officer is, Lizzy? No doubt, Kitty and Lydia
will find out, we shall not be obliged to wait to be introduced by Mrs Phillips.’

Mr Collins was slightly ahead of them, and they were able to confer
privately for a moment. ‘Look, Kitty and Lydia are already across the road, and
the gentlemen are turning back to speak to them. I must admit he is
prodigiously handsome, he will be a definite asset to social occasions.’

Jane pursed her lips. ‘I thought you had no time for military men,
Lizzy?’

Elizabeth laughed at her sally. ‘In the normal way, I do not. But I am
prepared to make exceptions for someone as pleasing as
that
gentleman.’

The girls led the two officers over and introductions were effected.
Jane found the young man to be charming, and have a happy readiness of
conversation, but at the same time was perfectly correct and unassuming. She
liked him immediately.

The sound of horses approaching made her look up and she felt her cheeks
colour. This time it
was
Charles and Mr Darcy riding down the street.
She glanced towards the new officer talking so animatedly with her sister, he
was handsome, but no comparison to Charles. For he rode his horse as if born to
it, looked so good-humoured, his eyes as blue as the sky.

 
She stepped away from the group
hoping that Mr Bingley would see her and she smiled as he approached. Both
gentlemen dismounted.

‘Good morning, Miss Bennet, we were on our way to Longbourn to enquire
how you did.’

‘As you see, sir, I am fully recovered.’ It was her intention to ask
after the health of his sisters when she noticed Mr Darcy staring at Mr
Wickham. Both men changed colour, one white, the other red. Mr Wickham after a
few moments touched his hat, a salutation which Mr Darcy just deigned to
return. What could be the meaning of it? It was impossible not to long to know.

She glanced up at Charles, but he appeared not to have noticed what had
just occurred. ‘I must bid you good day, ladies, I shall look forward to seeing
you again, Miss Bennet.’ Mr Darcy nodded and they regained their saddles and
rode away. She heartily wished she had been walking only with her sister
Elizabeth, and not surrounded by officers and Kitty and Lydia’s chatter.

If that had been the case then Charles might well have walked along with
them. It seemed an age since she had spent any time alone with him. Perhaps she
was making too much of his particular interest; perhaps she was imagining his
attention. She couldn’t bear to think of it; she must harden her resolve, must
never let her family know that her feelings were engaged. For if he did not
feel the same way and moved on, she would not have them distressed on her
account.

As they walked home she and Elizabeth discussed what they had seen pass
between the two gentlemen. Neither of them had any explanation as to why both
had behaved so strangely.

It was not until after they had spent the evening at Mr and Mrs Phillips
house, during which Mr Wickham had shown a decided partiality for Elizabeth,
that she learnt the truth. The evening had passed pleasantly enough, Mr Collins
had certainly enjoyed himself, but it was not the same for her unless Charles
was present.

As soon as they were closeted alone in their bed chamber, Elizabeth said
she had something astonishing to tell her about Mr Wickham and Mr Darcy, but
the long day had tired Jane and she was not ready to hear this news.

‘Please, Lizzy, I am far too fatigued to hear it now. Tell me about it
tomorrow.’

It was not until later the following morning that she and Elizabeth
could escape for a walk together. Immediately her sister began her tale.

‘Jane, you will not believe what Mr Wickham told me last night. It would
seem that he was the godson of Mr Darcy’s father, and a very great favourite of
his. The late Mr Darcy promised that Mr Wickham should have the best living
when it became vacant, it was written in the will. However when the living was
available and Mr Wickham was of age, it was given to someone else by Mr Darcy.
It would seem, Jane, that the late Mr Darcy was one of the best men that ever
drew breath and a true friend to Mr Wickham.’

Jane was horrified by the story. ‘It is quite shocking. I cannot believe
that Mr Darcy should go against his father’s will in that way.’

Her sister became quite agitated on the subject. ‘It would seem that Mr
Wickham’s father was the estate manager and devoted his entire life to the
benefit of Pemberley. He was highly esteemed by the late Mr Darcy, a most
intimate and confidential friend, according to Mr Wickham. He told me that if
he had been less of a favourite, the present Mr Darcy might not have treated
him so badly.’

‘Lizzy, I am sure there must be some mistake. I cannot believe that Mr
Bingley would hold Mr Darcy in such high regard if he was a man so unworthy of
it. And yet I must agree with you, Mr Wickham gives every appearance of being
amiable and of veracity. I cannot bear to think of his having endured such
unkindness.’

It was too awful to contemplate, that a young man should have been so
cast off by the closest friend of the man she loved. There could only be one
explanation. ‘They have both been deceived, I daresay, in some way or other, of
which we can form no idea. It is just that people have perhaps misinterpreted
them to each other. It is, in short, impossible for us to conjecture what
causes or circumstances may have alienated them, without actual blame on either
side.’

‘Very true, indeed; and now, my dear Jane, what have you got to say on
behalf of interested people who have probably been a consideration in the
business? Do you clear them too, or shall you be obliged to think ill of
somebody.’

Jane forced a smile. ‘Laugh as much as you choose, you will not laugh me
out of my opinion. My dearest Lizzy, you must consider in what a disgraceful
light this places Mr Darcy, to have treated his father’s favourite in such a
manner. One that his father had made a promise to provide for. It is
impossible. No man of common humanity, no man with any value for his character,
could be capable of it. Can his most intimate friends be so excessively
deceived in him? Oh! No, I shall not believe it of him.’

‘But I can much more easily believe Mr Bingley as being imposed on, then
that Mr Wickham should invent such a history himself. He gave me names, facts,
everything mentioned without ceremony last night; If it be not so, let Mr Darcy
contradict it. Besides, there was truth in his looks.’

 
‘It is difficult indeed. It is
distressing. One does not know what to think.’

‘One knows exactly what to think,’ Elizabeth said firmly.

Jane could think with certainty of only one. Charles, if he had been
imposed on, would have much to suffer when the affair became public. She wished
with all her heart that it would turn out to be a sham, that both Mr Wickham
and Mr Darcy could somehow be exonerated of bad behaviour.

They heard the sound of the carriage arriving on the gravel as they
emerged from the shrubbery. It was Charles and his sisters arriving for a
morning call. She was relieved that Mr Darcy, on this occasion, had not
accompanied them. ‘Lizzy, is my nose red? Have I smuts on my face?’

‘No, you look lovely as usual. You must not fret; I am certain that if
you appeared dressed in black bombazine from head to toe he would still find
you perfect.’

Smiling, Jane hurried forward to greet the guests; she could see Charles
appeared as pleased to see her as she was to see him. He did not release her
hand until Miss Bingley coughed pointedly.

‘Miss Bennet, we have come specially to invite you to my ball. It is to
be held at Netherfield next Tuesday night. I did not wish to send you a card,
but invite you in person.’

‘That is kind of you, Mr Bingley. I know we are all looking forward to
the event with eager anticipation.’ She turned to welcome Miss Bingley and Mrs
Hurst.

‘Miss Bennet, it seems an age since we have met you, what have you been
doing with yourself whilst we have been separated so long?’

‘We have a guest with us, he is a cousin of Mr Bennet’s, a Mr Collins.
It has meant that I have been obliged to remain at home to assist my parents in
entertaining him.’

‘I expect that he shall wish to come to the ball next week as well. An
extra gentleman is always welcome, is he not Louisa?’

Jane led the ladies inside where her mother was waiting in the
drawing-room. She had no time to talk to Charles in private, but whenever she
glanced up from her conversation with his sisters it was to see his eyes
resting upon her. They had not been with them more than ten minutes when Miss
Bingley, followed immediately by her sister, jumped from her seat.

‘Oh, Caroline, Louisa, are we to leave so soon?’ He shrugged in
resignation and smiled at her. ‘I have had no time to talk to Miss Bennet.’

Without answering the ladies swept from the room and he had little
choice but to follow. Jane watched him go, knowing that it was the noise that
had driven Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst away. They were ladies of superior
delicacy, no doubt they found too much inconsequential chatter unsettled their
nerves.

That evening the conversation was all about the forthcoming ball. Jane
knew it should be a happy evening for her in the society of her two friends and
their brother. She had seldom been so happy, had so much to look forward to.
She pushed the unpleasantness about Mr Wickham and Mr Darcy to the back of her
mind; she would not discuss it further even when her sister brought the matter
up. It was nothing to do with them - it was much less best left alone.

She was content with her daydreams about the moment when Charles would
go down on one knee and declare his love for her. Every time they met she loved
him more and was finding it increasingly difficult to hide her partiality. The
ball at Netherfield would give him the perfect opportunity to make his feelings
clear.

Preparation for the ball had thrown his entire household into chaos and
Charles wished to escape from the bustle and confusion. He found Darcy and
Hurst hiding in the billiard room. His friend grinned as he came skulking in.

‘Ah ha! I had a wager with Hurst that you would join us very soon. Such
matters are best left to the ladies.’

‘You are quite right, Darcy, you did warn me to absent myself. I cannot
imagine what possessed me to agree to holding the ball at Netherfield. I have
never seen such a fuss and botheration. God knows why the banisters have to be
polished?’

Darcy laughed out loud. ‘God knows, indeed, my friend. It would seem
that your guests shall find you wanting if there is a single finger mark upon
the banisters, so polished they must be.’

Hurst shook his head, not following the conversation at all. ‘This is a
mystery to me; the ball is being held in the ballroom, not upstairs.’

Charles exchanged smiles with his friend. ‘The ladies shall go upstairs,
Hurst, they must have a chamber in which to withdraw in order to arrange
themselves and attend to any minor repairs that may arise. There also has to
be, so Caroline informed me, a room for their maids to wait.’

‘And the white soup? Has Nicholls made sufficient do you think,
Bingley?’

‘Devil take the white soup, I say. They shall have lobster patties, and
whatever else cook fancies, I have no further interest in the subject.’

He stomped across to a convenient armchair and slumped down, stretching
out his legs and closing his eyes. He had been looking forward to the evening,
believing it would be an occasion when he could spend several hours in the
company of Miss Bennet, whilst his sisters would be otherwise occupied, and his
friend not watching his every move with disapproval. If Jane gave him the
slightest indication that she loved him he would make her an offer.