Does Mr. Bingley even stand a chance?
November 27, 1811
Mr. Darcy walked into the breakfast room eager for a cup of coffee and some solitude to allow him to think more about the events at the Netherfield Ball. Particularly regarding Miss Elizabeth. Despite his less than amicable dance with her, he could not dismiss her from his mind. But he knew he must.
He was surprised and more than a little disappointed to discover Miss Bingley already there. He greeted her politely and asked the servant for a cup of coffee, seating himself at the table.
He took a sip of the freshly poured drink, thanking the servant with a nod of his head. Turning to Miss Bingley, he asked, “Do you know what time Bingley is departing today for London?”
“I believe as early as possible,” she answered with a smile, which quickly faded. “You are still planning to go with him?”
“I am not inclined to remain here any longer.” His fingers gripped the cup tightly.
Miss Bingley waited until the servant left the room and closed the door behind him. She looked back at Darcy and quite unexpectedly uttered a commanding, “Mr. Darcy, you cannot leave!”
He turned toward her, astonished at her exacting demand. “I beg your pardon, Miss Bingley?”
“Mr. Darcy,” she said, as a smooth smile replaced her previously disturbed countenance. “Please accept my apologies for my outburst. I see we are both of like minds; neither am I inclined to remain here even one day more! The society here is intolerable!” She leaned forward and in a conspiratorial whisper said, “However, I have something of the utmost import to discuss with you and it can only be done whilst Charles is away. I see no other alternative but to request that you remain at Netherfield!”
Darcy’s brows pinched in curiosity. “What is so urgent that I remain behind, Miss Bingley?”
“We must discuss this Miss Bennet disaster directly!” Her voice rose to a fevered pitch. “You must agree with me after what we witnessed at the ball last night that Charles should be made to see the imprudence of this affection. Naturally, we cannot freely discuss it whilst he is in our midst, and I am relying on your counsel, for I know he will listen to you. I fear it may prove to be too late if we delay discussion of this until you both return!” She shook her head vehemently. “We must formulate a plan to separate him from her!”
Darcy slowly lifted his coffee cup and gazed into the swirling liquid as if it might hold the answers to all his unanswered questions. He pondered Miss Bingley’s words silently and then took another sip.
Miss Bingley continued, “Mr. Darcy, you beheld her family. Have you ever witnessed such undignified behavior? Each member of that family is objectionable!”
Darcy glanced up to see Miss Bingley eyeing him. He wondered if his tightening jaw betrayed to her any sign that he was still drawn to Miss Elizabeth’s fine eyes, sparkling wit, uncommon intelligence. He shook his head to remove her from his thoughts.
“Certainly, you were appalled at the lack of breeding displayed. It would be insupportable for Charles to marry into that family!” She continued in a softer, yet more determined manner, “Please, I beg you to consider remaining at Netherfield so that we may discuss what we shall do without fear of Charles overhearing!”
Mr. Darcy lifted his eyes to her and was about to reply when Miss Bingley added, “You heard her mother, did you not? Miss Bennet is a dear, sweet girl, but her mother! Is it not quite clear that her sole purpose in promoting a marriage between her eldest and my brother is to elevate their family in society?”
Miss Bingley’s pleading was halted by the entrance of Bingley himself, and they both turned in surprise towards him, fearful he may have heard her last comment. It was apparent he had not, for he entered the room in a buoyant manner and with a most jovial greeting.
“Good morning, Caroline! Good morning, Darcy! Beautiful day, is it not?”
Miss Bingley’s eyes darted to Mr. Darcy as she answered, “I suppose it is.”
Bingley turned to his friend, who merely took a sip from his cup of coffee. “I hate to quit Netherfield today,” he continued. “I have had such a pleasant time here… especially at the ball. I believe everyone enjoyed themselves. I know I did.”
A smile beamed from his face as Miss Bingley looked down and rolled her eyes. “Yes, Brother, but I believe some enjoyed themselves more than others!”
“Tell me, Darcy, do you still wish to accompany me to Town? I should thoroughly enjoy your company on that tedious journey thither!”
Miss Bingley looked at Mr. Darcy, biting her lip as she awaited his answer.
Darcy paused, rubbing his chin as he contemplated what to say. “I know I told you I was considering it, Bingley, but I fear I cannot. I regret that I have news from my steward of pressing business at Pemberley, and I do not think I have the time for a London visit. If you anticipate being in Town any length of time, I shall endeavor to join you at a later date.”
Bingley accepted his friend’s words good-naturedly and without question. Miss Bingley, upon hearing his comment, looked well-pleased.
* * *
Later that day after Bingley took his leave, Mr. Darcy sat with Miss Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst in the sitting room. The two sisters were of like mind in their plotting and scheming as they attributed a most disheartening account of the Bennet family’s behavior at the ball.
Miss Bingley’s eyes pleaded with Mr. Darcy as did her argument. “Certainly you agree with me that Mrs. Bennet is a most presumptuous woman! How dare she speak so openly and freely about her expectations for Charles and Miss Bennet to become engaged directly? I am quite sure she has the whole of Meryton prepared to offer felicitations.”
“Quite imprudent,” agreed her sister.
“Now exactly how did Mrs. Bennet phrase it as she was enumerating the many advantages of the match?” Miss Bingley pointedly asked. “I believe it was something to the effect, ‘Their marriage will be such a promising thing for my younger daughters, as Jane’s marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of other rich men!’”
Upon hearing those words, Mr. Darcy grimaced and took a final gulp from the cup of coffee he gripped in his hand. He had to admit he had been appalled when he overheard Mrs. Bennet speaking so loudly and in such a tasteless manner.
“And the youngest sister; you observed her, I am sure, displaying such unrestrained manners! Is there a redcoat in Hertfordshire unworthy of her flirtations? I could barely keep my countenance!”
Her eyes locked onto those of Mr. Darcy. “We cannot allow any sort of attachment between Charles and Jane Bennet. He is far too guileless to withstand the arts of a family looking to elevate their status. And if they succeed in their scheme, what will become of Charles then? Left to care for an ambitious mother-in-law, obliged to entertain soldiers for the sake of flirtatious, ill-bred sisters? It is not sound!”
Darcy looked down as he deliberated on her words carefully. But before he could reply, Miss Bingley offered up one more observation from the night of the ball.
“It must have come as quite a shock to you, Mr. Darcy, to learn of Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s admiration for Mr. Wickham. I could not understand myself how she had come to be so enamored of him.” She cast a glance at Mr. Darcy and appeared pleased at the effect of her words.
Darcy drew in a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. He stood up and walked to the sideboard, setting down his empty cup. “You are correct, Miss Bingley. What you have said about separating Bingley and Miss Bennet is something upon which I wholeheartedly agree.”
Darcy turned to his co-conspirator. “I will concede that Miss Bennet is pleasing of countenance and manner, but it is more than that. In all the times I have had the opportunity to observe her, she displayed no outward regard for Bingley. I believe you may be correct in that she is receiving his attentions to secure a husband of fortune to benefit her family, and that is solely due to her mother’s encouragement. I would be doing a disservice to Bingley to allow him to ask for Miss Bennet’s hand in marriage.”
“Yes, you are so correct, Mr. Darcy,” Miss Bingley agreed. “She shows no affection toward him. None at all. It is as though she cares nothing for him! What can be done about this?”
Very slowly and deliberately Darcy replied, “We must keep him from returning to Netherfield.”
Miss Bingley looked to her sister and then back to Mr. Darcy. “Yes! We shall all depart on the morrow for London and I shall instruct the servants to close up Netherfield for the remainder of the winter. We shall inform them that it is very unlikely that any from our party will return any time soon.” A smile came to her face. “And once we are on our way, I shall have a polite little missive sent to Miss Bennet to inform her of our plans and not to expect us back.”
“This will hardly please Bingley,” Darcy countered.
“He will be displeased for but a short while. You know how easily he falls in and out of love. Once he has been away from Miss Bennet, she will soon be forgotten, as will any attachment for Netherfield. He listens to you, Mr. Darcy. He regards your opinion most highly.” She let out a breath and a smile appeared. “And perhaps there is a pleasant, young lady in Town, someone of excellent breeding and disposition, who will soon come to take Miss Bennet’s place in his heart.”
“Perhaps,” Darcy said, not really hearing her words. “I believe it would be prudent for him to be separated from Miss Bennet to discourage any sort of admiration to continue.” Darcy let out a raspy breath. “I heartily concur. We must leave on the morrow! This unsound attachment must be obliterated in its entirety!” Darcy spoke with such force and command that Miss Bingley appeared surprised.
Once these words were out, Darcy felt an odd sense of hopelessness and regret, as he struggled with the fact that Miss Elizabeth’s family was completely unsuitable—for Bingley perhaps—and for himself unquestionably. With pinched brows, Darcy slowly sat back down, realizing that the weight of his argument was directed chiefly towards himself. He needed to distance himself from Miss Elizabeth and he was going to destroy his good friend’s prospect for love and marital felicity, as well as his own, by doing so.
2 comments
What a jerk!!
I love how Darcy’s indecision cements into action when Caroline mentions Wickham. I’ve got to give her credit for knowing how to provoke him! Thanks for this glimpse into Darcy’s decision-making process!