Page 21 of A Rational Man (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

T he next week found Mrs. Bennet in her element.

She enjoyed entertaining and was a notable hostess in her small society.

An early morning meeting with Mrs. Hill and Cook allowed her to create a menu that she felt would do justice to her table; Jane and Lizzy were then sent to Meryton to purchase the few items that she was missing.

Both girls were grateful for the opportunity to escape Longbourn for an hour or so, as Mrs. Bennet’s entertainments tended to create a certain amount of havoc in the house.

The younger girls were invited to walk with them, but Mary was determined to master a new pianoforte piece for the evening’s entertainment and both Kitty and Lydia were reluctant to venture forth into a very windy November afternoon.

“It is just as well that we are alone, Jane, for I would like very much to ask how you like Mr. Bingley, now that we have had the pleasure of his company almost daily for the past week,” Elizabeth began.

“I like him very well, Lizzy. He is everything a gentleman should be – sensible, good-humoured, lively; and such happy manners!”

“And handsome, which a young man ought to be if he possibly can!” Elizabeth laughed.

“Very handsome,” Jane sighed. “But could he possibly be interested in me?”

“Interested! Why, Jane, he has found a reason to come to Longbourn nearly every day for the past week, and he scarce takes his eyes from you when he is here.”

“Given all his amiable qualities, he could have a young lady of fortune, Lizzy,” Jane demurred.

“He could, but none as utterly lovely as you, Jane. He would be lucky to have you, and you must remember that at all times.”

“I will try, Lizzy. But what of you and Mr. Darcy?”

Elizabeth sighed. “There is no me and Mr. Darcy, Jane.”

“He comes every day with Mr. Bingley, and I know it is simply to see you, Lizzy.”

Elizabeth replied, “He is, I suspect, even wealthier than your Mr. Bingley. Even worse, he is the nephew of an Earl. He told me quite frankly that he does not have Mr. Bingley’s luxury of choice; he must marry money and connections.”

“Poor man! Does he not understand that such a union does not guarantee love?”

“I think he does not care, Jane.”

“If he does not care about love, then he is not the man for you, Lizzy.” Jane’s voice was firm.

“You are right, Jane. I will guard my heart, as Papa continues to warn me.”

“But you do like him, then, Lizzy?” Jane queried.

“I should not, I know there is no future in it, but...” Elizabeth’s voice faltered.

“Oh, Lizzy.”

“I am well, Jane, do not worry.” Elizabeth squared her shoulders and strode ahead.

***

Miss Bingley had a plan. She would, undoubtedly, be the best-dressed woman at this dinner.

She would, through her conversation, show herself to also be the most au courant with the happenings in the great metropolis of London.

Doubtless, there would be a good deal lacking in terms of the estate’s décor, which she would point out.

By the end of the meal, Mr. Darcy would clearly see that she, Caroline Bingley, was far superior to any of these Bennet ladies.

***

Mr. Bingley had a plan. He felt fairly certain that he would be seated beside Miss Bennet, but if he were not, he would quickly rearrange things so that she was his dinner partner. He would compliment her, but gently, so that she need not feel embarrassed.

***

Mr. Darcy had a plan. He was certain that Miss Bennet and Mr. Bingley would be seated together.

He was not likely to be seated beside Miss Mary again, now that he was known to be highly eligible, but if things were not to his liking, he would find a way to rearrange things so that Miss Elizabeth was his dinner partner.

He could not marry her, of course, but he could enjoy her company while he was here in Meryton.

He planned to leave Netherfield quite soon.

Perhaps next week. Or the following week.

***

“They are here, Mama!” Kitty’s voice rose with excitement. Two ladies from London! She was desperate to see what they were wearing.

“Everyone, stand up when they arrive!” Mrs. Bennet cried.

Miss Bingley swept in first. Kitty almost swooned to see that she was arrayed in a gown of fawn silk with an overlay of maiden blush; the overlay was decorated with a good number of paste diamonds, so that Miss Bingley’s dress caught the candlelight whenever she moved.

Her red hair was gathered up in a high tower, and was studded with diamond clips.

She looked so elegant that Kitty clasped her hands to her chest and actually moaned aloud.

Miss Bingley heard the sound and looked over at its source. Seeing a very young lady dressed in a very simple gown of an indeterminate shade of green, she tossed her head with a sniff before looking away.

Jane and Elizabeth exchanged astonished glances. Miss Bingley’s gown and coiffure would have been perfect for a London ball; for a simple dinner in the country, it seemed quite outré .

Mr. Bingley performed the introductions. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst deigned to incline their heads about a half an inch; Mr. Hurst offered a perfunctory bow.

Everyone was soon seated. Mrs. Bennet began by enquiring how the company was finding Netherfield. “The neighbourhood is delighted that the estate is occupied again,” she added.

Mr. Bingley began, “I like it very – “ but he was immediately interrupted by his sister.

“It is rather small,” she said. “I had hoped Charles would find something a good deal larger. We will not overstay our lease, I am certain.”

“Caroline –“ her brother cut in, but it was no use; it was difficult to interrupt Miss Bingley when she was in full flow.

“And the rooms are so poorly decorated! My brother would allow me to redecorate the public rooms, but truly, what is the use of such an expense?” She waved an elegant hand.

“We will be gone as soon as may be. I do enjoy decorating, however; perhaps I might assist you, Mrs. Bennet? For surely you mean to bring this room up to date. These colours have not been in vogue in London for the past ten years!”

Mrs. Bennet was too flustered to answer, so Elizabeth took it upon herself to do so. “We have no immediate plans to redecorate, Miss Bingley, as we have no pretensions to fashion. The money is better spent improving the tenant cottages.”

“Cottages! Why, who could possibly care –“

Mr. Darcy felt this had gone on long enough. “Miss Bingley, the condition of the tenant cottages is crucial to the success of the estate.”

She turned to him. “Oh, Mr. Darcy, I am certain that the various drawing rooms at Pemberley are entirely in vogue with current fashions.”

“You would be quite wrong, Miss Bingley. I believe the only room that has been redecorated since my mother’s passing is my sister’s room.”

“I did not know you had a sister, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said, hoping to curtail a disagreement.

“She is only sixteen, so more than a decade my junior. She lives with me at Pemberley, and her name is Georgiana.”

“So not another Elizabeth or Mary,” Mary murmured.

Mr. Darcy’s quick ear caught her comment. “No. She was named for both my parents. My father was George, my mother was Anne.”

“Georgiana is a lovely name,” Jane said.

Miss Bingley had now recovered herself. “And she is a lovely young lady! Such poise, such elegance of manner! Not to mention her exquisite performances on the pianoforte!”

“She sounds quite a paragon, Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth murmured.

“Oh, she is indeed. You would not find her like in the countryside, I imagine.”

Elizabeth looked confused. “And yet I thought she lived in the country, in Derbyshire?”

Mr. Bingley began to laugh. “Caught you out there, Caroline! Of course she lives in the countryside.”

Miss Bingley began, “I only meant – “ And she trailed off, uncertain as to how to retract her comment without looking foolish.

Mrs. Bennet decided it was time to take charge of the conversation.

“In any case, we do hope that you learn to appreciate Netherfield and our small society. I believe Sir William Lucas plans to host a card party quite soon; I am certain you will all be included. And, of course, there are assemblies. I believe Mr. Darcy enjoyed our most recent assembly, as he danced nearly every dance.” All eyes turned to Mr. Darcy.

“I did enjoy it, very much,” he admitted, much to Mrs. Bennet’s delight.

“There you are! And I heard a rumour, just this morning, that a militia regiment is to be posted here in Meryton, which will add a good deal of merriment, I am certain!”

“The militia! Mama, do you mean it? Where did you hear that?” Lydia was on her feet, eyes wide with excitement.

“Sit down, child. Yes, I do mean it, I heard it from Sir William, and I believe they are to arrive later this month.”

“Oh, just imagine!” Lydia turned to Kitty, and the two actually squealed.

Mr. Darcy flinched. Miss Bingley sneered. Jane, Elizabeth and Mary closed their eyes in mortification.

***

Mrs. Bennet had planned her table most carefully.

Mr. Bennet sat at the head, of course, with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst on either side; this was quite proper.

Mrs. Bennet sat at the foot of the table.

Mr. Darcy was on her right, also quite properly, but rather than putting Mr. Bingley on her other side, as might have been expected, she sat Mr. Hurst there.

Beside Miss Bingley was Kitty, who could question Miss Bingley on fashion to her heart’s content. Then came Lydia, and then Mary beside Mr. Hurst.

Next to Mrs. Hurst, she sat Jane, and beside Jane was Mr. Bingley, just as everyone had hoped.

On Mr. Bingley’s other side, she sat Lizzy.

But this then put Mr. Darcy to Lizzy’s left!

Ha! Mr. Bennet may think what he liked about Mr. Darcy not being pursued, but Mrs. Bennet had eyes in her head, and her eyes told her that Mr. Darcy was not indifferent to Lizzy.

Mr. Bingley was everything delighted; he was sitting beside Miss Bennet, just as he had hoped. Kitty was delighted; despite Miss Bingley’s snobbishness, she hoped to gain some fashion insights during dinner. Jane was also delighted, as were Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth was glad to assist Jane’s relationship with Mr. Bingley by telling him little tales that showed Jane’s goodness, kindness, and eminent suitability to be the wife of a future estate owner.

But sitting beside Mr. Darcy? She had rather mixed feelings about it.

Elizabeth felt the danger of spending too much time with Mr. Darcy.

For, truth to tell, she was very much attracted to him.

She knew, of course, that he was destined for better things, so she had no one to blame but herself if she lost her heart to a man who could not commit himself to her, especially when she had been specifically warned against doing so.

On the other hand, surely she could enjoy his company as long as he was here, could she not?

When dinner ended and Mrs. Bennet led the ladies to the parlour, Miss Bingley immediately sat down to the instrument and began a complex Pleyel piece.

Mary sat back, her hands firmly folded on her lap; she was now ashamed of her poor efforts at the piano.

Evidently her accomplishments were meager indeed when compared with ladies such as Miss Bingley.

Jane, sitting beside Mary, saw her sister’s downcast face, and whispered, “She has had the benefit of London masters, Mary; but you have done very well without them!” Mary just shook her head.

In the dining room, the gentlemen were occupied with a very good brandy that Mr. Bennet had received from his brother-in-law, Mr. Gardiner, when he had returned Elizabeth to Longbourn. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley murmured their appreciation of it, and even Mr. Hurst grunted his approval.

Mr. Bingley began, “I feel I must apologise for my younger sister’s behaviour, Mr. Bennet.”

“We were forewarned, as it happens,” his host replied.

Mr. Bingley looked puzzled.

Mr. Darcy rather wished Mr. Bennet had not spoken of it, but now felt he must step forward. “I told the Bennets that your younger sister is a decisive person,” he said.

“Decisive? That is a kind summation,” Mr. Hurst said, unexpectedly. “I would have said vicious and manipulative.”

A stunned silence followed this pronouncement. It was broken, at last, by Mr. Bingley, who said, quietly, “That is harsh, Hurst.”

“Is it? I wish very much that I could get my wife away from her influence. When Caroline was away at school, Louisa was kind, warm, generous; the moment Caroline came home, Louisa changed entirely. I would give a good deal to have my wife, the woman I married, back again.” With that, he reached for the brandy bottle and poured himself a generous amount.

“Why do you not leave Netherfield, then, if I may enquire?” Mr. Bennet said, leaning forward.

“Because his finances do not permit it,” Mr. Bingley answered for Mr. Hurst.

“My brother by marriage is quite correct. I live on Charles’ goodwill until my father passes away; the old man continues in excellent health.”

“Can you not live with him? Your father?” Mr. Darcy put in.

“I could, yes, and Louisa and I were set to do that until Caroline put forth convincing arguments as to why she required her elder sister’s presence until she found a husband.”

Mr. Bingley looked entirely astonished. “Hurst, I had no idea!”

“You would have, had you cared to look, Charles.”

“Or you could have simply told me,” Mr. Bingley fired back.

Mr. Hurst was silent, staring into his now-empty glass.

“I will speak to Caroline,” Mr. Bingley said.

“Do not bother,” Mr. Hurst said, bitterly. “It will make no difference.”

After another long silence, Mr. Bennet suggested that they rejoin the ladies, though he asked Mr. Bingley to remain behind for a moment.

Once Mr. Darcy and Mr. Hurst had left the dining room, Mr. Bennet said, “Mr. Bingley, I have not been unaware that you are paying a good deal of attention to my eldest daughter. You will understand me, I think, when I say that I would never allow one of my daughters to be in a position similar to that of Mrs. Hurst.”

“I understand you, Mr. Bennet.” Mr. Bennet rose and walked out of the room, leaving Mr. Bingley to consider all that he had just heard.