Page 16 of An Interrupted Proposal (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
Longbourn
Knowing the Bennets might be anticipating Bingley’s arrival due to Jane’s letter to her mother, the gentlemen decided to use his coach for their journey to Hertfordshire.
Bingley had sent an express to Mrs. Nicholls on Monday asking her to open the house, but only to bring on a skeleton staff to see to the gentlemen’s needs for one evening; a light supper might be all that would be required on Tuesday and breakfast the following morning, should they decide to remain the night.
Therefore, they travelled first to Netherfield to refresh themselves before travelling to Longbourn.
Though the Bennet estate was a smaller seat than Netherfield, the driveway was longer and passed through a small orchard before the house came into view.
In their approach, Darcy noted a flash of colour amongst the trees and was unsurprised to see the youngest Bennet daughters rushing towards the house as the carriage drew to a stop before the main entrance.
Pausing for a few minutes before descending from the equipage allowed the girls to enter the house before them, and they could hear the calls announcing their arrival.
The housekeeper opened the door as they approached, allowing Mrs. Bennet’s exclamations of “I knew he would come!” to reach them. The servant’s countenance stiffened but she greeted them with a guarded smile.
“Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy to see Mr. Bennet,” Bingley stated in a calm voice, though his fingers twitched at his side.
“I will see if he is at home to visitors,” she replied and left them standing in the hall while she went to consult with her master.
Before the servant had disappeared from view, Mrs. Bennet stepped out from a doorway to their left and feigned surprise at seeing them in her front hall.
“Why Mr. Bingley, what a surprise." Her eyes widened.
"And Mr. Darcy." Her gaze returned to Bingley.
"It has been so long since we have met. Will you not come in?”
Bingley glanced at Darcy and then down the hall where the housekeeper had been. “I thank you, Mrs. Bennet. We are here to see Mr. Bennet but would enjoy greeting you and your daughters as well.”
The lady twittered like a young girl and motioned them into the parlour where the other Bennet ladies were seated.
The two youngest were a bit flushed from their mad dash into the house and sat on a sofa whispering and giggling to one another.
The middle sister was at a table, head bent over a book, scratching notes into a journal.
She barely lifted her head to acknowledge their appearance before returning to her work.
“Sit, sit,” their hostess said. “What brings you to Longbourn, sir?”
The gentlemen were taken aback by her forthright question, though Bingley still murmured that they had business with Mr. Bennet.
“And have you just arrived from London?” she asked.
“We stopped at Netherfield before coming here,” Bingley responded.
The lady’s smile grew. “Will you be staying long? You are quite in my debt for a family dinner, Mr. Bingley. You were to dine with us last autumn, but you stayed away so long.”
“I apologize for that, madam. It was a grave error on my part. Unfortunately, we are only here for the day and will be returning to London––”
“Oh, but you must dine with us this evening. You, too, Mr. Darcy. I am certain Mrs. Nicholls will be unable to supply you with a sufficient meal on such short notice, and there is always plenty at Longbourn. It is a shame that Jane is not at home, but I am certain you already know that as she is in London.” The woman smiled and batted her eyelashes at Bingley.
Darcy, watching the scene, was caught between disgust and amusement at the lady’s antics.
Too often in his life, he had been the one attracting such attentions while his friend sat to the side and was entertained by the display.
For once, it was his turn to witness another in such a situation, and he realized it did have a humorous side when one was not the target of the solicitations.
But Bingley was much more amiable and open to Mrs. Bennet than Darcy had ever been, so he was not as discomforted by insinuations and expectations as Darcy might have been.
“We will discuss it with Mr. Bennet when we speak to him but would appreciate your hospitality if our business is completed in a favourable manner.”
“If?” the lady squealed. She shook out her fan and applied it vigorously.
“I am certain Mr. Bennet will gladly grant whatever request you have for him.” Her voice was a bit too high, and the youngest girls whispered and giggled again.
“He would not dare refuse you.” The wisps of hair which peeked out from her matron cap were tossed about in a frantic manner by the small gale the lady was creating.
Before anything more could be said, the housekeeper stepped into the room and informed the men that Mr. Bennet was ready to see them.
“Hill, please return after showing Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy to Mr. Bennet’s study. I have some directions for you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Mrs. Hill dipped a brief curtsey to her mistress then led the gentlemen down the hall to a room at the back of the house.
After a brief pause following her knock, Mr. Bennet called out for them to enter.
As they did, Darcy noted the man marking his place in a book and setting it down upon his desk.
He appeared to stand reluctantly, one hand resting upon the obviously treasured tome.
Following their greetings and an offer of refreshment which was refused, he took his seat and motioned them into the chairs in front of his desk.
“Well, Mr. Bingley, what can I do for you and your friend today?”
Bingley glanced at Darcy and then back at their host. “Sir, I realize that I left the neighbourhood abruptly in November and wished to apologize to you for not properly taking my leave at that time and for not returning promptly as I had promised.”
Mr. Bennet pursed his lips and studied the gentlemen before finally responding. “I accept your apology, sir, but feel as though I am not the one to whom this is owed.”
Bingley nodded. “I have been blessed to have met with Miss Bennet while in London and she has also accepted my apology.”
“Ah,” the gentleman said as he placed his hand back on the book and lightly tapped his fingers upon it.
With another glance at Darcy, who nodded encouragingly, Bingley swallowed and leant forwards in his seat.
“Yes, I have been courting Miss Bennet with her uncle’s permission, as I believe he wrote to you, and, on Saturday, she accepted my marriage proposal.
I would like to request your permission and blessing for our engagement and marriage. ”
Mr. Bennet remained in a relaxed position, his head resting against the back of the chair and his hands now folded across his stomach.
He studied Bingley for a time without speaking.
Eventually, at just about the time Bingley began tugging at his neckcloth, the man sighed and turned his gaze on Darcy.
“And you, Mr. Darcy? What is it that brings you to my lowly estate?”
Startled by the question, Darcy blinked twice before stuttering out, “I––I––Miss Elizabeth and I have also been courting, sir, and she accepted my marriage proposal yesterday.”
The man’s brow rose. “Lizzy? But she was in Kent until this past Saturday.”
Darcy nodded. “As was I for the previous weeks. We were in each other’s company quite frequently during that time.”
Mr. Bennet nodded and looked back at Mr. Bingley. “Why did you leave Netherfield in November and not return until now?”
Bingley swallowed again, but squared his shoulders before saying, “Initially, I left to attend to necessary business. It was my plan to return in a few days; however, I allowed myself to be persuaded to remain in town for the holidays. It was wrong of me. I realize that my actions at that time had raised expectations, which I intended to fulfil.”
“But you did not return at that time.”
“No.” Bingley lowered his head, and there was a pause long enough to make Darcy feel the need to speak up.
“I fear I was not fully aware of the situation and provided poor advice to my friend.”
Bingley gave him a withering glance before returning his attention to Mr. Bennet.
“Regardless of what Darcy told me, it was my final decision to remain in London and I regret choosing as I did. Had I returned when I planned, Miss Bennet and I might now be wed or, at the very least, approaching our wedding day.”
Mr. Bennet did not appear impressed by Bingley’s confession and supposition, so Darcy spoke. “My friend has great natural modesty, sir, and until recently, a stronger dependence on my judgement than on his own. I should not have advised him as I did––“
“Darcy, please. This is my battle; I do not require your assistance.” Bingley returned his attention to Mr. Bennet.
“Sir, I understand your hesitance. I have not been a consistent suitor in the past and have taken others’ advice when I should have spoken to your daughter.
Jane and I have discussed this, and I have promised her that it will not happen again.
Should I have doubts about anything regarding her, I will speak to her and her alone.
I love your daughter, Mr. Bennet, and she loves me.
We wish to be married with your blessing, but if you will not provide it, she has told me to remind you that she is of age and her choice has been made. ”
Slowly, Mr. Bennet unfolded his hands and sat forwards.
“May I ask what was said to convince you to abandon my daughter to the gossips and jealous young ladies with their false sympathy? What reasons did your friend and, I imagine, your sisters provide that kept you from returning to her side after showing such marked attention for over a month?”