Page 16 of Such Persuasions as These (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

T he arrival at Netherfield two days prior of the two Miss Bennets, and the sickness of the eldest, had had quite an effect on its master.

Bingley had been walking about, wringing his hands in apprehension over Jane Bennet’s condition since the moment they had arrived home from their luncheon with the officers.

More than once had he attempted to ask after her at her chamber door, only to realise that the maiden was alone, and he thereby could not.

Why did the thought of Bingley’s behaving so honourably niggle at Darcy’s conscience?

He would admit that he and Elizabeth probably ought not to be alone in one another’s company, but that was different.

Bingley imagined himself in love with Miss Bennet; he was concerned for her reputation and likely wished to preserve the honour of his desired courtship.

Darcy and Elizabeth were friends; that was all.

Surely two people with no romantic attachment to one another were not to be bound by the same strictures as courting couples.

Though Darcy was sure that, if he were Captain Wentworth, he would take exception to his betrothed spending too much time with another man.

If I were Captain Wentworth , he thought, I would not leave a treasure like Elizabeth Bennet alone for months at a time where another man might steal her away from me .

Not that he had ever dreamt of stealing Elizabeth away from her captain.

Of course not.

Darcy turned his attention back to Bingley. He could see that his worry over the young woman sprang from an attachment unlike that of any of the man’s former ‘angels’, and he could not help but be concerned.

Miss Bingley had made it clear that the Bennets had an uncle who was in trade and lived near Cheapside, a less than fashionable part of town. Of course, he would not agree aloud to any of that lady’s objections. However, her point had been a valid one.

It was times like these that Darcy was unable to regret that the pretty younger sister tending the sickroom was already spoken for; such a low connexion must be considered highly reprehensible. If only Bingley could see the folly of such a choice for himself…

“This is dashed difficult, Darcy. I feel, as I have an independent income, I should be able to choose whom I wish to marry without having to take into account the fortune or status of the lady. I am not from a landed family like you, and I do not have to answer to lady aunts and lord uncles.”

“I agree that you do not have as much at stake as I do; and your fortune certainly opens up the opportunity for you to marry as you choose. However, as said fortune was acquired in trade only a generation ago, you must be careful to marry a gentlewoman if you desire to be accepted into the society of the landed gentry. Your lease of Netherfield, and eventual purchase of your own property, puts you on the path to social advancement, without question. But your choice of bride will have a definite effect on how smoothly you travel that path. If you wish to continue towards this goal, you must choose the right lady.”

Darcy knew that Jane Bennet was a gentleman’s daughter from an old family, but he also knew how those of the ton would respond at seeing her on Bingley’s arm.

Bingley had been known to attend every fashionable ball of the Season, to dance with heiresses and peers’ daughters.

To appear in town with an unknown beauty without connexions or dowry—the ton would tear them both to shreds.

“However, as far as a lady’s fortune is concerned, it is a natural consideration.

Choosing a woman with a suitable dowry does two things at once: firstly, it adds to your own fortune and thereby your consequence in the eyes of society, and secondly, it ensures that you are not the object of a fortune hunter who might pretend all manner of affection in an effort to deceive and gain her object. ”

“Darcy, you cannot believe—” Bingley shot to his feet.

“I am not making accusations. I am only saying, better men than yourself have been blinded by such women and set in their shackles…I simply speak as I have found.”

Inwardly, he knew it was wrong to ascribe anything insincere to Miss Bennet, even indirectly.

Indeed, if he were in Bingley’s shoes, he would see only a beautiful woman from a respectable family who received his attentions with pleasure and returned them in her own quiet way.

But if Darcy were to show him true kindness, he would do all in his power to discourage this match.

Up until a week ago, he had felt he could convince Bingley that she did not care for him, but to his great surprise, Miss Bennet had suddenly begun showing a distinct preference for his friend.

Was this sincere? Was this her mother’s doing?

Darcy did not know, but either way, he did not want Bingley to be swept up in her attentions to the point of declaring himself.

Bingley’s ire deflated a bit as he fell back into his chair with a sigh. “I have so much to learn…”

“Is that not why you asked me to accompany you? To help you navigate this new stage of your life? While it is true that I am not an expert in matters of the heart, I do have some experience being the bowl of cream in a room full of hungry tabbies.”

“My, but we do think highly of ourselves.”

Both men laughed lightly before Bingley became serious once more.

“What about you, Darcy? You certainly do not need to marry for a large dowry, and none of the heiresses of the ton have ever caught your attention. I imagine you can wed where you like.”

“In theory. But with my name being an ancient and respected one, my family has certain expectations of me.” He stated this matter-of-factly, though in his heart he resented such constraints.

More than one relation had, because of these, assumed an eventual union between himself and a cousin for whom he had not the slightest inclination.

“So, what be the strictures upon the Master of Pemberley?”

“If I am to keep my family’s favour, I must marry a highly-bred gentlewoman with a hefty dowry and every conceivable advantage of education and accomplishment,” he answered, trying to keep his tone even to conceal the bitterness he had come to feel.

He stared into his drink for several silent moments.

“But, in all seriousness, my situation is unique. I must find, not only someone of whose upbringing and connexions my family will approve, but one who will be a capable mistress of a great estate, as well as a dozen other holdings throughout England and Scotland.”

“A dozen?” Bingley sounded truly shocked.

“Indeed. Thus, while she would naturally be raised for a life of wealth and ease, she must not be averse to hard work.”

Not to mention she would have to elicit from me the deepest affection and respect , he thought. Not wishing to encourage Bingley to follow his heart, however, he decided to leave his own out of it.

Darcy was quiet for more than a moment as he pondered what he wished for in a bride, lord uncles and lady aunts be hanged.

A helpmeet with whom I am comfortable, whose conversation is rational and engaging.

Someone naturally kind; my household and tenants have been accustomed to being treated with dignity, and that must only be magnified with the addition of a mistress.

She, of course, must be a fitting role model for Georgiana, a true friend to guide and assist her.

Darcy stared off a bit as he thought about the precious girl who was becoming a woman before his eyes—a young woman he knew not how to direct through the maze of temptations and emotions that besets a girl of fifteen.

“And she must be beautiful, I am sure.”

“Of course.” Darcy smiled at the singular bent to Bingley’s thoughts.

“Which is why I am still unattached and may well remain so for decades.” The laughter the two then shared faded into a contemplative silence before Darcy added earnestly, “There are many kinds of beauty, Bingley. The serene English rose is not everyone’s ideal.

In truth, I find that as I come to know a woman, my opinion of her beauty shifts with my knowledge of her character. ”

A vision of Elizabeth in his arms the night before flashed in his mind, so innocent and alluring.

He could still feel her fingers upon his cheek; she had wanted him as much as he had wanted her, he was sure of it.

The pain of pushing her away still gnawed at his stomach.

She had looked as crestfallen as he, and his mention of Captain Wentworth had seemed to startle her.

Had she so thoroughly forgotten her intended?

Could Darcy possibly have the hope of supplanting that man in her esteem? In her heart?

How could he reconcile such a thing with his own unyielding sense of honour?

Was it so unyielding? Perhaps for Elizabeth ? —

“But,” Bingley began haltingly, interrupting Darcy’s wayward thoughts, “having a fortune from trade would rule out even the loveliest of ladies?”

“For me, I am afraid it must.” Darcy left it at that. He knew not whether Bingley harboured the same hopes Miss Bingley did, but honesty was always best in situations such as these.

Acting honourably was always the best course.

He was sure that if he reminded himself often enough, he would begin to believe it.