Page 1 of The Shades of Pemberley

M any have observed that the best of friends often wish for the closer ties of family, to be brothers in truth rather than just feel like brothers.

There were a few ways to accomplish this closer connection, the most notable of which was for one to marry the sister of the other.

As Fitzwilliam Darcy had no sister, that avenue to a closer relationship was impossible, and while Bingley could boast of having two, the elder was married, and the younger was not a woman Darcy would ever consider as a wife.

Even if Darcy had not already been blissfully engaged, he would never have considered Caroline Bingley as a prospective bride, for she was a woman he could not like.

There was one other possibility, of course, for the two men in question could marry sisters, attaining that closer connection they coveted.

While Darcy knew Miss Bingley would not appreciate the elegance of such a simple solution, the possibility had long been on Darcy’s mind.

His fiancée had, after all, four such sisters from among whom Bingley could choose at his leisure.

This was putting the cart before the horse, as Darcy knew, for that morning had seen the first introduction of his good friend, Charles Bingley, to Miss Jane Bennet.

Yet, Darcy could not help but feel the self-satisfaction that he had predicted Bingley’s almost instant attraction for Miss Bennet.

Knowing of Bingley’s preferences and having observed how closely they matched his fiancée’s sister, it had not taken no great leap of logic to predict it.

Yet, Darcy felt all the gratification of being correct, nonetheless.

“It appears, sir, that you are quite pleased with yourself.”

With a smile, Darcy turned to the young lady seated by his side, drinking in the flawless perfection of her person.

Elizabeth was on a smaller scale than her elder sister, being of a graceful, slender figure, whereas her sister was taller and tended toward willowy.

The resemblance between them was striking, for they possessed the same oval face, tending toward heart-shaped, the same high cheekbones and full, rosy lips.

Where they differed was in their coloring, for Miss Bennet was fairer of feature, boasting a wealth of golden blonde locks and green eyes, while Elizabeth’s tresses were a dark chestnut, her eyes a beautiful dark brown.

Whereas Miss Bennet was often called the beauty of the community, those who were discerning enough considered Elizabeth equal in every respect.

Darcy was proud to be counted among their number; he had been enamored with her for as long as he could remember.

“I believe, my love,” said Darcy, “that I predicted Bingley’s reaction to your sister well in advance of this visit. Given my sagacity, you will forgive me if I feel all the satisfaction of being proven correct.”

Elizabeth allowed her mirth free rein, Darcy joining with her, appreciating her ability to see the humor in life and laugh at it.

Darcy was in many respects a rather sober and reserved young man, and thus his appreciation for this young woman, who provoked him to more lightness of spirit than he possessed, could not be overstated.

“Given what you told me of Mr. Bingley,” replied she, “I could have predicted it myself.”

“Your intelligence is such that I would never presume to disagree.”

Elizabeth nodded regally and turned back to her sister and Bingley, who were speaking, with animation in Bingley and pleasure in Miss Bennet, whose character was more aligned with Darcy’s.

Bingley was engrossed in their conversation, but Darcy saw that Miss Bennet, being familiar with both of their characters, remained more aware of them.

From the look she directed at them, Darcy suspected she knew of the subject of their discourse, but she did not appear displeased at it.

Then again, Miss Bennet was of such a temperament that she was rarely displeased by anything.

“They do appear to get on well together,” mused Elizabeth. “While they have only met today, I do not think I have ever seen Jane warm to a man so quickly.”

“Whereas I have seen Bingley admire many a young woman.” Darcy smiled at his betrothed and added: “Bingley is eager to admire, but that appreciation is never deeper than a base pleasure in the face of a pretty woman. Your sister is so much more than that.”

“Yes, Jane is the best person of my acquaintance,” said Elizabeth.

Then she turned to him, arched a brow in that manner he found so enticing, and unleashed her teasing wit upon him.

“I must own, Mr. Darcy, that I am rather shocked at your close acquaintance with such a man as Mr. Bingley. Why, I cannot but suppose your titled relations would not appreciate your friendship with a man only recently divorced from the detested realm of trade. For that matter, I cannot imagine they approve of me , as I am nothing more than a country miss.”

Darcy chuckled and grasped her hand, grateful for the engagement that allowed the freedom to display their affection.

“While I do possess connections to the nobility, you know they are more distant than you suggest. There are a few I count among my acquaintances, but they do not associate with me. I find I cannot repine their incivility, for I do not hold with that set.”

“I am certain it would horrify them to learn of your apathy.”

They laughed together, for his distant connection with certain noble families often rose between them.

Darcy’s family from the north was closer to such elements of society, the current master being the grandson of an earl.

The Darcy family was an old and illustrious one, but as Darcy was from a cadet line, he felt no need to uphold the family’s honor, and every reason to allow his more prominent relations to fill that role.

The master of an estate that provided him with an income exceeding five thousand a year, Darcy was content with his lot, as he was content with a lower level of society than he might have had if he had been of the main branch of the family.

Darcy had experienced something of that society, and he found he did not like it at all.

“In truth,” said Elizabeth, her tone turning more serious, “I am not at all distressed that you do not count earls as friends and associate with duchesses and barons. It all sounds so tedious, to be honest.”

“Your opinion mirrors mine in every respect, my dear,” said Darcy. “As I care little for such things, I do not repine the lack.”

“Not even for the untold riches the elder progeny of your progenitors possesses?”

“Not even for that,” replied Darcy, grasping her hand and gripping it within his own.

“What man could wish for more? I inhabit a sphere that allows me as much access to society as I wish without all the tiresome maintaining of connections that consume my relations, and I have you , whose worth must be above any worldly price. What reason can I have to repine my situation?”

A rosy blush stained Elizabeth’s cheeks, delighting Darcy, who always relished the few occasions when he could provoke her to such a response.

Calm and confident as any woman could be, she showed a softer side to her character with Darcy himself, a side others did not always see, given her indomitable assurance.

The most favored of men, Darcy found himself eager to keep such intimacies for himself, for no one would ever know her as he would.

With such pleasures to hand, Darcy turned his attention to his betrothed, remaining that way until the end of the visit. Let Bingley concern himself with Miss Bennet, for Darcy had more agreeable subjects upon which to focus his attention.

When they departed, Darcy sat astride his horse on the path returning to his estate, listening to Bingley’s raptures about Miss Bennet, his friend’s words not unexpected.

As he had told Elizabeth, Bingley’s ability to admire a pretty woman was legendary in their circle of friends.

Darcy did not think he had ever seen his friend’s interest aroused with such alacrity.

Had he any inclination of inconstancy or unseriousness on Bingley’s part, he would not have fostered the introduction.

As it was, Miss Bennet might just be the making of Bingley, for her qualities fit with his own.

“Had you told me there were such beauties at hand, Darcy,” said Bingley, “I might have visited before. How covetous you have been to have kept them to yourself these past years!”

“Greed is not at all a part of the equation, Bingley,” replied Darcy, easy in the camaraderie they shared. “I cannot marry two ladies, after all.”

“Then how can you account for your failure to introduce me to Miss Bennet?”

“The answer is so easy that I am shocked you have not yet understood it, my friend,” replied Darcy.

“As Miss Bennet is to be my sister, I must care for her sensibilities. Thus, I must take care to introduce her to only those of my friends who are of the highest character, those I can trust to treat her with the respect she deserves.”

Bingley’s voice was brimming with mirth as he asked: “And you were uncertain of my character?”

“There is something even more important than my certainty, Bingley,” said Darcy, “for I would need to answer to Miss Bennet’s family, and, more importantly, to Elizabeth should I introduce anyone to her beloved sister who was not a proper acquaintance.”

Bingley, filled with mirth, responded in a like fashion: “Yes, I can well imagine it, Darcy, for I cannot think Miss Elizabeth is the sort with whom to trifle.”

“I am glad you see it my way, my friend.”