“Oh, I have no pity for Darcy whatsoever – he can handle himself, and this young lady may improve him.”
Richard frowned and nodded, pouring the contents of a flask into his tea. “Darcy is right – do not throw anything at me for saying so. Distance from Miss Bennet and his sisters will do him good. If Charles returns to London, he will often be with Darcy, who may often be with Miss Elizabeth, and in turn the elder sister.”
“Charles might bring her ‘round,” Rebecca mused. “But I suppose he might also do so when she returns from London. Unless… unless she does not meet a better match in London, and merely settles for Charles – that would be an ill thing indeed!”
“It is almost as if we ought not meddle at all,” Richard drawled.
“Perish the thought! We must dosomething; I cannot abide another day of his sullenness. And his neighbors despise him! But I must own, I like Miss Marianne Dashwood very much. We ought to call at Longbourn, for I should like to know the whole family better. Darcy paints a vivid picture of them as inducement, and I fully intend to shock and appall him by likingthem all exceedingly. Even if Charles is not to win his lady back, I know he cannot be happy if he is not entirely beloved by his neighbors.”
“You are right about that,” Richard said, stroking his chin with a wicked smile. “I shall join you; I find the Dashwood sisters exceptionally agreeable.”
“Oho! Only one of them is that,” Rebecca cried, relishing this morsel he had given her. “YoulikeMiss Dashwood!”
Richard made a droll face at her and stood. “Well, time to rouse Bingley; he is coming with us. I trust you will wish to observe the inevitable spectacle.”
Rebecca cheerfully agreed, though she was far from ready to let the matter of Miss Dashwood rest. She knew her brother, and she certainly understood how to choose her moments wisely with him. For now, she was content to follow her brother upstairs, and watch as he entered Charles’s room and began issuing loud directives.
“Eat your muffin, drink your coffee, wash your face, and dress yourself at once, Bingley; I shall sit here and wait.” There was a great deal of commotion and complaint, but when it was evident that Charles had managed to comply, Rebecca hastily made herself ready to depart. She hoped her brother-in-law would behave himself sensibly, for she desired a very leisurely visit at Longbourn, and a chance to acquaint herself with the large and fascinating family there.
***
After a morning of reading letters from Jane and Elizabeth in London, the ladies of Longbourn received callers from Netherfield. Marianne was filled with apprehension as she watched them approach the house; she had been scolded by her mother and sister for the scene she made at the ball, but theBennets all lauded her for it. Marianne herself had not decided whether she was proud or chagrined after such behavior, and she was equally torn between pleasure at meeting with her new friend and bitter resentment toward Mr. Bingley.
Elinor was as serene as ever, though Marianne watched her sister in the hope of discovering some particular pleasure in the warm greeting they received from the colonel. He was not as handsome as Edward, but he was kind and gregarious, and Marianne had nearly forgiven him for his severe punishment of Mr. Wickham. Elinor had hinted there was more to the story than what Marianne had been told, but she had heard enough to understand that she had been mistaken in Mr. Wickham’s character, and Marianne felt herself entirely to blame for once again seeing more good in a man than he actually possessed.
The colonel and his sister received a universally warm welcome, but Mr. Bingley found kindness only from Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Dashwood. Though Elizabeth had written that Jane no longer lamented the loss of him, he was far from forgiven for wounding her.
Marianne took Lady Rebecca’s advice and sat at her side, for she was in no humor to think well of men, and she was glad of having an ally, even amongst Mr. Bingley’s own kin. Lady Rebecca seemed eager to accommodate her, for she asked after the Miss Bennets in London directly.
“We heard from them just this morning,” Marianne said triumphantly. “They have seen your cousin Mr. Darcy twice already, and I believe they think better of him than they did while he was at Netherfield. Perhaps their opinions were too hastily formed in the autumn.”
“I hope Mr. Darcy has not slighted my Lizzy again,” Mrs. Bennet cried. “But of course he will not, not now that she has afine wardrobe and a splendid sum – and she is staying in such a fine house in Mayfair!”
“My cousin does not judge on such merits as these,” the colonel said with a laugh. “But he always improves upon further acquaintance. I understand Miss Elizabeth gave him the business on a certain matter, and her rebuke was well-deserved; there is always hope that some good can follow.” He looked pointedly at Mr. Bingley, who grimaced and turned pink.
Mr. Bingley warily glanced at Marianne. “I hope your cousins are enjoying their time in London.”
“They are,” Marianne said. “I understand Jane is already very popular there. She has several admirers already, including Viscount Bellamy.”
“My brother? How fascinating,” Lady Rebecca cried.
Mrs. Bennet clapped her hands. “Oh, what a fine thing for my Jane – she is so beautiful! The men in London certainly know what they are about! I daresay she is so vastly contented that she will never want to return to Longbourn.”
Marianne grinned at Mr. Bingley. “And our friend Colonel Brandon has been to visit them. He is such a man of honor; so steady and wise in his judgement.”
Elinor turned to gape at this, for it was the most Marianne had ever praised the man, and she knew it was excessive – but the jab was effective enough, for Mr. Bingley actually shuddered.
Lady Rebecca smiled encouragingly at Mr. Bingley. “And we are very happy for Miss Bennet, are we not? My brother Charles means to be equally content at Netherfield, and surely has no wish to leave his current situation, either.”
Mr. Bingley perked up a little. “I mean to devote myself to the business of Netherfield; I may perhaps even purchase the place, if I find myself capable of managing it well. I intend tolearn a vast deal, and Lady Rebecca insists upon entertaining our neighbors very often.”
“Well, that is a very fine plan, indeed it is, sir!” Mrs. Bennet smiled brightly at him and then looked at her daughters as if deciding which of them to offer up now that Jane had cast off the eligible beau for a better prospect. “My Kitty has always said that it would be good to have a family settled at Netherfield, is that not so, my dear?”
Mary and Kitty rather looked as if they could never set eyes on Mr. Bingley again without recollecting the events of the ball, and Lydia was openly laughing, for she and her mother had been apprised of all they had missed.
Ere long, Mrs. Bennet was urging them all to take advantage of the fine weather, for the sun was out and it was warm enough to be walking in the garden. Mary and Kitty were obliged to accompany Mr. Bingley, engaging in what appeared to be an exceedingly tepid conversation. Lydia clearly had her sights set on the colonel, but Mrs. Dashwood set Margaret and Julia upon her, and the colonel was all smiles for Elinor as he led her away from the others.
Marianne wished to speak only with Lady Rebecca, and the sentiment was evidently mutual. The two strolled together arm-in-arm at a sedate pace, allowing the others to move along at greater remove.
