Elizabeth sighed; Jane was not likely to be able to have such a conversation. Her gentle soul could not tolerate any sort of confrontation.
***
The gentlemen leaned back in their chairs to enjoy cigars and snifters of brandy. The Colonel smiled at his host, saying, “Miss Bennet is possibly the most beautiful young woman I have ever seen. Her countenance is so composed and tranquil.”
Mr. Bingley scowled at him. “She is not for you, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
“Oh? And why is that? Are you engaged to her?”
“I am not…not yet.”
“Why is that? Oh, I see; your sister has not yet given her permission.”
“Why – why, howdareyou! You are a guest in my home, sir!”
Mr. Darcy finally spoke up. “See here, Richard, Bingley is right. This is no way to speak to your host.”
“I apologise, Bingley. I am just making certain that Miss Bennet is still free to make a choice, as I am interested in getting to know her better.”
Mr. Bingley’s mouth opened and closed; he finally said, “She has no dowry, you know.”
“I suspected as much. And I have no money; perhaps, though, she will overlook my lack of wealth once she learns that I have no sisters.”
Mr. Bingley rose from his chair and advanced threateningly on the Colonel, fists clenched. With a fluid grace, the Colonel rose from his chair and looked down on Mr. Bingley, his expression entirely genial. He was perhaps three inches taller than Mr. Bingley, and a good deal more physically fit.
“Sit down, Bingley,” Mr. Darcy advised.
“Why? He is trying to steal Miss Bennet away! I will teach him a lesson that he will not soon forget!”
“Really, Bingley? Do you truly think you can best my cousin in a fight?”
Mr. Bingley eyed the large, muscular man opposite him and sat back down. He picked up his brandy and drained it.
“That is better,” Mr. Darcy said. “As for Miss Bennet, may the best man win!” And he raised his glass high.
They rather forgot Mr. Hurst’s presence, as he said nothing. He was rather more concerned with how much brandy the other men would leave for him, and rather less concerned with the question of who would win Miss Bennet’s hand.
When the gentlemen joined the ladies, there was a race to sit beside Miss Bennet. With the Colonel on one side and Mr. Bingley on the other, Jane hardly knew where to look.
Mr. Darcy took a chair beside Elizabeth’s. The faint scent of jasmine teased his senses.
“What is happening there?” she whispered, indicating the two men on either side of Jane, both vying for her attention.
“My cousin has just made it clear to Mr. Bingley that he is interested in your sister.”
“Is he, truly? Or is he just trying to irritate Mr. Bingley?”
“He has never before given attention to any young lady, so I suspect he truly is interested. If your sister had to choose between the two, which gentleman would have her favour?”
“She has never so much as had a conversation with Colonel Fitzwilliam, but I have told her that Mr. Bingley is controlled by his sister.”
“You are quite right about that. So my cousin has a chance?”
“He is a second son; can he afford to marry a young lady with no dowry? None of the Bennet girls have dowries to speak of.” She watched his face as she said this, knowing that this information might dampen his interest in herself.
But his face was unchanged as he said, “I have been offering him an estate for years; perhaps he would accept it if he were to be married.”
“The Colonel would doubtless be a good husband; I like him very much.”
