“You tell me, Bingley – are you?”
“Of course I am! Do you doubt it?”
“Well, I do, sometimes, Bingley, if I am honest,” Mr. Darcy returned.
“What! How can you say that?”
“You give in to Miss Bingley rather often. I fear that if she opposes your match, you will end up giving in to her. I ask that you not give Miss Bennet expectations that you cannot meet.”
“You wound me, Darcy, you truly do.”
Miss Bingley met them at Netherfield’s front door. “Well?” she asked her brother.
“Miss Bennet is as lovely as Mr. Darcy claims!”
“I shall have to meet this paragon,” Miss Bennet said, teeth clenched.
“And you shall, as we are all invited to dinner next week. But I have been invited to call at any time, and so I shall, beginning tomorrow!”
Miss Bingley scowled at her brother, and spoke at some length about his impetuosity, and how likely he was to get all of them into some difficulties, but it was clear that Mr. Bingley’s mind was on something else entirely and he did not hear her.
Chapter Twenty
The next week found Mrs. Bennet in her element. She enjoyed entertaining and was a notable hostess in her small society. An early morning meeting with Mrs. Hill and Cook allowed her to create a menu that she felt would do justice to her table; Jane and Lizzy were then sent to Meryton to purchase the few items that she was missing.
Both girls were grateful for the opportunity to escape Longbourn for an hour or so, as Mrs. Bennet’s entertainments tended to create a certain amount of havoc in the house. The younger girls were invited to walk with them, but Mary was determined to master a new pianoforte piece for the evening’s entertainment and both Kitty and Lydia were reluctant to venture forth into a very windy November afternoon.
“It is just as well that we are alone, Jane, for I would like very much to ask how you like Mr. Bingley, now that we have had the pleasure of his company almost daily for the past week,” Elizabeth began.
“I like him very well, Lizzy. He is everything a gentleman should be – sensible, good-humoured, lively; and such happy manners!”
“And handsome, which a young man ought to be if he possibly can!” Elizabeth laughed.
“Very handsome,” Jane sighed. “But could he possibly be interested in me?”
“Interested! Why, Jane, he has found a reason to come to Longbourn nearly every day for the past week, and he scarce takes his eyes from you when he is here.”
“Given all his amiable qualities, he could have a young lady of fortune, Lizzy,” Jane demurred.
“He could, but none as utterly lovely as you, Jane. He would be lucky to have you, and you must remember that at all times.”
“I will try, Lizzy. But what of you and Mr. Darcy?”
Elizabeth sighed. “There is no me and Mr. Darcy, Jane.”
“He comes every day with Mr. Bingley, and I know it is simply to see you, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth replied, “He is, I suspect, even wealthier than your Mr. Bingley. Even worse, he is the nephew of an Earl. He told me quite frankly that he does not have Mr. Bingley’s luxury of choice; he must marry money and connections.”
“Poor man! Does he not understand that such a union does not guarantee love?”
“I think he does not care, Jane.”
“If he does not care about love, then he is not the man for you, Lizzy.” Jane’s voice was firm.
“You are right, Jane. I will guard my heart, as Papa continues to warn me.”
“But you do like him, then, Lizzy?” Jane queried.
