***
Mrs. Bennet had hoped to be among the first to arrive at Netherfield, but her ambition was thwarted by the fact that it would require two trips to bring everyone to the ball. It was never an easy fit with five girls and two parents, but the addition of Mr. Collins made it downright impossible.
There was a good deal of arguing as to who would go first and who would have to wait for the carriage to return for them, but in the end, Mr. Bennet traveled with Jane, Mary, Elizabeth and Mr. Collins, leaving Mrs. Bennet, Kitty and Lydia to wait. By the time Mrs. Bennet arrived with her two charges, there was a line at Netherfield’s front door; the Bennet carriage had to wait in line behind the Gouldings and the Brownings, so they spent an extra ten minutes in the carriage.
As a result, Mrs. Bennet was in a bit of a temper as she entered the ballroom behind Kitty and Lydia. The two girls vanished in an instant, leaving their mother to peer around the taller people as best she could in search of her husband.
Her temper was immediately soothed, however, when she saw Jane, resplendent in blue satin, speaking with Mr. Bingley. She might not have been so soothed, however, could she have heard the conversation between the two.
“No, you may not announce our engagement tonight, Charles. You know the condition my father laid upon you, and it has not yet been met. Given how you have dallied with it, I wonder if you truly wish to marry me. I will release you from our engagement if that is your wish.”
Mr. Bingley was horrified. “No, no! You quite mistake me!”
“I do not think I do, Mr. Bingley, and I beg you to excuse me.”
“But – the first dance is about to begin; you promised me that dance!”
“Then that is another promise that must be broken.” With that, Jane curtsied to him and left him to stare after her, mouth agape.
Mr. Darcy saw that there had been some sort of contretemps between Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet. He immediately guessedthe substance of their disagreement, and went to his friend to see if he might be of service. “I take it she will not permit the announcement,” he murmured to his friend.
“Far worse than that, Darcy. Jane says she will release me from my promise, but I do not want to be released!”
“Are you certain? For it seems to me that if you truly desired to marry Miss Bennet, you would have dealt with this condition at once. She is right to be suspicious of your intentions.”
“You think so? I shall prove you all wrong.” And with that, Mr. Bingley walked away in great haste.
The musicians had begun the first dance; Colonel Fitzwilliam was partnered with Miss Bingley at the head of the line. Mr. Bingley started toward them, evidently intent on speaking with his sister that very moment! Mr. Darcy all but ran after Mr. Bingley, pulling him off the dance floor.
“No, Bingley; you have put it off this long. Do not make a public spectacle of yourself and your sister.”
“But Jane – “
“Miss Bennet will wait until the dance is over, I am certain.”
Mr. Bingley prowled around the floor like a caged beast, held in check only by Mr. Darcy’s strong right arm. When the dance ended, Colonel Fitzwilliam spotted Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley and escorted his partner thither. As they approached, Mr. Bingley wrested his arm from Mr. Darcy and said, with great determination, “Caroline, I must speak with you.”
“Surely it can wait, Charles,” she said, and she stared hard at Mr. Darcy, as if she could force an invitation to dance from the sheer power of her desire, but Mr. Darcy quickly looked away.
“No, it cannot wait, Caroline. Listen carefully. When I wed Jane, you must make your home elsewhere; in point of fact, you shall not attend the wedding”
“I do not understand,” Miss Bingley said, blankly.
It was clear to Mr. Darcy that she truly did not understand; she had never expected such a thing.
“Mr. Bennet told me in no uncertain terms that he would not permit a marriage to Jane if you were in residence.”
“But – but – Charles, that makes no sense at all! I am your sister; it is right that I live with you.”
“Had you heard the conversation at the dinner table after the ladies left, it would make perfect sense, for Mr. Hurst described to us how your proximity had utterly changed his wife –“
“Changed his wife? Louisa?”
“Yes, Louisa. Mr. Bennet said that he would never allow one of his daughters to be put in such a position. And indeed, when I asked for his permission to propose to Jane, he reminded me of his feelings on the matter. Tonight, when I asked Jane if she would permit me to announce our engagement at supper, she said that she would not permit it until I had told you what was to happen.”
Miss Bingley appeared to be on the verge of a fit of some sort; her eyes were blinking rapidly and she repeatedly shook her head as she backed away from her brother.
Mr. Darcy thought he should intervene. “Miss Bingley, you do not look at all well; may I suggest that you retire for a brief time? Bingley, will you not lead your sister out of the room?”
