After briefly regarding his wife, Mr Bennet met Elizabeth’s eye. “Lizzy?”
“I would like to know whether you think I shall find him an interesting study. And I would like to know whether he is handsome, whether he will attend the assembly, and whether he likes to dance.” Mr Bennet laughed, and Elizabeth had the warm feeling she associated with having pleased him. “Please tell us what you know of him, Papa.”
He patted her hand. “Very well, my dear, since you asked so prettily.” This garnered a few noises of exasperation and protest from those who felt their enquires had been very nice too and requests from others that they be quiet to let Mr Bennet speak. Such was the chaos of a large family.
Drumming his fingers on his slight paunch, he took in each of them in turn. “Mr Bingley is a good-looking man. He is fair, of about average height, has the usual assortment of limbs and features, but arranged in a way that sensible—and insensible—young ladies are sure to find agreeable. He smiles more than enough for anyone, which I shall, no doubt, complain about if I see too much of him. I was not so bold as to ask whether his heart was engaged, but he mentioned no Mrs Bingley, current or soon-to-be, and did talk about his younger sister keeping house for him.”
“Heissingle!” Mrs Bennet exclaimed. “He is also rich. Perhaps he will take a liking to one of you girls. Would that not be grand? One of my daughters, married to the master of Netherfield Park. I shall take great delight in calling on you every day for the remainder of my life. Oh, to live always at Longbourn, my beloved home, and know that I have a daughter settled but three miles from me in the grandest estate in the neighbourhood! I could die happy if I saw one of you girls the wife of such a wealthy gentleman.”
“Let us pray it does not come to that, my dear. I would not like you to give up your life just to marry off our girls.”
Elizabeth bit her lips together to hold back her laugh.
“Oh, Mr Bennet, you will never understand the anxiety of a mother with five daughters for whom I must find suitable husbands—and hardly a penny amongst them. I thank God William chose one of them.”
“Very true, my dear,” he said. “I might likewise sayyoudo not understand the anxiety of a father with five daughters to support. But such is life. Never shall the one know what it is like to be the other.” He stood before continuing. “I have letters to attend to. Before I go, I shall say one more thing about Mr Bingley. He will be at the assembly, and he volunteered that he enjoys dancing. Make as much of that as you like. I shall see you all at dinner when I willnotentertain further questions about him or anything to do with Netherfield Park.”
After he left the room, the six Bennet ladies spent the next hour in happy contemplation, reviewing everything Mr Bennet had told them, at the end of which Mrs Bennet said, “I wish William could be here to meet him when the rest of us do next week.”
“We all do,” said Jane.
The sentiment was echoed by others. As much as they anticipated the assembly, his absence would rob it of some of its pleasure.
One girl’s visage was particularly sombre.
CHAPTERFOUR
There was nothing Caroline liked about Netherfield, Meryton, or Hertfordshire. To be sure, the house was pleasant enough, but it was not noteworthy, and it was nothing to Pemberley.There was an estate!She had only been once, but the manor was superior and the grounds the envy of any who saw them. Just sayingshewas mistress of Pemberley would be worth the effort it took to secure Mr Darcy. The truth was, Caroline did not consider herself a country person. She much preferred town life, especially London, though there were one or two other cities she did not absolutely hate, such as Brighton. Owning a country estate added a certain distinction, however, and she knew Mr Darcy was enamoured of Pemberley; thus she would keep her sentiments to herself. After they were man and wife, she would convince him to spend little time there, except for occasionally hosting elegant house parties in the summer.
While Netherfield manor did not excite her disdain, the local people did. They lacked elegance, and she would much rather be with those she considered her own kind.
I am unlikely to meet any of them here, she thought as her eyes took in the assembly room, the ill-dressed people crowded into it, smoky candles, drab decorations, and all.
However, she had not forgotten her brother’s caution. She would smile, act gracious, and vent her feelings later in a letter to her sister. Spending time in such a place would be much easier if Louisa was there to support her. Unfortunately, Mr Hurst had overheard Caroline telling Louisa her true opinion of him, and consequentlyhehad taken a deep dislike ofherand insisted on separating the sisters. Caroline found the entire episode vexing. Was she not entitled to consider him an unattractive dullard whose only redeeming quality was his family connexions? Surely he had not believed Louisa had married him for love?
“How charming,” she said, turning her smile on Mr Darcy.
She could see he hated the assembly, which was hardly a surprise. Mr Darcy did not like such large gatherings. For her part, Caroline relished them,ifthe setting and company were better.Should I profess to share his opinion, or is this one of those occasions I am better off contradicting him?
Mr Darcy very nearly sneered, but before he could say anything—if he intended to—Bingley spoke. “I agree. Such happy people! I anticipate taking my place amongst them, for however long we remain at Netherfield.”
An older man approached and addressed her brother. He was short with a shock of grey hair and a moustache his wife should cut off while he slept. “Mr Bingley. Welcome, welcome. Speaking on behalf of everyone here, we are very glad you are come. The entire neighbourhood is!”
When he looked at Mr Darcy and Caroline, her brother introduced him as Sir William Lucas. This was followed by Sir William making them known to a great number of people. His wife and two of his seven children were first, followed by others whose names she would be hard pressed to repeat. The only one she remembered was Bennet. Mrs Bennet’s glee at being introduced to two rich gentlemen was indecent. She tittered and clutched her handkerchief and kept looking between Bingley and Mr Darcy and her daughters, of which there were five. The matron’s wishes were plainly written on her countenance.
She will have to learn to live with disappointment, Caroline thought. MrDarcy ismine,and I would never allow Charles to be trapped by the likes of them.
“We are glad you are here,” Mrs Bennet said. “My husband was so pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr Bingley, and my girls and I were very sorry to miss seeing you when you came to Longbourn. But here we are now, and you have the opportunity to know us. Your sister and friend too. We had thought you might bring a larger party with you. We are your nearest neighbours, as I suppose you know. What better way for young people to get to know each other than when enjoying a dance. Do you not agree?”
On and on the woman went, hardly pausing to allow Bingley to answer. Mr Darcy said nothing and had the good sense to overlook Mrs Bennet’s hints that he ask one, or likely all, of her daughters to dance. Her brother did not, and engaged himself for the second set with Miss Bennet. Caroline excused him, knowing how much he liked being in company, especially if they were pretty young ladies. Besides, it was necessary for their scheme to succeed. If her brother was truly interested in settling in the community, if this were not just to encourage Mr Darcy to propose to Caroline at last, it would be natural for him to dance with the local ladies and make friends with the gentlemen.
She scrutinised the Miss Bennets. Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia wandered off. They appeared too young to be out, and Caroline had to fight the urge to show her disapproval. Surely, they ought to be at home with a governess or at school, not distracting the few men in attendance—not that Caroline had any interest in them. It pained her to admit that the eldest was beautiful. She had lovely golden hair, clear, fair skin, and a figure any lady would envy. There was no denying that Miss Bennet was, on a strictly superficial level, more appealing than Caroline was herself. Peeking at Mr Darcy, she was glad to see that he had not noticed or did not care for Miss Bennet’s looks.
It is because his attachment tomeis growing,Caroline told herself.
Despite her physical attractions, Miss Bennet remained unmarried, which suggested there was something wrong with her. Perhaps she was insipid or possessed terrible manners or lacked fortune. Wise gentlemen wanted not only looks, but someone with an air of elegance and a decent amount of money. There Caroline was superior. It was a comforting thought.
The other two Miss Bennets were unremarkable, and as much as Caroline’s inclination was to ignore them—they could have nothing to talk about—Mr Darcy might look askance at such behaviour. Thus, Caroline smiled and acted as though she was pleased with the acquaintance.
