Page 71 of Miss Bingley’s Return

“Mama cannot understand how Mr. Bingley chose another, as she has always been convinced that Jane, the most beautiful of her daughters, must be superior to other women.”

“That is a curious stance, Miss Elizabeth,” replied Darcy, “considering your sister is two and twenty and remains unmarried.”

Miss Elizabeth offered him a secret smile. “No one has ever accused my mother of making sense.”

Their laughter startled some nearby birds, but they took no notice.

“Well, it is not natural,” said Mrs. Bennet that evening after dinner. “Mr. Bingley was Jane’s—I have no notion how some other woman prevailed on him to forget what he owed Jane, but I suppose it does not matter in the end.”

Jane had, by now, stopped trying to explain to her mother, as it did no good in the end.

“You have secured Mr. Harrington instead.”

Mrs. Bennet settled back into her chair as if she were a queen.

“You have made me proud, Jane, for you have secured the superior gentleman.” Mrs. Bennet sniffed with disdain. “Mr. Bingley is no worthy young man if he cannot see your quality. But Mr. Harrington is a gentleman, and must be worth much more than Mr. Bingley.”

“Because of course, it is the size of a man’s pocketbook that is of supreme importance,” said Mr. Bennet.

No one present was surprised when his wife ignored him.

“It has all turned out better than expected.”

“And do not forget Lizzy and Mr. Darcy,” said Lydia.

“It is so romantic,” added Kitty with a sigh. “Who would have thought that proud Mr. Darcy would bend his stiff neck long enough to look at my sister?”

“I never thought Mr. Darcy so bad as all this,” said Mary.

“Nor did I,” added Jane.

“I certainly thought nothing good of the gentleman,” said Mrs. Bennet as if she still harbored such thoughts.

“I quite like him,” said Mr. Bennet. “Darcy is a man after my own heart—he reads, can debate Chaucer and Milton, plays chess, and has a similar sense of humor to my own.”

Mr. Bennet fixed Elizabeth with a grin and said: “I shall expect frequent invitations, Lizzy, though I may refuse to leave your future husband’s excellent library once I am inside.”

“I shall allow Mr. Darcy to have that argument with you, Papa,” replied Elizabeth.

“That is for the best, my dear. I shall remain impervious, but Darcy may make his case.”

“I have no objection to your father’s presence,” said Darcy when Elizabeth related the conversation.

“Oh?” asked Elizabeth, arching her eyebrow. “It is said that men are eager to get their new brides alone after the wedding. Shall you prefer my father’s company?”

“Well, perhaps not right after the wedding,” said Mr. Darcy, making a show of reconsidering. “Though I will note that we will have Georgiana, unless she stays for a time with my aunt and uncle. The house is large, Miss Elizabeth. Should we desire privacy, there are many places we can find it.”

“Your uncle still knows nothing of me?” asked Miss Elizabeth.

There was no trepidation in her voice—even meeting one of vast social superiority did not intimidate her.

“Not yet, though my cousin mentioned you to his parents. To own the truth, I do not expect any difficulty from my uncle—they are excellent people and not inclined to excessive pride.”

“And Lady Catherine?” asked Miss Elizabeth.

“The lady is an entirely different matter.” Darcy shook his head at the mere thought of the irascible woman. “Lady Catherine’s objections, though they will contain a measure of that haughtiness, will be for an entirely different reason.”

“The arrangement she claims with your cousin.”