Page 39 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

The first act began, and finally the parties in the box hushed…that was…mostly.

Bingley had installed himself beside Jane with the determined concern of a man awaiting the result of his wife’s first labour in childbed.

“Are you certain that you are comfortable, Miss Bennet?” Mr Bingley whispered loudly.

“Yes, thank you, Mr Bingley.” Jane smiled serenely.

“And your wrist is properly supported?” he persisted.

“It has not left my body, Mr. Bingley. I will not allow it to escape,” Jane promised.

“Pray, do not lean too suddenly,” the gentleman worried.

Jane turned her head towards him very slowly. “I am observing a play, Mr Bingley. Not boarding a rowboat.”

Elizabeth heard this and bit her lip, glancing at Darcy in shared amusement. She hoped that Mr Bingley would not plague Jane all night as he had at Darcy Cottage.

Bingley looked wounded. “I only mean to be attentive, Miss Bennet.”

Jane softened slightly. “I know, Mr Bingley. Thank you for your kindness.”

Five minutes later, Mr Bingley’s anxieties resumed. “Do you require your shawl adjusted?”

Jane closed her eyes briefly. “Mr Bingley, it is July. I am not wearing a shawl.”

Caroline Bingley, meanwhile, had devoted herself to the continued warfare she began at dinner the night before. She had somehow arranged to remain within conversational distance of Elizabeth, though Darcy had gone to some trouble to avoid such an outcome.

“How charming this provincial theatre is,” Miss Bingley remarked.

Elizabeth smiled pleasantly at Darcy, attempting to ignore her.

“Though I suppose one cannot expect the refinement of London’s entertainments,” Miss Bingley persisted.

Elizabeth, sincerely wishing to enjoy the performance, one that she had never had the pleasure of seeing before, attempted to silence her with a remark.

“I have always thought entertainment benefits from moderate expectations. Perhaps you should lower yours, Miss Bingley.”

Not to be discouraged, Miss Bingley continued. “I imagine one grows accustomed to less elaborate productions.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “One must learn to enjoy what is available, Miss Bingley.”

Miss Bingley, thinking that she had just won a point, smiled without pleasantry. “Just so, Miss Eliza.”

“I wonder if one can adapt to so many irritating interruptions,” Elizabeth remarked to Darcy.

Lady Barry spoke up from three seats away. “Miss Bingley, if one is not suited to the arts, one ought to remain at home.”

Finally, the snide young lady was silenced. The party was at last able to cease their glares at the Bingley siblings and enjoy the scene.

When the first act was over, Darcy spoke to his servants and refreshments were served. Mr and Mrs Bennet spoke pleasantly with Darcy Senior, while Georgiana conversed animatedly with the three youngest Bennet siblings. Mr Hurst, who had slept through the first act, woke the moment that claret appeared, while his wife played with her bracelets and continued her perusal of the fashions worn by ladies in other boxes. Miss Bingley hissed in her sister’s ear the entire intermission.

Lady Catherine, having noticed Darcy’s success in gaining a moment to speak with Elizabeth alone, interrupted them immediately.

“Nephew, you have neglected to explain whether you have yet resolved the Rosings accounts.”

Darcy stared. “You wish to discuss this at the theatre, aunt?”

“There is never an improper time for estate management, nephew. You must always be working if you are to run a successful estate.”