Page 16 of A Different Impression

His wife had already decided Bingley was destined for Jane. She had said comparatively little about Mr Darcy beyond reporting that he had danced with both Jane and Lizzy at the assembly. Mr Bennet therefore found himself wondering whether Darcy had merely accompanied his friend or whether he had come to Longbourn with some purpose of his own.

After conversing with the gentlemen for several minutes, Mr Bennet invited them to join the ladies for tea. He apologised for his wife’s absence, explaining that she was indisposed, but assured them that his eldest daughters would be pleased to act as hostesses in her stead.

Both gentlemen rose with gratifying alacrity, and Mr Bennet led them to the sitting room, where the four eldest Bennet daughters were occupied with their sewing. He asked Jane to order tea for their guests, then watched as the gentlemen took their seats.

As expected, Bingley gravitated towards Jane. Darcy, however, did not so much as glance towards the empty chair beside her before taking the seat nearest Elizabeth. The choice appeared instinctive rather than calculated, and the glances that passed between them did not escape Mr Bennet’s notice.

It appeared that Bingley and Jane might not be the only couple worth watching.

Settling back in his chair, Mr Bennet listened to the conversations around him, curious to see whether his first impression would prove correct.

The six engaged in casual conversation, although Mary contributed little. Mr Bennet engaged with Darcy and Elizabeth, who were discussing Greek mythology. Through this conversation, he learnt that Elizabeth had encountered Mr Darcy that morning at Oakham Mount and had been persuaded to meet his horse, Erebus, which caused Mr Bennet to raise an eyebrow at his daughter. Elizabeth merely met his gaze steadily, silently making it clear that she did not intend to explain herself.

Once tea was served, Darcy asked Mr Bennet a question about his estate, drawing Elizabeth naturally into a discussion of crop rotation and what grew well in the area. Since Darcy was to advise Bingley on running Netherfield, he had several good questions and occasionally seemed surprised at how often and how well Elizabeth contributed to the conversation.

“Since Papa was not blessed with a son, he raised me to assist in nearly all matters,” she said at one point in the conversation. “Despite the fact that the estate is entailed, it has served both of us well for him to instruct me in this. This was likely born of my inability to sit still for more than five minutes as a child. Papa eventually found it easier to teach me what he was doing instead of fielding my many questions.” All three laughed at this, and Mr Bennet noticed Darcy looking at Elizabeth with unmistakable admiration.

When Darcy’s younger sister was mentioned, Mr Bennet had an idea. “Mr Darcy, I find I need a governess or a companion for my daughters, particularly Catherine, and am considering school for my youngest. Do you have any connexions that might aid me in my search?”

Mr Bennet did not miss the surprised look that passed between Elizabeth and Darcy. The young man hesitated before replying, seeming to weigh the implications of what he might say next. Slowly, he replied, “My aunt, Lady Matlock, might have some ideas about a companion, but the type of school you are looking for would determine the types of enquiries we make.”

“I have written some letters on my own, including to my brother in London, Edward Gardiner,” Mr Bennet said and sighed heavily. “I am afraid that Lydia will need a school where there is a strong hand and few opportunities for misbehaviour.”

“My aunt may have some suggestions as I know the daughter of a friend of hers had an… incident and had to be sent away afterwards,” Darcy related. “It is a common enough problem among all levels of society, and I can imagine several schools would cater to girls like Miss Lydia.”

“Thank you, sir,” Mr Bennet said. “I would welcome your help.”

Darcy rested his teacup on its saucer, seeming to consider something before speaking. “Miss Bennet mentioned your connexion to Edward Gardiner earlier. We met several years ago and, since then, I have continued the acquaintance and invested with him. He is a very agreeable man and has done well for himself.”

Mr Bennet blinked at the change in topic. “Yes, he has done well for himself. He keeps after me about investing, but I have put him off. Perhaps… perhaps the next time he asks, I should reconsider.”

“It is a beneficial arrangement, and has already borne much fruit,” Darcy replied. “I intend to continue to invest with him as I am able and have the funds to do so.”

Elizabeth added a comment. “For years, I have been investing small bits of my pin money with my uncle as well,” she told him. “It is not much, but my little bits have done well over the last ten years or so since I started.”

That admission genuinely caught Mr Bennet off guard. “You have been investing with Gardiner?”

She looked self-conscious as she replied. “Yes, I saved a few pounds from my allowance each quarter and gave it to our uncle whenever we would visit him. I have invested something like fifty pounds at this point, and it has more than doubled.”

“That is impressive, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy interjected. “Doubling your investment is always propitious.”

“Darcy!” Bingley cried, having overheard a small portion of the conversation. “You are the only fellow I know who uses words of four syllables when only one or two will do.”

“Propitious has only three,” Elizabeth teased. “Unless you referred to his earlier use of ‘beneficial.’”

Mr Bennet was surprised when Darcy let out a loud laugh. “Try again, Bingley. With Miss Elizabeth around, you will not be able to insult me nearly as easily,” he teased his friend, causing Bingley’s mouth to drop open in surprise.

“Why is your friend so surprised at your jest?” Elizabeth asked quietly.

“Would you believe it is not something I often do in company, particularly among those with whom I am not well acquainted?” Darcy suggested softly, though not so much so that Mr Bennet did not hear it. “I believe it is your influence, Miss Elizabeth.” Mr Bennet watched his daughter’s reaction to this near impropriety, saw the flush of her cheeks, which only confirmed what he had earlier believed.

“Mr Bennet,” he began, changing the topic once again. “Miss Elizabeth happened to mention this morning that you play chess. Would you be interested in a game? If not today, perhaps later this week?”

“Did she mention that she also plays?” Mr Bennet enquired.

“She did,” Darcy acknowledged. “I hope to challenge her for a game sometime, too.”

“I would like to see the two of you play before I accept your challenge, sir,” Mr Bennet stated. “Perhaps if you and your party could join my family for luncheon after church on Sunday, we could have a game or two.”