Page 15 of Idle Gossip

“When will we see Miss Bingley and the Hursts again?” Mrs. Bennet asked, her strident voice cutting into Elizabeth’s thoughts. “We must have a family dinner, you know. At least three courses.”

Bingley looked uncomfortable. “My sisters are…very engaged in planning the ball,” he stammered. “Perhaps after. The festive season will give us many opportunities to be in company.”

Mr. Darcy leaned close, his lips near her ear. “Bingley’s sisters are very displeased with their brother’s choice.”

“Are they? Why am I unsurprised?” Their haughtiness had rivaled Darcy’s…or so she had thought before.

“Miss Bingley expressed mortification upon learning of the engagement. The rumors in town reached her soon after Bingley announced he had proposed. She drew her own conclusions.”

“Then she knows you and I…”

Darcy nodded. “She is horrified. Miss Bingley believes I am acting with honor and have no desire for the match. I attempted to correct her…once. I fear she thinks I am attempting to make the best of a poor situation.”

“Does she blame my family for the gossip?” Jane would have that woman as a sister. Any ill feelings would be cast upon her once she married.

“She has agreed that it could not have been your family who started the rumors.”

“That is good, then.” Perhaps Miss Bingley would eventually forgive her brother her choice and be kind to Jane.

“Miss Bingley says the ball is quite unnecessary,” Darcy continued. “Bingley disagreed. They came to…an arrangement. She and Mrs. Hurst will not be required to socialize until after the ball.”

“Arranging such an entertainment is time consuming and complex,” Elizabeth said. “I am sure they are very occupied.”

“The ladies spent the morning criticizing everything from Bingley’s proposed guest list to the musicians and supper arrangements.”

“Jane will not like the discord.”

“Bingley knows what his sisters are. Fortunately, a man is commanded to cleave unto his wife. His loyalties will stay with Miss Bennet. Love has a peculiar way of inspiring such devotion.”

She turned to look at him, startled by the intense expression in his eyes. Did he feel such loyalty to her? Could he love her so deeply on so short an acquaintance?

Darcy turned away first. “Bingley is quite amused at his sister’s displeasure,” he continued as if nothing remotely intimate had just occurred. “Miss Bingley resents the time we spend at Longbourn. I believe she hopes that our ‘infatuation’ will diminish if we stay away.”

“But her brother is engaged. He cannot walk away from Jane without consequence.” That would be despicable. Mr. Bingley had given Jane enough attention to create expectations even before the rumors had begun.

“I think she is masking her true intent,” Darcy admitted. “She wishes to keep me at Netherfield. How else is she to convince me that she is the perfect solution to the idle gossip spreading in town?”

An unnamed emotion flared within Elizabeth. Jealousy. I am jealous! It was a surprise, and she did not know if it was a welcome realization or not.

The rest of the week passed in a flurry of activity. Mrs. Bennet insisted there was enough time to order Jane a new gown, and so off to the modiste they went. Mrs. Gardiner had sent a bolt of blue silk some months past, and it was pulled out of the family reserves for the occasion.

“Why do we not all get a new gown?” Lydia whined.

“The ball is not for you,” Mrs. Bennet replied crisply. “Do not complain, or I shall not purchase your ribbons.” Lydia had long since run out of pin money, and their mother often supplemented her allowance.

Elizabeth attended and was surprised when her mother arranged for her to have a new gown as well.

“You are very nearly engaged. Mr. Darcy needs to see you in something refined and elegant. Perhaps we can purchase some lace—”

“No lace, I beg of you!” Elizabeth shook her head. She took a breath and calmed herself. Any protestations without adequate reason would make her mother all the more stubborn. “You are very generous, Mama. I know something of Mr. Darcy’s preferences now. May I choose?”

“Do you? Well then, you must tell me at once! Do you know his favorite foods? Does he like cards? What of other activities?”

“We were speaking of gowns, Mama. Mr. Darcy favors green.” She knew this because he had said so, but she had also noticed the color on many of his waistcoats.

“Green? You look dreadful in that color.”

“Pastel green, yes, but what of a deep green? Like this?” She pointed to a bolt of forest green silk.