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Book 1 Chapter 7

“If you are not otherwise engaged, may I have this dance?”

Kitty had recognised Mr. Bingley instantly, but it did not appear that she had made the same impression. Kitty really did try to control her sigh. Elizabeth and Mary had been away the whole of the autumn when he had been in residence at Netherfield Park and she had seen Mr. Bingley close to ten times over these two months. Yet he did not remember her? She failed in her attempt to control the sigh.

They spoke the usual bland inanities one did when dancing with someone for the first time. In between their short bursts of speech Kitty casually glanced around the room. Ah, there they were, just as she remembered them, sneering and supercilious. They finished the dance and separated once he had returned her to the care of her aunt.

“Remember the Netherfield Park party?”

“I never met them but you have spoken of them at length. How could I forget?”

“That is the tenant, unseen since the last weekend of November. His lease only ran out at Michaelmas, ten months of complete silence. Forgive me saying this, but to become a gentleman it takes more than just having been left money by your daddy.”

The last word had Madeline Gardiner staring at her niece.

“An interesting way of phrasing it.”

“It is how I feel, how the whole neighbourhood feels. Mr. Bingley leased the estate for the year, took on the responsibilities for it, and then abandoned them after two months. It was his father’s wish for him to become a gentleman but it does not appear to be his own. He appears happy to be, what did you call them? A city idler?”

“I know what you mean, although it is normally used to describe the sons of gentlemen who have an income. Normally it is the heir, but occasionally a lucky second son will have money. And they are all sons of gentlemen. There are those, like Mr. Bingley, who aspire to that status, and will often ape the mannerisms of other young men. But they are rarely accepted.”

“I see. If you casually look to your right, you will spot the two sisters. I presume the married one’s husband can be found close to the refreshment table as usual.”

Madeline Gardiner was surprised at the mocking tone, but careful observation showed Kitty to be 100% accurate in her surmise.

Kitty was asked to dance only once more before supper, as usual there were more women than men present at the dance. During supper the Gardiners talked quietly to each other but Kitty was interested in all the conversations happening around her. She too sat quietly and did not overtly eavesdrop, but in the close confines of the supper tables it was impossible not to overhear others talking. She had her back to the Bingleys, there was no danger of making eye contact, but Miss Bingley’s voice was as loud as ever.

“Why are we here Charles?”

The response was more muted, more circumspect.

“Please do not shout Caroline.”

“I am not shouting!”

Kitty made no attempt to stifle her smile. Caroline Bingley had clearly not learned about irony at her prestigious seminary. She noted that, as usual, Mr. Bingley’s solitary effort was half-hearted.

“It is a ball Caroline.”

“Stop stating the obvious! A year ago, we were attending much more refined events.”

Kitty wondered how long it would take for Miss Bingley’s words to reach their hostess. Another smile.

“Darcy was happy to include us in his parties whenever he attended events, but since he retired to his estate, the invitations have not been forthcoming to us. You know this Caroline.”

“Why has he been gone from London for a year? It is most inconsiderate.”

Mrs. Gardiner engaged her niece in conversation and she could no longer focus on the conversation behind her. She danced one more set and was resigned to there being no more when suddenly Mr. Bingley approached her.

“Would you dance the last with me please?”

No mention of her name, despite having been told it less than three hours earlier. Kitty looked at him. Did he not realise that a second dance, especially when partners were in short supply, was significant?

“I am sorry sir.”

If he could not be bothered to remember her name then she was not going to mention his.

“But a second dance is inappropriate given that we are not acquainted. I must decline.”