Dear reader,
We continue with our stay at Hertfordshire but the next chapter shall bring us into the North of England – I hope :)
Thank you, Motherof8, for your comment and yes, I promise to update as quickly as possible but sometimes this ugly beast named real life comes to visit and a very demanding beast it is ... This chapter took a lot longer than anticipated because I had trouble thinking up enough mean things for Caroline and Lizzy – so tell me what you think about what I came up with :)
Haruko, thank you for this very important information! I didn't know that – I was just thinking about Caroline Bingley's horribly orange dress in the 2005 movie which clashed terribly with her hair, and as Lizzy indeed always wore light colours which were not necessarily very flattering, I decided to allow her some colour. But maybe you can read the colour of her dress as a sign that the happy ending is near ;)
Anyway, we will now meet Charles again, and yes, Caroline is also present and vile as ever. So have fun with it!
Love,
Kleines
Chapter 9: An Evening of Embarrassments
The sisters were escorted into the drawing room first so that they could meet Miss Bingley, too, but Mr Bingley was so full of talk and animation that it was hard to feel frightened or excited at that prospect. He had lost some of his clumsiness and he managed to present his thoughts and ideas in a more coherent way but his delight was as unabashed as ever:
"I am so glad to be back in the country. London was so tiring and the company, I felt was so snobbish and superficial, that I could hardly bear it. My sister, of course, loves town. She is a creature of fashion and the country seems to be ... well... too rural for her taste."
Elizabeth had to hide a grin when she heard these words and left Jane to answer: "Oh yes, the country seems to be more natural and pure, in a way. The people may not be as fashionable and well-versed in everything but I think I also prefer the country over town. My time in London was very diverting indeed, but the hustle and bustle of the big city made me feel so small and insignificant."
"You have been in town? When?" Mr Bingley was all astonishment and did nothing to hide his surprise at this revelation. Jane was in the middle of explaining her visit to her uncle and aunt when they reached the drawing room and Miss Bingley rose to greet them.
In Elizabeth's eyes she looked like a spoilt and displeased lapdog – her dress was far too elegant and costly for this occasion, her studied air of cultivated boredom clashed horribly with Charles's enthusiasm and her thinly veiled disdain towards the Bennet sisters was hard to bear. On the spur of the moment, Elizabeth decided to give her the hardest time possible without being outright impolite. This prospect lightened her mood considerably and with a twinkle in her eyes, she went down in a small courtesy, barely enough to notice.
"Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, what a pleasure to see you again here at Netherfield. Who would have thought that we should meet here again?" Miss Bingley was all saccharine pleasure at renewing the acquaintance and Elizabeth found it hard to not utter some rather impolite reply but Jane came to her aid and fabricated a decent answer.
Mr Bingley, however, was not deterred from the original topic and asked again: "So, tell me, Miss Bennet, when have you been to town and why haven't you called? We would have been delighted to renew our charming acquaintance and add you to our circle of friends in London!" Jane's look of utter bewilderment should have told Mr Bingley enough but when Jane remained silent, he pressed a little more: "It almost seems as if there is a mystery involved here!"
Jane exchanged an uncomfortable look with Elizabeth but Miss Bingley showed no sign of embarrassment at the situation as a fast glance of both sisters confirmed. After a fortifying breath, Jane explained: "Well, I have been in town at the beginning of this year to visit our aunt and uncle. As I also thought it nice to renew and strengthen the acquaintance, I called at your townhouse and had tea with your sister, Miss Bingley. On that occasion, you were on business but your sister told me she would inform you about my visit. It must have slipped her mind..."
Ever lovely Jane, she was not capable of not saving Miss Bingley's face and the undeserving woman used that opportunity immediately: "Now that you mention it, Miss Bennet, I remember your visit as clearly as if it had been yesterday. It had totally slipped my mind. Oh well, there are so many social engagements and obligations that sometimes one just misses one. I am sure you can forgive me my little lapse of memory..."
While Jane was all smiles and understanding and Elizabeth just remained silent in her disapproval, Mr Bingley at first just starred at his sister disbelievingly. Then, however, he exploded in a shower of angry words: "Caroline, how can this be possible?! Miss Bennet is a dear friend of us and I am particularly fond of her – how could you just forget to mention her visit and her staying in town?! We could have had such a lovely time together in London this winter! You ruined a perfectly good opportunity!"
The Bennet sisters were of course embarrassed by Mr Bingley's untoward behaviour but Elizabeth took a great amount of gratification from his outburst while Jane had difficulty hiding her happiness in Mr Bingley openly displaying his partiality. Caroline Bingley flushed with embarrassment and would have loved to simply retire, pretending a headache or some other sort of ailment but this would have been quite obvious. So she just put on her most apologetic smile and cooed: "But you've heard Miss Bennet – she, with her heart of gold, has already forgiven me, angel that she is! She can understand that a woman of fashion has so many social obligations that one might slip her mind. Of course, I cannot express how sorry I am to have forgotten such a good friend but now that we stay here at Netherfield again, I am sure we will have ample opportunity to deepen our friendship, won't we?" Miss Bingley's winning smile oozed falsehood but Jane, soft-hearted and forgiving, stepped up at once and put a gloved hand on her arm, reassuring her: "Miss Bingley, please don't be upset about it, of course I am not angry with you, how could I?"
Then she turned to Mr Bingley and her smile became even more dazzling when she pleaded with him, too: "Mr Bingley, don't be angry with your sister – we are all reunited here in Hertfordshire and no harm was done. So let's not dwell on old grievances and spoil the time we have now together." Jane could have asked for the moon and Mr Bingley, by the besotted look on his face, would have readily agreed to present it to her with a nice ribbon wrapped around it. How could he then refuse such a simple favour? Thus he answered accordingly: "But of course, Miss Bennet! I am only glad that you don't think us haughty or uninterested in your continued friendship. Losing your regard would indeed be the worst thing that could befall me."
These words were more than abundantly clear and Jane blushed a deep red while Mr Bingley looked rather embarrassed and Elizabeth took this as her cue to chance the subject: "Tell me, Mr Bingley, my curiosity is piqued – how comes that you are back at Netherfield?"
If possible, Mr Bingley looked even more embarrassed now than before and he searched for words but his sister saw her chance for revenge come and explained: "Charles just got this idea in his head. He was complaining about town practically all year and suddenly he was a flutter of action and activity and in mere two days he had us relocated. It was quite a shock to say goodbye to all of my friends in such a hurry. I still cannot fathom what he had been thinking of!" Miss Bingley looked like the perfect victim and Mr Bingley turned red. Finally, when all eyes were on him, he stuttered: "Well, I always had the intention of returning here. Why should I rent a house and then leave it empty? That doesn't make much sense to me..."
Miss Bingley was obviously not yet done with her revenge because her saccharine smile was firmly back in place when she added: "And of course Mr Darcy also convinced you to come back to Netherfield! What would you do without his advice?" Mr Bingley blushed again and both Jane and Elizabeth stared at Miss Bingley incredulously. Finally, Elizabeth found her voice: "Mr Darcy recommended coming back to Hertfordshire?"
"Yes, of course. He seemed to be convinced that my brother would be very happy here – I have no idea why he should think so but this is what I have heard when he came to our townhouse just a couple of days ago. After his visit, Charles was all action and decided to move us back here – the sooner the better. So it doesn't take a genius to assume that we are here on Mr Darcy's advice..." All saccharine sweetness was gone from Miss Bingley's voice – she sounded hard and displeased and her cold stare was fixed on her brother who flinched slightly under her obvious displeasure. The Bennet sisters exchanged uncomfortable looks – domestic quarrels like this were not pleasant to witness although Elizabeth could barely contain her glee and her pleasure that Mr Darcy seemed to have lived up to his words and indeed made amends.
Jane, however, tried to simply remedy this uncomfortable situation and smiled at Mr Bingley: "Well, sometimes, one needs a friend for advice and a push in the direction one wants to go anyway, don't you think so Mr Bingley?" Of course Mr Bingley could not agree more and from there on Jane stirred the conversation in calmer waters and by the time they entered the dining room, she and Mr Bingley were discussing the merits of the house and further improvements that could be made while Elizabeth and Miss Bingley followed in silence.
Elizabeth did not mind remaining silent for the rest of the evening and listening to the two happy lovers but Miss Bingley would never be satisfied with the role of an onlooker, so she soon engaged Elizabeth in conversation. Her intent was very clear from the beginning – she tried to embarrass Elizabeth as much as she could. So she started by saying: "I really wasn't aware of the fact that you have connections to town. Can you please detail them?"
Elizabeth sighed because she could easily see where this was supposed to lead: Her uncle was in trade, a lawyer by profession and therefore beneath Miss Bingley's circle of friends and acquaintances. Miss Bingley tried to make her ashamed of her relatives but Elizabeth was actually quite proud of her uncle and aunt. They were sensible people and successful in what they did. Of course, a woman like Caroline Bingley would never think of calling them accomplished or even gentlemanlike but Elizabeth had long decided that the opinion of her did not count in her world. So she held her head high and smiled when she gave her reply.
"My uncle and aunt Gardiner live in Cheapside, near Gracechurch. My uncle is quite a successful lawyer and owns several warehouses. My aunt obviously takes care of the children. They are very sweet-natured and adore Jane especially, but who doesn't?" Elizabeth's smile deepened with affection for her sister but at the same time she threw a pointed look towards Mr Bingley and Jane who were conversing so intently that they were lost to the world around them.
"Oh yes", Miss Bingley replied archly, "who doesn't?" Then she turned back to the original topic: "Well, I think I have come across the name of Gardiner but I would have never guessed you had relations not belonging to the gentry..." Elizabeth's smile did not flicker but she just nodded her head pleasantly: "Oh yes, we do and we like them a lot." Her smile turned just a tiny bit malicious when she continued: "The world is changing, Miss Bingley, and faster than you might like. We may not notice it here in the peaceful country but you as an expert in town-life have surely noticed how class-distinction slowly loses its value. But then again, why should I point this out to you of all people? I've heard that your family also made the family fortune in trade..."
Miss Bingley's face turned white with fury and she scathed: "Who has told such infamous lies about my family?!" Elizabeth did her best to look surprised by Miss Bingley's obvious distress and answered: "I think it was your brother – or maybe Mr Darcy? One of the two it was who told me that your family had been in business. I found that information rather charming because it showed me that social mobility is actually taking place. And you are such a lady of fashion that one would never guess. And your brother is such a good soul that he actually doesn't care – a real gentleman I would call him, not matter whether he belongs to the gentry or not..."
Miss Bingley was silenced by so much saccharine goodwill and Elizabeth had a hard time not to look too triumphant but it had felt good to finally be able to repay Caroline Bingley all the little insults, downgradings and snubbings since last November. And it had been good to take revenge for Jane who was too good-natured to actually do this.
Mr Bingley and Jane finally realized that the conversation between the two females had stopped and turned towards them. "Caroline, Miss Elizabeth, you must forgive me for monopolizing Miss Bennet in such a way. I take such pleasure in being reunited with Hertfordshire, Netherfield and Miss Bennet that I can hardly contain my pleasure", Charles blurted out and both he and Jane blushed handsomely. Elizabeth smiled – oh yes, they were a beautiful couple.
"Don't worry, Mr Bingley", Elizabeth quickly reassured the man, "your sister and I had a lively discussion of family connections. Sometimes one discovers the most astonishing things..."
"Oh yes, this is true!", Mr Bingley eagerly jumped on the topic and did not see the warning stare his sister was giving him but continued unabashed: "Did you know that my family had been in trade for many years? I am actually proud that they were so successful that our generation can now finally move up into the realms of the gentry. Without their talent and intelligence, Caroline and I wouldn't be sitting here today..."
Jane, who was catching on the tone of conversation much quicker than Mr Bingley, smiled benignly and said: "Oh, this is quite lovely to know that you are not ashamed of your family. Many people are because they think that they are better than their forefathers but this is ridiculous. Without them, we wouldn't be here..."
"This is exactly what I meant!", Mr Bingley agreed with enthusiasm and Elizabeth had to hide a laugh when she sneaked a glance at Miss Bingley's ashen face. She nonetheless continued: "Just imagine the long chain of generations, of men and women that brought us here. It's an awe-inspiring idea: All those brave, intelligent, resourceful people laughing, loving, fighting, crying and finally dying. That's just amazing!"
Jane smiled at her sister's fanciful image and added: "Yes, it goes back to Adam and Eve in paradise and they were probably already conversing like we do. Somehow this is a calming thought..."
Mr Bingley nodded but before he could add a thought of his own his sister bit out: "I just wonder whether they were so resourceful as we are today..." The way she put emphasis on "resourceful", it was pretty clear to Elizabeth that she meant menacing and husband-hunting but Mr Bingley chose to misunderstand her words and Elizabeth suddenly wondered whether he was really that well-meaning. Mr Bingley said: "Oh, that cannot possible be the case. We once discussed what the term accomplished encompassed and resourceful is pretty much down the same lane: We are inventors, traders, travellers and explorers, soldiers, colonists, teachers and scientists. It is really amazing. And you females are just the same: painting, speaking foreign languages, reading, riding, designing all kinds of things, hosting balls, making polite conversation and some ladies even write books and poetry – incredible! This is what I call resourceful but most of you forget about all your talents as soon as you are married. It really is a pity..."
Elizabeth had to stifle a laugh when she saw the horrified look on Miss Bingley's face and couldn't help cry out: "Why, Mr Bingley, who would have thought that you harbour sympathies for the bluestockings!" Mr Bingley looked uncomfortable but he bravely stood his ground: "I just think it such a waste – women are so talented but in most marriages they don't have a chance to play out their talents..."
Elizabeth gave in to the temptation to tease: "And next, my dear Mr Bingley, you suggest that every person in England should be able to vote..." Mr Bingley looked even more uncomfortable and admitted: "Well, Darcy and me, we sometimes discussed this idea..." That was new indeed and gave an interesting twist to Mr Darcy's personality. Elizabeth had always judged him to be rather conservative but maybe she had been wrong in that regard. So she could not help but ask: "And what were your opinions on that?"
Mr Bingley shrugged his shoulders and explained: "We agreed that our country is not yet ready for something like this but we both thought that it would be a good idea to educate the masses and that then, yes, everybody should be able to vote."
Elizabeth was dumbfound but Miss Bingley cried out: "You horrify me, Charles – you are talking revolution!" Mr Bingley agreed: "Yes, maybe I am and this is why we should leave politics behind and talk about something less dangerous..."
The conversation turned to life in town and the living conditions of the classes – still dangerous stuff but much more easy to handle. All of the set had assumed that the evening would be filled with light conversation but Mr Bingley had talked politics to the ladies – it was almost a scandal and Elizabeth was much mollified that her sister was in love with a progressive man who indeed sometimes had an opinion of himself, even if that opinion bordered on the dangerous.
