Mr Bennet takes an interest

by sysa22

What might have happened if a year earlier Mr Bennet had become more involved with the lives of his family. Could things have worked out differently?

6. 6 - Invitations

I'm glad that you enjoy the less acrimonious interactions between D&E.

Some of the questions which have been asked will be answered in this chapter.

~~~o0o~~~

Invitations

'I have come to deliver an invitation to Lucas Lodge for a party two days hence,' announced Charlotte Lucas, once she had greeted her friends.

'It is very kind of your mother to extend this invitation, but, as you know, Mrs Bennet will not be able to attend,' Mr Bennet replied reluctantly.

'Surely, she would not wish to deny her daughters the opportunity to enjoy themselves. Especially since my father will deliver an invitation to the gentlemen, who just left your company,' Charlotte cajoled.

'What say you, Jane, Elizabeth? Would you like to spend time with your friend?' Mr Bennet asked his daughters, without clarifying which friend.

Jane blushed, but answered firmly. 'If Mama can spare us for the evening, I would dearly love to spend time in Charlotte's company. And of course, the rest of her family.'

'My father is also inviting several officers of the militia to even up the numbers, in case there is any dancing,' Charlotte informed her friends.

A few days previously, a troop of militia had come into the area, to spend several months training in the Meryton environs. Colonel Forster, their commander was hoping to integrate his men into the neighbourhood, to give the soldiers some much needed diversion when not on duty.

Elizabeth's eyes lit up. 'Did you say dancing? You know that I cannot resist such a delightful pastime.'

'Do you suppose that Mary would come as well? It would be greatly appreciated if she could share in providing us with music.'

'Ever since Mrs Taylor has helped her to improve on the pianoforte, Mary delights in the opportunity to display her talent.'

'That is wonderful. But now tell me about your visitors. I quite expected Mr Bingley to call on you, but I was surprised to see him accompanied by Mr Darcy. After that gentleman's reticence at the assembly, I did not think he would be prepared to call on their neighbours.'

'Charlotte, please do not judge him too harshly. Did you not hear many of the matrons discussing his and Mr Bingley's wealth within minutes of their arrival?'

Miss Lucas coloured slightly as she remembered the evening. Her mother had been amongst those matrons. 'I suppose that both gentlemen, but Mr Darcy in particular, have been the target of matchmaking mothers for some time…' She left the question hanging.

'Indeed. Especially since their fathers died. Although, Mr Bingley, as the son of a tradesman is not quite as sought after as Mr Darcy.'

'I suppose, since you refused to dance with him, he felt it was safe to visit.'

'You probably have the right of it,' replied Elizabeth, although her father suspected that the refusal had spurred Mr Darcy's interest in his daughter. 'Now tell us about those officers.'

Charlotte was happy to comply.

~~~o0o~~~

Miss Bingley was furious. She had risen at her usual time of eleven o'clock. By rushing through her toilette, so that she could spend as much time as possible in Mr Darcy's company, she had been ready in an hour.

But when she came downstairs, she discovered that her brother and Mr Darcy had gone out. None of the staff knew, or at least admitted to knowing, where the gentlemen had gone.

Instead of being able to impress Mr Darcy with her abilities as a hostess, she spent her time alone, pacing in the drawing-room. Even her sister had deserted her, on the feeble excuse of feeling unwell.

By the time Bingley and Darcy returned in high spirits, Miss Bingley was ready to throw things. Preferably something breakable. At the head of her brother.

'Where have you been?' she hissed at her Bingley. When she noticed Mr Darcy trying to suppress a smirk, she moderated her tone. 'You have been gone for hours, and I have been all anxiousness for your well-being. None of the servants knew your whereabouts.'

'Oh, Darcy and I went for a ride, and suddenly decided to stop at Longbourn to pay our respects.'

'Longbourn? How could you expose Mr Darcy to such a common family, Charles?'

'I think they are perfectly charming.' Her brother defended his actions.

'But they have no refinement or fashion. They are such country mushrooms. Why would you waste your time with such low company as the Bennets? Do you not know that they have relatives in trade?'

When Bingley was looking uncomfortable, Darcy decided to intervene. Since he was getting very tired of Miss Bingley's behaviour, he deliberately used the rudeness he had learned, and matched the… ah… lady's manner. 'Miss Bingley, for a woman who was educated in one of the finest seminaries in the country, you are remarkably ill informed.'

'I beg your pardon? In what respect is my education lacking? If that is true, and there is any part that was overlooked, I shall send a letter of complaint to the school.'

'You seem to be unaware that in our society, landed gentry are ranked higher than tradesmen.'

'Mr Darcy, I am fully aware of that fact. I do not see how that can be a lack in my education.'

'The point that was obviously not made clear to you, is that as a consequence, the daughter of a landed gentleman ranks higher than the daughter of a tradesman… irrespective of wealth.' Darcy looked at her pointedly.

Miss Bingley turned an interesting shade of puce, but she tried to claw back some advantage. 'But the daughter of a poor gentleman cannot have the advantages of a superior education, such as I received.'

'Did not your superior education include the fact that vicious gossip is only used by social climbers, who are attempting to tear down anyone above them on the social ladder? Those members of the first circles, who are secure in their position of superiority, do not have to resort to such mean and demeaning devices. Therefore, it is a clear indication to all who are aware of it, that only people who are insecure in their position indulge in attacks on their rivals.'

'But Charles is leasing Netherfield and is planning to buy an estate. That makes us landed gentry… wealthy landed gentry.'

'Once he purchases an estate, although that is not yet certain, that circumstance will be to your brother's advantage, but even then, your family will still be ranked lower than a family who have been landed gentry for generations.'

'But the Bennet chits' education…'

'Is substantially better than yours, Miss Bingley. Your brother and I spent a most delightful time in a discourse on literature with Mr Bennet, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.'

'Literature!'

'A most interesting topic of discussion. While you may consider vicious gossip to be the highest accomplishment, I most certainly do not. Especially if that gossip is untrue. Over the years, every time you denigrated someone, you lost some more of what little respect I had for you. Your latest endeavour has removed the last shred.' Darcy felt partly gratified, and partly guilty at the completely horrified expression on Miss Bingley's countenance.

It was not his habit of lashing out at someone in this fashion, and deliberately setting out to destroy them. But this… female had attempted to destroy Miss Elizabeth with her vitriol. Miss Elizabeth was so much superior to his friend's sister that he felt that Miss Bingley was not even fit to be in the same room with her.

Darcy was at the limit of his tolerance with this woman. He turned to his friend. 'My apologies, Bingley, I am afraid that I let my temper get the better of me, and for having been the cause of such disruption in your household. I will remove myself immediately.'

'You cannot leave.' This cry came from both siblings simultaneously.

'You did not say anything that was not true, and it was long overdue for Caroline to hear it,' added Bingley.

'It is good of you to try and see my abysmal behaviour in such a good light. Nevertheless, I must leave. I would not want to risk our friendship. Remember our conversation this morning?'

'You are afraid that Caroline will be stupid enough to ruin her reputation,' Bingley said, understanding his friend's reasoning.

'Charles, how can you say such a thing? Have you forgotten that I am still here?' Miss Bingley was outraged.

'I wish I could forget, Caroline, but you never shut up long enough to grant me that luxury.' He turned to his sister. 'But you have stretched my patience to the breaking point. I will write to our Aunt Mathilda in Scarborough, and ask her to take you in hand.'

'You cannot do that, Charles. What do you expect me to do in Scarborough?'

'Whatever Aunt Mathilda tells you to do.'

'I do not want to go to Scarborough.'

'You should have thought of that before you acted like the vicious harridan that you are. I had hoped that you would take the genteel ladies of this area as an example, and mend your behaviour. But your performance in the last few days has made me realise that this was a forlorn hope.'

'How can you call the women in this neighbourhood genteel ladies. They are nought but country mushrooms.'

'They are polite, courteous and kind. Behaviours you have refused to learn. I am tired of having you embarrass me in polite society, therefore to Scarborough you will go.'

'But Mr Darcy…'

'You are exceedingly fortunate that Darcy is a gentleman, and will not give you an opportunity to try a compromise.'

Mention of his friend's name made Bingley realise that Darcy had taken the opportunity of their distraction to quit the room. He decided to go and find out his friend's plans.

~~~o0o~~~

As expected, Bingley found his friend in his rooms, where Parker, Darcy's valet, had already started packing his master's belongings.

'Darcy, you cannot leave now. You will never make it back to Town before dark.'

'I am not going to Town, but to the White Hart. Parker assures me that they have excellent rooms and good food, albeit a limited menu.'

Darcy looked rather shamefaced when he admitted, 'I truly am sorry that I caused you distress, but I could not stomach listening to your sister denigrating Miss Elizabeth yet again.'

'You rather like the lady… Miss Elizabeth I mean,' Bingley said with a delighted smile. 'It is good to see that you are human after all. I believe she and her sister are two of the finest and most interesting ladies whom I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Personally, I think Miss Bennet is perfect, but I can appreciate that her sister would appeal to you.'

'That is why I am not leaving the area. I hope to get to know her better.'

'You should know that I am planning to write to Aunt Mathilda in Scarborough to take Caroline off my hands. Once she is gone, I hope you will return here.'

'If you are certain that you can tolerate such a cantankerous grouch as myself…'

'That is what friends are for. To like you even when you are not at your best.'

~~~o0o~~~

Darcy found that his valet had been correct. The rooms at the White Hart were quite comfortable. To give his valet a chance to unpack without him being underfoot, he went downstairs to a private dining room, and arranged for an early dinner to be served to him.

The food, although simple, also lived up to its reputation. Darcy enjoyed his meal, accompanied by a glass of good wine, which he ate in peace. An enjoyment which was enhanced by the opportunity to read a book without interruptions.

He had just finished his leisurely meal, when the landlord announced a visitor.

'Mr Darcy, I hope I am not interrupting your meal,' Sir William Lucas exclaimed when he saw the dishes on the table.

'Not at all. I have just finished and was simply enjoying a leisurely glass of wine. Would you care to join me?' Darcy offered politely, remembering his resolve to improve his manners.

'Thank you, Sir, but I must decline. My wife expects me home for dinner shortly. I have only stopped by, because Mr Bingley informed me that you have removed yourself from Netherfield temporarily. I had gone there to deliver an invitation to you and Mr Bingley, as well as his family to join us for a party at Lucas Lodge two days hence.' Sir William explained in a rush.

'Thank you, Sir William, you are exceedingly kind. Not just for the invitation, which I will gladly accept, but for going to the trouble to find me here.'

'It was my pleasure. I was sorry to hear that you found the accommodation at Netherfield not to your liking. I did not think that there was anything lacking in such an excellent house.'

'It was no lack on the part of the house.' Darcy hesitated to explain why he preferred to stay at an inn, rather than with his good friend.

Sir William gave him a sly look. 'Perhaps the problem was not any lack, but that there was too much of an expectation…' Watching Darcy's reaction, he suggested, 'considering how proprietarily she acted towards you when you arrived at the assembly, some people wondered…'

'Certainly not. I prefer the company of ladies.' Darcy blurted out. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he coloured. What was it about this area that his mouth kept running away with him? 'Please, Sir forget what I just said. Lately I find myself speaking before thinking. I do not know what has caused that tendency…'

Sir William laughed. 'Do not trouble yourself, Mr Darcy. I find it refreshing that I am not the only one, who at times says the wrong thing. But I think it is capital that I can look forward to your company at our little get together. I shall leave you to enjoy your wine.'

~~~o0o~~~

The following afternoon, a servant from Longbourn delivered a package to Mr Bingley.

The gentleman was torn between conflicting emotions when he unwrapped the parcel and discovered a copy of Plato's Republic.

He could not decide whether to laugh or groan.

~~~o0o~~~

~~~o0o~~~

Mr Bennet takes an interest by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2021