Author's Note. Caught up in, and frankly enjoying, the recent spate of Bingley bashing, I recently decided, in the interest of fairness, to step back and reflect on those aspects of Bingley's character that had previously made him so likeable to me: his easy outgoing nature, his genuine interest in the wellbeing of others, his humility and self-deprecating humor - there really is a lot to like.
It was while taking this fresh look that I happened to stumble across Mr. B as a much younger fellow and to discover (okay, invent) a possible rationale behind his despicable treatment of Jane. Not an excuse, mind you, but simply a factor that might have contributed to his making such a wrongheaded decision.
Nothing overly complicated here, much like the young man himself.
The Education of Master Charles Bingley
Five-year-old Charles Oliver Gladstone Bingley was a strikingly beautiful child, whose dazzling countenance – clear, delft blue eyes, strawberry-blond curls and rosy cheeks – had been paired from birth with an equally sunny disposition. The beloved only son of a prosperous merchant, he lived an enchanted life, well protected from deprivation or discontent of any kind. However, though pampered and indulged, his inherently sweet nature had fortuitously shielded him from the negative effects which so often go hand in hand with such a life – two cases in point being his elder sisters, Louisa and Caroline. Indeed, far from being spoiled, he was equally as lovable as he was loved.
Though perhaps not as endeared towards all of the Bingley children, the household staff utterly adored the young master, and he in his turn was equally as fond of them. From Butler to scullery maid, they all counted among his dearest friends - although if forced to pick a favorite, Charlie would have to choose the most recent addition to the household staff, a certain Nurse Hammer. This lively young woman, with plump pink lips, golden locks and smiling eyes was, without a doubt, the prettiest thing that Charlie had ever seen! Fully convinced that she was a celestial being come down to earth, young Master Bingley (caught up in the first of what would become a seemingly never-ending string of infatuations) had determined to marry Nurse Hammer the very moment he shed his skeleton suit, an event which his mother had assured him was but a few short months away.
However, along with his sartorial unpreparedness was another obstacle which prevented Charlie from (literally) reaching this goal - an alarming lack of stature! Even his sister Caroline, older by just one year, not only loomed over him, but delighted in lording it over him at every opportunity. Determined to overcome this impediment, Charlie resolved that by the time of his breeching ceremony he would also have gained another few inches. Five inches would be just the trick, enabling him not only to press a significant advantage over Caroline, but also to reach and kiss Nurse Hammer's lovely cheeks with a minimum of stretching. His recent, diligent application to Cook's excellent advice, that double portions of braised kidneys and liver would set him up in a thrice, assured him that the wait could not be long. This was, after all, his father's favorite dish and served quite often. As it was also Charlie's least favorite dish, he reasoned that such a great sacrifice on his part would not go unrewarded. Surely.
Plans for appropriate attire and increased stature now safely within his purview, young Charlie turned his attention to one last hurdle, perhaps the most daunting one of all, the need to learn his letters. Though possessed of many talents – Charlie could fly though long columns of numbers, point out any country on a map, and easily coax a smile out of Cook! – letters did not interest him in the least. And fully aware of his father's mandate that any subject deemed not to his liking would be relegated to the responsibility of some unlucky future tutor, Nurse Hammer's insistence that all young men of his class must learn their letters had had no impact on him at all. At least not until now! Perhaps it was in this matter alone that the concurrence of natural charm and a lax upbringing had not worked entirely in his favor, for considering his recent decision to marry this selfsame lady, Master Bingley could now see the error of his ways.
So it came to pass that young Charles Bingley resolved to learn his letters in secret, the better to impress and astound his angel.
After giving the matter serious consideration, Charlie decided that there was no one better suited to assist him in this endeavor than great-grandfather Josiah Bingley, fondly known to him as 'Great Papa'. It helped, of course, that these two men, one quite old and the other quite young, shared an innately cheerful, friendly, unpretentious nature, and a down to earth practicality not found in others of their clan. As a result, they had bonded as the closest of confidants. Indeed, Great Papa's room, which abutted the nursery, was practically Charlie's second home! However, the very best reason for recruiting this particular ally was that Josiah Bingley, the once lowly merchant seaman who had single handedly precipitated the Bingley family's rise in fortune, had also taught himself to read and write.
Besides, Great Papa had already proven to be invaluable on numerous other occasions. Thanks to him, Charlie could whistle clear as a bell (for signaling purposes), tie any sailor's knot (the better to secure Caroline should the need arise), and knew the quickest, most secretive route to the kitchen (essential for biscuit raids and the occasional quick escape from Caroline's wrath). These varied and useful accomplishments had all been acquired under the tutelage of Great Papa Josiah. Certainly, between the two of them, a mere six and twenty letters could not stand a chance!
Not to mention the time he had helped Charlie get redress for one of his sister's more onerous offenses involving the repainting of a favorite set of tin soldiers, whose ballgowns now coordinated quite smartly with their bejeweled bayonets. On that occasion, Great Papa had demonstrated to Charlie that by standing at just the right spot in front of a lantern, with his chest puffed out and his arms held just so, he could make his shadow look like a great, hulking, giant of a fellow standing six feet tall! Charlie's nocturnal execution of the plan, which had included the addition of Great Papa's beaver and long coat, was such a smashing success that the newly awoken Caroline was shocked to silence for one full minute complete - before she commenced to shrieking. (Josiah Bingley had, by that time, retreated to the safety of his room, leaving his partner in crime to fend for himself.) Meanwhile the ruckus had roused Nurse Hammer who came running.
Upon her arrival she heard two widely differing accounts of what had transpired, as well as the sincere apologies of little Charlie to his sister. Secretly pleased to see the young Master finally get the upper hand over his most disagreeable sibling, while at the same time not wanting to see Master Charlie get in trouble with his parents, Nurse Hammer thought to smooth things over with Caroline by letting her be privy to Charlie's punishment - a stern (for her) reprimand. Although in truth, the sight of the young lad, offering heartfelt words of contrition and comfort all while holding and stroking Caroline's hand, would have been enough to sway any jury.
Though not the most auspicious of their collaborations, this one had been, by far, the most memorable.
But back to the subject at hand! On the afternoon of the day which would mark their most important collaboration to date, young Charlie sat comfortably on Great Papa's lap while munching contentedly on a biscuit. With one foot tucked under him and the other set to swinging, Charlie rested his head on the old man's chest as he poured out his heart's concerns. The biscuit tasted vaguely of ginger, tobacco and lint, a combination of flavors which identified its source of origin as one of Great Papa's many pockets, no doubt having been secreted there a week or so ago. Tending a little on the deaf side, Great Papa's ear was bent down close to his companion, the better to hear him out. Even so, what he thought he heard bore repeating,
"Say what, Charlie boy?! Gettin' hitched?! To Nurse Hammer?!" Josiah Bingley's sea-squinty, clear blue eyes had grown as round as marbles.
"Yes sir, for I do love her so. She is as pretty as an angel, and ever so kind."
"When am I to wish you joy, lad?"
"As soon as I grow a bit taller; Cook says the wait shan't be long. Oh, yes! - and I must have my new trouser suit, for I do not think Reverend Dowdy will marry me in my skeleton suit. He might think me too young."
Great Papa nodded in solemn agreement while Charlie paused to take another bite of his biscuit. Chewing in thoughtful contemplation, his hope filled visage suddenly turned troubled and he added in a rush, "But along with all that I must also learn my letters!"
"Ye don't say!"
"Yes sir, for Nurse Hammer says that all proper young gentlemen of my class must learn to read and write." With that, Charlie lifted his guileless blue eyes to meet those of his friend. "Great Papa, you were ever so clever to teach yourself, and I am not nearly so clever as you. Can you please help me to learn my letters?"
Great Papa rubbed at his chin, deep in thought. "I suppose I could, lad, but it all depends. Are ye certain that ye love the young miss?"
"Oh yes sir," he declared with great solemnity, "I love her even more than Spotty Dot." This pronouncement spoke volumes, the kitchen cat being yet another of Charlie's dearest friends.
Great Papa Josiah's mood suddenly shifted and he reached to caress Charlie's face in his hands, his calloused thumbs rubbing gentle circles at Charlie's brow as he contemplated what needed to be said. Voice quite soft, he finally asked, "I suppose the question more to the point is this. Are ye certain, absolutely certain that your lady feels the same?"
Charlie puzzled over this for a moment, as he had never thought to ask Nurse Hammer what her feelings were on the subject of their impending nuptials. But at the same time, Charlie had also never met anyone who did not love him, so…
"Yes sir!' he declared triumphantly, without a shadow of a doubt. "She loves me too!"
"I only ask, Charlie boy, because heartbreak is a terrible thing."
After this was said, silence prevailed for a moment or two. Josiah Bingley, thrice widowed veteran of three faithless marriages knew a thing or two about heartbreak. But despite this and other hardships, including the loss last year of his only child, Charlie's grandfather Oliver Bingley, he was still, at heart, an irrepressibly happy man. In no time at all, his good humor returned.
"Besides," he added with a wink, "it would be a shame to put in all the work only to have it come to naught. But if ye be absolutely certain…?"
"Oh, yes sir! Thank you, thank you, Great Papa!" Charlie cried as he threw his arms around the neck of his friend.
"In that case, lad, let's get to work!"
~~~o~~~
Another AN: This will probably be a two-parter, three parts tops. Also, I haven't abandoned Buckskin, but it will unfortunately be shelved a bit longer (along with an idea I've been floating around for a possible companion piece titled, of course, Muslin). I am also still at workon the follow up to Favors Returned. I have a complete, detailed eight page outline and several finished chapters, but I want to commit quite a bit more to paper before I start posting.