He rarely lost his temper. It was a trait he admired in himself. He took pride in having a reputation unmarked by violence or rashness (as many other men in his circle were known to be prone to), and that he was generally relied upon for sound advice, rational conversation regardless of circumstance, and honesty in his addresses. One of his two confrontations with Wickham in the last year proved to try him past his limit if only for a moment, and indeed, Wickham himself even flinched to hear Darcy's booming baritone warning him off Georgiana. Darcy's terrifyingly calm demeanor added to his intimidation.
Entering the drawing room after the separation of the sexes one evening after dinner at Netherfield, Darcy knew immediately his tolerance would be tested once more. He would have forgotten Miss Bingley's existence entirely for the night. She had not said one word to him from the time she descended the stairs to join the party to the moment the ladies left the room. He had fleetingly thought that though her behavior had been somewhat more subdued in recent weeks, it was unlike her not to address him at all; but then he was taken in by Elizabeth speaking conspiratorially in his ear and everything else became quite unimportant. The looks on all the ladies' faces as he entered the drawing room told him that the evening had taken a decided turn.
Georgiana was looking painfully uncomfortable and conflicted, her head immediately snapping to the door when the gentlemen entered and he found her gaze first. She left the music she was sorting through and went to prepare a cup of tea. He followed her, though he had started to try and meet Elizabeth's eye. She was turned determinedly to Miss Mary, Miss Catherine and the eldest Miss Bennet, a tight smile plastered on her face as she spoke with as much ease as she could manage.
"Her manners have always been wanting," Georgiana murmured as he approached, "but Miss Bingley continues to surprise me, brother. Even Mrs. Bennet has gone silent. Mrs. Gardiner tried to divert conversation, but..."
"Has she slighted you in any way?"
"Only by extension." She was looking to her new sister having finished fixing the cup. "It's for Elizabeth -" The woman herself was moving from her seat and approaching them. Georgiana drew her away before she could prepare tea for herself. "I made it the way you like it. I needed an occupation..." Georgiana looked over Elizabeth's shoulder as quick as a blink before lowering her gaze to the floor. Elizabeth took the cup from her and squeezed her hand, that smile unfaltering. Leaning forward, Elizabeth murmured softly, "Thank you, dear one. I think we shall both manage very well. Will you not play for us now that everyone is here?" Georgiana nodded, smiled, and with another press to Elizabeth's hand, she moved back to the music selections. Colonel Fitzwilliam met her there, undoubtedly to ascertain her discomfort under the guise of turning the pages for her.
Darcy was immediately at Elizabeth's side watching every small contour of her face that suggested unhappiness. She sipped her tea, her eyes roving slowly over the scene before them. He knew not how to comfort her - well, at least not sufficiently in full view of the drawing room. She must have detected his agitation as he hovered around her, for she pressed her hand firmly to his arm before turning away and helping herself to desserts. He followed her.
"What did she say, Elizabeth?" His voice was low, conscious of conversation opening to the room. She shook her head minutely, placing the smallest biscuit on the serving plate to her saucer.
"You need not worry, I am sure she will repeat some iteration of it and all her other impertinent opinions in due course."
"Lizzy -"
"No, this will not do. What is one or two remarks compared to the the prospect of our union so soon approaching? Pittance for pleasure in some strange way, I suppose. I will not be moved." Seeing he was about to retaliate once more, she stayed him; "You are right, and I will confide in you, just not here. Let it pass at present. We will be in private company if not tonight then tomorrow morning and I shall explain all if Georgiana does not find some way to do so herself before I have the opportunity." He resolved he would endeavor to be satisfied until he could properly attend to her distress.
Elizabeth had not been wrong and Darcy knew an explanation of what had passed during the gentlemen's absence would not be needed, for he had hardly sat near her before Miss Bingley proclaimed above the light hum of the room; "It is unfortunate not all of your sisters could be present for such an auspicious occasion." Darcy was quite sure Elizabeth was beside herself with suppressed anger that she could not help herself reaching for his hand that rested between them and squeezing as if grounding herself to keep in her place, the questionable propriety of it ignored. Miss Bingley had not missed the reaction. Jane was polite and amiable as ever as she answered, "Yes, though I believe we shall manage just as well. We received such an enthusiastic congratulations that it annulled the absence."
"Oh, I would assume quite enthusiastic with the connections she will now have. I must say, I was surprised to hear it was Wickham whom she married. It was my impression that his designs laid elsewhere -" the sounds of shifting paper halted for a long moment at the pianoforte as Miss Bingley pointedly eyed Elizabeth "- but I suppose impressions are not always what they seem." She lifted her cup to her lips and hid a snide smile behind it before she sipped it delicately. Darcy would not draw attention to Georgiana by glancing back to her in that moment, but with a sidelong glance he spied Elizabeth's face draining of color. He went unnervingly still as he stared at the hateful woman in front of him, fury pulsing so violently through him he was sure he would run a fever. To mention that man's name in the presence of Colonel Fitzwilliam, of Georgiana, of himself. She was clearly ignorant of how much she was contradicting her favor. Even Mrs. Hurst turned to her, the support she had always given her sister now clearly being questioned. Miss Bingley had opened her mouth to continue her prattling, but Elizabeth was quick to the mark, her voice easy though her eyes... Darcy saw the sharpness of her stare.
"Indeed, Miss Bingley, I could not agree more. They are not always what they seem. And in order to avoid assumptions born of ignorance, we must learn from our ill-founded judgements. It is not very becoming of a lady to lack that sense, would you not say, Mr. Darcy?" She turned her gaze upon him. The determination in those eyes, the building triumph of a verbal sparring she knew she would win. And she was taking him with her. He followed gladly and replied with a half grin, "I would, Miss Elizabeth. Gentleman or lady, one should always strive to improve and learn from their follies." Elizabeth squeezed his hand once more before taking hers away to sip her tea. The tension in the room did not ease, even after the card table was brought out and Georgiana began playing. There was not a single person in the room who wished to entertain any of Miss Bingley's remarks and as she then went quiet for a length of time, all thought any more unpleasantness was concluded. It was not to be, however, when Miss Bingley - turning to her sister, though keeping her eyes on where Darcy had delicately reclaimed Elizabeth's hand - spoke purposefully in just loud enough a tone for others to hear.
"Do not you think it uncouth to show such intimacy?"
"Caroline," Mrs. Hurst admonished with a significant look.
"It is too familiar, Louisa. What can they mean by it, flaunting as they do for all to see? A well-bred woman of superior standing would never allow that sort of behavior. And that he should allow it? She has as good as ruined him, poor man. I should not be surprised if she had taken advantage of his attentions." Darcy was absolutely seething and had resolved to drop Elizabeth's hand to approach the shrew just as Bingley stood and started his way across the room. But it was to everybody's utmost surprise when, looking up from his book where he sat by the fire, Mr. Bennet said, "I believe, Miss Bingley, that well-bred women, regardless of status, would learn when to hold their tongue and accept defeat when their battle is lost." The room had gone utterly silent. Elizabeth mouthed the words thank you to her father and with a gentle nod, he closed his book as he stood. "I do not think I presume too much in suggesting my family and I make an early departure. I think we've had quite enough to suffice for one evening." Despite his wishes for Elizabeth to stay, Darcy could not help agreeing. Bingley, evidently, was inclined to acquiesce.
With all the cordiality that was his wont, Bingley followed the Longbourn party into the hall with Darcy, Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam behind them. Darcy was disappointed when he could not give Elizabeth the farewell he wished to, for though he knew she was not too deeply affected by Miss Bingley's attempts to insult her, he saw that her uncharacteristic silence was owed to her being tired.
"Until tomorrow," he promised her.
"Until tomorrow," she repeated with a reassuring smile.
"Are you quite out of your senses, Caroline?"
Darcy had never seen Bingley so put out. He had just about stormed back into the drawing room, his face flushed with embarrassment and anger. Even Mr. Hurst was roused from where he had been dozing. "Never in my life have I seen you more disagreeable than you were this evening. What were you thinking?"
"Brother, I believe I shall retire for the evening," Georgiana murmured in a small voice from behind Darcy. She curtseyed as she took her arm away from her cousin's and bade Darcy and the Colonel both goodnight before dismissing herself from the room. Darcy was glad of it when Bingley continued, "You insulted my fiancé, slighted her sister abominably, not to mention Darcy and his sister by having the impudence to bring Mr. and Mrs. Wickham into conversation! And you, Louisa; you said not a word of reproach and have consistently allowed, nay, encouraged these displays of incivility." Mrs. Hurst had opened her mouth as if to interrupt, but Bingley held up a firm hand to stay her. "I will not have one word from either of you on this matter. I do not expect and apology, nor do I expect your efforts to truly befriend those who I have chosen to connect myself with, but I do expect to never have to endure anything as I have endured your despicable behavior this evening. You will both comport yourselves or be removed from Netherfield before the wedding can take place. Have I made myself absolutely clear?"
For the whole of Bingley's speech, Miss Bingley had not blinked. It was clear she expected her brother to fold, to drop his stare in that amiable way of his that would not allow confrontation. She was not to be satisfied. Bingley had had enough and Darcy was proud of him for stepping up. It was some time before MIss Bingley conceded and she murmured quite reluctantly, "As you wish, Charles." She rose without a word to anyone else and quitted the room. Mrs. Hurst was immediate in following, leaving her husband to drift back to sleep in his chair.
"Good God," Colonel Fitzwilliam started after a weighted silence. "If you have not addressed it, Bingley, I would have been hard pressed not to do it myself. Georgiana rallied well enough, but the pain in her features for the whole of the evening - I cannot forgive the instigation. And the insinuation about Miss Elizabeth -"
"Bingley," Darcy interrupted, unable to bear the recollection, "do I ask too much in begging leave to speak to Miss Bingley myself at the next opportunity? I wish to make my sentiments very clear." Bingley nodded, dropping into a chair in defeat and exhaustion.
"You have every right. As the Colonel has just addressed, it was not only the mention of Wickham that caused pain this evening."
They did not stay long in the drawing room before retiring themselves.
Darcy was first to breakfast the next morning. He had spent most of the night attempting to even his temper, determined to meet Miss Bingley at the breakfast table with cool, if not perfect, civility. Bingley had made it plain enough to her that any continuation of her behavior would not be tolerated, but Darcy's conscience could not allow him to remain silent. As there were many offenses toward his family and himself, silence was inexcusable. He was determined to say his piece whether or not he cound himself alone with Miss Bingley at the table.
She entered not long after Colonel Fitzwilliam. All the better, Darcy thought. She would not dare challenge the intimidation of us both. Her only greeting was a slight curtsey and a brief, "Good morning." The Colonel's propensity for friendliness and ease could not even compel him to acknowledge her. He only continued buttering a slice of toast and stacked cold meats onto his plate. Darcy waited for her to be seated before he ventured on.
"Miss Bingley, it would hardly be my place to comment about your behavior last evening had you not singled out those most dear to me." She halted her movements, her gaze turned in his direction though she could not quite meet his eye. "It was emphasized in the past that any mention of Wickham in our presence would be ill in your favor. I had thought that fact previously understood, but it seems I was mistaken. I trust I will not be misunderstood henceforth when I reiterate that any tolerance I might have had on the subject has run out." He leaned slightly forward and the demand in his air forced her to meet his eye. "I will only add that should another word cross your lips to insult or make foul insinuations about Miss Elizabeth, I will not hesitate to take appropriate action." Miss Bingley had the decency to look embarrassed; she flushed and bowed her head in acknowledgement.
All were silent until Bingley and Georgiana joined them.