"How much of what you said about your aunt was true? Have we sent Mr. Collins back to Kent to create an even greater problem?" Mr. Bingley was in the carriage with Mr. Darcy on the way back to Netherfield.
"I may have embellished a bit but there was a great deal of truth in what I said. The anniversary of my uncle's death is coming up very soon. Aunt Catherine and Sir Lewis got on rather well. It was no great love, but she does mourn him in her own way."
"If Mr. Collins mentions it, will your efforts be revealed as subterfuge? It may upset your aunt."
"I do not believe it will. You must know I would never put my aunt in a position where she might be hurt, nor would I use Mr. Collins as an instrument to do so. As it happens, I was a bit surprised he did not already know about it, for Lady Catherine likes to be attended to extensively during the surrounding weeks. Perhaps she expected him to return with his bride prior to her mourning period. If so, she highly overestimated his appeal to the Bennet sisters, entail or not."
"And if he says anything regarding your engagement to you cousin? Sorry about that, by the way, I got caught up in the moment."
"My own words she has heard before. Any suggestions by Collins that Anne marry a peer she will simply take as due deference. By the way, thank you for your assistance. It was well done considering I did not have a chance to inform you of my plan nor did I think that Collins would bring up the supposed engagement."
"It is my pleasure. With all this play acting lately, I feel like I am in the amateur dramatics back in school. Though I was not very good and never got the choice roles."
"As I said, it was well done. Perhaps the stage is your calling after all," Darcy joked, but then something occurred to him. "What do you mean by "all this play acting"? Have there been more occasions than this afternoon."
"No, no," Bingley rushed to think of an explanation. "You know how it is in social situations. One often feels like a player on the stage. The number of visits today tested even my amiability and I am afraid I cannot not always be sincere in my expressions." Mr. Bingley, in fact, enjoyed every moment. He would welcome twenty such days in the company of Miss Bennet, basking in his delight at their courtship.
"Was it so very bad?" Mr. Darcy could well understand that as he had never been comfortable with in such situations.
"Well, Mr. Collins certainly diverted the conversation more often than necessary. I am sure you will have a much better go of it when it is your turn," Bingley grinned. "For if my ears did not deceive me, I believe you spoke about courting Miss Elizabeth soon? Were my words last night so very persuasive, then?"
"No, her words this morning were. She likes me, Bingley. She said so. And the way she looks at me sometimes, my God. I do not know what to make of it. Did you know she has noted my attire? She said this was her favorite waistcoat." Darcy smoothed out the wrinkles of the garment. "I wish I had not worn it today so I could wear it tonight at dinner. But then, her expression when she saw I was wearing it was very enticing. Did it not sound as if she was jealous when Mr. Collins mention Anne?"
"It did, indeed," Mr. Bingley said solemnly as he watched his friend. However, the corners of his mouth were slightly turned up.
Mr. Darcy rolled his eyes at Mr. Bingley's obvious amusement. "Laugh at me to your heart's content, Bingley, I am done. I just needed to say it all. This is the safest place to do so, and you are the safest audience."
"You mean you do not wish to speak of your warm affection for Miss Elizabeth in Netherfield, where you may be confronted by Caroline? I am shocked, Darcy. All this time, I thought you were made of sterner stuff. Though you did make your excuses rather quickly last evening, so I should not be."
Mr. Darcy had made his escape almost immediately, offering only the minimum attention to his hostess that good manners would allow. "As you know, I had much to contemplate." Mr. Bingley's expression showed what he thought of that dubious claim. "And literally no desire to be present when you told your sisters you had asked Miss Bennet for a courtship, very little could compel me to do so."
"I cannot say I blame you. As I mentioned this morning, it was not pleasant. You do not happen to have any other plans for sending away unwanted relatives, do you? The sooner the better, she is so unhappy I halfway expect Caroline to try to smother me in my sleep."
"Do not be ridiculous, you need not fear that. Your sister is far more likely to use poison if she were to take such drastic measures," Mr. Darcy replied in an offhand manner. "Perhaps it is time that you got your affairs in order."
"Do you really think so?" Mr. Bingley was horrified. "You do not think Caroline would—"
"Bingley, no! I simply meant you should deal with your sister once and for all. You need to think of the future, both yours and hers. Arrange a marriage for her or set her up in her own establishment, something of that nature." Mr. Darcy could not help it, but he started to chuckle. "You may want to have Mrs. Hurst start serving the tea, though."
"Yes, yes, very funny," but having reached their destination Bingley was hesitant to get out of the carriage.
No sooner had they entered Bingley's study when they were set upon by Caroline. "All day, Charles, you have been gone all day. Am I just meant to languish here with no entertainments? There is not a single thing to do and not a single person of interest in this backwater."
"I thought you were not speaking to me, Caroline. Has my punishment been lifted so soon?" Bingley asked.
"It is but a courtship. You will come to your senses soon enough." Caroline waved her hand as if doing so waved away her brother's courtship. "You will never go against our father's wishes. Ultimately, Jane Bennet is nothing to your loyalty to your family. You will do your duty; of that I have no doubt." Caroline was smug. "Use Mr. Darcy as your model. Dear Georgiana is his priority, he knows his sister's prospects are dependent upon his own marriage."
Bingley looked at Darcy. He had been pleased with the progress his friend had made these last few days with Elizabeth, however, it was still so new he feared the right words would steer Darcy from his course. His fear was unfounded for he saw Darcy sink back into his chair in a manner that was deceptively casual. He had seen this posture before and knew it would not end well for his sister.
"Miss Bingley, you are absolutely correct. Your words serve as an excellent reminder for me as well. My sister has a generous heart that does not recognize wealth or status but then that is the luxury of youth. Thus, it is incumbent upon me, her brother and guardian, to see she is well situated. That includes marrying well to give her every possible advantage to prosper."
"Listen well, Charles." Miss Bingley had been nodding as Mr. Darcy spoke, punctuating his every sentence.
"Given our relative positions in society, our obligations to family and duty will be fulfilled differently, but the objective is same. For instance, my uncle Fitzwilliam, Lord Matlock, requires, at the very least, that I marry among the landed gentry. Even as the ton becomes more egalitarian, my connections to the peerage demand that my future wife must be a gentleman's daughter."
Playing devil's, or rather Caroline's advocate, Bingley asked the question most important to her in order to keep her from derailing the conversation. "But what of wealth? Surely that must be a consideration, Darcy. As you say, the world is becoming more egalitarian and wealthy tradesmen have more entrée into the ton than ever before."
"While wealth is never irrelevant, status is more important for Georgiana's future. If I were to marry a wealthy woman not of the gentry, would the exchange be worth it? I do not believe so. For what connections would I gain but those that I already possess? Meanwhile my standing would be greatly diminished. I may even be ostracized by my family. Who knows how far ranging the impact of such a marriage would be? I am not willing to gamble on Georgiana's future in such a manner. A gentlewoman of small or no fortune would be more readily received."
"That is understandable. I know you will never compromise when it comes to Miss Darcy's happiness."
"It is of such import that my cousin Richard, who you will remember is Georgiana's guardian as well, has often joked I must get his blessing when I decide to wed. He is equally committed to her security so I just might do so." Mr. Darcy winked at Mr. Bingley to let him in on the joke.
Mr. Bingley noticed his sister blanch and she had a decidedly green tinge about her. Not only had Mr. Darcy resisted all her aspirations but she was also aware that Colonel Fitzwilliam loathed her – he found her pretentious and vulgar and did not tolerate her attempts to trade not only the Darcy name but that of the Fitzwilliams as well. But Mr. Bingley had little sympathy for Caroline's dashed hopes given her harsh reaction to his courtship. He thought it best to finish that he and Mr. Darcy had started, so he indicated Mr. Darcy should continue.
"I believe you are on the right course, Bingley. Miss Bennet is a respectable lady," Darcy said.
"But what of the connections of which you just spoke? Miss Bennet offers none." Miss Bingley was now desperate to get some resolution to her favor.
"Everything of which I spoke was specific to my situation. Bingley and I do not have the same requirements. The son of a tradesmen marrying a gentlewoman from a small estate is quite acceptable. Speaking of Miss Bennet, particularly, her character is far greater than any dowry she may possess. Only the most determined will be able to find fault with her kind and gracious nature, which will, in turn, ease Bingley's further admittance into society. His advancement may be slow, but it will be more secure. And while he may very well aspire to wife of higher status-"
"Which I do not!" Bingley interjected before Darcy could complete his thought.
"He would be seen as a grasping upstart and the ton would be ruthless. That would affect you by association. Of course, all of this is predicated on Bingley purchasing an estate. And who knows, he might just keep his hand in trade."
"No, no, no, no. I thought I told you I would not endure you retaining your interest in Father's holdings. You will ruin me. How is that securing my future? Do you not care for my happiness as Mr. Darcy cares for his sister?"
"There is a significant difference, my dear sister. Miss Darcy cares for her brother's happiness as well. Can you say the same? Now, if you will excuse us, we must prepare for dinner at Longbourn."
"I do not want to go to Longbourn," Caroline whined.
"How very fortunate then that you were not invited." Mr. Bingley strode from the room, leaving Mr. Darcy to follow.