He climbed out of bed around ten o'clock and threw on his robe and headed downstairs for some coffee. He was met by Bingley coming up the stairs carrying two large mugs of Coffee.
"I'll trade you some gingerbread for one of those mugs," Darcy said.
Bingley laughed, handing Darcy a mug. "I'm afraid I've already had a couple of bites. The smell was too much for me."
They sat at the table sipping and eating and chatting amiably.
"Did the bells disturb your sleep?"
Bingley laughed, "what bells? The last thing I remember is throwing my clothes off and sitting on the edge of the bed. Next thing I know, the sun is up and I'm starving."
Slyly, Darcy asked, "and did you dream?"
Bingley shook his head with a smile. "If I did dream it was probably about crusty bread and beef stew. I wonder if I can get the recipe?"
"I doubt there is a recipe. They've been serving that dish for decades and it's passed on from one chef to the next. "So Bingley, did you enjoy last night?"
Bingley thought for a long moment. At last he said, "I honestly can't remember when I've had so much fun. It's a pleasant experience to dine with people who are determined to enjoy themselves. Damned pleasant."
Darcy wasn't sure how he should reply so he remained silent and took a sip of his coffee. He suspected that Bingley had some problems at home but he would never pry.
"Most of the people you met last night are excellent men and I'm glad you enjoyed their company. They have varied backgrounds much like you and me. The one thing they have in common is their desire to take advantage of these four years of study which is precisely what drew me to them.
My friend Guy is working hard at his estate and isn't having much fun at the moment but he is the heir and he has no choice. Smith is a middle son so it will probably be the military for him. I will be taking responsibility for my own estate come next summer. I don't know what you plan to do with your life, Bingley, but you have four years to think about it and prepare yourself. So make the most of the next four years."
"I plan to, Bingley replied. "It was what my father wanted for me and I would never be able to sleep well if I failed him."
Darcy nodded. "We do have a debt to pay those who came before us."
At length, they separated to take their baths. Bingley was anxious to familiarize himself with the town and Darcy wanted nothing more than to relax with a book. They engaged to dine together that evening down at the square.
"So, Thomas," Darcy said, lowering himself into the tub, "did you enjoy your evening?"
"I did, sir...and James is a pleasant companion and a fountain of information."
Darcy frowned, "I trust he is not indiscreet."
"He was very open about Mr. Bingley. He admires his young master and is quite fond of him; he's been looking after him for the past twelve years. When it came to describing Mr. Bingley's two sisters and his brother-in-law he grew quite reticent."
"And how did you wheedle yourself past this reticence?"
"I explained just who you are."
Darcy eyed his manservant, "and who am I?"
"Why, sir, you have ten thousand a year and own all of Derbyshire and half of London."
"Thomas! you didn't." Darcy sat up and laughed so hard the water began to splash over the sides of the tub.
Thomas threw a couple of towels on the floor quickly and began wiping up the overflow. "Well, sir, perhaps I have exaggerated in the retelling of our conversation. But I did impress upon him that it would not do if you were embroiled in any scandal resulting from your taking Mr. Bingley in as a roommate. You had to fully trust him and his family. That did the trick."
"So, what did you learn?"
"The main characters are his eldest sister, Louise, who is married to a Mr. Hurst. The next eldest is a sister by the name of Caroline. Then there is the baby in the family, Mr. Bingley. There is also an aunt who lives on a small estate in Shropshire. She is the eldest sister of the late Mr. Bingley who purchased the estate for her and which will come to Mr. Bingley upon her death.
"Who is Mr. Hurst?"
There's nothing much to say about that man beyond the fact that he brought to the marriage some twenty thousand pounds which together with the twenty thousand that Miss Louisa inherited gives them quite a comfortable life. He owns a townhouse in London. His fondness for food and drink are legend. And when he isn't eating or drinking, he plays cards."
"And his wife, Louisa?"
"Mrs. Hurst likes to wear a lot of bracelets and enjoys clinking and tinkling them."
"Good grief."
"Yes, sir.
Thomas handed Darcy a towel as he stepped from the tub, then helped him on with his robe.
"And what of the youngest daughter? Darcy asked. "Miss Caroline."
"According to James, Miss Caroline is autocratic and at times, despotic. She and Mr. Bingley live with the Hursts until Mr. Bingley purchases a townhouse. The servants pray daily for the time when Caroline will leave the Hurst home. Louisa is a kind mistress, but like her brother, she doesn't like to cross her sister, and Mr. Hurst prefers to concentrate on food, drink and cards, so he isn't any help."
"So, Darcy said,"we have a lamb, a silly goose, a sloth and a boa constrictor. Quite a menagerie. But what happened yesterday that frazzled the lamb? I suspect it had something to do with the snake."
"Mr. Bingley had all his trunks loaded on his carriage the night before ready to leave for Cambridge early yesterday morning. Unfortunately, during the night, Mr. Hurst went out on the town and after drinking for several hours and over the strenuous objections of his driver, decided that he would drive the carriage home. He lost a wheel taking a corner too sharply and overturned the carriage causing some serious damage. It's a wonder he didn't kill someone."
"Thomas, before you conclude this preposterous story, would you get us some coffee? My brain is spinning."
Darcy followed his valet out to the tiny kitchen and retrieved the cheese from the small pantry and cut some bread and cheese and placed it on a plate which he brought to the table. As he waited forThomas to return, he mulled over what he had heard so far. With a family like this was it any wonder that Bingley lacked self-assurance? And how did this sister Caroline come to be so domineering...she sounded more like his aunt Catherine than the daughter of a tradesman.
Darcy wondered what this Miss Caroline Bingley looked like? She had to be beautiful to be so full of herself...then again there was Aunt Catherine...
WhenThomas returned with the coffee Darcy waved him to a chair and pushed the plate of bread and cheese towards his valet. He allowed him a few bites before demanding he finish the story.
Thomas took a swallow of coffee before continuing. "Well, you can just imagine the turmoil this news provoked. According to James, Caroline was in a rage. The Hursts only have one carriage and she was not about to hire a hack to carry her about town. She wouldn't be caught dead riding in a cheap hack! What would people think? No, she wasn't having any part of it. There was only one answer to this dilemma. Charles must hire a hack and leave his carriage behind for her use."
"Incredible!" Darcy was fascinated. He had never heard such a tale. That a woman would treat the head of her family with such disrespect was beyond the pale. "Does Mr. Bingley give her an allowance?"
"Yes, and a generous one."
"Incredible. Did Mr. Bingley argue with her?"
"He tried to reason with her, but to no avail. Finally he gave up and gave orders to unload the carriage. He sent two drivers to rent a couple of hacks, one for the luggage and one for himself. A mile outside of London the hack he was riding in broke a wheel. He sent the luggage on to Cambridge and he and the other driver walked back to London and hired another hack."
"And Mr. Bingley arrives as a worn and frazzled man. I think I would not like to meet this woman. She sounds terrifying."
"Oh sir, I'm sure there's no woman in all of England you couldn't tame if you put your mind to it."
Darcy laughed, "I rather hope I'm never put to the test. I don't suppose James told you what this Miss Caroline looks like."
"I asked that very same thing, Sir, imagining her to be a tall Grecian goddess. According to James, she's tall and bony with jet black hair which she wears in tiny curls that frame her bony face. She also holds her head high with her nose pointed towards the ceiling while looking down at her victim."
"Thomas! Stop this." Darcy was laughing so hard he could hardly speak. "I don't believe a word of it."
Thomas grinned broadly "James also said that Miss Bingley holds her head so high she can't see the floor and is constantly tripping over her bony feet."
"Enough!" Darcy gasped. "Get out of here this minute."
"Yes, Sir. But are you sure you don't want a description of Mr. Hurst?"
"Out!"
He spent the next few hours wrapped in a biography of Benedict Arnold. He was so engrossed in his reading that he hardly acknowledged Bingley when he returned carrying several packages. He was followed by his valet who carried a wicker basket full of treats, wine and brandy. James placed the liquor behind the bar and added some treats to the baskets. The rest of the foodstuffs he put into the pantry where it would stay cool for two or three days.
That night Darcy and Bingley dined at a small cafe on the square. "I understand you're in the market for a townhouse in London."
"Yes. I've looked at several...but none of them has been deemed suitable."
"Exactly what are you looking for?"
Bingley shrugged. "I thought I knew, but now I'm not sure."
"I understand that you live with your eldest sister and her husband."
"Yes, but it's really not the best arrangement. Louise and Hurst don't entertain much...they prefer to be entertained. And my sister Caroline wants to be mistress of my home. She likes to entertain...she wants to take her place in society."
"I see," Darcy said. Indeed, he did. Caroline Bingley was a nobody who wanted to be somebody. And there was only one way a tradesman's daughter could rise in society and that was to marry well. Very well. Darcy made a mental note to avoid this lady like the plague.
Bingley leaned over and almost whispered, "she wants to join Almack's. Can you believe that?"
Darcy smiled at his young friend, "no, I can't, and I suggest you dissuade her from even trying. If she failed her interview with the patroness's of Almack's she would be blackballed. They're tyrants and despots. I wouldn't put it past them to bar the King of England if he showed up in trousers instead of knee breeches.
Bingley sighed, "I've heard the stories. She wouldn't have a chance, but she won't listen to reason."
"Well, first things first. I have an agent in London who could help you out in the purchase of a townhouse, if you'd like, I can contact him."
"I'd like that very much!"
"Then let's plan on it. During the holidays we'll scout around and I'm sure we'll find exactly what you want. And Bingley, here's a thought. Why not make it a surprise for Caroline. It would make an ideal Christmas present, don't you think?"
Bingley stared at Darcy for a long moment, then smiled broadly. "You're a very clever man, Mr. Darcy."
"Thank you, Mr. Bingley," Darcy replied.