"I truly did not need to know that Richard."
"I figured it was only fair since I asked you and you do not need to answer by the way since I already know the answer. It has been so long that you have no idea, but it has been over a year." Richard glanced at Darcy and quipped, "So more than one? Several years? Not good, Darce for you having to deal with the Ton's marriage mart that is not a good way to keep your head clear."
"If this is the big problemsss you mentioned this discussion is over." He said drawing out the s to emphasize the plural s of problems.
"No, just a preliminary warm up and I am afraid I accidentally added another layer to the mess you are in. The story you told me about Bingley and how you recently rescued him from a woman who only wanted him for his money, was that by any chance Miss Elizabeth's sister?"
"Yes, but do I want to know why?"
"Because earlier today I came across Miss Elizabeth looking distressed after reading a letter. I inquired if there was anything I could do to assist and at first, she was hesitant to discuss anything that might betray her sister's privacy. We talked for a while longer and I told her how I was always my sister Annebelle's confidant and source of information on how a man's mind worked before she married. That and as a commanding officer I am big brother, Uncle and general confidant slash confessor to over ten years of young men and their problems from home or romance. The letter was from her older sister Jane. The first interesting piece of news about it was a bit of a shock that I meant to discuss with you regardless. Apparently, your good friend Charles Bingley's harpy of sister is spreading the word that he is soon to be engaged and wed to my little cousin and your sister. Being as I am also vested with the honor of being her guardian and having the responsibility of approving her future husband it came as a bit of a shock. Is there a reason I am hearing about this betrothal in this manner? I would think after the near fiasco with Wickham last year that you had her with a companion with authentic references this time. So, what is going on? Last time you talked me out of gutting that worm Wickham but seeing as we are back in a similar situation who am I killing? Bingley? Admittedly the man is worse than a bee in summer fluttering from blossom to blossom. Sorry I forgot he calls them angels. He is such a young pup I feel like a bully calling him out. Still my other choices then would be you my cousin for letting his sister be led astray again in less than a year or that vulgar parrot Bingley calls a sister. There has to be special rules for calling out a woman. Wonder where I find them? Do I still need a second? Does it have to be a woman? Miss Elizabeth would be a wonder at it I am sure. Of course, Bingley's sister such a dragon taking her out is more pest control. Weapons, I would think…'
"Fitz, Fitzwilliam, FOCUS!"
"You know if you have a problem with the Bennet family, they must be quite something considering the behavior of the family and friends that you find acceptable." There was a noise arising from Darcey's direction. "Sorry chap going to have to repeat that it did not come across as something I could understand. Too many rifles and cannons pounding in my ears over the years if you know what I mean."
"The answer is Caroline Bingley; she has finally gone too far this time. I have talked to Charles multiple times and he knows I will not marry her. Even if she tries a compromise again, I will not marry her but, dragging Georgiana into it crosses the line. However, I believe that the best person to deliver the death blow is your Mother. Aunt Julia can effectively kill her socially the best. She has had this delusion that she is the perfect choice for the next Mistress of Pemberly and join into a level of society she would never have been accepted into regardless. Charles marrying Georgiana is new addition to her plans. Apparently, you have details I am unaware of."
"Try a compromise again Darcy? This is the type of woman that you frequently allow to spend time with Georgiana. We really need to discuss this after all these other problems clear out, I am starting to think that you really do need a wife. But that is for later, back on today's issues. The day after the ball that Charles's threw in the Bennet's hometown Miss Jane Bennet received a goodbye note from Miss Bingley. In addition to stating that the entire party had disembarked for London for an indefinite amount of time if not permanently, the note also alluded to the future close relationship between your sister and her brother. Miss Elizabeth at least at the time, was sure that this was just an attempt by Miss Bingley to discourage Miss Elizabeth's sister after Charles Bingley had spent the preceding months paying an inordinate amount of attention to said sister. Smart, smart woman by the way. Unfortunately, I had already mentioned your part in separating Charles recently from one of his angels. Even though she hid it quickly I could tell that Miss Elizabeth was both markedly not surprised or happy to hear it confirmed. Luckily, the impression I had was neither Miss Elizabeth not her sister had mentioned the happy news of Georgina's betrothal to anyone else so Georgie's reputation may have escaped harm, again. Got to quit making a habit of Georgie being almost engaged to unsuitable men. I thought was why she had a companion to avoid this sort of thing not encourage it. I will admit Charles is an improvement over Wickham even with his reptilian sister. You were always better at this stuff than I was, are dragons reptiles? Anyway, we may not be as lucky next time, so this almost engaged trend needs to stop."
"Dragons are not real so how could they be categorized as being reptiles or not. For that matter Georgiana was never engaged or even almost engaged to Charles that was all in Miss Dragon, now you have me doing it. It was all in Miss Reptile, damn it Fitz, Miss Bingley's fervent imagination. The two older Bennet sisters can be trusted not to spread gossip as I have said previously both of the older two sisters are all that is good. They are frequently referred to by the entire town as being the gems of the county. Though Elizabeth to me is the handsomest women I know the elder sister is considered the greater beauty."
"So, this beauty is what? Mean to small children and kicks dogs? Clumsy and trips over her own feet or just dumb as most of the really beautiful ones are? Apparently, there are flaws to her that you felt it necessary to part her and Charles after he was inclined to marry her rather than flitting off to another flower, no I mean angel."
"No, none of that. I already told you, she is kind, quite graceful but she cannot match her sister in intellect, but few can. There are five sisters, no brothers and the estate is entailed to that Parson cousin plus they have no dowries to any respectable amount. Their Mother is loud, rude, and obsessed with marrying her daughters off, preferably to rich men who can then put their sisters in the way of other rich men. Also, the Mother's brother is in trade, he founded, and owns Gardenier's Import and the brother-in-law is the town's Attorney."
"Her mother sounds familiar I think I have seen her. Every season, at every dreadful ball my Mother drags both of us to. Gardenier, I know him." He perked up at this point, "If you ever get off your high horse, you would like the man. He is a shrewd businessman who is impeccably honest and plays a mean game of chess with the best sources for remarkeably superb brandy. Even Pater has been investing with him. Helped me make a good sum towards that retirement I mentioned. Good man. Mum and the Aunt are also involved in the same excellent but unfashionable and boring charities."
"Fitz, Fitzwilliam, FOCUS!"
"Sorry and?"
"Miss Bennet smiles too much. The night of the ball I watched her as she danced with her other partners and she smiled at all of them. Her Mother had been saying for weeks how she expected a wedding with Charles as the anticipated groom."
"So, when you talked with her, she showed no actual interest in Charles or you overheard her making cruel jests about his inability to control his dragon sister. You saw her flirt with other men. Bingley's sister has heard tales of her bad behavior. The married one not the other one she would have forked tongue. I would not trust a word out of her mouth even Good Morning."
"No, none of that. Even the Bingley sisters know she never says anything unkind about anyone. I talked to her twice for a few minutes and she did not question me about Charles. She is always calm and passive never showing any sign that she is enamored of him. If Charles were to propose she would accept even though she obviously does not love him because that is what her Mother would expect her to do. So, I had to break it to Charles that his affections are one sided and he should look elsewhere for a better bride."
"So, you actually talked to her, twice even, for more than one minute. I admire your dedicated sleuthing. From what you had said previously I am surprised Charles needs the money, but I imagine all that orange his sister goes through gets expensive even if it is ugly. If he still has enough blunt left he could also invest with their Uncle. He still has the dragon to contend with but maybe we could…"
"Fitz, Fitzwilliam, as far as I know his finances are fine. Why would you think that?"
"You mentioned a better bride, so money is the first thing that came to mind. She is gentry and he is not. Any family higher in society would not want the ties to trade he has or would only overlook it for money. Are the Bennets in financial trouble or is the Father a drunk reprobate?"
"No, other than the entail and little dowries, I have not heard of any financial issues. Mr. Bennet, I discovered was a Don at Oxford prior to his older brother dying in a carriage accident and he still has some connections there. He is more interested in his library than his land so while the estate is solvent it could be better managed. I get your point; she does rank higher than him socially. Before you ask, I do not know of any scandals associated with the family either. Still Charles was in love with her and she did not love him."
"Was?"
"Is and the last time he wrote he is still mourning the loss which is hard to see in such a jovial soul. Tis a cruel thing."
"Yes, splitting a couple truly in love is a cruel thing for you to do indeed. Are you up to hearing the other side of this tale? It does paint a different picture than the one you have presented."
"I do not see how you could come to a different conclusion. Let me hear this other version of yours."
"When I mentioned coming upon Miss Elizabeth earlier a better description of her state was weeping over Miss Jane's epistle. The sisters are remarkably close, so her sister's heartbreak is very distressing to her. Mrs. Collins as you are probably aware of from your stay at Netherfield has known both their entire lives and the families are quite close as well. It is well known in Meryton that both sisters are impractical as Mrs. Collins puts it, having professed from an early age that that they will only marry for love. Mrs. Collins worries about both sisters with one being so outspoken whereas the elder Jane because of her shyness has had heart broken by the first man who ever stirred her heart so the man deserted her. She failed to follow Mrs. Collin's advice though she was Miss Lucas at the time. Of course, you knew that since you met her as Miss Lucas but her becoming Mrs. Collins happened…"
"Fitz, Fitzwilliam, FOCUS!"
"Right, Mrs. Collin's advice to be less genteel and instead run the risk of being considered less of a lady by letting her feelings show. Miss Bennet is naturally very shy so even though she had strong feelings for our friend her reserved manner may not have been obvious to someone who did not know her. I had not thought about it much before, but we do put the ladies in an impossible situation. If a woman does not let her interest show, then a man considers her cold and loses interest but if she shows any interest beyond what is considered proper, she is gossiped about and called wanton. When I come to think about it Annebeth,"
"Fitz, Fitzwilliam, FOCUS!"
