Darcy simply had to get away from Netherfield.
The previous day he had been polite and had spent the day with his hosts. This had proved to be an ordeal since Miss Bingley had been in a snit because her brother had danced twice with Miss Jane Bennet at the assembly the night before. Darcy had to endure endless complaints and snide remarks about the inhabitants of Meryton in general and Miss Bennet in particular.
While he agreed with Miss Bingley that the locals were rustic and unsophisticated, it was unacceptable for the daughter of a tradesman to complain about and insult members of the gentry.
Darcy himself had only attended because Miss Bingley had wanted to keep him company if he remained behind at Netherfield. He regretted accepting Bingley's invitation almost as soon as he stepped foot into the ballroom. Within minutes the locals were discussing he putative income and he was certain that every matchmaking matron in the county was about to throw her daughters into his path.
Bingley had not helped matters by urging him to dance when he was thoroughly disinclined to do so. After all, he could ill afford to give consequence to any of the mushrooms since they were sure to misinterpret his condescension and raise their expectations.
It was a pity because the young woman with whom Bingley had wanted him to dance had been uncommonly pretty… perhaps not as classically beautiful as her sister with whom Bingley was enamoured, but her intelligent and expressive eyes were exceedingly fine.
This morning he could no longer tolerate Miss Bingley's rantings and had decided to go for a ride.
Darcy could have accompanied Bingley, who was planning on visiting some of their neighbours, but pleasant as Bingley today he needed some solitude to regain his composure.
Feeling the cool wind in his hair helped to cool his temper. He was positively cheerful by the time he came into the High Street of Meryton… a destination which was completely unplanned. But since he was in the market town, Darcy thought he would see if he could find a trinket which his sister might enjoy.
As he ambled along, looking for likely shops, he tipped his hat to some of the locals who were engaged on errands along the street. After several such courtesies, he wondered if there was an issue with the eyesight of the community since none of them returned his greeting.
When he spotted a haberdasher's shop, he put aside his musings and dismounted, tying his horse to a convenient post. As he approached the door, a well-dressed matron exited the shop. Darcy politely stepped aside and raised his hat. The only response was a cold look as the lady turned her back on him and walked off. Darcy's eyes followed her, and his brows furrowed at the unusual reaction. After a moment he shook himself, thinking that perhaps the lady was reluctant to reply as they had not been introduced.
He noticed that a woman, whom he assumed to be the haberdasher, had escorted the lady to the door and was now looking at him with an equally cold expression. Undeterred, Darcy made to enter the shop, only to have the door closed in his face, and the bolt shot home.
'What the hell is going on in this benighted town?' he muttered.
Since the question was rhetorical, he was surprised to hear a quiet chuckle behind him. When he turned around, Darcy saw a man of about fifty years of age giving him a sardonic smile.
'I do not know how things are done wherever you come from, but in this benighted town, as you call it, gentlemen do no insult ladies and expect to be treated with respect.'
'What?' spluttered Darcy.
'Even my wife, who is the most relentless matchmaker, has not the slightest interest in you. Let me see if I can remember exactly what she said.' The man grinned as he added in a falsetto voice, 'I beg you would not put it into Lizzy's head to be vexed by his ill-treatment, for he is such a disagreeable man that it would be quite a misfortune to be liked by him. But I can guess how it was; everybody says that he is eat up with pride. Another time, Lizzy, I would not dance with him, if I were you.'
The man's sardonic grin widened even more. 'In case you are wondering. The Lizzy to whom she referred is the lady whom you found only tolerable. This tolerable lady is also my favourite daughter.'
Bennet gave a satisfied chuckle as he turned his back on Darcy. The shocked expression had been a joy to behold. He wondered how the rest of his campaign was progressing.
~~NAN~~
Instead of attempting to shop, Darcy returned to Netherfield in a daze. How could these country bumpkins cut a man of his consequence?
Admittedly, his manners had been not quite up to the standard which he employed in town, but people should not have listened in on his private conversation with Bingley.
When Darcy arrived back at Netherfield, he encountered an equally as puzzled Bingley.
'I do not understand it. I visited six families today and none of them were at home.'
Darcy had a suspicion but only suggested, 'you have not been here long enough to know the habits of your neighbours. They might have had some event planned of which you are unaware.'
Bingley brightened. 'You are probably correct. I expect I will find out about it tomorrow, when I call on Miss Bennet again.'
~~NAN~~
The residents at Netherfield had barely finished their breakfast, when an unexpected visitor arrived.
'Mr Phillips, it is good to see you. Are you here to see if we have settled in?' Bingley asked amiably after they had exchanged greetings.
''I am sorry, Mr Bingley but I have not. I am here at the request of Netherfield Park's owner, to recommend that you cancel the lease,' the solicitor said and pursed his lips as if to ensure that he would not utter his personal opinion.
'Cancel the lease?' exclaimed Bingley. 'We only just arrived. Why would I want to leave?'
'Your landlord thought that you would prefer the company in town.'
'I can assure you that I have found the company exceedingly pleasant. I met the most wonderful people at the assembly the other night.'
Phillips shook his head and sighed. 'Mr Bingley, while you might have found the company pleasant, the rest of your party made it abundantly clear that they disapproved of your neighbours.'
'Surely not.' Bingley exclaimed as he looked around the room, only to see the disdainful expression on his sisters' countenance and embarrassment on Darcy's face, which reminded him of the tolerable comment his friend had uttered. While he might not be the most astute man, Bingley made the connection and asked, 'was that why no one was home yesterday when I called on my neighbours?'
'Yes, Mr Bingley. Your neighbours were busy petitioning your landlord to evict the unmannered cits,' Phillips explained with a pointed look at Darcy.
Darcy bristled. 'I can assure you that I am a gentleman —' he barked only to be interrupted.
'You certainly do not act like one,' was Phillips' curt rejoinder which caused Darcy's mouth to snap shut.
Miss Bingley had listened in disbelief to the conversation. She now cut in. 'How dare you insult Mr Darcy,' she exclaimed in shrill tones.
'I speak nought but the truth. Your neighbours are gentry… unlike yourself. They had been prepared to welcome you and allow you to become one of their community. But they refuse to be insulted and denigrated by newcomers.' Phillips shrugged and suggested, 'you might as well leave since you will be shunned by everyone in the community.'
Miss Bingley sneered, 'I cannot believe that a mercenary shrew like Mrs Bennet will agree with you.'
'My sister was one of the first to make the request. She will not allow anyone to disrespect her daughters… especially not some social climbing harpy or some stuck-up prig.' He gave a deprecating smile. 'Those were her words, not mine.'
Bingley's shoulders slumped. 'I presume you have brought papers for me to sign?'
~~NAN~~
After the party from Netherfield returned to London, Caroline Bingley was torn between confusion that Mrs Bennet had not schemed to entrap her brother into marriage with her daughter despite their wealth, and anger at being ousted by a bunch of uppity mushrooms.
Bingley was briefly saddened that he could not spend more time with Miss Bennet, but it was not long before he met another angel.
Darcy was haunted by dreams of sparkling eyes and wondered if he had missed an opportunity for happiness.
~~NAN~~