Chapter 13 – The Day After

1811

The next day was one of general tiredness in the Bennet household. Mr Collins announced he intended to go to "his dear Charlotte" but Elizabeth informed him that the Lucases almost always joined them after a ball to discuss it and as they had even more to discuss this time with the engagement, that the probability of their arriving as soon as visiting hours opened was very high, so he may as well wait.

Jane found a private moment with Elizabeth and enquired "I saw you dancing with Mr Darcy - you must tell me how that came about!" Her sister sighed. "I was in conversation with Charlotte when I was suddenly addressed by Mr Darcy, who applied for my hand. I could not think of an excuse quickly enough and, as I did not wish to sit out the rest of the dances, I had to dance with him!" Jane looked at her sympathetically "Was it very painful? I know how you dislike the man."

"He spoke not one word to me that I did not drag out of him." replied Elizabeth, "That man! I do not know why he asked me to dance when he doesn't even want to talk to me. Charlotte insists I am being a simpleton and he must be interested in me. But why would I even want a man that I am determined to hate to be interested in me!" Jane patted her hand in sympathy.

"Mr Bingley said he is off to London today for some very important business", she added. Elizabeth stopped still for a moment, then she spoke "Do you think…" Jane smiled "I think, perhaps…" Elizabeth hugged her.

A servant brought a note to Jane. She opened it and when a confused look came across her face, Elizabeth enquired as to what it contained. "It is a note from Caroline" replied Jane. "I will read it to you".

'When my brother left us, he imagined that the business which took him to London might be concluded in three or four days; but as we are certain it cannot be so, and at the same time convinced that when Charles gets to town he will be in no hurry to leave it again, we have determined on following him thither, that he may not be obliged to spend his vacant hours in a comfortless hotel. Many of my acquaintance are already there for the winter: I wish I could hear that you, my dearest friend, had any intention of making one in the crowd, but of that I despair. I sincerely hope your Christmas in Hertfordshire may abound in the gaieties which that season generally brings, and that your beaux will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling the loss of the three of whom we shall deprive you.'

Jane dropped her hands and commented to Elizabeth, "What a very strange note. Mr Bingley certainly said to me that he would be in town for a few days but would definitely be returning after. I can only assume that Caroline has misunderstood him. How embarrassing for her when her brother will turn around and come straight back in a day or so." Elizabeth still had her eyes on the note in Jane's hands. "There is a second side, Jane". Jane looked back at the note and turned it over. "So there is".

'Mr. Darcy is impatient to see his sister; and to confess the truth, we are scarcely less eager to meet her again. I really do not think Georgiana Darcy has her equal for beauty, elegance, and accomplishments; and the affection she inspires in Louisa and myself is heightened into something still more interesting from the hope we dare to entertain of her being hereafter our sister. I do not know whether I ever before mentioned to you my feelings on this subject, but I will not leave the country without confiding them, and I trust you will not esteem them unreasonable. My brother admires her greatly already; he will have frequent opportunity now of seeing her on the most intimate footing; her relations all wish the connection as much as his own; and a sister's partiality is not misleading me, I think, when I call Charles most capable of engaging any woman's heart. With all these circumstances to favour an attachment, and nothing to prevent it, am I wrong, my dearest Jane, in indulging the hope of an event which will secure the happiness of so many?'

The two sisters stared at each other for a moment, dumbfounded, then Jane broke the silence. "Well!" said Jane, "either Mr Bingley is the worst rake we have ever met, and having dealt with the aftermath of Edgar Hankin, that is a high bar to pass, or Caroline is completely mistaken in her understanding! But time will tell. Either he will return, or he will not".

Elizabeth bit her lip and said, "There is a third interpretation, I fear".

Confusion crossed Jane's face. She eventually replied, "I do not have the pleasure of understanding you?"

Elizabeth pressed her lips together, then said "It may be that Miss Bingley well knows her brother's partiality to you and is actively working against it."

Jane, for once, did not have a smile on her face. "But... if his family is fixed against me, how can I accept him?"

"You must decide for yourself," said Elizabeth; "and if, upon mature deliberation, you find that the misery of disobliging his two sisters is more than equivalent to the happiness of being his wife, I advise you, by all means, to refuse him."

"How can you talk so?" said Jane, faintly smiling; "you must know, that, though I should be exceedingly grieved at their disapprobation, I could not hesitate." and then she continued "so we shall see if he returns or not. That will tell us much."

~~ HoL ~~

In London, Mr Bingley returned to his townhouse from his club after being surprised to receive a note from his sisters informing him that they had arrived.

"Caroline, Louisa, Hurst! What on earth are you doing in L-", Bingley then stared in utter surprise as he saw his friend Darcy also seated in the sitting room. "Darcy! How unexpected to see you here!" He looked around with concern. "What has gone wrong?" he asked, "Did Netherfield burn down in the brief time since I left?"

Miss Bingley took his arm, "No, Netherfield is fine", she said and led him to a seat. She delayed by serving him tea, to which the group had just been sitting down.

Eventually, she sighed and said, "Charles, we are concerned about you".

"Me?" Mr Bingley asked somewhat bewildered, "Why would you be concerned about me?"

Caroline continued, "We are concerned that you seem to have formed a tendre for Miss Bennet. Dear Jane is a sweet girl but she's not a suitable marriage prospect. We have come to ensure you understand your situation."

Mr Bingley's face closed down and he crossed his arms "Miss Bennet is a complete angel, and I will not hear a word said against her"

Caroline turned to him and replied seriously "I have an excessive regard for Jane Bennet, - she is really a very sweet girl, - and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it."

"No" was Mr Bingley's simple reply, backed up by the obstinate expression on his face.

"Charles", Caroline remonstrated with him, "You yourself have heard them say they have an uncle who is an attorney in Meryton, and another who lives somewhere in Cheapside. With such low connections she simply cannot be in consideration."

"If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside," cried Bingley, "it would not make them one jot less agreeable."

Caroline began to feel frustrated "Think what these odious connections will do to my marriage prospects!" she cried, with a side eye for Darcy.

Mr Bingley leaned forward. "Caroline, you are two and twenty. If you have not found a husband by now with the circles we move in, I do not think my choice in wife will make any difference."

Then he sat back and looked between his sisters and continued, "But of what are you talking? Our father was in trade! Most of our relatives are still in trade! Can you not see you are the pot calling the kettle black?"

Caroline looked shocked. "How dare you!" she cried, "We have moved on from trade! We are not associated with it!"

Charles laughed at her, "Oh sweet Caroline, you need to look around you with your eyes open wider. It takes more than one generation to get away from the stench of trade. Darcy is my friend, and I am ever surprised by it as I am sure his relatives tell him to stop associating with 'that tradesman'." He paused and looked at Mr Darcy, "Thank you for your friendship, by the way, Darce".

Darcy gave a short nod in acknowledgement.

Mr Bingley continued on "But a marriage to Miss Bennet would raise our standing, not reduce it. She is gentry. We are not, no matter how you might like to delude yourself, Caroline. I am well aware you would like me to aim higher, but I will marry where it makes me happy, not where it gives you airs and graces".

Caroline sputtered but was not stymied. "But her family! The mother is the worst sort. She will be ever on our doorstep. Can you see us putting up with her in our home on a daily basis?"

Charles shook his head sadly, "Caro, Netherfield is only intended to be a temporary home. We are tenants. Certainly, I might decide to buy it", he looked at her a little angrily, "apparently it's so convenient to London that the residents can come here at the drop of a hat!" then continued on, "But if the environs of Netherfield are not to my liking in the long run, I will simply leave and make my purchase elsewhere."

Mr Darcy then coughed and broke in, "Charles, if it were me, it would be an unacceptable marriage down. There is almost no money and no useful connections."

At this Bingley scoffed "Can't imagine what you need more money and connections for, Darcy!"

Darcy stopped with a slow blink, but then continued almost as if he hadn't heard Mr. Bingley," The lack of money and connections are not such a concern to you. The links to trade are no worse than you already have, and Miss Bennet's status would raise yours, as her father is a gentleman and the family have been landed for many generations. But… Charles, here is the nub. At the ball I observed Miss Bennet carefully. Her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging as ever, but without any symptom of peculiar regard. She received your attentions with no more pleasure than she did that of any other partner she had, she did not invite them by any participation of sentiment. I am concerned that the mother would force her to accept any proposal she was given and that she does not love you. There is no sign of it."

"What?" cried Charles, "No, surely you are wrong! Miss Bennet is much attached to me!"

Caroline finally seeing some success made her point, "Charles, they have no money to speak of. It's quite clear that the mother is throwing her daughters at any rich man she can. Did you hear Mrs Bennet at the ball? She was boasting that you and Jane were all but engaged, and that you would then be able to put her other daughters in the paths of rich men. She does not care for you, only for your money. It's quite clear." She turned to her sister, "Tell him, Louisa!"

Mrs Hurst looked distraught, "Miss Bennet is a dear, sweet girl, but…", she sighed, "I am not convinced she will bring any benefit to the family. Once their father is dead, they will have nothing, the estate will be gone and if the sisters have not already married well, they will be unable to. The mother must work to marry her daughters wherever she can, but that does not have to be us!" Her face twisted in conflict, "But Miss Bennet is a good girl, I like her very much."

Darcy nodded and continued the thread, "I must agree. These estates with no son to inherit are always a problem when the father dies - it will be broken up to be split amongst the daughters and most of its value with be lost. You've already raised expectations in the neighbourhood there - I think you should not return. It is for the best as I would not see you in a loveless marriage".

Hurst coughed and cut in. He looked Bingley in the eye. "Follow your own heart, man! You will regret the choice either way. May as well be your own choice, not someone else's." He harrumphed and got up and left the room, unimpressed with all of them.

Everyone's eyes followed Hurst out of the room, then Charles looked from Caroline to Louisa to Darcy, one after another, and then burst out laughing. He laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair. The others looked on in concern and confusion. Eventually Mr Bingley calmed down enough to talk, whereupon he said "My friends, I thank you for your concern, but I think I will continue with my current plans. I am in London to arrange a marriage settlement with my attorney and will return to Hertfordshire to propose to my Jane, err, Miss Bennet when it is ready. I can safely assure you that Miss Bennet would not be marrying me for my fortune. She felt the need at the ball to ensure I knew something that is not common knowledge: She is the Heiress of Longbourn!"

With that, he stood up and left the house to return to his club, not wanting to be in their company for another moment, and leaving a stunned party behind him. His business was swiftly concluded and two days later he left London for Hertfordshire.

A/N Haha! I've managed the confrontation scene I always wanted to see, where Charles throws all of their arguments back in their faces. Mind you, the plot line did remove the valid "but the younger sisters are terrible flirts who will bring shame on the family" making it easier for him. I sometimes wonder why Jane took Bingley back in canon!