~O~
Invitations
That most popular gentleman bowed to the ladies. 'Good afternoon,' he greeted them before addressing Lydia. 'Miss Lydia, please allow me to congratulate you on your perspicacity. Few people have ever seen through that scoundrel so quickly.'
'Thank you for your kind words, but much of the credit goes to our father. He has acted out for us many of the gambits which rakes employ to gain the favour of ladies. When papa demonstrated, it was fun and even funny. When Mr Wickham used the same words, I felt like I needed to rush home and have a bath.'
'It was his eyes,' commented Elizabeth. 'His charming smile never reached his eyes. They remained cold and calculating.'
'While Miss Lydia has routed him for the nonce, may I request that you never go out without an escort. Wickham tends to hold a grudge when he has been thwarted.'
Elizabeth glanced in the direction Denny and Wickham had departed and sighed. Turning her attention back to Darcy, she agreed, 'We rarely leave the house unaccompanied. With the militia stationed here, I think we will be even more careful.'
Unwilling to continue the direction of the conversation, Mary asked, 'Have you gentlemen come into Meryton for some shopping?'
Taking this opening, Bingley greeted the sisters and explained, 'We were on our way to Longbourn to deliver an invitation to a ball my sister and I are planning to host. We have been here for almost two months and our neighbours have been most generous with their invitations. We felt it was only right to reciprocate.' He handed the card to Elizabeth.
'It is most gracious of you to deliver the invitation in person, Mr Bingley. I believe that I can speak for my grandmother and my father when I say that we would be delighted to accept.'
Bingley beamed at her. 'I am looking forward to having your family's company that evening. But if you will excuse me, I have some more invitations to deliver.'
When Bingley looked questioningly at Darcy, that gentleman said, 'I think I had better continue to Longbourn to speak with Mr Bennet about Wickham.'
'Very well. I shall see you back at Netherfield,' Bingley replied as he mounted and with a cheery wave, rode off.
~O~
Once Bingley was gone, Elizabeth turned to Darcy. 'I must say, your timing was excellent. We were just thinking of returning home. Perhaps you would care to walk with me while my sisters take the carriage?'
Darcy could not help his smile as he enthusiastically agreed. That smile faded somewhat when Elizabeth suggested that one of the footmen who had accompanied them into Meryton could lead Darcy's horse behind them.
As they set off with Elizabeth lightly holding Darcy's arm, she teased, 'Mr Darcy, while it is most flattering, showing such feeling on learning we will be chaperoned, but it might give people the wrong idea about you.'
'And we must not give people a chance to think badly of me. At least not with Wickham in town.'
'Is he so very bad then?'
'He is, and I will happily explain his character once we see your father. For the moment I would much rather discuss more pleasant topics.'
'Did you have a specific topic in mind or shall we discuss books?'
'I shall most happily discuss whatever you wish with you, after you answer a question.'
'What is that important question?'
'Would you grant me the first set of dances at Bingley's ball?'
'Are you certain? You might give people the idea that you are interested in me.'
'Since it is true, I do not mind if everyone knows.'
'In that case, I shall be delighted to dance the first set with you.'
'Would you consider granting me the supper set as well?'
Elizabeth stopped, perforce halting Darcy as well, as she turned and looked up at him, searching his expression. The gentle, hopeful expression would have melted much harder hearts than hers. Responding with a shy smile of her own, she said without considering her words, 'I should be pleased to dance any set you wish with you.'
'Perhaps you could reserve the last set for any last-minute requests?'
Elizabeth coloured as she realised how forward her words must have seemed. 'Pardon me. I should not have said that. You are under no obligation…'
'Miss Elizabeth, given a choice, I would dance every set with you at that ball, but I have no wish to rush you. I wish to give you enough time to be certain of your feelings.'
Elizabeth could not resist asking, 'I thank you for being concerned for my feelings. But what of your own?'
While she had been half teasing in her question, she was stunned when Darcy replied, 'My own feelings are quite fixed. I have had weeks to learn about you and I cannot think of anyone with whom I would rather spend my life.' Noticing how flustered Elizabeth had become, Darcy offered, 'Now that you know how I feel, you can consider your feelings in the light of that knowledge.' He gestured towards the road. 'In the meantime, perhaps we should keep walking?'
'Thank you. You are most considerate.'
They resumed their walk. After a while Elizabeth said, 'Are you aware that marriage is a much more difficult decision for women? We have to leave our homes, our family and become completely dependent on the good will of our potential husband.'
'If you wish for a character reference, you could always ask my sister how much of a tyrant I am.'
Glancing up at him and seeing a teasing smile, Elizabeth felt a tension she had not realised before, draining out of her. 'I might just do that.'
~O~
While Elizabeth and Darcy were walking to Longbourn, Bingley was having tea at Lucas Lodge.
When he handed the invitation for the ball to Lady Lucas, she gushed, 'It is exceedingly kind of you to deliver this invitation in person. I had never expected such condescension from you.'
'It was my pleasure. I must confess that I had an ulterior motive.' Bingley turned to Charlotte who had prepared his tea just how he liked it without having to ask.
'Miss Lucas, I wanted to be certain that no one else had a chance to request the first set from you before I had a chance to do so.'
'You want to open your ball with me?' Charlotte asked in amazement. 'I expected that you would ask Miss Bennet. After all, you always seek out her company.'
'While it might appear that I do so, it is only because she is aways in your company. I have never yet managed to speak to you on your own. Even today I was afraid that she was visiting with you as she was not with her sisters.'
The ardent look Bingley directed at her caused Charlotte to colour, and she lowered her eyes. She nearly laughed at herself as she remembered advice she had given to Elizabeth one day about showing more feeling to a man to attract him. She had done none of that and yet, here was Mr Bingley, asking her for the first set.
'Miss Lucas,' he prompted when she did not answer.
The realisation that her heart was probably safe allowed her to lower her guard. As she raised her gaze a brilliant smile burst forth and she said, 'I would be utterly delighted to dance the first set with you.'
The smile and the look of wonderment in Charlotte's eyes made Bingley confident enough to ask, 'In that case may I have your supper set as well?'
Hardly able to believe her good fortune, Charlotte breathed, 'Oh yes.'
~O~
Elizabeth and Darcy arrived at Bennet Hall to find that the younger girls had already ordered tea in anticipation of their arrival.
They were joined by Mrs Bennet and Jane, who had completed her lessons for the day. Arrival of their tea coincided with the arrival of Mr Bennet and Collins.
The young man appeared quite subdued until he was introduced to Darcy. Then he became as voluble as was his wont. Confirming that the gentleman was indeed the nephew of his patroness, he burst into speech. 'Mr Darcy, it is indeed an honour to meet a nephew of my estimable patroness. I am certain that you will be pleased to know that she was in excellent health as of two days ago. And the exquisite Miss de Bourgh, your intended bride was also –'
'Stop, Mr Collins. While I appreciate knowing that my family is in good health, you should not go about spreading my aunt's ridiculous fantasies.' Darcy uttered his denial harsher than he had intended, but when he saw Elizabeth pale at the mention that Collins claimed an engagement to another, his protective instincts came to the fore.
Collins looked befuddled at the vehement denial. 'What fantasies?'
'Ever since my father died, my aunt spouts her fantasy that I will marry her daughter. You should know that my mother was against the match and so was my father. And more importantly neither my cousin nor I are interested in marriage – at least not to each other.'
'But your aunt claims it would be an excellent match, combining the great estates of Pemberley and Rosings.'
'Why would I wish to be saddled with an estate in Kent when Pemberley is in Derbyshire. It takes at least three days travel to go from one to the other, and then only if the roads are perfect. But as I said, neither Anne nor I are interested in combining the estates.'
'But –'
'Collins,' Bennet interjected. 'Darcy is an intelligent adult who knows his own mind. Leave it be.'
Collins at last seemed to realise that he had overstepped. 'My apologies, Mr Darcy. I become too focused on something which I had accepted as true that it is difficult to let it go. I meant no disrespect to you or Miss de Bourgh.'
'Apology accepted. You should keep in mind that Lady Catherine is as fallible as anybody. I also suggest that you should listen more to her daughter. In a few weeks she will turn five and twenty. At that point she will become the official mistress of Rosings.'
'Are you saying that Lady Catherine will no longer be the mistress of Rosings Park?'
'That is correct.'
'Od dear. What a shame,' exclaimed Collins, but his tone of voice belied the expressed sentiment.
Bennet suppressed a chuckle. Perhaps there was more to the man than he had thought.
~O~
Collins had gone to his room to pack. He had explained that now that he knew the truth of the entail, there was no need for him to remain. Instead, he was anxious to get back to his parishioners.
Once Collins had removed himself from their company, Darcy broached the topic of Wickham.
'Your ladies met an old acquaintance of mine when they were in Meryton. He has accepted a commission into the militia, and I hope that he is planning to turn his life around at last. But in case he tries to get up to his old tricks you should know about him.'
Darcy went on to explain his history with the son of Pemberley's former steward, who had been given every opportunity to succeed but had squandered everything. 'In the past he left a trail of debts and ruined girls.'
'Why are you telling us this?' Bennet asked.
'In case he has not reformed, I want the ladies to be aware that he is a rake as well as a fortune-hunter. And while none of you have admitted to it, I suspect that you are very well off… enough to tempt him.' When Bennet shrugged but did not deny his assumption, Darcy added. 'I also hope that you might suggest to the merchants to limit the credit they extend to the member of the militia. As a respected member of the community, your advice is more likely to be heeded.'
Bennet smiled at the compliment. 'You would do well enough if you approached them. But you are correct, nonetheless. The people here have known me all my life. I will speak to them tomorrow.'
'Thank you.' Suddenly Darcy grinned. 'Bennet, it has come to my attention that you do the most wonderful impressions of a rake. I have to congratulate you on your performances, as it has enabled Miss Lydia to recognise Wickham's true nature.'
'I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments as may be adapted to various occasions. I am pleased to learn that they were effective,' Bennet laughed.
Nothing would do but Lydia had to recount their encounter in detail to the amusements of the family members who had not been present.
~O~
Darcy returned to Netherfield, arriving soon after Bingley's return.
'Did you achieve what you set out to do?' Darcy asked, even though Bingley's cheerful countenance told its own story.
'Indeed. But it was something of a shock to the lady as she had thought my interest was elsewhere. But I was fortunate as she likes me anyhow.'
As they spoke, the butler came and handed a letter to Darcy. Excusing himself, he quickly scanned the missive. Looking back at Bingley, he grinned. 'I was going to write to Richard to inform him of Wickham's presence in Meryton, in the hope he was back in the country. I was hoping he could join us as Wickham's behaviour is usually more reliable when Richard is around to frighten the living daylights out of him.'
He waved the note. 'As luck would have it, Richaard is not only back but is requesting sanctuary.'
'Sanctuary?'
'It seems that grandmother wants him to accompany her on a visit to some cousins. Since he suspects that said cousin has daughters of marriageable age, he is looking for an excuse.'
'Is it not convenient that you do not even have to make up anything,' laughed Bingley in response to Darcy's explanation. 'You may inform your cousin that he is welcome here anytime and for as long as he likes. I shall go and inform Louisa that we will have another houseguest.'
'I hope it is not too much of an imposition. After all she is also planning a ball next week.'
'I doubt that it makes much of a difference. If you are concerned, you could always hire an extra maid to look after your cousin's needs.'
'I think it would be better if I tell him to bring his batman to look after him.'
'As you wish,' Bingley said good-naturedly and went off in search of his sister.
Darcy sat to write the invitation to Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam with an explanation about their nemesis and sent one of his own messengers to deliver it.
~O~
~O~
A Most Attentive Father (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2024
