Page 6 of A Forced Marriage
Lydia sighed dreamily. "I wonder which of us will catch Mr. Bingley's eye first."
Kitty giggled. "Or Mr. Darcy's!"
"Let us not get ahead of ourselves. We know very little about them yet." Elizabeth, trying to temper their enthusiasm with a dose of realism, added.
Mr. Collins, not to be outdone, proclaimed, "I must say, I am fortunate to have such delightful cousins who will be at the assemblies and to meet the many wonderful ladies of Meryton who will attend too. Lady Catherine always asserts that a clergyman's wife should be of good character and sound judgment. I am confident that I shall find such qualities here."
"Indeed, Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine's opinions seem to be most enlightening. I have no doubt that among the fine ladies of Meryton, you shall find one who meets her exacting standards and perhaps even your own." Mr. Bennet, with a twinkle in his eye, replied.
Elizabeth, catching her father's subtle jest at Mr. Collins, endeavoured to stifle a laugh. Mrs. Bennet, observing this display, cast a disapproving glance in her direction, which effectively suppressed Elizabeth's mirth.
"It grows quite late. I believe it is time we all retired for the night." Mr. Bennet remarked. Turning to Mr. Collins, he inquired, "Mr. Collins, I trust you have been shown to your room?"
Mr. Collins, with evident satisfaction, replied, "Indeed, Mr. Bennet. It is a most comfortable room. I am quite content."
With that, the family bid each other good night and dispersed, each to their own reflections and quarters.
****
At Netherfield, Mr. Darcy was settling in and finally getting some rest. As he admired the interior of the estate, he noted the elegance and taste reflected in every corner. The richly adorned walls, fine furnishings, and air of refined comfort were enhanced by the warm glow of chandeliers that highlighted the intricate details of the décor. The beauty and grandeur of Netherfield were apparent, although not as compared to the norms he was used to in Pemberley.
They were seated in the drawing room, where Miss Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Louisa Hurst were also present, comfortably positioned by the fireplace.
"Mr. Darcy," Miss Bingley said with a bright smile, "we are delighted to have you here. Your journey must have been quite exhausting, seeing as you arrived so late."
"It was not without its challenges," Darcy replied evenly, taking a seat offered by Bingley. "But I am grateful to be here at last."
As a servant poured tea and served them, Bingley leaned forward with curiosity. "Darcy, pray tell how you really end up at Longbourn"
Darcy sipped his tea before answering. "I followed the description in your letter and thought I could manoeuvre on my own. However, I missed my way and ended up at Longbourn."
"Thank God you ended at a good estate owned by a responsible gentleman. I have heard of Mr. Bennet and his five daughters. What are they like?" Bingley smiled.
"They are agreeable people, I must say. Quite gregarious, but pleasant nonetheless," Darcy considered his response.
Miss Bingley interjected, her tone slightly dismissive. "I am sure the daughters are nothing compared to the ladies in the high society of London."
"They have their own charm, Miss Bingley." Darcy's replied, although in a rather cool and dismissive tone.
Miss Bingley's grin stiffened, clearly disturbed by his lack of enthusiasm for her comparison. She turned to her brother and said, "Mr. Darcy is accustomed to more refined company. I doubt he will find the country ladies much to his taste."
"My taste in women is entirely my own concern, Miss Bingley, and I do not see how you could presume to know what I like or do not like."
Miss Bingley let out a faint grunt of disapproval, her composure momentarily slipping. Her sister, Mrs. Hurst, sensing her sister's discomfort, added, "Caroline merely means that Mr. Darcy is used to the sophistication and elegance of London society, which is a different milieu entirely."
"Indeed, Mrs. Hurst, but one must appreciate charm and character in any setting, regardless of society." Darcy responded with a hint of irony.
Sensing the tension, Bingley changed the subject. "Darcy, you must be tired from your journey. The room prepared for you is ready. Please, feel free to retire and rest."
"Thank you, Bingley," Darcy said, rising from his seat. "I shall take you up on that offer."
He bid them goodnight before a servant guided him to his quarters, a spacious and elegantly furnished room that offered a view of the estate’s gardens. Darcy closed the door behind him and let out a quiet sigh, appreciating the solitude.
As he prepared for bed, his thoughts drifted to the events of the day. His mind wandered to the Bennet family and their five daughters. Each had her own distinct manner and charm, though some were more subdued than others. There was Jane, with her serene beauty; Lydia and Kitty, whose youthful exuberance was both charming and chaotic; and Mary, who seemed more inclined towards seriousness and reflection.
Yet it was the second sister, Elizabeth, who lingered most in his thoughts. There was something in her eyes, a spark of liveliness and a depth that hinted at a complexity he found intriguing. Her expression, a mix of curiosity and amusement, stood out vividly in his memory.
Darcy lay down, staring at the canopy overhead, contemplating the unexpected turn his day had taken. His thoughts also strayed to Miss Bingley and her tiresome attempts at flattery, which only added to his discomfort. As he contemplated what his stay in Meryton might hold, he found himself beset by both uncertainties and curiosities, and with these thoughts, he drifted into an uneasy sleep.
