Page 69 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“Under ordinary circumstances, I would agree. But the regiment is coming. An officer might divert her attention from you before you conclude there is cause to take your chance with her. No. You will have to behave more like Charles if you hope to woo Miss Elizabeth. And he will need to act more decisively to win the sweet Jane Bennet’s affections.”
“Why would your brother need to behave more decisively? I believe they are perfectly suited to one another.”
“I confess I never imagined there was a woman who would have so unselfish and tolerant a nature as my brother. He is lucky to find her before another swoops in and makes her his bride. Her being so obliging means she requires a steadfast man, one who will make certain she is not taken advantage of by those who would use her sweet temper for their gains.”
“You will forgive me my surprise, Miss Bingley. You have gone from attempting to secure me for yourself to attempting to matchmake me. With a woman you have not once conversed with in the wholeweekwe have been in her company beyond words of greeting, no less,” Darcy said, affecting his driest of tones.
“I think it is time I be the friend you have been to us.”
“You, too, should smile more, Miss Bingley. As you have decided to matchmakeme, I shall consider whom you would make an excellent match.”
“You, a matchmaker? I fearthe tonmay not survive this congenial Mr. Darcy. No, I retract all and must insist you remain taciturn and scowl at everyone. All will wonder what you are about should you begin grinning at those you encounter,” Miss Bingley warned in a becoming and sportive tone.
“What is this? My sister and my best friend are in amicable conversation?” Bingley stepped into the breakfast room, looking between the two of them in astonishment.
“I attempt to determine how best to aid your quest for Miss Bennet and to help our friend Darcy win his Miss Elizabeth. You said yourself the regiment is coming, Charles. Not even ten thousand a year can turn a lady’s head as fast as a man in a red coat.”
Darcy raised a quizzical brow at the confession.
“I have watched ladies swoon at the very sight of Colonel Fitzwilliam’s dashing countenance these many years.Iswoon at the sight of it.” Miss Bingley fanned herself with dramatic flair. “But if either of you informs him of it, I shall deny it.”
“Keep on this path, Miss Bingley. You will catch yourself a husband who is both affable and solicitous, and who prefers society. The regiment is coming. No doubt there will be many gentlemen’s second sons who would appreciate your dowry while showing you off to your best advantage.” Darcy chuckled.
“Never!” She gasped in affected shock.
“Whatever is in the water here in Hertfordshire has done you both a great deal of good,” Bingley said after joining them at the table with a cup of coffee. “Now, tell me what you have in mind, dear sister. I do not like the thought of any officer winning Miss Bennet’s attention.”
“What say you to hosting a ball, Charles? Perhaps in a month? And you might begin your courtshiptoday. You, too, Darcy. That gives you time to acquaint yourselves with the ladies better. I expect to have good news by this same time tomorrow.”
Ignoring their spluttering, Miss Bingley left the room after saying she and her sister would soon leave to collect Miss Lydia from Longbourn.
“What did you say to Caroline?” Bingley asked.
“I am mortified to admit, I insulted her. She overheard my sister and me discuss how I should seek a wife, a lady with characteristics opposite to your sister. I apologize, Bingley. I did not intend to wound her.”
“It was inevitable. It may well have been necessary for her to accept that you never would request her hand. Perhaps she will now consider other gentlemen with greater interest.”
“There is more than your courting Miss Bennet to discuss,” said Darcy.
“I am all anticipation, Darcy. You are behaving quite unlike yourself.”
“It is time I found a wife. Ana charged me to, and, in hearing her expectation, I learned it is also my wish. You have said the same. I think you may never find better than Miss Bennet for you.” Darcy added in a low voice in case someone was outside the room. “And Miss Elizabeth for me.”
“Then you are considering a courtship?”
“Miss Elizabeth is the first lady I can picture as the next mistress of Pemberley,” Darcy confessed. “But there are things I feel you need to know.”
“Such as?”
“They are the nieces of Edward and Madeline Gardiner. I cannot but think it was Miss Bennet they hinted of when they promised to introduce you to one of their favorite nieces the next time she was in Town.”
“You think?”
“She has all those same manifold attractions they described. But there are other considerations that I learned of while speaking with Mr. Bennet, his wife, and Miss Elizabeth. Do eat while I acquaint you with the particulars.”
Chapter 11
The Day’s Beginning at Longbourn
