Page 87 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“Yes, I failed to keep my promises, Ana. But Miss Bennet will make you an excellent friend. You will see.”
“We agreedIcould choose my friend from amongst the young ladies here.”
“Is it safe to enter my study?” Bingley peeked in from the doorway. “A tempest whirled through the sitting room twenty-six minutes ago, and I do not wish to draw her ire.”
“Safe is uncertain, but please do join me.” Darcy motioned toward the chair on his left so they both facedGeorgiana behind Bingley’s desk. “My sister takes me to task for breaking my word given yesterday.”
Darcy explained his sister’s hopes to make a friend and his promises on how to achieve it.
Bingley whistled through his teeth. “You failed rather spectacularly, my friend. You insulted Miss Elizabeth without provocation. Shewassitting down, but there were four young ladies to every man willing to dance last night.”
“Sheheardyour insult, Brother, and you hurt her exceedingly. Miss Elizabeth was sitting out so thatotherladies could enjoy an opportunity to dance.”
“And Miss Bennet said it was her turn to excuse herself from dancing after Miss Elizabeth. I was unable to claim another set until the last,” Bingley said.
“Still, Miss Charlotte pulled Miss Elizabeth aside today, suggesting explanations for your twice slighting Miss Elizabeth, so she would not be so hurt. I would give a great deal to have a friend who would offer such ready comforts and tell me when I am foolish but not condemn or gossip about me for it,” Georgiana said, her longing unmistakable.
“I did not insult her.”
“You professed an unwillingness to dance when Miss Elizabeth asked if you enjoyed the activity,” Bingley said out of the side of his mouth. “During my first set with her, Miss Bennet inquired if there was something she might do to make you feel more welcome after seeing how abrupt you acted with her dearest sister.”
“Thatwas Elizabeth Bennet?” Darcy felt his head rear back, the revelation unwelcome.
“It was. The same Elizabeth Bennet you insulted for sitting down and claiming her not handsome enough to tempt you.”
Darcy could hear accusation in Bingley’s second rebuke. Well-deserved, considering how great the insult he had cast at Gardiner’s niece. But Georgiana heard thewordshe had spoken.
“Brother!” Georgiana’s expression was aghast.
“Thank you, Bingley,” Darcy drawled.
“Do you agree the ladies would not know who I was when we met in Meryton?”
“Had they, they would have been even more intrusive in their discussion,” Darcy said with derision.
“Let me clarify three points on which you are wrong, Brother. One, Miss Bennet is all that is gracious. Their mother wants her daughters to have some kind of security because of an entail. Still, you will find neither Miss Bennet nor Miss Elizabeth to be fortune hunters. Neither will marry without love or, at least, esteem. Miss Charlotte and Miss Mary are more pragmatic, asserting that consideration of wealth is necessary to ensure that their family will not struggle to eat or find shelter.
“Two, Miss Bennet is known to be the sweetest of ladies. I saw evidence of this even in her reprimands. Despite her sisters' teasing, she denies that you are her Mr. Bingley. I suspect she does not wish to raise hopes, either her own or those of others. She spoke in tones more indicating hope than denial. I declare you will find few who know equal graciousness.
“And three, gentlemen, is this. Though the youngest sisters are not tempered and act indecorously, I would dare anyone to insult their family. They aresisters. I would give a great deal to claim any of them as friends.”
“I would hope, under my influence, they would have proper comportment,” Darcy scoffed.
“My point is, I would have had someone lively to laugh with. Someone to keep me from acting irrationally, be with me in my moments of joy. I would not have suffered lonelinessand would never have been so foolish. Tell me whatharmthey caused?”
Darcy stayed silent. In that light, he could no longer deny being in the wrong.
“I see. Is it better if someone attempts to compromise you, or grasps at your unoffered arm? You seek a woman whofeignssincerity to gain your approval? Should I seek those ladies who calculate how low they might bend to gift men a better view of the swells of their breasts? I must be disagreeable indeed, owning my own opinion then.”
“You go too far,” Darcy ground out through his clenched jaw. “YouknowI value none of what you describe.”
“Yet, in a room filled with people excited over newcomers to their society, you disdained the one who asked if you liked to dance? What would you do if it wereIwho was so insulted?”
“I—” Darcy found himself at an utter loss for words.
“Becauseshehas no brother to protect her, is it acceptable to insult her publicly?” Georgiana asked, her tone gentling when she recognized she had, at last, shaken him.
“No.”
