Page 3 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“Do not attempt to entrap him, Caroline. Anything but that. He may be unforgiving.”
“We have waited these five years. I intend only to end his suffering. It must torture him, a man so fastidious, to be uncertain of his lady’s regard. I, therefore, do not intend toattempt. I intend to succeed.”
Listening to the conversation between his sisters, Bingley’s face flushed with anger. His sister’s efforts to manipulate Darcy exploited his friend’s natural reticence.
“Come, Caroline. You must show yourself to your quarry. In such company as this, it will be to your greatest advantage,”Mrs. Hurst said. They joined Hurst, who was next to the punch and cake.
“You know I will not marry her,” Darcy said quietly to his friend. “No matter the lengths she goes to, no matter how she attempts to compromise me?”
“I would never forgive you if you did. We will exchange your room tonight. Allow me to manage this, though you are to be inconvenienced for a short time.”
“You are a good friend.” Darcy shook Bingley’s hand.
The same shrill matron announced, “I am certain Mr. Bingley favors my Jane.”
Darcy flinched.
“Mama, please lower your voice.”
Darcy knew better than to interrupt Mrs. Bennet’s blathering with a remark of his own, still Bingley stayed any comment with a hand on his shoulder. “I, too, have learnt to listen. That is Miss Elizabeth, her second daughter and Miss Bennet’s sister, speaking to their mother.”
Miss Elizabeth pleaded in a voice barely above the music: “Mr. Bingley should be able to come to an estate he has leased without giving rise to expectations. Certainly not the very night he is introduced. Jane deserves to know his character. And he should know of hers beyond your extolling of her beauty, which upsets her. Pray, allow them time to become acquainted. Only the two of them can determine if they suit.”
“Hmph. I daresay, you are too insolent to keep any man’s notice, Miss Lizzy. You are not clever enough to know when to keepsilent.What do you know of it? For all your reading and ledgers, no gentleman wants a wife who sits all day reviewing estate books, then all night reading I know not what.”
“You should worry more about whether Mr. Bingley is good enough for her. Jane is so gentle and good-tempered. She deserves the kindest of men.”
Darcy felt an affront on Bingley’s behalf.Whether Bingley is good enough? What woman could deserve the kindest man I know?
“You think to advise me on what it takes to catch a husband? In this, you know nothing,” said Mrs. Bennet.
“Mama, you know Jane and I intend to marry for love. If not love, at least regard and respect. It may not matter to you if my husband were cruel to me, but you cannot want such for Jane,” Miss Elizabeth said, the plea evidence of her love for her sister.
“With five of you yet to marry, I would be happy if anyone took one of you off my hands. Love? Love has nothing to do with it.”
“Please, do let them determine if they are compatible before you begin your matchmaking campaign.”
“I suppose you have a point. If not Mr. Bingley, perhaps his friend would do. The man is worth ten thousand, and though he is rude, he is acceptable. Iwasbeing thoughtful in choosing for Jane the kinder of the two,” Mrs. Bennet said with great exasperation.
“I am certain you were. I know you fear the entail, Mother. But few men who seek a match the very night they meet a lady have good intentions.”
“You read too many novels, Lizzy.” Mrs. Bennet exhaled a long-suffering sigh. “Now, where is Lydia? She is lively enough to lighten the dark countenance of that Mr. Darcy. With him diverted, his friend can attend Jane.”
“Mother, she is fifteen. At his level of society, she is far too young to be considered out. It would bring shame on us if you push a child at him. This I promise you. Aunt Maddie lives in London and has reminded you often that young ladies do not come out until they are eighteen, better, nineteen.”
“I am certain my Lydia would be a sensation in Town. If only your father would take us, I would see you all wed in one season.”
“Aunt Maddie says Lydia’s behavior would see us all removed from any ballroom, yet you continue to encourage her. And you demand Kitty accompany her to give Lydia the pretext of respectability.”
Bingley whispered to Darcy, “A young woman of sense. That is the ‘Lizzy’ Edward Gardiner speaks of. You must admit, she lives up to his praise.”
“And you came expecting Miss Bennet to be the beauty he claimed.” Darcy returned.
“It was easy to pick her out. Indeed, it is difficult to look elsewhere.”
“Yet Miss Elizabeth watches that girl flouncing about.”
“I fear that is the lively Miss Lydia, and the mortified one behind her, Miss Kitty,” murmured Bingley.
