Page 6 of Eavesdroppers Never Hear
Bingley finally replied, “May I ask to what these questions tend?”
“Merely to the illustration of your character. I am trying to make it out.”
“And what is your success?” Bingley asked, feeling vaguely like the conversation was more akin to what Miss Elizabeth and Darcy might share.
Jane shook her head. “Until today, I did not get on at all, but now things are clear. Lizzy could answer those questions about Mr Darcy, even though they can barely stand to share the same room! I would bet a month’s allowance you cannot name my favourite genre, let alone favourite book; even though you actively seek my company while my sister avoids your friend like the plague.”
Bingley started to speak a couple of times, but each time, Darcy touched his arm as if trying to prevent him from digging his grave even deeper.
Jane sighed. “Gentlemen, if you might allow a bit of impropriety, I will share with you the biggest disappointment of my life. Perhaps it will help you next time.”
Elizabeth looked at her in some alarm, while Darcy thought that with her family, she probably had quite a few to choose from (much like Bingley). It was easier than thinking about Miss Elizabeth avoiding him like the plague.
Both men nodded, perfectly willing to admit (to themselves at least) that they were afraid of Jane Bennet.
“My biggest disappointment is being cursed with beauty. It attracts inconstant men and distracts them when they arrive.”
Bingley and Darcy gulped and stared in consternation.
“If I had the blessing of being merelytolerable, instead ofthe only handsome girl in the room—you would have treated me as badly as Mr Darcy treats my sister, and this entire debacle could have been avoided.”
Both men gasped at the dawning realisation that far more than one conversation had been overheard in excruciating—and damning—detail.
Elizabeth spent a moment enjoying their discomfort, then made a reasonably elegant curtsey and without another glance, stepped over to Nelly, took the reins, and led the horse from the yard without looking back.
4.Observation
As Miss Elizabeth led Miss Bennet from Netherfield on foot, Darcy and Bingley stared in consternation. The day’s outcome was not auspicious.
Darcy, for his part, had taken Mrs Bennet’s measure. He knew in his bones the matron would be livid at her plans being disrupted, and Miss Elizabeth would bear the brunt of it. He had little evidence to back up his supposition, but it seemed all but certain.
Bingley vacillated between the acute feeling of loss from one of his angels walking away (the first to do so), and the shame of knowing the entire neighbourhood would be acutely aware that a sick woman rode home with her sister on foot just to escape his hospitality. He wondered if he would ever be able to hold his head up in the local society again.
He also wondered how he might reel Caroline in. She would no doubt consider the day’s activities a great triumph, and her behaviour would only get worse. He had no idea what to do about it.
Darcy was startled out of his funk when the groom, who the Bennets knew (naturally), appeared leading their horses.
“Begging your pardon… I thought you might wish to—”
Bingley finally came out of his own funk to see the young man was obviously nervous about his reaction, but not as petrified as he might have assumed. Perhaps, Simon did not need the job as bad as all that, or maybe he planned to give his notice since Netherfield did not seem especially hospitable.
At the very least, Bingley owed him something for his courage and thoughtfulness. “I thank you, Simon. You did the right thing.”
Simon gave his forelock a tug and turned to go.
Darcy asked, “I believe you know the Bennet sisters well.”
“I do,” he replied suspiciously.
“If you had any advice, I would be very happy to hear it.”
“Not my place, sir.”
“I know, but I would appreciate it nonetheless.”
When Simon looked at him, Darcy nodded. It would be unfair and uncouth to give the appearance of bribing the young man, but a few extra shillings falling from the sky never hurt anyone. At the very least, he had to reassure the young man that there would be no retribution.
“Stay back, but not too far.”
