Page 32 of The Heroic Mr Darcy's Bad Manners
It was an order more than a suggestion, and none of their party dared oppose Darcy, though Miss Bingley muttered under her breath, “I dare say that a short visit is quite impossible in that garrulous man’s home.”
This only confirmed his valet’s poor depiction of Miss Bingley. But still he could not believe her to be so bad as Grey had described. She had a sarcastically bent wit, which was common amongst the ladies of his acquaintance.
Darcy had his way and kept the visit to the obsequious Sir William polite but short. The party returned to their carriage and set out down the lane.
Miss Bingley regarded the picturesque view with a frown. “Rap on the ceiling, Mr Hurst. The driver must have had a bit too much to drink last night because this is the lane to Longbourn—”
“There is no mistake,” Darcy interrupted in an even voice.
“But…” Miss Bingley’s protest was never finished because they had already arrived.
“I shall remain in the carriage while you bid Mr Bennet farewell,” Miss Bingley pronounced.
“You would snub Bingley’s future family?” Darcy enquired innocently. “I understand he danced three sets with Miss Bennet at your ball…”
Miss Bingley’s crestfallen countenance was quite worth his small omission of the facts.
“Absurd!” Miss Bingley sneered, but she alighted from the carriage despite her misgivings.
Darcy owed Hurst an apology for keeping Mr Bennet’s elevation of rank to himself, but an opportunity to apprise him had not presented itself this morning. His excuse must be that the decision to join Bingley in town had been made in a hurry late last night and the packing and closing of the house had been completed in utter chaos with the hosts abed past noon. Besides, it was hardly his fault that Hurst had not read the newspaper.
Upon entering Longbourn they were shown into a parlour where the family was gathered. It was unusually quiet, and the mistress, who had looked uncommonly miffed, brightened upon their entrance.
“Miss Bingley, how good of you to come. Mr Hurst and Mrs Hurst, how delightful it is to see you…and your friend too,” she added reluctantly.
Darcy was struck by the lack of respect the marriage-minded matron afforded him. What could she mean by it? It was obvious that she did not like him, but most matchmaking mamas put their personal preferences aside when an eligible gentleman of substantial means graced their house with a visit.
“I am particularly delighted because it saves me a trip to Netherfield with the formal invitation for my dinner on Saturday.”
“That is quite impossible.” Miss Bingley smiled sincerely. “We are leaving for town on business that cannot be delayed and only came to bid you farewell.”
“How unfortunate… Then you must promise to come as soon as your business is concluded. I shall serve at least two courses,” Lady Glentworth boasted.
“You set a very fine table, Mrs Bennet,” Mr Hurst managed to say before his sister by marriage spoke again.
“We cannot say when that would be. My brother imagined that his business might be concluded in three or four days—”
“But Mr Bingley assured me he would be back no later than tomorrow afternoon, saying his business would take less than a day,” Lady Glentworth interrupted.
Miss Bingley laughed coquettishly. “We are certain that it cannot be so. My brother is always terribly late because he assumes that everything can be accomplished in less time than is necessary. It would not be the first time his assumption has been wrong, and then there are all the diversions in town that are certain to detain him even longer.”
She nodded at Darcy, but he did not acknowledge her, occupied as he was searching the room for the second eldest Bennet sister, and noting also that Lord Glentworth was missing.
“Mr Darcy is eager to see his sister, and we are scarcely less so.” Miss Bingley smirked at Lady Jane. “Miss Darcy has not her equal for beauty, elegance, and accomplishments. The affection she inspires in me and Louisa is heightened quite above everyone else. I would dearly love to call her my sister.”
“Preposterous, explain yourself,” Darcy barked, glaring at the presumptuous Miss Bingley.
That lady laughed coquettishly to a quiet room whilst Lady Jane shrank before his eyes. “I meant no offence, Mr Darcy. Who would not rejoice in having such a sweet and genteel sister?” Miss Bingley simpered.
Lady Jane was paying Miss Bingley rapt attention. The widening of her eyes and their sorrowful flickering towards the door told him another story from the one he had previously perceived. Darcy had not observed any particular regard in the lady towards his friend. Perhaps she was not given to strong outward expressions of feelings but concealed her affections behind a mask of serenity. Miss Bingley’s falsehoods clearly saddened her. If it was so, it was to be hoped that Bingley’s intentions were serious, this time…
A throat cleared in the doorway.
“Lord Glentworth.” He hastened to greet the man with a reverent bow.
“Mr Darcy,” the earl replied evenly.
Darcy could not decipher the look the earl directed at him, but he did rejoice in Miss Bingley’s dumbfounded muteness.
