“If you two desire to depart earlier, send a groom to the Red Lion Inn and I will send the equipage to collect you. If the dinner is boring, I will be in the carriage,” Bennet stated as they were being pulled to a halt at the inn. He looked to his second daughter, “I expect a full report on Miss Bingley’s behaviour. I am sure she will be more amusing than even our silliest neighbours.”
He would have preferred not to arrive earlier than needed, but it was a better option than riding the two additional miles to and from the estate where his daughters were to dine.
“Yes Papa,” Elizabeth averred as a footman opened the door for her father to alight.
As soon as they were on their way, Jane turned to her younger sister. “You will be nice to Miss Bingley, will you not?” she enquired concernedly. Jane was aware how easily her sister’s prejudices could be ignited. She knew they had been with regards to Mr Darcy, and she was sure the same was true against Miss Bingley. As much as she liked peace and to see the best in people, Jane was not myopic, and could clearly tell the youngest Bingley was not burdened with an excess of kindness. She much preferred Mrs Hurst, and of course, Mr Bingley.
“Janey do you truly think me so deficient I will be rude to her in her brother’s home? I expect her to be insolent, condescending, and disdainful, but I will not be so in return,” Elizabeth averred.
“I know you areableto behave, you just forget to at times,” Jane teased.
After their conversation, Elizabeth looked out of the window next to her and although it was a short ride of only two miles, Jane leaned back against the squabs and closed her eyes to rest.
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The three men from Netherfield Park rode in Bingley’s coach. There was enough space for them to all sit on the forward facing bench without being too crowded, notwithstanding Hurst’s somewhat portly girth.
Bingley, who was in the middle, turned towards Darcy and saw his mask in place already. “Come now Darce, as long as you do not repeat your performance from the assembly it will not be all that bad. It is not like you are being led to the gallows,” Bingley ribbed.
“I am sure it will be well. That is unless Mr Bennet takes me to task regarding the slighting of his second daughter, which try as I may, I have not been able to apologise for yet,” Darcy responded.
“She really does not like you, does she,” Hurst smirked. “It must be a new experience for you; a lady is not tripping over her feet to gain your approbation.”
“I dare say she does not. And your observation is astute, Hurst. It is most refreshing to have a lady who does not seem to be impressed by my wealth or connections,” Darcy agreed.
“In other words the opposite of my younger sister,” Bingley sighed. “I believe if you insulted Caroline the way you did Miss Elizabeth she would simper and agree with you. She thinks that is the key to your offering for her.”
“As much as I hate to say this, I think your sister may be delusional,” Darcy opined.
Hurst nodded his agreement. “It is not anything I have ever wanted to consider, but we may need to have her evaluated by physicians who specialise in maladies of the mental faculties,” Bingley stated sadly.
Regardless of her behaviour, he still loved Caroline, and because of that love, if he had to protect her from herself, he would do so.
Just then the coach slowed and was pulled to the left. A carriage passed them, travelling in the opposite direction. It was easy to see Miss Bennet resting against the squabs and Miss Elizabeth looking out of the window on the side furthest from them.
As soon as the other equipage had passed, Bingley’s coachman guided the team of four back into the middle of the road and sped up again.
Chapter 8
By the time the Bennet carriage reached Netherfield Park, the rain was no longer light, but was in fact, a deluge. The sisters thanked their lucky stars their mother had not prevailed and they had travelled by carriage.
Two footmen, dressed in oil skins, each with a large umbrella waited outside of the conveyance. As each sister alighted the men held them in such a way that nary a drop reached either Miss Bennet. They were escorted to the portico over the door where the services of the footmen were no longer required.
“Welcome Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,” Mrs Hurst enthused while curtsying as soon as the butler, Mr Nichols, had relieved the sisters of their outerwear.
“Thank you for inviting us, Mrs Hurst,” Jane responded for both Bennets as they gave curtsies of their own.
Their hostess led them to the drawing room where a surly Miss Bingley was seated on a settee. She did not rise when the guests followed her sister into the room. It took a pointed look from her older sister before she stood and gave what passed for a curtsy.
Not wanting to display bad manners like Miss Bingley, Jane and Elizabeth gave proper curtsies. “Miss Bingley, how do you do?” Jane asked.
All the youngest Bingley did was grunt and flop back down onto the settee showing her disdain for the Bennets. Mrs Hurst leant over, and placed her mouth close to her sister’s ear. “Unless you want me to report to Charles that you are unable to behave in a manner befitting a lady, either behave as you should orpolitelyexcuse yourself and take yourself to your chamber,” she hissed so only her younger sister could hear.
Miss Bingley stood. “If you will excuse me, I need to rest before dinner. I will rejoin you then,” she stated. Her nose was high in the air as she swept out of the room not waiting for anyone to respond to her.
The temperature seemed to rise in the drawing room as soon as Miss Bingley and her frosty attitude left it. Mrs Hurst called for tea, then the three ladies got about the business of learning about one another. It did not take long before the three decided to discard formality and call one another by their familiar names.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
