“You could not have done that lady a greater disservice, Darcy!” added Fitzwilliam.
“To say as much was to set the weasel among the chickens,” said Hurst. “Given how Caroline has assiduously protected her interests, I am no longer surprised at the strength of her dislike or the quickness with which she displayed it.”
“You have my apologies, Hurst,” said Darcy firmly, “but where I am concerned, Miss Bingleyhas noconcerns.”
“Tell her that,” rejoined Hurst.
“If you think it will do any good, I shall do just that,” replied Darcy. “I refrained because of my friendship with Bingley and my wish to avoid mortifying his sister.”
“A little mortification might do her good,” said Bingley, still chuckling.
“And make life easier for you,” added Fitzwilliam.
“Yet it is not done,” said Darcy. “Not unless Miss Bingley were to grow many times worse.”
“Then I suppose we must endure her until she understands she has no chance,” said Bingley, mirth giving way to regret. “I tried to hint at the impossibility of her wishes, but she will not listen.”
“Could we somehow draft Lady Catherine to our cause?” asked Fitzwilliam.
Darcy grimaced and shook his head. “Can you imagine how she would react should sure knowledge of Miss Bingley’s ambitions reach her ears?”
Fitzwilliam blanched and did not hesitate to agree. “Mortifying her feelings would be the least of Miss Bingley’s concerns.”
“It would,” said Darcy. “At least Lady Catherine now only has the suspicion of Miss Bingley’s wishes rather than the certainty. That is all that held her back from making her opinion known this afternoon.”
“Then that is an event to be avoided at all costs,” said Bingley. “Much though my sister frustrates me, Iamresponsible for her.”
“You have my condolences, Bingley,” said Fitzwilliam.
The three of them laughed again, and as Darcy had no desire to stay with a pack of laughing hyenas, he excused himself to return to his room. There he had an important conversation with his manservant, though Darcy knew Snell was not unaware of the challenges of staying in a house over which Miss Bingley presided. They had spent nearly two months in this house, after all.
Dinner was the same as the afternoon had been. Had the self-congratulations been any thicker, Darcy might have thrown all caution to the wind and criticized something of Miss Bingley’s arrangements if only to provoke a bit of peace. As it was, since Fitzwilliam was the son of an earl, he outranked Darcy, allowing Darcy to escape her cloying attentions and escort Anne into the dining-room—Lady Catherine, of course, entered on Bingley’sarm, while Hurst escorted his wife. Fitzwilliam accepted the challenge with aplomb, speaking with Miss Bingley incessantly, subjecting her to the same treatment the company had suffered that afternoon, and preventing her from focusing all her attention on Darcy.
“This dinner is quite amazing, Miss Bingley,” said Fitzwilliam during one exchange Darcy and Anne overheard late in the dinner hour. “I am struck speechless by the authority you exert over this house, to offer fare of this quality. My compliments to your efforts, and to the cook who prepared such a delicious repast.”
“It is no trouble, Colonel Fitzwilliam,” said Miss Bingley, completely forgetting about her distaste for him in favor of his praise. “While I expected an improvement because of my oversight, I am gratified to know you appreciate my efforts.”
“Very much so,” said Fitzwilliam. “But I must correct you and say that the only meals for which I have any direct knowledge happened today. Yesterday, we dined at Longbourn.”
Miss Bingley’s face fell as Darcy expected. Then, also expected, she sniffed with disdain.
“Well, I am certain Netherfield’s fare must be far superior tothatestate, so at least you still have something to compare.”
“Not at all, Miss Bingley,” said Fitzwilliam. “Everything at Longbourn was excellent last night, and this even though Mrs. Bennet was not expecting to host double the number of her family party.”
“Mrs. Bennet was not expecting you?” demanded Miss Bingley, regarding him suspiciously.
“We arrived late in the day,” said Fitzwilliam blandly. “But it all was excellent, such that we departed Longbourn satisfied. I believe my party agrees with me, for Bingley appeared as if he would stay at Longbourn forever if he could, and even my aunt appreciated our experience. For that matter, Darcy did not wishto leave either, for Miss Elizabeth devoted herself to seeing to his amusement.”
A soft giggle by his side caught his attention, and Darcy looked away to see Anne pulling her napkin from her lips, her face impassive but her eyes dancing with mirth. When Darcy risked turning back, he noticed Miss Bingley glaring at him out of the corner of his eye. No matter what it might cost him, Darcy would not meet Miss Bingley’s eyes, keeping his attention resolutely on his meal.
“Tell me, Miss Bingley,” continued Fitzwilliam, sounding oblivious to her reaction, “I understand you have been in society several years and possess attributes to make any man take notice. What do you think of men wearing scarlet?”
This time Anne’s reaction was nearly a snort—had she been eating soup, Darcy was certain it would have oozed from her nose. Darcy regarded her with an upraised eyebrow, and Anne did not even try to hide a grin.
“Fitzwilliamislaying it on a little thick, is he not?”
“Perhaps he is,” replied Darcy, “but I appreciate his efforts. She seems so flummoxed that I may even have a little peace tonight.”
