“With that, I cannot disagree, Mrs. Younge,” said Darcy with a curt nod, accompanied by a warning look to not overstep her bounds.
Mrs. Younge nodded her understanding, but she did not appear repentant in the least; in this instance, Darcy decided against reprimanding her, for he did not disagree with the sentiment.
“Miss Bingley,” said Darcy, turning back to Georgiana, “is perhaps the most determined social climber I have ever had the misfortune to meet. Until now, I have never been high enough in society to be considered anything other than a last resort should she fail in her quest to enter the first circles. Now that I have inherited Pemberley, she will regard me as sufficient for her dynastic ambitions.”
Georgiana appeared confused. “That is nonsensical, William, for you are already engaged.”
“If you suppose that will be an impediment to Miss Bingley,” said Mrs. Darcy, “you are mistaken. I dare say she will consider the engagement nothing more than a trifle, forsheis the superior option. My acquaintance with Miss Bingley comprises only one meeting, and I took enough of her measure to know that at once.”
“Elizabeth attended the season last year,” said Darcy, “but she never made Miss Bingley’s acquaintance, for we attended different events. Miss Bingley has a few highborn friends who offer invitations to events she would not otherwise attend, and as such, we moved in different circles.”
“If you will pardon my saying it,” said Georgiana, shaking her head, “I cannot imagine this Miss Bingley would be a pleasing houseguest.”
“You have the right of it, Georgiana,” said Darcy’s mother. “What is Mr. Bingley’s reason for wishing to bring his sister? Unless my memory is faulty, he is not unacquainted with your opinion of her.”
“He knows,” said Darcy. “The problem is that Bingley is in town alone with his sister at present—his other sister and her husband, a Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, are yet at his estate in the north, and will not arrive in London until near the time of my wedding. Thus, Bingley either brings his sister or he does not arrive until a day or two before.”
“I do not suppose you cannot endure Miss Bingley,” said Mrs. Darcy.
“No, but she will be most disagreeable.”
Mrs. Darcy regarded him with evident fondness. “Then I suppose you must determine which is more important to you. Do you wish to have Mr. Bingley’s company, or do you wish to avoid Miss Bingley?”
“Yes, that is it in a nutshell,” said Darcy.
After considering it for a moment, Darcy sighed and nodded. “Idowish for Bingley’s company. When I write to him, I will approve of his coming with his sister, but I will ask him to ensure she is on her best behavior.” Darcy paused and shook his head. “If that is even possible.”
“There is something about this that I do not understand,” said Georgiana. “Is this woman so determined that her brother cannot control her?”
“I suspect that Miss Bingley would be nigh ungovernable even with a stern man overseeing her. Bingley, though it is unfortunate, is not such a man, for he has ever been of an easy temperament.”
“Then invite them and take her in hand yourself, should it be required,” said his mother. “Mr. Bingley will not fault you for it.”
“No, he will not.”
There was nothing else to say, so Darcy did not attempt it. In his letter to Bingley, he made clear his disinclination to allow Miss Bingley any leeway in her behavior. Should she act the way Darcyexpectedher to act, he would insist that Bingley send her away, even if that meant Bingley must also go. As Bingley’s proposed date to come to Netherfield was only two days away, he would need to endure the woman for a little more than a week. Perhaps he could spend most of his time in Elizabeth’s company—when confronted with the reality of Darcy’s fiancée, Miss Bingley must desist. With that task completed, Darcy sat athis desk to deal with a few other matters before they departed for Longbourn.
EAGER THOUGH SHE WASto welcome her betrothed to Longbourn, Elizabeth could not help but be a little apprehensive over the possibility of Lady Catherine’s appearance that morning. Lady Catherine’s ability to carry her point was nigh nonexistent, and her objection contained little sense, so she was not concerned about that in particular. Having met the lady, however, Elizabeth had a healthy respect for her determination to have her way and the piercing quality of her voice, and if she possessed the option, she would eschew the lady’s company forever without regret.
“Elizabeth,” said William when he stepped into the room and kissed her hand. “How fortunate I am to be in your company again.”
“Yes, I must also count myself fortunate,” said Elizabeth, his presence swallowing her concerns and leaving her in contentment. “Shall we look on Lady Catherine’s invasion as a reason to be in each other’s company all day instead of with dread?”
William did not hide his chuckles. “I can always trust your resiliency, Elizabeth. By all means, let us regard the benefits of the lady’s actions rather than the drawbacks.
“Now, I have another bit of news we must turn to, for I will own that I cannot look on it with anything other than distaste.”
Elizabeth peered at him, wondering what he was about. Instead of useless questions, she led him to a nearby sofa where they could sit and converse, and in an economy of words showing his annoyance, she shared the contents of Mr. Bingley’s letter and his response with her. Having heard of MissBingley and William’s perceptions of her character, Elizabeth understood the dilemma at once.
“You suppose she comes intending to promote herself to you as a potential bride.”
William’s jaw tightened, but he did not refuse to speak. “Now that I am the Darcy of Pemberley, I fit all her wishes in a marriage.”
“Will even such an ambitious woman attempt to ignore an established engagement?”
“Perhaps I am misjudging her,” said William with a shrug, intending to show his nonchalance. Elizabeth knew better, for she could see that he was not happy about the prospect of hosting her in his home. “Perhaps I am seeing trouble where none exists, but I cannot put any misbehavior beyond her. At the very least, I suspect she will come intending to put herself forward as a sophisticated, eligible, and superior woman who would do any man proud.”
What William thought of that was clear in the disdainful shake of his head. Elizabeth did not disagree with his assessment.
