“If you consider it,” said he, “Mrs. Bennet portrays herself as a mercenary woman, and to a certain extent, the impression is not inaccurate. However, while her actions are not always proper, at least she does not pursue wealth for its sake alone. There is an example of that other kind of mercenary behavior much closer to home.”
“Caroline,” sighed Bingley.
Darcy would not touch the subject of his friend’s sister, even if he was confident that Bingley’s opinion, to a great degree, mirrored his own. Hurst, who had often lamented Miss Bingley’s influence on his wife, would not be so circumspect, and Bingley was not blind to his sister’s excesses.
“My sister’s ambition is not at all laudable. Whereas Mrs. Bennet pursues what she believes is best for her daughters—and yes, I will confess there is a measure of self-interest in her actions—she does not covet a wealthy man for what he can give her. Caroline’s blatant interest in you, Darcy, is nothing less than a wish to rise in society, for wealth, the trappings that wealth brings, and the wish to parade before others and provoke their envy.”
“You do yourself a disservice, Bingley,” replied Hurst. “Much of Caroline’s ambition lies in proving to others—such as the ‘friends’ at the seminary where your father sent her for her education—that she is as good as they. I have overheard enough conversations between my wife and your sister when they thought me asleep to apprehend that much.”
Bingley shook his head but did not deny it. “Caroline has spoken of the subject in my hearing—I am not unaware.”
“As a defense of Miss Bingley,” said Darcy, “I will point out that her offense is not unwarranted. Therearemany in societywho look down on others for no more reason than their inferior birth. My aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, is a woman of decided opinions, and has often commented on the importance of maintaining the distinction of rank.”
Hurst nodded. “You are not incorrect, Darcy. Caroline, however, has taken it to extremes. Rather than ignoring them or proving through her behavior that they are incorrect, she fixes upon the highest man in society she can hope to catch, as if that will erase her origins.”
With a nod, Darcy agreed with Hurst’s point but did not speak further. Bingley seized the opportunity to tease him again.
“Then, if you wish to avoid the noose my sister has prepared for you, it would be best for you to decide in Miss Elizabeth’s favor and be about your courting at once. Once Caroline has no more chance of capturing you, perhaps she will become more reasonable in her expectations.”
“I hope you are correct, Bingley,” said Hurst. “Though I have my doubts.”
Bingley grimaced. “As do I. But I prefer to hope for the best.”
IT WAS ABOUT NOON ONthe penultimate day of the year when the carriage bearing Georgiana to Netherfield stopped before the estate. Darcy was on hand to greet her, as were Bingley and Hurst, though the latter, who did not know her as well, held back when she exited. Darcy greeted her with his usual affection, which Georgiana returned, and Bingley welcomed her with his usual ebullience.
“I hope, Miss Darcy, that you are prepared to deal with three men living like bachelors.” The man grinned and added: “I dare say our neighbors will welcome you enough to break the boredom of staying with us.”
“Oh?” asked Georgiana, turning to Darcy. “Is it that family of several daughters you wrote to me about before?”
“It is,” said Darcy. “Come. I shall take you to your room—after you have refreshed yourself, I shall tell you what to expect.”
As Darcy waited for his sister to emerge from her room, he considered the scene he had just witnessed, and several factors slipped into place. Darcy had long known of Miss Bingley’s ambitions for Georgiana and her brother; if her constant attempts to push them together whenever they were in company or her comments on the subject did not tell Darcy all he needed to know, her assertions to Miss Elizabeth when she had stayed at Netherfield the previous November would have sealed it.
Though Darcy had never appreciated Miss Bingley and did not consider her a beneficial influence on his sister, he was willing to acknowledge that part of Miss Bingley’s thinkingmayhave been Bingley’s ebullient manner. The way he had greeted Georgiana might have suggested greater interest than he possessed to those who did not know him well. Miss Bingley, of course, knew her brother’s character and used it for her own ends, so the excuse of Bingley’s cheerful nature did not explain everything about her ambitions, but itwasa facet of them.
Now that Bingley was committed to Miss Bennet, there was no chance of an arrangement with Georgiana. Had they shown any interest in each other, Darcy would not have stood in their way, regardless of what his family might have said, and he had even indulged in a little light speculation about whether Bingley would make a good husband for her. Not that he would ever have made such comments to Miss Bingley—the woman would have grown insufferable had she even had a notion of Darcy’s thoughts on the matter.
When Georgiana emerged from her room—Mrs. Annesley, her companion, had chosen to rest for a time—Darcy offered her his arm and led her down to the sitting-room. They spoke littlewhile walking, but Darcy could see his sister’s curiosity, the way she smiled at him, a slight question in her gaze. As Darcy did not know the answers to her questions just yet, he did not want to talk on the subject much. Hopefully, as events proceeded, she would witness enough to render such questions unnecessary.
Bingley welcomed them into the room and plied Georgiana with cakes and tea he had requested from the kitchen. A moment later, they were seated with their refreshments, and Georgiana lost no time in requesting more details.
“Tell me about this family, William.”
“The Bennets,” said Darcy, noting Bingley’s eagerness to have his say. “Yes, they are the family situated to the west. There are five daughters, from two and twenty to fifteen, and all anticipate making your acquaintance.”
As Darcy had known she would, Georgiana looked down, her shyness displayed itself in full force. “They wish to make my acquaintance?”
“Of course they do,” said Bingley, unable to keep quiet any longer. “And you shall meet them tomorrow, for we are to go to Longbourn for dinner.”
“Oh,” was all Georgiana said.
“Bingley is the most eager of us all,” said Darcy, fixing his friend with an upturned brow. “He finds Longbournveryagreeable.”
Georgiana’s eyes shot up, and she regarded Bingley with some astonishment. “Is it because of one of the young ladies?”
“The eldest,” said Bingley, his enthusiasm not hidden. “Miss Jane Bennet is a veritable angel in the flesh, and the best woman I have ever known! Our courtship is not official yet, but I hope it will be soon.”
As Bingley continued to prattle, Darcy watched Georgiana, with curiosity about her reaction. The way she had greeted Bingley’s interest in Miss Bennet, Darcy found himselfwondering if Georgiana was infatuated with him, perhaps to a small degree. When there was a lull in the conversation, Darcy determined that a little light questioning to receive an answer was justified.
