‘Bingley evicted?’ exclaimed the Colonel and sat up straight. ‘Did he fall for some swindle where he was charged a year’s rent and tossed out on his ear because of some specious problem which forfeited the rest of the rent?’
‘No, indeed not. The solicitor was very careful about refunding the exact proportion of the unused rent.’
’Then why…’
‘It seems that the landlord had complaints about Bingley’s company.’
‘How many people did dear Caroline insult this time?’ Richard asked facetiously.
‘I do not know the exact numbers, but I believe most of the residents of Meryton.’ Darcy chose to answer the easier part but his barely perceptible squirming in his chair was noticeable to someone as observant as his cousin.
Richard, knowing how his cousin could be perceived by people who did not know him, could not help but wonder. ‘I suspect there is more to this story. You said Bingley’s company. You did not specify Caroline.’ He pursed his lips and raised a quizzical eyebrow. ‘I presume you wore your usual mask?’
At Darcy’s reluctant nod, he asked, ‘So, pray tell, how many people didyouinsult.’
Darcy sighed as he admitted, ‘Directly… only one. Indirectly… the whole town.’
‘The whole town? That is a bit rich, even for you. What happened?’
Darcy felt he needed someone in whom he could confide, and Richard would not spread the story of his shame.
To gather his thoughts and gain some time, he got up and poured himself another drink. At Richard’s suggestion he brought the decanter and set it on the table between them.
Once he was seated again, Richard prompted, ‘Go on. Tell me.’
Darcy sighed and without looking at his cousin related, ‘Bingley leased this estate in Hertfordshire. He took up residence there about a month ago. Since I was busy at Pemberley, I only joined him a few days ago after dropping Georgiana off at your parents’ house.’
After taking another sip of brandy, he continued. ‘When I arrived, I wanted nothing more than a quiet evening and an early night. It was not to be. Bingley had accepted an invitation to a public assembly, and I had no choice but to accompany him and his family.’
Darcy glanced up at Richard and grimaced. ‘Miss Bingley threatened to keep me company if I remained behind.’
‘The expression isoffered, notthreatened,’ the Colonel corrected his cousin with a grin.
‘You know perfectly well what it was,’ growled Darcy.
‘Very well. Continue.’
‘Of course, we arrived late since Miss Bingley was determined to make an entrance. Within minutes, at least half the matrons were discussing my putative income and eyeing me like I was a side of beef. I tried to stay out of the way but halfway through the evening Bingley cornered me, insisting that I should dance, and he even went so far as to offer to introduce me to some wallflower who was sitting near us.’
‘I believe I know where this story is going,’ the Colonel murmured with an exasperated look. He had known his cousin too long to have any illusions about his attitude towards strange women.
Darcy shrugged. ‘What can I say. I had no intention of raising the expectations of some country nobody. So, I looked at the young woman and told Bingley that she was tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me. I also explained to him that I would not give consequence to young ladies who were slighted by other men. At that point Bingleyunderstood that I would not accede to being pestered and he went back to dancing.’
‘Why do I get the feeling that you did not bother to lower your voice.’
‘Why should I bother to lower my voice? Everyone knows that it is impolite to listen in on private conversations,’ replied Darcy dismissively, refusing to concede that he might have been at fault.
Richard sighed in resignation. ‘I wonder how badly hurt the young lady was by your damnable insult.’
Darcy took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment before he said,‘I do not believe that she was hurt at all.’
‘What makes you think so? Just because she did not burst into tears in public, does not mean that she was unaffected by your comment.’
‘Considering she is one of the prettiest women I have ever seen and has especially fine eyes, I am sure she must think I have either bad eyesight or bad taste.’
‘Oho. You had one quick glance at her, and you noticed that she had exceptionally fine eyes? Darcy, I love you like a brother but sometimes you are a complete fool.’ Richard shook his head wondering what might have happened if his cousin had a chance to spend more time with that lady. ‘So, tell me… if she did not burst into tears, how did she react?’
Darcy splashed more brandy into his glass before he answered. ‘After Bingley beat a retreat, she walked over to where I was standing, stopping right in front of me and examined me from head to foot as if I was some strange creature in a menagerie. When she had finished her examination, she tilted her head and looked me in the eye with such a look of contempt mingled with amusement. She then turned her back on me and walked away while shaking her head. She never uttered a word.’
