What did Miss Bingley hope to accomplish by disparaging his marriage? “My wife manages it better than I do. She can look pretty in fine clothes and be admired merely for being a bride, and no one would expect her to talk much with strangers, although Mrs Darcy has no difficulties there. Her abilities to be universally pleasing in a crowd, and in a crowd of strangers, far surpass mine.”
Bingley caught his eye from across the card table and shrugged apologetically, as though to say he was sorry for what he could not control. To change the subject, Bingley said, “Mrs Darcy, your neighbour’s house in Hertfordshire impressed me. I went there yesterday and took it immediately.”
Darcy was grateful to have such a friend as Bingley. It was a shame such a worthy person came with such an unpleasant sister.
“I am so pleased you will settle there,” Elizabeth said warmly. “The neighbourhood will be glad to have you. Once my family returns to Longbourn from Ramsgate, my mother will invite you to dinner.”
“I look forward to it,” he said in a tone that implied he was delighted by the idea. “Mr Morris said that there was an assembly in Meryton in early October, and I intend to be there to become acquainted with everyone.”
“Then I must charge you with asking my sister Jane to dance,” she said in her playful way. “A more polite friend would only ask you to pass on my love, but I think she would appreciate something more tangible than good wishes.”
“You have my word,” he said, smiling. “I will seek out Miss Bennet for the first dance.”
“Charles, you spent but half an hour in deciding to take Netherfield,” Miss Bingley said. To Mrs Ballston, she added, “He is going down at Michaelmas, but I could not be ready to leave town by then. I have far too many engagements.”
“But you will join me ten days later, won’t you, Caroline? Are you reluctant to preside over my table, even though I am just a tenant?”
“Of course not. I just wish you would purchase an estate.” She gave Darcy a simpering grin. “You must take Pemberley as your model. It is an exceptional place, Mrs Darcy.”
“I have been there. Mr Darcy and I spent about a week there enjoying one another’s company after we married.”
Darcy held back a smile at the look on Miss Bingley’s face. The implication flustered her for a moment, but to his disappointment, she persevered in provoking Elizabeth. “That is hardly enough time to see its beauties. The library alone is splendid. I am sure Mr Darcy wishes he could return home, do you not?”
“I will return when I am finished with wedding visits and introducing my wife to all my friends. We must also visit her family before we return to Derbyshire.”
“If you find all those calls tiresome, Mrs Darcy can manage the return visits on her own. Everyone is more interested in the bride, anyway. Then you could spend time with your intimate friends instead.”
He supposed Miss Bingley meant herself. “Little had I imagined, when I first came to London with my bride, that so many engagements would occupy us. However, I will attend every visit with her. I would not dishonour her by hiding away or sending her to meet my friends on her own.”
“It is no sacrifice for you to join in evening engagements and be subject to scrutiny?” Elizabeth asked him teasingly.
“It will do me no bodily harm, and, unlike what Miss Bingley suggests, I would never send my bride to circulate amongst my friends alone.”
Miss Bingley seemed to little like this comment and directed more of her frustrations to Elizabeth. “I understand you have been invited to Lady Summerlin’s ball on Friday.”
Darcy heard the jealousy in her voice. Lady Summerlin was a family friend, and while the invitation was not a surprise, to be given it so soon was a triumph for Elizabeth.
“Yes, I am so fortunate. I understand from Mr Darcy how importantit is to be on friendly terms with that lady. I hear she was a friend of his late mother’s.”
“It is only a few days away. Will that give you enough time to find a suitable ornament for your hair?”
Darcy watched Elizabeth raise a hand and then set it back down. Had she wanted to touch her hair? Was she self-conscious? She had her maid arrange it fashionably and with the small pearl comb she always wore in the evening. Mrs Hurst and her sister wore elaborate turbans, and Mrs Ballston and her daughters were similarly attired with bands and jewels.
“I am too afraid of a feather catching on fire if I stand too near a sconce, so I am afraid this will have to do.”
“I have the greatest dislike of being over-trimmed,” Miss Bingley answered. “But you must put on a few ornaments because it is expected of you. A bride, you know, must appear like a bride, but my natural taste is all for simplicity.”
“I will be as elegant as lace and pearls can make me, but as it is with Mr Darcy’s approval, I have no complaint.”
Miss Bingley smirked as though she had won, and left to walk the room with her sister, whispering in hushed tones. Mrs Hurst eventually returned to her guests, and Miss Bingley made her way back to the card table and stood by him.
“I am glad you are joining Mrs Darcy in returning visits,” she said to him while observing the game. “What generosity. And with you joining her, there can be more mixed parties.” Miss Bingley lowered her voice and said, “I can have a wider discourse with an intelligent mind, for you know, a new bride only wishes to talk about herself. What a tedious way to spend an evening with such a woman. I feel for you.”
“You are mistaken,” he said sharply. In a quieter voice, one in which he hoped no one else would hear, he said, “And I find your manners toward my wife unpleasant.” They were, in fact, sneering and negligent, but his look and tone were clear if Miss Bingley’s red face and immediate retreat signified what he thought it did.
As she left, Bingley stared at his cards with a very determined airand a laugh that was threatening to burst from his lips. At least his friend knew his sister was a trial to be borne.
“I am sorry,” Bingley said quietly. “Caroline needs more time to recover from her disappointment.”
