“Well, Mr Darcy, is this display enough to overcome your appreciation of Miss Eliza’sfine eyes?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, sir, look around. Do you want a woman like Mrs Bennet visiting Pemberley, or living there for that matter? Are you not concerned one of those younger sisters might ruin herself before the night is over? Would you likeyoursister to consort withhersisters? Are you to spend your time with people without even the rudiments of propriety, let alone fashion? I admit that Miss Jane Bennet is a sweet girl, but does she even admire my brother? I can see nothing of it—only avarice bordering on desperation. Are you to visit their relations in Cheapside? Are you to congratulate yourself on the hope of relations, whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath your own?”
I was frustrated with the whole ordeal and had endured about as much as I wanted from her.
“Miss Bingley, I suppose I must bow to your superior knowledge.”
She started to preen, and I was in a worse conundrum than at the beginning of the evening. Whilst Ihatedto agree with Miss Bingley, there was really nothing she had said that was wrong, per se. Perhaps she had a better understanding of Miss Bennet’s feelings than I did. Like most men, I had no idea what women thought, so she had the minor advantage of her sex. Other than that, I was about fed up with her and had been for some time.
I finally decided it was time to get rid of at least one annoyance in my life. “Perhaps I should clarify.”
She preened even more, and cooed, “I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours.”
I harrumphed, though silently.
“I must submit to your knowledge of the degradation of people in trade since your connections to trade are far more extensive than the Bennets. I assume that gives you some expertise, and I would be a fool not to take advantage of it.”
She gasped, but I had endured just about enough of her insolence and said what politeness had prevented me from stating explicitly.
“As for a lady showing false approbation driven entirely by relentless ambition to improve her situation, I should definitely bow to your evaluation, since you are a world-renowned expert on the subject, with years of dedicated study behind you.”
I admit that one was mean-spirited, but since she had been relentlessly abusing the only woman to ever attract me, and my valet had thwarted at least one serious compromise attempt from the woman (that she still believed I was ignorant of), my remorse was muted at best.
“As for manners, I have not been a guest at Longbourn, but I suppose if Mrs Bennet slighted and offended guests in her own house, that would indeed put her on par withus.In that, I must take my own share of the blame for not putting more effort into contradicting that total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by yourself, by your elder sister, and occasionally even by me.”
I had noticed Miss Elizabeth studying me like an approaching forest fire at the start of the conversation, so I glanced to see if she would notice my loss of patience. She was speaking rather emphatically with Miss Bennet, and I imaginedthey were both watching the fire consume their hopes and dreams.
It was unfortunate, but as much as I admired her, I could see no way I could wed her, which would be the only honourable path given my feelings; nor any way Bingley could take the time to come to a good decision without having his hand forced.
I felt more and more despondent with my situation, while treating my impending melancholy the same way Hurst might. I would not take it to his level, but I was finding my private stock of brandy from a flask tempting. I was not entirely certain I could walk away from Miss Elizabeth, but it seemed more and more essential, or at least practical. Miss Bennet seemed like a lost cause, but aside from giving my opinion, it was Bingley’s decision to make. I was not even certain I would give my opinion, but I suspected he would beg for it and I would comply.
I was startled out of my wits when someone snuck up on me and spoke from behind.No more brandy for me!
“Keep your eyes forward, sir. I have something of great import to say.”
A sinking feeling overcame me. “Pray, continue, Miss Elizabeth. I am at your disposal.”
“May I assume we both observed the same events of the evening and further speculate on the likely impending departure of your party?”
Our society was so accustomed to speaking with so much circumspection as to make plain speaking rare, that I was startled by her saying it aloud in such a place and time. Even though we were not facing each other, it would not take a very keen observer to note our proximity. She knew that as well as I did, so while I was shocked, I bowed to the need for plain and succinct speech.
“I can neither confirm nor deny, Miss Elizabeth, but,” I paused, and finally admitted, “confirmation seems more likely than not.”
“I thank you for your honesty, sir.”
“I wish it were different.”
“It is!”
That startled me, and I imagine I jumped.
“Be at ease, sir. I mean something entirely different than you are imagining. You need not fear compromise.”
“Good to know,” I grumbled.
She looked around carefully and seemed to be working up her nerve.
