Chapter 38
“They must have mortgaged Longbourn to come to London to try to secure you for Jane,” Elizabeth heard Miss Bingley tell her brother. She was again dressed in a bright orange. Which Elizabeth had always believed was most unbecoming with her colouring. She was holding on to her brother’s arm to prevent his going to Jane directly.
“I don’t care what they did,” he replied in a tone, which reminded Elizabeth of a petulant toddler. To think she had once thought he might be a match for her most worthy sister. Miss Bingley was obliged to release his arm or risk making a scene. Elizabeth was pleased that Jane had neither noticed the Bingley nor heard the remark.
“J.. Miss Bennet,” Mr Bingley said, with a bow, drawing Jane’s attention from the Viscount, who had just returned. Accompanied by Mr Darcy and the Colonel with their refreshments. He seemed not to notice the Viscount as he handed Jane her drink. Jane looked momentarily nonplussed. She then recalled herself and acknowledged his greeting.
“Mr Bingley,” she said.
“It is most pleasing,” he said, the smile he always wore when looking at her in Meryton in place. “Most pleasing indeed, to see you again,” he said. ““It is above eight months. We have not met since the 26th of November, when we were alldancing together at Netherfield,” he said. Still appearing not to have noticed the Viscount.
Jane made no response to this statement and Elizabeth was relieved when her father interjected.
“Darcy,” her father said, “please do us the service of explaining the situation to Mr Bingley,” he said. Elizabeth saw the moment the Bingleys noticed Mr Darcy. Miss Bingley looked as if she were about to give her father a set down. How dare he give Mr Darcy orders. Fortunately for her, her father spoke before she had a chance to do herself more harm. “And Miss Bingley too,” he added.
“A word Bingley, Miss Bingley” Mr Darcy requested, indicating to the right with one hand. Caroline was as usual unable to resist any request from Mr Darcy. So, with one last superior look at the Bennets she went with him.
Jane turned away as soon as they had left. And Elizabeth was pleased to see she seemed completely unaffected by the encounter. They were sufficiently removed from their area of the room that Elizabeth was unable to hear what Mr Darcy was telling them. She did hear Miss Bingley, in a strident voice, reminiscent of her mother in the old days say “Earl!”. Elizabeth wished to see Miss Bingley face, but she was too polite to watch.
Mr Darcy returned to her side. As she did not catch a glimpse of the Bingleys again that evening, she quite put them out of her mind.
Mary told her later that Caroline had gone red and Mr Bingley quite pale. That Caroline had tried to pull her brother in the opposite direction to the one she had tried when first spotting the Bennets. She had tried to drag him back towards Jane. Mr Bingley had refused and informed Caroline that he was leaving. Mary had not heard this, but she was quite adept at reading body language. She said Miss Bingley had tried tograb Mr Darcy’s arm, but he refused to allow her to do so. Therefore, as a single woman, she had no option but to leave with her brother.
Mary had relayed one other thing. That before Miss Bingley exited the ballroom. She had seen Mr Darcy lead Elizabeth to the floor for the first set.
