Mr. Darcy had thrown down the gauntlet, had challenged Elizabeth with his intention to interfere in the life of his friend. The man could do whatever he wanted, but when it affected her dearest sister, Elizabeth had little desire to be charitable. Mr. Darcy may possess supreme confidence, but he had never crossed swords with Elizabeth Bennet. She would thwart him at every opportunity. If Mr. Bingley meant to have Jane, Elizabeth would do everything she could to facilitate his interest, Mr. Darcy’s opinion aside.
Chapter IV
All the way back to Longbourn, Darcy listened to his friend extoll the virtues of Miss Bennet, discontented with the argument with Miss Elizabeth and what it had revealed about her character. For a time, while they had been in the sitting-room, Darcy had almost wondered if he was mistaken about the Bennets. Then he remembered the flashing of Miss Elizabeth’s eyes as they argued—it had reminded him why he found her so beautiful.
Darcy shook such thoughts away as immaterial at best. The point was that his friend was in danger from a family who meant to obtain his wealth by whatever means they could manage—Miss Elizabeth had all but implied their machinations to him. No measure of attraction for a woman, suitable or not, could compare with the need to protect his friend. The question was, of course, how to induce Bingley to see sense.
When the carriage arrived at Netherfield, the friends entered the house, Darcy returning to his room and his valet to freshen his appearance. While Snell brushed his jacket, the soft swish of the bristles against his coat accompanied his absent thoughts. Bingley would not be swayed by comments about Miss Bennet’s position or fortune, and he could not appeal to his friend’s sense of impropriety, not that Miss Bennet displayed any such. The fact was that Bingley fancied himself in love with Miss Bennet, and unless Darcy could overcome that attraction, there was little chance he could bring Bingley to the obvious conclusion.
“Darcy,” greeted Bingley when he stepped into the room where his friend waited. “I am curious, my friend.”
Not having expected Bingley of such an opening, Darcy returned his gaze. “About what?”
“Your argument with Miss Elizabeth,” replied Bingley. “Do not suppose that it escaped my attention. Miss Bennet noticed too.”
Bingley chuckled, leaning back in his chair, apparently enjoying his discernment. “That you and Miss Elizabeth have ever been at odds was not unknown to me, but I had not thought you would return to quarreling the moment you were in each other’s company again. Will you not share the contents of your disagreement?”
Darcy made a few quick calculations in his head. Though he did not give good odds of persuading his friend to the truth, Darcy could not say if he would ever have another opportunity with so little effort on his part. Of more importance, if he planted the seeds now, perhaps Bingley would understand when the truth became unmistakable.
“I hesitate to raise this subject, Bingley,” replied Darcy, speaking carefully, “but I have no choice. I know you consider Miss Bennet to be artless, and you may be correct, but her family is anything but lacking ambition.”
“Oh?” asked Bingley, his manner far too composed for Darcy’s liking. “Did Miss Elizabeth hint at some family design to ensure that I do not escape without proposing to her sister?”
“Bingley,” replied Darcy, feeling his patience fraying, “please be serious. Of course, Miss Elizabeth would not confess to such a thing. She is not witless.”
“She would not confess because no such thing exists,” replied Bingley, his expression firm. “There is no coercion, no misrepresentation. I am aware of the Bennets and their situation, I understand the consequences of my pursuit of Miss Bennet, and I am under no illusions about what it will mean for my future. The benefits of having Miss Bennet for a wife simply outweigh any such concerns.”
“Bingley,” said Darcy, praying for patience, “you are being led as the lamb to the slaughter. I have seen nothing in Miss Bennet’s manners that suggests her esteem is the equal of yours.”
“Tell me, Darcy—how often have you spoken to Miss Bennet. Not just pleasantries, but a true conversation of depth and substance?”
“That matters little—”
“It is everything, Darcy.”
“I have observed her—”
“That is not the same as conversing with her.” Bingley shook his head. “Darcy, let me tell you something. You are incorrect about Miss Bennet. There is no more genuine woman in the world, but she does not display her feelings openly. To understand her, you must speak with her—observation is insufficient.”
This was not proceeding as Darcy had designed—Darcy wondered how he could convince his friend that he was about to make a colossal mistake. Bingley seemed to understand his thoughts, for he did not allow Darcy much time to think.
“Please, my friend, I ask you to trust me in this matter. Mrs. Bennet is what she is, though I do not think her motivation is nearly so reprehensible as you suppose. Miss Bennet, however, is anything but a fortune hunter.”
“Perhaps she is simply adept at hiding a calculating disposition.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Darcy knew he had erred. Bingley’s jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed, his displeasure even more noticeable because he rarely displayed it.
“If you think that, then I wonder why you are here at all.”
“No, Bingley, I do not truly think Miss Bennet is false,” replied Darcy, hoping to mollify his friend. “That was my frustration speaking, and I apologize. Rather, I believe she iseasily led. Miss Bennet is not the problem—the problem is her family. I am convinced you will know nothing but regret should you continue with this design of yours.”
Again, Bingley watched him for several long moments. Then he sighed and turned away.
“Darcy, you have been an excellent friend. I cannot be more grateful for your guidance and your patronage in London. In this matter, however, I require you to step back and allow me to make my own choice.Ifit is a mistake to pursue Miss Bennet, then it is my mistake to make.
“If you cannot accept this, then it would be best if you returned to London and left me to my own devices.”
Now was not the time to press—Darcy knew this. Bingley was determined now, but Darcy could not help but suppose that the Bennets would reveal their true nature in a manner even Bingley could not overlook. Now, it was critical that he stayed to assist his friend to discover the truth. When it was undeniable, Bingley could withdraw, and they could return to London.
