The issue was, of course, Georgiana’s intention to join them at Netherfield. Darcy now wished he had delayed speaking to Bingley about Georgiana’s wish to come to Hertfordshire. The youngest Bennets would not be a good influence on her, though he did not suppose she would follow them in their intrigues and their behavior with the officers.
Then again, whatever other weaknesses of character Miss Elizabeth possessed, she was poised, confident, and forthright, all qualities Georgiana did not yet possess. Darcy thought he could allow his sister to associate with Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet, benefitting from their friendship without exposing her to the Bennets’ determination to capture Bingley. She would love Miss Bennet at once and look up to Miss Elizabeth.
Wickham was another story, but Darcy could deal with him if he stepped even a toe out of line. With all these considerations in mind, Darcy responded the only way he could.
“If you will have me, I am content to stay, Bingley.” Darcy offered his friend a slight smile. “Georgiana is to come, and I would not disappoint her. I shall give you whatever support it is in my power to impart.”
Though Bingley regarded him as if suspecting Darcy of duplicity, he offered an abrupt nod. “Very well, Darcy. Idoappreciate your friendship, as I have said. In time, I am convinced that you will see Miss Bennet as I have.”
Darcy thought that was unlikely, but he said nothing more to his friend. For the moment, his best course was to observe and wait for the Bennets to make a mistake. When they did, he could detach Bingley when even he could no longer deny it.
“JANE, I KNOW YOU PREFERto think the best of others, but I am telling you that Mr. Darcy is no more of a friend to Mr. Bingley’s interest in you than Mr. Bingley’s sisters. The disagreeable man was open about his intention to separate Mr. Bingley from you by whatever means he believes justifiable.”
“Perhaps you are correct, Lizzy,” replied Jane, maintaining her calm. “What do you want me to do on the occasion?”
“There is nothing to be done, Jane,” said Elizabeth. “But I want you to be aware of it. Do not trust Mr. Darcy, for he does not have your best interests at heart.”
“No, I do not suppose he does, nor did I believe he did. Mr. Darcy is Mr. Bingley’s friend, Lizzy—his allegiance must be to his friend, not to me.”
“Do you suppose he should direct in what way his friend is to find happiness?”
“No, I do not suppose it.” By now, Jane’s calm persistence was beginning to annoy Elizabeth. “The question before us, Lizzy, is whether Mr. Darcy wishes to separate Mr. Bingley from me because of genuine concern or reasons that are, in his own mind, legitimate.”
That Jane was acknowledging the gentleman might have an alternate motive did not surprise Elizabeth so much as it might have a month ago. The knowledge of Miss Bingley’s misbehavior had altered something in her sister. Jane was still the same trusting woman she had always been, but Elizabeth suspected her sister now understood theremaybe evil in the world.
“Before you attempt to claim Mr. Darcy’s guilt, you should reflect that we do not know his motivations.”
“Does his behavior in the autumn not move you to suspect him?” asked Elizabeth. “No one in this neighborhood has ever met Mr. Darcy’s standards—he may concern himself for our position, Mama’s obvious intrigues, or concerns about your esteem for Mr. Bingley, but he is still, at heart, the same proud man he has always been.”
“Tell me, Lizzy. What can Mr. Bingley’s choice of a wife be to Mr. Darcy?”
Elizabeth sputtered, trying to answer her sister’s question.
“It can mean nothing,” said Jane, answering her own question. “Mr. Darcy’s lineage is the ancient, distinguished line he must protect. His interest in Mr. Bingley must be for friendship, not for any thoughts of protecting his friend’s legacy.”
“What of Mr. Bingley’s position in society? Mr. Bingley is new to the sort of society that Mr. Darcy inhabits—do you not suppose Mr. Darcy wishes his friend to make a match that will lead to his acceptance?”
“Mayhap he does,” agreed Jane. “But that is a far cry from wishing to separate us for nothing more than caprice.”
Elizabeth shook her head. This conversation was accomplishing nothing—there was no point in arguing.
“In the end, Mr. Darcy’s motivations mean little.” Elizabeth offered her sister a conciliatory smile. “That you are aware of his opposition to Mr. Bingley’s interest in you is enough.”
“I am not unaware of it, though I am not convinced his opposition is as profound as you believe it to be.”
“Again, that is immaterial,” replied Elizabeth. “There is little you can do about it, but to ensure that Mr. Bingley understands your sentiments. If he does, there is nothing Mr. Darcy can do to interfere.”
“Then we are agreed.”
In the ensuing days, the gentlemen visited daily. Mr. Bingley was his usual pleasant self, but Mr. Darcy was another matter altogether. He watched, and unless Elizabeth was no judge of the matter at all, he calculated and plotted. What those designs might portend, Elizabeth could not say, but she was not about to allow him to spin his webs unopposed.
Mr. Darcy rarely had much to say during those visits. The gentleman sat in their midst and would respond when addressed, but he rarely initiated conversation, even with Elizabeth, who had more of his attention than anyone else in the family. Elizabeth was quite sanguine about this; considering the gentleman disagreeable as she did, she had little wish to speak to him.
Three days after his first appearance, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley arrived, and matters proceeded much as they ever did. Mrs. Bennet, however, appeared to have some other purpose in mind, for she did not allow much time to pass before she addressed the gentlemen.
“Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, I should like to invite you to join us for dinner when convenient.”
She turned to Mr. Darcy, and despite her distaste for the man, she addressed him with seeming composure. “Mr. Darcy, I believe you mentioned that your sister was to join you at Netherfield Park. Will she arrive soon?”
