“Your brother has a point,” said Bingley. “Their arguments are something much remarked upon in the neighborhood.”
“Not at all, Bingley,” replied Darcy. “Our arguments, as you call them, were mostly conducted at Netherfield. Perhaps the neighborhood has some notion of our previous antipathy, but nothing so obvious as you suggest.”
“Antipathy?” demanded Georgiana. “Did you dislike Elizabeth?”
“Rather the reverse, I should think,” replied Bingley.
“That is the truth.” Darcy shrugged. “I have never thought poorly of Miss Elizabeth, even after I suspected her of wishing to push her sister toward you.”
Georgiana glanced heavenward. “I told you that was nonsense. Miss Bennet’s feelings are true.”
“They are,” added Bingley.
“Nor do I deny it.”
“Then what shall you do now?” asked Georgiana, sitting near the fireplace.
“I shall show her every civility in my power to offer,” replied Darcy, sitting nearby.
“She will not be impressed by our circumstances.”
Darcy agreed and accepted his sister’s warning. “No, Georgiana, I do not suppose she will. I am acquainted enoughwith Miss Elizabeth to understand her sentiments about such things.”
“If you ask me,” said Bingley, though no one had, “you made a strategic misstep, old man.”
“Oh?” asked Darcy. “What, particularly?”
“That you did not make it clear to Mrs. BennetwhichBennet sister you find agreeable.”
Darcy frowned. “I praised Miss Elizabeth’s perspicacity and determination.”
Bingley shook his head, chuckling. “For your sake, I hope you are correct, Darcy. I hope you appreciate my efforts on your behalf.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why, that I will keep Caroline away while you press your suit with Miss Elizabeth. For days, Caroline has been demanding my return and, if she cannot convince me, demanding that I allow her to come to Netherfield to see to the house.” Bingley’s snort betrayed his amusement. “I have forbidden her from coming here—I even told Hurst that she would be on the next mail carriage back to London if she presumed to defy me.”
“That cannot be a pleasant situation for Hurst,” observed Darcy. “As I recall, he has never been on good terms with your sister.”
“Do not underestimate Hurst, Darcy. He will not tolerate Caroline, and if she becomes too shrill, he will simply absent himself from the house and stay at a hotel.”
Darcy considered this. Though he had never had any great opinion of Hurst, he knew the man could be stubborn when he got it into his mind. That Hurst might simply absent himself should the situation become intolerable had not occurred to him, but Bingley was likely correct. There would be advantages to living in a hotel for a time; he would be free of his sister-in-law’s shrieking and would have his club nearby, all the food hewished to eat, and spirits aplenty. For Hurst, that was more than enough to keep him happy.
“Then I appreciate the gesture, Bingley,” replied Darcy. “While I would not speak to offend, I have no interest in your sister.”
“That my friend, is no secret at all.”
HAD ELIZABETH CONSIDEREDit in advance, she could not have predicted what would ensue more accurately. Mr. Darcy’s stated interest in her was no less strange the next day than it had been when he declared it. Such thoughts had occupied her mind to the extent that she had not considered the impact of Mr. Darcy’s new civility, especially when it pertained to her mother.
The following day, the eldest Bennet sisters again visited Netherfield Park at Georgiana’s invitation. This time, however, it had included them all. Kitty and Lydia declined, citing an interest in visiting Meryton to discover any new developments concerning the investigation against Mr. Wickham, but the three elder sisters accepted. Georgiana’s motives soon became clear.
“Excuse me, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth to the gentleman, who was situated next to her, “but does your sister have certain... matchmaking inclinations?”
“Before today, I might not have thought so,” replied Mr. Darcy.
“Youdoknow that I shall not allow an eager sister to influence me.”
Mr. Darcy turned an amused look on Elizabeth. “Never would I have suspected it, Miss Elizabeth.”
