This sly remark made much of an impact upon its hearer. Mr. Collins agreed most heartily that a gentleman such as himself should have a choice, and that he would meet this Miss Lucas.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Lucas Lodge
Let me make certain that I understand,” Charlotte said, cautiously. “Your cousin, who I have never met, is looking for a wife. None of you wish to marry him, but you thought I might. Is that it?’
Jane and Elizabeth looked at one another in consternation. “It sounds rather dreadful when put like that, Charlotte,” Elizabeth said, now very unhappy. “I am so very sorry; I suppose we should not have come.”
Charlotte immediately responded. “Oh, no, you mistake me. I merely wished to be certain that I understood the situation corerctly. Heislooking for a wife, is he not?”
“Yes; his idea was to marry one of us; in doing so, he felt he would be offering some compensation for taking Longbourn after Papa passes,” Jane supplied.
“That speaks very well of him,” Charlotte said. “He cannot be as bad as all that.”
“He is not a handsome creature, Charlotte,” Elizabeth said.
Charlotte shrugged. “I am hardly in a position to complain of someone’s appearance.”
“You do not value yourself highly enough, Charlotte. In any case, he is also not clever. In truth, he is verbose and tedious.”
“But he has a home and an income?”
“A rectory in Kent, yes. But he has a patroness who dictates his every movement,” Jane warned.
“But he has a home and an income,” Charlotte repeated. “I suppose I should meet him.”
“Then come for tea tomorrow, Charlotte,” Elizabeth said.
Chapter Forty
Netherfield Park
She is truly repentant, Charles.”
“I am not certain that your opinion can be trusted when it comes to Caroline,” Mr. Bingley replied.
“Then speak to her yourself, if you will not take me at my word,” Mrs. Hurst suggested.
***
Miss Bingley was glad to see her brother at her door. She welcomed him and bade him sit in the comfortable chair by the window, while she remained standing. “I have behaved very badly, Charles,” she began.
“We all know that, Caroline,” her brother replied, impatiently. “The question is whether or not you will continue to behave badly. I accept that I have been very wrong in letting your behaviour go uncorrected for so long, but I will not continue down that path.”
“I will not cause you any further embarrassment, Charles. I will be polite to everyone.”
“Polite is good; kind is better,” Mr. Bingley said. “I do not know why it is that you are unable to be kind. Do you not see that our guests need kindness just now? Whether or not Miss Darcy is guilty of some sort of poor judgement is not the issue; the issue is simply that our friends need and deserve our kindness.” He was clearly exasperated.
“You are a good friend, Charles,” Miss Bingley said. There was a catch in her voice. “I wish I could say the same about myself. I will try to become kind.”
“Very well,” Mr. Bingley said. “Tomorrow I will pay a call on the Bennets. You may accompany me. But first, you must make amends with the Darcys.”
***
That afternoon, Miss Bingley joined the other occupants of Netherfield Park for tea. This was her first appearance since she had been sent to her room. Georgiana was immediately uncomfortable and changed her seat so that she might sit beside her brother. Mr. Darcy put an arm around his sister, clearly intent on protecting her.
Miss Bingley went at once to Georgiana and knelt before her, dismayed to see the young girl – scarcely more than a child, really – shrink away from her. Her voice faltered as she spoke. “Miss Darcy, I have no excuse for saying such terrible things to you. I was completely, utterly wrong to do so, and my words were false. Miss Darcy, you are lovely, accomplished, well-born and well-connected; you will have no difficulties at all in making an excellent marriage. I suspect that I am simply jealous of all that, and that is why I spoke as I did. I beg you to forgive me and give me the chance to be a better friend to you.”
