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Book 1 Chapter 9
There was a certain inevitability to the Gardiner party and the Bingley party meeting at an Assembly within two weeks of Charles Bingley’s visit to Gracechurch Street. Bingley, the Gardiners and the Bennet sisters were perfectly polite, bows and curtseys and then going their separate ways. Bingley made no attempt to dance with either of the Bennets. All four of them were enjoying the dance and had put Mr. Bingley out of their minds.
Until supper.
A young gentleman had escorted Mary from the supper set and joined them at their table. Kitty’s last dance partner had escorted back to her aunt and uncle but had not stayed so there were five of them enjoying the food and quietly talking. As with all events like that, there were some voices that carried more clearly than others, and they were sitting behind one of the most strident.
Caroline Bingley.
Kitty was facing the Bingley party, whereas the rest of the party had their backs to them, as they were sitting opposite Kitty. Mary and her partner were to her left, her aunt and uncle to her right. And in the gap between the two she had a clear view of Charles Bingley. Whereas before he had made a token attempt to control his sister, now she saw that he was angry. He was keeping his voice under regulation and not shouting to all and sundry. Kitty did not hear the words but she could see the intent. And she could hear the result, or rather could not hear anything. Charles Bingley had finally managed to quieten his sister.
--
“It appears Mr. Bingley can learn. A decade too late, but better late than never.”
They were all sitting around the breakfast table, recounting the notable events of the night before. Everyone looked at Mrs. Gardiner waiting for more.
“Miss Bingley was acting in a similar manner to that ball two weeks ago, unhappy at every aspect of the Assembly last night.”
“Every aspect?”
“Oh yes. The guests were unfashionable, the wine warm, that one is true but it is the same at nearly every event. What else? The food was insipid, the fashions second class and provincial, the musicians were nothing but amateur hacks. Again, there was some truth to that contention but there was no need to proclaim it to the room. And as usual she was too loud. She is not strident, well not quite, but there is a clarity to her complaints. She has a voice that pierces and is not well-mannered enough to behave in a manner that is appropriate. But this time, unlike two weeks ago, Mr. Bingley got her to pipe down. He at least did not allow his voice to carry but there was real anger in the hissed instruction. I noticed they only stayed for one more dance before they left. And nobody looked particularly happy.”
Mr. Gardiner dapped his lips with the napkin and stood in preparation to head to his office.
“As you said, it appears he can learn. Let us hope that we can avoid them on future occasions. London is full of people just like Miss Bingley. We should focus our attention on the more deserving.”
With a smile and a wink at Mary after paraphrasing the Rev Fordyce he kissed his wife and left for work.
“See Mary, we do listen.”
Mary endured the light teasing from her sister with a smile.
--
“Quincy, it is good to see you. It has been too long.”
“Fitzwilliam. Yes, it must be more than a year. You are back from the Peninsula?”
Richard nodded.
“Took a musket ball in the foot of all places. I was lucky in that I only lost the two smallest toes of my left foot. I am assigned to Horseguards at present. I expect to be here training replacements for the next couple of years.”
“Does it affect you? You do not appear to have a limp.”
“I have to be careful, there are occasional moments where my balance is unsteady. Enough about me, how have things been in town?”
“Much the same. When we last spoke the Prince of Wales had only recently been appointed Regent for his father. Now it is clear he will act in his stead for the remainder of his reign. There has been a lot of talk about the Regency, you know how it is. When I think on it, the last time we spoke was after the problem with Darcy and my sister. He has been conspicuous by his absence.”
There was no question there but Richard responded just the same.
“He spent all of the year ’12 sulking in Derbyshire. If my mother had not received letters from his sister we would have none the wiser as to his mood.”
Richard was pensive.
“He is not a bad man. I know he presented appallingly with your sister and I am not excusing him. He has immersed himself in Pemberley this last year, unrelenting industry on the estate. He has retreated to the familiar, to the things he can control. For a man who spent a decade at Eton and Cambridge he is still uncomfortable in society.”
Peter Quincy recognised the truth in his friend’s words.
