Miss Bingley Requests Page 5

  ‘How very lovely to meet you at last.’ Charles leapt out of his chair, from where he’d been observing Mr Darcy at the writing table, penning the latest in a long series of letters to his sister, Georgiana. Charles held out his hand and took hold of the visitor’s, shaking it enthusiastically. Mr Bennet, Caroline observed, subjected her brother to a keen searching glance.

  ‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘And may I add my congratulations to those I am certain you’ve received from the more effusive of our neighbours, on acquiring this fine estate.’

  Charles then introduced Mr Bennet to the others. Caroline noticed that Mr Darcy, when making his usual short sharp bow, spent a little more time observing this new acquaintance than he had any of the other local people they’d met. Maybe, she thought, there were some people worth knowing in this place. Mr Bennet’s manners were very good, he’d be out of place in town, of course, but for an area such as this, they did him very well.

  He stayed only a short time, as was proper, sitting on the edge of his chair and sipping the tea Caroline handed him, but not taking the time to finish it before he jumped up and begged pardon, but he had matters at home that must be seen to. ‘I reside in a household with six females,’ he said with a sidelong glance at the gentlemen, as if expecting understanding. Charles and Mr Hurst nodded politely; Darcy observed him but made no response. Darcy, Caroline had noted, seemed little inclined to speak or otherwise interact with their new neighbours. That does very well for him, no doubt, she thought with a tinge of exasperation. He will leave and return to Pemberley. I, however, must reside here and deal with these people every day.

  Charles walked the visitor to the parlour door, and Mr Bennet, just before he left, suggested that his wife and daughters would be delighted if Mr Bingley, and any of his other guests, would grace Longbourn by returning the call.

  ‘I’d be delighted,’ Charles exclaimed. ‘As would Darcy, I am certain of it.’ He glanced at his friend who, observing that a response was expected, gave a small bow.

  ‘Very good,’ said Mr Bennet. ‘You can have no idea of the benefits your visit will bring to my wife and daughters. No idea at all—and the ways in which the visit will enhance the pleasures of my library.’ And ending the visit with this cryptic remark, he departed.

  For the next couple of weeks, Caroline was kept very busy. There were so many things that needed doing to properly set up the household, things that simply couldn’t be entrusted to the servants. They tried, of course, but how could they possibly know the best section of wall in the morning room on which to hang the portrait of her parents so that the light caught it exactly so, first thing in the morning? Or just how far apart the chairs in the parlour needed to be to ensure a close enough distance for easy conversation while preserving the air of formality that room required?

  Menus, provisioning the larder, checking the work of so many servants who were new, examining each room to ensure that during the long months the house had been empty no mould or unpleasant creatures had flourished.

  ‘I declare,’ she remarked to Louisa, ‘one would think that if the servants hired were capable, the masters should not even notice a removal had taken place.’

  ‘Are you unhappy with your servants?’ Louisa asked.

  ‘I took the best of what was available.’ Caroline fussed with the folds of her gown as she sank into a chair beside her sister. ‘But an artist, as you know, is only as good as his tools. I made do, and I continue to make do.’

  Charles and Mr Darcy entered the room. Charles’ cheeks were flushed with wind and sun, while Mr Darcy, who always managed to look proper even if he had just been out of doors, looked the same as always: not a hair out of place, his stock perfectly tied. Caroline sent him a polite smile as he bowed to her.

  ‘What a perfectly lovely day it is outside,’ Charles said, holding his hands out to the crackling fire. ‘Why don’t you and Louisa go for a walk? I cannot have you becoming peaky.’

  ‘I am not peaky,’ Caroline said sharply. ‘I have been far too busy to even think about wasting time walking about in an aimless manner.’

  ‘Then,’ said Charles, ‘you deserve an evening of entertainment. There is to be an assembly in Meryton, and we simply must attend.’

  ‘No doubt,’ Louisa said, ‘this will finally provide you with an opportunity to set eyes on the famous Bennet sisters.’ She inclined her head towards Caroline and both sisters laughed.

  Charles had returned Mr Bennet’s call, and Caroline had been most curious to hear his account of these local beauties whose praises were sung far and wide by all, possibly all in the entire county. He’d returned, though, with no additional information.

  ‘I spent my time with Mr Bennet in his library,’ he’d reported, sounding surprised to be asked about such a subject as the appearances of young ladies. ‘He has an excellent collection of books, and he permitted me to examine several volumes.’

  Caroline, recalling how narrow the pursuits of men could be, shooting and dogs and books, sighed. ‘You can’t possibly expect us to endure an entire evening with these people. I am certain the music will be an affront to my ears. And there will be no one with whom I can dance, except for the members of our own party.’

  Her eyes went to Mr Darcy, who said, ‘I quite agree. Charles, you cannot expect me to spend an evening with such tedious company.’

  Caroline smiled her approval of this meeting of minds, and he returned her a warm glance.

  ‘What utter nonsense,’ Charles protested. ‘I have met not a single soul I would describe in such terms. They are all such delightful people I feel quite at home here already.’

  ‘I sometimes wish,’ Mr Darcy said, ‘that I could see the world as you do, where every sky holds the promise of a rainbow, and every person you meet is a source of joy.’

  Caroline laughed.

  ‘But then,’ Mr Darcy continued, ‘I remember that my time on Earth as allotted by God is limited, and I thank Him a thousand fold for providing me with eyes and ears that show me who is worthy of my time and who is not.’

  Charles laughed too. ‘Fitzwilliam, it is when I hear you speak thus that I thank God you are my friend.’

  Darcy appeared gratified, but Charles continued, ‘It is because He gave me an opportunity to do good in this world, by helping one as dour as you to experience joy, from time to time. Here, now, you cannot refuse me this moment when I can add to my list of good deeds. My soul requires it! You simply must accompany me to the assembly. I am certain you will have such a good time that you will thank me for all of your limited allotted days.’

  Darcy, whom Caroline knew held a genuine affection for her brother, allowed his smile to warm his dark eyes, but Caroline, who knew him well, could see the doubt still there.

  ‘The attire of the locals will be an affront to your eyes,’ Louisa, wanting to take part in the game, said, and the sisters laughed again.

  ‘Nonsense.’ Charles rubbed the last of the cold out of his hands and threw himself onto the settee across from where his sisters sat. ‘The people here are accomplished enough that they don’t need to be concerned with the latest fashions.’ He sent a mock scathing glance at his sisters. ‘The music Sir William’s daughter played when I dined with him was very good indeed. We simply must attend. I insist.’

  ‘I wish,’ Caroline said, ‘your curiosity concerning the Bennet daughters had been answered. I am sorry indeed that you had to cancel your dinner engagement at Longbourn.’

  ‘My curiosity?’ Charles laughed. ‘If I am curious, it is only because there are so many people here with whom it has been a great pleasure to become acquainted. Every person I meet has much to offer. And I was sorry indeed that business took me to Town and away from Netherfield Park. I now have to make up the lost time, and the assembly will offer the perfect opportunity.’

  Caroline glanced at Darcy to see how he took this apparently unavoidable visit to the country assembly. ‘As he has stated,’ she said, ‘Mr Darcy feels no pleasure at
the thought of spending an entire evening with such company as this area has to offer, and I am in agreement with him.’

  ‘I do not,’ he said, seemingly resigned, ‘but we are newly come to this area and it is our duty to participate in such social events as are open to us, and to set an example of proper behaviour. The way we conduct ourselves will be noted and while I cannot claim I will enjoy the experience, the expectations I place upon myself demand that I act as the gentleman I am.’

  Charles clapped him on the shoulder. ‘Well said. And who knows, perhaps there will be a fair countenance that will tempt even you, sir!’

  Mr Darcy, Caroline observed, did not look as if he expected anything at the assembly to tempt him, and especially not the countenance of anyone who lived in this area. ‘Mr Darcy,’ she said. ‘Would you join me in a game of cards before dinner? Come Louisa, let us show Charles how much pleasure and good company we have right here, in our own household.’

  Louisa prodded Mr Hurst in the side of his waistcoat for, as often happened when he sat by a fire, he was asleep. ‘I agree,’ she said. ‘Charles, how can you want for further entertainment with all that is on offer here?’

  ‘I can’t imagine,’ he said, and pulled out a chair to sit at cards.

  * * *

  Caroline examined her appearance in the mirror, as her maid hovered anxiously behind her, and thought how she couldn’t imagine looking forward to anything less than the anticipation she now experienced on the evening of the Meryton assembly.

  Only one who knew Mr Darcy as well as she could tell he’d worked himself into a lather about it, although Darcy being Darcy he’d appeared, at luncheon, as calm and fashionable as usual, not a hair out of place, no wrinkles in his coat. Really, it was most unkind of Charles to subject his friend, never mind his own sisters, to such an unpleasant evening.

  She sat across from Mr Darcy in the carriage, and examined him from beneath her lashes. As usual he showed no sign of his emotion. His highbrow was unlined, his lips showed no tendency to purse, his cheekbones revealed skin that was clear and uncoloured by the red of displeasure or the paleness of dread. She knew, though, that he was unhappy. She wanted to reach out and touch his hand, so that she might share his burden, but knew he would not welcome the gesture.

  He kept his face toward the carriage window, watching as the lights of Meryton approached, and made no response as Charles chattered on about the people who would be present that evening, and those he had not yet met but how much he welcomed the pleasure that doing so would bring him.

  Too soon the carriage rolled to a stop, bumping one last time into a pothole, as if to remind Caroline of the discomfort to come. Catching Louisa’s eye, she heaved a sigh, and permitted her brother to hand her out.

  The assembly room, as she’d expected, was small, overly heated, and stuffy. The faces that turned, and they all turned as her party made its entrance, contained eyes dulled with stupidity and mouths open with wonder as they perceived their betters. The men bowed and the ladies curtseyed, so at least they knew their place. Head high, Caroline followed Charles as Sir William rushed over to greet him.

  ‘Really,’ she whispered to Louisa, ‘the man looks like a footman, the way he bows and scrapes. And not a very proficient footman, either.’

  Now others ventured closer to be introduced. Caroline wore a distant smile and paid no attention as the faces and names were paraded past her. Darcy, she noticed, was beginning to look pained. ‘Poor man,’ she said to Louisa, ‘what he must be suffering.’

  After what seemed an eternity, people returned to their conversations, and music began. Caroline winced to hear the squeak of the violin. ‘I’d wondered,’ Louisa whispered, ‘what greater indignities they could heap upon us, and thought that we’d reached the end of the pile. But this music …’

  ‘If you can call it that.’ Caroline gathered her skirts in her hands, to search for an out-of-the-way place to stand, when she noticed her brother’s gaze sharpen as he glanced across the room.

  ‘Who is that?’ he asked Sir William, who had not stirred from his side.

  ‘I’m not surprised you honour her with your notice,’ the man said. ‘That is Miss Bennet. Miss Jane Bennet, the eldest and the loveliest of that fair bevy.’ He saw Charles was still staring across the room. ‘Would you permit me to introduce you to the Bennet sisters?’

  Curious now, since they’d all heard so much about these paragons, Caroline followed Charles as he dodged around the dancers to the other side of the room. Mr Darcy, she noticed, now stood by the front wall, gazing outside into the muddy street, no doubt finding that view more inspirational than the sight of any of these people could be.

  Mrs Bennet was a woman who had perhaps once had pretensions of being a beauty. Her voice, though, was overly loud and grated on the ear, as she thanked Sir William for the introductions. The squire, Caroline noted, had made the introductions faultlessly. No doubt much effort had gone into preparing him for his presentation at court, and some of what he’d learned had been retained.

  Mrs Bennet now turned to Charles, and in a voice calculated, no doubt, to draw all attention, complimented him on the fine choice he’d made in Netherfield Park. Charles responded enthusiastically, happily listing the many fine features of his new house. His eyes, though, kept moving to the face of Miss Jane Bennet.

  She was pretty enough, Caroline supposed, with her light-coloured hair arranged on the top of her head. Something like her own hairstyle, Caroline thought with shock. Miss Bennet’s eyes were large and an appealing shade of blue. The girl looked demure, as was fitting, but she lifted her eyes to Charles before turning to Caroline to make her curtsey. Caroline hardly remembered to respond, as she saw the glow on her brother’s face, and her concern rose when he asked Miss Bennet to honour him with the next two dances. The girl agreed, of course.

  Caroline hadn’t paid any attention to the other sisters, but she now looked at them. The one to whom Miss Bennet now spoke was the next eldest. She had dark curly hair, and had permitted her maid to do a slovenly job of arranging it, for curls fell wherever they chose, over her ears, down her back, and there was even a short one bouncing over her forehead. Her eyes were dark, but shone with what could only be seen as mischief, as she darted her glance from person to person in Charles’ party. A saucy one, no doubt, who thought herself above her station, but with nothing whatsoever to recommend her. The other sisters were also beneath notice; one actually had her nose in a book, no doubt because she was so plain that she preferred to hide her countenance. The last two were young, giggling together as they watched the young men pass by. To her surprise, a couple of these men asked the young girls to dance. Caroline was certain the mother would put a stop to this inappropriate behaviour, but Mrs Bennet simply waved a languid hand as the men each seized a sister by the hand and pulled them to their position in the dance.

  Charles, at least, made a proper bow to Miss Bennet, and she returned it with a curtsey before placing her hand on his arm and allowing him to lead her to their places.

  Time passed, but did so only reluctantly. Music played, violins scratching, the flute piercing her ears. People danced, or stood about in groups, talking. Caroline noticed many avid glances sent her way, and towards Mr Darcy, too. At one point he rescued her from boredom and asked her to dance, but his face was so shuttered, his head held so high, she knew he took no pleasure in it. No more than she did, that was evident. He also danced with Louisa, while Caroline danced with Mr Hurst, usually a chore but tonight she was glad because he at least knew how to dance like a gentleman. The locals swung their arms too much; talked too much; smiled too much. Really, it was insupportable.

  Someone offered her a glass of a muddy pink liquid, telling her how much she’d like the lemonade. She took a small sip and it took all her self-control not to spit it into the smiling face of the woman who’d given it to her, still standing there staring. Caroline gave her a frosty nod and, sweeping past, deposited the glass on the nearest s
urface. Spying Darcy standing uncomfortably by a wall, not too far from where several women sat alone, no doubt pining for dance partners, she moved to his side.

  Charles joined them, his face flushed from the exertions of the last dance. ‘Charles,’ she said, ‘if you grin any more widely, your teeth will fly out and then you will look silly indeed.’ She glanced at Mr Darcy to see if he appreciated her wit, but he was staring off at nothing.

  Charles ignored her, as she’d learned brothers often did their sisters. ‘Come, Darcy,’ he said. ‘I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.’

  ‘I certainly shall not.’ Darcy pulled himself back from whatever thoughts had occupied him. ‘You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged,’ he sent a glance towards Caroline who had, in a moment of utter boredom and weakness, agreed to dance with Sir William, ‘and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.’

  ‘I would not be so fastidious as you are,’ Charles cried, ‘for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening, and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty.’

  ‘You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,’ said Mr Darcy, to Caroline’s surprise, as he looked at the eldest Miss Bennet.

  ‘Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty and I dare say very agreeable.’

  ‘Which do you mean?’ He turned, and Caroline did, too, and saw the saucy sister, the one with the messy hair. ‘She is tolerable,’ Mr Darcy said coldly, ‘but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.’