Miss Bennet & Mr Bingley

for

Amanda Grange: good friend and
bestselling author of many Jane Austen related books.

Cover design Jane Dixon-Smith

‘Darcy, what do you think of my new home?’ Mr Bingley enquired anxiously
as he ushered his guests into the entrance hall where the staff were lined up
for inspection.

His friend looked around, and nodded. ‘It will do, Bingley. It is
exactly as you described it. The situation is ideal, not too far from town, and
what I have seen of the grounds they have been well maintained. This entrance
hall is spacious, no doubt the other rooms equally so.’

His sister, Caroline, immediately fluttered to Darcy’s side. ‘Mr Darcy,
how right you are to say so. It is nothing compared to Pemberley of course,
there is nothing so beautiful as your estate in Derbyshire. Hertfordshire is
nothing compared to that. However, I am sure we shall all be very comfortable here,
Charles. As long as we have each other we shall not be starved of acceptable
company.’

The housekeeper stepped forward and curtsied politely. ‘Shall I show
your guests to their rooms, sir? There will be a cold collation served in the
small dining room at noon. Cook thought you might wish for something after your
journey.’

He nodded and smiled amiably. ‘Thank you, Nicholls, I am sure you have
everything as it should be. Caroline, Louisa, if you care to view your
apartments, Darcy, Hurst and I shall stroll around the grounds until you
return.’

‘Bingley, I am a trifle fatigued after the journey, I think I shall find
somewhere to put my feet up for a while.’

‘Hurst you are a lazy devil. Come, Darcy, surely you are not tired?
Nothing so trifling as a carriage ride from town will put you out, I am sure.’

Darcy laughed. ‘Show me the interior first, my friend, if the ladies are
to return in half an hour that shall not be time enough to view the grounds.’

Bingley led him through the drawing-room, the smaller
parlour
, the breakfast room, the dining
room before arriving at the billiard room. ‘Shall we play a frame or two whilst
we wait, Darcy?’

‘It would be better to leave it until after we have eaten, we would
scarce have got into the game before we would have to leave it.’ He strolled
across to the long windows that opened on to the terrace. ‘I cannot tell you,
Bingley, what a relief it is to be out of town. Although it is empty of society
I still feel myself pursued every time I appear in public. Do you not find every
matchmaking matron on your tail hoping to entice you to offer for their
daughter?’

‘I do agree. It is what I most dislike about being there. Here in the
country people are more natural, are prepared to walk from place to place
regardless of the weather.’ He joined his friend to gaze out on to the well
manicured park. ‘The deer and sheep that keep the grass looking so smart are
leased to me, along with the house. I have already made myself known to the
principal families in the neighbourhood, I shall introduce you at the ball
tomorrow.’

Mr Darcy yawned. ‘No doubt we shall both be fawned upon; I am certain
that news of our circumstances will have been much discussed. Sometimes I am
tempted to offer for the first eligible young woman and be done with it. Pemberley
needs a hostess and Georgiana would benefit from a sensible female in her
life.’

‘Is your sister still at Pemberley with her companion?’

 
Mr Darcy nodded. ‘She is almost
an adult and I believe I must make different arrangements for her soon.’

‘Bring her here for a visit some time. My sisters dote on her.’ He
frowned as he considered Darcy’s last remark about marrying for convenience. ‘I
shall not marry for practical reasons, I intend to marry for love.’

The sound of the ladies in the distance cut short their conversation. ‘I
am intending to enjoy myself here, and I know that both my sisters are looking
forward to dressing in their finest and impressing the locals. Come, Darcy, let
us join Caroline and Louisa. This afternoon we shall ride around the park and
you must give me your opinion of the farms. I might consider purchasing
Netherfield if you think it suitable.’

 
* * * *

The evening of the ball duly arrived and, as always, Mr Bennet refused
to accompany his wife and five daughters. Jane stood obediently in front of the
mirror waiting for her maid to finish adjusting her gown. ‘I own that I am
pleased with this dress; the neck is not too low and so I shall not have the
bother of taking a shawl.’

‘The turquoise beads sewn around the hem and décolletage are perfect. I
have never seen you look in better countenance, I am sure there shall be none
more beautiful attending the ball this evening.’

Jane reached out to replace a strand of dark hair that had escaped from
her sister’s elegant arrangement. ‘Your damask-rose silk, is equally
attractive, Lizzy. I believe we have both made an extra effort to impress. It
is a blessing our younger sisters are still obliged to wear white, I am sure
that both Kitty and Lydia would be dressed in scarlet or emerald green if they
were permitted.’

It was somewhat overcrowded in the carriage but they were used to that.
It was already dark by the time they arrived and the pavement outside glowed
orange in the light of the many flambeaux. The groom jumped down from the box
and let down the steps and Mrs Bennet emerged first, the many egret feathers on
her burgundy turban nodding in the breeze.

‘Come along, girls, we do not wish to be tardy. There, Lady Lucas is
ahead of us, do hurry up, and make sure you do not mire the hems of your gowns
on the path. I noticed it has been swept, but one cannot be too careful.’

 
Jane exchanged a smile with
Elizabeth. Their mother said the same thing every time they attended. They
followed dutifully up the stairs and into the assembly rooms; she could hear
her three younger sisters chattering like sparrows behind her.

The band was tuning up ready to start playing the first reel. Already
the place was a buzz with noise and the crystals on the chandeliers glittered
in the candlelight. Jane looked around the crowded room and was relieved to see
Lady Lucas had saved the usual spot for their mother and themselves close to
the entrance, where anyone coming or going could be clearly seen.

‘There are not nearly enough gentleman here tonight, I fear I shall be
obliged to sit out several of the dances as usual.’

‘Things will be better when the regiment is established nearby. Do not
despair, Lizzy, I am sure we shall both have sufficient opportunity to dance
this evening.’

Jane threaded an arm through her sister’s and they swept across the
ballroom, not unaware of the many admiring looks they received from the
gentleman that
were
in attendance. Not wishing to crush their gowns,
they gathered like gossamer butterflies in the space behind the matrons’
chairs, talking animatedly to each other, but their eyes were on the door
waiting to see the arrival of the party from Netherfield.

 
* * * *

Charles found himself as eager to attend this local gathering as ever he
had been when attending a smart occasion in society. He took more care with his
appearance, and was ready and waiting in the drawing-room long before the
appointed hour. Darcy was there before him. He grinned, it was ever thus. His
friend was always first at everything. ‘I must say you look very fine, my
friend, you shall have the ladies a flutter when you enter the assembly rooms
this evening.’

Darcy raised an eyebrow. ‘I have no interest in so doing. As you are
well aware, Bingley, I prefer to be in the company of friends. I dislike
dancing unless it is with someone that I know well, and I am sure that the
whole evening will be tedious in the extreme.’

‘You are a deal too particular, Darcy. I am certain it will be a
delightful evening, I have heard so much about the beauty of the Bennet girls,
and I intend to dance with every one of them.’

‘If I am particular, Bingley, then you are a deal too easily pleased.
However, I shall not spoil your pleasure in the occasion. Only, I beg you, do
not insist that I mingle. You know I detest small talk and especially with
parochials
such as these.’

They travelled in two carriages, Charles, Darcy and Hurst in one, the
ladies in another. Caroline and Louisa had no intention of having their new
ball gowns creased. The carriage halted in front of the assembly rooms.

 
‘My word, this is far larger than
I anticipated. And it is already bustling. Gentlemen, I am determined to enjoy
myself.’ He glanced at his friend, who was looking bored. ‘And even your
disapproving face, Darcy, shall not spoil the evening for me.’ Darcy smiled,
making him look less austere. He was a good fellow, and he valued his advice
above anything.

They entered the noisy rooms and he and his party were immediately
surrounded. He smiled and bowed, rather enjoying the attention he was
engendering. He knew his friend, who was much handsomer than he, and far
richer, was gaining a great deal of admiration from the assembled crowd. He
wished Darcy would smile more, appear less forbidding and disagreeable, and was
determined to make up for his friend's lack of humour by being more open
himself.

He was soon acquainted with all the notable people in the room. He
danced every dance and was angry when he heard that the ball was to close so
early and talked of giving one himself at Netherfield. However, although he
danced with most of the young unattached females, he had eyes only for one. He
had not been misled, all the Bennet girls were pretty, but Jane, the oldest,
was a diamond of the first water. He led her out for the first of the two
dances he was permitted to have with any one partner, and found her company to
be as enchanting as her appearance.

‘Miss Bennet, tell me, do you ride out around Longbourn?’

 
The young lady smiled as she
dipped and curtsied in the dance. ‘Indeed I do, sir, I am the only one in my
family, apart from the my father, who likes to ride. My sisters prefer the
carriage or their own two feet.’

As their hands met again he felt them tremble in his grip. She was an
angel, so sweet and kind, and the loveliest girl he had seen in his whole life.
He finished this dance and bowed low. ‘I believe our second dance, Miss Bennet,
follows immediately. I wish it was possible to lead you out for every dance,
but I know it would be frowned upon.’

‘I should not accept the offer of a third dance, Mr Bingley. But I look
forward to dancing with you once more this evening as soon as the music starts
again.’

She whisked away in a whirl of green taffeta and he glimpsed an
enticing, well turned ankle as she did so. He noticed that Elizabeth Bennet,
almost as handsome as Jane, had been obliged by the scarcity of gentlemen to
sit down for two dances. This would not do, when his friend was standing beside
him. ‘Darcy, I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by
yourself in this stupid manner. You must dance.’

‘I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am well
acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this, it would be
insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, there is not another woman in the room
that it would not be a punishment for me to stand up with.’