Page 6 of Miss Bingley’s Return

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Gardiner,” said Miss Bingley.

The woman curtseyed and offered all the necessary compliments; Madeleine sensed what she was not saying. As the daughter of a tradesman, Miss Bingley was a woman who was even lower in society than Madeleine Gardiner. She was also one who wished to forget or ignore that fact. Why she deigned to visit such a place as Gracechurch Street she could not yet determine, but Madeleine was certain it would come out in due time. No one could maintain a façade forever.

“Your home is quite comfortable, Mrs. Gardiner,” said Miss Bingley, her tone modulated with care. “Rather quaint, indeed.”

That one word quaint was doing far more work than Miss Bingley had intended. It carried a faint sense of condescension, a suggestion she had accepted the arrangement rather than welcomed it. Jane and Lizzy had noticed it too—Elizabeth’s watchfulness was a little too sharp, while Jane’s composure was a little too careful.

After a few moments of such domestic conversation, Miss Bingley turned their attention to society.

“I cannot say how pleased I am that you have consented to join us in London, Jane,” said she with a smile for Jane that Madeleine did not think feigned. “Now that you are here, I must introduce you to my acquaintances. It will not be long before you will gain acceptance—many will wish to be known to you.”

“Oh?” asked Elizabeth, her voice tinged with just a trace of challenge. “Do you suppose we shall become accepted at once? After all, we Bennets have not frequented the sitting-rooms of London.”

The look Miss Bingley directed at her was nigh incomprehensible to Madeleine. In part, it suggested that Miss Bingley looked on her with some emotion that was not friendly. When she spoke, however, Miss Bingley did so without a sneer, without hesitation, and with every appearance of amity.

“We are not so judgmental, Miss Eliza,” said she. “Your characters will guarantee acceptance, and my recommendation—and that of my brother—will win over any naysayers.”

It was the first time Miss Bingley had referenced her brother. Elizabeth seized the opportunity to gain more information.

“How is Mr. Bingley?”

“My brother is well,” said Miss Bingley, still giving nothing away. “Perhaps we should speak of what comes next.”

“For our part,” said Mrs. Gardiner, “that involves shopping.”

She offered Jane and Lizzy a fond smile. “While my nieces have always dressed well, they have never participated in the season. Thus, they lack a certain mode of formal dress they will require in London.”

Though Miss Bingley hesitated, she nodded after a few moments of consideration. “Yes, that is prudent. While I have no doubt of your acceptance, ensuring your clothing is unremarkable will be essential.”

“You are welcome to accompany us, Caroline,” said Jane with her usual diffidence.

Miss Bingley appeared to consider this, then she shook her head. “I have every confidence in your taste and judgment, Jane—there is no need for me to attend you. I have calls I must make tomorrow.”

“Very well,” said Mrs. Gardiner.

The conversation moved to other topics, leaving Madeleine to observe the young lady. While she could not resolve what the other woman meant, she did not think Miss Bingley had been forthcoming about her reasons for her behavior.

“Now,” said Miss Bingley, “we should discuss the coming days. As you are unknown in London, there is a progression we should observe to ensure your introduction proceeds without issue.”

“You have many acquaintances?” asked Elizabeth.

Miss Bingley pierced her with a look, seeming to suspect that Elizabeth was questioning her position. It had not been that, but knowing she was the daughter of a tradesman, though Miss Bingley would not acknowledge it, Elizabeth had thought to gain some notion of her true position.

“I do not lack acquaintances, Miss Eliza,” replied Miss Bingley. “Of course, my brother has many friends—you will become known to them also. Then there is Mr. Darcy.”

“Mr. Darcy?” asked Elizabeth, not having expected the gentleman’s name to arise between them.

“Yes,” said Miss Bingley. “He is Charles’s close friend, after all.”

“It was my impression that Mr. Darcy did not enjoy society.”

Miss Bingley offered a brief smile and nodded. “That is an accurate picture of Mr. Darcy, to be certain. Yet his position is such that he cannot ignore the season. Mr. Darcy attends, and some of our invitations derive from his influence.”

It was all Elizabeth could do not to raise her eyebrows in surprise—she had never expected Miss Bingley to acknowledge it. “The grandson of an earl, as I recall,” said Elizabeth.

“And the nephew of one,” agreed Miss Bingley. “Mr. Darcy also has other connections to the nobility older than those to his Fitzwilliam relations.”

Miss Bingley shrugged. “That is not our concern, of course—Mr. Darcy’s relations inhabit a lofty sphere, one that will overlap because of his friendship, but not often.”