Page 8 of The Best Of Relations

Shocked and horrified, Mrs Gardiner quite understood. However, this only hardened her resolve that she must be the one to safeguard Meryton and its residents from Wickham’s evil.

“My sister Mrs Bennet is already alerted to warn everyone in the district with daughters of an age to interest Wickham, and we shall also ensure that no shop-keepers extend him credit and risk being left with bad debts. Have I your permission to make it known that he was well compensated for the Kympton living?”

Darcy was quite agreeable to that, and was talking with Mrs Gardiner about her husband and children, when they were interrupted by Caroline Bingley, asking if he knew where her brother had disappeared to.

“I have not seen him since the conclusion of the first dance,” Darcy said equably, “but I daresay he is about somewhere. Miss Bingley, have you met my cousin, Mrs Gardiner?”

“Your cousin?” Caroline Bingley froze. “I thought you were introduced as Mrs Bennet’s sister-by-marriage?” she said rather rudely to Mrs Gardiner.

“I am both, Miss Bingley. My husband is Mrs Bennet’s brother, but I myself originally hail from Lambton in Derbyshire, very close to Pemberley. Mr Darcy is kind to acknowledge me as a relative, the connection is rather distant…”

“The Darcy family has become very small in recent generations,” Mr Darcy interrupted. “Other than Georgiana, you and your brother are my closest relatives yet living, on the Darcy side, and I am very happy to claim you and Edward as family.”

Mrs Gardiner smiled at him affectionately and put her hand on his arm. “As we are you, Cousin Fitzwilliam.”

Caroline Bingley almost exploded with rage, determining then and there that she would make Darcy cut this ghastly connection when she was mistress of Pemberley! Although perhaps not before discovering where the woman had found that amazing silk. She pasted an insincere smile on her face.

“Well, of course any relative of Darcy’s is welcome at Netherfield. Please, may I escort you to the refreshment table?” She cast Mr Darcy a smile over her shoulder as she led Mrs Gardiner away, hoping that he noticed how solicitous she was being to his relative. But he wasn’t even looking at her, was instead casting his gaze around the room, and then frowning at someone in the line of dancers.

Chapter Four

Charles Bingley was rather pleased with himself for coming up with an excuse to take Jane out of the room, when he noticed that she had become rather flushed after their dance. The terrace was far too cold on a late November night, so instead he invited her to stroll with him along the hall and glance into a room which had been set up for cards.

“I must check on the comfort of all my guests, Miss Bennet, but I would not for a moment forego your company!”

“Nor I, yours,” Jane said, blushing even brighter.

After a glance into the card-room, they turned about and strolled back, Jane’s hand still on Bingley’s arm. Glancing at her demurely downcast eyes and pink cheeks, Bingley made a decision. He had thought about putting it off until he returned from the trip to London he must make on the morrow, but why wait? His angel was right here with him, and he might never get a better opportunity to speak to her without everyone knowing what he was about. No one else was in the hall; they were quite unobserved.

“If you will indulge me a moment longer, Miss Bennet?” He took a key from his pocket and opened a door which had previously been locked.

“But of course,” Jane said automatically, following him into the opened room. “Oh,” she gulped, as she realised it was obviously his study, and he was closing the door behind her. “Mr Bingley, we really should return to your guests…”

“Dearest, loveliest Jane,” he said, and she fell silent, her eyes widening as she realised what was happening. “I do not care about any of my other guests. I want only to spend every minute of this night, and every minute of the rest of my life, in your company and ensuring your happiness. Would you do me the very great honour of agreeing to become my wife?”

“Oh, yes, please,” Jane said, surprising even herself with her emphatic agreement. She knew she had said exactly the right thing as his delighted smile appeared, and a moment later he was taking her in his arms and bestowing her very first kiss. Jane closed her eyes as his lips brushed lightly against hers. Bingley deepened the kiss as she made no effort to pull away, and she reached up her hands to put them on his shoulders…

A knock on the door behind Jane made them both jump, and they separated and stared at each other, wide-eyed.

“Ahem,” Mr Bennet’s voice said politely from the other side of the door, “I am afraid I saw the two of you go in there, and five minutes is all I am prepared to allow you, Mr Bingley. I think perhaps the two of us should have a little word anyway?”

“Damn and blast,” Mr Bingley muttered. Jane for some reason found this unaccountably funny and began to laugh, her fingers coming up to cover her mouth as she tried to stop herself.

“I’m afraid you’ve compromised me hopelessly,” she giggled, “he’ll make you marry me!”

“That will be perfectly acceptable to me!” Bingley eyed her with amusement as he opened the door.

Mr Bennet slipped into the room and glanced at both of them, his eyes alight with mirth. “Well, since my daughter does not appear to be in any distress, Mr Bingley, is there anything you would like to ask me?”

“Miss Bennet has done me the very great honour of agreeing to become my wife…” Mr Bingley began a bit pompously, but Jane interrupted him.

“Oh, Papa, you will give us your blessing, will you not?”

“Dear Jane,” his smile broadened as he took in her flushed cheeks and slightly swollen lips. “I think I had better. Yes, Mr Bingley, I shall be very glad to welcome you into my family. You don’t need to reassure me how much you will love and care for my daughter, I have been able to see it since the first moment you met, and I could not have parted with her to anyone who would not care for her as you will.”

“Thank you, sir!” Mr Bingley seized his hand and shook it gratefully. “You will never regret it, I promise you.”

“Good, good,” Mr Bennet said equably, kissing his daughter’s pink cheek. “I daresay you will want to make the announcement at supper? Excellent. Now, Jane, he has mussed you a little, you had best go to the withdrawing-room and tidy yourself.”