Page 27 of Resilience

“Distress me? Darcy, what has happened? You could not possibly have missed my wedding intentionally.” Bingley was obviously shocked.

“Bingley, imagine if your sister Miss Bingley was timid, uncertain of herself, and sheltered like Georgiana. If a person were to humiliate such a sibling, how would you respond?”

“Caroline?” Bingley laughed. “Well it is difficult to picture, but if my sister’s temperament was similar to Miss Darcy’s and she was harmed in some way, I am certain I would never let that person see her again. Wait…the performance at the ball? Darcy this cannot be about that, Jane did not intentionally upset Miss Darcy.”

“Bingley, my sister, who is impossibly shy, and her friend, your wife’s own sister, planned a lovely tribute to your engagement, with the blessing of your hostess, and then the very first time Miss Darcy was persuaded to exhibit before a crowd of strangers, your wife interrupted them and accused them of monopolising the instrument. They were attempting to give you and your bride a gift.”

“But not to humiliate them, Darcy! Jane only worries about what people will think of her sister, she says my new sister Mary always seeks to expose herself before the neighbours.” Bingley shook his head.

“But Miss Darcy does not.” Darcy was firm. “And while I am very protective over her myself, she is not only protected by me, but also by the Matlocks. As you know. Mrs Bingley forgot herself and her rank in the presence of my cousin and my sister, a mistake that even your own sister Miss Bingley, intelligently never dared to make. The only reason that Lady Priscilla did not ruin Mrs Bingley on the spot, or at the very least send for her mother, was because I consented to leave, immediately.”

“Darcy, I am certain that Jane never meant to cause offense.” Bingley sounded desperate.

“Sadly Bingley, despite her intentions, she did cause offense, and my cousin is unapologetically unforgiving. Lady Priscilla obviously went directly to her parents when we returned, and Lady Matlock has already declared that Mrs Bingley will not be recognised by the Fitzwilliams. And you cannot imagine the family allowing Miss Darcy to be exposed to Mrs Bingley again, or standing by quietly while I allow it to happen in my sister’s own home, which I would never do.”

“What are you saying?” Bingley’s face drained of colour.

“Bingley, you will always be my friend. I do not hate your wife, and I have no desire to harm her in society, but my sister will never be permitted in company with those who do not respect her position. You must know this before your wife is turned away from Darcy House too many times, for she will be admitted as little as Miss Bingley was, which is to say, never, of course. I do not wish to cause you embarrassment. But Mrs Bingley made a grave error, and my aunt and cousin’s position is that if she does not disturb my sister in any way again, they will not ruin her.”

Darcy could tell that Bingley was ready to burst with outrage. “Bingley, I did not wish to have this conversation. I have nothing against Mrs Bingley personally, but it was obvious I could not speak out before your wedding, not when you exiled your sister so abruptly. And not when I am still uncertain that Miss Bingley was not being at least partially truthful, and you ought to at least have listened before sending her away. I have watched your sister manipulate your results with every lady you have ever followed, and I am sure she was attempting to do it again, but that does not mean that everything she said was a lie. I knew that you would cut ties instantly with anyone who spoke a single word of concern about Mrs Bingley’s behaviour, so I held my counsel and returned my family to London. Like I said, I do not wish to lose your friendship, but I cannot entertain Mrs Bingley at Darcy House. You and I can see each other here at the club or for exercise or sport. We need not involve the ladies in our activities. We have never needed wives for an afternoon of fencing.”

Bingley was quiet. “Do you think I have been taken in by Jane?”

“I truly cannot say. I am certain that all women, even angels, have methods of getting what they wish for, but that does not mean that the lady does not care for you. Her affection for you seemed sincere as far as I could tell. She is obviously very happy in your company. Her sister Miss Elizabeth seemed certain of Miss Bennet’s happiness at your ball, she said so herself.”

“It has been heaven between us at home. I have had no cause to doubt her delight in our marriage and her affection is too strong to be feigned,” Bingley insisted.

“Then I have every hope that she is the lady for you, and that the two of you can still make each other happy, even if she has made a mistake that excludes her from the social support of the Fitzwilliams and Darcys. There is a large society in London. You are well liked, and she is beautiful and will be admired. I will never snub her publicly unless she approaches my sister, you may be assured of that. There is no reason your union should not be successful and happy.”

“What if Jane apologised to Miss Darcy?” Bingley raised his eyes to Darcy hopefully.

Darcy eyed his friend sternly. “Would you suggest such a thing if she was anyone else besides your wife?”

“Of course not.” Bingley’s shoulders sagged. “Do you think I have been unfair to Caroline?”

“Perhaps only a bit, because I am certain that she was more involved in the punchbowl disaster than she claimed, but even if you were, I do not think introducing Miss Bingley back to your home would improve anything. You need a fresh start with your new wife.” Darcy nodded his head in certainty. “I think that Mrs Bingley may love or at least bear you great affection, but I know for certain that there are things you were blind to in your infatuation, such as her self-imposed rivalry with her next younger sister, and her tendency to use tears to turn matters her way. I am not attempting to turn you against your wife. But perhaps you should pay more attention as you build your life together, so that you comprehend Mrs Bingley better, and build a life on understanding in addition to affection.”

“I want to rage at you Darcy, for this will hurt Jane terribly. She has spoken often of calling upon Miss Darcy,” Bingley said.

“That would be quite as inappropriate as when Miss Bingley attempted it, considering that Mrs Bingley made no effort whatsoever to befriend my sister in Meryton as Miss Elizabeth did. Your wife has no reason to call upon Miss Darcy.” Darcy frowned.

“Miss Elizabeth wasted no time in befriending your sister,” Bingley muttered.

“And there was nothing more wrong in that than your wife befriending Miss Bingley, if I may say so. I can assure you that I am certain there was nothing calculated about it. Lady Priscilla is a keen judge of character, and I trust her judgement, as well as my own.”

Darcy sat forward a bit and slapped his hands on his knees. “But I do wish to make a gesture to you, Bingley, of goodwill, and as an acknowledgement of your wedding. There is a concert at the opera house soon; I would like you and Mrs Bingley to use my box. I will be in my uncle’s box with my family and I will not join you, but you must take your beautiful new wife out and show her off to society. If you wish to invite any guests, please do so, with my compliments.”

“Darcy you make it so difficult for one to lose their temper with you.” Bingley sighed. “You are too damned gentlemanly sometimes.”

“I look forward to seeing you here at the club Bingley. I can offer nothing more,” Darcy answered sadly.

Chapter Twelve

The night of the opera was an exciting event for Elizabeth. She had been to the theatre with her aunt and uncle in the past, but had never visited the opera, especially not the viewing box of an earl, as the guest of his family.

Priscilla was less than pleased with Darcy’s conciliatory gift to his friend, but finally agreed that what mattered was that Georgiana was never exposed to Mrs Bingley again, and that Darcy did not deserve to lose one of his impossibly few loyal friends, whose only crime was that his love was blind.

Elizabeth was given an opera gown of Priscilla’s, one that she never wore the year before and did not need, since she had eight new ones. This time, Elizabeth accepted the loan of a strand of pearls and a pair of pearl ear drops from her aunt.