10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Over the next fortnight, Jane frequently visited Mrs. Hurst and, despite Caroline's protestations, a genuine friendship formed between the two elder sisters. Even Lizzy's attitude toward Louisa softened after seeing Mrs. Hurst often enough without Caroline's unpleasant company. Bingley and Darcy regularly called upon Longbourn, much to Mr. Bennet's pleasure. The gentlemen often spent as much time with him as with his daughters, which, while they laughed about it in private, was much to the satisfaction of all.

On the morning before the assembly, Mr. Bennet sat in his study, playing chess with Darcy. A light rain pattered delicately on the window panes. They could hear Jane, Bingley, Lizzy and Mary in the parlor, conducting a lively debate on the merits of poetry.

"Your friend does not appear to be a great reader of poetry." Bennet he chewed his lip, deep in thought.

"No, he is not." The corner of Darcy's lips lifted in a wry smile. "I do not believe Bingley is a great reader of anything."

"He is quite amiable, but not the scholar, eh?" Bennet screwed his lips into an odd expression that melted into a smile. "Knight to queen's rook five." He listened for Darcy to move the piece.

"Interesting. That is an unconventional response." Darcy leaned forward to study the board carefully, trying hard not to listen to the conversation in the next room.

"It does seem as though Lizzy is calling him out on that lack of scholarship…and Jane is defending! They are an amusing party, are they not!" Bennet chuckled, cocking his ear toward the door.

"I believe you are trying to distract me, sir." Darcy smirked, clasping his hands together, thoughtfully. He leaned back in his chair again, enjoying the smell of the worn leather mixed with the scent of old books.

"No, indeed. If I were trying to distract you, I would do it directly. What are Bingley's intentions toward my daughter?" He heard Darcy shift suddenly in his seat. "So you have spoken to him of this?"

Darcy shuffled his feet and grumbled. He stared out the window at the dreary landscape. "I am glad I did not grow up under your watchful eye! Such scrutiny may be the best thing for girls, but you would surely have driven your sons mad!"

Bennet laughed until his belly ached. "Just wait until you are a father, and you will see things quite differently. I can imagine that any son of yours will be quite the little scamp, far too smart for his own good and quite able to wrap his mama around his little finger. He will need a close eye and a firm hand."

Darcy shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Bishop to queen's knight four." He placed the piece firmly on the chessboard with a clack and huffed as he leaned back in his seat.

"An interesting counter of your own, Darcy." Bennet crossed his legs and leaned forward, elbow on knee, bracing his chin in his palm. "But you still have not answered my question."

Darcy grumbled again, glancing about the room. The shelves were lined with books. A casual glance at the titles revealed a careful order to their placement. Knotted ribbons and cords hung along the spines of some. He still chooses the books himself despite the fact another reads. Amazing. "My friend may not be a scholar, sir, but he is an honorable man. I believe his intentions toward Miss Bennet are entirely trustworthy."

Bennet nodded silently. "I am pleased to hear it. With a sister of your own to protect, I know you understand my concern." He tapped his lips with his index fingers. "King's rook takes pawn."

Darcy pressed his lips together in a hard frown as stretched forward across the board and executed the move, carefully placing the black pawn alongside the board with the other captured pieces. He peered at the board from the new angle, his brows lifting silently. Sitting back, he reached for a now cool teacup.

"So then, what are your intentions toward my Elizabeth?" Bennet asked evenly, face turned as though studying the board.

Darcy sputtered and sat back sharply. He set his teacup down awkwardly and fought to collect himself. "Excuse me?" A bright flush rose along his neck, creeping toward his cheeks.

"There is nothing wrong with your hearing, sir. What are your intentions toward her?" Bennet reached to pick up a captured piece from the side of the board and turned it in his hand.

"My what?" He cannot…no, it is not possible! "You have gone too far now. I have done nothing to raise either her expectations, or yours." Anger tinged his voice as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Oh, come now! Do not pout! It is a well-known fact that a single young man of good fortune will be in want of a wife." Bennet chuckled, returning the pawn to the chess table.

"You have gone too far to suppose you know my intentions." He exhaled hard. "Besides, Miss Elizabeth has made it quite clear that she does not have such designs upon…"

"Anyone. Yes, I know, I have had that conversation with her often enough that she scolds me fiercely should I attempt to bring it up. I know her attitudes quite well. That is why I am not asking her."

"Then you should honor her wishes now." Darcy huffed and reached for his queen, his hand hovering for a moment, then returning to the arm of his chair.

"It is your move, you know," Bennet observed with an enigmatic smile. He struggled not to react as he felt Darcy's cold glare.

What does he imply? I have had my share of matchmaking mamas, but a father? This is not to be borne! "Queen's bishop to king three." He placed his piece loudly.

"How is it that you come to know my daughter's rather prejudiced attitudes? It seems an unusual conversation for her to have with a gentleman." Bennet drummed his fingertips together.

"It was a private conversation." He squirmed in his seat.

"Is it not even more unusual for you to be having private conversations with a woman you have no intentions toward?" Bennet's lips lifted in a half smile.

"I will not discuss this," he muttered.

"You do not know what to make of a woman who has no designs upon you or your fortune, yet is willing to race your stallion, debate philosophy and then beat you soundly in a game of chess." He heard Darcy's posture soften and nodded."King's pawn to king's rook four."

Darcy made the move. "I have enjoyed my discussions with her. I believe she considers me her friend," he murmured, squirming.

"I see." Bennet stroked the stubble on his chin. "Her fortune is not so great as to be interesting to you, I know, and she has no great connections either. But there are other qualities that make her a rare gem should you desire to win her." Leaning back with a sigh, he laced his fingers. "I have no doubt that her mind could be changed for the right man. Should you desire to seek more than a friendship with her, you have my permission."

Darcy blushed and gritted his teeth. "Knight to queen's three. That is mate, sir."

"So it is, Darcy." He carefully reached forward and found his king, tipping it in defeat.

That night, Darcy paced the floor in Bingley's study, waiting for Caroline and Louisa. The drizzle had finally ended; the roads were muddy, but not sodden enough to slow the carriages. Sunbeams tinged with the first colors of sunset peeked through the dissipating clouds.

"Do stop that, Darcy! You will make them go no faster, but you will wear out the carpets!" Hurst leaned back in his chair, stretching his legs and crossing his ankles.

Bingley hurried in, straightening his jacket. "I have spoken with them, and they are no less than an hour from being ready." He tugged at his cravat, a trickle of sweat inching down the side of his face.

Hurst shrugged and folded his hands over his ample belly. "So we wait for them. What is new about that?"

"We must not be so late!" Bingley looked imploringly toward Darcy.

"What is your hurry. I do not understand why you are at sixes and sevens[sup]1[/sup] over this." Hurst tucked his chin and scowled.

"I am master of this house! Are none of my wishes to be respected?" Bingley's face crimsoned.

Hurst's and Darcy's mouths hung agape as they stared at their normally affable friend. "Come." Darcy took him by the elbow. "We shall ride into town. The carriage can follow when the ladies are ready." He looked at Hurst. "I imagine you would prefer to wait for your wife and sister?"

"I will." He nodded and settled back in his chair, ignoring the way it creaked beneath him.

Darcy guided Bingley out and toward the stables, carefully avoiding the puddles along the way. "Now, you will tell me why you are so agitated."

Bingley sighed as he waved for a groom to fetch their saddles. He watched the young man hurry off, then leaned heavily against the stable door post. Flies buzzed about, the familiar smells of the stables drained some of his tension. "I have asked Miss Bennet for the first dance of the evening."

"Surely that is not the entirety of your concern? If it is so simple, you can dance another with her. She has many sisters several of which I expect are no more punctual than yours. I have no doubt she will understand if you are late because of them." He crossed his arms and leaned back against the opposite door post.

"It is complicated." Bingley looked skyward and frowned. "I fear if I am not there for the first dance, she will be unable to dance with me at all." A horse whinnied and stamped in the stable, and he looked toward the sound.

"Why ever not? You are not talking sense!" He paused as the groom walked through with Bingley's horse and handed the reins over.

"Sir," the young groom turned to Darcy uneasily, "your horse…"

"I understand, prepare another, I think it would be best not to take Surtur tonight."

"Yes, sir." He hurried off and several moments later appeared leading a chestnut gelding. With a nod of thanks, Darcy swung up into the saddle, and the two gentlemen began their journey.

"I am still awaiting an explanation," Darcy demanded curtly, pulling his horse alongside of Bingley's.

"Last week, while having tea with Sir William and Lady Lucas, I heard her say to Colonel Forster that Mr. Bennet forbade his daughters from having anything to do with the regiment, and that she hoped the Colonel would not take offense."

"Given who is now attached to the regiment, I think it a very wise thing for Bennet to do." Darcy gripped his reins harder. "That cur should have nothing to do with ladies. The colonel is no gentlemen if he takes offense at a cautious parent."

"You know you really should tell Mr. Bennet, or at least Miss Elizabeth, about Wickham. They should know the truth about that man. Or perhaps the colonel," Bingley chided, ducking as his horse walked under a low hanging branch. "I need to have the gardener cut that back."

"You need to train your horse better." Darcy set his lips in a hard line. "Clearly, Bennet is already taking the proper precautions with his daughters. There is no need to bring any further risk to Georgiana's reputation."

"Bennet may be doing that, but what about the rest of the fathers and the tradesmen in town? There are more than the Miss Bennets at risk here." Bingley gazed at him intently.

"I must protect Georgiana." Darcy kicked his horse.

Bingley harrumphed and urged his mount to keep up. "I understand that. I have tried to cover Caroline's indiscretions enough times. I do understand. But do you not think that we…I mean you…have an obligation to protect…"

"My duty to my sister supersedes all other obligations. I will discuss this no further." Darcy pulled himself straighter in the saddle and squared his shoulders. I feel for all who Wickham may impose upon. But I cannot be responsible for their folly. It is enough that I must bear the burden of my sister's.

They rode on in uncomfortable silence for a quarter of an hour. "You still have not told me why you are so concerned about getting there for the first dance," Darcy said.

Charles reached over and plucked a clump of leaves from the hedgerow and fingered it uncomfortably. Then he dropped it and watched as it fluttered to the ground to be crushed under his horse's hoof. "I was in town, at the vintners, and as I was waiting for him to return from the cellar, several young officers came in, including your Mr. Wickham, now Lt. Wickham."

Darcy ground his teeth and stared at the rocky ground.

"They kept to themselves, but I overheard the on dit [sup]2[/sup]. Wickham was boasting of how he had tipped the velvet[sup]3[/sup] with one of the local maidens, and that he had hoped to sample more of her favors, but was put out because her father had forbidden her to go to the assembly because she was too young."

"Wise man," Darcy muttered under his breath.

"Then they complained over how Miss Bennet had ruined their afternoon's sport when she called her sisters away, claiming they were needed at home. Apparently Lady Lucas told them of Mr. Bennet's contempt of the regiment, and they are planning to seek their revenge at the assembly tonight."

Darcy pulled his horse up short and wheeled him around to face Bingley. "Revenge! What are they planning?"

"Nothing so sinister as I fear you are thinking," Bingley backed away. "They plan to ruin this evening for Miss Bennet and her sister, nothing more."

"How?"

"They simply intend to ask the ladies to dance at the earliest possible opportunity, knowing they must refuse due to their father. Once the officers have been refused, then the ladies will have to refuse anyone else who asks as well. Wickham declared he plans to stand with the Miss Bennets and explain how their father has maligned him and has ruined the evening for them all." Bingley's voice dropped and his eyes narrowed, "You know how persuasive he can be. I fear he will besmirch Mr. Bennet's reputation. That will hurt Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth as much as if they had been cut themselves."

"The rag-mannered rake!" Darcy's horse shied nervously. He leaned in to soothe the beast. "We cannot allow it."

"Precisely."

"They are honorable ladies and do not deserve to be so ill-used." Darcy turned his horse again, and they set off at a faster clip. "That bell swagger must be stopped."

"Yes, yes, we have established that." Bingley huffed impatiently. "The question is how best to defend our ladies…"

Darcy pulled his horse up short again. The creature reared up slightly in protest. Once Darcy regained his seat, he glared first at the horse and then at Bingley. "Perhaps Miss Bennet is your lady, but you have gone too far in declaring her sister mine. I warn you again, do not trifle with her, Bingley. I have seen you infatuated with enough young ladies…"

"I am not dallying with her." Bingley stood in his stirrups while his horse tried to paw the ground. "I am entirely serious about her. For the sake of propriety, I must wait, but in another fortnight, I will petition her father for permission to court her. I hope very much to make her my wife before Easter."

Darcy recalled his earlier conversation with Mr. Bennet and smiled. "I am certain you will receive his approbation. Congratulations, my friend. I hope the lady is so willing."

"So you approve?" He eased back into his saddle.

"Do you need my approval?"

"No, but I should like it nonetheless." Bingley grinned.

"She is a fine, steady girl and very suited to your tastes and temperament. If she will have you, I think it will be a fine match." Darcy nodded encouragingly. "Though I fear Miss Bingley may object, quite possibly, Mrs. Hurst as well. They both have expressed their wish for you to find an heiress with society connections with whom to ally yourself."

"Miss Bennet has quite won Louisa and Hurst over. They will support me. You are correct though, I fear Caroline will be quite put out."

"And do not forget that your sister still has great prejudices against Miss Elizabeth and her father. She will be more difficult to reconcile to your choice." And her reaction would be mild compared to what my family would say to a woman such as Miss Elizabeth!

"She despised our father's weakness as well. I pay her no mind in this matter. Miss Elizabeth is as fine a woman as is Miss Bennet." Bingley urged his horse into motion again. "I have seen none so suited to you. You converse so comfortably with her and are so easy in her company. Surely you have not failed to see this?"

"She does not mean to marry, Bingley."

"Then you must change her mind."

"Why would I do such a thing?"

"Because you are half in love with her already, and will be more so by the end of this night, when you rise to her defense. No woman has ever affected you this way, and you would be a fool to walk away from her." Bingley kicked his horse into a trot and pulled ahead.

Darcy lingered several lengths behind, contemplating what Bingley had said.

[sup]1[/sup] sixes and sevens: Confused or unsettled. From the Hebrew phrase, "Six, yea seven," meaning an indefinite number, as in Job (v. 19), "He [God] shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea in seven."

[sup]2[/sup] on dit : Gossip. From the French meaning "they say."

[sup]3[/sup] tip the velvet: To put one's tongue into a woman's mouth