the two eldest daughters are such good friends for my sisters.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam snorted and said, “Ah, yes. They are merely your sisters’ friends. Right. Be that as it may, I agree with Fleming that they are, indeed, lovely ladies. I hope to have an opportunity to dance with them both at the ball at least once, but I imagine their dance cards will fill rather quickly. Hmm, perhaps I should call upon Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth and make my requests early. Any gentleman interested in standing up with such desirable women must be kept on his toes, otherwise another bloke will step on his toes to have the privilege of stepping on the ladies’ toes.”
His suggestion caused alarm in two of his friends, as he had intended; and Bingley and Darcy both privately decided they should also call upon the Bennet household before it was too late. Fleming stood and explained he had an appointment with his solicitor; and Colonel Fitzwilliam departed with him, as he had to attend a meeting at headquarters.
“Darcy, do you suppose Fitz really has a meeting or might he actually be on his way to the Bennet townhouse?”
“I know he really has a meeting, Bingley. Stop fretting. I am sure the Bennet sisters will still have room on their dance cards for you. Speaking of sisters, we met yours at the Royal Academy recently while Georgiana, Anna, and I were in company with Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth. I must say, Bingley, your sister can be rather … ”
“Yes?”
“Rather … ”
“Spit it out, man. How do you wish to describe Caroline? Snooty? Snobby? Snotty?”
“Yes, yes, and yes. Sorry Bingley, but you well know what she can be like. Caroline was very disdainful toward my new friends that day, and … ”
“Wait one minute.
“Oh, do stop nitpicking. Seriously, Bingley, you and I have known each other for years; and I greatly value our friendship and hope to never lose it. Nevertheless, what I have to say next may very well jeopardize our relationship.”
“This sounds serious, indeed, Darcy. Please be assured you have my full attention, cooperation, and continual friendship, whatever dire information you are about to impart.”
“This is difficult to say, and I realize it is not my place to do so. Despite that, something must be done about your sister. One of these days she is going to go too far and offend the wrong person. You jokingly described her as snobby, snooty, and snotty; however, it is no joke, my friend. Miss Bingley truly is a snob; and I certainly do not allude to the slang that I realize may have been hurtful to you while at Cambridge.”
“Darcy, I am not ashamed of my background. For many generations our ancestors were cobblers. Caroline and I do, absolutely, owe our current prosperity to a bunch of shoemakers. I know the origin of the word ‘snob’ started as the nickname for a cobbler or his apprentice. It also meant tradesman, merchant, townsman, or basically any person of low class. I am not ignorant to the fact ‘snob’ is now beginning to mean one who imitates their betters. You and your relatives have always been our betters, yet you have never looked down upon us, my friend; and I thank you for that.
Thank you also for being a good enough friend to be honest about Caroline. I will certainly have a long- overdue talk with my sister about her attitude. She is not a bad person, Darcy, merely insecure and, perhaps, envious. Because of our wealth, we were thrust into a mostly unwelcoming society. Without the guidance of parents, we have floundered. Please accept my apologies on her behalf. If you think it advisable, I will also, without hesitation, apologize to Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth for any embarrassment they suffered because of my sister’s actions or words.”
“Good God, Bingley. My sphere of society can only benefit from the inclusion of a good man like you. In my estimation, Charles Bingley, you stand head and shoulders above the majority of aristocrats of my acquaintance; and I am privileged to call you friend.”
The two young men suddenly became embarrassed by such heartfelt talk and started to joke about their long-standing friendship, their days together at Cambridge, and the people they knew there.
“ … and remember Pascal, the mathematics professor? Now there was a cold and calculating man!”
“Yes, indeed, he obviously had a lot of problems.”
“If I remember correctly, Darcy, he was cross-eyed and could not control his pupils.”
“Then he started to wear spectacles to improve di-vision.”
Bingley groaned at his friend’s puny pun and Darcy said, “Well, Pascal could certainly multiply well enough. I have heard he and his wife have twelve children. Perhaps he was not so cold after all.”
At the Bennet townhouse, Jane, Elizabeth, and Charlotte Lucas were in the music room; and they took turns at the pianoforte while they discussed young men of their acquaintance. Lizzy was at the instrument, quite lost in a lovely piece of music and only half listening as Charlotte spoke. “ … and he is certainly an attractive gentleman, Lizzy. You are very fortunate to have such a handsome and amiable suitor.”
“Hmm? Oh, yes, Mr. Darcy is very good looking.”
“Who?”
“I beg your pardon, Charlotte. Were you not speaking of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy?”
“Lizzy, I am not even acquainted with any such gentleman. You, apparently, are and were just now thinking of him. Jane, who is this dreamy man who has your sister now blushing so furiously? Does she actually have
“Why, yes, Charlotte. I do believe she does.”
“Jane! No, Charlotte, Mr. Darcy is merely an acquaintance. Actually he is the elder brother of our new friends, Miss Georgiana Darcy and Miss Anna Darcy. You simply caught me off guard while engrossed in Beethoven’s moving music. I now realize you were speaking of Lieutenant-Colonel John Dun, who, by the way, is also merely an acquaintance.”
Jane teasingly reminded, “An acquaintance who is due here at any moment for the purpose of a private conversation with Miss Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth quickly arose from the bench. “Charlotte, I have an excellent idea. Why do we not take one of the carriages and go shopping now? Your trip to London would not be complete without an excursion to its fine stores. You plainly cannot return to Hertfordshire without making at least several purchases.”
“Sister! You cannot possibly leave before meeting with the Lieutenant-Colonel, and you would merely be postponing your dilemma. You must deal with your quandary today and be done with it. Lizzy, have you decided what you will say to him?”
“Jane, I can hardly decide what
Charlotte was incredulous. “Elizabeth Bennet! I cannot believe you have any hesitation in regard to that desirable soldier’s regard. From what I understand, he is obviously either going to ask to court you or request your hand in marriage. I would certainly jump at either of the officer’s offers, you awfully fortunate girl!”
“You saw him for a half-hour here yesterday, Charlotte. That is not quite enough time to make you understand his character.”
“If you were to marry him tomorrow, I should think you had as good a chance of happiness as if you were to be studying his character for a twelve-month. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance, and sometimes it is better to know as little as possible in advance of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.”
“You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it is not sound.”
They were startled by the sound of a servant as he cleared his throat and announced the arrivals of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Mr. Charles Bingley, and Lieutenant-Colonel John Dun. Elizabeth Bennet abruptly sat back down and turned as pale as the embroidered white muslin dress she wore.
