“That is an excellent answer, Miss Elizabeth,” replied Darcy. “I commend you for it.”
With that, they moved on to other subjects until the housekeeper entered to announce that dinner was ready. As Miss Elizabeth was near him, Darcy offered his arm and escorted her into the dining-room.
AS WAS HIS WONT, BENNETsat to the side, watching rather than participating, though now he had a companion. Hurst was a decent enough sort, though Bennet was aware he was dull. On his occasion, Hurst was more voluble than usual, a little more pensive, more honest, if Bennet could be so bold as to use the word. It was not excessive drink, as he did not think Hurst had imbibed much, and he became quieter when he drank anyway.
“This is all quite amusing,” said Bennet to his companion when they had observed the rest of the company for some time. “If I am to own the truth, I was uncertain Bingley could be so bold.”
Hurst nodded and considered his response. “Bingley is not, and will never be, a tower of confidence, but getting him away from Caroline reveals the genuine man.”
Bennet eyed his companion, not liking this talk, given Jane’s character. “Miss Bingley rules her brother?”
The grimace suggested that Hurst either misspoke or Bennet had hit closer to the truth than he liked. “No, I would not say that.” Hurst paused and sipped his drink. “Bingley is not bereft of confidence, and he does not allow his sister to walk all over him. Rather, he abhors conflict, and Caroline knows enough of his character to use it without shame. When Bingley feels he is right, he can be as immovable as a mountain.”
For several moments after Hurst fell silent, Bennet considered this. “I apologize if my questions are officious, Hurst, but I feel I must concern myself with my daughter’s welfare in this instance. Do you suppose Bingley’s stubbornness will rule when he must protect and support a wife, or will his sister prevail?”
When Hurst looked at him, there was no judgment in his gaze, only a certain measure of respect. “That is the question to be certain, Bennet, and I understand why you would ask it. I cannot say without error—I can only offer the opinion that Bingley will prove himself when pushed, and that will come sooner rather than later. Caroline is not the type to allow challenges to what she considers her authority, so their conflict is inevitable.”
“The way you speak of her,” said Bennet, eyeing his companion, “one might gain the impression that you care little for your sister-in-law.”
“Louisa is close to her sister,” was Hurst’s diplomatic reply. “I indulge my wife.”
“That is not an answer, and you know it.”
It seemed Bennet’s challenging tone was enough to induce Hurst to be explicit. “It is not a question of dislike so much as understanding of the situation and her character.”
Hurst’s sigh was of the long-suffering variety, the sort that a man offers when he finds himself caught in a situation with no ready exit available to him.
“Caroline is what she is, Bennet. In truth, you are correct to apprehend that I care little for my sister. She is not entirely reprehensible, but Caroline thinks far too well of herself, too meanly of others, and has a single-minded focus on climbing society’s ladder without care for the price she might pay.”
“From what I recall,” mused Bennet, “her attention was focused on Darcy.”
Hurst grimaced, but he did not refuse to reply. “Aye, you are correct. Caroline considers herself the perfect candidate to fill the empty position as the mistress of all Darcy owns. If she had any liking for the man in question, I would not consider her endeavors with such a jaundiced eye. As it is, her behavior makes it clear to anyone watching that she covets the position, not the man.”
“And Darcy, given his astute nature, is well aware of her motivations.”
“I shall not say you are incorrect,” replied Hurst.
“A man with Darcy’s independent streak would not appreciate such sentiments.”
Hurst shrugged and said, “You see the dilemma.”
“Then I must suppose that witnessing Darcy’s position next to Elizabeth these past days would not agree with her.”
“No, I cannot imagine it would.”
They fell silent, Hurst contemplating something that Bennet could not see, while Bennet regarded his daughters, wondering at the complicated mess in which they had placed themselves. Part of him longed to gather his family, sever all ties with Bingleyand Darcy, return to Longbourn, and wash his hands of the business. Two things kept him from succumbing to this instinct: Jane’s feelings and Lizzy’s independence.
Though he was worried about what might occur with Bingley, Bennet knew that Jane’s feelings were true. Had he thought otherwise, it would have been easy to separate them, but Bennet would not take away his daughter’s happiness when she seemed to be on the edge of grasping it. The business with Miss Bingley may be difficult for them to navigate, but he knew it was their right to attempt it.
As for Elizabeth, Bennet knew that his daughter, though still not of age, did not tolerate interference, even if it was well-intentioned. Darcy, moreover, was not Bingley; he was not a man to tolerate another meddling in his life, and, even if Miss Bingley were to engineer something between them, Bennet judged his character and position in society were enough to allow him to ignore it and refuse to fall in with her schemes. That stance might affect Bingley, but Bennet also knew his friend would understand.
No, the more pressing concern with Darcy was whether he was paying attention to Elizabeth for the right reasons and not because of infatuation. Bennet was a firm believer that position in society mattered much less than temperament and compatibility, and he thought Darcy and Elizabeth were well-suited. Yet, a man in Darcy’s position marrying a woman of Elizabeth’s was rife with the potential for regret later when he reflected on what he had given up to have her in his life. There was less Bennet could do to prevent Darcy and Elizabeth than he could do to separate Bingley and Jane, so the only recourse was to hope for the best.
There was, perhaps, a source that could tell him more of Darcy’s behavior, an insight into whether Darcy would make a good husband for Bennet’s favorite daughter. The trick wouldbe to bring the subject up with delicacy, as he did not think it prudent to speak openly to his companion.
“You know,” said Bennet, using a conversational tone, “I might never have expected Elizabeth’s opinion to alter with such alacrity.”
Hurst’s gaze found Bennet at once, though when he spoke, his tone was all sarcasm. “Do you suggest that her impression of Darcy was not so positive before?”
