“I have never and would never speak of such a thing with Miss Bingley, of all people.IfGeorgiana and Bingley ever found a mutual regard, Imayagree to such a union, but that is hypothetical and unlikely, considering Georgiana’s opinion of Miss Bingley. I am guessing, but I suspect Miss Bingley believes that accomplishing one marriage in the family makes it more likely she will accomplish a second.”
“That is singular, Darcy,” said Fitzwilliam, now appearing diverted.
“A convoluted bit of logic, to be certain,” agreed Darcy. “It is even more curious when you consider that her ultimate goal is marriage to me. If she waits for Georgiana and Bingley, it will be at least another three years.”
“I shall not ask after your opinion of Miss Bingley, for I suspect I already know.”
“You should.”
Fitzwilliam turned back to the subject at hand. “Then Bingley’s sisters persuaded him against returning? What part did you play?”
Again, Darcy was not certain the truth would reflect well on him, but he could not refuse to respond. “Miss Bingley carried the bulk of the argument. While I shall not say that I agreed with her position—whatever her family, connections, or fortune, Miss Bennetisthe daughter of a gentleman—let us simply say that I did notdisagree.”
“That is sophistry, Darcy,” said Fitzwilliam. “Even I, who do not know Bingley well, understand that he is much more likely to listen to you than his sisters.”
“Which is why I did not take part in the argument. My only contribution was to offer my opinion that Miss Bennet’s affections were not the equal of Bingley’s.”
“Of that, I can say nothing.” Fitzwilliam paused, considering. “Miss Elizabeth has spoken of her sister’s depressed spirits after Bingley’s departure, but I do not know the extent of her esteem.
“However,” said Fitzwilliam, “I cannot but say that your actionswerea little officious, Darcy. What can Bingley’s happiness in marriage be to you?”
“Nothing other than my concern, as a friend, for his welfare.”
For several long moments, Fitzwilliam eyed him as if in judgment of his decisions, though Darcy knew his cousin was not so stern as that thought implied. At length, he sighed and nodded.
“Yes, I can understand a friendly concern for a companion of longstanding.”
“There was also my suspicion that Mrs. Bennet would not allow her daughter to refuse a proposal if Bingley offered one.”
Now Fitzwilliam’s face shone with amusement. “In this, at least, I can state without equivocation that you are incorrect.”
Darcy frowned. “Mrs. Bennet made it clear at Bingley’s ball that an alliance between Bingley and her eldest wasmostagreeable to her.”
“Perhaps she did,” said Fitzwilliam, his grin growing wider. “Then again, the day after the ball, Mr. Collins—who, according to Mr. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, is the most ridiculous man aliveandis Lady Catherine’s parson—made it clear howagreeablean alliance with Miss Elizabeth would be to him. Yet now he is engaged to Miss Lucas.”
Several things fell into place at once, most concerning the ridiculous man who had prostrated himself before Darcy at Bingley’s ball. Darcy’s focus that evening had been on Miss Bennet and searching for any evidence of regard for Bingley, but he could well remember watching the first dance, Collins’s ineptitude, and Miss Elizabeth’s annoyance. Yet now that he thought on it, that first dance and several other occurrences that night spoke to Mr. Collins’s interest, no matter how inept his attempts at lovemaking.
“Collins proposed to Miss Elizabeth.”
“He did,” said Fitzwilliam, too gleeful for Darcy’s taste. “Miss Elizabeth refused him, no surprise given what I have heard of his character. Her mother made a fuss about it, but Mr. Bennet supportedMiss Elizabeth, and that was that. Collins proposed to Miss Lucas two days later.”
“That is singular,” said Darcy, echoing Fitzwilliam’s earlier comment.
“It is,” agreed Fitzwilliam. “I have no direct knowledge, of course, but we have both heard Aunt Catherine drone on about the need for the clergy to set the example of matrimony in their parish. Hearing that Mr. Bennet had five daughters and possession of Mr. Collins’s future inheritance, I suspect she commanded him to engage himself to one of their number—she considered it a way to ensure the future support of Mr. Bennet’s daughters. When his chosen sister did not fall in with his plans, he turned to another young lady of the neighborhood, not wishing to return to Lady Catherine in failure.”
“That is as likely as any interpretation,” agreed Darcy, still feeling lightheaded.
Fitzwilliam nodded. “Then I hope you can see you misjudged Miss Bennet. Though she seldom shows it, Miss Bennet is no less determined than her sister. If Bingley had proposed and she was not of a mind to accept, she would have refused, and her father would have supported her, regardless of Mrs. Bennet’s caterwauling.”
“That is curious,” replied Darcy, considering the family’s situation. “If Mr. Bennet should suffer an early demise, their principles will be cold comfort in the face of genteel poverty.”
“As their scruples are to my benefit, I shall not complain.”
“No, I suppose not,” was Darcy’s quiet reply.
“The question is, whatyoumean to do about it.”
For several long moments, Darcy regarded his cousin. Fitzwilliam’s meaning was not hidden, for he had obviously deduced something in either Darcy’s behavior or the accounts of him from the Bennets. What his cousin thought on the matter was less discernible. Fitzwilliam would not oppose Darcy’s interest in Miss Elizabeth, but he did not know what his cousin thought on the subject either.
