Page 34 of Desperately Seeking Mr. Darcy

Itwillbe fine. This trip is not ruined. It’s not what I wanted, but it’s not ruined. I still get to play Jane Bennet. And ride a horse. But I’m going to try not to think about that.

I’ll just cross that bridge when I come to it—preferably without falling off.

ZANE

A text exchange between Zane and Amelia, Monday, September 16, 11:35 a.m.

Zane:Macey almost figured it out

Zane:You idiot

Amelia:How? She CANNOT find out, I can’t stress this enough

Zane:She doesn’t know, I intervened

Amelia:Have I told you that you’re the best brother ever? I can’t believe you went with her!

Zane:I am the best and you owe me BIG

I’M REGRETTING ALL MY RECENT life choices—especially now, sitting across from the man who I’m pretty sure plays the butler for this wholePride and Prejudiceexperience. He’s impeccably dressed in a crisp black tailcoat, perfectly tied white cravat, and polished shoes that probably cost more than my entire outfit. His hair, mostly gray, is combed neatly into place, and he looks to be in his sixties, carrying himself with a dignity that makes me feel even more out of place.

Meanwhile, I’m in my own Regency getup: a fitted navy tailcoat, a cream-colored waistcoat, and a white cravat that may be trying to kill me, it’s so tight. I tried to protest when my valet,a man I’m to call Dunley—because apparently valets go by their last name only—insisted it had to be this snug.

There are other equally worse parts of this outfit, like these high-waisted breeches that go practically up to my nipples, and the tall black riding boots that are currently pinching my toes and digging into my calves. My feet are going to hate me later, I can already tell.

Once I’m fully dressed, I glance in the mirror to see I look less like a Jane Austen hero and more like someone auditioning for the circus. I hope Macey at least appreciates this Mr. Bingley getup.

Next, I’m escorted to the library to do my character briefing with Mr. Godfrey, a.k.a. the butler. I’m guessing the staff must play multiple roles during the week, and Mr. Godfrey’s job right now is to help me understand Bingley.

“Now then, sir, what might you know of Mr. Bingley?” he asks, his voice and disposition warm. He sits across from me, a mahogany desk between us. It’s all dark wood and soft lighting in this large room.

I smile, awkwardly, because I don’t know much about Bingley. I honestly can’t even remember his first name. Henry? James? Ebenezer?

If he asked me about Darcy, I could recite Macey’s over-the-top speech she gave me last night at the hotel. But Bingley? All I know is that he’s the guy in the movie with the goofy smile, and I never really understood how Jane fell for him. Especially when she barely knew him.

“Not much, I’m afraid,” I admit.

He chuckles softly. “Not to worry, sir. Many a gentleman has occupied that very chair and confessed as much. We’ve seen no shortage of husbands and significant others gently persuaded—or perhaps cajoled—into these sorts of endeavors.”

Right. Macey is neither my wife nor my significant other, but I was definitely cajoled—not by her, but by my sister.

I do think Macey and I are friends—or at least, I hope we’re getting there, assuming my pushing her to talk to Lady Catherine earlier hasn’t set us back. I don’t know why I did it; I just couldn’t help myself. It’s hard to watch her take a back seat in her own life. But it wasn’t my place, and I owe her an apology. Hopefully I can get us back on track.

“Charles Bingley is a fine character to embody,” Mr. Godfrey says.

Charles! Man, were my guesses off.

“He’s the epitome of amiability—a gentleman through and through.” He holds up a finger. “But not without his flaws.”

I lean forward slightly, curious. Well, I might as well learn about the man I’m about to play this week. At least I can do that for Macey. Maybe if I really get into my part, I can make up for the way I tend to bulldoze ahead without thinking—or at least give her a reason not to completely regret me being here.

“Bingley is cheerful, well mannered, and entirely too trusting,” Mr. Godfrey goes on. “His strength lies in his kindness and his genuine affection for others. However, he is always easily swayed. His closest companions—his sisters and Mr. Darcy—wield a very unhealthy amount of influence over him.”

Well, it appears Bingley and I have that in common. I also have a sister who has way too much influence over me. Case in point: I’m sitting here at aPride and Prejudicereenactment, wearing breeches that feel like they’re giving me the wedgie of a lifetime, because Amelia guilted me into it. And also, I guess, because I couldn’t let Macey come here alone.

“It’s not that he lacks resolve,” Mr. Godfrey says. “It’s that he places too much stock in the opinions of others. For example, he allows Darcy to convince him Jane Bennet doesn’t care forhim, even when his own heart tells him otherwise. A mistake, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes,” I say, mostly because he seemed to be waiting for an answer. I thought the question was rhetorical.

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