Page 8 of The Cheapside Runners
“You do not oppose a closer alliance on principle?” Bingley asked in some surprise.
“‘It is not my business. It is hardly as if they would be making an alliance withme.I will point out they do not seem to be dowered very well, and the manners of much of the family—especially Mrs Bennet—seem a bit lacking, but to be honest, anybody with your sisters can handle a noisy mother-in-law. She is the daughter of a gentleman and presumably knows how to keep house in a country estate. She appears to be pretty and kind, so what would you have to complain about?”
Bingley boomed out in laughter, while Darcy joined with somewhat less exuberance. “I like this more amiable Darcy.”
“We shall see. What think you of the rest of the sisters?”
Bingley gave it a bit of thought. “The two youngest are silly flirts who should not be out in society—but, as you pointed out, a man with my sisters has little room to complain. Miss Mary is a bit odd, but certainly harmless.”
“Agreed.”
“Miss Elizabeth is a whole different kettle of fish.”
“How so?”
“Sheinterrogatedme!” Bingley stated emphatically. “Oh, she was polite, and she was subtle, and she never veered outside the bounds of propriety, but at this point she knows everything there is to know about me, and I know very little about her—aside from the obvious fact that she is pretty, clever and kind, which anybody of any sense at all can tell. I imagineeven youcaught that much.”
“Interesting! I should point out that you are not exactly thehardest man to interrogate in the world, so she would hardly qualify as a French spy.”
“True… too true… but I have never had such a skilful interview in my life. I was impressed.”
“Interesting,” Darcy replied.
Bingley asked nonchalantly, “Did she subject you to the same, or are you exempt because you are not romancing her sister?”
“Not exactly,” Darcy replied pensively.
“What has she said to you, if I may be so bold as to ask?”
“It’s the oddest thing,” Darcy replied, still trying to work it all out.
“I am on pins and needles. What has she said, exactly?”
“Nothing!”
“What do you mean, ‘nothing’?”
“Exactly what I said.Nothing!She has not said a single word directly to me. A month into the acquaintance, I do not believe we have even been introduced, and it has been long enough that it would be awkward at this point.”
“How in the world has that come about? Did you frighten her off at the assembly?”
“I was, as you rather shockingly observed, on my best behaviour that night. I cannot see how I could possibly have offended her.”
“Did you try to get an introduction. Miss Mary is a stickler for propriety, and if Miss Elizabeth is the same, then it is your responsibility to ask for the introduction, so she would not dare approach you.”
“Thank you for explaining the basics of propriety,” Darcy said, but gave a good-sized chuckle and took another sip of brandy for good measure.
“I am quite in suspense. What happened?”
Darcy leaned back for the story.
“As you noticed, she disappeared about the time you suggested I dance with her. It was not a problem, as she was far from the onlylady in want of a partner.”
“You know my opinion on the subject.”
“Inoticedher the rest of the night. If nothing else, she was certainly not begging for an introduction and a dance… far from it. I noticed she is quite attractive, with a light and pleasing figure, an enchanting laugh, and an easy way with everybody. As you so aptly observed, there were a sizeable number of very pretty ladies at the assembly, so she did not stand out too much. I wanted to get to know her, but not with any urgency. Though I paid attention, I could not be rude to my partners, so I never quite got close enough to pull it all together, nor did I neglect my actual dance partners.”
“Fitzwilliam Darcy… chasing a lady… the world has run amok!” Bingley burst out with a hearty laugh.
