Page 56 of The Heroic Mr Darcy's Bad Manners
“Yes, you may.” Elizabeth was curious whom he would advocate; whether it would be his friend or his exalted relation.
“Although all three are good men in essentials, I value Colonel Fitzwilliam above the rest.”
Elizabeth was surprised; he was the last she expected him to recommend, though she agreed to a certain extent. He was the best man but also the one who had the most to gain. Mr Bingley was wealthy, and the viscount would be a peer. Lord Crawford would one day be as rich as Croesus. According to an article in a newspaper she had recently read, the Matlock estate, including the mines, yielded sixty-eight thousand pounds a year. Though a pittance compared to the Duke of Devonshire’s one-hundred-and-eighty thousand pounds, Elizabeth surmised the colonel most likely received a generous allowance from his father but still needed an occupation to support him.
“I surmise from your expression that you have reservations,” Mr Darcy said.
“Not reservations per se, only a mild concern that he has the most to gain,” Elizabeth admitted with brutal honesty.
“The colonel is not mercenary,” Mr Darcy refuted with feeling.
“I am not accusing him, but one cannot be too careful when choosing one’s life partner. I simply wish the best for my sister. I imagine you desire nothing less for Miss Darcy than a marriage of true affection?”
Mr Darcy nodded his assent.
“In all fairness, I suppose no gentleman is without flaws. Mr Bingley has proved to be capricious, and he certainly has questionable connections.”
“I cannot deny that Mr Bingley is changeable and impetuous. To yield too easily to one’s whims must necessarily leave important business undone and could be of no advantage to oneself or anyone else. Yet I would have thought considering your relationship with Mr Gardiner you would not hold his roots in trade against him,” Mr Darcy remarked.
Elizabeth noted with some surprise that Mr Darcy had said little in defence of his friend, but he had made one wrong assumption.
“I was not speaking about his father. I was thinking about his insincere sister.”
Mr Darcy looked surprised, but she was not finished.
“I am also concerned about the friends he surrounds himself with in town. I am certain you know of whom I speak since we were both at the theatre, so I shall not debase myself by mentioning any names.”
“There is no need. I quite understand and can only agree with you. In his defence, on the night in question he was not surrounded by his usual friends. He had recently become acquainted with the Duke of Argyll, who I suspect has led him astray. It was the duke’s friends and not Bingley’s whom you saw at the theatre. I suppose Bingley’s ignorance does not speak in his favour, but I am more intrigued by what you hold against Viscount Crawford.”
Elizabeth was relieved to hear that Mr Bingley was not debauched but simply a bit naïve. He was more than commonly anxious to please and yielded too easily to persuasion, which were traits she was beginning to think less commendable than she had once believed. She felt less compassion towards the glib viscount.
“He is frivolous and lies convincingly, which are not traits one would wish for in a husband.”
“I am not convinced Crawford’s interest in Lady Jane is genuine. The viscount likes to meddle in people’s affairs and may have invited himself to thwart Bingley in an effort to aid his brother. And me,” Mr Darcy addedsotto voce.
Elizabeth drew a sharp intake of breath. Mr Darcy had not gainsaid her, which spoke volumes, but had his last barely audible admission been for Jane or herself?Let me first see how he behaves,she said to herself.It will then be early enough for expectations…
They reached their party, and nothing more could be spoken about the topic of Jane’s suitors.
A few minutes of silence followed before the colonel exclaimed, “Here is my barracks!” He pointed to a neat and compact piece of architecture that appeared to greatest advantage when viewed at a distance. “I have forgotten something. Would you mind very much if I fetched it? I promise I shall not be long.”
“I have never seen a barracks.” Jane stretched her neck to peer inside.
“If you allow it, I would be honoured to give you a short tour of the premises,” the colonel offered.
“I would be delighted.” Jane smiled and allowed the colonel to lift her to the ground, which induced a scowl from Mr Bingley.
“We could make a party of it, if the rest of you would like to follow,” the colonel suggested.
“I just saw General Wellesley move towards the Admiralty. Would you like an introduction, Mr Bingley?” the viscount suggested.
“To the famous general? I certainly would, sir,” Mr Bingley agreed eagerly, Jane momentarily forgotten.
“I doubt it was Wellesley because he has been in Portugal since 1810,” the colonel drawled.
“Exactly! He must just have returned!” the viscount eagerly exclaimed.
Mr Bingley and the viscount disappeared round the corner whilst Elizabeth looked longingly at the gate. She was curious and would not mind a glimpse into the strange and, to her, mysterious life of a soldier.
