Page 38 of New World Tea Company
Then Darcy wondered at his friend’s motives. Considering Bingley’s character and history, Fitzwilliam realised,‘Charles is smitten with Miss Bennet. Without question, he intends to court Miss Bennet. Will he announce an engagement at the ball? No, it has not been long enough, but a ball will allow him to declare his interest in Jane Bennet.’
The image of Elizabeth Bennet appeared in his mind. Her lovely eyes sparkled with intelligence when they argued about the news from the continent or the meaning in some book. Her lips were pink and full, and Fitzwilliam Darcy wondered how they would taste if he kissed her.
‘Kiss her?’he thought suddenly.‘I should very much like to kiss her, but that can never be.’
Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly to regain control, he wondered,‘How did I allow myself to be distracted by her lovely face and form? And her mind is equal to my own in many ways.’
Turning his head to stare out a window for a moment, he made a promise,‘I shall dance with her. Charles will allow me to select my partner for the first dance, and it will be Miss Elizabeth Bennet, for all the gossip it will enjoin.’
He smirked and concluded his thoughts,‘Mr and Mrs Bennet will see nothing except for Charles leading Jane through the steps of the first dance, and they will not notice Elizabeth dancing with me. I could steal a kiss without anyone noticing.’
Darcy listened as Charles and Louisa created the guest list without heeding Miss Bingley’s opinions. While Caroline had the best penmanship of all the siblings, Louisa declared she would write the invitations and address the envelopes herself.
“And you, Charles Bingley, shall deliver each one in person,” Louisa declared.
~~~
Indulging his interest in Miss Elizabeth’s animated conversations, Fitzwilliam Darcy imagined discussing Gilbert White's book with the young woman. He imagined she would consume the pages eagerly and approach their discussion with that sparkle in her eyes, perhaps a glow to her cheeks. They could argue about the proposition that the volcanos in Iceland caused poor summer weather in 1783. He could argue either side of the notion–he would argue the opposite of Miss Elizabeth to see the flash in her eyes that ignited a fire in his belly each time they spoke.
Without speaking to the others in the room, Darcy rose from his chair and walked about the gardens around Netherfield to cool his mind. He told himself repeatedly,‘How can a young woman without fortune or a good family name have captured my attention so completely? Her laughter and smile shall not seduce me.’
~~~
Despite his strongest resolution, Darcy wrote to Mr Freemont, the bookshop proprietor at Mayfair Bibliothèque, before retiring that evening. In the letter dispatched the next morning, he requested a copy of Gilbert White’s The Natural History of Selborne, provided the direction for the shipment of the book, and asked that the costs be added to his account.
The book arrived only a few mornings after he mailed the letter to London, and he dithered about delivery to Mr Bennet. On the morning Louisa provided Charles with the invitations to the ball that would occur two weeks from that same day, Bingley confirmed he would deliver each invitation himself. Thisdeclaration gave Darcy the idea that his friend would be the perfect instrument to deliver the book to Mr Bennet.
Mr Darcy waited until they were in the estate office, a comfortable room that appeared to have been a library at one time, judging by the number of empty shelves lining the walls. Netherfield did not have a library, something the two men had already discussed. In the room with desks and chairs, Charles read the journals that recorded the tasks and harvests in past years and met with the steward concerning wood cutting, continuing the autumn ploughing, and plans for the spring. Here, Bingley and Darcy wrote their letters with directions for business managers, stewards, bankers, and lawyers.
During a quiet moment, without any servant or other family member present in the office, Darcy approached the desk where Bingley sat and said, “Charles, I have noticed your growing attachment to Miss Jane Bennet.”
Looking up from a letter he was writing, Bingley returned to his letter before he replied, “As you have mentioned twice. And I have heard the hints that such an attraction would be detrimental to my future.”
Charles laid aside his quill and turned to catch Darcy’s eye before continuing, “Your interference in the matter is so unlike your usual behaviours that it has made me examine my feelings.”
Placing the book on the desk for the moment, Darcy sat across from Bingley and asked, “What are your conclusions?”
Maintaining his serious expression, Charles stated, “Miss Jane Bennet is the kindest, most generous lady I have ever met. She speaks gently to everyone, understands managing a home, and cares greatly for her family.”
Darcy admitted, “Those are admirable qualities in a young lady.”
“Unlike my own younger sister,” Charles admitted. “And what is more, after this examination, I am determined to press my suit for her hand and make her my wife.”
Surprised by the direction of the conversation, Darcy asked, “Are you engaged?”
Shaking his head, Charles replied, “We are not engaged. Jane said she felt the same for me but wanted us to observe the proper forms. She begged me to wait until the next quarter day to propose. That will give all the neighbours time to view a proper courtship.”
“The next quarter day is Christmas, is it not?” asked Darcy.
“It is. And in the weeks between now and then, I shall court Miss Bennet properly and honour her beauty at the ball I am hosting. After that evening, not even Caroline will doubt my intentions.”
Darcy paused and took a deep breath before admitting, “My interference in your personal matters is the opposite of being a good friend, Charles. I beg your forgiveness.”
“Granted,” Charles said. Then he eyed the book on the desk and asked, “What title have you brought to my attention today? Crop rotation or breeding sheep?”
Darcy fought against a smile for a moment as he remembered the evening Miss Bingley expressed an interest in a pamphlet the two men shared after dinner. Once she learned it dealt with judging the fitness of a bull to breed cows and heifers, Caroline sputtered and left the parlour.
“No, the book is titled The Natural History of Selborne. My bookseller in London had a copy, and I thought to gift it to Mr Bennet,” Darcy explained.
