Page 39 of New World Tea Company
“Mr Bennet?” asked Charles. “I thought Miss Elizabeth spoke of that title several times, not Mr Bennet.”
Blushing, Darcy cleared his throat and admitted, “Yes, Miss Elizabeth. But I cannot provide such a gift to her or her father even without it raising expectations.”
Nodding in agreement, Bingley thought for a long moment before he said, “Darcy, I have a suggestion and a warning.”
“Yes, Charles,” the taller man replied.
“Allow me to loan the book to Mr Bennet for his review and Miss Elizabeth’s reading pleasure. The generous act will engender goodwill for me without linking your figure to the thoughtfulness of procuring the book.”
Disappointed at the notion that Miss Elizabeth would not know the book came from him, Darcy agreed to the subterfuge. Then Charles continued, “Now, let me warn you.”
Darcy listened carefully as Charles said, “If you cause pain for my future sister, Elizabeth Bennet, I shall throw you from my house and end all intercourse with our business ventures. Jane extols the kindness and intelligence of her sister–which I challenge you to deny.”
“No, Miss Elizabeth is undoubtedly one of England's most intelligent, well-read women,” Darcy admitted. “Her arguments and questions have impressed me each time we have met this autumn.”
Leading the discussion forward, Charles added, “Miss Elizabeth is a lovely young woman who could match you for arguments and ideas for your entire life.”
“The family has no connections or wealth,” Darcy objected, recognising the direction of the conversation.
Snorting, Bingley added, “I know you do not seek additional wealth. Several heiresses with vast fortunes have been offered to you in the years since your father passed, and you declined the introduction each time.”
“There were none who could do more than produce an heir and a spare to use the vulgar expression,” Darcy admitted. “None had a mind that could…”
“Where Miss Elizabeth could debate the dons of Oxford on many subjects,” Bingley rushed to conclude.
“But Miss Elizabeth will bring nothing to marriage,” Darcy stated. “The Bennet estate is entailed to that pompous parson who serves my aunt. One uncle is involved in trade in the city, and the other is the local attorney dealing with wills, leases, and deeds.”
“Do you truly believe the two eldest Bennet sisters will enter marriage with nothing? Man, are you blind and dumb?” Charles asked with scorn evident in his tone. “Miss Elizabeth, like Miss Bennet, comes with a heart that will love her husband all the years of their lives. What more do you expect from your wife, Darcy?”
“Children.”
With a serious expression on his face, Charles replied, “I believe there are five healthy, living children at Longbourn.”
“But no sons.”
Charles muttered, “The last person who cast aside his wife because she did not bear a son was a king who threw the entire kingdom into turmoil. History does not look upon his memory with favour.”
“I am not Henry VIII,” Darcy said.
“So, do you object to the family?” asked Bingley, bringing up a potentially sour subject.
When Darcy grimaced, Charles asked, “Darcy, let us consider both families, shall we?”
“What do you mean?”
“My family is still connected to trade, though Caroline does not acknowledge such. Bingley Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent is mine and earns profits for my accounts. By marrying Jane Bennet, I shall join my name to a respectable landed family name of many generations. And Jane does not care that my father was a tradesman,” Charles confided to his friend. “She does not concern herself that I have a harridan for a sister except to insist that Caroline does not live with us.”
For Bingley to characterise Caroline Bingley as a shrewish woman offended Darcy’s sensibilities. Still, Charles pressed ahead, “It may insult you, but I see many similar traits between my sister and your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Is not Lady Catherine dictatorial and impossible to please unless you follow her exact wishes?”
“Yes, but Lady Catherine is the daughter of an earl,” Darcy said.
Frowning darkly, Charles countered, “Does being a member of the nobility excuse ill-mannered behaviour? The paper is filled with stories of liaisons of noblemen with the wives of other men, chambermaids left pregnant by the master of the house, and estates in ruin from gambling on horse racing, cards, and cock fighting.”
The comparison was on point, and there was no defence for his aunt’s well-known dictates among his friends. Bingley continued, “If Miss Elizabeth could overlook Lady Catherine, you should be able to overlook uncles who are a tradesman and an attorney.”
Not willing to concede the argument, Darcy frowned while still harbouring doubts. Charles regretted when he did not see resolution or happiness on his friend's face, so he turned their attention to the book on his desk. Bingley ended the conversation, “I shall hand The Natural History of Selborne toMr Bennet when I deliver the invitation to the ball. Do you care to be there?”
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