17 • Opinions
It might have occurred to James, as he readied for his second visit to Pemberley, that it was inevitable he should meet the Bingley sisters, especially under such an invitation as breakfast from the lady of the home. However it was not until he and his family arrived and he glimpsed the company descending the stairs to meet them that he realized neither Caroline nor Louisa had once entered his thoughts. William Darcy and his sister had occupied them entirely.
Most of it was due to his uncle’s endless praise of the man after he returned to the inn, ever so pleased to provide a fish for his wife’s dinner, already cleaned and removed of scales by the Darcys’ cook.
It was Mrs. Reynolds, Georgiana, and her brother who met their carriage, with Charles rushing close behind, and then in front of them to open the door and help Kitty out of it. “No one told me you were coming! I’m so glad you accepted the invitation! I had to see a table set for eight before I was aware of anything.”
“I’m sorry, Charles,” Georgiana laughed. “We were separated for the whole of yesterday so I never had the chance to tell you.”
“Good company is made better as a surprise,” Charles disregarded as he helped Mrs. Gardiner from the carriage.
“Good morning,” said Darcy, his voice somber but gentle.
“Morning,” James returned as Darcy walked beside him into the house. They were shown into where the staff was setting out their breakfast. The tall northern windows, opening to the veranda and then the grounds, admitted a refreshing view of the high woody hills behind the house; beautiful oaks and Spanish chestnuts speckled the intermediate lawns.
Charles’ surprise was the clue, and therein were the less-than-happy Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, standing near the windows. They appeared tranquil and greeted the Gardiners civilly, while another woman introduced as Georgiana’s governess curtsied nearby.
Georgiana and Charles led the introductions, but while the latter was blissful in his ignorance, the former was more observant of the sisters’ demeanour. James recognized embarrassment when he saw it, and the ensuing shyness and fear of doing wrong by the Bingley sisters. Just as he had misinterpreted her brother, James realized Georgiana’s retreat could just as easily be mistaken for a proud and judgmental character.
The Bingleys sat around the table, Charles chatting with his aunt and uncle while the sisters remained frigidly silent apart from their courtesy during conversation. James, however, earned Georgiana’s attention when he approached her with his offered arm. “May I plague you with my company this morning?”
She grinned with relief. “I invited you here. You’re hardly a plague.”
But she took his arm and they walked to a pair of empty seats. “Oh, they might disagree,” he murmured, only flicking a glance diagonally across the table. “But they have the highest opinion of you. You are free to abuse it to your greatest advantage.”
James observed Caroline perk up, her mouth opening to speak while Darcy passed by, however she remained silent as he came to sit opposite his sister and James, on the other end of the table. Georgiana seemed visibly relieved to have him near, but James soon observed that he was now a closely watched specimen of Caroline Bingley. He wondered briefly what her greatest annoyance could be, then realized he had quite accomplished all of them: both Darcys sat around him and away from her; Kitty was opposite Georgiana and next to William while James was next to Georgiana. For someone so long in the scheme of marrying one while engaging her brother to the other, James had thoroughly replaced Bingleys with Bennets.
However the thought did not please him as it might have once done. Instead he poured his hostess’s tea and then his own, preferring to focus on breakfast—
“Pray, Mr. Bennet, are not the militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to your family.”
James’ eyes lifted to meet hers across the table. He remained stoic while she appeared shy of triumphant. He could feel Georgiana’s discomfort as the tea overflowed to the saucer before he set the pot down. He took a second to glance at her, but her eyes were on her brother, who was silent as ever. Caroline was keen enough to not name Wickham directly but James could only think of her as an idiot, too interested in wounding him than to notice the sensitivities of her hosts.
“Why should my family mourn?” he replied. “The militia may do their travel and my sisters may do theirs. My youngest is riding for Brighton as we speak while my eldest was just recently in London for several weeks, you might remember.”
Her triumph evaporated as Charles’s head turned upon hearing his words, and then looked toward his sister. James left that fire where it was to apologize to Georgiana for spilling her tea. “That’s all right,” she said perplexedly, watching but not understanding the interactions around the table.
James reached for the milk near Darcy, only to feel nailed to his chair by how the morning light illuminated the eyes focused on him. Darcy’s lips curved slightly in a smile.
It struck James like a blow to the chest why he had been feeling such a way — or rather, what he had been feeling at all. When Darcy looked at him, it was not with contempt, spite, or even simple dislike. William did not hate him. And more, James no longer felt any repugnance toward him.
It was gratitude. Gratitude, not merely for having once loved him, but for maybe loving him still, at least well enough to forgive him. Instead of avoiding James as his greatest enemy, he seemed eager to preserve their acquaintance and further it with the introduction to his sister.
William’s gaze traveled over the table, naturally absorbing his friends’ countenances before he returned to James. Jamie felt bruised as Darcy’s gaze inquired silently. He mirrored James’ softness, perhaps out of concern or further wondering, but James slightly shook his head and looked away, trying to find the air to breathe again.
He blinked and had no idea why he was holding the sugar, so he set it down and found himself looking to Kitty, who was quiet as she glanced between him and their host before her gaze drifted to Georgiana. James observed her staring at Darcy’s sister, until Kitty recovered herself and glanced at him, turning scarlet. His brows furrowed inquiringly but Kitty looked at her lap and remained there for the rest of their meal.
Their visit did not continue long after they broke their fast, but it did adjourn to the gardens, where the party was invited for a long walk around the house before departing. While Mr. Darcy was attending to the Gardiners behind, Caroline vented her frustrations ahead, in the form of criticism of the Bennets, who strolled in between. Caroline did not name them but as Kitty’s arm through Jamie’s tightened, her focus was apparent.
“I never in my life saw anyone so much altered since winter…” her voice drifted back to them. “I must confess to seeing some beauty before these ventures. Her face had a lovely plumpness, but now it is too thin, her complexion left with no brilliance.”
For her part, Georgiana did not respond. She glanced back once, perhaps for her brother, and then remained silent until James announced, “Do speak louder, Miss Bingley. Opinions ought to be brought to their subjects’ ears, at least that is the nature of conversation as I understand it.”
Kitty gasped, beseeching him for silence while Caroline looked back at him without shame, though perhaps some surprise. “I was only speaking of you and your sister’s health. It was not so long ago that you and another sibling were our guests during an ill time. The both of you are quite different than when we last saw each other. Your hair is longer. She is thinner—”
“It is remarkable,” he interrupted, “how much the body changes in a year, then ten, especially during one’s youth. Jane was certainly pretty at Kitty’s age, but truthfully, she was only a lighter blond with straighter hair.”
He felt Kitty relax, and when he looked at her, a grateful smile was in her eyes. “I was no great specimen, either, and look at me now. The prettiest of the lot.”
“Oh!” her relief was replaced by annoyance. “And the most insufferable one!”
He flashed a grin and found Georgiana laughing. They had caught up with each other and Charles jogged to meet them, eager to walk beside James as he offered Georgiana his arm. “Of what are we talking? I won’t be left out of laughter,” he said.
“Only jealousy and cowardice,” James murmured, but enough for Miss Darcy’s ears. “If she likes your brother so much, she might think to lessen these parts of herself.”
She giggled anew, indeed glancing back at her brother, whose interest had piqued at them. Darcy’s expression was wiped entirely at the sight of James peeking back to smirk at him as well. “He’s too smart for her, poor girl.”
“You think so?” she turned back to him.
But too many Bingleys surrounded them for further discussion. “Smart, but pretty. Forgive me for saying it, my lady, but he is the handsome one.” He leaned toward her. “You’re the smarter one.”
Far from insulted, she laughed and Charles joined her. “I wonder what William would say to that. No one’s ever accused him of prettiness before.”
“Nor I of intelligence, especially so soon after meeting,” Georgiana agreed. “Might I ask what’s brought you to such a conclusion?”
“You have the Bingleys eating out of your hand,” he smirked at Charles, who took it with grace. “Your poor brother gets shoved around by them.”
Charles exclaimed, “I agree about him drawing attention for his features but we hardly do cruelty to the man.”
“Was it not you who brought Darcy to Hertfordshire?” James smiled. “Quite a stir, you raised. Meryton will be speaking of you for ages, so often do we host such acclaimed company.”
“Hertfordshire was a wonderful host,” Charles smiled. “I might dare to desire imposing on you again.”
Georgiana reacted to James’ chin jerking toward him before he recovered himself. Her tone fell as she admitted, “You are kind, but…I do not think anyone eats out of my hand, as you say.”
“A lot changes in a year, and then ten,” he consoled. “Give yourself time, my lady.”
“Georgiana, please,” she urged. “My brother trusts you. I trust you.”
James held her gaze softly as Charles chuckled, “Rendered speechless. How rare. A Darcy’s trust is an even rarer thing, Jamie.”
“Jamie,” Georgiana repeated. “I like that!”
Charles smiled. “I have not been granted the rights to use ‘Lizzy,’ yet.”
“Lizzy?” she asked.
“My middle name is Elizabeth,” James provided.
“And who calls you as such?” she wondered.
“Family, usually,” Kitty intercepted. Georgiana’s gaze met hers when she spoke but Kitty could not hold it for long.
James noticed but gave it no consequence as everyone’s attention was drawn to Darcy’s voice arriving behind them, “James, what’s this on opinions and then I hear my name?”
“I’ve underestimated your ears,” James replied warmly.
Georgiana smiled at her brother and said, “Jamie has called you pretty and myself smart. How do you reply?”
He looked to the man in question. “Jamie?”
Caroline chimed, “Yes, how close we are becoming.”
James ignored her and replied to Charles, “Has it bothered you to not call me Lizzy?”
“No, ‘course not,” he grinned, but his voice did not match his mouth. “I respect your family’s right to it. In another world we might—‘ve—um.”
James and Kitty stared at him with wonder. Without a way to salvage his mistake, Charles stumbled into silence.
Louisa filled it. “Mr. Bennet, I must ask you what exactly you mean when you say a lot can change in ten years.”
He cast a puzzled look at her. “I do not pretend to know the misunderstanding.”
“I mean that in ten years’ time, the Lady Georgiana will be quite along in her twenties. Nearing spinster territory. It is not becoming of a woman in her standing to go so long unmarried.”
“On the contrary,” he said, “I see that as the exact reason to go so long unmarried. She has the title, the family, and the money to live her life exactly as she pleases with ease. Of course societal pressures are another matter entirely, but I am not one to so hastily judge another’s life or their decisions. At least not anymore,” he added more for himself. “When one has the sense with which to navigate their own happiness, it is not a friend who steers them away from it.”
The next voice to reach him was his sister’s, and he was grateful for its familiarity. “That’s why you saved me from Mr. Collins? And then Mary…”
His hand covered hers as they rounded the front of the house and their carriage was in sight. “You’re hardly forgotten.”
Her other hand came to rest on his arm as she said so quietly he almost missed it, “I think…I might enjoy an unmarried life. But how would you think of having two sisters permanently at home?”
“You and Mary?” James considered. “I highly doubt either of you would stay at home. All it takes is Mary to discover how many literature societies are in London and she might never return home. It is not uncommon for women to use a male pseudonym to publish themselves. I doubt very much that Mary will live out her life in Longbourn.”
Kitty giggled but pressed, “Mary is brave, isn’t she? But you wouldn’t mind being stuck with me forever?”
“It is my task and mine alone to be the pessimist in our family. You should next travel with Jane; she’ll undo my corruption of you.”
Georgiana drew their attention back to her. “Your sisters sound wonderful.”
“They are!” Kitty chimed with more confidence. “It is so rare that we are not all in one place.”
The former smiled, “What would you do with your time? If you were not hunting for a husband?”
“I…” Kitty faded. “I’m not sure. I’ve…never truly explored any interest.”
“You’ve never explored anything Lydia found boring, which is most of everything,” James corrected. “What do you look forward to doing? What can you do with pleasure for long periods?”
Kitty gave it a good deal of thought as they approached their departure. “I like sewing,” she finally said. “Any time Lydia wanted something altered or made, it was not her doing it. I never...I never sought credit because I enjoyed it.”
A slow grin formed on James’ face. “I did not know that. Perhaps you should start taking credit, then.”
“Truly?” Charles exclaimed. “Lydia asked me to compliment her dress at least twice at our ball! But it was your work the whole time?”
Kitty giggled. “I was with her when you gave it, so your words were not unappreciated.”
Georgiana offered, “Female designers are publishing their designs in French magazines. I have a couple if you’d like to see them next time you’re here?”
Kitty’s jaw dropped. “I would like that very much! But I do not speak French.”
Caroline hummed a derisive sound while the sisters leaned toward each other as if to share a silent confidence before their heads jerked at Georgiana’s saying, “Then you’ll have to come back.”
She was grinning, reinvigorated. “Alas, we’re due in town soon for William and Charles’s errands, which will keep us all day. So this is farewell, but only briefly.”
Kitty said her goodbyes and entered the carriage first, followed by the Gardiners while James remained outside to ride with the driver. “Good day, Mrs. Hurst. I hope your husband is safe and enjoying his time in London.”
She returned his bow with a curtsy and something civil before she went first back to the house. Charles was finishing a brief conversation with Mr. Gardiner as Caroline did not curtsy, but held out her hand to him. James bowed over it, but before he could bid farewell she said, “You are cruel to encourage your sisters to a singular life. A husband grants them security and companionship, but you would deny both to them.”
He straightened. “So often marriage is a test of one’s will, not an exercise in love.”
Caroline looked at him with something like pity. “Your sister does not have the luxury of being unmarried. As a poor individual, your gender hardly gives you more of an advantage in this regard. I am surprised, though, how you never made an effort to court me. But I understand marriage often consists of a great deal of hatred. That much is obvious in how your father avoids your mother, even during social functions. Your sister is either weak or intelligent to avoid it, but as you said, it is hardly my place to decide another’s lifestyle.”
James did not break eye contact with her, but her mirth faded against his calm resolve. “I disagree. In our home we’ve learned that hatred and love rest within the same coin. When you shine one side, you inadvertently shine the other. You are right, however. In your current unmarried state, you haven’t any right to judge my siblings. As to the matter of my courting you, for us to have hatred in our marriage, it would first involve me cultivating love for you, which I cannot do. Excuse me.”
He left Caroline in bristled silence as he rounded the carriage to where Darcy stood. James looked at his extended hand and voiced, “You’re too kind, my lord.”
“Please,” Darcy hushed. “Thank you for today. Georgiana needed you.”
James stood quite still. His mouth opened, but he found nothing there to fill it. “I-I, hum…”
He frowned, and quipped. “Well I really disappoint myself. You Darcys are getting too good at quieting me.”
The man chuckled and reached for James’ hand to assist him up to the bench. “Then perhaps when you’re able again, you might take me up on calling me William. Good day, James.”
“And you,” he replied, and they were off.
Caroline approached William as he watched the carriage drive into the hills. “This is thrice now that we have watched Bennets depart our premises.”
She peered up at him but received no reply. She chortled softly, “I remember, when we first arrived to Hertfordshire and everybody recommended these Bennets to us. ‘The eldest’s beauty,’ they said, ‘and the next one’s wit, though surely both are beautiful.’ Jane is quite incomparable to the rest but he a beauty? We might sooner call their mother a wit, for Jane reserved all proper behaviour, and therefore regard, for herself. I thought you once agreed.”
“Yes,” replied Darcy, who finally rotated to face her. “But that was only when I first knew him. It is many months since I have considered him the handsomest man in my acquaintance. I suggest you stop counting, Miss Bingley, for they will be my guests for many more occasions.”