Page 41 of Roses from Pemberley
While Darcy exclaimed, “My sister is only sixteen and there is nothing at all going on between them!” He noticed that Jane looked somewhat placated but that Mrs. Bennet was still frowning.
After which Bingley stated with a small voice “I…had business in London.”
“Business in London,” repeated Mrs. Bennet, ignoring both Jane and Darcy. “What a terribly convenient excuse.”
Jane gasped while Elizabeth looked at her mother in stunned silence, not quite believing that Fanny Bennet was chastising Mr. Bingley, despite the risk of frightening him off. But she had always been protective of her children and Elizabeth supposed that her mother was only being so now.
“It is my fault,” said Darcy, intervening again.
“Your fault? How so?”
Darcy swallowed. “I…warned Bingley away from Miss Bennet because I thought that she did not love him.”
“But why would you do such a thing? And why should he even believe you about it? Are you some sort of expert abouthow ladies are supposed to behave?” She turned to Bingley and added, “And you sir, have absolutely no backbone - for listening to a friend and abandoning my daughter instead of finding out for yourself whether or not she loved you.”
Elizabeth looked at Jane and saw that she too was staring at their mother, mouth agape.
“I…I apologise again,” stammered Bingley.
“As do I,” said Darcy.
“And what of your comment at the Meryton Assembly?” she asked, now turning her attention to that gentleman.
“What comment?” asked Darcy.
Mrs. Bennet cleared her throat. “She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me, and I am in no humour to give…what was it again, Lizzy? What was it that Mr. Darcy said?”
“Consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men,” said Elizabeth dully.
She could not believe that she had said it, but the words seemed to pour from her mouth as if of their own volition. Perhaps it was her illness doing the talking.
“So what do you have to say for yourself, Mr. Darcy?” continued Mrs. Bennet. “Hmm?”
Darcy winced. “I was…” He looked down but could not seem to think of a reply.
“It was a hurtful comment to make about my daughter,” finished Mrs. Bennet. “Terribly hurtful.”
“I am deeply sorry,” said Darcy, now turning to Elizabeth, who was appalled by the entire exchange. “I never even looked at you. My sister had recently gone through some difficulties and…I simply did not wish to dance.”
“Well, you should have thought of a better way to avoid it!” retorted Mrs. Bennet.
“You are right, I should have.”
Mrs. Bennet huffed while Charlotte suddenly said, “Mrs. Bennet, would you care for a slice of spice cake?”
Mrs. Bennet blinked. “What?”
“The cake,” said Charlotte desperately, not wishing for Lady Catherine to hear that her nephew had been berated by her guests, “it is very good. Please…try some.”
“Well…” said Mrs. Bennet, “if you insist.”
Charlotte handed her a piece of cake, then turned to Darcy and said, “And you, Mr. Darcy, would you also like a slice?”
“Thank you, no, Mrs. Collins. Perhaps it is best that Bingley and I be on our way.”
He looked at Bingley who suddenly stood up and said, “Yes, perhaps we had better take our leave.”
Mrs. Bennet, who was now eating her cake, said, “Suit yourselves.”
