Page 19 of A Promise Made

“Do you feel the new governess your father and sister mentioned in a letter is aiding Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty?”

Smiling contentedly, Miss Bennet answered, “She is doing quite a good job of redirecting some of their more romantic notions into interest in history, biography, and literature.”

Which is exactly what Miss Elizabeth had written, but Miss Elizabeth had added to that assessment several charming anecdotes, a humorous aside, and a few specific critiques.

The dance finished, and as Darcy walked Miss Bennet back to her family, he said, “Based on your sister’s advice, I hired another governess for my sister, rather than the companion I had engaged. Miss Elizabeth pointed out that the companion’s request to go to Ramsgate and set up another separate household put pressure on my sister to start thinking about marriage, even though she was three years from coming out.”

“That does seem quite early to exert pressure,” Miss Bennet murmured.

“Indeed. I decided to speak more with Mrs Younge—that is the name of the companion I had hired—and I was quite shocked at the illogical way she argued for her request and her suggested timeline. I came to the conclusion that something was wrong, and I let Mrs Younge go. Since then, I discovered that every one of her references was forged.”

“Oh, my goodness.” Miss Bennet looked distressed.

“I was very grateful for Miss Elizabeth’s counsel,” Darcy said.

“I hope you told my sister that….”

“I did.”

“Mr Darcy, I wonder if we might speak without worrying about propriety. Perhaps on the balcony, with my father or one of my sisters chaperoning?”

Darcy felt his brows shoot up, and he tensed a bit, remembering that, years ago, he thought Miss Bennet might have become infatuated with him. However, if she was willing for her family members to chaperone, all should be well.

He nodded his acquiescence. When they reached the Bennets and Miss Bennet made her request for a chaperone, Mr Bennet escorted Miss Mary towards the balcony. When Miss Elizabeth finally reached them, she decided to accompany them, as well.

“I am not certain the balcony is quite large enough for this large chaperone contingent,” Darcy said with a solemn expression and a wink.

Miss Bennet smiled briefly but said, “It will do.” She spoke quite softly, and the three chaperones gave them privacy by talking quietly among themselves. Miss Bennet said, “I wished to start by apologising for how I behaved five years ago, following in your steps like a lost puppy.”

“That is not quite what happened,” he said. Then he thought he might look severe, as others sometimes told him he did, and he smiled.

Miss Bennet returned the smile. “Does that mean that you forgive me?”

“No, it means that your apology is noted but completely unnecessary. You did nothing wrong,” She looked hard at him, and he finally added, “Obviously, if there were any reason for you to apologise, I would forgive you.”

She took a deep breath before continuing. “In addition to apologising, I also wish to thank you. My interest in you helped me realise at quite a young age how a true gentleman behaves. Since then I have observed several so-called gentlemen who do not deserve the label.”

“I am afraid there have always been those unworthy of the word,” Darcy agreed. “Thank you for the compliment, and I am humbled to have played such a role for you.”

“And for Lizzy.”

Darcy shot a glance to where the Misses Elizabeth and Mary stood arm-in-arm, speaking with their father in low tones.

“Now,” Miss Bennet said, “to the topic I would not wish to bring up in a crowded assembly room: Mr Bingley. He seems to be a very good-hearted and jovial sort of man, with very pretty manners, and I have to admit that I immediately assumed that his character and constancy would be very fine because he is a friend of yours. But then I realised that the assumption might not be warranted, since you might not know him well or for long. I do not ask you to betray your friend in specifics, but I wonder just how well you know him. Have you had an opportunity to see his character, which can only be assessed, I am positive, in challenging circumstances? Have you had a lengthy enough friendship to know whether or not he is steadfast?”

A long pause ensued. Darcy thought hard about his friend, wondering, If he asked my sister for a courtship, how would I feel about him in that role?

He said, slowly, “I am not certain if I know Mr Bingley well enough to give an assured opinion, but my inclination is that he has not yet been tested enough to know how he will do with life’s tribulations, and that he is not quite old enough to marry. However, everything I know of him points to him being a very good man. I hope that helps you as you get to know him and judge him yourself.”

“Thank you for your honesty. Now I look forward to learning more.”

She signalled the end of their tête-à-tête by walking towards her family and the assembly room. Darcy heard the announcement for supper, and he took a few hurried steps to be able to offer his arm to Miss Elizabeth. “Would you like to go in to supper?” he asked.

“That would be wonderful.” Miss Elizabeth treated him to one of her most dazzling smiles, and he felt quite content to be exactly where he was, doing exactly what he was doing.

* * *

Mr Bennet had thought that his eldest daughter and the newcomer, Mr Charles Bingley, had taken a great fancy to one another. He barely knew Mr Bingley yet had already noticed that their personalities meshed quite well. He felt positive about a possible pairing.