An Audience with Mr. Bennet Part II

First of all, I must thank Vesper and Glynis for the great comments last month. I was in the midst of a Critical Approaches to Literature class and used our conversations on one of my assignments regarding
the Reader-Response Theory.

Now, I won’t make you wait any longer for the next installment. For those of you just joining or wanting to reread the prior posts, here are the links (in the proper order):

What if?, What if? Part II, The Letter, Elizabeth’s Perspective, A Walk at Rosings, A Walk at Rosings Part II, What to Do About Wickham, Return to London, Meet the Gardiners, Meet the Gardiners Part II, Meet the Gardiners Part III, Return to Hertfordshire, The Problem with Wickham Part I, The Problem With Wickham Part II, Elizabeth Arrives in London Part I, Elizabeth Arrives in London Part II, A Walk in the Park, After the Park, A Trip to the Museum, Darcy House, and An Audience with Mr. Bennet.

As a reminder, Bingley and Darcy have gone to Longbourn to ask Mr. Bennet for permission to marry Jane and Elizabeth. Bingley has asked and now it is Darcy’s turn. Mr. Bennet has not yet given his answer.

“And you, Mr. Darcy? What is it that brings you to my lowly estate?”

Momentarily startled by the question, Darcy blinked twice before stuttering out, “I––I––Miss Elizabeth and I have also been courting, sir, and she accepted my marriage proposal yesterday.”

The man’s brow rose. “Lizzy? But she was in Kent until this past Saturday.”

Darcy nodded. “As was I for the previous weeks. We were in each other’s company quite frequently during that time.”

Mr. Bennet nodded and looked back at Mr. Bingley. “Why did you leave Netherfield in November and not return until now?”

It was wrong of me. I realize that my actions at that time had raised expectations, which I had every intention to fulfill.”

“But you did not return at that time.”

“No.” Bingley lowered his head and there was a pause long enough to make Darcy feel the need to speak up.

“I fear I was not fully aware of the situation and provided poor advice to my friend.”

Bingley gave him a withering glance before returning his attention to Mr. Bennet. “Regardless of what Darcy told me, it was my final decision to remain in London and I regret choosing as I did. Had I returned when I planned, Miss Bennet and I might now be wed or, at the very least, be approaching our wedding day.”

Mr. Bennet did not appear impressed by Bingley’s confession and supposition, so Darcy spoke again. “My friend has great natural modesty, sir, and until recently, a stronger dependence on my judgement than on his own. I should not have advised him as I did––“

“Darcy, please. This is my battle; I do not require your assistance.” Bingley returned his attention to Mr. Bennet. “Sir, I understand your hesitance. I have not been a consistent suitor in the past and have taken others’ advice when I should have spoken to your daughter. Jane and I have discussed this, and I have promised her that it will not happen again. Should I have doubts about anything regarding her, I will speak to her and her alone. I love your daughter, Mr. Bennet, and she loves me. We wish to be married with your blessing, but if you will not provide it, she has told me to remind you that she is of age and her choice has been made.”

Slowly, Mr. Bennet unfolded his hands and sat forwards. “May I ask what was said to convince you to abandon my daughter to the gossips and jealous young ladies with their false sympathy? What reasons did your friend and, I imagine, your sisters provide that kept you from returning to her side after showing such marked attention for over a month?”

“The only reason that mattered to me was that Miss Bennet did not return my affection. I was told that she would accept my proposal at the urging of her mother but did not hold me in as great affection as I held her. I believed them because I was surprised that a lady like your daughter, who is good and kind, might be willing to marry me, a tradesman’s son. My experience in the ton has shown me that most landed families would only be accepting of me for financial reasons. Darcy is correct, I have been dependent on him in the past as it was only because of our friendship that I was able to enter certain establishments and homes. There have been times that he saved me from making mistakes, but in this situation he was wrong. I was the one who spent time with Miss Bennet, who spoke to her, who came to know her heart. I should have trusted in my instincts and known better than to listen to others who, in this circumstance, were not in the position to know either my heart or Jane’s.”

“But there were other reasons given.” Mr. Bennet held Bingley’s gaze until the young man nodded.

“Your family’s financial standing, lack of connections, and behaviour were raised repeatedly, mostly by my sisters who inspire to join the first circles even though the chances of that ever happening are slim.”

Mr. Bennet frowned. “Yet these reasons did not affect your decision to remain in London?”

“No, sir. My fortune is sufficient to care for Jane and any children we might have, and I would be a hypocrite if I were to look down on your connections to trade when my ties to it are closer than hers.”

“And my family’s behaviour?”

Bingley’s lips pinched together, and his hands fisted in his lap. “If you will forgive me for saying so, sir, there are certain members of your family who have been an embarrassment to your eldest daughters. In marrying Jane, I hope to remove her from those situations where she feels called upon to be the parent to those who are not her children. She and I have discussed what we could do to encourage certain changes within Longbourn, and we have hoped that our marriage might give Mrs. Bennet a certain peace as she would be well taken care of should you pass before her.”

“I see.” Mr. Bennet sat stiffly, meeting Bingley’s gaze, his fingers drumming on the book before him. Finally, he turned to Darcy. “And you, sir. Why do you suddenly wish to marry a girl who was tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt you the day you first met her?”

Darcy sat straighter and took a deep breath. “I have asked Miss Elizabeth’s forgiveness for my cruel words that day. In truth, it was not long after that evening that I began to note her intelligence and wit; and though her manners are not fashionable, they are playful and kind.  I was drawn to her and wished to know more of her. By the time of the Netherfield ball, I realized there was a danger in admiring her, as I felt I could not offer for her for the reasons Bingley dismissed so easily. I have been raised knowing the expectations placed upon me and the woman who will one day be my wife. When the suggestion was made to follow Bingley to London, I seized it, believing I could walk away from Miss Elizabeth and forget her. That was not the case.”

“Yet you did not return to Longbourn either.” Mr. Bennet smirked. “Although in your case, I doubt you would have received the welcome your friend would have received.”

“I am aware Miss Elizabeth’s feelings towards me were not what I thought.”

“You are?” Mr. Bennet’s surprise dissolved into a gleeful grin as he leant back into his chair. “And how did you come by this knowledge, sir?”

“She refused you?” Mr. Bennet asked, his expression still amused but also dismayed. “If her mother knew, she would be forbidden to return home for refusing another proposal,” he muttered.

“Another?” Darcy asked, but Mr. Bennet waved the comment away and motioned for him to continue.

“She had learned of my interference with Bingley and her sister and was most displeased. She had also been given false information from Mr. Wickham which had built upon my poor behaviour to show me in a most unfavourable light.”

Mr. Bennet’s lips twitched, and his brow lifted in a manner similar to his second daughter’s. “So, what I am hearing is that Elizabeth humbled you, Mr. Darcy, and Jane emboldened you, Mr. Bingley.”

The gentlemen exchanged a glance before they smiled and looked back at their host. “Yes,” they replied in unison.

“Then they will be the making of you both, I am certain.” Mr. Bennet patted his hand upon the book he had been reading when they arrived before placing his palms upon the desk and standing. “I suppose we should tell my wife before she works herself into a fit of nerves. We have taken longer than she may be able to stand as it is.”

He crossed to the door but stopped and turned back to the men who had risen to follow him. “Do not think I have forgotten what was said about my family. We will discuss it another day once my girls are home and they can be part of the conversation.” That said, he opened the door and proceeded back to the front parlour where Mrs. Bennet could be heard lamenting her fears that Mr. Bennet would send Mr. Bingley away and they would all be thrown into the hedgerows the minute he died.

“Mrs. Bennet,” the man said as he entered the room ahead of the others. “I believe you will never have to consider a life in the hedgerows again. Neither of your future sons will allow such a thing to happen should you outlive me.”

“Oh!” she cried as she stood, clasping her hands together. “Mr. Bingley, I am so pleased!” She opened her mouth to continue but paused. “Did you say neither, Mr. Bennet?”

“I did.” He rocked back on his heels and grinned. “Mr. Bingley is engaged to our Jane, and Mr. Darcy has had the very good sense to propose to my Lizzy and has been accepted.”

Mrs. Bennet stared at Darcy, her mouth agape, and then she swooned.

So, have I redeemed Mr. Bennet, maybe just a little bit?