Hello readers, it’s great to be back at My Jane Austen Book Club! I’m so excited to share another sneak peek of my new release, Kindly Meant Interference, which is coming to Kindle on June 18th. I had a blast writing this P&P variation, largely because I really have a soft spot for Caroline Bingley.
In this retelling, she plays an integral role in Darcy and Elizabeth’s love story. After overhearing Darcy say he will never marry her on the night of the assembly, Caroline decides that the best way to continue enjoying access to Pemberley and Darcy’s social connections is to be the dearest friend of his future wife. And when Darcy admires Elizabeth’s “fine eyes” at Lucas Lodge, Caroline knows who his future bride ought to be.
Today I am sharing an excerpt from that party at Lucas Lodge. When Caroline sees Elizabeth not as a rival but more of a project, the course of the story takes a very different course….
Jayne Bamber
***
Miss Bingley proved incredibly talented as she played and sang a complicated aria, and Elizabeth did her best to listen attentively, for she really wished to make amends for any offense she had given the lady. If Miss Bingley could be an ally to Jane’s future happiness, Elizabeth was ready to reign in her impertinence and make every effort toward friendship.
Mary claimed the instrument next, and Miss Bingley sought Elizabeth out again; this time, they spoke with the colonel of the regiment. His notion of giving a ball was met with encouragement from both of the ladies, and there was no further tension on Miss Bingley’s part at the allusion to dancing. Mr. Darcy observed them from some distance, and seemed to be moving closer at intervals, though he did not appear inclined to join the conversation like a normal person.
Miss Bingley was determined to ignore him, but Elizabeth could not. A glass of wine fortified her curiosity, and when she and Miss Bingley were left alone, she questioned her new friend directly. “What can Mr. Darcy mean by listening to our conversation? Does he carry on like this at Netherfield?”
“He is easier amongst intimate friends than in large parties of persons not well known to him,” Miss Bingley said in a low voice.
Elizabeth smiled playfully at Miss Bingley. “I wonder that he has any intimate friends, for surely they must have once been unknown to him, as well.”
“I am reminded of your observations about your sister,” Miss Bingley replied.
Elizabeth gave an appreciative chuckle. “Then there is hope for Jane, for Mr. Bingley is accustomed to persevering in the face of reticence.”
“No little difference from your own disposition, I am sure,” Miss Bingley replied.
Again there was a trace of something pensive in Miss Bingley’s voice; Elizabeth was certain that Miss Bingley harbored some regard for Mr. Darcy. Perhaps with such an effusive brother, the lady preferred a silent suitor. “Whatever the merits of a taciturn beau, I must nettle him a little. If I am not impertinent, I may soon grow afraid of your Mr. Darcy.”
Miss Bingley looked surprised, but the upturning of her lips was far enough from a protest that Elizabeth did not hesitate on her new friend’s behalf. She turned to meet Mr. Darcy’s eye, and he was near enough by now for her to address him directly. “Did we not express ourselves well, sir, in teasing Colonel Forster about giving a ball?”
He inclined his head. “With great energy; but it is a subject which always makes a lady energetic.”
Elizabeth stood with her shoulder brushing Miss Bingley’s and leaned in to pretend to whisper, “He is severe upon us, is he not?”
Miss Bingley tipped her head to one side and studied Mr. Darcy for a moment. “Indeed he is - but a ball must be suitable punishment for his severity. Why, I begin to think I may suggest my brother give a ball at Netherfield.”
“Ah! She is not afraid of you, Mr. Darcy, and so I will follow her lead and declare there is no enjoyment like dancing.”
Sir William Lucas sauntered up to them and clapped his hands. “Indeed, there is no better amusement for young people!” He gestured to where Kitty and Lydia had entreated the officers to form a reel with them. “I consider it one of the first refinements of polished societies.”
“Certainly,” Mr. Darcy replied. He took a step closer and regarded Elizabeth with a sportive look. “But it has the advantage of also being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world. Every savage can dance.”
Elizabeth arched an eyebrow at him, her intent to promote Miss Bingley forgotten in the face of his challenge. “Even if one’s partner is barely tolerable.”
Miss Bingley gave a little gasp and Mr. Darcy blinked before parting his lips, only to abruptly close them again. His color heightened; Miss Bingley blanched. Across the room, Jane and Mr. Bingley had joined in the dancing, and Sir William called out his encouragement to them. To Mr. Darcy, he said, “Your friend is a delightful dancer. Will you not honor us, as you did at the assembly?”
Sir William gestured to the ladies, and Elizabeth looked pointedly at Miss Bingley, who swiftly demurred. “Mr. Darcy is indeed an excellent dancer, but I beg you would not imagine, Sir William, that I spoke to Miss Elizabeth of dancing because I wished to do so myself.” Miss Bingley bobbed into a curtsey and abruptly moved away from them.
Sir William was stymied only for a moment before taking Elizabeth’s hand and offering it to Mr. Darcy with a great deal of reverence, as if gifting the man a rare jewel. “Allow me to present Miss Elizabeth to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, as Miss Bingley has done, when there is so much beauty before you.”
Elizabeth watched Miss Bingley stalk away. She did not wish to vex the lady, whose sighs over Mr. Darcy had made a strong impression on Elizabeth’s sensibilities. Moreover, Mrs. Bennet had been so offended by Mr. Darcy’s snobbery at the assembly that Elizabeth had promised her mother she would never dance with the gentleman.
But Mr. Darcy inclined his head and gave a slight bow. “I should be happy to oblige, sir.”
He reached for Elizabeth’s hand, but she hesitated. “Mr. Darcy is all politeness.”
“Indeed he is - a most agreeable partner,” Sir William cried, placing her hand in Mr. Darcy’s.
Elizabeth could protest no further; Mr. Darcy led her across the room to join the set beside Jane and Mr. Bingley, who both looked at them with happy surprise.
Mr. Darcy was a fine dancer; Elizabeth was chagrined, and a little annoyed to discover it. “You acquit yourself well, sir; shall I next discover you cavorting around a fire, or painting your face with woad?”
He barked out a laugh before schooling his countenance into a mirror of her own arch expression. “I shall limit my oddities to eavesdropping for the time being.”
“A very gracious repayment for my condescension, in standing up with a gentleman who was slighted by other ladies.”
Elizabeth had just enough time to relish his look of understanding before the music came to an end. The other dancers all applauded one another, but Elizabeth merely dipped into a curtsey before stalking toward the instrument. Mary had delighted them for long enough, and Elizabeth had no wish to speak to anybody of her brief dance with Mr. Darcy.
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