“If she carries a weapon,” Darcy remarked, “she ought to know how to use it.”
“And so I tell her,” Bingley concurred.
Fitzwilliam pulled a face at Darcy, who sighed. “Forgive me, Bingley,” he said stoically. “I did not mean to offer insult.”
“It is my sister who offers the insult,” Bingley replied with a wave of his hand. “It is an embarrassment. Our grandfather’s fortune, money which is now ours, was made largely in the design and production of quality firearms.”
“The girls are proficient with several kinds of pistols,” was Bennet’s calm reply. “I shall take up foils with them next.”
Bingley coughed, but Bennet just grinned. Darcy shook his head. As he could think of no situation in which a Bennet daughter might be required to defend herself with a foil, he doubted the old general was serious.
Suddenly, Bingley swung his gun up, aimed, and fired. He hit his target and lowered his weapon with the grin he seemed always to wear. “I have a bit to do to catch up,” he announced.
He might be rather buoyant, and a little green, but the man was a decent shot. Darcy reloaded and lifted his gun.
Chapter Six
Theladiesalwaysmetthe morning after an assembly to discuss the occasion, and this morning there was sufficient grist for the mill. Charlotte had danced more than she had in an age, Maria had been paid some attention by Mrs. Long’s visiting nephew, and Jane had danced two sets with Mr. Bingley. Even Mary had danced every dance.
Yet with all of these promising topics, the conversation turned almost instantly to Elizabeth’s dances with Mr. Darcy.
“They were not genuine dances,” she protested. Why did no one believe her? “He was nearly forced into the first, and Charlotte knows very well why we danced the second,” she said darkly. She motioned at the bonnet sitting on the chair next to Charlotte.
“Why, Charlotte?” Maria asked.
“Never you mind,” Charlotte said to her sister. To Elizabeth, she remarked, “He did not have to agree.”
Mary was bemused. “Agree to what?”
Mr. Darcyhadbeen rather easily persuaded to remain and dance again. It had surprised Elizabeth, but it was not as though he had been enthusiastic. He was simply “not averse.”
“I believe Jane has a far more interesting story to tell,” Elizabeth replied.
“Oh yes,” Maria said eagerly, sitting up straight and clasping her hands in her lap. “What was Mr. Bingley like, Jane?”
“He was very kind, Maria, and well informed.”
“And handsome, which a young man ought to be if he possibly can,” Elizabeth added.
“Lizzy!” Jane exclaimed, a faint blush colouring her cheeks.
Charlotte smiled. “I must agree with Eliza. Mr. Bingley is not at all deficient in his looks.”
“High praise indeed,” Mary said. The ladies all laughed gently as Mary hid her face in her hands.
“Do not be embarrassed, Mary,” Elizabeth said. “You have a fine wit, and it is a shame not to employ it. You are never unkind.”
“I am not in the least offended,” Charlotte added. “I only wish you would speak your mind more often.” She addressed Jane. “As perhaps you shall need to do?”
“What do you mean?” Jane asked, perplexed.
“Only that as hostess of this house, you are so very concerned about propriety that you may leave Mr. Bingley in doubt of your feelings.”
“I have only just met the man,” Jane protested. “I am in possession of no feelings other than pleasure at making an amiable new acquaintance.”
“I would not have you display any false sentiments, Jane,” Charlotte replied. “Only promise me that when you are sure that you do have feelings for him, you will allow them to show a little.”
Jane did not reply, and Charlotte did not press her for an answer.