For today’s post, I thought I would go back to a subject that always seems to be of interest–an excerpt. On this occasion, I have several to choose from as I have three books in various stages of the writing progress. I chose Four Days at Netherfield because it is likely the closest to seeing Amazon’s virtual store shelves. As usual when I post excerpts, this is hot off the presses with little editing done, so you may fine an error or two.

The situation is this: before Elizabeth arrives at Netherfield to care for Jane, he has a conversation that makes him think about his behavior, and ultimately changes his perspective. The scene in question happens a few chapters in, the evening that Elizabeth arrives. After dinner, she leaves the Netherfield party to check in on Jane, and while she’s gone, those remaining talk about her. What takes place will definitely seem familiar, but I am trying to write this to account for Darcy’s change of heart, which will alter the discussion in several ways, not the least of which is Darcy lightening up and not joining Miss Bingley in disparaging Elizabeth. I hope you enjoy it!

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No sooner had Miss Elizabeth departed than Miss Bingley’s voice rose in disparagement, and this while they walked the halls before the company reached their destination. As Miss Elizabeth left only the moment before, Darcy was not certain she could not hear the woman’s piercing voice. Bingley seemed to have the same thought, for he silenced her at once.

“Have a care, Caroline! If you must insult our guest, please have the decency to wait until you are certain she cannot overhear us.”

Most would have had the self-awareness to feel embarrassed or a hint of remorse at the censure, or even the reminder to behave properly, but Miss Bingley did nothing more than offer a disdainful sniff. As she was mercifully silent until they reached the sitting-room, Bingley said nothing further, though Darcy was certain he was not pleased with his sister. The very moment he felt he could do so politely, Darcy escorted Miss Bingley to a sofa and divested himself of her vicelike grip and moved to stand by the fireplace, poking at it as a means of distraction. Bingley, he noted, stood nearby, the look he gave Darcy proof he understood how unwelcome Miss Bingley criticisms of Miss Elizabeth had been.

“Well, at least we are free of her company for a time,” said Miss Bingley the moment she settled on the sofa. “I believe I have had enough impertinent opinions to last for the next week!”

“Then you had best steel yourself, Caroline,” said Bingley, his tone not friendly in the slightest, “for Miss Elizabeth will stay until her sister is recovered enough to return to Longbourn.”

Miss Bingley eyed her brother, asperity flowing from her glare. “I might wonder, Charles, why you opted to burden us even further than the situation already demands. Miss Bennet is not on her deathbed, such that she must have her sister hovering over her wringing her hands in despair.”

“I invited her because it was good manners that I do so,” replied Bingley, his retort nothing less than a sharp reprimand. “Besides, her presence will lessen the burden on you if anything, for you will not need to care for Miss Bennet; Miss Elizabeth will handle that leaving you to focus your attention on your usual duties.”

“That, at least, is a relief.”

Darcy by no means suspected that Miss Bingley’s denunciations were at an end, for the woman’s expression did not alter a jot, except perhaps in the hint of cunning that appeared. Where openly disparaging her had not successfully drawn out Darcy’s comments, perhaps a more subtle approach would do.

“I hope you offered her the services of our staff, Charles, for it rained yesterday. I have it on good authority that the landscape is a sodden mess—I suspect her petticoats did not survive the ordeal unscathed.”

Had the matter not been so utterly predictable, Darcy might have congratulated himself. The truth of the matter did not signify—regardless of the state of Miss Elizabeth’s clothing, she clearly considered attending to her sister far more consequential than a gown. That he had protected her from at least this much of Miss Bingley’s contempt he considered a feather in his cap.

“While I am certain that our staff efficiently saw to her need, I noted nothing out of the ordinary,” said Bingley.

“And you, Mr. Darcy?” asked Miss Bingley. “As I recall, you encountered her before she entered the house. Certainly you must have seen something of her state.”

“The weather has been wet of late,” replied Darcy. “As for Miss Elizabeth’s state when she came, I thought she looked remarkably well. It was a trifle cold today, and the evidence of it was in the pinkness of her cheeks, but other than that, she appeared as she ever did.”

Miss Bingley appeared disappointed Darcy had not given her anything else with which to condemn Miss Elizabeth. Had Darcy expected that would stop her, he would have been disappointed, though the next words were spoken by another.

“Miss Bennet is a sweet girl,” said Mrs. Hurst, her looks of trepidation suggesting she appreciated the current dispute no more than her brother. “I am excessively fond of her, for she is a jewel far above anyone else in this neighborhood.”

“Hmm, I suppose you are correct,” said Miss Bingley, her expression softening, proving she had a modicum of affection for the eldest sister. “It is only unfortunate that her situation is what it is.”

“What do you mean, Caroline?” asked Bingley, when Darcy thought his friend should have remained silent. “Is she not the daughter of a gentleman?”

“Yes, I suppose you must be correct,” said Miss Bingley, her agreement appearing dearly bought. “Even so, you cannot be ignorant of the deficiencies of her situation and that of all her sisters.”

“I have heard the estate is entailed,” said Mrs. Hurst, warming to the subject. “Given its size, I cannot imagine the Bennet sisters have much fortune to their names.”

“Certainly nothing to tempt a man into offering for them,” agreed Miss Bingley. “Even in a small society such as this, a man must pay some attention to fortune when considering a wife.”

“But that is nothing compared to the objectionable connections they possess.”

“Of course, how could I forget!” exclaimed Miss Bingley.

Darcy was certain she had forgotten nothing and had waited for the opportunity to speak on the subject.

“From Miss Bennet, we learned that the only connections of any consequence the Bennets possess—if you can use so grandiose a term—is an uncle who is a solicitor in Meryton and an uncle in trade who lives in London!” Miss Bingley regarded them all as if she believed she had just engineered a coup. “With such connections as this, can you continue to suggest their situation is anything any man would wish to obtain for himself?”

“As yet,” replied Bingley, “I know nothing of these relations. This London uncle may be the finest man in the world—I believe I shall wait until making his acquaintance before I judge him. You know how much I esteem our father; perhaps this uncle is the same sort of man.”

The reminder of her origins did not please Miss Bingley, her glare at her brother informing him of his error. Bingley, however, did not give an inch, much to Darcy’s amusement. Bingley was a retiring sort of fellow, one pleasant to all who did not appreciate arguments; Miss Bingley knew this about her brother and tried to use this fact to have her own way shamelessly, and when it was a matter about which Bingley did not feel strongly, he let her have her head. When they disagreed, however, Bingley could hold to his opinion as stubbornly as any mule, proving Miss Bingley did not possess nearly as much influence over him as she thought.

“I apologize, Charles, but I must speak plainly,” said Miss Bingley, gathering the shreds of her patience about her. “Miss Bennet is a pleasant woman and as Louisa said, I am fond of her. The family, however, are not her equal, nor is their situation anything other than reprehensible. With no fortune and unwanted connections, they have nothing to recommend them. As a consequence, they have very little chance of making matches with any man of consequence in the world.”

“I beg your pardon, Caroline,” said Bingley, “but I fail to understand how this concerns us. It seems to me that this is the Bennet family’s business, and not something about which we should gossip incessantly as if we were the arbiters of what they can expect out of life.”

Miss Bingley regarded him then offered a curt nod. “Yes, I suppose you are correct that it does not truly affect us. If I spoke out of turn or presented my opinion with too much vigor I apologize. It is only that sometimes you do not seem to understand the realities of certain situations, and one of those is the one in which the Bennets find themselves.”

“You are mistaken, Caroline,” said Bingley, “I understand the situation quite clearly, for I am not lacking in sense. As for your assertion regarding the Bennets’ prospects, I can say nothing, for I know nothing of the future. It may be as you say. Then again, they might surprise you.”

A haughty sniff was Miss Bingley’s response, and then she turned to Darcy as he had known she would. “What do you suppose, sir? Shall they all find parsons to marry someday? Miss Bennet and Miss Mary might have some success in doing so, but the other three do not have the temperament to become the wives of parsons. Perhaps a tenant farmer is all they can expect.”

“The wife of a solicitor?” asked Mrs. Hurst.

“Or maybe one of these officers running about,” chortled Miss Bingley. “I doubt any of them could support a wife, but perhaps that is not so important a consideration.”

“Like Bingley suggested,” said Darcy, “I can offer no opinion regarding their future prospects. However, they may have a greater chance of attracting men of consequence than you believe.”

It may have been better to refrain speaking so openly, for it was apparent at once to what Darcy referred. Then again, the way Miss Bingley’s glance darted to her brother, she read her brother’s interest in Miss Bennet in Darcy’s statement, and not his interest in Miss Elizabeth. If he was any judge of the matter, Darcy suspected Miss Bingley would bend all her efforts to preventing her brother’s interest in Miss Bennet, though her suspicions about his admiration of Miss Elizabeth would doubtlessly turn her attention the more certain she became. Had Darcy any doubt of Bingley’s fortitude he might have apologized to his friend.

It was fortunate that Miss Elizabeth entered the room at that moment, bringing an end to Miss Bingley’s complaints about her situation, though not the woman’s mean-spirited attacks. Bingley noted her at once and approached her for information about Miss Bennet’s condition.