The following day, Lizzy was horrified to see Mrs Bennet, Lydia, and Kitty landing at Small’s Cove and making their way up the cliff path to Netherpollock. Mrs Bennet was pleased to discover that Jane was not in any danger, and so had no wish for her to recover more quickly than necessary and wished instead to prolong her daughter’s stay.
Bingley, all smiles, invited his visitors to stay for morning coffee, an invitation Mrs Bennet accepted with alacrity.
“Do you have hot chocolate?” asked Lydia. “I was freezing to death on the boat. My fingers are like icebergs.”
“Of course! Hot chocolate it is,” Bingley replied, all generosity and geniality.
“And how do you like Salcombe, Mr Bingley?” enquired Mrs Bennet. “I do hope we will have the pleasure of your company down here for many a summer to come.”
“Oh it is the most splendid, delightful, splendid location!” enthused Bingley. “Why I could spend the rest of my days here!”
“And how about you, Mr Darcy?”
“I prefer my boat, which gives me the opportunity to move on.”
“Is the company not good enough for you here?”
“In a small town, the company is naturally less varied than in a larger.”
“I’ll have you know, Mr Darcy, that we keep a good range of company here—most variable and all with mannerisms! We picnic often, for instance, with Sir William Lucas—such a man of fashion! So careful and so concerned! He has always something on health-and-safety matters to say to everybody—That is my idea of good breeding; and those arrogant, bigheaded, supercilli… silly persons who fancy themselves superior and never open their mouths except to be rude and supercilli… silly… quite, quite mistake the matter!”
An embarrassed silence ensued until Lydia, remembering, reminded Mr Bingley of his promise to give a beach party.
“I am perfectly ready to keep my promise, and as soon as your dear sister has recovered, you may name the date, and the party will be set.”
Lydia and Kitty squeaked in delight, and to Lizzy’s relief, left with their mother before any more damage could be done.