Seven Days With Mr Darcy

by Rose Fairbanks

  The occupants of the carriage decided it best to attempt some rest until they changed horses. In actuality the only person to find slumber was Mrs. Annesley. Georgiana, though knowing Elizabeth to be very kind, worried her new friend would think less of her if she knew of her past.

  Elizabeth wondered at the silent conversation the siblings had earlier. She sensed Georgiana’s words held a personal meaning for the two but knew it was too early in the acquaintance to inquire. She teetered between accepting Georgiana’s words of loyalty and knowing her family would certainly test it.

  Elizabeth was happy her new friends had met some of the family of which she need not blush. She attempted to remain hopeful the Darcys might not be offended by the silly exuberance of her mother and sisters or the indolence of her father.

  Darcy spent more time reflecting on the further depths of Elizabeth’s character she had revealed. It is easy to judge but what are the reasons for a person’s actions?

  Georgiana felt lonely, had been misguided and was handicapped by youth. Yet some would condemn her without knowing the story. Miss Elizabeth would never; she would see the truth and take Georgiana’s wounded heart under her wing. Likewise, her family has its reasons for their own failures. We are, none of us, perfect.

  *****

  Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley were able to sleep after their scheduled stop. Darcy took advantage of the relative privacy. “Miss Elizabeth,” he began, “I believe you promised me a debate.”

  She grinned at him. “Indeed, sir! Well, I will allow you to choose the subject then.”

  “I have been accustomed to ladies going first.”

  “And I have been accustomed to allowing those at the disadvantage to lead.”

  Darcy raised his eyebrows, “You perceive I am at the disadvantage? Even after knowing I out ranked your father?”

  “I am confident, sir. I have found gentlemen always hold back when competing against a woman. I am convinced it is because when they lose to me they can then falsely congratulate themselves on not performing to their best ability and pretend to be able to keep their pride.”

  Darcy laughed at the image she created. “I can see you will be stubborn about this so I shall humour you. Your words just now have decided the topic for me. Let us debate faults and virtues.”

  “And shall you list yours, Mr. Darcy?”

  “It is not for me to consider my virtues but I can list my faults well enough, I believe.”

  “You find yourself blind to your goodness but exceptionally aware of your flaws? That is rather singular. Most suffer from a conceited opinion of self-worth.”

  “I am not self-deprecating but I do enjoy the study of philosophy and theology and believe in meditating on my character. I had previously thought my greatest fault was an implacable resentment; my good opinion once lost is lost forever. However, I have recently realized I am guilty of pride and vanity as well.”

  “You did not list obstinacy as a fault, sir.”

  Darcy smiled, “I think you begin to understand me. I consider it more of a virtue, in my case.”

  “I wonder if you mean obstinacy or conviction. Are you so reckless as to adhere to your opinion out of obstinacy once your conviction is gone?”

  “On occasion as a master I have had to face a decision in which I held no overwhelming certainty in my choice. To waver when a matter must be decided upon is to mark it for failure. I would rather remain steadfast in my previously made plans, even if I am not perfectly convinced of their correctness, than to sit in indecisiveness.”

  “As a leader of men I see that would be a necessary quality. If you are later convinced that your prior belief was incorrect, do you make amends?”

  “Of course. I am guilty of pride and vanity, but not arrogance and conceit. As master it might wound my pride to admit an error but it would be dangerous to lose the respect of my servants and tenants out of conceit.”

  “As I see it your virtues then are wisdom, benevolence and steadfastness. I would think now, sir, it is time to evaluate my own faults.”

  “Miss Elizabeth, you are without fault, I am perfectly convinced.” He spoke with all seriousness but she did not perceive it.

  Laughing merrily Elizabeth replied, “I did not know you could tease, sir! Without fault, indeed! Last evening I spoke on many of them. I am impertinent and outspoken and you may infer I am perhaps too self-assured in my opinions.”

  “I stand by my statements of last night; I do not find you impertinent. I admire the liveliness of your mind and I find myself quite sick of deference.”

  Elizabeth blushed and before she could reply Georgiana awoke then and the threesome conversed about their favourite activities.

  *****

  “As much as I love reading and my excursions, I admit to be fond of dancing as well. We have frequent assemblies in Meryton.” Elizabeth’s eyes shone in merriment.

  Georgiana laughed. “You shall find William prefers to stand about by himself.”

  “I have not the talent which some people possess of conversing easily with those I have never seen before.” Darcy explained.

  “Perhaps that may be remedied by practice.”

  Darcy smiled and conceded, “Perhaps you are correct, Miss Elizabeth. And I shall ask the honour of a set with you at the next ball.”

  Elizabeth arched an eyebrow and responded. “I am afraid, sir, my dance card is already nearly full. I have a standing arrangement with many of my old friends of the neighbourhood and have only the fourth and last sets available.”

  Without a moment’s hesitation Darcy knew he wanted to end any evening in the company of Elizabeth and applied for the last set. He desired to ask for a similar arrangement for himself but felt their acquaintance too new.

  Elizabeth accepted with alacrity and then explained the next assembly was scheduled for the morrow. Darcy found he had never looked forward to a dance more. The conversation drifted towards literature and plays until they at last passed the gates of Longbourn.

  Mercifully, only Mr. Bennet was home and able to greet the Darcys. Elizabeth was happy to avoid her mother’s effusions upon the kindness of the Darcys and cost of their carriage- all wasted on the ungrateful Elizabeth.

  Georgiana was disappointed to not meet the other Bennet ladies but hoped to call on them tomorrow. She was eager for more friends and any means of escaping Caroline Bingley.

  Darcy was scarcely less eager to escape Miss Bingley, though his attraction to Longbourn centred on one particular Bennet lady.

  Chapter Four

  The morning after his arrival in Hertfordshire found Darcy awake early and the first in the breakfast room. He hoped Georgiana would be down soon so they might go on a walk. They did not have a private moment together the night before so unfortunately no definite plans had been made.

  Darcy knew Caroline would try to invite herself or create a deterrent for his plans if she knew of them. Last night, when she was not flattering him or Georgiana, she was disparaging the Bennet family. She described the unfortunate behaviour of the younger sisters, the vulgarity of the mother and the poor connections. She claimed to hold the eldest Miss Bennet as a friend but Darcy knew the insincerity of Miss Bingley’s affections. She never missed a moment to laugh at or belittle her friends in Town.

  When Caroline began to censure Elizabeth he was certain she was being at the very least overly critical of the others, and entirely wrong about Elizabeth. Though it would be unwise to approve or disapprove before meeting the family, Darcy was of a mind to consider them harmless.

  Just as Darcy was very strongly considering leaving on his own for his exercise, not caring to question his reasons, Bingley entered the breakfast room.

  “Good morning, Darcy. I hope you do not have plans this morning. I thought you and Miss Darcy should like to call upon the Bennets with me.” Darcy attempted to hide his smile with his coffee cup.

  “Very well, Bingley. I am sure Georgiana should like the scheme. She was disappointed to not mee
t the other Bennet ladies yesterday.”

  “Darcy,” Bingley began but paused clearly trying to find the best words. “I know Caroline has said much of the Bennet family, but you have already met Miss Elizabeth, so you must know how wrong my sister is. She does not allow for the differences between Town and country or of temper and disposition. I know you are uncomfortable in society and dislike displays of the ridiculous and generally do not care if others find you arrogant, but…”

  “Say no more, Bingley, I perfectly understand.”

  “You do? You are not offended at what I have said?”

  “I have recently been persuaded to practice conversation with strangers.”

  “Well, that is…” Bingley trailed off, seemingly uncomfortable with the notion of Darcy admitting to any sort of weakness or deficiency.

  “Shall we depart in two hours then?” The conversation then turned to how Bingley was finding the estate and the country.

  *****

  Mr. Bingley and the Darcys arrived at Longbourn after being delayed by Miss Bingley only momentarily. Mrs. Annesley stayed behind to rest after so much travel in such a short time. Darcy was surprised at Bingley’s resolve to leave as his friend typically fell easily to his sister’s manipulations. Darcy surmised there must be an ‘angel’ in residence at Longbourn to provide the motivation.

  Nary a second after the introductions Mrs. Bennet began, “Oh, you do us a great honour Mr. Darcy in bringing Lizzy home to us. I see the rumours of your wealth must be true. What a fine carriage!”

  Seeing she would not gain a response from him she turned to his sister. “And Miss Darcy, the silk of your gown!”

  Five years in London society taught Darcy to quickly see the mercenary glint in Mrs. Bennet’s eyes.

  He internally cringed for a moment before catching her next words, “Yes, Miss Darcy you will find my Lydia is lively company. She is quite the favourite among her sisters. With only a much older brother you must be in want of a sister.”

  Is Mrs. Bennet trying to match me with that— that child laughing too loudly in the corner?

  “You enjoy the pianoforte, do you? Lydia does not favour practicing; if she did she would be a true proficient. That is why she is favoured at all the balls; she is greatly skilled in dancing.” Darcy could hardly contain his laughter when he heard words alarmingly similar to his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s. He realized Mrs. Bennet was indeed no worse than his own embarrassing family. His disgust turned to amusement just as Mr. Bennet, who witnessed the transformation, walked in the room.

  After his introduction, the older gentleman began, “Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, it is a pleasure to finally meet you, sir. I have heard of your debating skills but I can clearly see you share my mixture of quick parts, reserve and sarcastic humour.”

  Darcy heartily laughed at the picture of himself and quickly realized he could do to learn from Mr. Bennet’s ability to manage the situation of boisterous Bennet women.

  “Mr. Bennet, a pleasure to meet you, sir! I gather you are a studier of character like your daughter, then.”

  “I see you have survived your time with Elizabeth. May I presume she engaged you in battle sir?”

  “Yes, I must give my compliments to you for teaching her so well!” Elizabeth overheard and blushed.

  “Lizzy has more of a quickness to her than my other daughters, you shall find. I wish I could take all the credit but she has a natural desire to learn.”

  Before Darcy could reply he was interrupted by Mrs. Bennet, “Lizzy is not a bit better than the others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half so good-humoured as Lydia. But you are always giving her the preference.”

  Elizabeth trembled lest her mother should be exposing herself again. She longed to speak but could think of nothing to say.

  After a short silence Mrs. Bennet began again, “The weather is so warm for October, and Mr. and Miss Darcy have not seen the grounds. Lydia, I am sure they would delight in the wilderness.”

  Casting another glance about the room she added, “Perhaps Mr. Bingley and Jane could be persuaded to join you.”

  “Mama, I wanted to walk to town to see if Mr. Denny has returned in time for the Assembly. Miss Darcy, you should come with me, for we always meet with officers and have a merry time!”

  Darcy’s head snapped to attention at her words but before he could utter his vehemence at the plan Elizabeth was roused to speak at last.

  “I am sure Miss Darcy is tired from her travels yesterday. I would be happy to escort her and Mr. Darcy in the garden while you and Kitty walk to town.”

  *****

  Once outside Elizabeth began, “Georgiana, Mr. Darcy, I apologize for my family. I failed to warn you of my mother yesterday. I had hoped she would have been more distracted by,” she glanced at Jane and Mr. Bingley conversing ahead of them, “other matters.

  “It does not excuse her behaviour, but our estate is entailed upon a cousin. His father was very mean spirited and she fears the son could carry the same grudge against my father. At any rate, with no son, she is unusually anxious about our future and tenacious about matchmaking where her daughters are concerned. Pray, take no heed to her, she is discouraged easily enough.”

  Darcy looked at her earnestly and sought to ease her discomfort. “We all have peculiar relatives, Miss Elizabeth, and neither her concerns nor her actions are particularly unique or offensive.”

  He was speaking the truth. Mrs. Bennet might be annoying and vulgar but he doubted her scheming enough to manipulate compromising scenarios as he had been made a target of by others.

  “You are too kind, sir.” The threesome walked in silence for a moment until Mr. Bingley called Darcy’s attention ahead.

  Georgiana seized upon the privacy. She turned to Elizabeth and asked, “Lizzy, have you ever been in love?”

  Elizabeth was a bit taken aback by the question but realized Georgiana likely had no other young ladies to speak to on those sorts of subjects. With sisterly affection she answered, “No, Georgiana, I have not. I have admired a few gentlemen but never felt the lasting affection of love.”

  “How can you say for sure you did not?”

  “Well, I realized my feelings were based upon the excitement of attention. The gentlemen did not inspire deeper feelings and upon reflection of their character they were found wanting.

  “The best kind of love grows from a steady friendship, supported by respect and esteem. One should feel safe and cherished in a unique way not experienced in other relationships. Does that make sense?”

  “I think so. And how are you sure love is returned?”

  “Well, these are things I have not truly experienced but I have noticed love is selfless. A person who is in love will be attuned to their beloved’s desires. What would be a sacrifice for themselves will give them delight, if it pleases their beloved.”

  “I see. Thank you, Lizzy. And you have truly never been in love? You are too beautiful!”

  Elizabeth laughed. “You really must stop saying so, for you are feeding my vanity. Now, I will answer your question. Truly I have never been in love before. Besides, my appearance has nothing to do with if I have been in love and it certainly has done nothing to inspire love in others. Any attraction gentlemen have felt for me dies when they see Jane, or even before if I speak too freely.”

  “Lizzy, how can you not see how beautiful and wonderful you are?”

  “I am not afflicted with false modesty when I say you shall see I pale in comparison to Jane. My temperament is not as sweet as hers, nor is it as lively as Lydia’s.

  “You will easily see I am meant to be the spinster friend to all the gentlemen of Hertfordshire; all the more for them to become closer to Jane. My mother, for all her faults, is quite correct in her assessment of my marital prospects, even if she lacks tact in how it is presented.”

  Trying to not display her sadness at feeling so unaccepted she turned the subject back towards Georgiana, “Why do you ask all th
ese questions?”

  “I thought I had been in love and believed he loved me, but then I later learned he most decidedly did not love me. But I see from your examples I was never truly in love either. I have wanted to ask someone so I could be sure next time.”

  “Yes, this is a subject that one would want to ask a lady and not a brother one looks to almost as a father.”

  “Exactly. Though, I believe he is gaining experience in matters of the heart.” They had turned just then and espied Mr. Darcy waiting for them and so no reply could be made.

  Elizabeth found it difficult to account for the sinking in her heart she felt at Georgiana’s last words.

  It is a wonder a man as handsome, wealthy, intelligent and kind as he is still unattached in the first place. Yes, some great lady has rightly earned his admiration. I knew it must be so and I have no right to repine. I am not the sort of woman he would want.

  The ladies did not know Mr. Darcy had been able to hear most of their conversation.

  She is helping Georgiana so much. But has her heart truly never been touched? What is wrong with the men in Hertfordshire? Can they not see her worth? How dare they use her just to meet her sister!

  Bingley announced the carriage had been called for; each member was so distracted by their own thoughts none noticed the subdued farewell between Darcy and Elizabeth.

  *****

  In Meryton Kitty and Lydia were just giving up the purpose of their travels when Mr. Denny stepped out from a shop with an officer they had not met before. The man had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure and very pleasing address. Lydia made headlong for them.

  “No, Lydia we do not have time. Mama wants you to have enough time to dress to impress Mr. Darcy tonight. She thinks Miss Darcy was quite taken with you and would welcome you as a sister. Although, I think they both prefer Lizzy.”

  “La! Why would I want a dull man like Mr. Darcy?” She grabbed Kitty by the hand and launched her the last few feet to the gentlemen.