Seven Days With Mr Darcy

by Rose Fairbanks

  “Mr. Denny! We had come into to town just to inquire after you!”

  “As you see, Miss Lydia, I have returned in time to claim a set with you this evening!” He spoke to Lydia but her attention was already captured by his friend.

  “Of course! What fun we shall have! And who is your friend?” Lydia fluttered her eyelashes coquettishly.

  “Allow me to introduce Lieutenant George Wickham. Wickham, these fine ladies are Miss Catherine Bennet and Miss Lydia Bennet.”

  George Wickham turned his most charming smile upon the young ladies. He had overheard their conversation and believed Hertfordshire would prove a most fruitful endeavour.

  *****

  The Assembly started pleasant enough. Darcy did not dance the early dances and chose instead to acquaint himself with some of the local gentlemen, carefully reminding himself of Elizabeth’s admonishment. As he conversed he was ever aware of her position on the dance floor, and her partner. Although Elizabeth claimed the gentlemen were only interested in friendship from her, Darcy believed he perceived some partiality from one or two.

  He realized it might be ungentlemanly but he desired to send a clear message to the community. He would dance with no one outside his party this evening but Elizabeth. Seeing her in the company of other men, he decided he would speak with her father very soon about a courtship. Darcy was so involved in his meditations and the exhausting practice of speaking with strangers that he missed many details of the evening.

  Elizabeth was mortified. Upon the Netherfield party’s arrival Mrs. Bennet had alternately insulted Mr. Darcy for not bringing Georgiana and then sickeningly flattered him and tried to bring Lydia to his notice once more. He briefly greeted them and then all but ran towards a corner to speak with some gentlemen.

  As the evening wore on she saw his disapproval every time he glanced upon her. Lydia and Kitty flirted loudly and outrageously. Clearly any respect he felt for her was sinking, everything must sink under such a proof of family weakness. She could neither wonder nor condemn. She now feared her dance with him.

  Lost in these unhappy thoughts, Lydia and George Wickham came upon her.

  “Lizzy! You have not met Mr. Wickham yet! He recently joined the Militia. Isn’t he just dashing in a red coat?” Lydia giggled.

  “I am pleased to meet you Miss Elizabeth. Could I have the honour of your next available set?”

  Elizabeth politely acquiesced, allowing him her only open set, which proved to be next.

  Once dancing Wickham began his campaign, “Your sisters tell me you are newly acquainted with Mr. Darcy of Pemberley.”

  “Yes, sir. We met in Town just before he intended to travel here to visit his friend. Do you know him?”

  “Oh, yes. We grew up on the same estate. My father was his father’s steward and we were the closest companions in our youth. I was a favourite of his father. The current Mr. Darcy and I have drifted apart after he took over his estate and I completed university.”

  “How fortunate to meet again, then.”

  “I am unsure if he would count it as fortunate. When last we met we had a terrible disagreement.”

  “Sir, I wonder…”

  “Forgive me, I know I must sound forward, but the disagreement was of a nature that I cannot help but worry for any young lady who makes his acquaintance.”

  Elizabeth gasped at his words, “Surely not, sir. He is very gentleman-like.” Mr. Darcy a rake?

  “He can please where he chooses. And I do not mean to imply anything too sinister. But you see he is engaged to marry his cousin. Our last disagreement was due to him desiring to break apart a lady’s engagement to keep her affections for himself. I would not wish to see you or your sisters’ affections trifled with when he can have no intentions as he is destined for another.”

  Elizabeth moved through the remaining paces of the dance in a daze and did not register Wickham’s knowing smirk. Seeking to settle herself she made her way to the punch table, only to be accosted by Miss Bingley.

  “Miss Eliza! So nice to see you after your banishment to London! I hear you have already met Mr. Darcy and his sister and even had the audacity to importune on them for a ride to Longbourn. While I am sure those sorts of plots work well on the men of the country, you must see Mr. Darcy will not be deceived by your charms.

  “He needs a woman of class and breeding with beauty and wealth. Really, Eliza, you would do better to try to gain the attention of one of these officers. Just follow your sisters. They quite excel in the art.” Before Elizabeth could even reply the lady fled with a great rustling of garish skirts.

  Elizabeth determined that the revelations of the evening should not disturb her. She had always known she could never attract any worthy man and never once assumed Mr. Darcy would think of her. But the pounding in her head could not be ignored. Now feeling truly ill she begged her mother to call the carriage. Accompanied by her sister Mary, she slipped out of the assembly hall. She longed for solitude and her bed.

  Chapter Five

  George Wickham hid in the shadows of the ballroom, the last thing he needed was to be seen by one of those ridiculous Bennet girls before he intended. At last he saw Darcy enter. Instead of eschewing conversation with the others in attendance, and inadvertently giving offence, the man was actually speaking to the country gentlemen!

  Wickham could not understand Darcy’s departure from his usual behaviour, until the first set began. Darcy’s attention seemed to constantly be drawn towards a lively young lady who was quite attractive but not a remarkable beauty.

  He supposed Darcy was attempting to court the woman and her neighbours’ good opinion. Wickham had been hesitant to believe the gossip he heard from the Bennet sisters, that his old pal Darcy was actually showing a preference for a lady. Wickham was well acquainted with discerning the way other men looked at ladies, in an attempt to avoid disputes when beginning his conquests, and he could easily see Darcy was besotted.

  Darcy’s choice surprised Wickham, as the handsomest woman in the room was dancing with Darcy’s long time friend, Bingley. Wickham truly had no idea what features might attract Darcy in a woman, as he had never seen the man show partiality for one before this night. It surprised him that a man who could have anyone and anything did not seek greater beauty or wealth. Where was the man’s pride?

  Of course, Wickham knew Darcy’s pride was familial, rather than due to this wealth and consequence. He would do anything but shame the Darcy name. A fact Wickham constantly took advantage of from childhood to present day. Still, Wickham knew his former friend was expected to make a great match from the first circles of London society to a woman of grace and wealth, with great beauty and connections. The animated little brunette held none of those attractions.

  When Wickham saw the look of jealousy in Darcy’s eyes repeatedly through the first few sets, he knew his plot would succeed. Wickham knew that expression on Darcy’s face well. It was often there after Darcy would find Wickham enjoying the attentions of old Mr. Darcy.

  All Wickham needed was an introduction to Darcy’s lady. He fervently hoped this was the ‘Lizzy’ he heard the Bennet girls speak of earlier. The youngest Bennet sister would perform all her parts admirably, he had no doubt at all.

  *****

  Caroline Bingley fumed. Darcy had not pre-arranged a set with her and then she learned Eliza Bennet had made a move on her Mr. Darcy. His visit to this God forsaken place was supposed to prove she was perfect for the role of mistress of Pemberley. Compared to these country chits, Caroline would show her superior fashion, taste, beauty and hostessing skills.

  The evening started out poorly enough, by her estimation, but then she noticed Darcy was actually mingling with the tasteless and loud nobodies when he would not deign to speak at the most elegant balls in Town. She could not account for the change in his demeanour.

  When she noticed his eyes darting to seek out Eliza Bennet, nearly nonstop, her anger grew. She hoped he was just watching for amusement, after a
ll, he did not look particularly pleased. She would rescue him from this inane company.

  Just before calling out to him she saw her brother approach, “Come, Darcy, I must see you dancing.”

  “I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. Am I not doing well enough by speaking with the gentlemen?”

  “I dare say, I have never seen you so approachable, but you had much better dance. I have never seen so many pretty girls in my life. Several of them uncommonly pretty. I can introduce you to whichever you like.”

  “As it happens, I have already made an arrangement with the only woman in the room I care to join.”

  “You only arrived yesterday! And I have not seen you speak to a lady this evening. The only ones you have met at all are the Bennet sisters. Come man, which is it?”

  “Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

  “Miss Elizabeth! I am all astonishment. That must have been some carriage ride indeed to feel ‘particularly acquainted.’“ Bingley could not help but tease.

  Darcy would not be baited, however, and resolutely told Bingley to return to his partner. “Aside from dancing with Miss Elizabeth and fulfilling my duty with your sisters, I am quite content to converse with the gentlemen.”

  Caroline’s control over her rage evaporated. She seized her opportunity when she saw Elizabeth head towards the punch table.

  *****

  When Darcy entered the Assembly hall he had little hopes of enjoying anything but his dance with Elizabeth. He was determined, however, to please her by showing he respected her opinions and chastisement, no matter how uncomfortable he felt.

  At first he even entertained the notion of standing up with another lady or two, breaking his long held standard of not dancing with a stranger. When he noticed the looks of admiration she received from her dance partners, Darcy found he could not dance with another.

  By the third set he had even resolved to imitate Bingley, who had plans to dance twice with Jane, and ask Elizabeth for her last remaining set. He began to move in her direction when he was accosted by Sir William Lucas.

  “Do you not find dancing a very enjoyable exercise, sir?”

  The old Darcy would have coldly tried to deter this man from his meaningless small talk, but Darcy sacrificed his comfort to be civil. ”Truthfully, I much prefer conversation. I dislike being on display, but find others quite enjoy it.”

  “It is the mark of every great society, I am sure.”

  Darcy bit back a sarcastic remark. “You must be correct, sir.”

  “You must often attend the balls at St. James Place.”

  In actuality Darcy only attended when forced by familial obligation. “I go but rarely, sir.”

  Sir William, for all of his superciliousness realized Darcy would not prove conversant on the subject. ”You have a house in Town?”

  Darcy allowed it to be so and Sir William continued for some time on his determining Town unsuitable for Lady Lucas’s health. He then raised the topic of his daughter, Charlotte, and her recent marriage to a Mr. Collins. The very one Darcy overheard Elizabeth speak of in the park and who had recently received a living from Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

  Sir William asked if Darcy knew of the great lady. Darcy realized he should deny any acquaintance with the lady in an interest to reach Elizabeth before the next set began. Although disguise of every sort was his abhorrence, he was just determining to do so when he saw an officer approach Elizabeth and they made for the dance floor.

  Realizing that he lost the dance and believing that she was too sensible to be attracted to an officer, undoubtedly of paltry means, he turned his attention back to Sir William, without ever seeing the officer’s face.

  *****

  When Sir William was, at long last, called off on some matter, Darcy was reminded of his duty to Bingley’s sisters. During his set with Mrs. Hurst he noticed that he could not espy Elizabeth. Growing concerned he beseeched Bingley to enquire intelligence from Miss Bennet. Darcy was excessively disappointed when he learned Elizabeth felt ill and had already left. Dark thoughts flooded his mind.

  Did she leave because she did not want to dance with me? If she could not welcome the attentions of the gentlemen she has known all of her life, who all seem affable, amiable and intelligent, why should she enjoy mine?

  His mind raced over their recent encounters for some indication she had felt truly affronted or indifferent towards him. Just then, Miss Bingley approached and Darcy felt he had no alternative but to ask her for the next set.

  Once the dancing began, the lady bravely began. “I was surprised to hear of your acquaintance with Miss Eliza Bennet. I wonder you did not say a thing last night. You must have been very weary from your journey in such tedious company.”

  “On the contrary, we enjoyed lively conversation and debate.”

  “Debate? What could the impertinent girl have been thinking? To dare think her opinion equal to your own!”

  “I dare say her opinion is, and even better informed in some cases.”

  “I wonder how you tolerate her, or allow dear Georgiana near her and those sisters. The Bennet girls are nothing more than mercenary flirts. Just see how the eldest has thrown herself at Charles this evening.”

  “Miss Bingley,” Darcy replied coldly, “you know as well as I, a lady does not choose her partner.” He hoped she would understand he found her behaviour lacking but she did not seem to notice so he continued.

  “If Miss Bennet is frequently seen in Bingley’s company it is from his desire. I see nothing in her countenance which could be seen as either mercenary or flirtatious.”

  He paused to allow the next words prominence, “And I assure you, I am well acquainted with both.”

  Miss Bingley was not to be deterred. “So you believe her indifferent?”

  “I believe she is acting as a lady should, though my opinion is of no matter.”

  “How can you say that? She will be the ruin of Charles. Her family has a total want of propriety, no fortune and no connections. I am convinced Miss Eliza has designs on you. I had to warn her away just earlier this evening.”

  “What did you say?” Darcy’s jaw was clenched tightly.

  “I simply reminded her of your need for a wife of good breeding, poise, wealth and connections.”

  “I have no need for you to defend my business. I shall know how to act.” Caroline Bingley left the dance feeling confident Darcy had been reminded of Elizabeth’s place and was safe for her clutches alone.

  Rather than give offence due to his foul mood, Darcy called for his carriage and arranged for it to return to convey the remainder of the Netherfield Party home later. He quickly realized that Elizabeth must feel as though he found her wanting and might even feel her affections trifled with.

  I will count myself fortunate if she will want to speak with me again after being so abused by my acquaintances.

  Despite his misgivings, before falling into a fitful sleep he had determined to walk out early in the morning with every hope of encountering Elizabeth alone.

  *****

  At Longbourn Elizabeth’s headache did not lessen. Before she finally managed to fall asleep Elizabeth felt only disappointment. Mr. Darcy had been too good to be true. Never before had she met a man with the intelligence and character she could truly esteem. Never before had she felt so accepted and respected.

  She was only too sensible to his position in life and while she thought she took care to not allow herself fanciful thoughts, she realized her heart had betrayed her.

  Early the next morning Elizabeth awoke before sunrise, but with no headache. She determined the matter required another perusal when she was not quite so affected. She left the house to climb Oakham Mount just as the first rays of sun emerged. When she reached the peak, she allowed herself time to meditate on her concerns with her eyes closed and feeling the warmth of the sun.

  First, she considered Mr. Wickham’s testimony. She must allow that she
did not truly know Mr. Darcy very well; theirs had been a very brief acquaintance. She next conceded she did not know Wickham at all. She recalled the man mentioned not meeting with Mr. Darcy for many years and yet seemed too ready to slander him. Perhaps Darcy had changed and should be allowed to prove himself before being charged for old ways.

  She shook her head at the faulty thought, it sounded too much like Jane. She did believe people could alter their behaviour, but only with sufficient motivation. If Mr. Darcy had once been a rake, he most likely would continue to be. He had either always been good or never good.

  She thought again on the length of time Wickham mentioned. If Mr. Darcy had been engaged all those years ago then why was he still unmarried? Perhaps he still held hope to somehow dissolve the betrothal and marry the other lady? But Wickham implied Darcy felt no lasting affection for the woman in question and instead believed Darcy dangerous to any lady. Then why should he not be married? Why should he single Elizabeth out?

  Additionally, the attention was given in full view of his younger sister and her family. She began to surmise Wickham was spinning tales, but could not quite piece together why.

  Elizabeth then turned her mind to Miss Bingley’s words. It took less time to puzzle out her words only reflected her feelings of Elizabeth as a rival. Most irksome was that Caroline had somehow known all of Elizabeth’s sore spots and she played right into Caroline’s plan.

  There was quite a bit of truth in her words, though. Darcy would be expected to marry a woman from London high society. Elizabeth knew her beauty was easily withstood and she had no fortune or connections and meagre accomplishments. She simply could not compete on those levels with the London ladies.

  Why should Caroline feel so threatened? Elizabeth considered Darcy’s actions at the Assembly. He mingled with the gentlemen but seemed to glare at her. Yet, if he was looking at her in disapproval, in light of her family’s behaviour, then why should Caroline worry at all?