The Proud and The Beast

by Kate Speck

  “Oh, mama, although I agree that Mr. Bingley is half in love with Jane already, Colonel Fitzwilliam brought his cousin so he could introduce her to me. He had already shared with me yesterday that he wished his cousin to meet ladies closer to her age, as she is not yet out and does not know anyone here.” Elizabeth answered.

  Mrs. Bennet nodded. “Yes, what fine dress she wore. Such elegant materials, even if there was a lack of lace. Your Aunt Philips told me that Miss Darcy’s brother is worth 10,000 a year. Can you imagine such a sum? 10,000 a year! If only he had attended the assembly, he would have noted Jane and swooped her up right away. But Mr. Bingley will do. Jane will capture him and perhaps your befriending Miss Darcy will help you capture her brother. Even if he is not interested in your wild ways, he may throw you and your sisters in the path of his rich friends.”

  Elizabeth laughed, “Well, I have it on good authority that Mr. Darcy would find me ghastly, so I will have to be a doting aunt to Jane’s dozen children and be an old maid.” She winked at her elder sister.

  “Oh, Lizzy, stuff and nonsense. You are quite pretty, even if not as much as Jane.” Mrs. Bennet shook her handkerchief at her. “I believe Miss Darcy liked all of us quite well. She was shy but very well-mannered. Very much a lady.”

  Lizzy suddenly had a bright idea. “You know, mama, she is from the first circles. Colonel Fitzwilliam shared with me that he is the second son of an earl, and that Mr. and Miss Darcy are not only extremely wealthy but their grandfather was an earl. Do you know anyone else who is of the first circles? It is extraordinary to befriend one, as you know.”

  Mrs. Bennet contemplated her second daughter’s question. “Well, Mr. Bingley and his sisters must certainly…”

  “No, mama. Mr. Bingley is the son of a tradesman. Although very wealthy, he might be of the second or third circles at best, as he is not yet a landowner. To be acquaintances of the first circles is a great privilege and we must not bring shame to Jane, right, mama?” Elizabeth planted a seed in her mother’s mind. She did not like to resort to such schemes but for her dearest sister’s happiness, she would do anything for her.

  “How would we bring shame? What are you speaking of?” Mrs. Bennet panicked.

  “Well, you saw how Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst looked down at us, did you not, mama? They witnessed Kitty and Lydia dancing and loudly laughing and running around like children at the assembly last night. I know you think them lively and happy but you saw how Miss Darcy behaved today. That is the expectation of society where Mr. Bingley inhabits, and my sisters’ behaviors are not appropriate in their circles. Miss Darcy appeared quite shy and she definitely preferred Jane and my company over Lydia’s, who is closest in age.” Lizzy poked a little harder. “Learning that Lydia was out at fifteen was shocking to Miss Darcy and even Colonel Fitzwilliam appeared quite appalled with her flirtations. Kitty followed right along and you saw how he wanted nothing to do with them.”

  Mrs. Bennet shrieked, “You are right! Lydia! Kitty! How could you? Do not dare ruin Jane’s chance of capturing Mr. Bingley!” She began to squeal, “My salts! Get my smelling salts!”

  Jane quietly stood and fetched the smelling salts and handed it to her mother.

  Mrs. Bennet bemoaned, “Oh, my nerves! How will I handle living in the hedgerows if Mr. Bennet should die and leave us all destitute? Oh, you do not know what I suffer! I have such trembling, such fluttering, such spasms in my side…”

  “What is all this ruckus?” Mr. Bennet boomed at the door.

  “Oh, Mr. Bennet! We are all in an uproar! Jane is going to be jilted by Mr. Bingley because he is not of the first class and Lydia and Kitty will drive him away! They are nothing to Miss Darcy and even Colonel Fitzwilliam was disgusted. We will all be thrown into the hedgerows!” She wailed.

  Mr. Bennet lifted his eyebrow at Elizabeth in query and Elizabeth suppressed a giggle while winking at her father.

  Mr. Bennet sat next to his wife and patted her hand rather condescendingly. “There, there, Mrs. Bennet. Perhaps I will outlive you and you will not be left in the hedgerows.” He teased. Mrs. Bennet bawled even louder with this and Mr. Bennet chuckled softly. “Are you telling me that Lydia and Kitty need to be reined in a little?” He surmised.

  “NO! Papa! Mama is wrong. We would never shame Jane. Mama always told us that we were exciting and brought everyone so much joy. You cannot punish us for being so cheerful!” Lydia whined and crossed her arms in anger.

  Kitty, seeing her younger sister upset, followed her action as usual and crossed her arms and huffed as well.

  “I am almost sad to have missed the assembly last night. Almost. My dear Mrs. Bennet, I will support you in any regulations you wish for our youngest two daughters, as I am certain Jane has comported herself well, my Lizzy can discern for herself, and Mary can do no wrong since she is so obliging. If you should like to place the girls back in the nursery,” he heard his two youngest daughters begin to sob, “I will agree with you, since they will embarrass Jane and her already planned marriage to a man she met only last night.” Mr. Bennet jeered.

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes with her father’s tease. She understood her father better than anyone and knew he would press too far if she allowed it. She saw Jane comfort Lydia and Kitty and spoke when the room quieted further.

  “Papa, I believe mama is concerned that my youngest sisters do not know some of the rules of society and as we have not had a governess to teach us of such things, they just need to be better-guided.” She saw Lydia and Kitty’s face snap to attention. “Aunt Madeline has been a great help to Jane and me and some to Mary. Mary had been willing to listen to what Jane and I had learned but Kitty and Lydia have not. Although I do believe being out at fifteen is too young, I believe that if my sisters can take Miss Darcy as an example of how a young lady should behave in public, they will grow to be fine ladies and capture themselves very eligible suitors like Jane.” She winked at her father discreetly. “She invited us to call on her tomorrow at Netherfield and perhaps Kitty and Lydia can begin their lessons immediately with Jane and myself today.”

  Mrs. Bennet sat up abruptly, “That is an excellent idea, Lizzy! Girls,” she pointed at Kitty and Lydia, “you will sit with your sisters and take notes. You will learn to be proper ladies like the first circles and behave like Miss Darcy. Miss Bingley was very stuck-up and of course it is because she is of the third circles. I liked Mr. Bingley very well, of course, but his sisters, it is obvious they are lower by the way they behave. Yes, that is a good idea. And if you do not take the time to learn, I will put you back in the nursery, girls!” She threatened.

  Having never had their mother chastise them for their liveliness before, Kitty and Lydia were afraid of the retribution of disobeying her and nodded their heads quickly in agreement.

  Jane leaned over to Elizabeth and whispered, “What have you done, Lizzy? I appreciate that you are attempting to rein in our sisters but you do realize that we will actually have to spend more time with them? And how difficult it will be to hear them whine?” She winked at her dear sister.

  Elizabeth giggled as she covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, Jane, if only for your happiness, I am willing to suffer our coarse sisters to educate them. They have been without guidance for too long.”

  “Well then, Mrs. Bennet, I will leave you to them.” Mr. Bennet spoke as he stood. “Lizzy, will you join me in the study?”

  “Of course, father.” Elizabeth smiled and walked with him.

  *~*~*~*~*~*

  “Lizzy, I trust you will take care of matters with your sisters. I am pleased to hear that your mother is willing to have them educated a little more. I liked how Mrs. Annesley was guiding Miss Darcy out of her shyness. Perhaps you might see if that lady is willing to oversee your sisters a little. I can offer a small reward for her assistance.” Mr. Bennet commented.

  Elizabeth pulled out a coin and placed it on her father’s desk. “I have a guinea here to help out. Any education my sisters receive will
be worth the cost.”

  Mr. Bennet reached for the coin and looked at it closely. “Ah, your payment for helping out Mr. Darcy. Who would have believed his sister would call on us today.” He looked at her daughter discreetly to see a blush on her cheeks. “This gentleman that you helped, what did you think of him?”

  “Oh, papa, he was very handsome but you heard what is being said about him. Mr. Darcy is worth at least 10,000 a year and he is nephew to an earl. He thought I was monstrous and I was offended but I know his head was addled so I forgive him, but then he gave me that coin thinking that I was a servant and continued to insult me thoroughly. It is no wonder he thought me so low, learning that he is so high in society. The way he spoke to me, the way he behaved, I can see him being a proud, arrogant man.” She replied.

  “As I have not met the man and since his head was knocked about when you met him, I will reserve my opinions until I can actually observe him.” He returned the coin back to his favorite daughter. “Your reward is yours to keep. Perhaps you may add it to your dowry.” He teased.

  Elizabeth laughed, “‘A penny spared is twice got.’ It is a good proverb by George Herbert, papa.”

  “Have you finished your copy of La Belle et la Bête? I just finished its translation in English if you would like to read it next.” Mr. Bennet changed the topic.

  Elizabeth smiled broadly. “Almost, papa. I would love to read Beauty and the Beast and see if my translations are correct. It is a very enjoyable story.”

  “Whenever you are ready, child.” Mr. Bennet nodded and grinned at his favorite child. “Perhaps you should make it a requirement for the girls to read and learn some languages as well. You are proficient in French and Italian. Perhaps a little German?” He winked as he returned to his books.

  Chapter 6

  Darcy smiled as he listened to Georgiana speak faster and more energetically than she had in months. He truly did not care too much for all the ladies she met today but Richard had been right that she needed acquaintances nearer her age.

  “...and Miss Elizabeth was so kind. Of the five sisters, I liked her best because she made me laugh.” Georgiana continued speaking.

  “Five sisters in one family? No brothers?” Darcy asked.

  “No, no brothers. Were you not listening? Five daughters, the estate is entailed to a distant cousin, a Mr. Callings or something, who would own the stool of the pianoforte, according to Miss Mary. Miss Kitty and Lydia were very loud and they were flirting with Richard but…”

  “And how did Richard take that? I thought he was in love with Miss Bennet.” Darcy interrupted.

  Georgiana giggled, “No, no, William! Mr. Bingley is in love with Miss Bennet, Jane Bennet, and Richard is in love with… well, I think he is trying to matchmake you with Miss Elizabeth. I have to agree with him. I think Miss Elizabeth would be a great sister… I mean, wife for you.” She blushed, “Oh, William, I would love to have a sister like her. She made me feel at ease and she joked with Richard and even scolded him when he asked questions that were too personal. But her manners were a mixture of sweetness and archness that it would make it difficult to affront anybody, and she is so witty. I asked all the Miss Bennets to call on me tomorrow; I hope it will be acceptable to you. Miss Bingley did tell me to treat her home like my own and Mr. Bingley dearly wished it as well.”

  Darcy’s mood darkened, as he remembered what Caroline Bingley was attempting to do. If I could quickly get engaged to a woman of some means, Caroline Bingley would be considered jilted without damage to my reputation. But who? If Lizzy was real, if she were not so frightening in appearance, if, if…

  “Are you well, William?” Georgiana asked when she saw Darcy in deep thought with his brows furrowed. “Your headache, has it returned?”

  Darcy immediately straightened and put on a pleasanter face. “No, no, sweetling. I am well. My mind just drifted, that is all.”

  Georgiana smiled in relief. “I will get dressed for dinner, then. I am very excited for the next few days, William. I will see Miss Elizabeth tomorrow here and at Lucas Lodge for dinner the day after. Thank you for agreeing to take me. You are the best of brothers!” She kissed his cheek and left.

  Darcy had decided to not burden his sister with Caroline Bingley’s attempt at entrapment. That mercenary woman would not risk her reputation by exposing her loss of virtue, and he would find a way to get himself untangled. He would talk to Richard and Bingley and see what could be done. He trusted his cousin and his friend with his life and he had told Bingley numerous times before that he would never consider Miss Bingley for a wife, no matter how much she attempted to compromise him, so he knew he could go to his friend with this concern. Darcy had wished to depart for Pemberley in the next day or two but with Georgiana befriending the Bennet sisters, he felt guilty to pull her away from her newfound companions.

  *~*~*~*~*~*

  “There you are, Darcy!” Richard smiled after knocking on the library door and entering. “I thought you would be locked up in your rooms to avoid Miss Bingley.”

  “Richard, I do not avoid anyone. I refuse to be imprisoned in my rooms when I am the guest. But I am done with that woman.” Darcy bitterly retorted.

  “Now what as she done?” Richard asked.

  Just then, there was another knock on the door. Bingley entered with his face red, appearing quite angry, which was completely opposite of his usual joviality.

  “And what has happened to you, Bingley? I just left you to change for dinner.” Richard exclaimed.

  “My sister, that is what happened. I am so… aargh! Why could my sister not be like your sister, Darcy? Caroline is the most awful harridan and I cannot stand her!” Bingley replied.

  “It sounds like both of you are angry with the same person. Explain. Bingley, you first.” Richard commanded.

  Bingley stroked his fingers through his hair. “Caroline demanded that we return to London immediately and that guests or not, we should all depart back to town and leave this ‘god-forsaken backwater country’ and all its peasant residents who have nothing to offer to raise our status. She said that she was already tired of being here and desired for better company in town. She told me that Darcy here,” pointing to his friend, “treated her most abominably, and that she was most ill-used. She would not tell me anything else but I have a feeling she is trying to trick me into something. She said that Jane Bennet was tolerable but would do nothing to raise our status and that I should pursue Miss Darcy. She told me that I should corner your sister and compromise her into marrying me! My sister, who professes to be such an accomplished lady, told me to compromise a sixteen-year-old girl! I have never heard such nonsense. I told her that she could leave by herself but she told me that she would force Louisa to leave with her and there would be no hostess here for me to be able to entertain. And of course Louisa took her side, as always. What in hell is wrong with her? Both of my sisters?”

  Richard shook his head in disgust. I already knew Caroline Bingley was a harpy but I cannot believe how awful she could be. I would have killed Bingley with my bare hands if he attempted to ruin Georgie.

  “And what about you, Darcy? What has Miss Bingley done to you?” Richard asked calmly.

  Darcy took a deep breath and took a sip of his brandy. “Apparently, Miss Bingley told me that as soon as I stepped foot into Netherfield last week, I professed my undying love for her and begged her to marry me. She showed me my mother’s ring on her hand and told me that it was proof of our betrothal and… Bingley, she told me… she accused me of bringing her into my bed to anticipate our vows. All this apparently happened my first night of arrival and right before my accident.”

  “And how convenient it is that you have no memory of that time and Miss Bingley would readily supply you with such a dramatic version as soon as she found out you could not remember.” Richard scoffed.

  Bingley poured himself a large glass of alcohol and gulped it down. “She is an awful, mercenary shrew and I never thought she would take
it so far. I believe you, my friend. You have told me time and time again that you would never marry her and for you to suddenly arrive and propose marriage is ridiculous. You… you did not,” he poured another glass and sipped it this time, “you did not actually take her to…”

  “Of course not, Bingley! Do you honestly believe me capable of doing such a thing? You know I have… limited experience and for my firs… it would never be with your sister, of all people!” Darcy proclaimed.

  Bingley looked relieved. Darcy continued, “Wilkins told me that he arrived in time to see her dressed in an atrocious nightgown and promptly kicked her out of my rooms. I remember bits of it as well, and no, she was not near my bed. Richard here,” he looked at his favorite cousin, “has been vigilant along with my valet, and I have been kept safe. I have been trying to put all the pieces together and I have discovered that I must have been angry that morning because of her attempt, but I do not know how I could have had the accident nor do I understand some of the flashes of memory that I see. I have seen monsters and I have awakened from a nightmare of my horse appearing an absolutely gruesome beast. I do not understand it. I saw another creature,” he eyed Richard, “with freckles and warts who appeared heinous but was kind to me to help me with my injury. I do not understand it at all.”

  Richard scribbled some notes onto a small notebook then he leaned in curiously to the book that was sitting next to Darcy and reached for it. “Darcy, were you reading this book before arriving at Hertfordshire?”

  Darcy saw the cover and nodded. “I had just finished it recently and had begun another. It was sitting here so I was looking at it again. Why?”

  Richard began to laugh. “I know no one thinks I actually read, but I do like books, Darcy. This is The Tempest. Do you remember who one of the main characters in this play is? Caliban.”