by Lori Light
Later that afternoon, the Gardiners’ house was a flurry of excitement with four ladies getting ready for their evening out. With only one lady’s maid employed by the Gardiners, the young ladies assisted each other in getting dressed and arranging hair. Still, the results were astounding. Mrs. Gardiner loaned Elizabeth her mother-of-pearl hair combs that added elegance to Elizabeth’s simple hair style, and Maria proved to be a God-send with Jane’s long, blonde locks.
Although they arrived early, the theatre was already crowded. Mr. Gardiner accompanied Mr. Bingley to get refreshments, while the ladies waited in the busy lobby. Almost immediately, Mrs. Gardiner recognized friends and crossed the room to greet them, leaving the younger three ladies standing together admiring the general splendour.
“Oh no, Jane,” Maria cried, “your hair is falling. Let us find a comfort room so I can make the necessary repairs.” Elizabeth agreed that she should stay where she was to wait for the gentlemen to return. As she waited, Elizabeth noticed a young woman standing a few feet away. The girl was exquisitely dressed, with her hair held back with tiny pearl pins. The girl seemed to be nervous as she fiddled with one of the pins. Suddenly, the pin dropped and the girl, obviously distressed, started looking about for it frantically.
“I believe it bounced in this direction,” Elizabeth said to the girl. “I’ll help you search.” Before long, Elizabeth spotted the pin in the carpet. “Here let me help you replace it,” she said. The girl’s hair was immaculately set, so it was quick work to put the pin back in place.
“Thank you so much,” the girl said timidly. “These pins were a gift from my brother. I would hate to have lost one, especially as this is the first time I’ve worn them.”
“You must have a very attentive brother,” Elizabeth said.
“Yes, he is the best of brothers. I adore him.”
The girl seemed exceedingly shy, and Elizabeth wondered why she was there by herself. “Is he not with you here this evening?” Elizabeth asked.
“Not yet. I arrived with my cousin, who is getting drinks at the moment, but my brother will meet us here soon.”
“I’ve been looking forward to seeing Hamlet for such a long time. I can hardly wait! Have you seen it before?” Elizabeth asked. Eventually, she was able to draw the shy girl into a conversation about the play and other favorites. While they were talking, a group of three or four ladies had stationed themselves nearby. Elizabeth had not paid attention to their discussion until she heard a familiar name mentioned.
“Fitzwilliam Darcy,” the ladies giggled.
“Yes, good luck catching him!” another replied. “I have heard that he is secretly engaged to a countess, which is why he scarcely pays attention to other women.”
“I heard it was a duchess!” another replied.
“I do not care who he is engaged to. Just give me half a chance and I would make him forget his duchess and his countess!” The others giggled.
Elizabeth could not hear what was said afterward, but she could make out the words “handsome” and “rich” as the young women walked away. Then Elizabeth noticed that her new friend was looking down and had turned crimson.
“Are you alright?” Elizabeth asked.
“I hate it when they speak that way,” she said. She was quiet for a moment and Elizabeth was trying to formulate a reply when the girl continued. “He is my brother,” she said softly.
At first Elizabeth looked around to see if there was a brother approaching, but then she realized that the girl was referring to the ladies’ conversation. Elizabeth gasped at the realization.
“He hates to go to social events because of such talk. I wish they would just leave him alone.” The girl was dabbing away tears.
Trying to compose herself, Elizabeth asked, “Then you are Mr. Darcy’s sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy?”
“Yes. Do you know him?”
“Yes, a little. He speaks highly of you.” Elizabeth thought only of giving comfort to the girl.
“May I ask your name?” Georgiana asked.
“Forgive me. My name is Elizabeth Bennet. I met your brother in Hertfordshire and saw him again in Kent. My cousin is your aunt’s clergyman.”l As soon as she said it, she regretted it. “Oh, why did I admit to knowing Mr. Darcy? Why did I mention my name? I should have excused myself before she had a chance to inquire!” she thought. Elizabeth noticed the look of recognition on Georgiana’s expression.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet – Yes, my brother has mentioned you in his letters!”
“Oh no,” thought Elizabeth. “How much does the girl know?!”
“He must think highly of you, as he rarely mentions women of his acquaintance. Oh, look – Here comes my cousin now. You must be acquainted with him as well.”
Elizabeth barely had time to turn around when she heard Colonel Fitzwilliam calling her name.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he said warmly. “I am delighted to see you again so soon!”
“Cousin, Miss Bennet and I just met as she helped me find a fallen hair pin! Can you imagine the coincidence?”
“That is marvelous, indeed!” the colonel replied. “Darcy should be here any minute.” He looked around as he said this, but he also glanced back at Elizabeth to see her reaction.
Elizabeth tried her best to appear nonchalant, but she could not help but blush. She hoped it was not noticeable in the dim lights.
“There he is!” Georgiana exclaimed.
Oh, how Elizabeth wished she could disappear! She looked around frantically for Jane, Maria, or the Gardiners. If only they would appear, she would make her excuses before Mr. Darcy could reach them.
Chapter 6
As Darcy entered the theatre, he took a deep breath. Hoping to avoid the throng, he adopted his most serious mien. Then he remembered the words of Elizabeth and his cousin, Anne. “No, I promised myself that I will try not to appear as arrogant,” he thought to himself. “I will smile and be sociable!” Immediately, Darcy saw a familiar face approaching. Sir Reginald, a friend of his uncle, stopped to greet him warmly. Darcy made it a point to return the greeting with equal politeness. But as he stopped, he realized that he had opened opportunities for more social interactions. Before long, he was surrounded by acquaintances, however slight, and those who wished to become acquaintances.
From across the room, Fitzwilliam laughed. “It looks like he has been caught, Georgiana!”
Watching, Elizabeth was amazed as more and more people approached Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth noticed that all eyes in the lobby seemed to be turned in his direction. The women they had heard earlier were whispering excitedly.
No wonder he feels so uncomfortable in public, Elizabeth mused. She was not surprised at such a reaction in Meryton. After all, a stranger with a reputed ten thousand a year was a rarity in her hometown. But this was London! She never would have expected such a to-do here!
“Oh, Richard,” Georgianna pleaded. “Please go and rescue him. You know how he hates for people to fawn over him so!”
Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled down at her and patted her arm. “Wish me luck as I go into battle,” Fitzwilliam winked at his young cousin as he turned and made his way through the crowd.
Elizabeth continued to look around frantically for her companions. Finally, she saw her uncle and Mr. Bingley. With relief, she turned to Georgiana and said, “It has been a pleasure meeting you, but I see my companions returning and I must go to them. I hope you enjoy the show.”
“Are you sure you cannot wait for my brother?” Georgiana asked. “He has spoken so highly of you – I know he would like to see you.”
She looked crest-fallen! Elizabeth was formulating her reply when she saw Mr. Bingley wave to Mr. Darcy from across the room and turn in his direction. Oh, could it get any worse? she thought.
By this time, Colonel Fitzwilliam had made it to Mr. Darcy. He appeared to be making excuses for his cousin as he gestured toward Georgiana and gently pulled on Darcy’s arm. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Bingley made his way to the
two cousins. Elizabeth could only imagine what he was saying as he pointed to where Elizabeth was standing. Elizabeth knew the exact moment when Mr. Darcy saw her. Their eyes met briefly before she looked down in embarrassment. Now what was she to do? At this moment, Jane and Maria returned with her aunt close behind.
Elizabeth had no choice but to introduce Georgiana to her companions. Georgiana seemed shy, but friendly, as she greeted each of the ladies. Elizabeth thought of Mr. Wickham describing Georgiana as proud, and Elizabeth felt ashamed, once again, for falling for that man’s lies.
It seemed now that the meeting with Mr. Darcy could not be escaped, and as the five ladies stood together watching him approach with the colonel, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Gardiner, Elizabeth felt overpowered by shame and vexation. When the men made their way to them, Elizabeth was surprised by the warmth of Mr. Darcy’s greeting to her aunt and was consoled that he should know that she had some relations from whom there was no need to blush. Then he managed a bow to Elizabeth, Jane and Maria before proceeding to see that the others were all introduced, and every family inquired after. His manners were open and friendly; yet there had been that in his voice, which was not like ease. Whether he had felt more of pain or of pleasure in seeing her, she could not tell, but he certainly had not seen her with composure.
Elizabeth scarcely dared lift her eyes to his face and knew not what answer she returned to his civil inquiries to her well-being. The few minutes in which they continued together were some of the most uncomfortable of her life. She blushed again and again over the perverseness of the meeting. His behavior was so strikingly altered. Never in her life had she seen his manners so little dignified, never had he spoken with such gentleness. What a contrast did it offer to his last address in Rosings Park! She knew not what to think, nor how to account for it.
To Elizabeth’s relief, the reunion was short, as the play was about to begin and the parties separated to make their way to their respective boxes. As Mr. Bingley, with Jane on his arm, showed the others of the party to his box, each of the companions spoke of their pleasure in meeting the Darcys and Colonel Fitzwilliam, their admiration of the general splendor of the theatre, and the expected enjoyment of the play itself. Each was convinced that the evening was to be most delightful! Of this Elizabeth heard not a word and, wholly engrossed by her own feelings, followed them in silence. What must he think of her? It might seem as if she had purposely thrown herself in his way again! Oh, why did she start a conversation with Georgiana Darcy, of all people?!
During the performance, Elizabeth did her best to keep her eyes on the stage and away from the Darcy box. The one time she had allowed her eyes to wander, she had discovered that the family was seated directly across the theatre, and his eyes were directed at her. She knew not how long he had stared, as she startled and looked away immediately. Fortunately, she knew the play well, for she was not able to follow the plot in her distressed state, and when the acts were discussed in great detail afterward by her party, Elizabeth’s reluctance to remark on the particulars of the performance was noticeable to her aunt and her sister due to the rarity of such an event.
Elizabeth had half-expected, with great dread, to be thrown in Mr. Darcy’s company again, either at intermission or after the performance, but whether she wished or feared it most, she could scarcely determine. However, such a reunion was not to be. The party returned to the Gardiners’ home that evening without further excitement, and the next few days similarly passed, with only Mr. Bingley’s frequent visits to break the routine. Elizabeth was relieved and steadily regained her usual composure. For the remainder of her stay in London, she endeavored to put aside all thoughts of a certain young man from Derbyshire and she immensely enjoyed the time spent with her young cousins, who frequently cajoled her into adventures in the nearby park.
Chapter 7
On Tuesday, Jane, Maria and Elizabeth set out together from Gracechurch Street on their return to Hertfordshire. Elizabeth was glad to see that Jane’s state of mind had been restored to its former lightheartedness. Mr. Bingley had promised to return to Netherfield and had already made arrangements for the house to be re-opened. While Jane was still too cautious to give her heart over to what that might imply, she admitted to Elizabeth that she did have hopes that for the constancy of his regard. Thus, the three young women enjoyed a pleasant ride at least as far as the town of _____, where the two youngest Bennet sisters, Kitty and Lydia, awaited them. From here, they were to join the sisters in Mr. Bennet’s carriage for the remaining distance. This ride proved less enjoyable than that of the beginning of their journey, as Lydia’s loud and raucous laughter prevented all discourse beyond her own efforts to keep them all entertained by the latest gossip from Meryton, and stories of her indecorous escapades with the officers stationed there. To Elizabeth, her youngest sisters seemed even more ridiculous than ever. Lydia, in particular, seldom listened to anyone. Her speech was so course, her behavior so offensive, and her laughter so loud and grating, that Elizabeth was reminded of Darcy’s words to her concerning the “total want of propriety” so frequently displayed by her family members. Elizabeth loved her sisters, but she had to admit that the behavior of the younger ones had often mortified her.
Upon their arrival, the girls discovered that the Lucases, eager to see their youngest daughter, Maria, returned to them, were at Longbourn and were to remain for dinner. During their visit, news from London, Kent and Hertfordshire was eagerly exchanged. One topic of conversation was the removal of the regiment from Meryton to Brighton, which would occur in a fortnight. Elizabeth was not sorry about the officers’ imminent departure. If fact, from one officer in particular-- Lieutenant Wickham-- she was especially eager to be separated. One evening when alone in their room, Elizabeth decided to tell Jane what she had learned about that man’s character. Though she still could not bring herself to tell Jane about Mr. Darcy’s proposal, she thought it best to inform Jane of the information Mr. Darcy gave her about Mr. Wickham. And so she revealed to her closest sister Wickham’s dishonesty concerning his dealings with Mr. Darcy – How Mr. Wickham had declined the position in the church that had only been conditionally left to him by Mr. Darcy’s father, and how he had taken cash instead, which he quickly wasted away in gambling and debauchery. She also told him about Mr. Wickham’s dealings with young women and, in particular, his attempt to elope with a young girl to secure her large dowry. After having met Georgiana, Elizabeth could not bear to betray the girl’s identity, even to her trusted sister. She hoped that Jane would not ask her to reveal it.
Jane was shocked! “Wickham so very bad! It is almost past belief.” Yet, almost immediately, Jane’s natural compassion overrode her shock. “Poor Wickham. There is such an expression of goodness in his countenance! Such an openness and gentleness in his manner.”
Elizabeth laughed. “There certainly was some great mismanagement in the education of those two young men. One has got all the goodness, and the other all the appearance of it.”
Chapter 8
True to his word, only a few days passed before Bingley, accompanied by his sister, Caroline, returned to Netherfield. Despite Caroline’s protests, Bingley wasted no time in visiting Longbourn. Jane had spoken only to her father about Bingley’s visits in London. For her father, Jane wanted to spare the surprise that might occur should the gentleman indeed renew his attentions. For her mother, she wanted to spare the disappointment should he not be so inclined. But uncertainty did not linger, as one afternoon soon after his arrival in the country, the gentleman asked Jane for a formal courtship. With great poise, Jane accepted, and Bingley was soon off to ask permission of her father.
Mr. Bennet, though normally not a man to take his fatherly duties too seriously, was protective of his daughter and formidable in dealing with Mr. Bingley. He did not want to see his daughter hurt as she had been the previous autumn, when Bingley had left the country unexpectedly after having raised her hopes. So it was that the two men were sequestered in Mr. Benn
et’s study longer than anyone would have expected, and so it was that Bingley emerged from that room as a man whose victory was hard-fought.
Despite the doggedness of Mr. Bennet, and the resolve of Jane to guard her heart, it was not long before Bingley regained the trust of both father and daughter. Within the month, Jane had accepted his proposal of marriage and her father had given his consent. The wedding date was set for mid-August. Mrs. Bennet was elated and could not wait to share the good news among her neighbors. Not only was her daughter betrothed to a man worth four or five thousand a year, but her other daughters would now be put in the paths of other rich men.
In both of these assertions Mrs. Bennet was correct. In late June, Bingley’s friend Henry Wortham joined the party at Netherfield for an extended stay. Bingley’s sister, Caroline, was ecstatic and relished her role as hostess. Although she had long set her heart on Darcy, his continued absence from Netherfield despite Bingley’s many invitations, had left her losing hope of securing his favor. In light of that man’s absence, Caroline was easily able to transfer her affections to a man of similar fortune.