Dearest, Loveliest Elizabeth

by Marley Fulton

  “Yes, I am awake, Giles. Please, come in and assist me with readying for the day,” Caroline murmured.

  The door slid open and the pale face of the freckled young woman, Susannah Giles appeared; her features plain, though her cheeks were a bit rosier than most. This was feature Caroline herself secretly envied due to her own pallid complexion.

  “Good morning, Miss Bingley. I shall be happy to assist you this morning.”

  Caroline tilted her head and gave a curt nod. I must ask you a question, Giles,” Caroline said as the maid approached her.

  “Of course, any you wish, Miss Bingley.”

  “Is it too difficult for young women in lower stations to find practical husbands?” she asked curiously.

  The maid furrowed her eyebrows and tilted her head. “I cannot be sure, Miss Bingley. I imagine it is probably much easier for ladies of refinement and education to find the most eligible gentlemen. Though, I have no knowledge of such things myself,” Susannah mumbled.

  “You see, I think that is why you and I get on so very well, Miss Giles. You understand station and position and you do not question it. I fear, however, that some other persons in my own family do not understand this,” Caroline explained.

  “Again, I cannot say, Miss Bingley. I only know my own place,” Giles stated softly.

  Caroline smiled. “That, is precisely the best solution. If only we all followed our places in life things might go all the more smoothly.” Appeased by her servant’s answers, Caroline acquiesced to being dressed. She turned to peer over herself as Giles finished dressing her.

  “What do you think, Miss Bingley?” the maid asked her curiously.

  “You have once again done a perfect job, Giles. Thank you, you may be dismissed to your afternoon duties,” Miss Bingley remarked.

  “Yes, thank you, Miss Bingley. Good afternoon, Miss Bingley,” Susannah muttered as she disappeared out of the door.

  Caroline glanced at her reflection one final time and spun around, stepping out the door. She slowly made her way through the hall and began descending the staircase, her eyes darting out across the foyer below as she noted her brother entering the house.

  “Ah,” Bingley began, his eyes lifting as he regarded his sister with a nod, “Good morning, Caroline. Are you feeling rested after last night’s events?” he asked her.

  “No, I am still quite upset with you, brother, and I fear you still do not care in the least,” Caroline admitted.

  “And, pray tell, why is that?” Bingley asked her.

  “Because you decided to go and introduce that Bennet girl to Darcy knowing I have had my sights and hopes set on him for years now,” Caroline confessed.

  “I daresay that I have already told you why I do not feel you and Darcy would be a good pairing, and the Bennets are kind and genteel. I do not understand why you hold them with such disdain,” Bingley murmured.

  “Did you not hear a single thing that Darcy overheard Mrs Bennet discussing, or did you simply not care to hear it because of your obvious affection toward Jane Bennet?” Caroline asked vehemently.

  Bingley rolled his eyes with a loud groan. “Oh, good God, you truly will not give up for anything, will you?” Bingley asked her, clearly annoyed with her insistence.

  “No, I have full intentions of landing an engagement to Fitzwilliam Darcy, and uniting our two families,” Caroline murmured.

  “I do not think you have the ability to convince Darcy to wed. He seems to quite enjoy his solitude. In fact, he is trying to dissuade me of my interests in Jane and, to be frank, I feel that perhaps you do have more in common than I first presumed,” Bingley muttered.

  Caroline finally stepped onto the landing before her brother and tilted her head curiously. “How, pray tell, is that?” Caroline asked.

  Bingley arched his eyebrow. “You are both entirely too prejudice, and full of pride to acknowledge that you have been abundantly blessed and seem intent on wasting moments of possible happiness with your constant and incessant need to impress. You are always so worried about what others might perceive of you, and never consider what your behavior truly presents. It is appalling,” Bingley muttered.

  Caroline rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I know my bounds, brother. Unlike the young women you seem to be ensnared by, I would never completely risk my own reputation. You see, I understand the importance of tact and dignity, and I shall retain mine by every measure. Yet, I also see the truth as it is unfolding before me. You are no different than Mr Darcy, or I, in that you, too, have been prejudice of others. Look how you have judged me without even considering my position,” Caroline muttered.

  “You are a jealous woman, Caroline. That is a scandalous place to find oneself in, and often presents a dangerous temptation. I warn you to act on your scruples, as it seems reason eludes you, dear sister,” Bingley stated, turning to walk toward the parlor with a sigh.

  “Is that all you have to say about it?” Caroline asked, chuckling softly. “Well, then all is duly noted, dear brother. Thank you for your lovely advice, as usual,” Caroline muttered, shaking her head as she chuckled again. She moved toward the door and Bingley tilted his head as he looked back at her.

  “Where are you going now?” he asked.

  “Out to enjoy the day. Do not worry, I am calling upon Miss Brewton this afternoon for tea. I assure you, there is nothing to concern yourself with,” Caroline muttered.

  Bingley quirked a brow. “Fantastic, enjoy your afternoon.” He dared not mention that Darcy was on his way, and that the two of them had plans for tea in the parlor, lest his sister choose to stick around and disrupt the two. He knew Caroline would not cease in her desperation to land an engagement to Darcy, but he, too, was equally stubborn when it came to matters he was certain of; and the matter of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy being ideal for one another was one thing he could make wagers on with confidence.

  ***

  A soft rapping came at the door, and Miss Giles moved to open it slowly, peeking her head out to view the caller curiously. “Good afternoon?” she asked as her eyes settled in on the gentleman standing before her.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Giles,” Darcy stated, lifting his hat from his head as he bowed slightly and regarded the servant girl with a curt nod.

  “Oh, good afternoon, Mr Darcy. Mr Bingley is awaiting you in the parlor. Right this way, please,” she stated, opening the door as she ushered Darcy within. She closed the door gently as he came to stand in the foyer, and smiled up at him. “May I have your coat, Mr Darcy?” she asked.

  Darcy slipped his jacket from his arms and held it out to Susannah with a nod. “Yes, of course, thank you, Miss Giles,” he muttered, following her as she motioned toward the parlor.

  “I am quite positive you know your way, but I shall announce your arrival now, sir,” Miss Giles muttered as she opened the parlor doors after receiving an acknowledgement of her soft knock. “Good afternoon, Mr Bingley. Mr Darcy has arrived,” she stated warmly as she peered into the room.

  Bingley lifted his head and turned toward the door, smiling slightly as he perked up. “Ah, hello, Darcy! Thank you, Miss Giles. Please, go about your usual chores,” Bingley stated.

  Miss Giles nodded and moved out of sight as Darcy stepped into the room. The doors closed behind him, and Bingley stood up as he strode toward his friend. “So, have you figured out if you are going to marry Anne de Bourgh yet?” Bingley asked him.

  Darcy shot him a sideways glance, his expression taking on a disgusted look as he glared at him. “What? Why would you ask me such a thing, Bingley? Have you lost your wits? Of course not,” Darcy muttered, furrowing his brows.

  “Well, I only ask because it seems that my sister has undertaken a new mission as of late,” Bingley stated.

  Darcy quirked a brow. “What do you mean a new mission?” he asked curiously.

  “Well, she aims to become Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy. Tell me, why did you choose to dance with her when you spent most of the evening eng
aged in conversation with Miss Bennet?” Bingley asked.

  Darcy scoffed, folding his arms over his stomach as he shook his head. “As I recall it, it was you who spent the evening fawning over Miss Bennet,” Darcy muttered.

  Bingley pursed his lips. “You know perfectly well of which Miss Bennet I speak, Darcy,” Bingley muttered.

  Darcy pursed his lips slightly, matching Bingley’s, as he scoffed. “I have absolutely no interest in pursuing any of these young women. Why must they all persist?” Darcy asked.

  “Because you are a titled and dignified gentleman; the most eligible of bachelors,” Bingley muttered. “Besides, what is so wrong with Miss Bennet? The Bennet daughters have all been handsomely blessed. Not a one of them is plain,” Bingley added.

  “I think you are merely smitten by Miss Jane, Bingley,” Darcy muttered. He continued with a sigh, “Is this why you invited me to tea today?”

  “No, not entirely. Though, I feel you should be aware of Caroline’s infatuation with you. She seems very stern about her interests,” Bingley stated.

  “Ugh,” Darcy said, shaking his head. “I fear that no matter what I wish the obligation of marriage shall be relentless until the day I finally take a wife,” Darcy muttered.

  “Indeed, it seems that is the hope of every young woman. I, however, am certain I have found the one woman who stills my heart most. Jane Bennet is perfectly enchanting,” Bingley muttered.

  Darcy perked a brow and sighed. “I do not think you should pursue any of the Bennets, Bingley. I fear that Mrs Bennet only wishes to see you marry her daughter to salvage her own poor financial state. You do know that not a single one of the Bennet daughters have ever been properly educated. They did not even have a governess,” Darcy muttered.

  Bingley smirked slightly “Darcy, do you truly think any of that matters to me? I am not in need of educating. Jane is delightful, and intelligent; she has a great love of music and books. Surprisingly, I found her wit to be incredibly refreshing. I think perhaps you have measured the Bennet family’s merits on titleship and money, failing to recognize the value of a woman in possession of her own mind,” Bingley stated.

  “They all lack decorum. They are outlandish and bold in ways that society frowns on. How can you not see that from the coquettish way the youngest Bennet behaved at the ball; and then the matter of discussing your engagement to Jane Bennet, as if you had already posed the question to her,” Darcy stated.

  Bingley shrugged slightly. “You know there is a critical difference between you and I, Darcy,” Bingley began. “I am not so sure how it occurred, but it seems between the two of us you are most certainly the more drawn to propriety. I could not care a bit what any of them think of me. I wish to marry a woman who sends my soul aflame, not simply the first choice for breeding and station. I already possess breeding and station. What I lack is love,” Bingley declared.

  “Are you truly aiming to wed for love? Surely, you understand how impossible such a thing is. What of the Bingley estate?” Darcy asked.

  “Unlike you, dear friend, I do not care what my family thinks of any of it. I am the heir and I shall fulfill my obligations. The only difference is I choose to do them as I see fit, as opposed to the directing of others,” Bingley said.

  Darcy sighed, and shook his head. “I cannot understand how you move through life so easily without a single care or worry about anything you do,” Darcy stated.

  Bingley chuckled as he strode over to his friend, lifting his hand to delicately place atop his shoulder as he squeezed it gently. “Darcy, the problem you have is that you place too much value on the things that matter least, and not enough value on what should matter to you most. A marriage is no small thing. It is a binding contractual agreement with a person that is meant to last a lifetime. Ask yourself if you would prefer that to be with a person with whom you enjoy sharing company, or someone whose very name frustrates you?” Bingley replied.

  Darcy sighed and nodded as he thought silently, he is right. A lifetime spent with Anne would be an imprisonment. No wonder he adores Jane Bennet so.

  Chapter Four

  Elizabeth sighed in aggravation. If one more moment of hearing Jane’s incessant discussion about Mr Bingley continued, she was certain she would go out of her mind. She shook her head and closed her eyes tightly, and immediately acknowledged that the most proper thing to do was take an afternoon stroll near the ponds where her father had taken her so often as a girl.

  As she moved to stride out of the room, Jane’s panicked voice reached her ears, “Lizzy, is something the matter?” she asked hurriedly. Elizabeth sighed and hesitated mid-step, turning to look back at her sister with a bright smile.

  “No, Jane, I am quite fine. I simply feel the urgent need for some fresh air. Would you excuse me for a moment?” Elizabeth asked.

  Jane tilted her head and cast her sister a knowing glance. “No, I scarcely get the chance to speak with you about anything that matters to me. May I join you on your walk? I simply must know your thoughts on how things went between myself and Mr Bingley,” Jane stated.

  Elizabeth gritted her teeth slightly, her thoughts shifting in annoyance. I so do not want to hear anything more about how fabulous Mr Bingley is. I did not find his friend at all appealing. As she thought more on it, Elizabeth realized she was worried about Jane’s emotional state. What if Mr Bingley did not ask for her hand in marriage? Would Jane then feel crushed by her own hopes, and the failure to recognize that Bingley possessed two things that their family simply did not; both money and station.

  “I am not so sure that you will enjoy having such a conversation with me, dear sister. If I am wholly honest, I did not quite like either Mr Bingley or his friend, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth muttered.

  Jane’s mouth fell agape as she peered back at her sister. “Oh, Lizzy! Must you be so bold and outspoken all the time? Mr Bingley was charming as ever and his friend, Mr Darcy, seemed truly intrigued by you. Why is it that you must spoil every potential opportunity that happens by you?” Jane asked.

  “Jane, I cannot engage any further in this discussion with you. I am certain you will become upset with me. I understand you do not appreciate my outbursts, but I am of the mind that one should speak up when noting something of grave importance,” Elizabeth muttered.

  Jane shook her head. “Oh, Lizzy, what pains me most is that you fail to see how I wish you to be a part of the things that matter most to me. If you were not so sensitive over your own prejudices then maybe we could enjoy the companionship of both Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy,” Jane said.

  “Jane, I have no desire to be in the company of Mr Darcy again, particularly after spotting him eavesdropping on mother’s private conversations,” Elizabeth stated.

  “Did Mr Darcy repeat what he heard?” Jane asked.

  “No, at least not to me, but does that truly matter? Is he somehow privileged to be rude by intruding on other people’s conversations without their knowledge simply because he is a titled nobleman?” Elizabeth asked.

  A rapping upon the door distracted Elizabeth as she turned to look in the direction of the sound.

  “Jane, Lizzy? May I come in?” Mrs Bennet’s voice echoed through the wood.

  “Yes. Please, come in, mother,” Jane finished.

  Mrs. Bennet; Jane and Elizabeth’s shallow, yet loving mother; stepped inside and tilted her head with a perking brow, her lips curving into a delighted grin as she peered back at her daughters. “It seems that there is a Mr Bingley who has come to call upon you this afternoon, Jane. He is awaiting your presence in the parlor now,” Mrs Bennet stated.

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened, and she found herself sighing in relief. Finally, I shall be free of her rantings about him! she thought idly. Jane glanced back at her sister with a doe-eyed expression.

  “Mr. Bingley is here? Here in our home?” Jane asked in shock.

  Mrs. Bennet nodded. “Yes, indeed he is. Perhaps, the two of you can enjoy a quiet stroll through the gardens?” Mrs Bennet aske
d.

  Jane arose and walked toward her mother, casting a sideways glance back at Elizabeth as she neared the door. “Shall we continue our conversation later, sister?” she asked her.

  Elizabeth gave a curt nod, forcing a genteel smile at Jane as she looked back at her. “We shall do whatever pleases you, Jane. Now, go and enjoy tea,” Elizabeth stated.

  Jane smiled. “I adore you, Lizzy!” she stated as she followed after their mother.

  Elizabeth sighed and shook her head as she thought quietly, I truly hope so, dear sister, for it seems you care nothing for heeding my advice. She watched as her mother closed the door behind them and laid her head back against the couch with a sigh. He must find my sister worth his time, or else he would not have dared to call upon her. I suppose that will provide some reprieve for our family reputation.

  Elizabeth could still not believe how scandalously her younger sister, Kitty, had behaved when it came to outwardly flirting with any gentleman who happened to look her way. It made Elizabeth nervous, and while she did have quite a blunt manner when it came to speech, she still understood the importance of retaining one’s dignity. Etiquette, it seemed, eluded the rest of her family members, save for Jane herself, who seemed perfectly natural and pristine in practically any environment she found herself in. It appeared she possessed an instinctual grace that made her every action and word seem flawless, despite the lack of education that she and the rest of her sisters had received. It was due to this that Elizabeth always knew Jane would marry well, and it did not surprise her in the least that someone like Bingley would find her sister appealing. She was, after all, very favorable to look upon with a proud nose and strong chin, that were framed by cascading eyelashes that seemed to fan out from her face.

  Elizabeth had often wished she were even half as beautiful and refined as her sister Jane, but relished the fact that she had more independence than her elder sister did. With her sister and mother occupied, Elizabeth arose from the couch and tiptoed across the parlor, opening the doors gently as she snuck toward the front door. She passed by the kitchen quickly, and lifted her jacket and bonnet from the hook as she slid out the front door. A brisk wind quickly bit into her cheeks as she fastened her bonnet atop her head and glanced back at the house with a sigh. Longbourn seemed to loom against the grey skyline behind it, and Elizabeth sighed as she quickened her pace.