A Sister's Curse

by Jayne Bamber

  William did not escape Elizabeth’s notice, and she felt vindicated in her continued dislike of him when he did not even rise from his seat to greet her. He was sitting across the room, apparently too engrossed in a game of chess with John to acknowledge her party at all. Anne de Bourgh was looking on, and Elizabeth exchanged a glance of amusement with Mary as Cousin Anne laid her hand on William’s shoulder, only for him to instantly shrug it off. Richard was with them, and he looked up with a smirk as he met Elizabeth’s eye across the room.

  Elizabeth made a droll face at him, her eyes landing on William once more, and she watched as Richard leaned forward and whispered something to him. William turned then and let his eyes linger on her and Rose for a moment; he inclined his head in their direction before turning back to the game. Elizabeth glanced back at her mother, who was speaking with Uncle Edward and had not noticed her son’s incivility, and then looked back at William himself, her stomach in knots.

  Richard said something else – something that appeared to amuse none but himself, before approaching two gentlemen Elizabeth did not know. They had been speaking with Lady Catherine, who had also neglected to acknowledge her, but Richard now led the two gentleman forward to perform the introductions. “Cousin Lizzy, Cousin Rose, may I present a dear friend of William’s and mine, Mr. Charles Bingley. Bingley, my cousin Elizabeth Bennet, and my cousin Georgiana Gardiner – Rose for short. And this is Mr. Bingley’s friend, Mr. Will Collins.”

  Elizabeth knit her brows at the name. “Collins?”

  It was the handsomer of the two gentlemen, Mr. Bingley, who answered her. “Yes, my good friend Collins has come down to London to stay with me, and when Darcy came round to invite me to Christmas, he was so kind as to include Will as well, else we should have had a sorry time of things by ourselves – no offense, Will.”

  Mr. Collins smiled graciously at his friend, and then at Elizabeth. He was plain and ruddy faced, rather short but athletic, and he had a kind look about him. Seeming eager for Elizabeth’s attention, he replied, “I quite begged Bingley to allow me to come and stay with him. I am sure I should have done so at any rate, as it is my first Christmas without my poor mother, may she rest in peace. However, when I heard that Bingley had been invited by Mr. Darcy to London to meet the Bennet sisters, I knew I had to be one of the party. I can see you have anticipated me, Miss Elizabeth – I am William Collins of Longbourn, and I am delighted to make your acquaintance at last.”

  “Longbourn,” Rose cried, squeezing Elizabeth’s hand as her enthusiasm drew looks from several of their relations, including the perpetually scowling Fitzwilliam Darcy.

  “I am all astonishment,” Elizabeth replied. “I confess I was aware my father’s estate had passed to a distant relation, but I had never thought to encounter – that is, I am pleased to meet you, sir. It is kind of you to take an interest in becoming acquainted with my sisters and I.”

  “Dearest Cousin Elizabeth,” he said, taking her hand, “I apologize if I have made you uncomfortable. I should hate to be indelicate, and I would never have dreamed of trespassing on such a happy family gathering here, were it not for my resolution, as soon as I became aware of my old friend Bingley’s connection to your adoptive family, that I might join Bingley in meeting with you all, and make myself known to you – you are my only living relations, after all. I hope I am not too forward in declaring that I have eagerly been looking forward to coming to know you and your sisters, and all of your dear family. Such excellent, hospitable people!”

  “That is very kind of you,” Elizabeth replied, not quite sure what to make of the man. Perhaps his friendliness seemed overpowering simply because it presented such a stark contrast to how some others in the room had received her arrival. She was equally struck by Mr. Bingley’s allusion to having come to London for the express purpose of meeting her and her sisters, and without any discernible reason, as his friend had. It seemed odd indeed that William should wish to invite two gentlemen so wholly unconnected to their family to Christmas, and then remain so unsociable himself. Odder still, he had begun to stare at her.

  ***

  William Darcy made a dedicated effort to remain focused on his game of chess as Sir Edward Gardiner arrived, his children and Elizabeth Bennet in tow. It was to be a large enough party that he might reasonably manage to speak very little to her, and not at all to Lady Olivia’s by-blow. And yet, he could not help that his eyes were drawn to them as they came into the room. He recognized Elizabeth, for though it had been three years since they had met, and many years longer since they had spoken at any great length, he had seen the drawing she had sent his mother a year ago depicting her short-cropped hair. She was still sporting the brazen style, and wore an over-trimmed red gown. Her cousin Rose appeared surprisingly demure by comparison. She wore a simple green gown that flattered her complexion and slight build, and her thick chestnut hair was elegantly arranged with little gold pins that had let a few loose curls to escape. He realized he was staring, but could not resist – she was breathtakingly beautiful.

  Anne had possessively laid a hand on his shoulder and he shrugged her off, chastising himself for having such thoughts. Rose was not truly his relation, but she was so young – he did not think she was even out yet. After a few minutes of attempting to focus on the chessboard, his eyes found her again. Elizabeth had drawn the attention of Bingley and his friend Collins. Though he was seated too far to hear any of their conversation, nearly everyone in the room heard Elizabeth cry out, “Longbourn.” It seemed she had identified Collins as a man of some property, and Darcy began to fear it may become necessary to reprimand his erstwhile sister for her lapse in decorum, when Rose appeared to make a comment that put the gentlemen more at ease. The four of them sat down with Jane and Richard, and Darcy watched with some relief as the scene unfolded before him.

  Rose had engaged Mr. Collins and was speaking to him with great animation, and listening intently in turn as he spoke exclusively to herself. Beside them, Elizabeth was rather determinedly vying for Richard’s attention, occasionally running her little white fingers through her short-cropped hair and laughing at everything – in short, presenting herself as every bit the hoyden he had expected. He might have felt moved to intervene, were it not for the fact that her insistence on dominating Richard’s attentions had allowed Bingley to speak more privately with Jane.

  Darcy turned his attention back to the game, making a foolish move, and was thoroughly chastised for it by his cousin John. “Your mind is not on the game, eh, Darcy?” John chuckled.

  Darcy grimaced as his bishop was captured, and cousin Anne laughed derisively. “I am sure he is too busy admiring his sister and cousin, John, but he has been soundly punished for that.”

  Ignoring his cousins, Darcy debated between focusing on the game to salvage his dignity, or sabotaging himself to end it quickly so that he might better observe his friends and relations; he opted for the latter, moving his remaining bishop into a dangerous position.

  John gave him a sardonic look. “You wound me, cousin. If you do not wish to play anymore, simply say so.”

  Darcy shrugged. “I should be happy to observe you play, if you can find any better partner.”

  John glanced over at Anne. “Shall we show him how it’s done?”

  Anne grinned. “Indeed, Cousin John. Do move aside, Darcy, but stay close. You might learn a few moves.”

  Despite her attempt at a provocative tone, Darcy felt nothing but contempt for his cousin Anne after such a speech. But no, he also felt some relief that he might still have the means to observe Jane, Elizabeth and Rose from a distance. He happily offered Anne his chair and moved to lean against the wall nearby, pretending to observe the game as he watched his sister from afar.

  By now Bingley had managed to elicit a smile from Jane, and then a gentle laugh. Good, very good. It pained him that he had not taken an interest in his sisters sooner – he could not have told them what Wickham really was without being wildly indelicate
, exposing Jane to such things as no lady ought to hear, but he might have at least prevented the attachment from growing too serious. He had waited too long to take his role of brother as seriously as he ought, but he had done everything in his power to salvage the awful situation after the engagement, and two years later he was still cleaning up the mess.

  His eyes drifted back to Elizabeth, who was leaning forward provocatively and whispering something to Richard, causing him to color and glance helplessly at Rose. Bingley must have perceived it as well, for he spared her a slight cringe before turning back to his conversation with Jane. Darcy considered Elizabeth Bennet as she fidgeted with her bracelets and then adjusted the neckline of her bright red dress, which plunged far too low for a family gathering, even with the fichu. How could such a girl be the sister of sweet, innocent Jane?

  Then he watched Rose, who had continued speaking with Mr. Collins, turn to subtly admonish her cousin, somehow managing to make a joke that aroused laughter from all her companions. There was something absolutely magnificent about her poise and the curve of her mouth as she spoke, as if she knew some secret that no one else did. Her rosy lips turned up into the most enchanting, if asymmetrical smile, and her fine eyes sparkled with wit. But of course, Lady Olivia had been quite the same.

  “Oh, Cousin William, I am quite undone!” Anne glanced up at him with a sickening smile. “I am sure my poor knight is in some danger; what am I to do?”

  Darcy flicked his eyes down to the chessboard. Pushing the vision of a pair of hauntingly fine eyes from his mind, he deftly scooped up the queen and removed the hidden threat from the board on his cousin’s behalf.

  “Devil take it, Darcy! You were not playing like that before,” John said in feigned indignation, scowling down at the game.

  Darcy shrugged and, ignoring Anne’s effusive thanks, took a few hesitant steps closer to the conversation he had been watching, in the hope of overhearing just a little of it.

  ***

  After several minutes of chatting about Longbourn, a topic Elizabeth felt a tremendous interest in, she began to fear she had monopolized Mr. Collins’s conversation for too long, and turned the subject to a more general topic so that her companions might be included. She spoke of music, which she enjoyed despite her own limited proficiency. She had spent a few days practicing the piece Mary had gifted her, and expressed a wish that Jane might perform it with her.

  Jane had not the chance to respond to Elizabeth before Rose interrupted, leaning across the space between the two sofas to whisper to Richard something about her desire to dance. Rose might have said it aloud – it was certainly audible enough – and yet leaning in to speak afforded both Richard and Mr. Bingley a rather ample view of her bosom.

  “I shall not press Jane if she does not wish it,” Elizabeth replied, “though I am sure you make a convincing argument,” Elizabeth chided her younger cousin.

  “Do you play, Miss Gardiner,” Mr. Collins inquired.

  “Of course! I must, if I am to be considered an accomplished young woman before I come out next year.”

  “If a worthy performance at the pianoforte is the requirement to attend balls and parties, I may yet remain at home,” Elizabeth teased.

  “You misrepresent yourself, Cousin,” Richard teased. “You play very well indeed. I must confess I should like to hear Jane play alongside you. From what I recall of your playing, Cousin Jane, your taste and style are rather different than Lizzy’s, and I imagine the contrast might make for an interesting fusion.”

  Jane shook her head shyly. “Another time, perhaps, when I am better prepared. I should hate to disgrace myself, and fall short of the mark of accomplishment.”

  “I am sure you could never be found wanting, but I shall not press you,” Elizabeth replied. “On the other hand, if I were to perform first, you might attack the instrument with your toes and still give a better performance!”

  Mr. Bingley laughed. “That I should very much wish to see!”

  It was at this moment that William finally left his post in the corner and drew nearer to their conversation. Heartened by her good-humored companions, Elizabeth ignored William’s piercing gaze and asked Mr. Collins his opinion on the matter.

  “It is amazing to me how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished, as they all are,” he said congenially.

  Rose laughed. “All young ladies accomplished! I scarcely know if I should feel slighted or flattered at such talk!”

  Elizabeth made a droll face at her. “When there is a choice, you must always choose to be flattered if you possibly can.”

  Richard laughed. “Quite right, Cousin.”

  “I agree,” Mr. Bingley said with a merry smile. “I do think all ladies are quite accomplished. You all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. I scarcely know any woman who cannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time without being informed that she was very accomplished. Indeed, it is just what my sister Caroline told me of Miss Darcy, and I see that she was right.” Mr. Bingley and Jane exchanged a look of mutual appreciation, and then Mr. Bingley caught sight of William. “Ah, there you are Darcy! Come to defend your sisters?”

  “I am sure that is hardly necessary, when you have done it so admirably already,” William replied.

  “Shocking reply,” Elizabeth said to him, raising her chin defiantly. “Have you nothing to contribute? You are a man of experience who has lived in the world; I daresay you have firmer opinions than anyone else amongst us.”

  There was an unexpected look of approbation on William’s countenance as he gazed at Elizabeth. “You provoke me to be contrary, and observe that there is too much truth in this common list of accomplishments. I find the word is applied to many young women who deserve it by no more than netting a purse or covering a screen. But I am far from agreeing with my friend’s estimation of ladies in general. I cannot boast knowing more than half a dozen in the whole range of my acquaintance that are really accomplished.”

  “Nor I, I am sure,” Richard said with a droll expression, and he turned his face away from William to roll his eyes for Elizabeth’s amusement.

  Suppressing her laughter, Elizabeth replied, “You must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished woman.”

  “Yes, I do,” William said.

  “I believe my brother is right,” Jane said, speaking softly but firmly in her brother’s defense. “No woman can really be deemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing and the modern languages to deserve the word. Is that not so, William?”

  William gave Jane a slight smile and a nod of approval, and Elizabeth couldn’t resist a momentary grimace. Is that what Jane has learned at school? More likely, she has learned such rubbish from William. Elizabeth was on the verge of a scathing reply, when her cousin interjected.

  “Oh, yes,” Rose agreed, taking on a haughty posture as their companions turned to look at her. “And besides all that, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her dress and expressions, or the word will be half-deserved.”

  William looked askance at Rose for a moment before turning his eyes back to Elizabeth. “All this she must possess, and something more substantial besides, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.”

  Ha! Her Aunt Olivia had been the most voracious reader Elizabeth had ever met, and William had never done other than scorn her. “I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder at your knowing any,” Elizabeth deadpanned.

  Mr. Collins gave a little gasp at Elizabeth’s retort. “Are you so severe upon your own sex as to doubt the possibility of all this?”

  Elizabeth grinned. “I never saw such a woman.”

  Rose laughed. “And yet you have no further to look than your own home!”

  Mr. Bingley observed Elizabeth and Rose exc
hange playful looks with evident bemusement before insisting that he knew a great many young women who answered this description. William ignored his friend and cast Rose a look of inexplicable displeasure as he declared that he had only ever beheld such perfection at Pemberley, and then he moved away.

  ***

  Richard knew well enough, or at least strongly suspected, that Darcy’s animosity toward Rose and Elizabeth was chiefly born out of the contempt which all of the elder members of their family had long held for Lady Olivia. He likewise knew both Rose and Elizabeth to be fully capable of holding their own should the banter deteriorate into an outright argument, but Darcy withdrew, lurking once more in a corner.

  Elizabeth and Rose had their revenge by moving away to speak with Charlotte, and he could tell not only that they were repeating the particulars of their exchange with Darcy to Charlotte with humor, but that Darcy himself was aware of what they were about.

  After staring at Elizabeth and Rose for quite some time, Darcy turned and stalked silently out of the room, and on a lark Richard decided to follow his cousin, who went into the dining room. Richard hung back as he watched his cousin go down the length of the table and survey the place cards, throwing his hands up in frustration as he got to the end.

  “Let me guess – Aunt Catherine was in here?”

  Darcy looked up and grimaced. “Why she thinks such behavior is acceptable in another person’s home is simply beyond me. I have endured quite enough tonight, and sitting beside Cousin Anne through an entire meal is unsupportable.” Darcy walked down the side of the table and snatched up Charlotte’s place card, switching it with Anne’s.

  Standing on the other side of the table, Richard quirked up his eyebrows. “I am sure Charlotte will be flattered by your placement, but are you sure it is wise, given my father’s matrimonial state of mind? And blast it, Darcy, now you’ve placed Anne right across from me!”