by Kate Speck
First Impressions of a Second Nature
by Kate Speck
“It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.”
- Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility
Chapter 1
“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “Have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?”
“I had heard a little of it from my brother Philips,” replied Mr. Bennet, “but do not know the details. What fascinating gossips have you heard, Mrs. Bennet?” He put down the papers to listen to his wife.
Mrs. Bennet smiled broadly and continued, “I have heard it said that he is a young man of large fortune from the north; he was delighted with the place and agreed with Mr. Morris to take possession before Michaelmas. His name is Bingley and he is single!”
“And you are quite delighted by it?” Mr. Bennet asked as he smirked.
“My dear Mr. Bennet, he is a single man of four or five thousand a year and you must know that I am thinking of his marrying Jane!” Mrs. Bennet replied with jollity.
“Well then, if you are so settled that he should marry Jane without ever meeting him, we should go ahead and plan the wedding straightaway. When shall they be married?” Mr. Bennet jested.
Mrs. Bennet giggled loudly. “Oh, Mr. Bennet, have compassion on my nerves. You may not care for Jane to be married off, but she is two and twenty and is a very beautiful young lady. She must overcome her loss of young Mr. Morris and move on.” She sighed, “Oh, if only Mr. Morris had not… But, what is past is in the past. Jane must find a new beau and Mr. Bingley will do. He will do quite nicely.” She smiled softly.
“Indeed, I know young ladies like to be crossed in love now and then, but I agree with you that it is time.” Mr. Bennet stood from his chair and walked to his wife who was seated on the settee. “I will make sure to introduce myself to him and see if this young man is worthy.” He kissed his wife’s cheek and departed for his study.
∞∞∞
“Come, come, Jane. You must hurry!” Elizabeth pulled her dear sister to her side as they waited for the Netherfield party to make their way to them. Their father had met with Mr. Bingley and had been very enthusiastic about being introduced to the young, jovial man.
Elizabeth, at twenty years old, had been determined to find a suitor for her elder sister, after the younger Mr. Morris, the previous resident of Netherfield, had broken her heart. Jane was a very pretty young woman, serene and kind to a fault, and Elizabeth knew a man would have to be special to fit her own criteria to be worthy of her dearest sister and best friend. Elizabeth wished to marry only for the deepest love and the most important criterion for her own choice of spouse was respect. To be respected and treated an equal.
“Smile, Jane. You look so beautiful, I am certain Mr. Bingley will fall madly in love with you at first sight.” Elizabeth teased, as Jane blushed.
Soon, the Netherfield party approached the Bennets with Sir William Lucas, who made the introductions.
“Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, Miss Bingley, this is Mrs. Bennet, Miss Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth.” Turning to Mrs. Bennet, Sir William inquired, “Where is Mr. Bennet?”
“Oh, he is at home with a cold, Sir William.” Mrs. Bennet gushed, seeing the handsome men and well-dressed ladies. “It is a pleasure to meet you all.”
Mr. Bingley was the most enthusiastic of the group. “It is a pleasure as well, madam. Miss Bennet, if you are available, would you dance this next set with me?” He cheerfully asked.
“Yes, I am available.” Jane shyly answered, and was led to the dance floor by the pleasant man.
“Mr. Darcy, are you interested in dancing as well?” Mrs. Bennet asked. “It is an enjoyment of all young people, is it not?”
Darcy gruffly replied, “No, madam. Excuse me.” He departed for the punch table, as Mr. and Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley trailed behind.
Mrs. Bennet softly whispered, “So it is true!”
“What was that, mama?” Elizabeth asked.
Mrs. Bennet straightened, “Never mind, Lizzy. Go find yourself a dancing partner while I visit with Mrs. Long and Mrs. Goulding. I have not seen them in too long.” And she left to chat with her friends.
Elizabeth watched Mr. Bingley and Jane dancing. It was obvious that Mr. Bingley was already smitten with his partner, and Jane was softly blushing with contentment. She truly hoped that Jane would find happiness soon.
She turned her sights to the taciturn gentleman who had not wished to dance. Mr. Darcy was almost a head taller than Mr. Bingley and very handsome. But his brows were furrowed and it was apparent that he was miserable of being at the assembly.
Elizabeth had found the follies and absurdities of human nature a hilarity and spent much time in observation of people’s characters. It had become second nature for her to examine a person and surmise many facts about his or her character within the first meeting. If her past experiences were applied here, this gentleman’s personality would show that he was an obstinate, powerful man, who made decisions for many under his jurisdiction, and would not be swayed to anyone else’s opinions other than his own.
He probably finds it insufferable to be here with such lowly rustics. We must seem positively barbaric to such high and mighty TOWN folks. Elizabeth amused herself.
She took a seat to continue her speculations, as gentlemen were few and she had already danced before Mr. Bingley’s arrival.
Chapter 2
“Come, Darcy! I must have you dance!” Mr. Bingley cheerfully demanded his friend after his set with Miss Bennet was completed. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst had begun the next set and Miss Bingley had been asked by Sir William’s son.
“Bingley, you know I find it intolerable to stand up with anyone I am not acquainted with. I cannot abide to attend an assembly such as this and I have no wish to dance.” Mr. Darcy curtly retorted.
“For a kingdom, I would not be as fastidious as you are. I have danced with the most beautiful angel and I believe I shall like Hertfordshire quite well.” Mr. Bingley boasted.
“She is tolerable but lacks the qualities I find interesting. She smiles too much and does not speak enough. One does not know what she is thinking; whether she is pleased by your attentions or is simply dreaming of laces and ribbons. She might be considered a classic beauty but is not handsome enough to tempt me. Return to her side and let me be. I did warn you to leave me at Netherfield.” Mr. Darcy commanded.
Me. Bingley took no offense to his friend’s harsh comments and chuckled instead. “It is good to see you in a better mood today, Darcy. I shall gladly abandon you to enjoy the smiles of a beautiful lady instead.” And he left the cantankerous gentleman to his devices.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth, who was seated near both gentlemen, had heard every bit of their conversation and was thoroughly displeased. She had guessed Mr. Darcy’s character within moments of their meeting and it appeared that she was indeed correct, but to hear Mr. Darcy’s rude comments about her dearest Jane had infuriated her.
She rose and walked briskly to that tall gentleman’s side. She stood in front of him and inspected his person, her eyes peering at him, starting from his face, slowly down to his feet. After going over twice and seeing that gentleman returning her stare, she finally began her verbal attack.
“I would not have believed it if I did not hear it myself, Mr. Darcy.” She scoffed quietly, as she turned her petite body to stand next to him and look at the dancers on the floor. “Not only was it most ungentlemanly to say it at all, but to profess it in a public place like this… Tsk, tsk… I have never seen so much arrogance, so much conceit in a person before. If only you had called me tolerabl
e or not handsome enough, I might have easily forgiven you of your ungenerous comments, but seeing that you have criticized my dearest sister, who has been my best friend since birth, you have offended me and have lost any compassion I might have felt for you. My good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.” And she stormed off in disgust.
Darcy stood frozen in awe for several moments, having been reprimanded by a young woman of no consequence in this provincial hamlet, and soon burned in rage. He was of mind to follow that little lady and give her a good setdown, but his father’s voice to act a gentleman at all times echoed in his mind and he took several calming breaths.
She must have heard me speak with Bingley but it was a private conversation. She had no right to chastise me when she is guilty of eavesdropping and misunderstanding my comments to my friend. He fumed in silence. I AM a gentleman of the highest rank here! What care have I about the opinion of some second daughter of a poor farmer?!
∞∞∞
Elizabeth strode to her mother’s side and huffed, as she plopped onto a seat next to her.
“Oh, Lizzy, please tell me you did not do something irrational!” Mrs. Bennet worried, seeing her daughter’s foul mood.
Elizabeth ranted, with her arms crossed and mouth twisted in irritation, "Of course I did, mama! No one insults Jane and gets away with it. That... that Mr. Darcy was telling Mr. Bingley's that Jane was only tolerable and not handsome enough. He said that she smiled too much and did not think she had any intelligent thoughts. I hope you are telling all the ladies of Meryton all about that gentleman's atrocious behavior and to never invite him to their homes. Mr. Darcy and his 10,000 a year can crawl back to his high society where he belongs. I fully comprehend why you and papa hate town so much!"
"Elizabeth Christine Bennet! You will lower your voice and remember where you are and behave as a lady. Sit up, young lady. Mr. Darcy may have forgotten his manners but you certainly shall not! We will speak of this later. I know things about that young man that you are not aware of and I will have a long conversation with your father. It is only too bad Mr. Bennet is indisposed and had to stay home tonight." Mrs. Bennet disciplined her upset daughter.
“Yes, mother. I will go speak with Charlotte for a while.” She sighed. “Perhaps Mr. Lucas might wish to tell me all about his dance with Miss Bingley.” Elizabeth replied with a glint in her eyes, having never been one to sulk for long.
“Yes, Lizzy. Go join your friends. I know you have a lot of pride in our family and you love your sister very much, but remember that pride without proper behavior becomes arrogance and intolerance. You must be kind to everyone, not just the ones you like.” Mrs. Bennet squeezed her daughter’s hand.
Elizabeth blushed, recalling her harsh words to a gentleman who had not spoken one word to her in person. She felt the guilt of being cruel but justified, as she believed him to be most arrogant.
He might be angry with me but his opinion means nothing to me. Perhaps I can avoid him for the rest of his stay in Hertfordshire. She smirked. I do not wish to know him at all so it will be perfect if he avoids me entirely.
Elizabeth curtseyed to her mother left to her friend Charlotte’s side to speak of the assembly and gossip about their newest neighbors.
Chapter 3
“So, how did you find Jane’s future husband, Mrs. Bennet?” Mr. Bennet asked, as she sat next to him on the bed and kissed his forehead.
Mrs. Bennet fondly caressed her husband's cheek and assessed for a fever. Finding him cool to touch, she kissed both cheeks and replied, “Mr. Bingley was exactly as you described. He was jolly and well-mannered, even if his sisters were haughty and difficult to please. They dressed as if they were attending the Queen’s Ball and looked down on everyone. But, Mr. Bennet, did you know Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy was to be one of the Netherfield party?” She asked.
Mr. Bennet gasped in surprise. “I had not heard of it. It was gossiped that seven gentlemen and twelve ladies were to accompany Mr. Bingley but I had not heard of any names when I met with the young man. Were there others whom you recognized?”
“No, no, it was only Mr. Bingley, his two sisters, his brother-in-law, and Mr. Darcy. No one else.” She replied. “Mr. Darcy’s reputation as a stoic, taciturn gentleman was not exaggerated. He stood and spoke very little, danced with no one, and.” she laughed, “he offended Lizzy, setting loose her tongue on that man. Apparently, he called Jane ‘tolerable’ and ‘not handsome enough’ and Lizzy reprimanded him. I had to remind her of her manners and she did confess to me in the carriage ride home that she had never wished to see him again and that her good opinion was lost forever. I have never heard her so vehemently against another person in her entire life!”
“Hmm… perhaps your grandfather was right all along. There might be something there.” Mr. Bennet sniggered. “Come here, wife. Let us talk about that later. I have missed you. Warm me up and see if you can get me feverish.” He flirted.
Mrs. Bennet giggled, “But we are trying to avoid a fever, husband!”
“Sarah Bennet, you have kept me in this feverish state for the past one and twenty years. I hope you never tire of me!” He kissed his wife ardently, as he drew her in with his arms around her into bed.
∞∞∞
“Checkmate.” Mr. Bennet declared. “Your mind does not seem to be on the game, Lizzy. What is causing such distractions this morning?”
Elizabeth startled, “Oh, papa, I apologize. My mind wandered and I am certainly a poor partner today. I was thinking about the assembly last night and I realize once again how right you are to despise town. I know I had my season there and hated it, and I know when Mary comes out in the spring, she will abhor it as much as you and I. Coming across Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy yesterday, I find their society abominable and would be most content to live out the rest of my life here in the quietness of the country.”
Mr. Bennet chuckled. “Your mother was of the same mind. She grew up in the quiet part of Devonshire and she hated town. But luckily for me, the one season she spent in town was the one time I decided to be there at the same time, and it was through providence that we met and fell in love. She was so beautiful and when she smiled, I knew my heart was lost to her.” Mr. Bennet grinned affectionately at the memory.
Elizabeth asked, “Your first wife, Frances Bennet, do you miss her? Did you love her as much as you love mama?”
Mr. Bennet looked at his favorite daughter with tenderness, recollecting life so long ago before Elizabeth was born. "I married Fanny when I was three and twenty because of a lapse in judgment of being a young man. I know I have not I explained to you before, Lizzy, but I had not been honorable with my behaviors after meeting the first Mrs. Bennet and I had to marry her when she became with child. I love Jane very much, but Fanny Gardiner was a woman of mean understanding, and although very beautiful, that was her only redeeming quality. I am not regretful of having your half-sister born to me, mind you; Jane has a beautiful soul, even if she is not as witty as you, but I do not believe I loved Fanny even a fraction as I love your mother."
He sighed as he continued, “You take after your mother in looks and in character and I am most grateful for all of my children. Fanny was a loud, uncouth woman with no knowledge of how to be a gentlewoman, but she did try. She liked being mistress of Longbourn and attempted to make me happy, but she did not survive Jane’s birth and I did mourn her, as a husband should. If she had survived, perhaps we would have had a houseful of children and I might have been quite happy with her, but it was not to be and I met your mother several months later. It is no secret why I married your mother one day after my mourning period ended. I love her with all of my heart and I do wish for you to find such contentment in your future partner in life, Lizzy. You would be most miserable with a husband whom you could not respect and love.”
Elizabeth smiled broadly. “I understand, papa. I know you and mama have the deepest of affections and I wish for the same. I do not know if I shall ever marry, though. I see so many o
f the men in society who either wish for a large dowry or believe that I am a gullible female of a weak mind, and it disgusts me. Men, like Mr. Darcy, who will speak so rudely in public of a woman he had never spoken to, who look down on others because we do not appear to be the echelon of society, is absolutely distasteful. Mr. Bingley seemed to like Jane very much, but I know Mr. Darcy will never look at us twice. Same goes for Miss Bingley. I had never met one as disagreeable as she. She turned her nose up at everyone in Meryton and she did not smile the entire night.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyes twinkled at the mention of Mr. Darcy’s name. “So, I take it you were quite offended by Mr. Darcy last night. Your mother told me of what happened. Did you know she spent the entire night speaking with Lady Lucas and the other matrons about how they can help us by keeping our secret?”
Elizabeth grinned. “Yes, mama told me. I certainly hope we will be able to keep our family secret to ourselves. There are only a few who know and I know you and mama have been vigilant in keeping the vultures away. Perhaps if Mr. Bingley courts Jane, the Netherfield party might be privy to it, but no one has any right to judge us one way or another, purely based on rank and connections.”
“Good,” Mr. Bennet replied, “I am glad you are in agreement. If you will let Mary know as well, it would be greatly appreciated. I only hope Benji is doing well at Eton. I cannot wait to see him for Christmas.”
“Me, too, papa! I hope he has not grown too much. Jane is so much taller than me and Mary is now the same height. If Benji has grown more, I will soon be the shortest!” Elizabeth giggled.
Mr. Bennet chuckled, “Yes, Lizzy, but you have more spirit than all of us so your abundance in stamina makes up for what you lack in stature.”
They both laughed merrily and began a new match.
Chapter 4