CHAPTER 7
Mr. Darcy had wondered at Elizabeth’s choice of company, but it soon became evident to him that she had been forced into an unwelcome friendship and did not much care for it. Her situation was similar to his own, and he consequently felt some sympathy for her. The times when he had interrupted a call for her to speak had been intentional prompted by his observation that she did not wish to perform at Miss Bingley’s demand. Even though the two of them did not speak often, he felt an affinity with Elizabeth Bennet.
Despite having deliberately sabotaged these performances, he soon developed an interest in hearing her speak. There had been times when he had remained silent and strained to catch her voice from his self-imposed distance. Her ideas and her playful manner of speaking intrigued him, and he envied Miss Bingley for having her friendship.
The moments when Elizabeth had noticed him staring had been times when he was struck by an intelligent expression or the beauty of her eyes. Although there was little contact between them, he was feeling himself very much drawn to her. He would have liked to make friends with her, but whenever they spoke, inevitably they disagreed. He could see he had made a poor impression upon her and for the moment there seemed to be nothing he could do to change her mind, but he was biding his time and hoping for an opportunity.
In spite of his failure to charm her, Mr. Darcy found that he was unexpectedly enjoying his new ways. There had been times when he had allowed some of his conversations to go to far and had felt the mortification of exposing himself, but there had been rather more times when he realized that he was having fun, something which he now decided had been very much lacking from his entire life.
He had been serious since his childhood, and had grown up always thinking of duty and obligation. At school, he had been hard-working and spent very little time pursuing amusements. Responsibility had been thrust upon him at an early age. He had taken up the management of his ailing father’s business immediately after leaving Cambridge, and in a short time the estate and all business had been his own. A great many decisions had needed to be made when he came into the property, and he had felt the weight of his responsibilities and been determined to live up to them. Added to that, was his role as guardian to his younger sister, a duty which he embraced, but one which occasionally gave him doubt about his suitability for the position. The greatest of these doubts had come with the dreadful business in Ramsgate, which had so recently been getting him down.
With that and the awful business with Miss Bingley, he had reached a point where everything threatened to be too much. What had begun as a way of tormenting his unwanted fiancée had unexpectedly turned into a sort of rest cure for his troubles. Laughter and silliness had relieved him of the weight which had been pressing down on his shoulders for so long. Kitty and Lydia Bennet had done him good. He was aware of all their faults, and it sometimes cost him an effort not to correct them, either in their behaviour or their comprehension; however, he was delighted to find himself picking up some of their lightheartedness.
Perhaps he had been seeking this all along. His friends at school had all been like-minded and serious in their natures, but the person he had liked most in the world was his easy-going and amusing cousin Richard. Moreover, when he had started going about in society a few years ago, he had been drawn toward more lively companionship, in particular Mr. Bingley, who was nothing like his old friends or himself. He had not thought about it at the time, but now it occurred to him that he had been looking for a change.
That had been most thoroughly given to him on the absurd night when he had decided to dance with five sisters. Recently another opportunity had also come his way. The arrival of a regiment of militia in Meryton had brought a large number of gentlemen into the neighbourhood. This had caused great excitement among the ladies, but it had been no less appreciated by Mr. Darcy. With his new open manners and engaging ways, he had made a great many friends among the officers. What was more, he found himself actually liking these men, whom he would formerly have thought beneath him.
It occurred to him that if Miss Bingley had not turned his life upside down, he would probably be standing apart from his company, thinking himself above them and missing out on a form of happiness which he would not have desired or valued. Instead, for the first time in his life, he was finding himself popular and liking it very much indeed. It was remarkable to find himself at the centre of a lively group and very well liked. In experiencing this, he had come to realize that setting himself apart from others in haughty superiority had not done him any good. It had encouraged him to pride and disdain and prevented the formation of fulfilling friendships. The ones he now had were not just based on foolishness, and indeed, not everything he said was silly. He had enjoyed some pleasant conversations with the officers and had felt that there was mutual respect and commonality between them because his behaviour had opened him up to seeing them as fellow men, instead of looking down upon them.
It now occurred to him that he must often have been viewed by others as a proud and disagreeable man, which made him even more determined that the inhabitants of this town would never see him in that way. With them, he indulged in frivolity and merriment, setting aside all thoughts of his old life in favour of fun and lively conversation, and sometimes in a bit of silliness.
Many of the officers had an excellent sense of humour, and he was finding himself caught up in a variety of amusing tricks and jokes which they liked to play upon each other. This camaraderie was new and delightful to him, and he began to seek it out frequently, spending many mornings in their company. This had the additional advantage of taking him away from Netherfield and Miss Bingley. Mr. Bingley joined him in paying these visits to the officers and enjoying the fun that was to be had in Meryton.
“You are much livelier than you ever used to be, and less reserved,” his friend said to him as they rode into town one morning. “I think it suits you very well.”
“So do I,” Mr. Darcy agreed. “It is a pity that it took me so long to find myself, but I much prefer being this sort of man.”
On their arrival in Meryton, they were greeted by Mr. Chamberlayne, whose fondness for pranks exceeded that of all the other officers. “I have been watching out for you,” he said. “How would you like to help Mr. Pratt and me with a fine stunt we have in mind to pull on the others?”
“Very much indeed,” Mr. Darcy replied. “What is it that you would have us do?”
Mr. Chamberlayne gave them their instructions, and they both laughed to hear what was planned. As they went to stable their horses, Mr. Darcy felt a joyful lightness of spirit which he was very glad to have welcomed into his life.
Later, when the joke had been played to the amusement of all, it was generally agreed that Mr. Darcy’s part in it had been performed with exceptional flair.
“I see you are an old hand at this sort of trickery,” one of the officers said.
“Not at all,” he replied. “I’m rather new to it, but I find myself keen to learn.”
Another whispered into his ear that a few of them had decided they could not let matters rest without enjoying the fun of turning the tables on Pratt and Chamberlayne, and Mr. Darcy soon found himself delightfully embroiled in a plot to do just that.
These were very satisfying days indeed, and he was happy that he had come to Hertfordshire and rediscovered himself and the meaning of friendship. If only he could continue to have this joy and also rid himself of his fiancée, he could not wish for anything more. Well, perhaps just one thing more. He would very much like to gain the affections of Elizabeth Bennet. Then his happiness could truly be complete.
Even with all the connections he was forming, Mr. Bingley was still his dearest friend. An abundance of new friendships had only added to theirs, not taken anything away. Together they were enjoying the pleasantest of times and becoming even closer in the process. Bingley’s happiness had been very much in his mind at this time when his own was in so much doubt.
&nb
sp; In the past two weeks, he had seen his friend’s attraction to Miss Bennet grow. The two of them very quickly gravitated toward each other at the various evening parties. Mr. Bingley’s regard was strong, as Darcy easily ascertained when they were riding together. Miss Bennet was more complex to make out. Darcy observed her, as he had intended, and at first came to the conclusion that her feelings were detached. After a few meetings, he was inclined to worry that his friend was either in for disappointment, or worse, might be accepted for practical reasons and then find himself in a loveless marriage.
It seemed that the time had come to begin warning Bingley off, but before anything was said, Mr. Darcy happened to catch a glimpse of strong feeling in Miss Bennet’s face while she was looking at his friend. It was gone in an instant, to be replaced by her usual calm expression, but he did not doubt what he had seen. More intense scrutiny showed him other signs that her feelings were deeply engaged. Miss Bennet did not reveal her feelings easily, but he was now certain that she returned Bingley’s feelings wholeheartedly. If anything, she might be more in love than he was.
The match was far from what Bingley could make if he wished, but Darcy would not attempt to oppose it. Coming between two people so obviously attached to each other was not to be thought of. Miss Bennet’s sisters might present a drawback, but the greatest evil was that they had come out into society too soon. It could be hoped that maturity and good influence would yet improve them. The mother was a great detriment, but if Bingley did not mind, that was all that mattered, and Darcy would not hesitate to give the advice that an estate at some distance might be sought after the lease on Netherfield was up.
His friend could do better, but he could also do much worse. Miss Bingley, however, clearly held a different opinion. She must have been forming her own suspicions, for when they returned home one evening, she had a great deal to say about the vulgarity of Mrs. Bennet and her younger daughters. The inferiority of their connections was pointed out. Mr. Bennet’s property was denounced as the tiniest patch of land, and his wife’s inferior relatives in Meryton were called up as evidence of the family’s undesirability.
“I have learned from Eliza that they have an uncle in trade. He lives in Cheapside,” she said in exaggerated horror.
Mr. Darcy felt his usual urge to oppose her in the strongest way. “I have acquaintances of my own who live in Cheapside,” he lied. “What is more, I deplore your undervaluing of the role which trade has played in strengthening the economy of our country. Those men who engage in it make an important contribution. I have no doubt that my friends’ uncle is a fine man.”
He placed a heavy emphasis on the word friend which defied her to say anything else, but Miss Bingley was not faint of heart.
“There is nothing wrong with trade,” she said, “as long as it is kept in its proper place. That was not my point, however. The manners, the situation, and the connection of the Bennet family are a disgrace. I feel for my poor friend. She is a cut above the rest of her family, but with her disadvantages, she cannot have any hope of marrying well. Nor her sisters. No gentleman would wish to demean himself by marrying into that family.”
“I think it more demeaning to allow one’s choices to be dictated by what others think,” Mr. Darcy said, determined not to give up the argument, but then it occurred to him that he was not living by that principle. He could end the engagement himself with the sacrifice of both his reputation and a significant sum of money as compensation for her loss of prospects, but he had been held back from taking that step because he did care what others thought. Such cases occasionally went through the courts and were splashed all over the newspapers. He would willingly part with the money to rid himself of an unwanted fiancée, but his reputation was another matter. His pride would not allow it.
CHAPTER 8
With Mr. Darcy counteracting her efforts to make her brother see the error of his ways, Miss Bingley decided upon a different tactic. The next time she was with Elizabeth, she brought the conversation around to the subject of Mr. Darcy’s sister.
“I do not know of a more accomplished girl,” she said. “She plays the pianoforte with exquisite talent. Her manners, her beauty, and her elegance are exceptional. I have never met with anybody who delighted me so much. Or my brother. He admires her greatly and is excessively fond of her.” She leaned confidentially toward Elizabeth. “I have not ever before mentioned to you my feelings on this subject, but I am inclined to share everything with you, my dear friend. Louisa and I have great hopes that she will soon become our sister. Our brother’s feelings are already engaged. It only wants for her to return them, and I am confident that he is most capable of engaging any woman’s heart.
“Indeed, I believe I have seen recent evidence of his abilities in that regard. I mean to caution you, or more specifically your sister, by speaking so openly to you. His happy manners may have given her hope that more might arise than is possible. Without meaning anything by them, he is very generous in his attentions, but I would not wish her to be hurt. It would be best if you were to put her on her guard.”
This was all said with a great pretense of affection, but Elizabeth saw all. Miss Bingley was aware that her brother was in love, and having failed to dissuade him from it, she was hoping that Jane might be persuaded to withdraw from his company, thus giving him the impression that she was rejecting his overtures. It was craftily done under the guise of friendship and kindness. Elizabeth credited none of this story, not even Miss Darcy’s accomplishments. But how was Miss Bingley to be answered?
Here was an opportunity to throw off an undesired friendship by declaring her candid opinion of this story, but with all of Mr. Darcy’s recent skirmishes in mind, Elizabeth decided that animosity could serve no useful purpose. She thanked her friend for the information and assured her that her concerns were much appreciated but not at all necessary. Jane was inclined to like everybody, she declared, but she was aware of no partiality, which meant that there must be none since the two of them shared everything.
Miss Bingley seemed satisfied with this answer; however, she did continue to talk of that delightful day, which she anticipated was not far off, when her brother would be united with Mr. Darcy. This made her think of her own wedding day, and she sought Elizabeth’s opinion about her wedding clothes. It was obvious that Mr. Darcy’s campaign was failing and that she was perfectly willing to have him in spite of his disagreeableness toward her. Elizabeth found it incomprehensible that she would wish to marry a man who so clearly did not want to marry her, but had no doubt that she did.
None of this conversation was repeated to Jane who would have been willing to give Miss Bingley’s information too much credit. It was better that she did not know of the story, or else she likely would distance herself from Mr. Bingley, bringing about the result which his sister desired. They should be allowed to make up their own minds without interference from anybody else.
Perhaps it was some kind of interference, or well-meant but ill-considered advice which had led to Mr. Darcy’s incomprehensible engagement, she mused, still feeling the curiosity which had risen in her discussions with Charlotte and been fuelled by all that she had observed.
With so much time being spent in company of late, she had noticed the increase in Mr. Darcy’s happiness which had corresponded to the arrival of the regiment. His cheerfulness abounded as October drew to a close, but at the same time there was an increase of resentment in his attitude toward Miss Bingley and of determination in his efforts to spurn all of her wishes.
On one evening, when the company formed into groups to play cards, Miss Bingley informed Mr. Darcy that he was to be her partner for a game of whist.
“You are too late,” he said to her in what Elizabeth observed to be a gleeful manner. “I have already promised Miss Lydia that I shall play lottery tickets with her.”
“There are plenty of others to play that game. You must partner me,” she insisted.
“I do not wish to,” he bluntly
said, promptly sitting himself at a table with Lydia, Kitty and a few of the officers. Theirs was the liveliest group, and Elizabeth, who had been compelled to take a seat at Miss Bingley’s table, heard the laughter and shouts of excitement with a little envy. Her own table was excessively dull.
Her back was to the larger group, but she once gave in to temptation and turned her head to watch their game. Mr. Darcy was in the center of her field of view, laughing with twinkling eyes and the most pleasant of expressions. Feeling herself in danger of being captivated by his handsome countenance, Elizabeth sharply turned back to her game. It was absurd to think herself attracted to him when they could barely get along. It was, moreover, shallow to be attracted to a handsome face. It was character which counted and Mr. Darcy’s was lacking. Even worse, he was engaged. She should not be having any of these thoughts.
On another evening when Miss Bingley played for the company, Mr. Darcy talked non-stop throughout her performance, and in an exceptionally loud voice. Elizabeth saw the lady send a few irate glances in his direction, but he met them with an expression of indifference.
When she concluded her concerto, Mary took the next turn at the pianoforte, and now Mr. Darcy was all attentiveness. He even turned to shush Miss Bingley when she dared to speak.
“I wish to hear Miss Mary’s playing, not your squawking,” he said to her. It was absurd considering that Mary’s was undoubtedly the lesser performance. Her dubious abilities were not worthy of the enthusiastic applause which he gave her at the end. Elizabeth heard this with some exasperation. It was another occurrence of the sort of encouragement which would do her sisters no good.
She vented her feelings to Charlotte on one of the mornings when she was able to enjoy some time with her old friend instead of being summoned to Netherfield.
“He only said it to provoke Miss Bingley, but I wish he would stop to consider the damage he does. The other day he complimented Lydia on her elegant outfit, and it was nothing of the sort. She and Kitty are louder and more daring than ever under his influence, and there is nothing I can say to correct them. Mr. Darcy is their model in everything. Anything he does they feel free to copy, including his rudeness to Miss Bingley. They treat her with such disrespect that I am astonished to find myself still favoured. One small service hardly justifies it.”
Mr. Darcy Dances: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 5