Confusion, Confession and Conviction

by Victoria Winfield

  Many of these rules and etiquette provisions were not established or decreed by the Prince Regent. However, during the Regent period and the ascension to power of King Gorge IV, the societal changes and evolution led to the surge of these rules as a way of keeping the society in check. These rules also aimed to ensure a continuity of the cultural structures and customs of the society at the time. An analysis of this period indicates that although there was an overall commonality when it came to culture in the land, these etiquette rules were less observed among the lower classes of the society. This means that they were concerned more about survival and “making ends meet” that meeting the satisfaction of societal structure, custom, and conventions. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen brings out the role of the environment and upbringing as crucial in the development and maturation of a child. In this case, the Regency era’s focus on etiquette and strict rules of interaction were aimed at establishing an environment which would shape the young people in the right morals. However, the success of this approach is massively criticized by Saul David, who argues that the Regency period was characterized by “high rats and low morals.”

  Stars Glow the Brightest at Night

  A Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation

  BY

  Harriet Thompson

  Contents

  Chapter One: Rich bachelors and rich desires

  Chapter Two: Afternoon at Longbourn

  Chapter Three: Vile beauty – Mr. Darcy

  Chapter Four: Netherfield Park

  Chapter Five: Strange truths and absolute conviction

  Chapter Six: The unexpected visitor

  Chapter Seven: The unforeseen proposal

  Chapter Eight: Sincere reasoning and shameful bigotry

  Chapter Nine: ‘The night is fractured and they shiver’………………..

  Chapter Ten: ………………..

  Chapter Eleven: A tragic shock and deep remorse………………..

  Chapter Twelve: Bondings and rejoicing………………..

  Chapter One: Rich bachelors and rich desires

  It is immensely daunting how paragons of virtue and goodness of character are brutally ripped off their value in the face of richness and barbaric opulence where the proprietor of such insane wealth eclipses nothing but an abhorrently haughty and conceited aura. The reality of this notion could not be more apparent to me than at the ball at the local assembly rooms, hosted by Mr. Bingley, where I stood next to Jane, and at very close wards with a group of ladies, incessantly gossiping about the affluent friend of the vivacious and benign Mr. Bingley – Captain Fitzwilliam Darcy.

  “O’ Mrs. Dashwood, such excellent show of gallantry and discipline, I’ve heard the gentleman’s been promoted to the position of Commander! –”

  “-bought a large estate at Pemberley in Derbyshire, he has -”

  “-worth £10,000 a year! -”

  “-such handsome looks, I must insist young Sophie to dance with him! He’s the best suitor for any girl there is!”

  “Oh dear Jane, let us please escape these unfounded adulations of Mr. Darcy lest I commence to bore myself too soon. Ah, here comes Charlotte,” I started towards her, catching Jane’s smile at my straightforward remarks upon Mr. Darcy’s exaggerated plaudits by the women.

  We had only engaged in a hearty conversation when Mr. Bingley motioned towards us and politely asked Jane the honor of dancing with her. Jane, flushed at once, and accepting the invitation, glided towards the dance floor, her arms wound around his.

  Rendering the most flawless form of amiability, admirable graces and an exuberant spirit, Mr. Bingley soon induced the attention of the women and young ladies as he cordially greeted every person at the soirée, his own sight more inclining towards beautiful Jane, whose cheeks had turned the permanent rue of cerise. His persona reflected a buoyant nature and untamed ardor and, as he asked Jane a second time for dance, upon shy yet immediate acceptance, his elation could not be more evident.

  After tiring myself by dancing regularly, I excused to a corner, with the hopes of regaining my breath and composure. I was not quite alone. As it turned out, a few paces ahead of me, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were engaged in a light conversation, with Mr. Bingley fruitlessly trying to persuade Mr. Darcy to dance with one of the women.

  “Bingley, unlike you, I’m most unfortunate to find none of the women here handsome enough to entice me. Your sisters, the only mannered and sensible ladies among these ridiculous women, are engaged at the moment. Thus, I certainly do not wish to dance.”

  “Come on, Darcy, you surprise me. I’ve never encountered more beautiful women anywhere!”

  “Bingley, you are dancing with the only beautiful woman in the room. The rest, I’m afraid, are hardly agreeable.”

  “Yes, Jane, she is quite a vision! But, Darcy, behind you, her sister – she seems equally beauteous!”

  Mr. Darcy glanced behind him, languidly, caught my eye for a brief second, and muttered,

  “Quite mundane, and hardly enchanting enough for me. Bingley, I’d rather you return to your partner instead of wasting your evening with me.”

  Following his friend’s heed, Mr. Bingley walked off, leaving Mr. Darcy, as an eminently audacious and uncivil person in my eyes. It was ironic how contrasting the two friends were. While Mr. Bingley was jaunty, unreserved and dynamic, Mr. Darcy was oddly reticent, communicating with only those to whom he was acquainted, and bore an opinion quite high of himself. The fact that two unlike energies attract, could not be more easily displayed.

  As the evening drew to a close, Mr. Bingley announced his desires to hold another such gathering at Netherfield as he had experienced an excellent time with the company.

  After an enjoyable time, we returned home to find Papa still awake, reading ‘War and Peace’ by the fireplace. However, he soon retired to bed as Mamma proceeded to bore him by giving a detailed description of their time at the gathering, ranging from her appreciation Of Mr. Bingley’s character, to her annoyance at Mr. Darcy’s arrogant and impertinent attitude and, her immense pleasure at Jane being asked a second time to dance by Mr. Bingley. She had, obviously, already began weaving the possibility of Jane’s marriage with Mr. Bingley.

  Jane and I were awake the entire night, engaged in a passionate conversation in light whispers, about everyone at the gathering. When we reached Mr. Bingley, Jane spoke first,

  “Oh, Lizzy, Mr. Bingley asked me to come see him in a polo match in Longbourn but I told him that it is quite uncertain that I could come, with all the work at home. I offered my apologies but I’m afraid my denial might have offended him.”

  “Jane, you shouldn’t have refused him! Think how much pleasure it will cause the both of you! Besides, there is not much work to do and if there is, I will handle it. You’re always so selfless, placing others pleasures before your own – really, you mustn’t be too altruistic, causes more harm than good.”

  “Dear Lizzy!”

  “I think it best that you write to him tomorrow about your change of mind.”

  “But how boring it will be without my Lizzy inviting unceasing laughter by her supremacy in passing sarcastic remarks! So tell me, will you come too? Just for my sake?”

  “Yes, dear Jane, I will!”

  Chapter Two: Afternoon at Longbourn

  The sun peered brightly between the clouds on Saturday morning. A cool wind was blowing and the tips of the wet grass after a brief drizzle in the morning, glimmered under the pale sunlight, grown into a rich green shade. Our hair blew in our faces, following the cool breeze, as we trod towards the carriage, clad in light-colored ankle-length dresses, narrow petticoats and a shawl wrapped around our arms.

  “Don’t forget to charm Mr. Bingley with your smiles, dear Jane!” called out mamma from behind us, with serious urgency.

  Shaking her head, while shyly smiling, Jane comforted her mother with only a brief agreement, “Yes Mamma!”

  Bidding farewell to the rest, we were carefully seated i
n the carriage, beginning our slow journey to the fields of Longbourn.

  “Jane, do you think if were rich like the Bingleys, we’d be similar in nature to Mr. Bingley’s sisters – snobby and withdrawn? The presence of huge wealth does generate a sense of superiority in character but does it really have such a deep effect on one’s character?” I asked, looking out of the window, in deep contemplation, a confusing web work of comparison between ourselves and the Bingleys, mingling in my mind.

  “I do not think so. No, not at all. One’s richness does have a profound effect on their disposition but one’s character and societal behavior is quite independent of any wealth-take Mr. Bingley for instance, equally affluent, yet, so conflicting in personas!”

  “But, what about Mr. Darcy? Does his rich fortune serve him a right to be so proud and scornful, or is there any explanation behind such ill-founded contempt?”

  “That- we shall try our best to discover, today, dear Lizzy,” replied Jane, eagerly looking out towards the approaching rich green lands; the smell of wet earth, sound of galloping horses and the beautiful sight of the open pale blue sky, enthralling our senses.

  As the carriage came to a stop, we stepped out and began walking towards the huts. I could immediately discern Mr. Bingley from afar. Attired in a white shirt, a deep-blue waistcoat, and leather boots, he was standing with his back facing us. Right beside him, stood his infamous friend, dressed a little more lavishly- a jet black waistcoat, white shirt and sable boots. His dark hair had been neatly trimmed and his azure eyes glinted in the sunlight. Hard to admit, but he looked more handsome than Mr. Bingley. But alas, his good looks were sadly tamed by the grimace that occupied his face and had seemed to become a permanent feature. Being the first one to notice us, he spoke to Mr. Bingley who immediately turned and walked briskly towards us, the usual playful smile playing around his lips.

  “Miss Bennets, it is my utmost pleasure to see you! I cannot tell you how gratified I am to you for accepting my invitation. Come, let me introduce you to my friends and family. I suppose you’ve seen Captain Fitzwilliam Darcy at the evening last week?-” he indicated towards Mr. Darcy who stiffly nodded his head and said,

  “Miss Jane and Elizabeth Bennet.” Giving a short bow, he strolled off.

  “And these are my sisters, Miss Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Louisa Hurst.”

  “Nice to meet you, Miss Bennets.”

  As we shook hands with them, the two sisters began conversing with Jane. Finding their company extremely irksome, I slightly indicated with a short glance towards Jane that I desired to wander about, and taking my leave, I began moving towards the rear side of the huts.

  I found a young man, in dress pants and shirt, sitting idly by a small deal-table where an open chess sat unattended. The place was completely empty, leave alone this person, and so as I walked towards him, my echoing steps snapped him out of his daze. He instantly looked up and said,

  “Young lady, would you care to join me for a game of chess?”

  Chess, being one of my favorite games that I had learned to play in the very early years from Papa, I was excited to hear his offer.

  “Yes, I would love to!”

  He introduced himself as Mr. Hurst – Louisa Bingley’s husband and said he had heard of my sister from his wife.

  The game went on for a couple of hours and I became so engrossed that I did not notice Mr. Darcy standing behind me, with his back resting against the tree’s torso, since god knows how long, and it was only when I had ended the match with a victory that his voice issuing over my shoulder, made me aware of his presence.

  “Dear Lord, it must be a pity that the polo match is starting already! Else it would’ve been an honor if you would’ve joined me for a game. Such shrewd tactics. Remarkable!”

  Even though he spoke the statement out of pure sincerity, yet I could not force myself to forget the ill manner in which he had mortified my pride at the gathering the last week and so spoke, in furious yet calm spirits,

  “Must be so shocking for your nerves, must it not been? Finding such a mundane young lady employ strategy! Must be quite a defeat for such highly proclaimed observations.”

  Eyeing me in shocking surprise, his lips curved into a smirk for only a flash of moment, as he quickly pursed them, and sauntered off, without caring to give a reply.

  Mr. Hurst, who had been sitting silently the entire time, mainly due to a shock of defeat, burst out, suddenly, “She beat me!” And rising up, he ran towards the front, shouting the preposterous notion of my defeating him, in the air.

  By the next thirty minutes, everyone present at the fields had got to know that Miss Elizabeth Bennet had beaten Mr. Hurst in a game of chess. Soon after the news, Jane was the first one to approach me. Passing a genuine appreciation at my victory, she told me that just a few minutes ago, Mr. Darcy had walked towards the huts, carrying a disapproving look and upon being questioned by Miss Bingley of the cause of such annoyance, he had simply muttered, with a pensive glance towards them that “he had never been happier.” Being completely surprised yet equally amused, I told Jane about the interexchange of remarks between me and him at which she laughed funnily. But, about his mysterious comment to Catherine Bingley, we could draw no reason.

  Soon, afterwards, the polo match began. The game was intense and the Englishmen played quite roughly. Mr. Darcy, having trained in his early years in games as such, being employed in the naval forces, gave an excellent display of skills by scoring many goals and was heavily applauded. However, towards the end of the game, one of the players gave the ball such a forceful push that it flew out of the court, landing amongst the audience, right on the forehead of Jane, who was instantly struck unconscious. I immediately let out a gasp.

  Chapter Three: Vile beauty – Mr. Darcy

  Henriques Eliot had only aimed an odd direction, causing the ball to fly towards the stands, that a distinct gasp pierced the thin air. Miss Elizabeth Bennet. The evident shock, apprehension and fathomless distress that seemed to suddenly enthrall her senses at the alarming sight of a sleek crimson thread woven on her sister’s temple, made me instantaneously glimpse the memory of the shockingly equal vigilance and precision with which I attended my dear sister, Georgiana. The induced reminiscence produced a slight, yet heart-felt smile across my lips, howbeit, upon realizing the oddness of such a gesture at so severe a moment, I instantly doused it; and forcefully redirected my attentions to my friend, Bingley.

  Bingley had lost all composure. The unease and trepidation that gave off from his agitated movements, mainly I suspect, as a result of a tender affection towards Miss Bennet, made him hastily call the carriage and having carefully seated her, he bid the entire party to arrive at Netherfield parks, his abode being the nearest destination.

  As we began to depart gradually, following Bingley who was in great celerity, I espied her beautiful face yet again, and no matter how potently I withdrew myself from any unusual passion, the sight of the clear, hazel eyes of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, seemed adamant against quitting my thoughts.

  Chapter Four: Netherfield Park

  I had perched myself on a sofa next to the bed-side table, and gloomily looked outside. It was raining. Yet, the fastened windows and doors escaped no such revelation and, it was only the sight of the clustered droplets of water on the window pane, which supported the declaration.

  It had been three hours since Jane had been unconscious and my heart had ached every second of the period. No matter how many consolations the doctor presented, about it being just a minor blow and that Jane had only dozed off as a result of the concussion, I had continued to fidget restlessly following my distressed nerves, inviting the horrible thoughts circulating Jane’s condition.

  However, in such anxious spirits, it had been a pleasure seeing Mr. Bingley being so angst-ridden concerning Jane’s concussion and had been attending on her ever so often.

  Mr. Bingley’s sisters, however, had been absolutely horrified, having seen a wound for the very
first time, much to my suspicions, and after inquiring about Jane’s health, had immediately called for the maid for refreshments for the cause of regaining the unreasonably lost composure.

  Mr. Darcy, however, had remained his usual indifferent self – abhorrently placid.

  Snapped out of the reverie by a slight movement of Jane, I immediately walked to her side and found her eyes, thankfully, open and alive.

  “Oh, dear Jane, thank goodness, you’re awake! I was having quite the horrors! Are you feeling well? Or should I call upon Mr. Bingley and the Doctor?”

  “No, Lizzy, I’m quite alright. The sleep has done me much good and I must say I feel quite better, however there still seems to be a slight throbbing at my brow; I’m hopeful it’ll be cease after some rest.”

  “Jane, I must inform the doctor and Mr. Bingley instantly lest things turn harmful.”

  And so, for the next thirty minutes, there was a constant hubbub in the room as Mr. Bingley and his sisters immediately came to call after Jane, with Mr. Bingley cautiously attending to all her needs and requirements. Soon, the party retired to bed after dinner while I resolved to spend my entire night alongside Jane.

  The next morning I dispatched a letter to Longbourn, informing mamma and papa about Jane’s precarious yet quite-improved situation and assured them not to worry. The carriage returned with a supply of clothes for me and Jane.

  At half past six, I was summoned to dinner. To the anxious inquiries that followed my entry in the drawing-room, issuing most genuinely from Mr. Bingley about Jane’s health, I replied with assurance that she was much better and was recovering quite quickly.

  When dinner was over, the two ladies retired to the corner and immediately engaged in conversation with Mr. Darcy, Mr. Hurst sat idly by the chess and upon noticing me, once again offered his invitation to a game. Observing a small yet fully stacked shelf with books, I offered my apologies upon declining his offer and walked over to grab a book. Miss Bingley, whose sharp eyes, the intercourse had not escaped, commented,