Courtships & Corruption

by Cinnamon Worth

  “I know it is Jane we are trying to marry off, but those wealthy types are sure to be judging you as well when deciding if our Jane is a worthy investment. Much like a foal is judged by the success of her full sibling. Use this money to buy something for yourself. You owe it to Jane to make sure you do not hurt your sister’s chances.”

  Elizabeth smiled at her father knowing full well his actions had nothing to do with Jane’s potential marriage.

  ∞∞∞

  By the time the girls departed for Netherfield Park, Jane had been primped to such high degree she was truly breathtaking. Had Jane not been present, Elizabeth could have captured the attention of a room, but given the brilliance with which Jane shown, it would take a Saint or an exceptional woman to notice her as she stood next to her elder sister. The ladies of Netherfield were not of the exceptional type so once the sisters entered the room, Elizabeth would have been relegated to the role of Jane’s shadow had it not been for Mr. Darcy.

  Mr. Darcy noticed both ladies as they entered the hall, but it was the selfless and unassuming manner in which Elizabeth slipped into the recesses so her sister might take center stage that intrigued him. As the party left for the dining room, Mr. Darcy sought Miss Elizabeth’s arm to escort her. He noticed a bit of lace adorned her gown and commented it made the garment look quite elegant without being ostentatious. Elizabeth blushed.

  “I added the embellishment simply to appease my father. I care not for lace and ribbons. Such features do not increase the functionality of anything,” she replied.

  Mr. Darcy nearly pointed out such finery added to the aesthetics of the dress, which could prove to be advantageous to a woman who had come out, but being unsure of her father’s motives for requesting the lace, and not wishing to raise the lady’s hopes, he thought the better of such a comment. As Mr. Darcy considered it, he decided a disregard for frivolity added more to one character than such trifles added to one’s appearance. Mr. Darcy was beginning to feel somewhat uneasy as he continued to gaze at Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

  The party had reached the dining room and were seated. The Hursts were placed at the head and foot of the table to enable Charles to sit next to Jane and Caroline across from Mr. Darcy. This led to Elizabeth sitting on Mr. Darcy’s left, across from Mr. Bingley. Mr. Bingley’s attentions were directed entirely at Jane and much to Caroline’s annoyance, Louisa decided to tell her all about the new fashions she had been reading about in a magazine. As Mr. Hurst was entirely focused on his plate, it was left to Mr. Darcy to converse with Elizabeth.

  “I understand your younger sister is quite accomplished. Do you also take an interest in performance, Miss Bennet?” Mr. Darcy asked by way of starting a conversation.

  “I am a useless and selfish woman, Mr. Darcy. My favorite hobbies are ones that provide neither entertainment nor beauty to others,” she replied.

  “Is it shopping you find consumes most of your time then?” he asked.

  “Oh no,” she laughed, “I cannot stand shopping. I am afraid I prefer to spend my time reading and walking.”

  Mr. Darcy turned back to his meal. He felt entirely too distracted by Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and he knew a discussion on literature would only pique his curiosity. He ate in silence for the balance of the meal trying not to think about the woman on his left. Elizabeth took this behavior as confirmation this ill-mannered man could not tolerate a female who valued thinking over needlepoint. She was quite satisfied to enjoy the silence over conversing with such an unenlightened individual. Had Jane not looked so radiantly happy, Elizabeth thought, the evening would have been a complete loss.

  Chapter 6

  Several days passed before anyone came to know Agnes was actually missing. Her family had assumed she was staying at Netherfield and they would see her again when her schedule would permit it, while the staff of Netherfield had assumed she was simply an unreliable employee who had determined the job was more work than she had bargained for. It was David’s visit to the Ashburys that started the panic. Panic, that was, for her family. The local officials had seen dozens of young girls, tired of working to provide for their large families, run away in hopes of finding a better life in the city. They opened an investigation but, when nothing turned up, they directed their limited resources to more pressing issues. Only David, Betsy, and the Ashburys spent their free time searching the forest and fields, hoping to find a trace of the missing girl.

  ∞∞∞

  While the Ashburys’ panic was palpable, the distress amongst the Bingleys was of an entirely different nature. Louisa Hurst finished sanding an invitation to the Bennets and rose from the cherry secretary. “Have you seen the wax, Caroline?” she asked as she riffled through the drawers of her brother’s desk.

  This would be the third time they would be hosting the Bennet sisters for dinner followed by cards. Technically, this should have been the Bennets’ turn to host an evening but, having tried that once, Caroline had decided all future gatherings would occur at Netherfield. Louisa was not sure how Caroline had managed this arrangement but she was sure it was through some method that left Mrs. Bennet believing it was entirely by her own choosing. It was sometimes nice to know Caroline always got her way, especially if getting her way allowed one to avoid dinner with Mrs. Bennet.

  “Try in that basket,” Caroline responded not even looking up from the fashion magazine she had been perusing.

  Louisa found the wax and walked back to the secretary. If Caroline had not been so engrossed in her reading, she would have noticed the look on her sister’s face. As Mrs. Hurst mentally planned the entertainment for this dinner party, she had grown increasingly agitated. She had been anxious to play a new card game that required six players. On each of the three previous occasions, they had hosted the Bennets she had attempted to introduce the game. Without fail, she had either been short the required number of players or had one too many interested players. She had considered extending a dinner invitation to just Miss Bennet, but oddly, Darcy only agreed to play cards when Miss Elizabeth was playing. If she invited only Miss Elizabeth, Charles would sulk. It was so vexing!

  “Do you recall Louisa,” Caroline asked looking up from her magazine, “when Mr. Darcy made that witty comment about Miss Elizabeth Bennet? What was it now?”

  “She a beauty? I should soon call her mother a wit,” Louisa supplied. How could she forget? Caroline had brought this comment up a half dozen times.

  “Oh yes, that is it,” Caroline chuckled. “He is so clever!”

  Louisa had grown increasingly tired of this conversation. She decided to divert it to a different path. “He is right too. She is not a beauty in the traditional sense. What she has would not be described as beauty so much as, perhaps, sensuality.”

  Caroline reddened, and it was not entirely clear if it was a result of anger or embarrassment. Louisa smiled to herself. Caroline could grow so wearisome, and watching her chase after Mr. Darcy these many weeks had made it abundantly clear — perhaps, just this one time, her sister would experience what it felt like to not get her own way. What Louisa did not know was her little comment had turned the tides against Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

  “Louisa,” Caroline said not even trying to sound aloof, “please dispose of the invitation you have prepared for the Bennet sisters. I will be preparing the invitation this time, and I think I would like our dear brother to have an opportunity to spend some time with Miss Bennet without her sister clinging to her side trying to divert all of Miss Bennet’s attention toward herself.”

  Louisa walked to the fireplace and dropped her invitation in the fire. She would resign herself to a card game of four. Then a flash of brilliance struck her. Perhaps if Mr. Darcy had to choose between a card game of six or spending time alone with Caroline, while the rest of the party engaged in a game of cards, he might make her dream of playing a game of six a reality. She should have cast Miss Elizabeth Bennet aside ages ago! Mrs. Hurst smiled cheerfully. Perhaps, she benefited more often than she realiz
ed when Caroline got her way.

  As the ladies conversed, and Mr. Hurst napped, inside the manor, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were riding through the woods of Netherfield. Mr. Bingley was uncommonly giddy, and Mr. Darcy, having witnessed this elevated mood on no less than four occasions over the past few weeks was confident of the reason. Miss Bennet would soon be in their company and, more likely than not, so would Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Mr. Darcy’s mind was at war with his heart over the prospect of seeing the younger of the two sisters. While his heart was the more persistent warrior, his mind had cunning and strategy. His mind knew the battle would be lost without reinforcements, and he believed he’d have an unlikely ally in Miss Bingley. That evening, he would mention something to Miss Bingley to hint at his growing admiration for Elizabeth Bennet. He was aware Miss Bingley would remind him repeatedly as to the inadequacies of the lady and her circumstances, but her true value would be in minimizing any further contact with the lady. Needing to rely on Miss Bingley to protect him from his own foolish fancies was agonizing but not nearly half so much as growing further attached to a woman so very much his inferior.

  Mr. Darcy was beginning to grow concerned with Mr. Bingley’s lack of rationality and insight. Miss Bennet was no more suitable a match than her sister, although, Mr. Darcy would admit Bingley had fewer requirements in finding a suitable wife. “Bingley, I see your excitement and presume it has something to do with Miss Bennet.”.

  “Why yes,” Mr. Bingley said brightly, “Louisa is inviting her to dinner this very evening.”

  “While she is a most delightful lady, do you not think you’re allowing your heart to grow a little too attached?” Mr. Darcy asked, hoping to guide his friend toward the obvious conclusion.

  “I see what you’re getting at, and I appreciate your care and concern as one of my dearest friends,” Mr. Bingley replied, “but I spoke to Louisa about this some time ago. She helped me see the light.

  “She pointed out I have money enough and need not look for such security in a bride. She also observed I already have connections to one of the most respected of men — which would be You, my dear fellow. So why should I concern myself with the connections of my spouse?

  “While some of her relations might benefit from further refinement, Miss Bennet herself is the picture of grace and respectability. As I can tell you are aware, I myself have relatives who might not be considered ideal company. In fact, who among us can claim only a perfectly pleasant family? If she does not hold my siblings against me, why should I hold her responsible for the behavior of her sisters?

  “She would bring me great happiness and would give me the most beautiful of children. What greater gifts can a wife provide to her husband?”

  Mr. Darcy reflected on Mr. Bingley’s words. By this logic, Mr. Darcy had even less reason to hold his bride to his own high standard of breeding, which of course was ridiculous. “Bingley, do you not care what others might think?”

  Mr. Bingley chuckled at his friend. “Darcy, you are one of the smartest men I know, yet sometimes your reason is held hostage by your perceptions of acceptable society.”

  The men both decided it best to drop the topic and finished the ride in silence.

  When the dinner invitation arrived at Longbourn, Jane was rather distressed Elizabeth would not be going with her. She had grown accustomed to having her sister available for support and comfort.

  “Jane,” Lizzy said giving her a quick hug, “I cannot be expected to move into Netherfield Park once you become Mrs. Bingley. It is only a matter of time before you need to bravely face the amiable Mr. Bingley alone.”

  “I hardly think we can assume Mr. Bingley might propose marriage. Besides, it is not Mr. Bingley I fear, Lizzy.” Jane’s proclivity to see the good in everyone had prevented her from pinpointing just what or whom she feared, but the prospect of visiting Netherfield Park alone left her with an uneasy anxiety she could not explain.

  Elizabeth took her sister by the shoulders and pushed her away just enough she might look her square in the eyes. “We will need to agree to disagree on the first point and as to the second point, I am aware any attempts to enlighten you as to the very real reason every sane person would feel frightened to attend an event alone at Netherfield would simply result in your adamant defense of Miss Bingley.” She smiled reassuringly at Jane, “But fear not, my dear, for Mr. Bingley will use his white horse and shiny shield to protect you from the vicious monsters who lurk in the corners of his manor or on the sofas near Mr. Darcy.”

  Jane giggled and screwed her courage to her sticking place.

  If Jane could see into the future, she would know her fears were unfounded for she had a blissful evening and Mr. Bingley’s undivided attention. Other members of the Netherfield party, however, were not so fortunate. Mr. Darcy would not acknowledge the cause, but at the moment Miss Bennet was shown into the parlor…alone… he felt the pain one senses with great disappointment. His mood immediately fouled, and all thoughts of enlisting Miss Bingley’s support in guarding his heart were forgotten. Mr. Darcy’s newly found ill temper was completely missed by Miss Bennet and the other two gentlemen in the room, but this shift of mood had a rather dramatic impact on the remaining members of the party. Mr. Darcy refused to play cards, choosing to occupy himself with a book. After spending the minimum amount of time deemed socially acceptable, he then retired for the evening.

  Caroline took her annoyance at being ignored out on her sister. But Louisa ignored her sister as her mind was now intrigued. She began to wonder if her earlier comments, aimed at teasing her sister, held some truth. She resolved to keep a closer eye on Mr. Darcy while he was in the presence of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Mr. Darcy’s affairs had no material impact on her life, but Louisa hoped to find some entertainment at watching the inner struggle of a proud, self-satisfied man. She could only hope, should he somehow resolve this inner struggle, she might have the fun of watching the second act. How she would love to see the outcome as he attempted to woo a woman who he had failed to notice would roll her eye when she thought no one was looking and would attempt to hide a smirk when he made a comment that demonstrated his opinion of himself. She could not decide if such a display would prove to be a tragedy or a comedy, but if at all possible, she would watch and see.

  It was only a matter of days after this dinner party when Louisa had the opportunity to witness Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet together at the ball hosted by Sir William Lucas. If the interactions between the two while attending the Lucas’ ball left any doubt to Mr. Darcy’s feelings, the compliment paid to Miss Elizabeth Bennet had eliminated the ambiguity. He told Caroline the lady had fine eyes and a pretty face. Louisa could not help but wonder if Mr. Darcy had intentionally mentioned his musings to Caroline, and if he had, whether it was to make her sister jealous or for some other reason. Another surprise Louisa observed was the fondness with which Colonel Forster watched the rather plain and oblivious Mary Bennet. Or, perhaps it was the young girl who sat next to Mary and turned her pages who had caught his eye. Louisa was beginning to see how the drudgery of married life had the effect of converting normal ladies into mercenary, busybody matchmakers. One could only embroider so many handkerchiefs.

  While Louisa contemplated the tedium of married life and looked for a way to create a distraction, a chilling event was unfolding not more than a mile from where she sat. A local farmer had decided to spend a few hours engaged in a rare opportunity to enjoy the leisurely pastime of fishing. It had been a luxury his wife had insisted he take in honor of his birthday. The man had decided to head to a small creek he had enjoyed as a child. The location was remote and beautiful. If he was unsuccessful in catching fish, he had at least guaranteed himself of a peaceful and relaxing morning.

  The path to the creek was steep and narrow, running eighty feet or so above the creek and switchbacks wound down the hillside, allowing access to a few adventurous souls. It was small wonder no one came this way. It had been years since he had been to this
spot, so it took him a minute to locate the head of the trail leading to the water. As he searched for this trail, he noticed a few feet away there had been a disturbance to some of the growth and underbrush along the steep hill leading down to the creek. It was not obvious, but a series of crushed and bent plants indicated something, perhaps a boulder, had rolled off the side of the path.

  It was not until he reached the base of the trail that he discovered it had not been a boulder leaving the impression along the hillside. Rather, it had been a human. The body of a girl lay half on the shore with her head lying in the water. It was clear she had been dead for several days if not longer. The farmer scurried back up to the path and ran to town to report his discovery. The investigation was swift, and the authorities decided it had all been a tragic accident. The girl was identified as Agnes Ashbury. It seemed she had been walking home in the dark the night of the assembly and must have tripped on one of the tree roots, which protruded along the path. This misstep led to her to falling off the edge of the path. Her body rolled down the steep hillside, and during her tumble, she must have hit her head, which rendered her unconscious. When her body reached the bottom of the hill, her face ended up underwater and she drowned.