by Suzan Lauder
“You are fully aware, Miss Bingley, that oftentimes fortunes and incomes are estimated speculatively and sometimes misreported to suit the aspirations of the holder. Although to some extent, information is available to anyone who wishes to verify the numbers, all are estimates until the settlement papers are drawn up. Some intimate their value higher than the truth to gain advantage in a union, and some may suggest their value is lower in order to distract fortune hunters.”
“Surely that is rarely the case, Mr. Darcy,” Miss Bingley said.
“Perhaps, but it does happen. You should take care whenever you hear something reported or estimated by other than those with access to the records of the funds. Oftentimes it is little more than an annoying rumour.”
“I do not know why you are arguing about conjectures or estimates,” Bingley interjected. “I think the Bennets are all lovely girls with no need for a great fortune or connections to recommend them. They are the most likeable girls of my acquaintance, no matter who their forefathers are.”
Darcy was not ready to agree with Miss Bingley in full. However, his conservative views on maintaining the strict social strata for advantageous marriages were evident as he refuted Bingley’s ungrudgingly complacent viewpoint.
“I can agree with your praise of the Bennet ladies, but their situation in life makes for little likelihood of their securing an advantageous marriage, and that is the whole point, Bingley,” he said and then excused himself.
Later, in the drawing room, Miss Bingley situated herself near Darcy and took up the topic with him again.
“Mr. Darcy, Charles is so willing to overlook all faults, and he refuses to acknowledge that an alliance with the Bennets will be a serious disadvantage to his ever being truly embraced in your circles. I know you are determined to see him be accepted as a gentleman once he acquires an estate, but an unsuitable wife will be a liability.
“Surely you can convince him that his infatuation with Miss Bennet should be curtailed. Although she is a dear friend of mine, she has nothing to bring to a marriage but a questionable past. We would be subject to scandalous rumours about her plebeian origins and shunned in all the best circles.”
“She does have a point there,” Mr. Hurst said, amazing Darcy that he was attending to the discussion when he appeared asleep.
Miss Bingley, pleased with her brother-in-law’s sanction, continued, “We are so very grateful to you, Mr. Darcy, for all you have done to help Charles with the estate and introduce him to better society. It would be a shame to have all your efforts undone by a country girl with nothing to recommend her. I beg you to take my brother aside and convince him of the truth of the matter. He has business in Town the day following the ball. Perhaps if we close the house after he is to Town, we could then work together—without the influence of those Bennets—to relate the importance of fortune and connections and his duty to a good marriage and make sure he is aware of all Jane Bennet’s shortcomings in that regard.”
When she was interrupted by a request to join a table at cards, her entreaty was ended for the moment, but over the following week, she relentlessly took Darcy and the Hursts aside to urge them to follow when Bingley went to London and convince him to abandon his pursuit of Jane Bennet.
Darcy did agree with Caroline’s views on the duty of making a good marriage, but he had other reasons to desire that Bingley not return to Hertfordshire. He was alarmed at the intensity of his increasing affection for Elizabeth Bennet. He had always been a sensitive young man and now had become affected by the playful manners and familial caring observed in the second eldest daughter of his newest good friend, Thomas Bennet.
He enjoyed her company immensely, but convivial feelings had given way to desires he knew he must repress. He was quite aware of the power she had over him and wrestled between the sensible solution of escaping before the danger became too great or staying to enjoy the exhilaration he felt in her presence. Darcy’s sense of duty was pushing him towards the former. Miss Bingley’s plan offered a way to exit gracefully from the situation, and he began to convince himself it was for the best.
So, as Miss Bingley was working her manipulations to separate Bingley from his beloved, Darcy mentally started listing other justifications for Bingley to quit Netherfield permanently. He had almost fooled himself into believing the justness of Miss Bingley’s scheme to satisfy his own reasons for cutting ties to the Bennets. But as much as he was determined to accede to the plan, guilt was niggling in the back of his mind.
The Hursts were of the same sentiment as Miss Bingley, having no intelligence to the contrary relating to the fortune of Jane Bennet. They liked her in a true sense, in contrast to Miss Bingley’s falsity of affections, and perceived their brother was very likely in love with the lady. But self-preservation required them to agree with Caroline unless there was a very strong incentive otherwise. She would be impossible to live with if she were not to get her way on an issue of such paramount importance to her.
Thus Caroline’s plan was gaining supporters. While her brother was in the room, she continued her denunciation of Jane and Elizabeth and made untoward suggestions regarding their possible past. As was usual, her brother indulged her in allowing the diatribe, and although he found it annoying, he only occasionally requested her to be more kind when speaking of the Bennets.
***
Elizabeth and Lydia were enjoying the cool autumn afternoon as they took a long walk near Oakham Mount when Lydia started a new topic.
“Have you ever been in love, Lizzy?”
“I cannot say I have ever felt a tendre towards any man, Lydia. I have enjoyed the particular company of certain lively and intelligent gentlemen of my acquaintance, but I have not had any serious suitors thus far, so no one has touched my heart in a truly passionate way. As you well know, I always delight in the company of amiable people, men and women alike, with whom I can jest and tease. Why do you ask?”
“I was wondering how one goes about recommending oneself to a gentleman of interest without being seen as forward or wanton,” Lydia said with a glance at her sister. “Oh my, Lizzy! Your face shows concern about which gentleman I might like in such a way! Do not distress yourself! I assure you, I have no particular individual in mind at present. I am much too young for romance in any case.
“My reason for asking is my curiosity about my observations of Jane and Mr. Bingley when he comes to call. His preference for Jane is quite evident since his countenance is demonstrative of his affections. Jane has always been quiet and reserved, thus it takes a keen observer to know her affection for him.”
Lydia paused and looked to Elizabeth for encouragement. Although Elizabeth appeared slightly perplexed, Lydia took it as a sign of concentration on her reasoned argument and continued. “It led me to consider that it is not at all improbable for an individual in love to respond with some reflection of one’s nature, a resemblance to their natural liveliness. I ponder my own efforts in struggling to curtail my forthright tendencies and temper my exuberance in company. Surely, were I as silly in love as described in novels, my predilection would be towards displaying myself as ridiculously boisterous and uncontrollably giddy. My conjecture is that, if romantic affection invaded my heart, I might be unintentionally flirtatious and expose myself as ill bred. I worry such behaviour would be detrimental to my reputation as a lady, thus provoking any proper gentleman to reconsider his suit.”
“You may have over-dramatized your interpretation, Lydia. No one can predict how any young woman would respond if she were ‘silly in love’ as you say. However, dear sister, I have had the pleasure of watching you grow and mature, and you have all but conquered the less desirable outbursts and impulsiveness due to your youth. For the most part, you are learning to display the good breeding of a lady with an endearing amount of youthful exuberance.”
“I envy you, Jane, and Mary,” said the youngest Miss Bennet. “You have all the fun: going to Town, dressing up in your best gowns, dancing, and meeting inter
esting people beyond our nearest relations. But it seems so terribly far in the future before I can be in company that I feel I will die waiting!
“Staying home with Kitty can be terribly dull. She is intent with her drawings and happy trimming bonnets and gowns and helping my other sisters to look their best. She listens to my dramatic readings, but I know she is just being kind hearted. I wish I could be out in society and have the admiration of gentlemen. However, I do worry about my forthrightness and that I would embarrass myself were I required to appear a fine lady.”
“I do not doubt that, by the time you are out in society, you will have mastered the skills required to recognize when you are becoming excitable and will check yourself almost automatically. If circumstances overwhelm you such that you forget, I know you have the sense and honour to acknowledge the error and gently apologize. It is also likely your gentleman will admire you for your guilelessness,” Elizabeth said with a smile. “Do not worry, Lydia. You have time to learn to be a gentlewoman and have four elder sisters to help you along.”
Chapter 7:
In which Mr. Bennet seeks to know Mr. Darcy’s intentions towards his daughter.
26 November 1811
Hertfordshire
Thomas Bennet stood alongside his unfortunate cousin in the front hall of Longbourn Manor, awaiting the four women he would escort for the evening. Mr. Collins had somewhat improved in manners, and was schooling himself intensely to mind Mr. Bennet’s strong advice to hold his tongue else be sent back to Hunsford early. Thus, he made some small talk about the ball and his hope to dance with Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary. He, of course, had petitioned each for the first set, but as they had already promised those dances to others, he had to be content with later sets.
The carriage had been readied some twenty minutes past, but extra care was being taken on the costumes of the three eldest Bennet daughters. Bennet could hear more compliments and comments of admiration than decisions and adjustments, suggesting the party was nearly ready to present themselves. Lydia and Kitty appeared at the top of the stairs and requested the men’s attention to the other four ladies.
Bennet held a breath and felt his eyes misting as he beheld the beauties descending the stairs. They looked truly lovely in their gowns, each as unique as the daughter wearing it. Mrs. Bennet’s and Kitty’s good taste and flair for fashion were evident in the simple yet elegant dresses and headwear, trimmed with tasteful amounts of lace, velvet, and tulle. Their hand-stitched details, insets, and gatherings rivalled gowns that the more affluent were able to procure from the finest London modistes. Mr. Collins met each with a polite compliment and bow, emulating his host.
Mary appeared first, concentrating on walking elegantly with her head held high. Kitty stage-whispered for Mary to smile, and the seemingly plainest daughter’s face lit up, causing her to look truly radiant. She was followed by Elizabeth, whose eyes sparkled playfully as she descended, and then Jane, whose carriage and smile showed her quiet confidence. Their father was awestruck when his bride appeared, looking every bit as beautiful as when he first fell in love with her. He took her hand and bowed over it with a brief kiss.
“Thomas, I am sorry you have been forced to wait,” said Mrs. Bennet. “However, we will not be so very late. Kitty took over my role in the final inspection of our attire, and while we discovered she has exceptional attention to detail, we were doomed to suffer her primping to perfection. I think she is still a little miffed that Lizzy refused to wear earbobs. Come, girls; capes and cloaks and we are away.”
“My dear, my memory of the delay has been washed away by the vision of you and my lovely daughters. My cousin and I are such fortunate men to be escorting four beautiful ladies this evening!
“Kitty, Lydia, to your chambers now. I do not want you catching a draft from the door. I ask that you both take to your beds; however, I am suspicious that you will try to remain awake in hopes of hearing about the ball when we return. As it will be quite late, we will be in need of rest, so I insist that all discussion about dancing and gowns be held until breakfast.”
***
The Bennets’ coach arrived at the Bingley residence at the same time as many of their neighbours’ carriages so was held up in the long queue. Mr. Collins escaped ahead of the others and rushed into the ball, past those in the receiving line. The Bennets were more relieved by his absence than dismayed at his ill manners.
As Mr. Bennet handed out his wife and daughters, Elizabeth noticed Mr. Darcy looking out on the courtyard from a balcony. She caught her breath as her unease with his attention and her own warring feelings made her flush, but she smiled slightly when she caught his gaze, and he returned it with a small smile of his own. She was aflutter with anticipation at seeing him, anxious about their dance, and happy to have an opportunity to continue to challenge her mind in mutually pleasing discourse on any number of interesting topics. She licked her lips nervously.
Darcy had sucked in a quick breath at the sight of Elizabeth through the window, even though she was still wrapped in a warm cloak, and he could not see her ball gown. The minute their eyes met, he knew that, had they been alone together at that moment, no one would have been able to stop him from offering for her in spite of the multiple reasons that plainly advised against their union. He retreated back into the room and took his place near the last of the receiving line to ensure he would greet her as soon as she joined the party. It would have been amusing to note the normally reserved and dignified man shuffling from one foot to the other with impatience, but the excitement everyone felt made them oblivious to Darcy’s agitation.
Once inside, the Bennets waited in a queue for coats to be taken and then joined the receiving line. Mr. Bingley was effusive in his greeting and made a special effort to pay compliments to Jane, who blushed and lowered her lashes. Miss Bingley was unexpectedly welcoming and bore the compliments on her decorations with only a slight air of superiority.
When Darcy finally saw Elizabeth fully as she moved through the throng, he was frozen with awe at her lovely hair and gown. She looked more beautiful than he ever could have imagined. When the Bennet family passed through the receiving line, he paid his compliments in a rather perfunctory fashion, making brief and polite regards while frequently throwing glances at Elizabeth. When Darcy saw Bennet observing him with a querulous expression, he blushed and averted his gaze, suddenly aware he had been staring at her in an impolite manner.
Recovering himself in a rather formal and stilted way, Darcy offered his arms to escort Elizabeth and Mary into the ballroom, following Jane and Mrs. Bennet on Mr. Bennet’s arms. The gentlemen then offered to fetch glasses of wine, which was appreciatively accepted. On returning to the group, Darcy took his place beside Elizabeth.
Regaining enough of his wits to speak sensibly once more, he leaned down to whisper, “You look very lovely tonight, Miss Elizabeth.”
She looked up to him, smiled and said, “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. You look quite well, also.” The corners of his mouth lifted only slightly, but his eyes shone as he looked into hers. She felt her face flush and shyly looked away. The significance of being asked for the first set was not lost on her. Mr. Darcy had not danced with anyone from Hertfordshire at the assembly ball, only standing up once with each lady of his own party, and not the first, supper or last set.
Both remained silent for some time thereafter as they attended to the conversations about them, each still carefully tuned to the presence of the other so close by. Elizabeth admired his strong and manly figure standing proudly, dressed in the finest eveningwear. She had never seen him so handsome.
Across the room, she noticed Mr. Collins talking to the Lucas family. Charlotte appeared attentive and interested in what Mr. Collins was saying, and he had apparently heeded her father’s suggestions, as the others in his group seemed able to participate in the conversation. Henry Lucas smiled when he saw Elizabeth watching them, and took leave of his group to come to Mary’s side. She noticed his dark green wai
stcoat and doubted it was coincidence that Henry’s attire so complemented Mary’s new gown.
“Your family appears to be enjoying the company of my cousin,” Mr. Bennet said to Henry.
“He seems to have improved, sir. He is asking questions and showing an interest in what others have to say. I believe my father is sharing tips on how to tell an entertaining anecdote, and Mr. Collins is playing the part of avid scholar.”
As Henry Lucas continued talking with Bennet and Mary, Elizabeth noticed for the first time that Mr. Wickham was in attendance and had approached the Lucas group and joined in their conversation.
The orchestra started the strains of the first dance, and Darcy stepped up and offered Elizabeth his hand. As the dance began, it was not long before the physical touch and matching flow of movements made the energy between them magnetic, so that every small contact felt like it left a permanent imprint, and each time they passed near one another caused breathlessness. Elizabeth was unnerved by the unexpected effect his presence had on her composure and did not know how she would survive the dance with such tightness in her chest and disquiet in her stomach.
Darcy had forgotten his resolve to avoid an attachment. He was awestruck. For a few seconds, they were caught in each other’s gaze.
Bennet stood near his wife observing the dance and saw confirmation of what he had suspected, and perhaps dreaded, for some time. There could be no doubt of the strong attraction between Darcy and his second eldest daughter. They were dancing as if they were the only people in the world. He was fairly sure Elizabeth would not yet admit it to herself; she still maintained her determination to disapprove of Darcy despite her growing partiality to him.
Bennet suspected Darcy was also struggling with his feelings regarding his duty and the dictates of society. As a gentleman of the first circles, he would be expected to marry well and add to the fortune of his estate. Bennet decided to keep an eye on them since it appeared likely he must soon make some critical decisions regarding his daughter and confidences that might be due to Mr. Darcy.