Through Each Other's Eyes

by Aleena Ashe

  “Lydia!” Darcy interrupted, “Your point?”

  “Oh yes, well, she is half in love with him already. I think she will do almost anything to get his attention… within the bounds of propriety. You know how she is about ‘a proper lady’ this and ‘a proper lady’ that.”

  They looked at each other, dumbstruck that Lydia may have a valid point. Darcy spoke up, “Okay, we will simply offer to help her accentuate her positive qualities.”

  “Ooooh, this will be so much fun! When do we start?” Kitty bounced up and down on the settee. Now all that was left was convincing Mrs. Bennet and Mary.

  *****

  Shortly before dinner, when everyone else was distracted (or appeared to be), Jane approached Mrs. Bennet. “Mama, may I speak with you for a moment… privately?”

  “Of course, Janey. Is something troubling you? Have you quarreled with Mr. Bingley?” Panic began to suffuse Mrs. Bennet’s face.

  “No, Mama. I wanted to talk to you about Mr. Collins.”

  “Oh. I know, this business with Lizzy rejecting the poor man is trying my poor nerves! What can she be thinking?”

  “I believe I have an alternative that may make everyone truly happy,” adding, “and secure Longbourn,” to appeal to her mother.

  Jane explained the plan to Mrs. Bennet, who was skeptical at first but after some thought, decided that perhaps Lizzy didn’t deserve Mr. Collins and Longbourn. “Well, I suppose that Mary could be acceptable. But Mr. Collins has his eye on Lizzy, ungrateful, headstrong girl.”

  “Mama, if you agree, my sisters and I would like to help Mary gain his attention by making her over. Some new ribbons on her dresses, a new bonnet, and some help dressing her hair would go a long way toward making her less plain. In fact, I think she only appears plain due to her lack of effort in that area.”

  “Hmm, you may be right Jane. It would do me proud to see Mary dressed up for once. None of my girls should ever be looked down upon! But Lizzy is not off the hook, if this plan does not work, I will expect her to do her duty by this family!”

  Knowing Lizzy was not likely to agree but needing their mother’s help, Jane simply replied, “Of course, Mama. Thank you.” Then she left the room before Mrs. Bennet could change her mind.

  *****

  Dinner was the usual chaotic event. They had planned for Kitty to ask for permission to walk to Meryton the next day to buy some ribbons. Then Lydia would, characteristically, show her enthusiasm for the plan. Jane and Darcy would agree to chaperone the younger girls as long as Mary agreed to come as well since at one point Jane and Lizzy needed to stop by the modiste to pick up some ‘essentials’. As expected Mr. Collins colored at the implication that the ladies needed to buy intimate items, effectively preventing him from attempting to join the party. Mr. Bennet looked across the table at his daughters, sure they were up to something but not curious enough to inquire as to what. Time would tell.

  However, as the plan began to unfold, Mrs. Bennet spoke up, “Actually girls, I think we all need a trip to the modiste. Every one of you could stand to update to your ‘essentials’ and perhaps we can peruse some other baubles while we are out.”

  Kitty and Lydia immediately squealed with excitement, Mary shrugged as it appeared she had no choice and she did not object to well-fitting undergarments as all young ladies needed them, while Jane and Elizabeth sat in stunned silence. It was rare for Mrs. Bennet to join the girls shopping but not altogether unwelcome. In fact, it may be quite helpful to have her there to make additional purchases as Mary would not likely protest her mother’s decisions - unless they included excess ruffles. Mary would not stand for ruffles. All in all, tomorrow was shaping up to be an interesting day.

  Mr. Bennet sat at the table uncharacteristically quiet. This day had been an eventful one for him as well. Earlier in the day, unbeknownst to the rest of the family, he had indeed had a meeting with Mr. Bingley. Bingley had, of course, come to ask permission to court Miss Bennet. While Mr. Bennet had every intention of saying yes, he did not feel he would be doing his job as a father if he did not let the young man sweat a little. Mr. Bingley had good prospects and a respectable family and Mr. Bennet knew he’d be a fool not to give his blessing. But if he were honest, he knew that no matter how much he may like Mr. Bingley, if he’d been asking to court his Lizzy, he was not sure he would approve. Lizzy needed someone more… intellectual? Clever? Just more; more challenging. Lizzy would not be happy with an amiable sort like Bingley. She’d get bored. And that was one of the things he loved best about her… she needed to be challenged. He despaired that someday she would find such a man for then he would lose her. He looked over at Darcy, seeing his beloved Lizzy and thinking of losing her made his heart ache.

  Chapter 14

  Elizabeth

  The next morning, earlier than was perhaps strictly proper, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy came to call. All the ladies of the house flew into a frenzy freshening up the parlor to receive guests and Darcy silently wondered if this happened every time he and Bingley had come to visit in the past. Hill announced the guests and Mr. Bingley all but bounded in, his smile slightly larger than usual. Elizabeth looked to Jane and noted a subtle blush rising in her cheeks. “Oh how I miss talking to Jane!”

  After a few minutes of awkward conversation, Mrs. Bennet finally announced, “I feel a terrible headache coming on but I don’t want to cut your visiting short! How about you young folk go for a lovely walk while I rest here? It is rather lovely today.” Everyone jumped at the opportunity and before long the group had splintered predictably: Jane and Bingley, Darcy and Elizabeth, Kitty and Lydia, leaving Mr. Collins little choice but to accompany Mary.

  Darcy and Elizabeth, being superior outdoorsmen soon out-stripped the others and Elizabeth led them on a path toward a lovely little copse where they could ensure privacy. Elizabeth was not even sure Jane was aware of its existence. Each was excited to fill in the other with the goings on they had missed in their respective homes. Once alone, they let down their guard and began their conversation in earnest.

  “Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. How are you faring at Netherfield?”

  “Well, and you Sir? How are you faring at Longbourn among so many women? How are my sisters?”

  “They are well. Miss Bennet really is very nice. I don’t think I have heard an unkind word from her yet - even about Miss Bingley.” They both laughed. “Oh, but I wanted to talk to you about Miss Mary.”

  Suddenly worried, “Is she alright? She looked well enough.”

  “Yes, she is fine. I did not mean to worry you. It’s just that your sisters and I have a plan.”

  Now thoroughly confused, “A plan? For Mary? To do what?”

  Darcy found that despite being a little nervous he really was excited to tell her all about it, “Well, I have been watching Miss Mary around Mr. Collins.” Elizabeth cringed. “Wait, hear me out. She really seems to like Mr. Collins and they are very similar in temperament and philosophies. Miss Bennet and I were discussing this, after a particularly vexing encounter between the aforementioned gentleman and myself. We realized that the solution to your problem lies with Miss Mary. She likes him; you do not. We just need to get Mr. Collins to see Miss Mary’s beauty… inside and out. So, we have decided to make her over. Everyone, except your father (and of course Mary) thinks it is a marvelous idea and that is just because he is - as yet - unaware.”

  He seemed so proud of his scheme, and she had to admit it was rather sweet of him to take this upon himself. “How do you plan to get Mary to agree to all this? Also, if you don’t mind me asking, what experience do you have dressing young women?” She smiled so he would know she was teasing.

  His answer surprised her, “I often go shopping with Georgie. There are many times she is unsure of her choices in fabric or cut. I am no Beau Brummell but I am more comfortable at the modiste than your average gentleman.”

  “I must say I am relieved to hear that you are not another Mr. Brummell as I am quite sure I would
not be able to live up to the expectations. However, with Davies’ help, I think I am making a credible Mr. Darcy with your perfectly tailored clothes and charmingly disheveled hair.”

  Darcy couldn’t help but take Elizabeth’s unintended compliment to heart. It gave him hope to know she thought well of his appearance because he knew of enough of her character to know if she didn’t like him at all, even his appearance would be tainted by her negative opinion of his character.

  “You do me more credit than I deserve, Miss Elizabeth. On the other hand, I have gained quite an education on what goes into making young ladies ‘presentable.’” Rubbing his sides he smiled, continuing, “I must say my first days in a corset have made me want to do away with such a ridiculous convention! My, what you ladies suffer.”

  At this Elizabeth laughed aloud and held her own sides. “I can well imagine! I hate them myself. I am not sure I can resign myself to returning to the custom in the future.”

  It was amazing to him that they were speaking of such things but their unique situation made unique conversations inevitable For this, he was grateful.

  “So, what will be your first course of action with regard to Mary?”

  “Well, your mother has agreed to allow for some moderate purchases to be made updating Mary’s wardrobe… if it will help secure Mr. Collins.” Here he rolled his eyes dramatically but the accompanying smile assured Elizabeth that he held no truly negative feelings on the matter. “We planned a trip into Meryton to visit the modiste. Once your mother took ahold of the idea, she was quite firm that we all needed some updates to our wardrobes, especially undergarments.- that way Mr. Collins will not try to join us.”

  “But Sir, will you not have to actually buy undergarments… for me?”

  Elizabeth looked exceedingly shy and embarrassed (a look which Darcy was sure he rarely - if ever - actually wore himself). As it dawned on him that she was correct, he sputtered, “I am sure I could just buy a night shift or something not so very… intimate.”

  They walked in awkward silence for a few minutes. Finally, Elizabeth - knowing she had to be the one to say something - stopped and turned to Mr. Darcy. “Sir, I am sure after the last week, we have each seen more of the other’s person than either of us thought we would, even being discreet and respectful. I give you leave to buy whatever is least awkward in the moment so as not to arouse suspicion with Mama. I just ask that, as I know you are a man of honor, you continue to maintain my dignity as I will yours.”

  Darcy cleared his throat, unsure what he should say. He attempted to tease a smile out of her at his own expense. “So, you have seen more of me that you thought you would?”

  However, it came out more intense than he meant it to. When she immediately flushed bright red, he had an idea just how much more she had seen. He stepped toward her, thinking how dearly he wished he was in his own body so he could learn down and kiss her soft, sweet lips. “I am sorry if the experience has been disagreeable, Miss Elizabeth.” He said this with such a cheeky tone that she could not help think he was flirting with her!

  “Disagreeable?” Her head buzzing from his close proximity, she could barely process his question. “Oh, no. I mean, you uh...” Stupid, I sound like a blithering idiot. He knows I am flustered. “Oh bother! Of course, you must know that any lady who is not blind would not think it ‘disagreeable’. I will not pretend otherwise.” Exasperated and still a little embarrassed but determined not to be missish, Elizabeth threw her hands in the air and looked Darcy in the eye.

  To make peace Darcy offered, with no small embarrassment of his own, “I did not need to be you to be aware of your person. For every time I am near you I am drawn like a moth to a flame. To be honest, I have long found you to be distracting.”

  Elizabeth’s breath caught at the boldness of his statement. What could he mean by being so bold? To deflect the building tension, she attempted a jest, “I thought I was ‘not handsome enough to tempt you?” Though she smiled, he could see it did not reach her eyes, he knew his words had hurt her, and the mood changed.

  He took her hand, “Miss Elizabeth, please know that I was in a foul humor that night because I had just left Georgie and I was loathe to be in society. It does not excuse my words but you must believe I never even looked at you when Charles suggested I dance with you or I would have seen how beautiful you truly are. Please, forgive me my foolish words.”

  Drawing her hand away but more from embarrassment than anger, she ran a hand through his thick hair. “Mr. Darcy, I accept your apology. For I am quite certain I owe you one of my own. I am afraid I allowed your words to color my opinion of you and I was rather vocal in my dislike. Please, forgive me as well. Then we may start anew and think only of the past as its remembrance gives us pleasure.” She gave him her most sincere smile, trying to restore the easy mood they enjoyed earlier, before all the tension had set in.

  Seeing this, he bowed deeply, “You are too kind, Madame.” And a smile graced his features once again.

  “Oh dear, you must not bow like that! You should curtsy as you are a young lady, are you not?” Relieved, Elizabeth teased, “Let me see you try. I would hate to think you may be disgracing me all over town with a flawed curtsy.”

  ****

  All too soon they knew they must head back or risk an interrogation from the others. Upon entering the garden, they spied Jane and Bingley walking together hand in hand down the lane behind them. Nudging Elizabeth gently, Darcy said, “I don’t think we have to worry. The lovebirds are just returning and from the looks of it they have news.”

  Of course, it was soon announced to the family that Mr. Bingley and Jane had entered into a courtship. Cheers sounded from all present and Mrs. Bennet was heard to say several times and to several people, “I knew my Jane could not be so beautiful for nothing!”

  Jane approached her sister. Darcy, somewhat awkwardly, hugged her and offered sincere congratulations. Elizabeth wanted to be the one to hug Jane but knew that even sweet Jane would think it odd for Mr. Darcy to do so and instead settled for bowing over her hand saying, “Miss Bennet, you both have my best wishes.” Then she backed away to let others have their chance to wish them joy. Darcy saw the brief flash of sadness but could do nothing to help. Perhaps not everything about this switch was happy, for he knew Elizabeth would keenly miss the last days with her sister before she wed if he couldn’t figure out how to switch them back soon.

  Chapter 15

  Elizabeth

  The carriage ride back to Netherfield that evening - for of course they had been invited to stay for dinner - was filled with Bingley’s effusive praise for Jane, his angel, his love, his future wife. Elizabeth was more than pleased to listen to how much he loved Jane and how he couldn’t wait for her to be Mistress of Netherfield - if they stayed there, and how he hoped they would have a whole passel of children, “The more the merrier, I say!”

  His casual “if we stay here” gave Elizabeth pause. “You have not decided whether to stay? Don’t you think you ought to discuss that with Miss Bennet? She may have strong feelings, one way or the other.” She smiled, attempting to keep her tone light, “One can be too near family, I suppose.”

  “Of course, I plan to discuss it with Jane but you know I had originally thought to rent Netherfield with an eye to buying an estate up North in the future. Now I am not sure what we will do, though I must say I still prefer the North overall.”

  “You certainly are a fortunate man, Charles. Anyone with eyes can see how in love the two of you are.”

  “And what of you Darcy? I saw you and Elizabeth walking today. You two seem to be getting quite close. Am I to offer you congratulations soon?”

  “What? No, I am sure Miss Elizabeth doesn’t think of me as a potential suitor!” She was flustered that he had seen them talking. Apparently Mr. Bingley was more observant than he let on. She would have to be more careful in the future. For though she trusted his good nature, she could not risk him finding out their secret.


  Bingley noted that, according to what Darcy just said, it was Elizabeth who did not see the potential match but he chose not to remark on it. “Darcy, do you think it would be untoward to give Jane poems that I have written, now that we are courting? It’s not really like sending a letter, is it?” Bingley looked so hopeful that Elizabeth could only chuckle.

  “I think she would like that very much. As long as you stick to poems - until you are engaged - you should be within the bounds of propriety.” Elizabeth felt the hypocrisy of this since she and Darcy had exchanged letters and they were not courting, but there was little else to be done under the circumstances - and their letters had not been of a romantic nature.

  “Do you think she will agree to be my wife? How long must we court before I may ask her?”

  “Miss Bennet appears to be a very kind and sincere young lady. If she has accepted your courtship, I have no doubt she will agree to marry you. However, I think her father may not be very happy if your courtship is not at least a month in duration.”