An Unwanted Proposal: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

by Lane Cossett

Elizabeth reached for her sister’s hand and clasped it tightly. “No, we have not, but you must not think about that now.” Elizabeth felt tears pricking her eyes. It pained her to see Jane so worried. “Mr. Bingley is a good man and you will be happy. Your new life will be different.”

  A tear slid down Jane’s face and she brushed it away. “I am going to miss you so very much, Lizzy. You must come to Netherfield often.”

  “I will be there as often as you will allow,” said Elizabeth.

  Janne’s reply was immediate. “That makes me feel a great deal better, Lizzy. I…”

  “Girls, what are you doing?” Elizabeth and Jane both jumped. Mrs. Bennet stood in the doorway dressed in her outer coat and bonnet frowning at them both. “Do you want to be late for tea at Netherfield? I called for you several times.”

  They both leapt to their feet. “We’re sorry, mama,” they chorused together.

  Mrs. Bennet was in no mood to listen and she hurried them out of the room.

  * * *

  Elizabeth wished she could have avoided tea at Netherfield, but she knew her mother would not allow them to stay at home. As they were getting ready to leave, putting on their bonnets in the hallway, Mrs. Bennet suddenly noticed that Mary was clutching something in her hand.

  “What have you there, Mary?” asked Mrs. Bennet, as she checked her reflection in the hall mirror.

  Mary blushed. “Some music, mother. I thought Miss Bingley might appreciate being entertained while we have tea. I have been preparing a piece especially for the occasion.”.

  Elizabeth and Jane exchanged horrified looks with each other and Kitty was heard to say ‘No’. None of them wanted to hear Mary or her music. There were too many occasions when they had been embarrassed by her playing or her singing.

  “Oh, Mary. Not on this occasion. Miss Bingley has important things to discuss. She will have no time for your nonsense.”

  Mary pursed her lips. “Mr. Bingley has said how much he enjoyed my playing of Peyel’s first piano sonata, and Miss Bingley has such an appreciation of music I would like to discuss the harmony in this piece.”

  Mrs. Bennet adjusted a flower on her bonnet “No, Mary. Put that music down or I shall ask Mrs. Hall to burn it. We must ensure Jane’s wedding is perfect. Nothing else is as important. Now come along.”

  Mary disappeared into the parlour and when she came out again, she had nothing in her hands. Although Elizabeth was relieved they were not going to be humiliated by Mary she still felt sorry for her younger sister. Mary had no idea that people either laughed or were horrified by her musical ability. It was a great pity that she did not know it.

  “I am very disappointed I cannot play,” muttered Mary.

  There was nothing any of them could say to comfort her and they were all were relieved when Mrs. Hall announced the carriage was ready to take them to Netherfield.

  16

  Mr. Darcy descended from his carriage as it came to a halt outside a plain townhouse in Cheapside. This was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Elizabeth Bennet’s aunt and uncle. He had not sent any warning he was in town and he hoped he would not cause offence by turning up without warning.

  The housekeeper opened the door to him and he handed over his card. He had little time to observe anything before he was escorted into the drawing room where Mrs. Gardiner was standing with her husband by the hearth.

  Mr. Gardiner stepped forward to greet him. “Mr. Darcy. This is an unexpected pleasure.”

  “Mr. Gardiner, Mrs. Gardiner, please forgive me for arriving unannounced. It is a pleasure to see you both again.”

  Mrs. Gardiner sat down, and Mr. Gardiner motioned for Mr. Darcy to sit before sitting next to his wife on a small sofa.

  “How are you, Mr. Darcy? Is Miss Darcy with you?” asked Mrs. Gardiner.

  “No, Georgiana is at Pemberley with my cousin. I myself have been in Hertfordshire.”

  He saw a look pass between Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, though both of them were far too discreet to ask questions.

  “What a pity Miss Darcy is not with you. I would have enjoyed seeing her again,” said Mrs. Gardiner.

  Mr. Gardiner tapped his wife very gently on the arm. “My dear. I am sure there is a reason why Mr. Darcy called today.”

  Mrs. Gardiner looked embarrassed. “Indeed. Forgive me, Mr. Darcy. I have a tendency, as you know, to chatter on.”

  Mr. Darcy knew it was not true. In their short acquaintance he had found Mrs. Gardiner to be a very sensible woman, not given to speaking unless she had something of worth to say. “Mrs. Gardiner, I would always welcome what you have to say and I am very pleased to renew what I consider to be our friendship.”

  “And we are delighted to see you, sir,” said Mr. Gardiner, “but I have a feeling there is a particular reason for your call.”

  Mr. Darcy smiled briefly. Mr. Gardiner was an astute man and one who could not easily be deceived. “Yes, Mr. Gardiner, there is…”

  Mrs. Gardiner glanced at her husband and then started to get up. “I should leave you to talk.”

  “No, please. This is something I would not hide from you, Mrs. Gardiner.”

  Mrs. Gardiner sat down again. “Then perhaps you would like some refreshments, Mr. Darcy?”

  Darcy shook his head. He was in no need of sustenance. He was impatient to tell his story. “Thank you, no. I dined shortly before I came.”

  “So what is it, Mr. Darcy?” asked Mr. Gardiner.

  Both of them were eagerly looking at him. He had wondered about the wisdom of his visit. As close as they were to their nieces, Misses Jane and Elizabeth Bennet, he was uncertain wether Miss Elizabeth would want him to discuss his proposal with them.

  “Mr. Darcy?”

  Darcy was broken out of his reverie. “I told you that I have been in Hertfordshire. In that time I have been to Longbourn and visited the Bennets.”

  He paused, but neither of the Gardiners spoke.“And while I was there I asked Miss Elizabeth Bennet to marry me.”

  He waited for them to offer some congratulations, but none was forthcoming. He should have known. “You have heard from your niece?”

  Mrs. Gardiner nodded. “Yes, sir, we have.”

  Darcy sighed and sat back in his chair. It was a relief they knew. Their conversation should be easier with that knowledge. “So you know Mr. Bennet will not allow us to marry?”

  “We are aware of it, yes.”

  Mr. Darcy did not know what to say. The atmosphere in the drawing room seemed to have grown colder. He was surprised they were not showing any disappointment at him not securing the hand of Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

  Mrs. Gardiner stood up again and both men rose to their feet. “Mr. Darcy, I hope you will forgive me, but the children are expecting me. It is so nice to see you again. You must dine with us while you’re in London.”

  “Thank you, but my plans are uncertain as yet.”

  Mrs. Gardiner smiled. “Well, if not here, we will see you in Hertfordshire at the Bingley wedding.”

  Mr. Darcy merely bowed and both men watched Mrs. Gardiner leave the room. As the door closed behind her, Mr. Gardiner sat down again. His face was serious.

  “Mr. Darcy, I presume you are disappointed in what has happened and I cannot say how sorry I am.”

  “Not just disappointed. I am shocked, and I cannot understand why. Mr. Bennet seems to think I am not trustworthy.”

  Mr. Gardiner gave a disgusted snort. “I am sorry my brother-in-law would imply such a thing. Mr. Darcy, I know that you are a man of integrity.”

  Darcy shrugged. It was kind of Mr. Gardiner to say so, but he was not certain that even if Mr. Gardiner shared his thoughts with Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bennet would change his mind. “It is kind of you to say so.”

  “I know you saved the reputation of the Bennet family when you arranged the marriage between Wickham and Lydia. Elizabeth said in her letter that she had told her father about it.”

  Darcy flinched. “I wish that she had not, but even so it has made n
o difference. Sir, I came to ask if you think there is any reason why I should not marry Miss Bennet?”

  Mr. Gardiner looked troubled. “Mr. Darcy, I am not sure there is anything that I can tell you that would help.”

  “But there is something?” asked Darcy.

  Mr. Gardiner seemed to close his eyes and Darcy sat forward on his seat. He was certain that Mr. Gardiner knew something. As a guest in the Gardiners’ home, he could only wait to see what he was going to say.

  Mr. Gardiner suddenly opened his eyes. “And can I offer you some wine, sir?”

  Darcy was almost disappointed, but he smiled. “Thank you, yes.” He had to be patient.

  Mr. Gardiner got up and went over to a small table where wine and glasses stood. He poured them both a drink and handed Darcy one, before he sat down again.

  Darcy quietly sipped.

  For a few moments they drank in a companionable silence and Mr. Darcy looked around the room. It was much smaller than his own drawing room at Belgravia Square, but it was a picture of good taste with the dark green walls and paintings of landscapes hanging on the walls.

  “No ancestors,” said Mr. Gardiner, following his gaze.

  “Then you are fortunate, sir. As you know at Pemberley I have many. Some of them are devilishly ugly.”

  Mr. Gardiner laughed. “I have seen them, and I do seem to remember that one of your great uncle.”

  “A most unattractive man and I believe he was a rogue. I have thought of burning it, but one of my aunts was rather fond of him as a child and would never forgive me if I did so.”

  Darcy didn’t want to talk about the paintings at Pemberley but he still had the feeling that Mr. Gardiner had something to tell him. He was right. Mr. Gardiner finished his drink and abandoned the glass on the table beside him.

  “Mr. Darcy, I am not sure that I have anything to say that is very useful, but I will tell you this, my brother-in-law has changed a great deal over the last year.”

  Darcy was now alert. “What do you mean?”

  Mr. Gardiner paused for a moment and then he began to speak. Gripping onto his wine glass, Darcy listened. The tale Mr. Gardiner had to tell him was very strange indeed.

  17

  Mrs. Bennet kept up a string of conversation for the entire journey from Longbourn to Netherfield, congratulating Jane on securing herself a rich husband. Jane smiled but said nothing. Jane looked serene enough, but Elizabeth could feel the tension in her sister, who was seated next to her. “It will be all right. I know it will,” she whispered to Jane.

  “What are you saying, Lizzy? What are you trying to keep from me?” snapped Mrs. Bennet.

  Elizabeth inwardly admonished herself. She should not have said anything. “It was nothing, mama. I was simply telling Jane how lovely she looked.” She didn’t like to lie to her mother but she did not want Mrs. Bennet to be aware of any doubts that Jane had about her suitability as a wife.

  “Jane always looks beautiful. You are blessed, my darling.”

  Elizabeth nearly laughed when she saw Kitty’s face. Their younger sister did not like to think anyone was prettier than herself. Poor Kitty.

  Fortunately, there was no time for more as the carriage entered the grounds of Netherfield Park and swept up to the front of the house. For a moment Elizabeth felt sad as she remembered the drive up to Pemberley. Netherfield was one of the largest houses in Hertfordshire, but it did not compare with the magnificence of Pemberley. She quickly pushed all thoughts of Derbyshire out of her mind. She was trying so hard not to think of Mr. Darcy and yet thoughts of him kept passing into her mind. She did not want to think of him or the home which she had thought she would share with him. It was just too painful.

  * * *

  As they got out of the carriage, Mrs. James, the housekeeper, was there to meet them, and she showed them into the drawing room where Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were waiting to greet them.

  “My dear Jane, how lovely to see you,” said Miss Bingley, who was dressed in gold satin and immediately made the rest of the party appear very drab. Mrs. Hurst was also quite flamboyantly dressed. Elizabeth thought both of them looked as if they were to attend a ball, not afternoon tea.

  Elizabeth saw Mrs. Bennet pulling nervously at the brooch on her pale blue coat and patting her bonnet. Elizabeth knew her mother suddenly felt unsure of herself.

  “It is kind of you to invite us, Miss Bingley,” said Jane.

  “Kind, Jane? You and I will soon be sisters, and this will be your home.”

  She sounded friendly, but behind the smiles Elizabeth doubted Miss Bingley was pleased about the marriage at all.

  “And Mrs. Bennet, you are welcome too and, your daughters, Miss Eliza, Miss Mary and Miss Katherine.”

  Besides Jane there were only three of them, but Miss Bingley had a manner of making it sound as if there were many more.

  Kitty was practically hiding behind Lizzy. She was a little scared of Miss Bingley.

  “It is very kind of you to make us so welcome, Miss Bingley,” said Mrs. Bennet. “Is Mr. Bingley not here today?”

  Elizabeth winced. Her mother knew they had been invited to tea and there would be no gentlemen present.

  “No, he is not. Mr. Bingley has many people who wish to call upon his time,”

  “What a pity,” murmured Mrs. Bennet. “But it is the same for Mr. Bennet. He often goes into his study and does not come out for days on end.”

  Elizabeth thought she saw a faint sneer on Miss Bingley’s lips, but she merely said, “How nice,” and then motioned them to sit around the table which had been placed at one end of the room. A footman stepped forward and helped them into their chairs.

  “Please bring the tea in,” Miss Bingley instructed another.

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened at the impressive spread before them, which included delicate sandwiches and some of the finest and tiniest pastries she had ever seen.

  Mrs. Hurst turned to Jane. “My dear, we missed you while you were in London. With the up and coming season we wanted to ensure we ordered some dresses. We will have to see what we can do for you after the wedding.”

  Mrs. Bennet immediately puffed up with indignation. “Jane has some very nice dresses. Only the other day Lady Lucas was praising how beautiful she looks.”

  Mrs. Hurst smiled patronisingly at Mrs. Bennet. “I am sure she did, but London is quite different from Hertfordshire.”

  Mrs. Bennet pursed her lips and Elizabeth and Jane almost held their breath waiting to see what their mother would say. As vague and as silly as their mother often was, there was no doubt she had understood the intended insult. “Jane would grace a table in any county in the country,” she muttered indignantly.

  “Indeed she would,” said Miss Bingley with false sincerity.

  Fortunately Mrs. James and a footman arrived with the tea. It was a welcome interruption and it was only after Miss Bingley made a great fuss about asking how each person liked their tea and boasting that the leaves they used were the very best, the conversation turned once again to their stay in London.

  “As well as ordering new gowns we were fortunate to see a great many friends.”

  Everyone listened politely as Miss Bingley proceeded to boast about lady this and lady that and several duchesses. Mrs. Bennet and Kitty were listening to every word and Elizabeth could see they were impressed. Elizabeth could not help feeling amused. It was so obvious that Miss Bingley wanted to emphasise the difference in their social status.

  “We also went to the Royal Academy for their summer exhibition. It was most beautiful.”

  “And while we were there we saw Esta Williams,” said Mrs. Hurst excitedly.

  “Louisa!”

  Mrs. Hurst put her hand over her mouth. “Oh, dear, perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  The Bennets stared at each other. The two women were behaving very strangely.

  “Is there some mystery?” asked Elizabeth curiously.

  Miss Bingley did not meet her e
yes. She adopted an airy tone. “No, not really. You may have heard of Miss Williams. She has sung at Convent Garden.”

  “Oh, yes, I think I may have heard of her,” said Mrs. Bennet untruthfully.

  Mrs. Hurst smiled. “She was always very fond of Charles. He has such a love of opera.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. She did not like the direction of the conversation.

  “Jane, do you like opera?” asked Mrs. Hurst.

  “Yes, I do,” said Jane, “although I am not musical like Lizzy.”

  Elizabeth’s lips quivered as she saw the look of indignation on Mary’s face.

  “Well there was a time when we all thought…” Miss Bingley’s voice trailed away.

  Mrs. Bennet sat on the edge of her seat, her lips pursed waiting for one of the sisters to speak.

  The two sisters exchanged smiles with each other.

  Miss Bingley muttered vaguely. “Some things are in the past and should be forgotten.” She turned to Jane who was sitting quietly but watchful. “Jane, my dear, would you like a macaroon?”

  “Thank you.”

  Jane accepted one, though Elizabeth noticed her sister’s hand shook slightly as she bit into it.

  Elizabeth silently ate some walnut cake. What unpleasant women Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were. The two women had deliberately hinted at a liaison between their brother and this unknown woman. She saw no reason why they would mention it apart from to hurt Jane.

  “This cake is delicious,” said Mrs. Bennet, who was crumbling more in her fingers than eating it.

  Miss Bingley acknowledged the compliment with a regal nod. “Thank you. Cook is proud of all her food, but particularly her baking. We were lucky she could come from London with us.”

  “We too have a very good cook,” Mrs. Bennet boasted. She didn’t like to be outshone by anyone.

  Miss Bingley’s tone was patronising. “Ah, yes… but did I hear that you had some trouble with some pheasant the other night? Perhaps your cook would like to speak to ours about how to ensure it is really tender.”