An Unwanted Proposal: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

by Lane Cossett

  Elizabeth was surprised. It was not a place where she thought her father would wish to go. “But father only plays if we have guests. He has always preferred to read.”

  “I am sure in a place as large as this, there will also be somewhere for him to read,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “Oh, do look, Elizabeth. It seems they are going to begin the first dance.”

  They were indeed and Elizabeth could not help feeling a touch of envy. It had been her father’s idea that they should come and now he had abandoned them, and she was among the women who had not been invited to dance. She suddenly thought of Mary. She didn’t ever remember her sister being asked to dance and for the first time it had occurred to her how humiliated Mary must have felt. She had promised herself that she would remain cheerful, but it would not be easy if she was to be an observer for the evening with not even her father’s pithy comments to offer some amusement.

  34

  Three dances had passed, and no one had come to ask Elizabeth to dance and she was beginning to feel humiliated. She wished she knew where her father was. When he appeared, she was going to demand that they return to Cheapside. It was most unfair that he had insisted they attend and then disappeared. She was glad she had Mrs. Gardiner at her side, who tried to keep her amused by making droll observations of other people in the room.

  “As usual, there seem to be many more women than men,” she said as she looked at the groups of women who were sitting or standing in groups whispering to each other, while looking enviously at those who had made it onto the dance floor.

  “Were you ever left standing alone, before you met my uncle?” asked Elizabeth curiously.

  “Oh, Lizzy, I never attended any type of ball before I was married.”

  Elizabeth was surprised.

  Mrs. Gardiner explained. “You have seen the size of Lambton. It is a small village and it is too far away from the nearest town for anyone to attend any public assembly.”

  “So what did you do?” asked Elizabeth curiously.

  “We went to dine at each other’s houses and sometimes there was the opportunity to dance.”

  Elizabeth had not grasped how isolated her aunt had been. For the first time she asked her aunt how she had met Mr. Gardiner.

  She saw her aunt’s eyes soften at the memory. “It was a most unconventional meeting. He was passing through on business and was staying at the Lambton Arms for the night. I bumped into him as I came out of the apothecary.”

  Elizabeth was entranced. She had not known about this.

  “I nearly knocked him off his feet. He was very kind, but I was so embarrassed, and my mother was annoyed that I had been so careless.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled at the memory and then continued her tale. “Imagine my surprise when we went to dinner that night and found Mr. Gardiner was one of the guests. I found it very difficult to speak to him, but he was very kind and by the end of the dinner, I knew… or hoped that I would meet him again.”

  “So you were lucky enough to marry the man you loved,” said Elizabeth.

  Mrs. Gardiner did not mistake her meaning and her cheeks grew red. She did not flinch from Elizabeth’s steady gaze. “Yes, I did. I was most fortunate.”

  Mrs. Gardiner squeezed her arm. “I am sorry, Lizzy. I pray every day that one day it will happen to you.”

  Elizabeth resolutely pushed away the tears. She would not embarrass herself or her aunt by sobbing and showing the depth of despair she felt.

  * * *

  Elizabeth was really beginning to wonder whether she was to spend the entire evening seated when Mrs. Gardiner suddenly called her attention to a gentleman who was staring in her direction. “Lizzy, have you seen? You appear to have caught the interest of that gentleman over there.”

  Her aunt gave a discreet nod of the head and Elizabeth looked across the room to where two men were standing together. One she recognised as the Master of Ceremonies who had spoken to them on their arrival. The other man, who was standing beside him with his hands behind his back, she did not know but he was difficult to ignore. He had the largest necktie that she had ever seen on a gentlemen, and the green and gold striped jacket set him out from the rest of the men present. Her aunt was right. Both men were staring in her direction. Elizabeth could not think why, but as she watched they came towards them.

  “Smile, Lizzy,” instructed Mrs. Gardiner, fixing a smile upon her face,

  “Perhaps they are going to stop at another table,” hissed Elizabeth.

  “No. It is definitely here.” Mrs. Gardiner was right. The gentlemen stopped directly in front of their table. They both got to their feet.

  “Good evening, Mrs. Gardiner,” said the Master of Ceremonies. “May I introduce Viscount Langley.”

  Mrs. Gardiner inclined her head and the viscount gave an extravagant bow. “I am delighted to meet you, Mrs. Gardiner.”

  “And this is her niece, Miss Bennet,” said the Master of Ceremonies.

  The viscount’s dark blue eyes settled on Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I was wondering whether you would do me the honour of the next dance?”

  “I …” With the viscount looking at her so intently, Elizabeth was not sure what to say. She was not usually so easily lost for words, but the viscount’s flamboyant appearance and sudden invitation had rendered her silent.

  “I…”

  “She means to say yes,” said Mrs. Gardiner, discreetly nudging Elizabeth with her foot.

  Elizabeth blushed. “Forgive me, sir. Yes, I would like to dance.”

  “Thank you. Until the next dance…” he bowed and both gentlemen disappeared.

  Elizabeth almost stomped her foot in frustration. She turned her back towards the rest of the room and hissed at her aunt.

  “I don’t want to dance with him at all.”

  Mrs. Gardiner was amused. “Lizzy, you cannot complain about being without a partner and then complain when a gentleman asks you to dance.”

  “But look at his clothes…”

  “They are a little bright,” conceded Mrs. Gardiner, “but they are very well made and he is a viscount.”

  Elizabeth really didn’t care what his title was. Any man who was not Mr. Darcy was not the right man. “I will dance, but if his dancing is as bad as his clothes I will complain of a faintness and leave the floor.”

  “Shh.”

  Elizabeth had not realised that the viscount had returned. He was looking at her in amusement. “No one has ever complained of my dancing,” he said.

  Elizabeth’s cheeks were bright red. His evident mirth at her discomfiture made her feel even worse. She was tempted to tell him to go away, but she did not want to stand there for the rest of the evening without a dance partner.

  She took the viscount’s arm and he led her to where other couples were lining up for the next dance. Several people acknowledged the viscount and it was clear to her that he was thought of as someone. She became even more conscious of her attire and hoped that she was not embarrassing herself.

  “Do you like to dance?” The viscount asked her.

  “Yes, I do, sir, but only with someone who does not step on my feet.”

  The viscount’s eyes widened in surprise and then he broke into a smile. “I shall remember that.”

  Elizabeth nodded. She knew Mrs. Gardiner would be ashamed of her behaviour, but her first impression of the viscount was not a good one. She could not have explained why but she had a feeling she did not trust him. She was glad when the music started. She made no effort to speak to him and remained silent until he suddenly shocked her by saying: “Your father did not tell me that you were so accomplished in dance.”

  Elizabeth stopped where she was and the man behind her almost bumped into her. She apologised immediately and quickly joined hands with the viscount as they danced under the arms of the couple in front of them. “You know my father?”

  The viscount nodded. “Indeed I do. We are old friends.”

  Elizabeth’s mind was in a whir
l as they continued the dance, but as she was paired with another man as they danced in a foursome there was nothing she could say.

  She had to wait until she was dancing with the viscount again. “How do you know my father?”

  “Do not be concerned, Miss Bennet. Your father and I have some shared interests.”

  Looking at the flamboyant man in front of her, Elizabeth could not imagine that the viscount shared anything with her father, though she prudently did not say so.

  The dance seemed to go on forever and after the shock the viscount had delivered, Elizabeth said no more and concentrated on her steps, though by the time the dance came to an end she could hardly recollect any of them.

  She expected the viscount to lead her back to where her Aunt Gardiner was now talking to another woman but he didn’t and led her to the opposite corner, where a small group of people were standing.

  “I must rejoin my aunt,” she said firmly, trying to pull her hand away.

  “I will not keep you very long,” said the viscount reassuringly. “I would like you to introduce you to my sister.”

  Elizabeth was becoming more dazed. First the viscount and now his sister. And her father was nowhere to be seen. It was all very perplexing.

  Elizabeth immediately saw at least two of the women were ones that had been staring at her when she first arrived. A tall woman turned and smiled at their approach. She was elegantly attired in a white and gold dress with a splendid pearl necklace and feathers in her hair which were almost as flamboyant as the viscount’s necktie.

  “Vivienne, I would like to introduce you to Miss Bennet. Miss Bennet, this is my sister, Lady Vivienne Egerton.”

  Vivienne Egerton was almost as tall as Caroline Bingley, with a large aquiline nose and similar penetrating eyes. Thankfully she had none of Miss Bingley’s superior demeanour and she smiled at Elizabeth in a friendly manner.

  “Good evening, Miss Bennet. I am delighted to meet anyone who is prepared to dance with my brother.”

  Elizabeth was startled at her bluntness and glanced quickly at the viscount, who seemed completely unruffled by her remark.

  “Dear sister, there are many who would welcome taking my arm, but this evening I only have eyes for one,” said Viscount Langley in a boastful manner.

  His sister pulled a disbelieving face and Elizabeth felt uncomfortable at the viscount’s eyes which were firmly on her. His manner was most impertinent for someone she had just met.

  “Miss Bennet, I understand that you hail from Hertfordshire,” said Lady Vivienne.

  Elizabeth was puzzled. “How do you know?”

  “Valentine told me. I understand you and your sisters are well-known in the county.”

  Elizabeth was inwardly shaking. Who were these people who spoke of her and her sisters so freely? She had never met them before and despite what the viscount had said about him being a friend of her father’s she did not believe it.

  “I am afraid you have the advantage over me. I know nothing about you,” she said to Lady Vivienne.

  The elder woman roared with laughter. “Oh, dear, and I thought out reputation always preceded us. Never mind. I am delighted to meet you. You and I are going to be good friends. Let me introduce you to the others.”

  “Not now, Vivienne,” said the viscount. “Miss Bennet would like to return to her aunt.”

  Elizabeth merely smiled. She didn’t think she had met anyone who was quite so unguarded as Lady Vivienne

  “I understand,” said Lady Vivienne easily. “Perhaps we will have more time to speak later.”

  Elizabeth thought it was doubtful, but she thanked her and allowed the viscount to escort her back to Mrs. Gardiner.

  “I hope Miss Bennet you will allow me the pleasure of another dance before the evening is over,” he said when they were back at their table.

  “Two dances, sir? No, I am afraid that will not be possible.”

  The viscount’s cheerful expression suddenly changed. It was as if the candles had suddenly bent out.

  “Are you refusing to dance with me, Miss Bennet?”

  Elizabeth was immediately on her guard. If he was acquainted with her father, she surmised Mr. Bennet would not be pleased if she insulted him.

  “Sir, I am honoured that you would even think of it. However, I would not wish to deprive all those other women of the opportunity to dance with you. You have a reputation to maintain.”

  Elizabeth almost held her breath as he pondered on what she had said and then he suddenly started to laugh. “Miss Bennet, you do not disappoint. I can see that you truly are just as described.”

  His words made her feel very uneasy indeed.

  35

  Darcy stood patiently while his valet brushed down his evening coat. He had not been pleased when Lady Frances informed him that they were having guests to dine that evening.

  “Fitzwilliam, Georgiana and I have already dined with a number of people and we must return their hospitality.”

  What she said was true and it was one of the reasons why Darcy had avoided bringing Georgiana down to London. He had no wish to spend endless evenings entertaining.

  “And who have you invited?” he asked, trying not to sound disgruntled.

  “The Frobishers and their daughter, Harriet, and Mr. and Mrs. Whittington Wright and their daughter, Madeleine.”

  Darcy had shaken his head. “And why would you invite them?” he had asked. “Neither have sons.”

  Lady Frances had laughed. “No, indeed they don’t. It is a little too early for Georgiana to have found a suitable husband. It will happen in time, but I know you have a tendency to neglect yourself. I must ensure that you meet some suitable young ladies while we are here.”

  Darcy had struggled to hide his irritation. “There is no need for this and I would not wish you to interfere in such matters.”

  His sharp tone had not upset Lady Frances at all. “Darcy, you must know that you will need to marry and have an heir to Pemberley. It is the responsibility that has been left to you. You cannot continue to ignore it.”

  “I am aware of my responsibilities,” he’d said, grinding his teeth with annoyance.

  “Are you? You run the estate with great efficiency. You and Richard have tried to look after Georgiana, and I know you love your sporting pursuits, but now is the time you should be thinking about a wife.”

  Darcy had been almost beside himself with anger. He found it very difficult to tolerate her interference.

  “I will marry in time.”

  “I am sure you will, but I only wish to help. Think of it, Darcy. If you do not find yourself a wife, you may find yourself marrying my niece, Anne.”

  Darcy had been horrified. Anne de Bourgh was the only child of his aunt, Lady Catherine, Lady Frances’ sister. Lady Catherine had always made it clear to him that she wanted the two of them to marry.

  He had no wish to marry his cousin. Anne was sickly and spent many days lying on a sofa with her companion, Mrs. Jenkinson, at her side. She lived with her mother, Lady Catherine, in the gloom of Rosings, the family home, with very little contact with the outside world. Consequently, Anne was very dull indeed. She was the last person he wanted as a wife.

  “Is there anything more I can do for you, sir?” asked Brunson as he put away the brush he’d been using for his jacket.

  “Thank you, no.”

  The man nodded and left Darcy alone.

  Darcy fiddled with the cuffs of his jacket. There was nothing wrong with them, but he wanted to delay going downstairs. He prayed that the dinner that had been prepared was not too elaborate and their guests would not stay long.

  * * *

  “And Darcy, tell me have you trouble with workers on your land? I hear that many are being laid off and there have been riots on some estates.”

  Darcy inwardly sighed at Lord Frobisher’s question. It was a subject he was reluctant to discuss. “We are most fortunate on the Pemberley estates. Many of our workers have been with us for ye
ars.”

  “You are lucky indeed,” said Mr. Whittington Wright. “I had heard the Duke of Maplethorpe has had a devil of a job on his estate and he has lost a lot of crops this year because they have been wilfully destroyed.”

  “Maplethorpe has a reputation for treating his workers badly,” said his Lordship. “I am sure you have heard, Darcy.”

  Darcy was not about to fuel any gossip. “Each landlord has to do what they think best to maintain their estates. My father always thought it was important to look after the people who help the estate to live on.”

  “Your father was a man ahead of his time,” said Mr. Whittington Wright. “And it’s good to see you trying to follow in his footsteps.”

  Darcy inclined his head. The awkward moment had passed and a footman came in and announced dinner.

  * * *

  As they sat down to dinner, Lady Frances, who had taken her place at one end of the table with Darcy at the other, was adept at ensuring the conversation ran throughout dinner.

  Darcy was seated with Madeleine Whittington Wright on one side of him and the Frobisher’s daughter, the Lady Harriet, on the other. Both had clearly been encouraged by their mothers to engage him in conversation and he found it quite difficult to pay them both attention.

  Miss Whittington Wright was very pretty, but she had a predatory look about her and a hard mouth. Lady Harriet Frobisher was not as pretty, had a very loud laugh and tried to look engaging but fluttered her eyes so much he thought she looked as if she had been touched by madness. He was reminded of Caroline Bingley. Her behaviour at the Bingleys’ wedding was something he had tried hard to forget, but he could still feel the touch of her hand on his thigh. He shuddered at the memory.

  As he looked at the two women beside him there was only one person that he wished to be there and that was Miss Elizabeth Bennet. So she was in London. However hard he tried he could not forget her. He had to find a way of seeing her, even if it was only for a few minutes. His body ached for her. No one had ever moved him as much as Elizabeth Bennet and there would be no one who could replace her, certainly not the two women sitting at his side.