An Unwanted Proposal: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

by Lane Cossett

  * * *

  Mr. Bennet returned to the Gardiner’s house in Cheapside without telling his daughter where he had been. Elizabeth thought he looked very tired, but he quickly brushed aside any concerns she had for his welfare insisting he was in good health. She learned he had no intention of attending the Duke’s ball nor would he dine with his eldest daughter.

  “I am sure Jane will be disappointed,” Elizabeth told him.

  “No dear, I don’t think she will be. She has far more important things to think about than her father.”

  Elizabeth knew her sister would be upset.

  “Father I am worried about Jane. I thought you might speak to her. She does not appear happy.”

  “So soon?” asked Mr. Bennet as he helped himself to a drink. Never mind Lizzy, Jane will settle down. She has a great capacity for accepting her situation.”

  It was an unsatisfactory answer, but as usual her father’s mind was elsewhere, and Elizabeth realised rather sadly he currently had little concern for any problems other than his own.

  The Bingley’s house was near Sloane Square and Elizabeth could not help smiling as they arrived. The house had an imposing air and she could see that it was twice the size of her aunt and uncle’s house in Cheapside.

  The door opened as they went up the few steps and they were welcomed by an unsmiling man servant. The house inside was a disappointment. The hallway was dark, with only two candles to light their way which cast shadows everywhere. When their coats had been taken away they were shown upstairs to the drawing room which was almost as dark and gloomy.

  Elizabeth was reminded of her time at Rosings, Lady Catherine’s home in Kent. She wondered what Jane thought of it and whether she hoped to make some changes. She couldn’t imagine that anyone found it very welcoming.

  Elizabeth’s heart lurched. They were the last to arrive. One guest stood a head above all the others. It was Mr. Darcy. She had not expected to see him. She looked quickly at her aunt and uncle. She hoped they would not decide to leave because of Mr. Darcy’s presence. Miss Darcy and Lady Frances were also there.

  Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were talking in one corner with another woman, who Elizabeth did not recognise.

  Mr. Bingley came forward with Jane. “Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. How lovely to see you again. And our dear sister Elizabeth. How are you all?”

  “Very well Mr. Bingley,” said Mr. Gardiner. “And my dear Jane. How well you look. Married life clearly suits you.”

  “Thank you uncle,” said Jane kissing him affectionately.

  “She is quite wonderful,” said “Mr. Bingley. “I had not realised just what a comfort it would be to be married and that is all down to Mrs. Bingley.”

  Jane’s cheeks reddened. “You are very kind Mr. Bingley. My dear, we must not neglect our other guests.”

  Mr. Bingley’s cheeks were almost as red as his wife’s. “Indeed we must not. Mr. Gardiner, you of course know my friend Mr. Darcy and his sister Miss Darcy.”

  “It is always a pleasure to see Mr. Darcy,” said Mr. Gardiner as Mr. Bingley beckoned them over.

  Elizabeth thought there might be some awkwardness, but Mr. Gardiner showed no signs of distress and smiled broadly. “Mr. Darcy sir, this is an unexpected pleasure. And Miss Darcy. I still remember the joy of hearing you play when we were at Pemberley.”

  Miss Darcy flinched slightly, though she answered calmly enough. “I was always sorry sir that you had to leave early.”

  “Yes, it was a sorry business,” said Mr. Gardiner. Mrs. Gardiner stared at her husband hard and he suddenly seemed to remember what he had said, and quickly tried to cover his confusion. “I hope that we will have the pleasure of listening to you play once more.”

  “Perhaps tonight?” suggested Mr. Bingley.

  Miss Darcy looked pained and glanced at her brother who gave her a small smile of encouragement. Elizabeth remembered how difficult she found it to play in front of other people.

  “There is no need to look quite so terrified Georgiana,” said Lady Frances rather tactlessly. “Your playing is quite beautiful.”

  Elizabeth felt sorry for Mr. Darcy’s sister. She now looked quite pale and was almost trying to hide herself behind her brother.

  Mr. Darcy covered the awkward moment by introducing his aunt to Mr. Gardiner. Lady Frances immediately wanted to know if he too originally hailed rom Derbyshire like his wife, but Mr. Gardiner explained it was Hertfordshire.

  If her ladyship was disappointed she certainly did not show it and she soon engaged both Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner in conversation.

  Elizabeth was conscious of Mr. Darcy standing just a short distance from her. She had not looked at him. She dared not do so. She did not want to betray the longing she felt for him.

  A footman served them all with drinks and while Mr. Darcy tried to engage Jane in conversation asking her about their recent tour to Derbyshire.

  Mr. Bingley was anxious to ask Elizabeth how she was enjoying the London season. Elizabeth could not tell him what she really thought, but she spoke of the kindness she had encountered and some of the people she had met, hoping she did not sound as if she was boasting. She also talked of the joy of spending time with her young cousins.

  All the time she was talking she could not help watching Jane. Jane was dressed in a pale pink gown that she had never seen before, which complimented her blonde hair, but without a coat which she had been wearing when she called at the Gardiner’s house in Cheapside she could see Jane had lost a considerable amount of weight. It was very troubling.

  Elizabeth was almost tempted to ask Mr. Bingley if he was worried about his wife, but she did not want to embarrass Jane. She only hoped she might have the opportunity to speak to her sister alone before the evening was over.

  It was only when the footman came with second drinks that Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Hurst brought their other guest over to join them.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner it is a delight you could join us this evening,” said Caroline Bingley insincerely. “May I introduce our other guest…”

  Mr. Gardiner’s eyes looked as if they were about to pop out of his head as Miss Bingley presented the pretty red-haired woman beside her.

  “Is this… is this… ?“ stuttered Mr. Gardiner, looking at the woman who appeared amused at his startled expression Elizabeth wondered what was happening. Who was this woman, who was causing her uncle to act in such an uncharacteristic manner?

  “This is Miss Esta Williams,” declared Miss Bingley triumphantly. “She is currently delighting audiences at the Royal Theatre. “Miss Williams, this is Mr. Gardiner, his wife Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Eliza Bennet.”

  Mr. Gardiner gave a theatrical bow, which was slightly comical with his rotund figure.

  “Mr. Gardiner are you fond of the opera?” asked Miss William.

  “Indeed I am ma’am,” said Mr. Gardiner staring at her as if he had seen an apparition.

  “Mr. Gardiner has promised to take my niece to the Royal Theatre while she is in London,” said Mrs.Gardiner in a calm voice.

  Miss Williams seemed delighted. “How splendid. I am still nervous. It is only my second time performing there and last time it was only one week. This time I have been given a much longer run.”

  “It will be an honour to hear you,” said Mr. Gardiner who was beginning to recover himself.

  Miss Williams beamed at him. “You are too kind Mr. Gardiner. And I have a much better idea. You must all come to the theatre as my guests.”

  Mr. Gardiner immediately started to protest, but Miss Williams brushed aside his objections.

  “I will see that a box is reserved for you. Next Thursday perhaps. You will all come, won’t you?”

  “That is very generous of you,” said Mr. Bingley.

  Elizabeth was certain she saw Miss Williams wink at Mr. Bingley. She certainly bestowed on him a smile that could only be described as mischievous. “For old time’s sake Mr. Bingley.”

  Mr. Bingley’s colour was heig
htened and Elizabeth wondered what it meant.

  “I think we will all be glad to accept your generosity,” said Miss Bingley.

  Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed as she watched the older woman. There was something very smug in her expression. She wondered why Miss William’s had been invited to such an intimate dinner. She could only assume Miss Bingley had been included to cause her sister pain.

  Jane was standing by her husband, but she was saying nothing, her eyes on the floor.

  “And Mr. Darcy, you too will attend will you not?” asked Miss Williams, turning her beaming smile on Darcy.

  “Oh please say yes, Fitzwilliam,” said Miss Darcy eagerly.

  Mr. Darcy’s expression was impossible to read, though he acknowledged the offer with a slight bow of the head. “It would be an honour and a pleasure. Thank you.”

  “Naturally Mr. Darcy would not refuse,” said Miss Bingley. “He has more knowledge of music than any man I know.”

  “I am afraid Miss Bingley exaggerates,” said Mr. Darcy to Miss Williams. “It is my sister Miss Darcy who has inherited all the family music ability and knowledge. I have very little I assure you.”

  Elizabeth saw Caroline Bingley purse her lips. She did not seem happy that Mr. Darcy had contradicted her.

  “My nephew is being modest,” said Lady Frances. “His piano playing would have been as good as Georgiana’s if he had taken the time to apply himself,”

  Now it was Mr. Darcy’s turn to look annoyed.

  “And do not stare at me in that manner Fitzwilliam,” admonished Lady Frances. “It is quite true. Miss Williams, I saw you preform two years ago at the Opera House in Bath and it was one of the best performances I have ever heard.”

  The opera singer acknowledged the praise with a curtsey and a wide smile. “Thank you. I have been most fortunate.”

  Talk of opera came to an end they once again broke into small groups. The men stood by the hearth and turned their attention to fishing except for Mr. Hurst, who stayed in his corner and kept tapping on his wine glass, while one footman stood behind him replenishing his glass when necessary.

  Miss Williams sat down, with Mrs. Gardiner, Lady Frances, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Darcy.

  Elizabeth was sat with Jane and Miss Bingley, and just as she had done at Cheapside it was Miss Bingley who dominated the conversation.

  “Such a talented singer,” said Miss Bingley. “I know how pleased Charles was to see her again. We are so fortunate that she was able to come tonight.”

  At that moment Miss William’s laughter rang across the room and Elizabeth was sure she saw Jane flinch. Anger bubbled inside her. Miss Bingley’s actions confirmed for her what an unpleasant person Miss Bingley was.

  As Miss Bingley started to boast about the different times they had been to the Theatre Royal she stopped listening. Surreptitiously Elizabeth looked across the room to Mr. Darcy who was standing by the hearth not giving away what he was thinking. Had he been as shocked to see her as she had to see him? If so he had not betrayed it. As usual he was adept at hiding what he was thinking. She hoped before the end of the evening they might speak a few words together. She did not know what they would say, but it was so painful to be in the same room as him and be unable to speak to each other.

  Elizabeth was glad when the man servant who had showed them to the drawing room came in and announced that dinner was ready.

  Caroline Bingley stood up and quickly crossed the room to Mr. Darcy. “Mr. Darcy if you would be so kind.”

  Mr. Darcy had no choice but to offer his arm, and Miss Bingley smiled with satisfaction, though she did not look so pleased when he offered his other arm to his aunt.

  Mr. Bingley took in Jane and Esta Williams and Miss Darcy and Elizabeth followed behind Mr. and Mrs Gardiner.

  47

  As Darcy drank some wine and listened to Caroline Bingley telling him about the work that was being done at Netherfield he was beginning to wish that he had declined Bingley’s invitation to dine.

  The food and wine were excellent, but even the plate of succulent pork in front of him with vegetables in a cream sauce offered little pleasure. He found it very difficult not to just stare at Miss Elizabeth Bennet. He had thought it would be difficult to see her, but it was so much more so than he had thought. She was sitting next to Georgiana and the two were talking quite animatedly together. His sister so often was shy, but not so with Miss Bennet, who encouraged her to talk and listened carefully to her replies.

  Miss Bennet was not as elaborately dressed as Miss Bingley or Miss Williams but he thought she looked quite beautiful in her cream dress and he felt a stirring in his loins. His feelings towards her were unchanged. He still saw her as the most beautiful and most engaging woman of his acquaintance and he yearned for her. He was glad on learning that Mr. Bennet who was also in London had not joined them. He did not think he could be in the presence of Mr. Bennet and stay silent. He wondered idly where he was certain he would have been invited. He had yet to hear from Sir Jeffrey, which was disappointing.

  As he pushed some food into his mouth, he wondered if he was the only person who was not enjoying himself. When Caroline Bingley paused for breath he turned to Mrs. Bingley who was sitting on his right. He was curious. She had always been very quiet, and he had always admired that she did not indulge idle gossip, but she was surprisingly quiet for someone who was the mistress of the house. He remembered what Bingley had told him about her suffering from a malaise. He hoped nothing was seriously amiss.

  He tried to talk to Mrs. Bingley about the tour she and Mr. Bingley had taken for their honeymoon, but although she answered his questions politely, she gave few details

  It was a relief when everyone had partaken as much as they wanted, and Miss Bingley rose and escorted the women back to the drawing room, leaving him alone with Mr. Gardiner, Bingley and Mr. Hurst.

  He had thought there might be some awkwardness between himself and Mr. Gardiner, but there was none, and he was assured once more what a nice man Mr. Gardiner was. Mr. Hurst had already had far too much to drink to hold a sensible conversation and his eyes kept closing as he struggled to keep himself sitting upright. It was not long before he was snoring gently and the other three men ignored him.

  They did not linger longer over their drinks as Bingley was anxious to get back to his wife.

  “She has been rather tired today,” he explained as he poked his brother in law in the shoulder.

  Mr. Hurst sat up. “What’s that… what’s….”

  Bingley looked at him in disgust Darcy felt sorry for him. Every family it seemed had some inconvenient relatives.

  * * *

  “Charles what a long time you have been,” said Miss Bingley as they arrived in the drawing room.

  “Miss Williams has kindly agreed she will sing for us.”

  “Only if it would please you,” said Miss Williams modestly.

  “Excellent,” said Mr. Gardiner sitting down next to his wife.

  “Miss Darcy would you like to accompany me?” asked Miss Williams.

  “Oh no… please, I could not,” said Georgiana, her cheeks bright red. “I might lose my place.”

  “And it would not matter,” said the older woman smiling gently at her.

  “Miss Darcy, shall I act as page turner?” suggested Miss Bennet.

  Darcy could see his sister wavering.

  “I would love to hear you play,” said Mrs. Gardiner.

  Still Georgiana was unsure. Darcy knew how much she disliked everyone looking at her.

  “If it becomes too much, I will be with you,” said Miss Bennet, “and I could take over.”

  Her kind words were just what Georgiana needed and she agreed to accompany Miss Williams. They went over to the pianoforte and spent several minutes selecting a piece of music.

  “Do sit down Mr. Darcy,” said Caroline Bingley.

  Darcy shook his head. He wanted to stay where he was near the fireplace where he could watch both Georgiana and Miss Ben
net.

  Silence fell upon the room as Georgiana began to play and although he could see her shaking slightly her fingers ran over the keys and sit was not long before she was swaying gently as she lost herself in the music.

  A moment later Miss Williams opened her mouth and her famous soprano voice soared into the air. Most of the room were transfixed as they listened to her beautiful voice singing a Handel aria, but it was not Miss Williams Darcy had his eyes on, but Miss Bennet. As she turned over the pages, she suddenly lifted her eyes and gave him the briefest of smile. He felt as if his heart would burst. He wanted to smile back, but he could not. He only hoped that she could see the longing in his eyes.

  When Miss Williams finished everyone clapped and she gave a theatrical curtsey, thanking them all for their applause.

  “That was quite wonderful,” said Mr. Gardiner who was beaming with pleasure.

  “And would you like to sing again? There is not one of us who could hope to match you.” said Caroline Bingley.

  “Alas no,” said Miss Williams “I must preserve my voice, “but I had a debt to pay, and now it is done.”

  Mr. Bingley had reddened, and he acknowledged her with a nod. Darcy wondered what they were talking about but neither of them explained.

  “You have all been very kind. Perhaps Miss Darcy would now like to sing,” suggested Miss Williams.

  Georgiana looked as if she was about to collapse and Darcy was about to intervene, when Lady Frances suggested a duet between Georgiana and Miss Bennet. Both of them looked shocked, but her ladyship said she would accompany them.

  The Gardiner’s looked delighted as did Miss Williams and Mr. Bingley.

  Darcy wondered whether his sister would agree but with Miss Bennet at her side and Lady Frances sat at the piano, she agreed and the two of them sang a Mozart duet. Neither of them had a voice as strong as Miss Williams and yet to Darcy it was a more beautiful sound and for a moment he imagined he was back in the drawing room at Pemberley when he had first realised how much he loved Miss Bennet.