A Hasty Decision

by Wynne Mabry

  Mrs. Darcy contributed nothing to the pleasure of the evening either, and Elizabeth continued to have the impression that the lady did not approve of her. It was hard to be certain since she said very little, but there still seemed to be a particular coolness in her manner, even more so than with Jane. At least she was not offensive, but she was certainly not much fun to be around.

  It was a great pity that Mr. Darcy had not married somebody more agreeable. It would have been delightful if Mrs. Darcy was somebody whom Elizabeth could like and enjoy being with, but she still went home feeling that the evening had been very well spent. Mr. Darcy, his sister, and Mrs. Annesley were all exceptionally good company and Georgiana had become very dear to her. With three such good friends, one need not lament the lack of a fourth, or a fifth, if one counted Mrs. Jenkinson. If the two of them chose to be unfriendly, then she would choose to be unaffected by it.

  Peace at an End

  “I found Miss Bennet’s manners this evening more shocking than ever,” Anne said as soon as their guests had left. “I was astounded by her dreadful idea of shouting across the street to Georgiana. I must say right now that I will not tolerate such disgraceful behaviour in my home.”

  Mr. Darcy’s heart sank at this breaking of their peace. Of course, he should have guessed that Elizabeth’s presence would stir up his wife’s animosity toward her, but this was particularly annoying right after he had been enjoying himself so much this evening.

  “It was just a joke,” Georgiana said scornfully. “We are not really going to shout out of the windows. Are you so stupid that you cannot understand a joke?”

  “How dare you call me stupid.”

  “Well, it was a stupid thing to say,” Mr. Darcy said, decisively taking his sister’s side. This time, Georgiana really had been rude, but he was just as offended as she was. “It should have been obvious to anybody that Miss Bennet was only being amusing.”

  “There was nothing amusing about it. I was appalled that you encouraged her.”

  “She had the sense to know that I was only joking.”

  “I do not know why you persist in thinking so well of her. It is plain to me that she is a terrible influence on Georgiana, as evidenced by her rudeness to me just now.”

  “You are the one causing her to be rude, Anne. I do not know why you persist in having such a low opinion of Miss Bennet.”

  “My opinion is completely justified, and it is shared by Caroline and Louisa. They agree with me that Miss Bennet is ill-mannered and unladylike.”

  Mr. Darcy sighed. “We are all well aware that your friends share your opinion. We have heard it before, and I can see no purpose to hearing it again.”

  Anne paid no heed to him. “She is completely without accomplishment as well. Could you not hear how badly she played the pianoforte?”

  “I thought her performance pleasing.”

  “So did I,” Georgiana said. “Besides, any effort is superior to not playing at all.”

  This slight had no effect upon Anne either. “Do you know that she practically boasted to Mother about having no knowledge of drawing, or languages, or anything that a lady should know.”

  “Do you draw?” Georgiana asked.

  “That is not the point. My health did not allow such exertion, but naturally I would have excelled at drawing had I been able to pursue that study.”

  “You do not seem so unhealthy. Perhaps you should take some lessons now.”

  “There is no need for that. I am already married.”

  Mr. Darcy thought this was a sad comment on female education. “Do you not think it worthwhile to pursue self-improvement for its own sake?” he asked. As it could be presumed that his wife was flummoxed by this question, he did not wait for any answer. “You might find drawing to be a pleasant way of passing the time,” he suggested. “I do not mind either way, but if you feel inclined to learn something new, I would be happy to engage any masters that you like.”

  It was not quite the truth that he was indifferent. It had occurred to him that much of his wife’s discontent was caused by having too little to do when she was not busy with gossiping and shopping. It might do her good to have some other occupation. Anne did not reply to his suggestion, but she looked thoughtful. Mr. Darcy hoped that the seed of an idea which he had just planted might grow to fruition for the benefit of all.

  After such unpleasantness, he did not go and sit on the end of her bed that night. He was too displeased with her for disparaging Elizabeth yet again, and for annoying Georgiana. That had made for a disappointing end to an otherwise enjoyable evening. He had been entertained by the conversation, especially Elizabeth’s amusing contributions. It was annoying to keep hearing his wife criticise his friend and frustrating to feel that she was determined to spoil all pleasures that did not meet with her approval. He did not want to spend his time gossiping and criticizing like she and her friends did.

  The next morning, Mr. Darcy heard Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst being admitted to the house on one of their frequents visits. No doubt Anne would enjoy relating all her latest complaints to them, and now he knew that they would likely agree with, and probably encourage, any disparagement of Elizabeth.

  Irritated by this thought, he could not concentrate upon his letters. Getting up from his desk, he walked over to the window, which also faced out onto the street. There was nobody standing at the windows of Mr. Bingley’s house, or any of the others which he could see along the opposite row, but Georgiana’s and Elizabeth’s joke had given him a fresh perspective upon the street. Yesterday, he had only seen the facades of houses, but today he was more aware that behind those doors and windows there were many people getting on with various tasks, or perhaps entertaining callers, or maybe relaxing with a book. Some might have their problems, but he thought it likely that all of them were in more comfortable circumstances than his own.

  A titter of malicious laughter came faintly to his ears, increasing his irritation. He hated hearing laughter at Elizabeth’s expense. On impulse, he left his refuge and went to the drawing room. As he opened the door, Miss Bingley was saying, “I have always thought her shrewish.”

  Anne looked startled at seeing him, and Mrs. Hurst appeared uncomfortable. Miss Bingley was not abashed though. “Anne has been telling us that Miss Bennet has no proper idea of town manners,” she said gaily. “This business of talking through the windows is shocking, but considering how ill-mannered that family is, I am not surprised to hear it.”

  “It was only a joke,” Mr. Darcy said yet again.

  “It is still outrageous,” she pronounced. “Fortunately, Jane is a cut above the rest of them, but I fear that her sister is going to ruin my brother’s reputation about town with her hoydenish ways.”

  Mr. Darcy thought that she was looking at him in a daring way. Perhaps she had guessed too much and wanted him to expose himself. If he defended Elizabeth too vigorously, it would be noted, so he confined his response to saying, “I think she can manage to rise to the occasion.”

  “I hope so for your sake as well. I understand that she is to be one of your party attending the theatre this evening.”

  Miss Bingley was hardly one to criticise how others might behave at a play. She and Mrs. Hurst had a dreadful habit of talking during performances, which spoiled the entertainment for anybody unfortunate enough to be sitting with them, not to mention frequently drawing the ire of other attendees upon them. And if Mr. Hurst went along, he always fell asleep in the first act and snored his way through to the last.

  “It has been an age since we attended a play,” Mrs. Hurst said now.

  “It has indeed,” Miss Bingley said. “I do so much enjoy a play. What is being acted this evening, Mr. Darcy?”

  This was a dreadfully obvious hint. And Miss Bingley had been despising Elizabeth’s manners! She should look to her own instead.

  “I have not the slightest idea,” he replied. “I am afraid that if you wish to know, you will have to enquire for yourselves. B
ut you remind me that I must go out and bespeak a box at once.”

  With that, he wished them a good morning and hurried away before any further hint could be dropped. He most certainly did not want them spoiling his evening or the performance. In fact, after their conversation this morning, he was not inclined to invite them anywhere.

  It was a pleasant evening in spite of one unwelcome interruption. Miss Bingley and the Hursts were at the same theatre that evening. Mr. Darcy saw the two ladies waving his way as they took their seats. He nodded in brief acknowledgement and was afterwards careful not to look their way again.

  He did look at the beginning of the intermission though, and he saw Mrs. Hurst pushing her husband off her shoulder. He remained snoozing in his seat, but the two ladies stood up and walked away. Mr. Darcy could easily guess where they were going. Sure enough, they appeared in his box a few minutes later.

  “This is delightful,” Miss Bingley cried. “I am so happy that you gave us the idea of attending the theatre this evening. Such an excellent play, and so pleasant to see friends here as well.” Her eyes narrowed upon Elizabeth. “Is this your first time at a play, Miss Bennet?” Assuming an answer instead of waiting for one, she added, “You must be in awe of everything.”

  The attempt at belittlement infuriated Mr. Darcy, but Elizabeth calmly said, “No, it is not my first play. I have attended a number of performances, but I am in awe of the abilities which produce such an entertainment.”

  Mr. Darcy was impressed with her skill in managing this insult. He expressed his agreement with her appreciation for theatrical talent and began to discuss the play with her; however, the conversation would have been more interesting were it not hampered by Miss Bingley’s interruptions. Although he rather rudely did nothing to make them feel welcome, she and her sister remained in the box through the intermission.

  That was the only dissatisfying part of the evening though. The rest was all pleasure. Having come in one carriage, without minding being squeezed in together, their group was very merry on the way home. After arriving there, they stood talking in the street for several more minutes despite the coldness of a January evening. At last Mr. Darcy suggested that they might as well go inside and make themselves more comfortable. Uncertain whether Anne and Mrs. Jenkinson might still be about, he was relieved to find the drawing room unoccupied. They settled in and talked for another hour.

  After seeing his guests out, once again Mr. Darcy went directly to bed. It was unlikely that his wife would be awake anyway, and he had little interest in verifying that supposition. Her latest pettiness had given him a fresh disgust of her. It was to be some time before he went into her chamber again.

  A Few Enemies but Many More Friends

  Over the next few weeks, Elizabeth saw Mr. Darcy and Georgiana every day. They generally spent many hours in each other’s company. Aside from frequent visits back and forth, they usually attended the same evening parties, although arriving in different carriages. Pressing so many people into one carriage was obviously not something which would suit Mrs. Darcy.

  There were a few occasions when she stayed at home. At these times, one carriage was sufficient, and it rang with merriment going in both directions. For Elizabeth, this was a little reminiscent of home. Her family had also squeezed into the carriage and talked gaily on their way to and from evening engagements. There was little other similarity though. As Mr. Bingley’s relative, she never had any cause to feel ashamed. It was a wonderful change not to have any worries about what her mother or younger sisters might do to embarrass her.

  Unfortunately, she had a different form of torment. Mr. Bingley’s sisters, whom they saw with more frequency than was desirable, seemed to take great delight in making pointed references to her lack of experience in the world. The mean-spiritedness of that comment at the theatre was repeated in many variations.

  “Your first London ball. You must be full of trepidation, Miss Bennet.”

  “As you know nothing of the way things are done in London, let us give you some guidance.”

  “You must understand, Miss Bennet, that town ways are very different from country ones.”

  Their condescension was irritating and entirely unnecessary. “Of course, you will not know,” they would say before explaining things which were usually fairly obvious, and they continued to tell her who people were even after she had gained enough familiarity to recognise them.

  She had begun to make some new friends and had no shortage of dance partners. Mr. Darcy was usually one of them. His wife never danced. Aside from her claims of ill health, she had an obvious preference for the card room, but he always danced at least a few times, and very often more. Elizabeth and her sister were frequently among his partners, but she noticed that he rarely danced with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. He did not seem keen to talk with them either. They were obviously out of his favour, but not especially willing to accept this. Even their brother’s lack of enthusiasm for their company did not keep them from hanging about far too often for anybody’s liking.

  This did not keep Elizabeth from enjoying Mr. Darcy’s company though. As well as dancing, they often chatted together, and next to Georgiana, she considered him to be her greatest friend. It was a pity their acquaintance had started out so badly. They could have been talking and laughing together all of that first autumn, and ever since. Perhaps his proposal might not have been so repulsive either, but no, she must not think of that. It was far too late to be wondering if things might have been different. They were good friends, which was delightful, and that was plenty to be happy about.

  It was clear that Mrs. Darcy would never be a friend though. The only good thing about her was that she did not bother expressing her disdain for Elizabeth in the way that Mr. Bingley’s sisters did. Her preferred method of disapproval was to ignore or glare. As she usually spent her evenings playing cards, she was not even around to look disgusted whenever Mr. Darcy danced with Elizabeth or Jane. They knew themselves to be slighted, but there were too many sources of pleasure to bother themselves with worrying about such trivial pettiness.

  One of these was Colonel Fitzwilliam, whom they saw quite frequently. Elizabeth was pleased to renew her friendship with him, and Jane and Mr. Bingley took very well to this good-humoured gentleman. He often had with him two or three of his fellow officers, who were just as agreeable, and Elizabeth soon found that she had a very pleasing circle of acquaintance.

  This included ladies as well. Although there was nobody as dear to her as Georgiana, there were a few young ladies whom she particularly liked, and many more whose company was very agreeable. Her own open manners and lively disposition endeared her to most people as well. She found herself very well content in London society and not floundering as Mr. Bingley’s sisters had probably hoped.

  The weeks went by in a whirl of entertainments. There were dinners, musical evenings, more visits to the theatre, and plenty of dancing. She went on outings to see the sights of London and visited the shops with her sister and usually Mrs. Annesley and Georgiana as well. She and Jane visited and received visitors and often amassed a merry group in their morning room.

  Occasionally they spent quieter evenings with the Darcys. Whenever they had no other engagements, the two families always dined together. Sometimes they were joined by other friends like the colonel or the Gardiners. Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle dined at the Bingley’s house on several occasions and once at Mr. Darcy’s house as well. Naturally his wife was excessively cold to them, but the warmth of his manners more than made up for it. Georgiana soon became very fond of them as well, and they were quite friendly with Mrs. Annesley too.

  All in all, life in London was excellent. Elizabeth was enjoying herself very much. She had not met any gentleman who caused even a flutter of romantic feelings, but that was only a disappointment to her mother, who had already written to enquire if there was anything in the air. She was not looking to fall in love. That would happen, or not, in accordance with fate, and
she could wait patiently to see what it held.

  Georgiana held a similar opinion. “Anne told me yesterday that I should make more effort with the Marquess of Wroughton,” she told Elizabeth with some aggravation one morning. “I do not even like him, but she says that I should do whatever it takes to secure him as quickly as possible. My feelings are of no significance. She is only concerned with what he can offer.”

  “I had a friend once say something similar,” Elizabeth said. “She did not think that happiness in marriage had anything to do with love.”

  “Neither does Anne. In fact, she has quite a disgust for the idea of love. She thinks it beneath people like us to think that affection has anything to do with marriage. She cares only about connections, but I shall not be guided by her. If I cannot marry for love, then I will not marry at all.”

  “I quite agree.”

  “And I do not like this notion of securing a husband either. I prefer things to happen naturally, and I am in no great hurry. I want to have plenty of time to be certain of my feelings.”

  Elizabeth could guess that this resolution had something to do with Mr. Wickham. “That is an excellent mindset,” she said.

  She had been pleased to see that her friend was gradually becoming less shy around gentlemen. Colonel Fitzwilliam and his friends had something to do with that. They were jovial and good-natured men with whom it was easy to feel comfortable. Mr. Darcy was still inclined to give her some of the credit though.

  “I am so glad that you are my sister’s friend,” he said one evening when the two of them were standing together and they saw Georgiana and her companion laughing with several of those amiable gentlemen. “I am sure that your support and encouragement have made all the difference to her first season. You have been a great influence on her spirits as well.”

  “I feel fortunate to know her,” Elizabeth replied. “She has become very dear to me. And Moira as well. I am glad to have met both of them.”