1812 How It All Began- Part 2

by Deborah E Pearson

  “My sister tells me that there is another Meryton ball on Saturday.” Said Bingley, who was eager for another chance to dance. “I hope we can plan to be there.”

  “Why, Charles I’m sure there are those here who would think it a punishment to go to such an unfashionable assembly.” Obviously Miss Bingley had not yet learnt to keep her opinions to herself.

  “You, Caroline, need not go if you do not wish to. As for the rest of us, we will make our own decisions,” Said, Charles.

  “Well, I for one will be going, and I hope Elizabeth that you will promise me the first two dances.” Darcy grinned at the horrified look that spread over Miss Bingley's face. Darcy had just stated the opposite to her most cherished thoughts.

  “Why, Fitzwilliam, I shall be delighted” laughed Elizabeth. “And will you dance with others?”

  “Of course, but I will have eyes for only one lady in the room” teased Darcy.

  “Mr Hurst, will you and your wife be going with us?” Asked Miss Bingley

  “We never miss such engagements,” Mr Hurst said. Miss Bingley soon found that she was on her own in not wanting to go. She contented herself planning her dress to show how much the woman of fashion she was. She somehow hoped that this last ball Darcy would notice how much better she was than Elizabeth. This was not to be, for the more she tried the more she affronted Darcy.

  They didn’t stay at Netherfield over long. They needed to visit Mrs Phillips before going back to Longbourn. The carriage was called, and Jane woken up. The ball was then put to Jane, and she eagerly agreed that she would like to go. They looked forward to the ball with the utmost excitement. They knew that Mrs Bennet would be exposing herself if she recovered in time. Mrs Phillips and Mrs Long would show their vulgarities. Yet it would be a night where they could, talk freely dance and relax in each other’s company. For Elizabeth and Darcy, and Jane and Charles it would be the first ball at Meryton they had attended since last year. They looked forward to how the Netherfield party would be received. This would, of course, be Georgiana’s first entrance into the society of Hertfordshire. Darcy was anxious that she should not give the same impression that he himself had done. Before they could start looking forward to that Aunt Phillips had to be visited. So when the carriage stopped outside Mrs Phillips they all exited the carriage. They moved upstairs to Mrs Phillips small but comfortable home. Mr Bingley accompanied Elizabeth, Jane and Darcy.

  This was the first time that Darcy and Charles had visited Mrs Phillips apartments. Soon Bingley and Mrs Phillips were in conversation. Elizabeth and Jane were eager for news, and so very soon Jane began “Aunt, have you heard any news since we came away?”

  Mrs Phillips was all too eager to give all the gossip. She answered the enquiry quickly “I have heard that another Militia is to come to Meryton next month. Maria Lucas has caught the eye of a young gentleman who works for Mr Phillips. Mary, as you know, was attacked. She did catch the eye of another of the young gypsies that were here. It turned out to be nothing but a mere dalliance on either side. Kitty has been to dine here regularly as has your mother, and the Lucas’s. It is a shame that you weren’t here. The ball last month lacked some of its lustre without you, Elizabeth and Charlotte Lucas. It seems that the best jewels of our countryside are leaving us.”

  “Aunt, are you going to host any suppers in the next month?” Asked Elizabeth.

  “No, I’m afraid I have no reason to host any such since the Militia left us.” Replied Mrs Phillips. She would have gone on to talk to the girls about how fortunate they were to attract men of fortune. Darcy recollected that they mustn’t be away from Mrs Bennet too long. And it was discovered that they had been out for most of the morning. They gave their excuses and set off back to Longbourn. Once back at Longbourn it was soon discovered that Georgiana had gotten Mary to sit in the drawing room for a time. Though she was still much shaken up by turns Mary started to improve. It was Mrs Bennet’s voice that greeted the party as they entered the hall.

  “My dear Mr Bennet, how good it is that Mary is up. I don’t know though how we will cope when Lizzy, Fitzwilliam and Jane leave us. The house is not the same without them.” Said Mrs Bennet.

  The party didn’t hear Mr Bennet’s reply. Mrs Bennet’s reply was thus “I don’t know why you prefer Lizzy, but yes the house will be too quiet once they go. I don’t know what will become of us.”

  The party now entered the drawing room. “Congratulations Mary, I’m glad to see you are up and about,” Darcy said.

  “Thank you, sir. My misfortune it seems has brought us all together,” Mary replied.

  “All except Lydia and Wickham." said Elizabeth, hoping that they’d sent something better than what they had sent to Darcy a few days ago. “Have you heard anything from them?”

  “No, nothing.” Kitty added. “You know Lizzy that they don’t think about anyone but themselves.” Elizabeth was clearly shocked that Kitty would say such a thing about Lydia.

  “True.” Said Elizabeth and the conversation was dropped. Kitty now looked very thoughtful.

  “Lizzy,” Kitty ventured at last. “I’ve been thinking and I cannot work things out. If you listen to Mr Wickham, you would think Mr Darcy to be very bad indeed. That somehow doesn’t fit with how he and Georgiana have behaved here with regard to Mary. Also, you wouldn’t have gotten engaged to him if he was so terrible. I cannot make sense of it.” Everybody looked uncomfortable, and Elizabeth was about to answer Kitty when Darcy answered. He would take the responsibility for his behaviour.

  “Kitty, there’s always two sides to a story, and Mr Wickham has in fact not told the whole truth. if any,” Darcy said.

  “No, indeed not.” Georgiana added. Whatever the consequences she was growing up and would speak her own truth. “I’m ashamed to say that what he did to your sister, he nearly did to me the year before. Before that he resigned any right to the living two years before it became available. My brother could not give him the living. Mr Wickham had taken a financial settlement rather than the living.” Everybody sat in shock at this outburst from Georgiana. “My brother has spent a lot of money on discharging his debts, and covering his indiscretions.”

  “It is so,” Darcy confirmed. He was surprised that Georgiana should have spoken out so. He wondered how much more he would be able to protect her. “Although, Georgiana you should not have said anything about what Wickham did to you.”

  “Oh Fitzwilliam, I’m sure they’ll keep our secret,” Georgiana replied.

  “Yes, indeed,” Said Mrs Bennet. Everyone trembled that Mrs Bennet would tell Mrs Phillips, who would then tell it all over town. Mrs Bennet was in too much awe of her intended son-in-law to spread his secrets. She was, in fact, too grateful for how he and his sister were helping them through this time. She wanted to make the village think well of them rather than sinking their characters.

  “Mrs Bennet, are you aware that there is a ball at the assembly rooms on Saturday?” Bingley asked.

  “No, I was not aware that there was Mr Bingley.” Replied Mrs Bennet, who after all her nervous complaints, had not had the news yet.

  “We found out about the ball this morning. Between us we have a great desire to be there. I will be taking my sisters and Mr Hurst. Darcy, I’m sure will be taking Georgiana, so please, could your girls join us?”

  “Lizzy and Jane it is a given will be there if you both are, and I don’t see any reason why Kitty should not accompany you. Mary, I’m not sure if she will be up to it yet,” replied Mr Bennet.

  “Will you and Mrs Bennet not be going?” Asked Darcy

  “No, I don’t think I will be, as for Mrs Bennet I fear her recent problem with her nerves might prevent her.” Mr Bennet answered.

  “Indeed, my nerves are quite raw; you young people should go without me.” Mrs Bennet said. With that in mind, Darcy planned that Mrs Annesley should chaperone the Bennet girls. Thereby making sure no whisper of impropriety could be made against the girls.

  “Thank you, Ma’am,
” Said Mr Bingley. “We will arrange that we all arrive together.”

  This news made them all excited. As it was the last ball before the wedding they were all even more excited. Miss Bingley and the Hursts then arrived, as did the Lucas’s, for tonight was to be a dinner party. The next to arrive was Mr and Mrs Phillips and Mr and Mrs Long, and last of all to arrive were the Collins’. Charlotte's interesting situation made dining out an awkward business. Often lately they were in fact late to a dinner engagement because of it. Tonight, they arrived last, but before time. Georgiana had time to meet and get acquainted with all the members of the dinner party. This dinner party though was not to be much different from the one before they went to London. Mr Collins and Sir William Lucas were next to Mrs Bennet again. Still, they tried to jostle to show off with the wealth and status of those around them. The Hursts said nothing. Miss Bingley said as little as possible. Georgiana and Kitty had a hearty conversation. While Mrs Phillips’ and Mrs Long were trying to jostle to talk about Mr Bingley’s five thousand a year. Their speculations ran on to how well Bingley and Jane would be situated. Darcy and Elizabeth were thankful the neighbours knew nothing about this situation. Pemberley estate was so far north, that none of them had visited it. The whims and follies of that end of the table though were not noticed that night. The war in France was raising concern that the soldiers would soon be ordered overseas. “Sir, what do you think the likelihood of more of our soldiers being sent over to France before the year is out?” Asked Darcy

  “Well, as you know the French troops are attacking our troops in random skirmishes. We need to deal a fatal blow to them. It should be done before the end of the year.” Replied Mr Bennet

  “I concur with that, but I doubt it will be.” Darcy agreed. Before he could say anything else Jane cut in worriedly. “That would mean that Wickham will go out to war – am I not correct?”

  “Indeed, Jane you are, and what that means for Lydia I can only wonder.” Her father stated joining her in worry. At this point, the ladies finished their dinner and left the company. Leaving the men to continue their discussion about the French war. None chose to speculate further on what this might mean for Wickham and Lydia. It was not a subject that Darcy wanted to dwell on very much. The thought of FItzwilliam going into battle dismayed him. His Aunt Lady Matlock was always so very worried. Most of the time he sat back and either listened or spent his time speculating about his future with his wife to be. He was also concerned about his financial investments. A minority of them were directly affected by this war. Several others were indirectly affected. At least the vast majority of his wealth coming from the numerous estates would not be affected.

  "The history of a battle, is not unlike the history of a ball. Some individuals may recollect all the little events of which the great result is the battle won or lost, but no individual can recollect the order in which, or the exact moment at which, they occurred, which makes all the difference as to their value or importance."

  The Duke of Wellington

  Saturday arrived and Darcy gained a new appreciation of life with a gaggle of females. The day was taken up with preparation for the ball. Other than a very quick breakfast, Darcy did not see Elizabeth until they were ready to leave in the evening. Mary had not completely healed from her traumatic experience. She was determined to re-take her place in society. She would attend the ball in Meryton. Mary would not be gainsaid on the matter. The party assembled in the Longbourn drawing-room just before seven that evening. In total, it took three carriages for the party to travel to Meryton. Mrs Annesley, Darcy, Elizabeth, Mary and Georgiana went in the first carriage. Bingley, Jane, Kitty and Miss Bingley went in the second and Mr and Mrs Hurst went in the third. They travelled together and entered in the ball in the following order,

  “Mr Darcy, Miss Georgiana Darcy, Miss Elizabeth Bennet”

  “Mr Hurst, Mrs Hurst”

  “Mr Bingley, Miss Jane Bennet.”

  "Miss Mary Bennet, Miss Catherine Bennet"

  “Miss Caroline Bingley, Mrs Annesley” Miss Bingley's face held an evil appearance. The distaste of the previous year had given way to complete malice. Somehow she had conveniently forgotten her place in society. The single daughter of a tradesman held no status. She was barely higher than an impoverished widow who had become a companion. She hated that she had to give way to almost the entire party that she had arrived with. Somehow she had to regain her place in the ton and leave this backwater. The question was not if, but when she could make that happen.

  They had arrived early. So the party moved and collected themselves around a table. This would double as their supper table. Five minutes before the dancing was to begin there was a pleasant surprise for the party. One that although Darcy had arranged it, he was not sanguine that it would happen.

  “Lord and Lady Matlock”

  “The Viscount and Viscountess Milton”

  “Colonel and Mrs Fitzwilliam.” Those of the Darcy, Bingley and Bennet party registered shock. No one had been aware that a wedding had taken place between the colonel and Miss deBourg. Yet there she was standing tall and regal next to Fitzwilliam. She had been announced as Mrs Fitzwilliam. Fitzwilliam immediately spotted Darcy and moved his own party over to meet them. HE requested introductions to those who he did not yet know.

  “Sir, may I ask where you are staying?” Darcy asked his uncle, once introductions were over.

  “We’re staying at the inn here in Meryton” The Earl responded.

  “And will you be staying until the wedding?” Darcy questioned.

  “We will indeed. We all wish to know your lovely bride much better. Since you and Georgiana are here until the wedding we have no reason to leave.”

  “Then sir, I am sure my friend Mr Bingley will not mind if I offer for you to stay at Netherfield Park.” This invitation Bingley seconded. Lord Matlock was firm in his refusal. “We are perfectly comfortable at the inn thank you. I understand you to be at the young ladies house. It will be better for I understand that Meryton and Longbourn are but a mile apart, a short 30 minute walk”

  “Yes sir. Elizabeth proved to all last year that Netherfield Park is within walking distance. It is only three miles from Longbourn. An hours walk.” Replied Fitzwilliam looking proudly at Elizabeth

  “Sir, I ask that you will not press me further on the subject. I am quite determined that I shall stay at the inn, and not put anyone to any inconvenience.” Replied Lord Matlock.

  The dancing commenced. Darcy could not have argued any longer had he wished to, for now, he was to claim Elizabeth for the first two dances. Charles claimed Jane, and so all the other couples assembled in the middle for the first two dances. Darcy was proud to notice that Georgiana was partnered for this dance. As were all the young ladies of their party. Throughout the ball, the whole party were favoured to be not without partners. The gentlemen were necessary. Once more there were not enough men which left more than one lady without a partner during the dance. Mary, only danced two or three dances, due to not having long recovered from her injuries. She was asked several times more but refused to dance being quite fatigued after her ordeal.

  Supper, made Darcy and Elizabeth blush. Almost the moment that the Earl had entered speculations about him had begun. The fact that Darcy and his party were on intimate terms with the Earl and his family had been apparent. This had made the whisperings more intense. It was at supper, that Sir William Lucas approached the party.

  “Mr Darcy, I would like to meet the visitors to our little assembly, if I may?” Started Sir William, who had not yet been introduced. Many of the ladies around the room had met the Earl.

  Darcy said nothing in reply but instead turned to his uncle, and waited for his uncle's approval. At his uncles nod he introduced the two men. “Uncle, may I present Sir William Lucas, Sir William, My uncle Lord Matlock.”

  “Pleased to meet you, sir,” Started Lord Matlock. “I am happy to meet some of my nephew’s acquaintance around these parts. I hope to hea
r only good of my nephew.”

  “Well sir, I’m happy to oblige,” said Sir William. “Your nephew is a charming young man. Although many people around here did not realise how charming until recently.”

  “I am surprised to hear that” Said Lord Matlock, but before he could say more Sir William carried on,

  “When he first arrived, he managed to offend one of our principle families the Bennets. A word went around that he was proud and above his company here. His friend here was very agreeable, but not so your nephew. For my part, I always thought him to be a charming young man. Most of the society around these parts thought him to be very proud. After Mr Wickham told everyone his story, almost all condemned him without question. I’m sorry sir, but that is how it was.”

  At this point, Elizabeth interrupted Sir William. “Mr Wickham had fed us all with enough half-truths that we all believed his lies. He has such a pleasing way of putting forward his case. Your nephew has behaved very properly not telling his private dealings to all and sundry.”

  This was not enough to stop Sir William. “I don’t know sir if you know Lady Catherine deBourg, but my son-in-law is a parson at Rosings”

  “Indeed, sir, your son-in-law must be Mr Collins?!”

  “Yes, he is sir. I visited him in March. I must say that Lady Catherine was very generous and condescended to invite us to tea several times.”

  “Indeed sir. I believe my sister did, write and tell me about her parson and your generous visit to his parsonage.” This news surprised Sir William. Hitherto he had not known that Lord Matlock was the brother of Lady Catherine deBourg. “I understand from my sister’s letters that your son-in-law has been a marvellous help to my sister at times.”

  “I’m really glad to know that sir, Miss Eliza is Mr Collins cousin you know?!” Now it was the earl’s turn to be surprised. He had not realised that Mr Collins was her cousin. Suddenly a new idea opened up to him, and he laughed heartily.