by Jann Rowland
“How fortunate it is for the Bennets and their relations that they have come to your mother’s attention. Why, she has not only invited the eldest Bennet sisters to stay with you, but now she has taken a liking to their tradesman aunt and uncle and even invited them to society events. What singular behavior!”
Though Miss Bingley’s words were not loud, the woman made no effort to modulate her tone either, making them clearly audible to Elizabeth who stood with Lady Anne and Georgiana at some short distance. A glance at Mr. Darcy showed the man as inscrutable as ever, but about his mouth was the tiniest hint of tightness, indicating he was not pleased with Miss Bingley for speaking so. Whether he might have agreed with her was not the issue, not that Elizabeth could determine from his demeanor if that was so—in so pubic a forum as this, he would not be pleased with the airing of his family’s private business.
Covent Gardens’ lobby was a busy place that evening for a showing of Elizabeth’s favorite play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the presence of her dear aunt and uncle rendered the evening that much more agreeable. Given Miss Bingley’s continued interest in Mr. Darcy, the Bingley party’s absence was unthinkable, even if Mr. Bingley was not engaged in his usual habit of speaking with Jane to the exclusion of all others. The general hubbub meant that Miss Bingley’s ill-bred attack should remain private. It was unfortunate for her someone other than Elizabeth had overheard her words, and she was not shy about speaking her opinion.
“Miss Bingley,” said Lady Anne, turning and looking at the woman. “If I may have a moment of your time?”
It was a preening Miss Bingley who answered Lady Anne’s summons, though how she could not see Mr. Darcy’s mother was displeased with her was beyond Elizabeth’s comprehension. As Lady Anne turned and addressed Miss Bingley where she stood, and though she had no intention of doing so, Elizabeth could hear the exchange as if they were speaking to her.
“I wish to inform you, Miss Bingley, that your supposition is completely incorrect. For, you see, Madeline Gardiner was known to me when she was a young girl—her father was the rector of Lambton, and I have many happy memories of her when she was a young girl.”
“The daughter of a parson,” said Miss Bingley, a nasty undertone in her voice. “Then she has stepped down in the world.”
“She has married a good man, Miss Bingley, a man my nephew already esteems, one who is becoming known to my brother.”
Elizabeth’s gaze darted to where Uncle Gardiner stood speaking with the Earl of Matlock, and the way they spoke, animated hand gestures emphasizing some point, heartened Elizabeth, informing her that her beloved relations were people whom even the very highest of society could accept. To Elizabeth’s sure knowledge, the earl had already expressed an interest in Mr. Gardiner’s business, and both he and Mr. Darcy had promised to inform Mr. Gardiner if they heard of any estates for sale in Derbyshire.
“What you fail to understand,” continued Lady Anne, “is that Mrs. Gardiner is the granddaughter of a gentleman—her uncle is still the proprietor of a large estate not far distant from Pemberley. As for Mr. Gardiner, his connections to the gentry are more distant but still exist nonetheless.
“I wonder,” said Lady Anne, her voice harder, though Elizabeth dared not look in her direction, “do the Bingleys possess similar ancestry to the Gardiners, or even the Bennets, who have lived on their land for generations?”
“W-Well—” stammered Miss Bingley, only for Lady Anne to interrupt her again.
“Let us dispense with these ill-conceived attacks, Miss Bingley. In my opinion, a person’s character is far more important than one’s ancestry or connections, or even how much wealth one may boast. The Gardiners are excellent people—if you allowed yourself to know them, I am certain you would agree.”
A figure moved in the corner of Elizabeth’s eye, drawing her attention away from the ongoing reproach, and Elizabeth looked over to see Mr. Darcy regarding her. Though Elizabeth could not understand his thoughts, he gestured toward the doors and spoke.
“I believe you have been anticipating this evening, Miss Elizabeth. It seems to me you have stated your preference for Shakespeare’s works—does A Midsummer Night’s Dream meet with your approval?”
“It does, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth.
At that moment she realized that his intent was to distract her from what was happening between his mother and Miss Bingley, and Elizabeth was grateful, for though listening to Lady Anne defend her family was satisfying, eavesdropping was never to be praised.
“In fact,” continued she, “it is among my favorites.”
“Have you ever seen it performed before?”
“Once when I was much younger. During a visit to London, my uncle indulged me in an evening, knowing I favored it.”
“Ah, then perhaps we should compare notes concerning this evening’s performance and your previous viewing. I have also seen the play a time or two; adding my own observations to yours would be agreeable.”
Feeling strangely flattered, Elizabeth accepted his proffered arm, as he gestured toward the entrance to the gallery. The rest of the party followed and split into two groups, Jane sitting with the Bingleys and Hursts in Mr. Darcy’s box, while Elizabeth sat with Mr. Darcy, Lady Anne, Georgiana, the Fitzwilliams and the Gardiners in the Fitzwilliam box. It did not escape her attention that Miss Bingley shot her a look of pure poison, but as she was focused on Mr. Darcy, she ignored the other woman. For the first time, Elizabeth enjoyed the man’s company.
Chapter VIII
As the events of the season continued, Elizabeth found it becoming more entertaining, the more she became accustomed to the activities, which differed greatly from what she experienced in Hertfordshire. Long accounted a social woman, Elizabeth enjoyed their forays into society, but it was the company of Lady Anne and Georgiana that Elizabeth appreciated most. Even Mr. Darcy showed himself to be more at ease and more affable. While Elizabeth could not yet call him agreeable, it was a marked improvement over his behavior in Hertfordshire.
Jane, of course, was content with the company of their hosts, but more so with that of Mr. Bingley, who, if he did not call daily, was in evidence almost every day, given their schedules were near identical. That Miss Bingley did not appreciate his ardent pursuit of Jane was without question, but as Mr. Bingley did not seem to be listening to her, Elizabeth put the matter from her mind.
One consequence of Elizabeth’s stay in London was the inclusion in Georgiana’s pianoforte lessons. “I should like it if you would attend my lessons with me,” the girl had said soon after their arrival, indifference in her manner, though Elizabeth knew her request was anything but indifferent.
“If you believe the master will not mind, I would appreciate the opportunity to attend,” was Elizabeth’s reply.
Never having had access to a master, it pleased Elizabeth to discover that instruction from one who knew the correct techniques improved her playing. Georgiana showed exceptional skill, much more so than Elizabeth herself, but the improvement was welcome nonetheless. Should Mary be present, Elizabeth knew she would be eager to receive such an opportunity.
After they had been there for some weeks, an event occurred which had been long expected, by the Bennet sisters with interest, and the Darcys with a sense approaching exasperation or trepidation. With much fanfare, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh, arrived in London for the season. The de Bourgh’s owned a townhouse, from what Elizabeth understood, but as it was the practice for the de Bourgh ladies to stay with the earl and countess, that townhouse had been let out for some years. Within a day of their arrival, Lady Catherine and her daughter visited Darcy house.
A loud voice announced the visitors in advance of their arrival, and given what she had heard of the lady, Elizabeth deduced the identity of the visitor before the housekeeper led into the room. When she was, Elizabeth was treated to the sight of a woman dressed in a most expensive and ostentatious fashion, gliding in as if she was
floating on a cloud. She was large, though slender, her features strong and not what Elizabeth might have considered beautiful, though she thought Lady Catherine would have been termed “handsome” in her youth.
By contrast, Miss de Bourgh, who followed her mother into the room, was a diminutive woman, with much more delicate features, which did not resemble her mother at all. She looked around with interest, her eyes falling on the Bennet sisters, curiosity written on her brow. There was nothing remarkable about her, though Elizabeth thought she was quite prettier than her mother was.
“Anne!” boomed the woman in greeting as soon as she had cleared the door. “How glad we are to see you. Though I cannot imagine why you would come to London so early in the season, it pleases me to be in your company at last. I trust you have been well.”
“Very well, indeed, Catherine,” replied Lady Anne. “And how are you, Anne?”
“I am well,” was the younger woman’s simple reply.
“Anne is always well,” said Lady Catherine with a dismissive gesture. “The de Bourgh constitution is as strong as an ox, so we are never ill.”
“I am happy to hear it. Now, if you please, I shall introduce my guests to you.”
The lady’s gimlet eyes found Elizabeth and Jane, leading Elizabeth to believe the woman had not even taken note of them. When Lady Anne performed the introductions and the curtseys had been offered—Lady Catherine only deigned to nod her head in response—the lady peered at them and addressed her sister.
“You have surprised me, Anne. I was not aware your guests were still present.”
“I invited them to join us for the season, Catherine,” was Lady Anne’s reply. “As you are well aware, there are still several months before it ends.”
“Yes, yes, I am. I merely express surprise they are still here. Should they not have returned to their home?”
“Again, Catherine,” responded Lady Anne, a hint of laughter underlying her voice, “I invited them for the season. As there are several months left in the season, they remain with us.”
Lady Catherine let out a loud huff and then focused her attention on the sisters. “Well, then, I suppose it must be so.” The lady paused and began to speak as if the Bennet sisters were not even present. “Your guests seem to be genteel, pretty sort of girls. I have heard much of them from Mr. Collins, and it seems the praise, which was effusive, was not so unwarranted as I might have expected.”
Given such a speech, Elizabeth was uncertain whether she should feel offense or laugh, but given her propensity toward laughter, she allowed her amusement free reign. In this she was assisted by the expressive look she received from Lady Anne and the giggle which Georgiana hid behind her hand. To know the lady’s nearest relations were as amused by her manners was enough to allow Elizabeth to feel all the absurdity of the situation.
While the woman was many things, and Elizabeth could think of quite a few adjectives, as well as some invectives, to describe her, what Lady Catherine was not was foolish. This became clear over the next several moments in which she questioned the sisters with minute exactness, drawing from them the smallest details.
“Your sisters are all out?” demanded the woman with a raised eyebrow when Elizabeth owned the truth of it. “Are you not aware the convention is to wait to bring younger sisters into society until the elder are married?”
“We know of it, your ladyship,” said Elizabeth, by now not taken aback by the lady’s forceful ways. “With five sisters to bring into society, it cannot promote harmony for the younger sisters if they must wait because their elder siblings have either the lack of suitors or inclination to marry early.”
“And you must own this is often done in country society,” added Lady Anne. “Meryton is not London.”
Lady Catherine grunted her agreement. “Perhaps it is so. But you must inform your mother most strenuously that she should not introduce her younger daughters in London until you and your sister have married.”
As Elizabeth thought it unlikely her younger sisters would ever see the inside of a London sitting-room, she did not hesitate to give the lady her whole-hearted agreement. This was not all, however, for Lady Catherine was eager to dissect every detail of their lives, from the status of their relations to the extent of their education, to her mother’s practices in managing the house. By the time the inquisition was over, Elizabeth wondered if those unfortunate souls in Spain had felt the same as she did now.
“Well, it appears you have not allowed unworthy persons to impose upon your better nature, Anne,” said Lady Catherine, nodding with approval. “Given my parson’s testimony, I had not thought it to be so, but one can never be too careful.”
Then, as if the Bennet sisters were not even present, she turned her attention to Mr. Darcy, who had sat heretofore silent. “Darcy, I see you are looking as well as ever. I do not believe you have greeted your cousin.”
“Anne and I exchanged our greetings while you were speaking with the Bennet sisters.”
The way Mr. Darcy’s eyes twinkled and from the slight pause in his words, Elizabeth was certain he had been tempted to insert “interrogating” in place of the words “speaking with.” Lady Anne seemed to sense this too, for she bore a wide grin, as did Georgiana. Lady Catherine, however, noticed nothing, instead nodding with satisfaction.
“Does Anne not look well?” Before Mr. Darcy could reply, Lady Catherine continued: “Indeed, she does, for she exudes health and vitality, as I am sure you must see.”
“I do,” replied a noncommittal Mr. Darcy.
It seemed his lack of enthusiasm displeased Lady Catherine, though she hid it well—for a woman of her forthright nature, at least.
“Of course, she does. Perhaps this shall finally be the year, for she has anticipated our coming with unendurable excitement. And why should she not? It would be a great alliance, one which would be spoken of from one end of England to the other!”
“Please, Catherine,” said Lady Anne. “Let us speak of something else, for it is not proper to speak of matters which are uncertain.”
“There is little reason it should be uncertain,” snapped Lady Catherine. “What can stand in the way of such a splendid outcome?”
“And yet it is undecided,” replied Lady Anne. “Come, let us speak of matters in which all may take part.”
With a huff, Lady Catherine turned the subject, though a return was never far distant. Though Elizabeth had heard not a whisper of such aspirations, it was clear Lady Catherine wished for Mr. Darcy as a son, and she continued to make comments designed to bring Mr. Darcy’s attention back to her daughter whenever she could.
What was less certain were the wishes of the rest of her family. Miss de Bourgh was inscrutable, bearing her mother’s officious attempts to pair her with Mr. Darcy with little comment. Lady Anne was, at times, openly exasperated, and her daughter, resigned, but Mr. Darcy was perhaps the greatest enigma. Though he spoke with his cousin more than once, Elizabeth could detect no regard for her which was out of the common way, though she supposed she may not understand him well enough to detect his esteem if it was present. The times when he grimaced in his own vexation suggested he did not wish to marry his cousin, but a man as independent as Mr. Darcy may be annoyed by his aunt’s officiousness, regardless of his feelings.
At length, Lady Catherine seemed satisfied with how the visit had proceeded and rose to announce their need to depart. “We have several other friends we wish to visit today, so we shall depart now. I hope to see you all soon?”
Though Lady Catherine phrased it as a question, Elizabeth knew the lady had not meant it as such. Lady Anne, however, was not daunted in the slightest.
“Of course, we shall meet again soon. We shall attend events together as we usually do, and as Susan adores the Bennet sisters as much as I do, I anticipate being in a position to introduce them to even more of our acquaintances.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes found Elizabeth and Jane, apparently deep in thought, her manner searching
as if she thought they may be a threat. “Yes, I suppose that must be true. Then we shall meet soon. For now, we must depart. Come, Anne.”
With these final words, Lady Catherine and rose and ushered her daughter from the room, though Elizabeth noted her eyes were on Mr. Darcy the entire time. As it happened, Mr. Bingley arrived as they were leaving, and while the lady clearly knew who he was, she responded to his greeting with a sniff before hurrying Miss de Bourgh away. Mr. Darcy greeted his friend and announced his intention to depart to see to some business, and Elizabeth and Georgiana took themselves to the music room, knowing Jane would not even notice them for some time after. Lady Anne called a maid into the room to act as a chaperone and then went to see to some tasks of her own.
“Well, what do you think of receiving your first taste of my aunt?” asked Georgiana after they had sat at the pianoforte for some moments playing together.
“I commend your mother’s fortitude,” said Elizabeth with a laugh. “Lady Catherine is far beyond what I expected, even after hearing your testimony, added to that of my cousin.”
Georgiana made a face. “I assume you understood her wishes regarding my brother?”
“That, my dear Georgiana, was difficult to miss.”
The two girls laughed together. “I suppose it was. Lady Catherine has wanted it for years and has never been subtle in informing us of her desires.”
“And your cousin?” asked Elizabeth, curious about the young woman to whom she had been introduced but had exchanged no words.
“I am uncertain, as Anne has never vouchsafed her opinion to me. In the end, I believe she would accept William’s proposal should he choose to make it, as to refuse would be to make her life immeasurably difficult.”
“Yes, I suppose it would at that,” murmured Elizabeth.