Darcy and the Accomplished Woman Read online

  Miss Bingley’s Journal (London)

  We go to Netherfield on the 12th. As it happens, the Longstreets have other plans for at least a month, so I will not need to be in the presence of George after all. I will admit now to a few feelings of annoyance caused by his defection. Louisa had so often assured me that it was only a matter of time before he spoke, and no matter how frequently I explained to her that our friendship was only of the most casual sort, she was all but was planning my wedding clothes

  Although I was not myself touched by his charms, it is astounding to me that he chose Anne Constable! I can think of nothing more implausible. All of London knows that her dowry is nothing compared to mine, and as for her appearance—well, I must not be uncharitable, but her nose alone should have removed her from the interest of most eligible men. It is quite pug. And her figure! And her bearing! And her total lack of finer education. And who can admire the way she pushed herself into the path of Mr. George Longstreet?

  But there, I must be benevolent. She is kind to her inferiors, or so I’ve heard, which may be the only way in which she can be thought equal to me. It seems a small matter on which to offer her marriage.

  Charles is in town helping us decide what to take to our new home. Both Louisa and I are concerned about clothing. What if new styles become la mode in London while we are in this secluded village? We have made him promise that we may regularly go to town to keep au courant. One would hate to trade fashionable clothing for the vaunted fresh air of the country.

  Darcy is to accompany us to Netherfield. I am very glad I have already purchased the latest muslins for my morning wear. The new celery and raspberry dyes are perfect for my complexion. As for what I shall wear to the ball on the 15th, it is a gown so lovely that I expect Darcy’s eyes to be on me throughout. A little flirtation will alleviate what is sure to be an exercise in tedium for all of us.

  And who knows what may come of it?

  William Longstreet called on us. He had several tales about friends and their foibles. The most interesting of these involved a Mr. Baxter and Lady Mary Carstairs. It seems that despite the difference in their positions they had become acquainted and for weeks have been corresponding by letter! Lady Mary’s maid discovered the letters from Baxter hid in a small jewelry chest and took them to the father, who forthwith gave Baxter a sum of money to retreat to Ireland. Sadly, the story is widely known and Lady Anne and her family are completely disgraced by her actions, as they should be.

  There were more such tales. William stated he had to tell me all before I left, but that if anything worthy of repeating occurred, he would write it to me in a letter, which I could answer by telling him how I was progressing with Mr. Darcy!

  “Mr. Longstreet!” said I. “Letters between unmarried people displays a degree of decadence that is shameful.”

  “You did not feel that way when you wore your hair in two plaits. I am sure you remember the hole in the plane tree where we left our secret communications. And like in that day there is no scandal if no one knows they have been written,” said he.

  What an idea! If such a correspondence became known, it would be a scandal. Sometimes I question William’s breeding.

  However, I will miss his stories while I am in Hertfordshire.

  Miss Bingley’s Journal (Netherfield)

  I am pleased with the house. It is not quite so elegant as I might have wished, but after these last weeks in the Hurst’s house in town, the rooms seem spacious. The gardens are perfectly maintained and offer a variety of paths when one wants exercise. Yet it is not the house I hope Charles will chose when he’s ready to purchase. We will require something rather grander. At that time, I will help him select the place unless I am myself busy with new responsibilities at Pemberly. Yes, my friendship with Mr. Darcy is proceeding nicely. He attends to my words with an earnestness that can only promise well for the future.

  Few of the local women have called on us yet, although we are certainly deserving of such notice. I will be charitable and blame this lapse not on their poor breeding but on an attempt to give us a period of grace in order that we might settle ourselves. I do hope they are not intimidated by the thought of having ladies of the quality of Louisa and me in their vicinity. They cannot help living as they do, and for a certainty, we will not look down upon them.

  I fear we will be the target of all eyes tonight at the ball. I hope the locals do not gape. One dislikes being made such an object.

  However, I do not expect to see upon their faces expressions of sympathy or worse, satisfaction at my plight as I would at a ball in town.

  The Longstreets cannot join us. William would come, but I found a tactful way to suggest he is not welcome without his brother and sister. I am very fond of William, but he does remind me of what I might have had with his brother.

  Mr. Darcy’s Journal (Netherfield)

  Bingley has chosen his first country home quite well. Netherfield is a handsome building, well situated and provided with an excellent stable and kitchen. He has engaged a locally famous cook and given her leave to hire as many local girls as she wishes to help her.

  I have tried to convince him that we need not attend the local ball tonight, but he sees himself in the role of lord of the manor, with a responsibility to consecrate the event by his presence. That is what he says, mocking himself, but I know his fondness for dancing, which is a large part of his eagerness for this village entertainment. Let us hope he manages to go the entire evening without indulging his habit of falling in love. For myself, let us hope that I endure the evening without saying what I think of it. I do not pretend to be in possession of all the aptitudes required of one in my position in society. Meeting strangers is not one of my strengths.

  Miss Georgiana Darcy’s Journal (Maidenstone)

  Brother writes that he will be staying at Mr. Bingley’s newly leased house for some weeks. Thus I should not expect him to come to Mrs. Cassidy to discover how I am getting along. He promises to write regularly, and I will continue to write to tell him what occurs in my uneventful life.

  I am rather enjoying this exile (for that is what it is). I do not remember my mother, but I believe she must have been as kind as Mrs. Cassidy, who is completely superior to Mrs. Younge in Ramsgate. I was entirely taken in by that woman. She strikes me now as being rather like the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet, although as my brother made me understand she did not encourage me to elope with Wickham through love of me. She did so in the hope of gaining a part of my fortune.

  Brother has supplied me with all the masters I need, and I feel I improve daily with the piano and the harp. I seldom have time to think of Wickham and what he and I might have done, had Brother not arrived in time to stop us.

  All in all I am quite satisfied with my situation, but I would like to see Brother more often. I rarely think of Wickham. I do wonder if a man will ever love me because I am myself, Georgiana Darcy, or must I always fear that my fortune is the attraction?

  I question how in future I am to know which people to trust.

  The five people gathered in the drawing room at Netherfield admired each other as they awaited the coach that was to take them to Meryton for the Assembly Ball. Bingley was quite open in his praise.

  “My sisters, I must compliment you on your attire. I am sure you will outshine the local ladies. You will dance every dance, I am positive of that. Am I not right, brother?”

  Mr. Hurst turned from admiring his own waistcoat in a mirror. “Yes. Yes indeed. Very fine gowns, I must say.”

  Mr. Bingley turned to his friend. “Darcy, do they not look fine? I know it is not your custom to comment on women’s clothing, but do you not find my sisters handsome tonight?”

  “Possibly more so than such a community of farmers and tradesmen have seen before.” He bowed to each lady in turn. “In truth, they look so fine that I will presume upon each of them to promise me a dance during the ball before they are entirely engulfed by the local men.”

  “Why Mr.
Darcy,” cried Miss Bingley. “You must have the ability to read minds. I was hoping for such an invitation. And how kind of you to tender one to Louisa.”

  “I am sure Mr. Hurst wishes the same for us” said Louisa, glaring at her husband.

  “What? Oh, to be sure. I shall look forward to dancing with each of you.”

  “And Mr. Darcy, I believe you dislike balls, so my sister and I are doubly grateful for your interest

  Miss Bingley pointed her fan at Mr. Darcy. “Now, sir, you must keep your eyes upon me, for if I happen to be ‘engulfed’, as you say, with those who want to partner me, and the petitioners are not quite what one hopes for when making a couple, you will come to my rescue, like the gallant knight you are.”

  Darcy smiled. “I give you my promise that I will dance with you and your sister and none other. Thus I will be available should rescue be needed.”

  “Good Lord,” cried Bingley. “Darcy, you can’t mean it. There may be numbers of amiable and handsome girls. Do not lose the opportunity to meet them.”

  “You know I do not care to dance with women with whom I am not acquainted.”

  “How can you become acquainted if you will not dance?” asked Bingley. “Well, you do what you wish. I intend to ask every pretty girl in the room for a dance. See if I don’t.”

  A servant approached them. “The coach is here, sir.”

  “Excellent,” said Bingley. “Let us go.”

  Miss Bingley laid a hand on his arm. “Wait five minutes, brother. We do not wish to be among the first to arrive. It would not look well.”

  “And,” added Louisa, “they will be wanting to see us. You know how these villagers are.”

  “We will make an entrance,” said Miss Bingley, smiling at Mr. Darcy. “We must give them a chance to notice our faces and our attire. It will be unpleasant to be the object of all eyes, but it is expected of us, I am sure.”

  “You and your sister may be such an object, but we men will go largely unnoticed. The scrutiny will be all for the ladies, and for good reason.” Darcy smiled in appreciation of Caroline Bingley’s new gown.”

  “Why Mr. Darcy, I did not know you gave such praise to anyone other than your sister, dear Georgiana” said she. “You have put me in an excellent mind to enjoy any ball, even one such as I expect this one to be.” She took his arm as they walked to the waiting coach.

  The ball was well underway by the time the Netherfield party arrived, but their entrance brought about a pause in the dancing and a silence in the cheerful hum of conversation. The Bingley women stood tall and smiled at their admirers. They were immediately greeted by a Sir William Lucas, who, assuming the role of master of ceremonies, introduced them to the local notables. Bingley presented himself at once to a plain girl, whom he escorted to the floor where they joined the dancing couples.

  Sir William offered himself as a partner to Miss Caroline Bingley, while a red-coated lieutenant took the hand of Mrs. Hurst. Sir William offered to introduce Mr. Hurst and Mr. Darcy to any of the young ladies in the room, but both declined; Mr. Hurst asked for directions to the card room, and despite his previous promise to dance with his wife and her sister, he was not seen again on the floor until time to return to their coach.

  Mr. Darcy made it known by his behavior that he preferred to spend the evening walking the ballroom, meeting no one’s eye, ignoring all who approached him. In a very short time he was no longer accosted by the citizens of Meryton. If it was his wish to behave in a surly, unmannerly fashion, so be it. Not that they practiced silence on the matter; his demeanor became as much a topic for discussion as his reputed fortune.

  After the second dance, Bingley brought his new partner to meet his sisters. “Caroline, Louisa, I present to you Miss Jane Bennet.” The women examined the young lady. Excepting themselves she was easily the prettiest girl at the ball, and she was dressed in a fashion not recognizably out of date.

  “Miss Bennet is an excellent dancer,” Bingley told them. “I have seldom seen a woman who dances with such grace.”

  Jane Bennet dropped her eyes. Such accolades were not the normal conversation of Meryton. Her breeding had not prepared her for remarks of this sort.

  Bingley’s sisters exchanged glances. Charles, like Romeo, had a habit of falling in love with every handsome woman he met. This Jane Bennet was very handsome indeed and might be suitable for a brief attachment. In the past few years their brother had left a number of dance partners to wonder why he no longer sought them. She would be another.

  It was imperative that the sisters discover details about Miss Bennet’s family and fortune. They had selected Mr. Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, to be the woman they would welcome to the family as Bingley’s wife. While this union could not be expected until Georgiana was somewhat older, they realized that Charles would be Charles. They were wholly dedicated to preventing him from making a permanent unsuitable alliance. They were heroic in their eagerness to interfere with any untoward affection that came upon him. Thus they questioned Miss Bennet, smiling prettily the while, and soon knew her circumstances: She was the eldest of five unmarried sisters, a member of one of the principal families in the area, and too poor to have been tutored in any of the accomplishments expected of fine young ladies.

  Hence this Jane Bennet was perfect for the role of temporary friend to Charles and themselves. Her family and fortune were insignificant compared to their own, so the sisters ‘confidence in their superiority was not in jeopardy. Charles could pass the time with her until they returned to town and the sisters guided him to more eligible candidates for his hand.

  Jane Bennet having coloured charmingly at Mr. Bingley’s words, responded openly to the sisters’ apparent delight in her. The four chatted until the music began again, at which time all were obliged to honour new partners.

  As he had promised, Mr. Darcy followed Miss Bingley with his eyes throughout the dance. Awareness of his interest inspired her to exhibit extra spirit and grace for this, the most important of her admirers. She flirted, ever so slightly, with her partner of the moment. It would do no harm to have Darcy realize how attractive other men found her.

  The fourth set found him leading her to the floor. For the first time since they had arrived at the ball, she saw him smile. Miss Bingley accepted the compliment. Mr. Darcy was pleased by her appearance.

  “I am happy to see a familiar face in this den of strangers,” said he.

  “And I am pleased to see you as well,” said Miss Bingley.

  “You are without question the handsomest woman on this floor,” said he. “I perfectly comprehend why you have had so many partners in a place where you are a stranger. They can’t resist your unique beauty. Doubtless no one with your bearing has been seen before in this town.”

  “Mr. Darcy!” exclaimed Miss Bingley. “While I appreciate your words, I do not think them entirely accurate. Have you seen the lady who has taken my brother’s fancy?” She directed his gaze to Jane Bennet who was dancing with one of the officers. “Now that surely is the handsomest woman on this floor.”

  “She looks well,” said he, “but she is nothing compared to you. Do not think of her as any sort of a rival.” They looked with satisfaction into each other’s eyes. For the benefit of the strangers watching them, they performed the steps of the dance to perfection and parted with real regret once the music ended.

  Later, as Darcy stood in solitary dignity at the edge of the dance floor, Bingley joined him. “Come, Darcy,” said he. “I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.”

  “I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.”

  “I would not be so fastidious as you are,” cried Bingley, “for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening, and t
here are several of them you see uncommonly pretty.”

  “You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.

  “Oh! She us the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say, very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.”

  “Which do you mean?” and turning round he scrutinized the woman. “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.”

  Only later, when Bingley recounted these words to his sisters’ laughing cries of “Fie!” and “Mr. Darcy, I am astonished!” did it occur to Darcy to wonder if the woman so denigrated might have overheard him. However, he accepted the Bingleys’ teasing with good grace, admitting his failure to act as a gentleman.

  “Am I to understand that you approve of my lack of manners?” asked he, in pretended amazement.

  Darcy so seldom spoke with such a light tone that Caroline was not as quick with a rejoinder as she might have been. “Not only approve,” said Caroline, “but enjoy. The rest of us were prevented by our position from being quite so blunt, although I am sure we all wished to be. I was astonished to be partnered by men who had so little grace and such a simplistic command of the skills involved in proper dancing.”

  Louisa nodded her agreement, but Charles Bingley said, “I do not comprehend the nature of your complaints. I attended a ball where there were amiable people, competent musicians, fine food and drink.”

  “And a Miss Jane Bennet,” offered Mr. Darcy. The sisters laughed. “Careful, Charles, or you will be inspiring hope in the heart of a simple country girl.”

  “I would never—” began Charles, but he was unable to maintain his air of innocence. “Well, she is a beauty is she not?”