Darcy and the Accomplished Woman Page 3

  “Indeed she is,” said Darcy, “But then, so were the others.”

  “Mr. Darcy knows everything,” said Miss Bingley. “We must take care or he will discover all our secrets.”

  Miss Bingley’s journal (Netherfield)

  The ball was rather more amusing than I had expected it to be. It is fortunate that I am fond of dancing, for I never had a minute of solitude during the evening.. The local swains were swarming about me, as if I were some unusually delectable flower.

  Mr. Darcy was uncommonly attentive. I did look well, which fact he commented upon several times. His usual pretence of indifference to me was no where in evidence. One wonders if he has been thinking of me since we came together in this house. Perhaps he is thinking of me this very minute, off in his lonely bed chamber.

  How shall I sleep with that idea dancing through my dreams?!

  Another few days may accomplish much in bringing Darcy and me to an understanding!

  Mr. Darcy’s journal (Netherfield)

  I continue with the opinion that an evening at a ball is twice as tiring as a fifty mile ride on fast horses. I am not at ease among people I do not know. It is worse when they know who I am, which all apparently did. I was conscious of being a center of attention, most unpleasant at any time, but intolerable in a room packed with people, only four of whom are known to me.

  I danced twice, once with each of Bingley’s sisters. I am not one to dance only for the sake of dancing. A certain amount of conversation is expected, and I have never been able to talk easily to those whom I don’t know. Besides, the local gaggle of femininity seemed nothing out of the ordinary.

  As expected, Bingley headed directly for the prettiest girl in the room. I believe he danced with her two times, an event that will not go unnoticed in this small society.

  I would be happy to have a tenth of his ease with strangers. One watching him could not guess he was almost entirely unacquainted with this multitude. How does he manage it? He made more friends in one evening than I have made in a year.

  I believe Assembly Balls are held only once a quarter. I shall arrange to be back in town before the next one.

  Caroline looked very well tonight. I expect I shall need to begin thinking of her as other than Bingley’s sister. Pemberly must have a mistress, and she is surely well suited for the post. In fact, she may be the best candidate I have met to become Mrs. Darcy. In all these years I have never met her superior, although enough eager mamas have thrust their daughters in my direction.

  I recall the rumours—impossible to avoid hearing them—of Caroline’s attachment to Mr. George Longstreet. I believe she and the family were rather astonished when he engaged himself to Miss Anne Constable. I am somewhat astonished myself, for Miss Constable is much less comely than Caroline and will provide Longstreet with a rather smaller portion than he would have received had he married Caroline. I have met this Anne and found her to be amiable and open. Caroline has much the same quality, but upon occasion she seems a little strained in her conversation, especially with people she considers to be her inferiors. With those she considers her equals, she is never at a loss for words.

  One must be fair to Longstreet. Bingley tells me that although his sister was somewhat disappointed by the gentleman’s defection, he had not given her reason to think of him more seriously.

  In any case, I suspect I should leave her time to recover her composure in this matter, if it was actually the catastrophe to her that so many people seem to think. I will delay approaching her until the spring, That will also give me time to consider whether I am sure offering myself to her is the correct step for achieving my happiness, and hers, to be sure.

  I have learned that women often lose control of their feelings when they find the man they wish to marry. Therefore the disappointment of their hopes, when it comes, is more severe that it need be. But they are women, after all. I am happy to be a man who can make his own way in matters of love, without fear of rejection or disappointment.

  I feel the inevitability of such a relationship. I am in need of a wife; Caroline is in many ways ideal for the post. She seems sincerely attached to me. Shall I begin to pay her more direct attention? What would I say? Before a year has passed, will I have told her that I hon-our and love her?

  Bingley would be pleased to call me brother through a marriage to his sister. Although they have said nothing to me of the matter, I know the sisters hope we will be doubly bound through Bingley’s marriage to my sister. I would be very pleased to have Bingley as my brother, but not soon. Georgiana needs time to recover from her unpleasant adventure with Wickham..

  We expect to stay here at Netherfield until Christmas. Let us see what develops.

  Whatever inspired Louisa to choose Hurst as her life’s partner?

  For the next several days, the sisters received calls from each of their new neighbours. The matrons, carefully dressed and coiffed, spoke of the weather and the pleasures to be enjoyed in Hertfordshire. None stayed longer than a quarter hour.

  “I expect we will have to return these calls,” said Louisa, as their latest guests’ carriage rattled off. “At least it will give us an occupation.”

  “And a chance to wear some of our new dresses,” Caroline agreed. “They do us no good if they are stuffed away in cupboards.”

  The sisters paid a short visit to every lady who had called to welcome them to Netherfield. Once back in their carriage they felt free to critique each of them.

  “Lady Lucas!” said Louisa. “A lady who wears a patched gown for the morning and whose hair is entirely unkempt. A lady!”

  “But Mrs. Bennet!” offered Caroline. “Have you ever met a woman who prattled on in such a fashion, and about nothing whatsoever?”

  “I do rather like Miss Bennet,” said Louisa. “She is a sweet girl. What a pity she has such a mother.”

  “Her sisters only add to the liability,” said Caroline. “I do not trust the second sister, Elizabeth, is she not? Or ‘Lizzie’, as her mother would have it.”

  “Have a scrap of pity, sister,” said Louisa “Remember what Lady Lucas told us of the entailment. They are not likely to be living at Longbourn forever.”

  “And with such incomes as they have,” said Caroline, “they can scarcely expect to marry well.”

  Satisfied by their own superior circumstances, the sisters rode home in good temper.

  A respite from their dull lives came one evening when they were invited, along with half the neighbourhood, to a party at the home of Sir William and Lady Lucas. Bingley was delighted to be asked, but Darcy was only prevented from staying home with a book but the insistence of all that he must abide by the local customs.

  Upon entering the sitting room, the sisters smiled as if delighted to be there and immediately fell to whispering to each other about the apparel of the other female guests.

  Bingley remembered every name and greeted his host and the guests with unfeigned pleasure. Once he had accomplished this, however, he moved to the side of Jane Bennet and did not leave it until the party broke up.

  Darcy moved more easily through the crowd than he had at the ball, occasionally acknowledging a greeting or offering a snippet of conversation.

  Caroline Bingley watched him, noting to whom he spoke. Then her eyes fell upon her brother. She was soon aware that others were also watching the pair. “Do you see how that ‘Lizzie’ keeps her eye upon Charles and Miss Bennet?” said she to Louisa. “Such a display of ill breeding! I do not think I have ever seen the like in town, although there is much more worth gawking at during any evening party there.”

  “I believe all the women here are watching our brother and his latest friend,” agreed Mrs. Hurst.” They do not pretend to be indifferent. In any case, ‘Lizzie’ is now talking to Colonel—what is his name? –Forester? She is rather more animated than I have previously seen her.”

  “Darcy is close enough to hear the conversation. I can hardly wait for him to recount it to us”, said Miss B
ingley from behind her fan. “I am sure he will have something deliciously satirical to say about Lizzie Bennet.”

  “I do not anticipate that,” said Louisa. “Darcy is a solemn man. If he had William Longstreet’s gift for narrative, it might be so, but alas, William is not here.”

  “Let us be thankful for that.”

  “See, Miss Lizzy returns to her friend whose name I cannot remember, the daughter of the house, is she not?” said Caroline. “Now that I recall it, the two spent much time together at the Assembly Ball. They did not receive the continual invitations to dance that you and I did. Remember that Darcy was ‘in no humour to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men’. Is that not what he said of her?” Overcome by an unladylike urge to laugh, she raised her fan so only her eyes could be seen. Mr. Darcy noticed and gave a small bow.

  “Well done,” whispered Louisa.

  Coffee and tea were poured. “What abominable stuff!” sniffed Louisa. “One would not imagine the Lucases are too poor to send to town for something of better quality.”

  Miss Bingley did not answer. “Do you see that?” she asked in indignation. “Lizzie Bennet has called Mr. Darcy to speak with her. Look. He bends to hear her.”

  “We will tease him about this conversation once we are home again,” said Louisa.

  “I admire the way he keeps his countenance. His manners are perfect,” said Miss Bingley. “But—what is this?”

  Elizabeth Bennet walked to the instrument and played a short piece of music..

  “She is extremely ill taught,” said Caroline Bingley after listening for a moment. “I wonder she is willing to perform for strangers at all. I cannot wait to hear what Darcy has to say about this display.”

  “I believe it ends. But here comes another Bennet to take over the instrument. The plain one.”

  “Goodness, she does play loudly,” said Miss Bingley, “but not loud enough to disguise her complete lack of taste.”

  Mr. Darcy came to them. “I cannot express the disgust I feel at such a way of passing an evening. Is conversation out of the question?”

  “That is exactly what I was just saying to Louisa,” said Miss Bingley. “How singular that our minds should so often bring us the same thoughts!”

  “Oh, good Lord,” said Louisa, rolling her eyes. “I do believe they are now going to hold an impromptu ball. Have you ever heard of such a thing?”

  “Certainly not in a proper society,” said Mr. Darcy. “Farewell for a few moments. Sir William approaches. He takes his duties as host too seriously. I have already been enough favoured by his sociability. I must take leave of you for now and render civility to the other guests.”

  “They will not appreciate your good nature as they should,” said Caroline Bingley, “but go. I will await the report you give us when you return.”

  Darcy smiled at her in a conspiratorial way. “Your wish for sketches, fair maid, will be delivered as soon as we are comfortably back at Netherfield.”

  Couples formed and proceeded to dance, forcing the sisters further back to the room’s periphery. From that position they observed Mr. Darcy’s failure to avoid the amiable Sir William. The gentlemen conversed loudly as the dancers bounded around them As they spoke, Elizabeth Bennet walked by, and Sir William called to her

  “Do you see her?” said Miss Bingley. “She has deliberately approached Darcy to see if she can get him as a partner is this preposterous dancing. What a forward young woman she is! Ah, she moves to her seat against the wall. Darcy was not taken in.”

  Louisa looked at her sister for a moment. “Is that how you interpret what we have just seen?”

  “How else? With the contrivance of Sir William, she was able to accost poor Darcy. You can see with what grace he disappointed her. However, mark my works, she will try that move soon again. She lacks modesty.”

  “It seemed to me that it was she who refused him—oh, never mind.”

  “Nonsense. Poor, dear Darcy. I must give him my support,” and she left her place to join the man, gracefully avoiding the dancing couples.

  He bowed to her in greeting. Then, indicating a quieter part of the room, he led her there.

  Said Miss Bingley, “I believe I can guess the direction of your thoughts. Once again we are of a mind.”

  “I should imagine not,” said he.

  “You are wondering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner—in such society; and indeed I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity and yet the noise; the nothingness and yet the self-importance of all

  “Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been mediating on the great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.”

  “Why Mr. Darcy,” said Miss Bingley, glancing at him through lowered lids. “May I ask which of the ladies here has inspired you?”

  “Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

  After a barely noticeable pause, Miss Bingley said, “Miss Elizabeth Bennet! I am all astonishment. Pray, when am I to wish you joy?”

  “That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. I knew you would be wishing me joy.”

  “Nay, I shall consider the matter absolutely settled. You will have a charming mother-in-law indeed, and of course she will be always at Pemberly with you.”

  “You present a distasteful picture indeed. Perhaps the woman’s eyes are not so fine at that. However, your brother is in a similar predicament, is he not?” Darcy indicated Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley, who up to this point had not paused in their earnest conversation.

  “You are well acquainted with Charles,” said Miss Bingley, taking a relieved breath. “He is always in love until he no longer is. I pray you not take him as your model”

  “There is no danger of that,” Darcy assured her. “I have a tighter rein on my affections than Bingley has on his.” He offered her his arm as they made their way across the floor.

  Miss Bingley’s journal (Netherfield)

  What an exercise in tedium! We have spent the evening at the home of Sir William Lucas. I understand it is his habit to create any excuse to fill the place with more guests than it can comfortably hold. Tonight we were his excuse.

  A few of the officers from the regiment that is quartered in Meryton were in attendance. They are almost entirely a collection of younger sons, so they have conversation after a fashion. Music was supplied by two of those Bennet girls, who, like their innumerable sisters, make a practice of putting themselves forward on all occasions. Both treated the assemblage to a number of overly familiar selections on the piano. I suppose they do not often see the latest music.

  The elder of the two performers was astonishingly forward in her manner toward dear Darcy! She actually asked him to dance with her! He refused, of course, and with a pretense of civility. I do admire the gracious way he treats his inferiors.

  I sympathize with his dislike of informal entertainments. I myself am quite unhappy when forced into inferior company, although I disguise my thoughts more capably than he does.

  Darcy was most attentive to me during the evening. He admired my clothes and several times came up to me to comment on the foibles of our fellow guests. Best, he said he had been ‘meditating on the pleasure a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty girl can bestow’!

  I made bold to ask him to whose eyes he referred. ‘Elizabeth Bennet’ said he. He spoke so easily that for just a moment I thought he might be serious. Then I realized that he was teasing me! He has never teased me before. I believe that the fact that he has now done so is a sign that our relationship progresses in intimacy. One only teases those with whom he feels on the friendliest terms.

  Really, now that I think of it, the evening had many redeeming features!

  Mr. Darcy’s Journal (Netherfield)

  Evening spent at home of Sir William Lucas, not as irritating as one would expect. The guests appeared to enjoy themselves. Unlike
at the ball, I forced myself to smile and be agreeable to everyone. In the meantime I stored up anecdotes to share with Bingley and his sisters once the evening ended. No lack of those! Caroline looked very well. Perhaps I will not wait for the spring to offer her my hand and Pemberly. She has a fine, somewhat ironic wit, similar to my own.

  Her observations on our fellow guests were quite amusing.

  I had some small conversation with Elizabeth Bennet. I now hope she did not hear the comment I made about her at the Assembly ball—something about her beauty not being of a quality that attracted me.

  Upon reflection, I no longer consider her to be merely tolerable in appearance—I believe that was the word I used at the ball. On the contrary, she is actually quite handsome, not up to the standard of her sister, but still handsome. She appeared quite different to me tonight. I was entirely mistaken about her when I first saw her.

  The sisters were not always happy companions. After breakfast they had leafed through the magazines which showed the latest fashions, criticized them with vigour, and become bored.

  Louisa watched Caroline pace about the morning room. “Do sit for a moment. I am dizzy with watching you. If you would like to take a walk, I will join you, but you must stop charging about in this confined space.”

  “What else are we to do with ourselves with Charles and Darcy at their hunting again?” cried Caroline. “And they dine at Meryton. They think nothing of our wishes for companionship.”

  “Is it Charles you whose company you miss? I think not.”

  “What of it? If you can long for Hurst, I can surely mention that I would prefer for Darcy to be here with us.”

  Louisa eyed her sister sharply. “These are not similar deprivations, are they? I am often in the company of my husband at night when you are alone, so I have no need to long for him during the day. Perhaps in time you will discover what I mean.”

  Caroline interrupted her pacing to say, “Confess. The truth is you do not long for Hurst either day or night.”

  “That is not so. In any case, you long for Darcy all day and all night. I’m positive he sees your heart as easily as I do.”