An Ever-Fixèd Mark (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

1. Chapter 1

" C ome, girls! Quickly! We must make haste to Mrs. Long's."

Elizabeth Bennet had just returned from a walk when the sound of her mother's voice drew her attention. She saw her being handed into the carriage, followed by Kitty and Lydia. Earlier, Mama had declared her intention of calling on Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long. These three ladies came together on a regular basis to commiserate over the unwed state of their daughters and to bemoan the lack of eligible young gentlemen in the area. However, Elizabeth knew the tenor of today’s discussion would be different.

There was a young man recently moved into the neighborhood.

Her good friend Charlotte Lucas would be here soon to take tea with her and Jane, and would no doubt have news of their new neighbor.

With that thought in mind, Elizabeth hurried through the garden gate, into the house, and took the servant stairs up to her bedchamber.

A bit later, Elizabeth entered the drawing room with a book in hand.

The light that flooded the space from two large, opposing windows, together with the floral and striped fabrics of certain pieces of furniture, made the room bright and cheerful.

She found her other sisters sitting on the couch and joined them.

Jane was bent over her embroidery hoop, and Mary was reading.

“Is that Shakespeare?” Mary asked, nodding to the book in Elizabeth’s hands.

Elizabeth smiled. “Yes, Shakespeare’s sonnets. I like to spend time with the Bard now and then.”

Mary chuckled softly.

Their butler, Mr. Hill, announced Charlotte, and they stood to welcome her. After a warm exchange of greetings, Mary excused herself to practice at the pianoforte.

“This weather is very peculiar, is it not?" Charlotte remarked. "So many unseasonably warm days! Though I am sure I shall hear no complaints from you, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth giggled. “Indeed, you shall not! I take every opportunity to enjoy this lovely weather.”

“I can attest to that,” Jane said. “She most certainly has.”

Mrs. Hill brought tea, and Jane served them.

Elizabeth turned to her friend. “Charlotte, you must tell us about your trip to town. How was it?”

“It was very enjoyable,” Charlotte said with enthusiasm.

“Although my mother was determined that a great deal of shopping be done, Maria and I were equally determined to at least take in a play or tour an exhibit while we were there. Fortunately, we were able to attend a production of Romeo and Juliet . We thoroughly enjoyed it.”

“Jane and I are to go to London in a few weeks’ time to visit our Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. We hope to follow your example, Charlotte, and avail ourselves of the entertainments on offer,” Elizabeth replied.

“A very sensible plan indeed! We ladies must take our pleasure where we can," Charlotte said with a soft chuckle. “Oh! Before I forget, I would like to invite you and your family to join us Tuesday evening. We are to host a dinner at Lucas Lodge.”

“Thank you for your kind invitation," Jane said. "I do not believe we have any fixed engagements. We would be delighted to join you.”

“Splendid.” Then, with a smirk, Charlotte asked, “So, have you heard aught of our new neighbor?”

“Only that he is a young man and unmarried,” Jane replied.

“He is indeed,” Charlotte confirmed. “His name is Mr. Bingley. He is very wealthy, and he has taken a lease on Netherfield Park. His late father was in trade and very successful. It is my understanding that Mr. Bingley attended Cambridge. Clearly, his father made sure his son had a gentleman’s education.

” She paused for dramatic effect. "And, by all accounts, Mr. Bingley is very amiable and very handsome. "

“Hmm . . . I assume your father has made his acquaintance?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yes, he has, sometime last week, I think.”

“I wonder if Papa has called on him yet,” Jane said, glancing at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth gave her sister a rueful smile. "Knowing Papa, if he has, he will not tell us until the very last minute.”

“You are probably right, Lizzy. It may be that we will not meet Mr. Bingley until the assembly on Saturday, if he comes.”

“He expressed to my father his intention of attending the assembly. He also mentioned that he enjoys dancing,” Charlotte said.

“Excellent! There are never enough young men to dance with. If he simply partners as many young ladies as possible, I shall think very well of him and bestow high marks for gallantry!” Elizabeth teased.

When Charlotte took her leave, Elizabeth and Jane went out to walk in the garden. The conversation with Charlotte on both their minds.

“This Mr. Bingley sounds very interesting, does he not?” Elizabeth asked.

“I dread the embarrassing things Mama will do and say in his presence,” Jane lamented.

Elizabeth sighed. "I know, but guess what?"

"What?"

"I wrote to Aunt Madeleine for advice on how to deal with the many obstacles before us. I believe she must have felt my frustration coming off the page! I received a very encouraging letter from her today, Jane, with such excellent news."

"What did she say?"

"She feels it would be in our best interests to have the opportunity to meet eligible gentlemen away from home. Aunt Madeleine also apologized for not being able to help with this over the last couple of years due to her confinements. However, she is now ready to assist us, beginning with our next visit.”

Jane gasped and touched Elizabeth's arm. “Truly, Lizzy?”

Elizabeth laughed. “Yes, truly! Imagine meeting a gentleman and getting to know him without his being scared away by Mama’s interference or Lydia’s wild behavior.”

“Oh, that would be wonderful!”

They both knew their mother had scared away more than one suitor.

“Aunt Madeleine is of the mind that by the time any such gentleman would need to be introduced to father and the rest of the family, there would perhaps already exist a regard—"

“A regard—that would hopefully motivate the gentleman to . . . overlook such an imprudent family,” Jane concluded.

“Precisely. She says Uncle Edward will assure Papa of his willingness to act in his stead should any gentleman show interest in calling on one of us.”

The Gardiners had always been there for them. Their aunt had been an excellent example for her and Jane to imitate. Elizabeth had also appreciated being able to see what a good marriage looked like.

They continued their ramble through the garden, each in quiet contemplation.

For her part, Elizabeth was thinking about their last visit to town.

She and Jane had confided some of their hopes and concerns regarding marriage to their aunt, as both of them desired to marry for love and mutual respect.

Aunt Madeleine had assured them that not only were their wishes prudent, they were reasonable and attainable.

She also said there were many gentlemen out there who would be very glad to meet such sensible young women.

Her words had been encouraging. Elizabeth realized she had no material assets, but she felt she had a great deal to offer a husband in other ways.

Over the years, she had diligently studied and improved her mind.

Her father had taken an active interest in her education, and she had been schooled in many things that young ladies normally were not.

She was proud of her accomplishments and the knowledge she had gained.

But at times, she despaired of ever meeting a gentleman who would be willing to look past her small portion and her family's behavior in order to see and appreciate her worth.

She and Jane were painfully aware of the many obstacles working against them.

They turned at the sound of the carriage pulling up in front of the house. Jane and Elizabeth exited the garden and walked toward the drive in time to meet their mother and sisters.

“Jane, Lizzy, we have news of Mr. Bingley!” Mama proclaimed. “But perhaps Charlotte has informed you of him during her visit?”

“Yes, she did, Mama,” Jane replied, following her inside with her sisters bringing up the rear. Mary joined them in the entrance hall as well.

Mama appeared thoughtful as the servant helped her with her hat and gloves.

“I thought she might, since Lady Lucas was certainly full of information. Good. It goes without saying, then, that he is a very eligible bachelor, and every matron with a marriageable daughter within ten miles of Meryton will have gotten wind of that fact. We must prepare!”

Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary looked at one another in confusion.

“Prepare, Mama? How must we prepare?” Mary asked.

“The first thing we must do is take stock of your gowns. Girls, all of you, upstairs!” As they all ascended the stairs, Mama continued with her instructions, “I want each of you to lay out your two best morning dresses, the gown you plan to wear to the assembly Saturday, as well as two appropriate gowns for dinners in company.”

“Mama, Charlotte invited our family to dine at Lucas Lodge on Tuesday," Elizabeth said. "Did Lady Lucas mention it?”

“Yes, she did. Therefore, we now have two definite occasions in which you shall all meet with Mr. Bingley. The assembly on Saturday and now dinner at Lucas Lodge on Tuesday.” She gave two quick claps of her hands. “To your rooms, girls! Jane, we shall begin with you.”

With that, Mama swept into Jane’s bedchamber.

Elizabeth carefully concealed her mirth and gave Jane a knowing look before proceeding into her own bedchamber.