Chapter Eleven
Jane was excited as she descended from the carriage with Mr and Mrs Bingley and the Hursts, to be attending a party at Lucas Lodge.
She could still scarcely believe that she was here, in her own story.
She had met most of the denizens of the town as they called upon Mr and Mrs Bingley, and even locals she had not written, such as servants and local labourers.
Jane had done her very best to diligently take over the sewing for Mrs Bingley’s poor box.
It was something that she could do to repay her hosts for keeping her, particularly when she gave them few new memories, and no credible inquiries about her arrived by letter.
One man had travelled to Hertfordshire and arrived just after breakfast that morning, to inspect her, and ensure that she was not his sister, who had run off with a man, and he feared had been abandoned somewhere.
Jane was rather afraid some stranger would come and claim her for some nefarious purpose, for there were all sorts of frightening things that could happen to women, and the world was full of men who thought up all kinds of evil deeds.
Mr and Mrs Bingley had comprehended her fear before meeting the gentleman, and promised her that if she did not recognise him as a kinsman or friend, that they would not allow her to be taken away, which comforted her.
She felt quite fine in a willow green evening gown of Mrs Bingley’s as she greeted Sir William and Lady Lucas.
She searched for Elizabeth and saw her hiding in a corner, already deep in conversation with Mrs Collins.
Mr Collins was spouting inanities to Mrs Bennet, Mrs Phillips, and Mrs Gardiner about the grandeur his wife was exposed to at Rosings Park weekly.
Jane was gratified to note that Mr Collins never even glanced at Elizabeth as he spoke, obviously having recovered from the mortification of her refusal, and being now firmly in the thrall of his own wife.
He was excitable, but rather less mortifying than Jane expected him to be, presumably due to the genteel influence of Mrs Collins.
Jane felt rather relieved, for she would not wish to feel guilty about having sentenced Charlotte to eternal misery, even if the girl was afflicted with self interest..
Deciding to give Elizabeth and her friend their privacy, considering that Mrs Collins’s time in Meryton was limited, Jane headed for Miss Mary Bennet and Georgiana, who were in company with Maria Lucas, Mr Rupert Hurst, Mary Crawford, and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“Miss Jane! Oh do come and join us. We are speaking of forming a literary society where we each read to the others our favourite text and attempt to persuade them of its merits! Which would you choose?” Georgiana welcomed her to the group.
“I should have difficulty choosing just one,” Jane admitted. “I would prefer to hear what you all choose first, and then select something quite different.”
“I have not much experience in novels, so I would choose the latest that Kitty and I are reading by Frances Burney.” Miss Lucas looked about the room as she spoke.
“I suppose you will choose Belinda or something by Maria Edgecombe,” Colonel Fitzwilliam teased his ward, whose companion sat nearby with a glass of punch, allowing the young lady to socialise freely with her guardian.
“And I suppose you will select something boring, such as The Russian Official History!” laughed Georgiana.
“You wound me, Georgie. That is my favourite text because you gave it to me for my birthday.” Colonel Fitzwilliam placed a hand over his heart, looking heartbroken.
“Miss Mary Bennet will select something like Fordyce.” Mr Rupert Hurst ventured.
Miss Mary looked at him in surprise. “I told you only yesterday that I was coming to a new appreciation of Theophilus St John. Even I would not select something so severe for an amusement such as this.”
“Well I prefer something scandalous, like Pamela.” Miss Crawford gushed.
“But let us not speak of books at a party! I must have livelier company than this! Shall we read obituaries together next? What lady reads sermons, and do they truly believe it will attract gentlemen? We have parsons enough already; they do not require the assistance of ladies. Our duty is to be an attractive distraction from sermons.”
Jane decided to change the subject, seeing Miss Mary turn pale, and Mr Rupert Hurst fought to find a reply to Miss Crawford’s choice of words.
“Miss Lucas, I am very grateful for this opportunity to visit your family’s home.
It was very generous of your parents to extend their invitation to Mr and Mrs Bingley’s extensive guest list.”
“Oh, my father adores entertaining,” Miss Lucas replied airily “You ought to have seen how many guests we had last year, when the militia was encamped nearby. There were twice as many guests as this, and we still managed to find room to dance!”
“I do hope there will be dancing tonight.” Miss Crawford looked about the room in interest.
“If there is dancing, I do hope you will partner me, Miss Mary.” Mr Rupert Hurst said to Mary Bennet. Since Miss Crawford had arrived that morning, he had struggled to decide which Mary he wished to give his attentions to.
“Oh, Mr Hurst! I had counted upon you to partner me, that I might have the opportunity to convince you of the merits of the army, and how handsome and more dignified you would look in regimentals!” Miss Crawford trilled.
“I-I-um…most certainly, Miss Crawford,” Mr Rupert Hurst stammered. “It would be my privilege.”
Miss Crawford left them and went to speak with her brother and Mr Bingley. Mr Rupert Hurst followed.
“I hope you will not be so eager to dance the first at such an informal event that you will steal a partner from another, Georgie.” Colonel Fitzwilliam raised a brow at his cousin.
“I could never be so bold, nor so cruel!” Georgiana cried, staring after Miss Crawford in shock and horror. “I never imagined such behaviour!”
“That is just what I wish to hear. You are too beautiful and good to require such tactics. If there is dancing, I shall reserve the second from you, Cousin.” The colonel looked at Miss Mary speculatively. “Will you honor me with the first, Miss Mary?”
“Oh, I-I did not expect to dance tonight,” Miss Mary objected.
“Well, now you are pleasantly surprised, are you not? You would never leave me standing by the wall, would you? After all of my brave deeds on the front? Think, Miss Mary. If you leave me dejected now, the resulting broken heart might lead me to my death when I face my next battle. You will humour an old soldier with your kindness and generosity, will you not? Send me back into war with a smile upon my face?”
“Richard, you are incorrigible!” Georgiana giggled.
“Do not allow your evening to be ruined because of that vain, inconsiderate girl,” Jane whispered to Miss Mary. “You are amongst true friends here, you should enjoy yourself as you intended when you arrived.”
Mary squared her shoulders and agreed as Jane moved on to seek conversation amongst those characters whom she did not know as well.
It was not long before she was stopped by Mr Darcy. “Miss Jane.” He bowed before her. “I wish to thank you for the correction of the misunderstanding between myself and my betrothed. I extend my deepest appreciation.”
“I could not do anything other than assist Elizabeth in any way that I am able, Mr Darcy.” Jane returned his bow with a curtsey of her own.
“It seemed such a small matter to discreetly inquire about the matter in your presence, since I was certain of your ignorance of the fire, but Elizabeth was far too distressed to think clearly of it. I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am by the result, and how quickly you remedied the situation. If I were to find my home and return to it tomorrow, I should be very well satisfied by my visit to Meryton.”
“Bingley told me this morning how frightened you were by the idea that you might be taken away by someone you did not remember, and I wish to add my assurance to his and his wife’s, that in addition to having the protection of the Bingleys, you will have that of the Darcys as well.
You shall always be welcome at Pemberley. ”
“Mr Darcy, I am touched by your kindness.” Jane bowed her head. “I have done nothing to deserve such consideration.”
“I disagree, Miss Jane… you have done so much.” Darcy shook his head. “Even for my dear sister, you gave her confidence to find friends in the Bennet sisters, and to give encouragement to Miss Mary. You have helped my family immeasurably, please do not doubt it.”
“Has my future husband convinced you to visit us at Pemberley?” Elizabeth joined them excitedly. “You shall not disappear when we find your family, I must insist that we correspond often, and that you visit me in Derbyshire.”
“I would enjoy that above anything.” Jane hugged the young lady that she never thought to have the opportunity to befriend.
“Do you know what I would enjoy above anything?” Henry Crawford said, bounding up to them. “I would enjoy dancing with you, Miss Bennet. My sister just informed me that there is often dancing, and if there is, I shall perish if you do not join me for the first.”
“Miss Bennet’s first is spoken for.” Mr Darcy scowled.
“It can’t be, old boy, but I credit you for trying. You could not have known there would be dancing.”
Elizabeth gave a peal of laughter. “Mr Darcy is acquainted with our hosts and their habits, Mr Crawford. In any case, as my future husband, he shall have any set he desires.”
“It is tragic, Miss Bennet–or should I say–soon-to-be Mrs Darcy–that a man arrives two days too late to claim the prize of a lifetime. Had I arrived only a sennight earlier, I might have been your-soon-to-be-husband,” Mr Crawford flirted with Elizabeth outrageously, immune to the presence of her betrothed.
“Fortunately, Mr Crawford, I am not at all fond of tragedies,” Elizabeth replied, with a flicker of unease in her eyes. “Yours, or anyone’s.”
“They say that an engagement lends a woman a certain radiance,” Crawford persisted. “I wonder if you were as lovely before you were lost to mankind?”
“I fear you may be the sort of gentleman who always prefers that which is not his, so I doubt it.” Elizabeth threaded her arm around Darcy’s.
“I toast you, Darcy.” Crawford raised a glass of punch. “To the triumphant hero–and to the rest of us–who must content ourselves with lesser women.”
“Is he being purposely offensive?” Miss Kitty whispered in Jane’s ear as she joined them. “Mama sent me to talk to him, but I do not think I like him.”
“I hardly know,” Jane whispered back.
Their party broke up as Lydia called for Mary to play so they could dance.
Charlotte Collins volunteered in Mary’s stead so that her young friend might join the others for once.
Jane watched the couples line up; Darcy and Elizabeth, the Colonel and Miss Mary, John Lucas and Miss Long, Mr Frederick Goulding and Miss Lucas, Mr Rupert Hurst and Miss Crawford, and last, Mr Crawford and Miss Lydia, who was as proud as anything to have been the first to bring the young gentleman to the floor.
Mrs Bennet, Mr Bennet, and Mr and Mrs Bingley all glared indignantly at the couple.
Lydia was only supposed to dance with her unmarried sisters, Maria Lucas, and other young ladies her age, and perhaps John Lucas or Charles.
Lydia knew that she was not meant to be taking to the floor with such a gentleman.
Matters in her corner had changed greatly when she returned from Brighton the previous summer.
A few minutes after the set began, Mr Crawford’s motive was clear.
Suddenly he nimbly switched partners with Mr Rupert Hurst, and so was dancing with his own sister.
A few moments more, and he suddenly switched with Mr Goulding, and a few moments after that, Mr Lucas.
It was quite obvious that the man was determined to make his way down the line to Elizabeth and sweep her right out of Darcy’s arms.
What audacity! This man could destroy lives. Jane watched the scene with interest. It cannot be coincidence that these characters travelling to Northamptonshire–who are so outrageous–were sent here so that I might observe them.
As she watched Colonel Fitzwilliam elegantly stick out his foot and trip Mr Crawford before his own partner could be stolen, Jane finally knew what would happen next in Mansfield Park.
Thankfully the dance had separated Crawford from Miss Long, and so the young lady was not pulled down into a compromise.
Miss Lydia, outraged that she had been so ill used, stamped her foot and fled to her mother, who scolded her soundly.
Colonel Fitzwilliam executed that rather well. Jane watched as Sir William encouraged Mr Crawford to avoid the dance floor if he was indeed so clumsy, and referred him to stay by the side to speak with Mr Collins, who was also challenged by the dance, and therefore abstained.
As Jane observed the party returning to normal, she knew what she must do when she returned to home and her writing.