Chapter 2 Fresh blood at the Meryton Assembly and Darcy is an ass.
Fresh blood at the Meryton Assembly and Darcy is an ass.
Meryton Assembly Hall, Hertfordshire
The entrance of the Bingley party created such a disruption in the assembly ball that everyone slowed or stopped what they were doing to take stock of the newcomers.
Few had been successful in securing an opportunity to meet Mr. Bingley thus far, and his guests had just arrived that afternoon.
Mr. Bennet was one of the few who had made the acquaintance of Mr. Bingley and had some intelligence of the composition of his party.
Contrary to earlier rumours of dozens of young men and ladies, Bennet learned four others were staying with Bingley.
Of most interest to Bennet was Mr. Darcy of Pemberley.
Elizabeth was somewhat amused by the whole of Meryton and the surrounding countryside being in such awe of the party from Netherfield Park.
Although she was of an amiable nature, she could not see anything more remarkable about the group than an opportunity to make new acquaintances.
Her neighbours and friends were ready to proffer the utmost deference, and even though the gentlemen were of higher standing than those in the area, Elizabeth did not think they deserved the attention and distraction the Meryton matrons demonstrated.
Elizabeth was not pleased to hear Aunt Philips gossiping with Mrs. Long and Mrs. Goulding about the incomes and properties held by the gentlemen and their desirability as husbands for the young ladies of Meryton.
It was embarrassing to see her neighbours show such ill breeding and create such an unfavourable first impression on the families of the area.
The Netherfield residents were not long in the hall when they approached Mr. Bennet to seek an introduction to the ladies of his family in attendance.
Bingley immediately requested the next available set from Jane, who was pleased to accept.
This surprised Elizabeth since Jane often had many dances, especially the important ones, promised prior to the start of a ball.
Elizabeth previously agreed to the first set with John Goulding and Mary with Henry Lucas.
Mr. Bingley seemed an affable fellow. However, the rest of his party were somewhat reserved and did not much participate in conversation when introduced. Elizabeth could not but suspect the rest of the Netherfield party unwilling to mingle with mere country gentlemen and their families.
Although the ladies’ finery was the latest in London fashion, they were quite overdressed for a country assembly and even for the London balls that Mr. Bennet had permitted Elizabeth to attend with Aunt and Uncle Gardiner during the Season.
She mused that, although the Bingley ladies’ behaviour was more in tune with the manners expected of the ton, they acted with a great deal more self-importance than their social class deserved, particularly in such relaxed society.
She was therefore not unhappy to see their party move on to introductions with other families until the first tones indicated the opening dance.
Mr. Bennet took his wife to the line, and the young gentlemen came to collect the three Bennet girls.
Elizabeth acknowledged that both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were handsome gentlemen.
In fact, she found herself quite taken with the agreeable face and elegant figure of the tall and noble master of Pemberley.
He did not dance the first but took to the floor on the second with Miss Bingley, the third with Mrs. Hurst, and then did not dance again.
Mr. Darcy seemed to keep to the outskirts of the room, gazing distractedly at those enjoying the fete.
A few times, he gazed intently at her or Jane, but he looked away when he realized he had been caught.
Elizabeth wished the gentleman would request a set from her as she would like to know him better.
Darcy had indeed been looking at Jane and Elizabeth, as well as Mr. Bennet.
He was distracted by a feeling that they looked familiar but could not place where he might have met them.
He was sure he had not made the acquaintance of a Bennet family from Hertfordshire before that evening.
He also made note of Elizabeth staring at him and was wary that she could be just one more predatory female looking to wed the master of Pemberley.
The Longbourn and Netherfield parties were once again drawn into conversation between sets, though Jane, Elizabeth and Mary were quickly called away to dance and spent little time in discussion with their new neighbours.
Mrs. Bennet enquired about the ladies’ liking of Netherfield and Meryton and received brief, polite answers that showed good breeding but little interest in the conversation.
Although Bennet’s good judgement would suggest he should be circumspect, his impulsive and curious nature, as well as his responsibility as a leader in the neighbourhood, insisted he be welcoming and solicitous to the new visitors.
Thus, he approached Darcy and started a conversation.
“Mr. Darcy, I was fortunate enough to have made the acquaintance of your father when a student at Cambridge.”
“My father passed away five years ago, leaving me the care of my younger sister and the estate. Did you know him well?”
“Yes, I believe I can safely say I did. We were in the same year and in many of the same clubs. He was a good man.”
“Have you ever been to Pemberley?” Darcy asked.
“No, I have not had that pleasure,” Bennet dissembled.
“Have you spent any time in Derbyshire?”
“I had family in the north, so I had occasion to pass through Derbyshire once or twice.” Bennet did not look directly at Darcy, hoping his countenance would not reveal this was not the whole truth.
“Forgive my impertinence, sir, it is just that you look quite familiar to me.”
“I doubt we have met recently, Mr. Darcy, though I am pleased to know you now.”
Darcy was perplexed. He was certain he had met Mr. Bennet before but could not place the situation. “Do you spend much time in Town?”
“I prefer to live the quiet life of a country gentleman, sir,” Bennet replied. Attempting to leave the awkward subject, he continued, “It allows me to concentrate on my chess game.”
“You play often?”
“Mostly with my daughters, although I am trying to teach a neighbour’s boy to become a worthy opponent. Do you play Mr. Darcy? Your father was a formidable adversary.”
“I am known to be a champion. My name is on the books at White’s, and I have not been bested in some time,” Mr. Darcy said quite seriously.
“Well, perhaps we should test that theory. Would you care to call at Longbourn tomorrow and answer my challenge?” Bennet asked with a smile.
Darcy nodded. “Indeed I would, Mr. Bennet.”
The gentlemen continued talking of gentlemen’s interests until Mr. Bennet was reminded by his middle daughter that he had promised her the next set, at which time Darcy continued to move about the perimeter of the hall, observing the participants in the dancing and not endearing himself to the residents of Meryton, especially Elizabeth.
The Bennet family stayed until the last dance.
When they arrived home, Lydia and Kitty were still awake and allowed to join the rest of the family.
They enjoyed a lively retelling of the events of the assembly, the opinions on their new neighbours, the descriptions of gowns and the antics of those who took too much wine.
Mr. Bingley’s apparent preference for Jane and Mr. Darcy’s slight of Elizabeth were also discussed.
“Lizzy, why do you think Mr. Darcy would have said such a thing?” Lydia asked. “You may not have taken as much care with your appearance as did Jane, but you are quite pretty. Are the ladies of the ton so very beautiful?”
Before Elizabeth could reply, Mary interjected, “Perhaps Mr. Darcy is uncomfortable in such a situation where he does not know many people. He seemed rather quiet and shy when compared to Mr. Bingley, who is exceptionally lively. I know I would have difficulty maintaining calm in the face of such goading as I heard Mr. Bingley give Mr. Darcy!”
“But that is no reason to be so abominably rude to any lady, whether or not she is within earshot!” Mrs. Bennet protested.
“I knew Mr. Darcy’s father from university,” Mr. Bennet added, “and he was rather shy but always kind and generous. This Mr. Darcy seemed quite reserved when I spoke with him this evening, though he did agree to come by to play chess with me later this week. I am surprised to hear he was so ill-humoured towards you, Lizzy.”
“I suspect he is just too proud to dance with anyone from Meryton. That is of little matter. I have decided to believe he is not handsome enough for me also!” Elizabeth declared in a mock haughty tone, inspiring the family to share in a laugh.
“He certainly does not recommend himself to strangers,” her mother said thoughtfully.
“I hope you are not too disappointed, Lizzy,” said Jane.
“Lizzy had plenty of dance partners; she has no reason for discontent.” Everyone agreed with Mary, and Mrs. Bennet smiled encouragingly at Elizabeth.
“My darling, you and all my girls are truly beauties. Mr. Darcy is blind if he cannot see it is so. My Lizzy is too intelligent for most men, but at least our neighbours know better than to raise her ire. Mr. Darcy is bound to be in her company, and heaven help him if he becomes the object of Lizzy’s wit and teasing.
Please, Lizzy, I implore you, do be kind. ”
Elizabeth’s reply was merry. “Mama, you know I would not embarrass you with impertinence, even though Mr. Darcy deserves to be made sport of.”
“Well, I shall endeavour to know these gentlemen better,” said Mr. Bennet. “I am pleased to have new company in the area and will make the best of it. Perhaps when Mr. Darcy has another look at you, Lizzy, he will regret his words.”