Chapter 19 Wicked schemes and a night at the opera. #4
However much she disliked Elizabeth, Caroline Bingley was quite enthusiastic in attempting to attach herself to the heiress to improve her position in society yet not enough to address her by her courtesy title. The omission was likely not an accident.
“She is called Lady Elizabeth, Miss Bingley,” Darcy said, appalled by her uncharacteristic behaviour in toadying to Elizabeth, who normally she would have treated with disdain.
He felt Elizabeth squeeze his arm ever so lightly, and glancing at her, perceived subtle amusement in her eyes.
She was enjoying the little farce that Miss Bingley was putting on for them!
“My apologies, Lady Elizabeth,” said Miss Bingley. “I had such fond memories of you from Hertfordshire that I quite forgot myself.” There was a decided edge in her voice.
Elizabeth graciously replied to the question, ignoring the slight, “I thank you, Miss Bingley. I am delighted in the views from the box; I am able see the stage perfectly.”
“I have adored attending the opera in Mr. Darcy’s box. It is a spacious box, is it not, Lady Elizabeth?”
“Yes, Miss Bingley, it most surely is. I am quite grateful for it since we are such a large party this evening.”
Miss Bingley was not deterred. She was determined to gain access to the Darcy box and the Shelton heiresses.
“Mr. Darcy is so generous to his dear friends. I have seen him extend his hospitality to much larger parties than yours.” The nuance was unmistakeable.
“My betrothed is a charitable host; however, he values his privacy. I am sure he is relieved that his company this evening is family,” said Elizabeth, smiling up at him.
“Indeed. We would have liked to have included the Matlocks, but the situation would have been too crowded,” Darcy said as he proudly regarded his future bride.
“Family is of paramount importance to Charles also. We are overjoyed to soon include your family as part of ours, Lady Elizabeth. Just think of it, we shall be sisters, and Mr. Darcy, you too will be part of our family!” Miss Bingley said.
She was proud of her cleverness; however, Darcy was sensible to her motives.
He glanced at Elizabeth and saw by the set of her jaw and her tight smile that her amusement was turning into irritation.
Seeing that their well-mannered responses had not deterred Miss Bingley from her purpose, and impatient to get away from her unreserved obsequiousness, Darcy used his most imperious gaze, and holding his tall frame in such a stiff upright posture that he appeared to be looking down his nose, he dismissed her with a few terse words.
“Just so, Miss Bingley,” he said icily.
Without waiting for a reply, he abruptly turned and guided Elizabeth away, leaving Miss Bingley standing alone.
The bells rang to signal a return to seats for the next part of the performance. To her dismay, Caroline Bingley discovered the consequences of her past behaviour. She had just been cut by Mr. Darcy.
26 April 1812
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
The day ended with April showers falling on Longbourn while Thomas Bennet, his wife and their two youngest daughters sat in silent harmony in their family sitting room.
He was reading a book, and Mrs. Bennet was attending to her embroidery of a small cushion as a wedding gift to Jane and Bingley.
With the eldest three daughters in London, the house was relatively quiet.
At the other side of the room, Kitty perused Le Beau Monde.
Lydia, overcome with a sense of ennui and needing some diversion, decided that Kitty’s ears were as good as anyone’s.
Sensible of Lydia’s desire to indulge in some momentary excitement, Kitty put aside her magazine and listened to her sister’s chatter about the balls that Jane and Elizabeth had attended and their evening at the opera.
As was usual, Lydia grew poetic and dramatic as she regaled Kitty with her imaginings of the entertainment that her sisters were sure to be enjoying.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were careful in their eavesdropping; they wanted to be attentive parents without interfering in their daughters’ private concerns.
Mrs. Bennet noted her youngest daughter’s animated tone and commented quietly to her husband, “A few weeks in town could be just the thing for Lydia.”
“I have been adamant in telling her that she will not come out until she is at least 18,” he said.
“Not to go to balls but to have a diversion. Madeleine has admitted to me that she was once just as impetuous as Lydia. She could provide Lydia with an example of how to maintain proper comportment without losing her liveliness. It could be a maturing experience.”
“Indeed. You should accompany her then, and Kitty could go also. She would enjoy the opportunity to see how the fashionable ladies are dressing.”
“Madeleine’s confinement will be in August, and we could help with the children. Lydia’s need to entertain could be gratified that way: she loves to read to them in various voices.”
Mr. Bennet agreed, and they decided they would discuss it again after the weddings. Mr. Bennet set aside his book and stretched.
“I am beginning to get tired,” he said to Lydia. “May I impose upon you to play for us, sweetling? I am sure your mother and sister would appreciate it as well as I would.”
Pleased at the request to perform, Lydia went to the instrument and prepared to play. When she finished her first song, her audience was well satisfied and applauded appreciatively.
They were interrupted by the butler asking if they would take a visitor so late in the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet looked at one another with concern, wondering who could be calling at such a late hour and in such inclement weather.