9. Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
October 1811 Meryton, Hertfordshire Elizabeth
“ M y dear Charlotte!” Elizabeth found her friend as soon as she entered the Meryton Assembly Rooms and embraced her. Mary, too, wrapped her arms around the former Charlotte Lucas before stepping back, smiling delightedly.
“Elizabeth! Mary! It seems an age since we last met. I am very pleased to see you both.” Charlotte’s hand rested on her slightly swollen stomach. She glowed, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
“Have you something to tell us?” Elizabeth queried, giving Charlotte’s waist a pointed look.
“Yes, my friend, I do!” Grinning cheekily, she patted her stomach. “Clara and Louisa will have a brother or a sister before the end of December. They are very excited. John hopes it is a boy, of course, but he can leave the estate to a male or female child, so it hardly matters.”
“If only Longbourn were not entailed!” Elizabeth said dramatically, putting the back of her hand to her forehead.
Charlotte laughed, and Mary tittered nervously.
“Yes, entails are ridiculous things,” Charlotte agreed. “Perhaps this Mr. Bingley that everyone is whispering about will whisk Jane away and make her his bride.”
“Our stepmother would like nothing less,” Mary admitted. “She has warned us away from him, declaring that we must make way for her eldest child.”
“And will you follow her edicts?”
“When have we ever?” Elizabeth jested. “In truth, Mary and I are to have a season in town at my uncle’s insistence. We are not in any hurry to wed.”
“How has Mrs. Bennet adjusted to that eventuality?” Charlotte gave Elizabeth a knowing look. She had been privy to many insults from the lady’s mouth when on calls with her mother.
Mary sighed and shook her head. “She first insisted that my uncle include Jane. When that did not work, she tried to convince our father to keep us home. It was not until our father presented a signed agreement between him and my uncle that she stopped the haranguing.”
“Your uncle is everything attentive and thorough,” Charlotte remarked. “He must be very concerned for your future felicity.”
They nodded in tandem. “He is,” Elizabeth replied. “Miss Lane is to come with us when we go to town. I believe she has prepared us beyond what is usual. I miss her—she has gone to her sister’s until the spring.”
“Then you are to have masters of languages, drawing, painting tables, history, art…” Charlotte trailed off, her gaze going to the door. There, unfamiliar faces stared out into the crowd. “I believe our guests have arrived,” she murmured.
“Have you met them?” Mary asked.
“Briefly. I met Mr. Bingley when he returned my father’s call. He is the blond gentleman in the blue coat. From his description of his guests, I believe I can deduce the identity of the others. The couple on the left—yes, the portly gentleman and the thin, blond lady—that is Mr. Reginald and Mrs. Louisa Hurst. Mrs. Hurst is Mr. Bingley’s sister. The other lady, the one with the brown hair, that is likely Miss Caroline Bingley.”
“And the gentleman on whose arm she clings to so desperately?” Elizabeth eyed the pair curiously.
“That is Mr. Darcy. Father says he owns a large estate in Derbyshire. Pemberton…no, that is not it. Pemberley! Yes, that is the name. It brings in ten thousand a year.”
“He is very handsome,” Mary murmured.
“Yes,” Elizabeth agreed. “Though a smile would likely render him more so.”
Charlotte frowned. “He seems rather displeased with the company.” Flicking her fan open and waving it in front of her face, she narrowed her eyes. Charlotte had ever been defensive of her home environs.
“Mayhap he is merely uncomfortable,” Mary remarked. “I imagine I shall scowl in a like manner when I first enter a London ballroom.”
“This is hardly town, dearest Mary,” Elizabeth replied, chuckling.
“Shall we converge on the group?” Charlotte gestured toward the Netherfield Party.
“No, I think I shall wait my turn.” Elizabeth nodded across the room. Mrs. Bennet pushed through the crowd, Jane, Kitty, and Lydia trailing after. Jane’s gown had been pulled down in front, much like Lydia’s always appeared. In a trice, the four ladies were being introduced to the newcomers.
“Mr. Bingley seems impressed.” Mary’s pointed remarks drew Elizabeth’s attention, and she watched the awestruck expression on the gentleman’s face as he beheld the vision before him.
Jane’s demure smile seemed somewhat more powerful that evening. Gone was the serenity and propriety of the last assembly. Instead, her eyes twinkled, and she glanced away coyly before giving Mr. Bingley a warm look.
It was no surprise when the couple paired off and moved to the dance floor. Mrs. Bennet said something to Mr. Darcy, but he gave no reply, merely bowing crisply and striding away with Miss Bingley on his arm.
“Your stepmother does not look pleased with the snub,” Charlotte observed.
“No, I daresay she is not. She looks furious!” Elizabeth chuckled. “I wonder what she said to offend him.”
The first set was called, and Charlotte disappeared on her husband’s arm. John Lucas claimed Mary for a set, and Elizabeth graciously accepted Arnold Goulding’s offer to dance.
Several sets later, Elizabeth opted to sit out a set. The gentlemen were scarce that evening, many having chosen the card room over dancing. As such, there were a few young ladies forced to sit out for want of a partner. She did not mind a half hour of rest after her exertions. Mary joined her, sitting next to her and fanning her face slowly.
“Come, Darcy, I cannot have you standing about in this stupid manner. Come, you had much better dance.” Mr. Bingley’s voice carried over the music, and Elizabeth glanced out of the corner of her eye, spotting the two gentlemen in discourse near the wall.
“I will not. It would be insupportable to stand up with any of the locals. I have done my duty by your sisters and will dance no more tonight.” The tall, handsome man from Derbyshire frowned and gave his friend a frosty look.
Bingley did not appear affected. “I would not be so fastidious as you for a kingdom! There are many pretty girls in attendance. Surely, one will be an adequate dance partner.”
“You are dancing with the only handsome woman in the room.”
Bingley concurred. “She is an angel, Darcy!”
Elizabeth leaned in and whispered in Mary’s ear. “It seems that Mrs. Bennet will get her wish.”
Mary chuckled quietly, nodding in agreement.
“Look, there are two of Miss Bennet’s sisters. Shall I call upon my partner to introduce you?”
Elizabeth suddenly felt the gentlemen’s attention on them. She pretended to watch the dancers as if she were oblivious to their gazes.
The sneer in Mr. Darcy’s voice was unmistakable. “They are tolerable, I suppose, but neither holds any true beauty. They are not handsome enough to tempt me in the slightest. How Miss Bennet could have such unremarkable sisters is a mystery. Now, go enjoy your partner and her smiles, and leave me be.”
Elizabeth turned to Mary. Her sister’s face had gone pale, and her breath came in shallow gasps. Tenderly, she took Mary by the hand and led her outside the assembly hall to the little garden behind the building.
There, Mary succumbed to tears. She cried against Elizabeth’s shoulder, sobs coming in gasps. After some time, she calmed, and Elizabeth handed her a fresh handkerchief.
“You are not to believe a word of that dribble,” she commanded. “Mr. Darcy is a fool, and hardly a gentleman.”
“But what if he is correct?” Mary whimpered. “Mrs. Bennet has denigrated our appearances for years! You have convinced me her words hold no truth, yet now I question that! Mr. Darcy is a wealthy man. Surely, he has seen many handsome ladies in town. If he believes us to be merely tolerable, what will others of his station think?”
“They would not dare speak so about Lord Elmwood’s nieces.” Elizabeth put her hand on Mary’s shoulder. “I do not know why Mr. Darcy uttered such nonsense—simply promise me that you will not believe it.”
Mary smiled tremulously and nodded. “I shall try,” she promised.
“Good. Now, let us go indoors. It is far too cold to be outside without even a shawl for warmth!” Elizabeth escorted her sister inside and made certain that Mary was occupied with another dance partner before she looked around the room for the arrogant Mr. Darcy.
He had positioned himself against the far wall. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he scowled.
Moving inconspicuously, Elizabeth made her way around the hall. She greeted her neighbors warmly, pausing to speak with old Mrs. Simms before continuing on her path toward Mr. Darcy. When she came within a few feet of him, she turned and faced the dance floor. She spoke, moving her lips as little as possible so that it appeared she did not converse with him directly.
“I hope, sir, that you do not have a sister. Imagine how she would feel knowing her brother would utter such disgraceful insults at a public assembly, directed at ladies to whom he had not even been introduced.” She sighed. “Such conduct would make one think one’s brother was not a gentleman at all. Only think—what if a man behaved in such a manner toward her? I do not think you would take the insult lightly.”
“As you have noted, we have not been introduced, madam,” came his surly reply. “I must ask you to cease your attempts to gain an invitation to dance.”
“I would not dance with you if you were the last man in the world,” she answered stiffly. “It would be a punishment to stand up with a man who willfully insults those around him.” She volleyed his own words at him in parting, moving away as if they had not exchanged words at all.
Elizabeth did not look at him for the rest of the night. She wished for him to understand his lack of importance. Indeed, even Mrs. Bennet seemed inclined to pay him no notice. Such was not her way; any man with the slightest fortune was worth pursuing. Mr. Darcy must have offended her greatly, she mused.
Later that evening, they gathered in the drawing room. Mrs. Bennet regaled her husband with tales of Jane’s success with Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth thought Mr. Darcy’s insult would remain quiet until Jane spoke up.
“I understand from Mr. Bingley that his friend did not approve of the company,” she said. The falseness in her voice caught Elizabeth’s attention, and she turned to look at her stepsister curiously. “Indeed, Mr. Bingley says that Mr. Darcy declared me to be the only handsome woman in the room.” Jane narrowed her eyes at Elizabeth and pursed her lips. The corner of her mouth tilted up.
Is Jane smirking at me? Elizabeth thought in surprise.
“Did he?” Mrs. Bennet’s strident tones cut in. “Well, maybe he is not so bad. Jane, you will have your pick of two eligible gentlemen! How very fortunate!”
“Yes, Mama.” Jane cast her gaze demurely into her lap. “I shall have to determine which gentleman suits me more.”
“Fie! Mr. Darcy is wealthier. You must pursue him,” Mrs. Bennet commanded her daughter.
“Why does Jane get two gentlemen?” Lydia pouted. “It is not fair.”
“Because Jane is the eldest, and the most handsome.” Mrs. Bennet patted her youngest daughter's cheek. “But you are the liveliest, my dear Lydia. Surely, one of the gentlemen will want you.”
“They will certainly not want Mary or Elizabeth.” Jane’s cool tone turned the attention to her again.
“What do you mean?” Mrs. Bennet frowned. “I have already told those two to make way for their sisters.”
“There is no need, Mama. Mr. Darcy declared both Mary and Elizabeth only tolerable, and not handsome enough to tempt him. I happened to overhear him speaking with Mr. Bingley about it.”
I did not see Jane there, Elizabeth thought. Where had she been hiding?
“I suppose as a man who has long since been acquainted with the incomparables of the ton, Mr. Darcy can speak with some authority on the matter,” Jane continued. “He is accustomed to fashionable beauties. And by our own observations, he is a handsome man. Perhaps my stepsisters’ looks are not fashionable enough for him. It begs the question: is this planned season in town doomed to failure?”
“That is quite enough, Jane.” Mr. Bennet stood abruptly, scowling at his stepchild. “If this Mr. Darcy says my daughters are tolerable, then he is a blind man. And should Lord Elmwood learn of this insult, there will not be a place in England he can hide from his lordship’s wrath.”
“Oh, Mr. Bennet. Jane is merely speaking the truth. I have told you repeatedly that it is a waste to send Mary and Elizabeth to town for the season. You had best write to Lord Elmwood and request that he take Jane and Lydia.” Mrs. Bennet smirked.
“Why should Lydia go and not me?” Kitty cried out angrily.
“Enough!” Mr. Bennet turned his glare on his wife and then his daughters. “Bed, all of you.”
Jane was the first to stand. She put her shoulders back and glided from the room. Elizabeth watched her go, perplexed at her behavior, wondering how their sisterly relationship had been so altered in so short a time.
She and Mary went next, eager to escape their stepmother’s complaints. Safely in their chambers, they changed for the night before climbing into Elizabeth’s bed. Snuggled together under the coverlet, they fell asleep holding each other, taking comfort in each other’s presence.
The next morning, the Lucases called upon the Bennets to discuss the ball. Maria, a handsome girl of sixteen years, settled in the corner with Kitty and Lydia to debate gowns and fripperies. Charlotte joined the younger ladies, leaving Lady Lucas and Mrs. Bennet to their own discourse.
“You made quite a conquest last night, Jane,” Charlotte began, opening their conversation.
“Yes, I suppose I did.” Jane smiled triumphantly. “I am quite in love already, I assure you.”
Elizabeth frowned. “You have only just met the man, Jane. Take time to ascertain his character before you lose your heart.”
“Why should I wait to secure him?” Jane snapped. “ You need not worry about marrying—you have a fortune to see you to comfort. Not all of us are so blessed.”
Charlotte cut in. “Jane, that is unkind.”
“You defend her?” Jane tossed her head again, making her curls bob. “Elizabeth and Mary both have a dowry large enough to draw men. It will be simple work for her to secure a proposal.”
That differs greatly from what she intimated last night, seethed Elizabeth.
“Do you mean to say that your sisters have nothing to recommend them other than their dowries?” Charlotte pressed.
Jane paused, considering her reply. “To be certain, Elizabeth—and Mary—have trained with the masters and will have them again when they go to town. Accomplished, they may be when judged by the standards of society. Yet, Mr. Darcy, the most eligible man we have ever met, snubbed them both, calling them not handsome enough to tempt him Should he—or anyone of consequence—deign to make my stepsisters an offer, it will certainly be due to their fortune and not their figure or face.”
Elizabeth gaped, as did Mary and Charlotte. “I have never known you to be cruel, Jane Younge, ” Charlotte said testily.
The reminder that she was not a Bennet seemed to further incite Jane’s ire, and she scowled. “I am Jane Bennet, Mrs. Hampton,” she replied. “It is the only name I remember bearing.”
“Be that as it may, that is not the name you were christened with. Mr. Bennet is not your father. You seek to place yourself above Elizabeth and Mary through petty insults. These paltry attacks will do you no good. They do not erase your origins, nor do they wipe away the truth.” Charlotte drew a breath. “I have no wish for discord. Let us put this aside and be friends.”
Jane stood. “You claim you do not wish for discord, yet you insult me grievously. I believe I shall join another group.”
“One must fight fire with fire, Miss Younge,” Charlotte said. Jane froze at that reply before straightening her shoulders and stalking off.
“What has happened to her?” Mrs. Hampton asked curiously. “I have never known Jane to put herself so above her company.”
“We do not know,” Mary replied. “When we returned from Elm Grove in September, Jane was… different. There is no other word for it.”
“Do you mean to do anything about it?” queried Charlotte.
“What is there to be done?” Elizabeth answered. “Until Jane will speak of what has hurt her so, we cannot begin to make amends.”
The three fell into silence, finishing their tea before making any effort to speak again.