Chapter 11
Drawing Room
The Phillipses’ House
The Next Evening
Mrs. Phillips, who delighted in entertaining, had stuffed her drawing room with deep, plush chairs intended for the comfort of her visitors.
Elizabeth, relaxing in one of those chairs, looked around herself and allowed herself to relax.
For now, all was well, with Lydia and Kitty giggling by the fireplace, Jane sitting quietly by the fire, and Mary and Mr. Collins engaging Mrs. Phillips in polite conversation.
Elizabeth, after a glance at her youngest sisters, was focusing on their aunt and cousin and Mary.
She welcomed the chance to further study her cousin’s demeanor.
Elizabeth was aware that her father was a man of considerable intellect, and clearly it would be both unfair and unreasonable to expect a similar level of intellectual acumen in his heir.
Nonetheless, Elizabeth was not disappointed by her cousin, not at all.
Mr. Collins was not in possession of a sparkling wit, but his social graces were modest and humble and lacked nothing, and his manner was kind.
Mrs. Phillips, like her sister, was not a clever woman, and her conduct could be considered vulgar, yet not by so much as the flicker of an eyelid or a single sniff did Mr. Collins convey any hint of superiority.
He was politely answering her many eager questions about Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and Miss de Bourgh, and Rosings.
There was little enough fodder to feed Mrs. Phillips's avid interest in the aristocracy here in the wilds of Meryton, and Elizabeth was grateful for her cousin's patience and forbearance as he conversed with her vulgar aunt.
Yes, Mr. Collins seemed a good man, and Longbourn would, she hoped, benefit from his oversight.
Her mind suddenly envisioned the face and figure of Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, and she felt her cheeks warm.
That gentleman was blessed with great wealth, plus handsome features and a very fine form especially when he was sopping wet, and Elizabeth thought, not for the first time, that it was not fair that some people were so greatly blessed when others were not.
On the other hand, Mr. Darcy was, without a doubt, a brave and courageous man, and showed every sign of being a faithful brother and friend…
The door opened, and the ladies looked up as Mr. Phillips swept inside with a sea of red coats at his heels.
Several officers, looking splendid in their military attire, glanced around the room with smiling curiosity.
At least three of them she knew by sight, although it was the fourth who caught and held her attention.
He could only be the Mr. Wickham about whom Lydia had been gushing so enthusiastically.
Though her silly youngest sister was prone to having her head turned by every gentleman who smiled at her, Elizabeth had to admit that Lydia had not exaggerated Mr. Wickham's attractiveness.
He was quite one of the handsomest men she had ever seen, on par with Mr. Darcy himself.
The Bennet ladies rose with their aunt and cousin, and Mr. Philips said, “My dears, Mr. Collins, please allow me to introduce you to Captain Denny, Captain Roland, Lieutenant Smythe, and Lieutenant Wickham. Gentlemen, my nieces Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mary, Miss Kitty, Miss Lydia, and their cousin Mr. Collins.”
Curtsies and bows were exchanged, and Elizabeth and her sisters distributed themselves around the room.
The two captains made their way to Jane’s side, Lieutenant Smythe walked over to where Kitty and Lydia were sitting, and Mr. Wickham, to Elizabeth’s surprise and delight, took a seat across from her own.
“Miss Elizabeth,” the man said with a smile, displaying a set of very white, straight teeth, “it is a pleasure to meet you. I do not know whether your younger sisters mentioned that we were introduced only yesterday.”
“They did,” Elizabeth said with a nod. “They, and we, are very pleased to have you as a member of the regiment here. We are a small community but also a welcoming one.”
“That is all I want,” the lieutenant said fervently.
“Indeed, it was the prospect of society, good society, which brought me here. I had not thought to make the military my profession, but my life has been, yes, a rather disappointing one. But alas, I ought not to complain; based on Denny’s description, I will enjoy myself here very much. ”
“What were you intending instead of the military?” Elizabeth asked curiously.
“I was meant for the church, and indeed I had been promised a valuable living by my godfather, but his son chose not to give it to me, so … here I am.”
Elizabeth stared at the lieutenant in wonder. “I am so very sorry! Our cousin, Mr. Collins, was blessed enough to gain a valuable living, but I know it can be difficult to do so without helpful connections.”
Mr. Wickham looked over at Mr. Collins, who was talking softly with Mary, and he said, “He was indeed fortunate. Is your cousin settled in a nearby parish, then?”
“No, he has a living in Kent, under the patronage of a very wealthy lady who is mistress of a large estate called Rosings.”
Wickham eyes widened. “Lady Catherine de Bourgh!”
Elizabeth started. “Yes? Do you know her?”
The lieutenant hesitated, and then said, “I have not seen her in many years, but yes, she visited Pemberley, the estate where I grew up, twice in my boyhood.”
“Pemberley!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Mr. Darcy’s estate?”
Wickham’s expression was suddenly grave, and he said, “Indeed. Denny tells me that Mr. Darcy is staying at a nearby estate with his friend Mr. Bingley, so I suppose I ought to have known that you would have met him.”
“I have,” Elizabeth said, assessing her companion carefully. She had long flattered herself on her ability to understand the hearts of people, but she could not quite tell what expression was on the lieutenant’s face. Was it worry? Anger? Disappointment?
“Is it possible that Mr. Darcy is the man who refused you the living?” she asked quietly.
He hesitated and then nodded once. “Yes. His father was my godfather. We were boyhood friends but drifted apart in recent years. We have very different personalities and … but I ought not to speak in such a way about a man who is, perhaps, a friend?”
Elizabeth went silent. This whole conversation was both awkward and indelicate. She had only just met Mr. Wickham, after all, and to speak so plainly…
“I am sorry,” Wickham said quickly. “I ought not to have spoken on this matter. Please tell me about your family. Do you have many relations nearby?”
“Not really. My father was an only child, and my mother has but two siblings. My aunt Phillips lives here, of course, and my uncle Gardiner lives in London with his family…”
***
Jane’s Bedchamber
Longbourn
Midnight
Jane frowned at her sister and said, “What a truly bizarre conversation, Lizzy. It seems unlikely that Mr. Darcy would behave in such a way.”
Elizabeth frowned back and said, “I agree. On the other hand, Mr. Wickham seems such an honorable young man. It seems equally unlikely that he would lie about such a thing.”
Silence held for a full minute, and then Jane said, “I wonder if it was a case of miscommunication. Perhaps Mr. Wickham thought that his godfather wished him to have the living, but the current Mr. Darcy was not informed, or the older Mr. Darcy only suggested it instead of recommending it?”
“I could imagine that happening,” Elizabeth agreed, and sighed. “It is a great pity, but perhaps Mr. Wickham will be able to find another living without Mr. Darcy’s patronage. Mr. Collins did, after all.”
“So he has taken Holy Orders?” Jane asked.
Elizabeth blinked. “Well, I suppose he must have, if he expected to serve as a clergyman?”
“Yes, of course he must have. Oh dear. It is sad that two such fine men are at odds. I will pray that they can end their quarrel during their time in the same county.”
Elizabeth nodded. She did not pretend to know Mr. Darcy or Mr. Wickham well, and she was genuinely puzzled by the situation.
On the one hand, Mr. Darcy could undoubtedly be proud and rude.
On the other hand, he had leaped into icy water to save a puppy, and during Jane’s illness at Netherfield Hall, had shown himself to be an intelligent and interesting man.
She could hardly imagine him behaving dishonorably over a church living set aside for his father’s godson.
As for Mr. Wickham, well, she had never in all her life seen a man who combined both good looks and softness of manners! He was her ideal of a gentleman.
And yet, the two men were at odds. It was peculiar and unfortunate.
***
Old Stables
Netherfield Hall
The Next Morning
Thursday, 21st November 1811
The odor of horse emanated from the very wood of the walls and floor, but that was, Caroline thought fair-mindedly, only to be expected when one was standing in a former stable.
She drew her shawl closer about her shoulders, looking about thoughtfully.
All the hay and straw and manure and detritus had been swept out and the floors mopped, making the long, low front area suitable for ladies practicing with bow and arrow, if one was not overly particular.
The doors to the stalls had all been closed, hiding the signs of their erstwhile occupants.
The walls were sound, and Caroline was glad of that.
When the stables had been in use, the heat of many horses would have kept the entire building warm, but with it standing empty, the air was cold.
There was no wind to chill them further, but Caroline would have to dress warmly when she came out to practice.
“We will need lanterns,” she said aloud.
Her brother looked around and said, “Yes, indeed. You would not wish to open the windows or doors, as it would be too cold in here.”
“Yes,” Caroline agreed. “Moreover, I do not want a breeze when I am learning how to shoot arrows.”
“That is very sensible,” Charles agreed heartily. “Hilson, can you arrange for lanterns to be placed in various useful places here?
“Of course, sir,” Bingley’s head stable master said. “By the by, one of my boys checked the roof to ensure that it is in no danger of collapsing, and the walls are sturdy enough.”
Charles nodded and said, “Thank you. I believe that the archery equipment will be arriving in the next few days.”
The man bobbed his head, and Charles said, “Shall we return to the house, Caroline?”
“Yes,” Caroline agreed, putting her arm on his.
The siblings made their way out of the stable and out into a sunny day decorated with a few charmingly fluffy clouds.
The wind was sufficiently brisk to cause her to wrap her scarf around her neck with her available hand, and her brother said, “It is chilly.”
“It is,” Caroline said and took in a deep breath of crisp air as she looked around herself. It was really a lovely day, and she took a moment to admire the sight of bare branches against the deep blue of the sky.
“Sister?”
“Yes?”
“I would like to hold a ball here at Netherfield.”
Caroline blinked and stared up into her brother’s face. “A ball?”
“Indeed,” Charles said airily. “Netherfield has such a delightful ballroom, and it would be a wonderful way to show our gratitude for our neighbors’ kindness, would it not?”
Charles was not particularly subtle, Caroline thought dispassionately.
It was obvious that he wished to ingratiate himself with Jane Bennet and believed that a ball would go far in pleasing her.
That was not a goal to encourage. As charming as Miss Bennet was, she would be a deplorable wife for her brother because her connections and dowry were execrable.
Caroline needed to depress Charles’s enthusiasm for pursuing the relationship, not support it.
On the other hand, there likely was no real danger.
Charles tumbled into and out of love the way other men changed their coats.
And in time, Miss Georgiana Darcy would be old enough for marriage, and she was blonde of hair and blue of eye and quite pretty.
It would be a perfect match, for after all, Mr. Darcy was Charles’s closest friend.
Charles might harmlessly amuse himself here for a time.
Moreover, a ball would be an excellent opportunity for Caroline to show off her own skills.
To act as hostess to a house party was a far different matter than preparing for a ball.
She would have to consider decorations, and music, and dinner, and the guest list. The ball would not be as fine as one in Town, of course, but Caroline was confident that it would be sufficiently magnificent to amaze her neighbors, who were largely unrefined, provincial folk.
Mr. Darcy, with his Town-refined tastes, certainly would be impressed by her organizational abilities.
After all, the eventual mistress of Pemberley and of Darcy House would need to be an accomplished hostess, and it was high time that Caroline proved that she could be exactly that.
“I think that is a wonderful idea,” she finally said aloud.
“I am glad,” her brother said happily.