Chapter 1 Spellbound #3
Mrs. Louisa Hurst was also feeling tired.
She hadn't caught sight of her husband since their arrival at this wretched hall.
She surmised he was likely dozing off in some concealed corner or indulging in a drink somewhere.
With Caroline shadowing Mr. Darcy everywhere and her brother being his usual social self, she was left alone.
Well, not entirely alone since some girls, who should still be in the nursery, were scurrying about her.
One of the Bennet girls was perched on a nearby chair, secretly ogling at her dress and struggling, and failing, to avoid appearing conspicuous.
What’s her name? Kitty? What kind of name is that?
It was then she saw Caroline approaching her. What is it now?
Caroline
It is time to devise a plan. I need to learn more about Miss Eliza and the Bennets. I must ensure that Mr. Darcy's attraction to Miss Eliza turns into disdain.
Caroline never anticipated encountering a rival here in Meryton. Yet, she clearly saw how Mr. Darcy looked at Miss Eliza. She had never seen that look before. He had never directed such a gaze at her. She was certain that Mr. Darcy had never regarded anyone else in that manner before.
It might all come to naught. Mr. Darcy is not impetuous like Charles. He will never offer for someone of such a lower station. Nonetheless, it is prudent to lay the groundwork. And for that, I need to know more.
However, upon approaching Louisa, she noticed Miss Catherine seated close by. No! How can I plan against Miss Eliza with her sister in attendance? I must take Louisa away.
Just as she was about to lead Louisa away, out of nothing, she hit upon a different plan.
Why should I focus solely on Mr. Darcy? Why not try to exert influence over Miss Eliza as well? Mr. Darcy, with his prideful bearing, is a prime candidate for such tactics.
She was on a roll with her plan formed in seconds. Oh, I am a genius.
Kitty
Miss Catherine ‘Kitty’ Bennet had never seen a gown like this.
The moment Mrs. Hurst graced the hall, Kitty's gaze was drawn to her gown. And when she had to sit out a dance for the first time today, she couldn’t stop herself from staring at it.
She fervently hoped that her fascination with the gown had gone unnoticed by Mrs. Hurst.
What a splendid gown! But I must divert my gaze, lest she catches me staring.
While trying to avert her eyes, she noticed Miss Bingley approaching them. Why did she pause upon seeing me? What am I? A spider?
Louisa
What is Caroline up to? Why does she keep checking on the position of that Bennet girl?
As her sister whispered in her ear for silence, Louisa found herself momentarily at a loss.
However, she swiftly comprehended her prescribed role: that of an attentive listener.
Her duty was to heed Caroline's words, offering agreement or exclamation as required. There should be no contradiction. Whatever Caroline utters must be accepted as truth. She isn’t the intended audience.
This entire charade is for Miss Catherine's benefit.
And since Caroline is the playwright, all of this is somehow related to Mr. Darcy.
Well, I shall reserve my inquiries for later, but for now, I must play my part. It appears the performance is about to begin. It's a shame there's no one here to applaud my acting abilities apart from this chit.
"Louisa," Caroline began, “Did you hear Mr. Darcy’s words just now?”
“What?” Louisa questioned, sounding disinterested.
"Did you hear Mr. Darcy's words about Miss Eliza?" Caroline continued.
"Miss Eliza? Who is she? Have we been formally introduced?" inquired Louisa.
“I meant Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Caroline replied impatiently.
"Why would Mr. Darcy speak of Miss Elizabeth? I daresay they haven't even been introduced," Louisa remarked with a touch of curiosity. What is Caroline’s plan? Where is she going with this?
“True. And Mr. Darcy has no desire for an introduction either. Our dear brother just attempted to introduce Mr. Darcy to Miss Eliza. It seems that after dancing with us, Mr. Darcy had had enough," said Caroline.
Was that meant to be a compliment? Judging by the way she said it, she intended it as a compliment. Why don't I feel that way? Anyway, back to acting.
“What did he say?” inquired Louisa.
“Miss Eliza was sitting without a partner. Who would want to dance with her anyway? When Charles attempted to introduce them, Mr. Darcy remarked that Miss Eliza is only tolerable and not handsome enough to tempt him. He also mentioned that he is in no humour to give consequence to young ladies slighted by other men,” Caroline stated.
That can’t be true. Mr. Darcy would never utter such words about any lady. He is too proper and well bred for that.
Louisa finally discerned Caroline's strategy, though she was no longer certain of its wisdom.
Caroline was essentially insinuating that Mr. Darcy had insulted a gentlewoman in public, a serious accusation to make.
If someone challenges Mr. Darcy over this, he will undoubtedly deny it, and any further inquiry could lead back to Louisa and Caroline.
But who will believe this girl over us? If someone inquires about this, we can simply disavow our involvement and portray the girl as uttering nonsense.
“Serves our brother right, I think. Mr. Darcy abhors mingling below the society he is accustomed to. Doesn’t Charles know this by now?” Louisa mused, resolved to continue with the charade.
“You are right, Louisa” Caroline affirmed, furtively glancing at the Bennet chit. Louisa too caught a glimpse of the girl, who turned pale, her eyes nearly popping from their sockets.
So it has gone well. Now I need to know the reason for all these playacting. I deserve an explanation tonight, Caroline. Nothing else will suffice.
Kitty
Did he truly utter those words about Lizzy? And why are these two praising him for insulting a gentlewoman? What kind of people are these? Why am I sitting here staring at the gown? What a terrible gown it is, anyway.
Kitty has always been a follower. She recognized very early that if she were to follow anyone, it had to be either Jane or Lydia.
Mama only had eyes for those two. But following Jane was just so tedious.
She's far too proper, virtuous, and, well, frankly, a bit dull.
Lydia, on the other hand, was the exact opposite.
She's exciting, full of life, and always ready for an adventure.
Kitty adored her other sisters too. Lizzy, while occasionally stern, was often compassionate and always ready to assist her.
That pompous man just insulted her in public?
Just then, Lizzy came back from the refreshment area with a tumbler in her hand. Kitty immediately ran towards her sister, oblivious to the devious smiles that adorned the faces of the Bingley sisters.
Elizabeth
He said that about me? He said I am only tolerable and not handsome enough to tempt him? And here I am, pining for him for the past two hours.
Ever since her debut in society, Elizabeth had been well aware that comparisons with Jane were inevitable.
Jane was the epitome of traditional beauty and had a gentle disposition that endeared her to everyone.
Elizabeth never minded being in Jane's shadow.
She did not complain when her mother made remarks about her appearance or when she was overlooked by local gentlemen in favour of Jane.
Yet, this time, she was hurt. Deeply hurt.
It is time to stop this nonsense of trying to get his attention. If I am not handsome enough for him, then I don’t want anything from him either. A man who insults a woman like that is not worth pining over anyway.
That’s it, Mr. Darcy. You will not get anything from me ever again.
Darcy
Darcy observed Miss Elizabeth's return with a tumbler in her grasp. He silently hoped she would reclaim her position near her mother and perchance grace him with a fleeting glance. He found himself unexpectedly craving more of her attention.
However, his wishes remained unfulfilled. She handed the tumbler to her mother, exchanged a few words, and then retreated back to the circle of her young companions.
What! She completely ignored me! Not even a peek. Well, you don’t escape me like that.
Darcy went to where Bingley was dancing and waited for the dance to end. If she is free for the next dance, then I am going to dance with her, even if it is the supper set.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth found herself partnerless for the supper set as well. She remained seated, alone with her contemplations. The persistent presence of Mr. Darcy in her thoughts vexed her. Why can’t I get him out of my mind?
Just then, out of nowhere, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy materialised in front of her. Am I dreaming or did I just conjure him up with my thoughts?
“Miss Elizabeth, allow me to introduce my good friend, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, of Pemberley, Derbyshire. Darcy, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet of Longbourn,” Mr. Bingley concluded his introduction.
Mr. Darcy executed an elegant bow, and she curtsied in return.
“Miss Elizabeth, it is a privilege to be introduced to you. Would you allow me the pleasure of dancing with you? The set is just about to start, and it would be my honour to share this dance,” Mr. Darcy inquired, bowing over her hand.
What is happening here? Why is he suddenly being nice? Oh, I realize it now. It looks like his friend had some stern words with him, and he is forced to dance with me. In that case, it is another insult. I don’t want a gentleman dancing with me at knifepoint.
But if I refuse, that ends my dancing for the day. But no. I can’t dance with him. And I need to make that clear.
"I apologise, Mr. Darcy. I refrained from participating not due to a scarcity of partners.
I had no intention of dancing any further tonight.
Nevertheless, I appreciate your request," she said before turning and making her way back to her mother.
He will never approach mama after her antics earlier.
Darcy
Darcy was shocked, so shocked that he was momentarily at a loss. Even Bingley looked like he had eaten something bitter. Will this day get any worse?
“Well, that was unexpected. Forgive me, Darce, if I knew this would happen, I would have never pestered you,” Bingley looked crestfallen.
"No need for apologies, Bingley. You have done nothing amiss. Miss Elizabeth is well within her rights to decline my invitation. She is perhaps fatigued, as am I. Do not dwell on it," Darcy reassured.
But what did she say about sitting out because of a lack of partners? What did she mean by that?
Darcy felt all the shame and mortification of being refused. But more than that, he felt pain. The Bingley sisters were standing about ten feet away. If he were in a state of mind to see anything, he might have observed their exchanged glances and the smug smiles gracing their lips.
Darcy wanted to abstain from dancing for the rest of the evening, but he rallied himself to dance the set immediately after supper. For the final set, he sat out near an elderly lady to whom he was never introduced.
Why does her refusal pain me so much? Grow up, man, it is just a dance.
No, it wasn’t just a dance. And his heart knew it at that time.