Chapter 2 Enchanted #2
Equally, Elizabeth couldn't ignore her hosts, so she descended the stairs and entered the parlour where everyone had gathered.
Caroline
Caroline's heart skipped a beat upon seeing Miss Eliza standing at the door of the parlour.
How long had she been present? Could she possibly have overheard any of our conversation?
She observed her brother immediately striding towards Miss Eliza to inquire about Miss Bennet. Oh, Charles, you besotted fool.
Caroline then witnessed Miss Eliza requesting permission to stay at Netherfield and care for her sister, to which Charles eagerly consented. The events unfolded so swiftly that she had no opportunity to consider any intervention.
What just happened? Is she also going to stay here? Good heavens, why on earth did I invite Miss Bennet yesterday?
Darcy
Darcy felt a mixture of relief and concern as Miss Elizabeth entered the parlour.
He had grown tired of Miss Bingley's ceaseless criticism of the Bennets.
It commenced with disparaging remarks about Miss Elizabeth's morning appearance, followed by branding her a great walker.
Miss Bingley proceeded to critique the behaviour of Mrs. Bennet, her younger daughters, their modest wealth, connections, and more.
She even delved into the topic of the Bennet sisters' uncle in Cheapside, who resided near his warehouse—an aspect of information previously unknown to Darcy.
Ah, so that's the motive behind her invitation to Miss Bennet yesterday – a ploy to gather information to use against them.
Darcy, like any gentleman of the ton, was well aware of the societal class distinctions.
He recognized the prevailing biases against tradesmen and the unfavourable view of connections with such backgrounds.
Even though he understood the importance of wealth and connections, he never believed in judging individuals solely based on their occupations.
He wouldn't be friends with Bingley if he held such disdain for those from trade.
He even found himself smiling when Bingley responded by saying that the Miss Bennets wouldn't be any less agreeable if they had uncles enough to fill all of Cheapside.
Bravo, Bingley. It is unbelievable that Miss Bingley is forgetting her own origin. How blindsided is she?
Then Miss Elizabeth suddenly showed up, and his elation turned into worry. Did she overhear Miss Bingley’s slights against her?
Elizabeth
Elizabeth had been in Jane's chamber when the discussion about their uncle occurred, sparing her from hearing it.
However, positioned closer to the entrance of the parlour, she couldn't help but overhear Miss Bingley's remarks about their lack of desirability as potential connections.
Though she was already aware of her limited prospects, she would have preferred not to hear such sentiments spoken aloud in the morning parlour.
Suppressing her vexation, she assumed a polite smile before entering the parlour.
Mr. Bingley hastened to her side, inquiring about Jane's condition.
Elizabeth respectfully sought permission to stay overnight, a request Mr. Bingley readily granted.
A groom was promptly dispatched to Longbourn to retrieve her belongings.
Oh, he is a dear man and how well he and Jane suit. I hope his sisters and his friend don't drive him away from Jane.
With her immediate goal achieved, Elizabeth could have easily used Jane's illness as an excuse to withdraw upstairs.
However, she chose to linger in the parlour for a while.
During this time, she surprised Mr. Hurst by opting to read instead of playing cards.
She listened as Miss Bingley extolled the virtues of Mr. Darcy's library at Pemberley and Miss Darcy's accomplishments.
Elizabeth also heard Mr. Darcy's opinions on ladies and their expected accomplishments.
She even dared to jest to Mr. Darcy's face that, with such an extensive list of accomplishments, it would be a wonder if he knew even half a dozen accomplished women—a remark that Miss Bingley took exception to.
Having fulfilled her 'polite' obligations as a guest by engaging in conversation with her hosts, Elizabeth excused herself and made her way back to Jane.
Mr. Darcy and his so-called accomplishments.
What a rude and pompous man he is! Who does he think he is to judge me based on my accomplishments?
Hasn't he already deemed me merely "tolerable" and not deserving of his attention?
And why is he always staring at me? Is he trying to uncover more flaws in me so that he can look down upon me even more?
Had she ever questioned herself about why Mr. Darcy's opinion still mattered to her, she would have struggled to find an answer. And if she had genuinely sought it, the answer might have surprised her.
Darcy
Darcy felt content that he could offer Miss Elizabeth his support when Miss Bingley began discussing his sister's accomplishments. It wasn't that he minded hearing about Georgiana's achievements. However, using them to demean another lady in his presence was objectionable to him.
Among ladies of gentility, it was acceptable to read, but within very limited subject matters.
Engaging in extensive reading for the purpose of intellectual improvement was not commonly seen as a desirable pursuit for gentle-born ladies.
By including this attribute in his list of accomplishments, he intended to convey to Miss Elizabeth that he held her in high regard and considered her worthy of his attention and acquaintance.
Darcy was confident that Miss Elizabeth possessed the intelligence to perceive his supportive gesture.
Thursday, November 14, 1811
Darcy
Next morning, Darcy found himself struggling to complete his letter to his sister, Georgiana.
Could you please desist, Miss Bingley? How am I to concentrate when you hover about like a cat near a fish stall?
In the past five minutes alone, Miss Bingley had offered to mend his pen, showered him with compliments about his swift writing, the elegance of his script, and the charming nature of his letters.
I hope you avoid the topic of my "charming" letters in a London drawing room. The last thing I want is for people to think you receive letters from me.
He also weathered some light-hearted jabs.
Bingley playfully chided him for using too many four-syllable words, intended as jest, though it appeared to fly over Miss Bingley's head, causing her to counter by accusing Bingley of penning illegible letters. Later, Bingley again teased him by saying there are no more awful objects than himself when he has nothing to do on a Sunday evening. This remark was the culmination of a discussion about Bingley’s impetuous nature, a topic that Darcy himself had initiated.
Miss Elizabeth was present during this exchange and actively joined in the conversation, siding with Bingley when the topic of his impetuousness was raised.
Despite his difficulty in concluding his letter, Darcy found these moments curiously enjoyable.
While he was already aware of Miss Elizabeth's stunning beauty, perhaps the most exquisite he knew, he now recognized that she possessed more than just outward grace.
She radiated intelligence, kindness, compassion, and the ability to hold her own in discussions or debates.
Oh God, If only her family had a better standing in society.
Darcy sighed. I'd better get this letter done.
Caroline
Caroline found herself losing track of the conversation.
Hadn’t I just been complimenting Mr. Darcy’s letter-writing skills and subtly highlighting my closer connection to the Darcy family in front of Miss Eliza? How did the topic suddenly turn to Charles's impulsive tendencies?
When Charles insulted Mr. Darcy about using four syllable words, she was offended on behalf of her Mr. Darcy. However, the discourse then took an unexpected turn, leaving her further perplexed. Her frustration deepened as Miss Eliza actively joined in.
At least she sides against Mr. Darcy. That girl lacks the ability to converse with a gentleman. For all Mrs. Bennet’s matchmaking ambitions, none of her daughters possess the skill to captivate a gentleman and invite a proposal. Thank heavens for that.
Friday, November 15, 1811
Elizabeth
Elizabeth felt relieved that Jane was well enough to join her downstairs for dinner. Her spirits soared even higher when Mr. Bingley promptly attended to her sister's comfort. She couldn't help but smile at the gentleman's efforts to care for Jane like a mother hen.
He is a dear man and perfect for Jane. God, I beseech you! Let him have a backbone to follow his heart.
She was also growing concerned about the impropriety of their continued stay here. With Jane feeling better, there was no reason for them to remain any longer.
?I must write to Papa tomorrow, requesting that he send the carriage.
Out of the blue, Miss Bingley invited Elizabeth to join in her walk. Though taken aback by the invitation, Elizabeth acquiesced.
Caroline
Caroline had enough of her brother fussing over Miss Jane Bennet.
Grow up Charles, it's just a cold, she is not dying.
To divert her brother's attention, she broached the subject of the imminent Netherfield ball—a commitment Charles had impulsively made to Miss Lydia Bennet during her recent visit.
Seeking to dissuade her brother from the event, she mentioned the presence of individuals in the parlour who did not relish such gatherings.
Her brother easily saw through her ruse and suggested that Darcy was free to hide in his room if he couldn't join in the festivities. Such nerve.
All this while, she had been walking right in front of Mr. Darcy, hoping he would notice her figure. However, Mr. Darcy completely ignored her. Frustrated, she decided to invite Miss Eliza to join her for a walk.
Let's see whether he looks up now.
It worked.
Darcy