Chapter 7 Reappearance #3
But that wasn't the end of it. Her mother never liked to come second best in anything, even if it was about just enjoying an art form. Anne shuddered when her mother went on to say that there are few people in England who enjoy music more than herself or have a better natural taste.
Oh, Mother, that is the most ridiculous thing I've heard all year. You can't even distinguish between a harpsichord and a piano.
But her mother went even further, stating that if both she and her daughter had ever pursued music lessons, they would have become highly proficient. Anne silently prayed that no one had witnessed her mortification.
Why in God's name did you drag my name into it?
She was relieved when the conversation moved to Georgiana’s musical abilities.
But fate had other plans. Her eyes widened in disbelief as her mother extended an invitation to Miss Bennet, suggesting she practise in Mrs. Jenkinson's chamber since there was no pianoforte in the parsonage. There is a shiny, forever unused pianoforte right in the chamber they were sitting in. And her mother just suggested Miss Bennet, a gentleman’s daughter, practice in the old instrument placed deep inside the servant’s quarters. It was a blatant insult.
Anne observed the shock etched across Darcy's face, his expression a mix of mortification and, what is that, pain?
Even Richard, known for his unwavering composure, had his gaze averted, his countenance clouded with shame.
Miss Bennet, having just endured a public insult, held her head high, her eyes straight and she sat there with all the forbearance of civility.
She is a remarkable lady. Darcy, please don’t mess it up. She is a treasure.
Her eyes darted back at Darcy. What she saw there filled her with hope.
Darcy
Did I hear that correctly? Did she just suggest that Miss Bennet should practise in Mrs. Jenkinson's chamber?
There are moments in life, significant moments, when an individual is forced to step back for a moment and really think things through. These are the moments that forever alter one’s thoughts and perspectives. For Fitzwilliam Darcy, this was such a moment.
Did she just publicly insult a young lady, a gentleman's daughter, more importantly, a guest she herself has invited, right in front of her other guests and servants? Will someone ever call her out on this?
Darcy realized with a shock that the answer to that question is a resounding no. She is Lady Catherine. She is a peer. She has wealth and connections. No one is going to call her out. She is allowed these eccentricities.
But what if it was someone like Mrs. Bennet?
She could be called out because she can't hurt you.
She is nothing in this society. Darcy saw the irony of it all.
Lady Catherine, despite her education and knowledge of proper parlour behaviour, deliberately chose not to adhere to it.
On the other hand, Mrs. Bennet, born into a tradesman's family and fortunate enough to marry into the gentry, lacks education and training in the ways of a gentlewoman, thus behaving as her nature dictates.
Yet, it is Mrs. Bennet who will face judgement, while Lady Catherine will escape unscathed.
And I myself tried to judge Mrs. Bennet. No, not just Mrs. Bennet, but everyone in the Bennet family. I even attempted to pass judgement on Miss Elizabeth’s younger sisters, when it was my own sister who behaved worse by agreeing to elope with a scoundrel.
As he thought more of it, he realized that it was not just Lady Catherine.
There are others. Viscount of Matlock, Richard’s brother, is worse.
He is rumoured to have two mistresses. His wife, Lady Agnes, walks around in a way that puts Miss Caroline Bingley to shame.
They all had good education. They were supposed to embody the virtues and responsibilities of their privileged status, yet they flouted convention with reckless abandon.
Worse still, I allowed my judgments to serve as a barrier against the one lady who has captured my heart. I sought to push Miss Elizabeth away due to her less esteemed relations, overlooking the fact that I, too, bear relations of whom I've long been ashamed. What a hypocrite I am!
In a moment of extreme clarity, Darcy understood what he needed to do.
I need to let my heart guide me on this. There is no point running away from her anymore. I need to engage with her and see where it leads me.
Darcy ignored his aunt, who was trying to say something to him, and moved towards the pianoforte.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth was surprised when Mr. Darcy came towards and stood in front of her. Is he trying to intimidate me?
“You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me. But I will not be alarmed, though your sister does play so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me,” she asked at the first convenient pause.
“I shall not say that you are mistaken,” he replied, “because you could not really believe me to entertain any design of alarming you; and I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know, that you find great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which, in fact, are not your own.”
What does that even mean?
As always, her response to uncomfortable situations was to tease her way out.
She smiled at both cousins and threatened to retaliate by exposing Mr. Darcy’s conduct while in Hertfordshire.
As she expected, Colonel Fitzwilliam eagerly accepted the offer, saying he wanted to know how his cousin behaves among strangers.
To his credit, Mr. Darcy simply replied that he was not afraid of her.
“You shall hear, then—but prepare for something very dreadful. The first time of my ever seeing him in Hertfordshire, you must know, was at a ball—and at this ball, what do you think he did? He danced only three dances! I am sorry to pain you, but so it was. He danced only three dances, though gentlemen were scarce; and, to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner. Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the fact,” she said.
“What can I do when my dancing skills are inferior to what is expected by the ladies of Hertfordshire so as to make them decline my offer, even after I sought an introduction to them?” Mr. Darcy raised his eyebrows.
Elizabeth saw Colonel Fitzwilliam had his mouth open. She herself was confused. Was that an accusation? But his countenance doesn’t say so. Is he teasing me? Vexing man!
“Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?” said Elizabeth, addressing Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Shall we ask him why a man of sense and education, and who has moved about the famed London society for years, finds his dancing skills ill-qualified enough to recommend in a mere country assembly?”
“I can answer your question, without applying to him. It is because he will not give himself the trouble,” Colonel Fitwilliam replied, but Elizabeth could see that his heart was not in it.
This is awkward! Dear God, help me get myself out of this conversation.
The last time Elizabeth prayed for something like this, her God answered her prayers by sending Mr. Darcy to help her avoid dancing with Mr. Collins.
This time, the chosen medium was none other than Lady Catherine, who immediately enquired about what they were talking about and Elizabeth suddenly started playing her next song.
Lady Catherine
Lady Catherine discreetly observed her cousins engaged in conversation with Miss Elizabeth. Though she couldn't discern the specifics of their discussion, she could unmistakably perceive Darcy's demeanour.
He's clearly captivated by her. It's quite inconceivable. Even Richard appears contemplative, genuinely concerned for Darcy.
However, she was not ready to panic yet.
Darcy would surely overcome whatever fleeting attraction he felt.
He was not one to succumb to an attachment with a woman of such lesser status.
And she must assist him in moving past this infatuation.
She resolved to refrain from inviting the Hunsford party for a time.
I must ensure Darcy doesn't venture to the parsonage either. Darcy's breeding dictates proper visiting hours, and I shall ensure he's occupied with estate matters during those times. For now, I must stop their banter.
She promptly called out.
Richard
Richard was indeed concerned for his cousin, though not in the way his aunt assumed.
Darcy actively seeking an introduction to Miss Bennet and even requesting a dance?
Richard recognized this as a truly unusual occurrence. It might have been Darcy's first time personally seeking an introduction to a lady. Typically, it was the other way around—Darcy besieged by introductions requested by others.
Why did Miss Bennet decline his dance offer? How could he have possibly offended her even before their introduction?
Richard remained perplexed. The Miss Bennet he had come to know wouldn't hastily form judgments prior to an introduction. Moreover, he understood the significance of his cousin reaching out to speak with the lady, right in his aunt's drawing room.
So he has made a decision. It is imperative that I endeavour to alter Miss Elizabeth's perception of him.
Darcy
That night, Darcy took an unusual step by dismissing his valet early.
A flurry of thoughts swirled in his mind, and he was eager to address them.
Picking up a fresh sheet of paper, he began listing all his objections to an alliance with Miss Elizabeth.
About thirty minutes later, after thorough contemplation, he was left with three important points, with the rest of them scratched out.