Chapter 8 #2
“I am sure you do, Miss Godwin, as we were just offered a good example of it. The instant a lady speaks pleasantly or a gentleman praises her or expresses a positive opinion, at least one of the other ladies will slight her, even attack her. Does a woman think that defaming another woman will gain the fancy of a man? Do any of you believe that, by offending or condemning another lady, you will persuade the gentleman who admires her to abandon her and turn his admiration towards her critic?”
“Oh come now, Colonel. Men do the same,” Miss Laura Kendal replied.
“Not at all, I assure you. A man of the world knows too well that he will never win a woman’s heart by attacking a man she favours.
A young lady rarely changes her opinion so quickly and so thoroughly.
Besides, a group of men arguing is different.
We all know men are hasty, unwise, and even aggressive at times and do stupid things.
But beautiful, delicate ladies behaving in such a manner is somewhat disturbing.
“Colonel, you are too harsh with us,” Miss Godwin continued. “That is quite ungenerous of you.”
“If I was ungenerous and unfair in my comments, my observations must be superficial. We shall see tonight and tomorrow whether I am proven wrong.”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy both tend to judge harshly any lady who is not from Hertfordshire. Lately, they seem to be partial to local manners,” Miss Bingley commented sarcastically, “as I know that Mr Darcy had a different opinion last year.”
Darcy rolled his eyes and sipped some wine. “And here is proof that the colonel was right.”
“One cannot but admire local manners as they are exhibited by Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth,” Mr Hugh Wilson declared. “It is not about partiality but fairness.”
“My point exactly,” Darcy said. “And I shall admit that Miss Bingley’s statement is correct: I have changed my opinion on many things since I first came to Hertfordshire.”
Jane blushed, Elizabeth smiled, and the other ladies’ countenances displayed disapproval, confirming once again that the colonel’s observation was accurate.
“Indeed—Mr Darcy’s first acquaintance with the people of Meryton was at a ball. He was rather displeased with the entire evening and danced very little, if at all,” Miss Bingley continued.
“Darcy rarely dances anywhere,” Bingley intervened.
“Well, if you have changed your opinion on other things, might it be possible for us to observe a difference in this area too? We do hope to see you dance more, Mr Darcy,” Miss Godwin said.
“I shall do my best, madam,” he replied seriously.
“Well, the rest of us are happy to compensate for Darcy’s lack of inclination to dance,” Mr Hugh Wilson said.
“And speaking of dancing—Miss Elizabeth, would you give me the honour of the first set?” Mr Godwin inquired.
Elizabeth startled, and for a moment, she felt uneasy as all eyes turned towards her with surprise.
“I would be happy to dance with you, sir, but the first two sets are already promised,” she answered in a light tone.
“Already promised? One evening before the ball, and I am already late? May I ask whom I should envy for his punctuality?” Mr Godwin continued.
“I asked Miss Elizabeth for the first set, and the colonel for the second,” Darcy intervened with more seriousness than the situation required. Elizabeth easily noticed his irritation.
“Oh, I see. Well, good for you. Then I hope to benefit from the third,” Mr Godwin replied, and he was met with Elizabeth’s smile of approval.
“You will open the ball with Miss Elizabeth?” asked Miss Godwin. “Being the gentleman with the highest rank, should you not have chosen a lady of the highest consequence? I only ask out of curiosity as I find your choice a bit peculiar.” Miss Bingley slowly turned pale then red-faced.
Darcy’s eyebrows knit in displeasure, and his voice turned colder. “I find your curiosity a bit peculiar, Miss Godwin. I hope I have the liberty to decide which sets I shall dance and with whom.”
“Of course, sir. Indeed, I never imagined my question might upset you.”
“It did not, I assure you. But I find this entire discussion rather improper. Perhaps we should speak of books or the theatre instead.”
Elizabeth was both surprised and embarrassed.
Darcy’s responses bordered on rudeness, and she struggled to guess the reason for his petulance.
Could he possibly regret that he asked her and now had to explain his choice?
People would inquire; she had known that as soon as he offered the invitation, and she wondered whether he was willing to provide an explanation.
Conversation moved to the weather for a time, and then questions were addressed to Jane about her family and sisters.
Suddenly, Miss Julia Kendal asked, “I understand one of your uncles is in trade?”
“Yes. He and my aunt are at Longbourn and will attend the ball tomorrow,” Jane said.
“How nice. Being in trade is honourable enough these days. Many people make a living this way.”
“May I ask what you mean by ‘honourable enough,’ Miss Kendal?” Darcy intervened again. “Mr Gardiner is very successful in his business and a gentleman whose company I enjoy. I am happy to claim a recent friendship with him.”
She had no time to reply as Darcy continued.
“Mr Gardiner’s success makes him even more worthy of admiration since he was not born with a fortune and an easy situation in life but built it himself—as did Bingley’s father or your grandfather, if I remember correctly.
Both of them honourable gentlemen, worthy of appreciation. ”
The Miss Kendals blushed in embarrassment and remained silent; Caroline and Louisa Hurst were pale and obviously distressed.
Mr Hugh Wilson intervened readily. “And like our father. We could not be prouder of him. No son had a father to admire and respect more.”
“Indeed, Mr Wilson is also a man whose friendship would be of great value to anyone,” Darcy concluded.
“You are correct, of course.” Laura hurried to take her sister’s side. “We were just curious as we did not know much of Miss Bennet. We understand her father owns an estate close to Netherfield.”
“Yes—Longbourn. It is only three miles away,” Jane explained, trying to overcome her distress.
“A very convenient distance. It must be pleasant to know you will live so close to your family,” Laura continued, happy to change the conversation.
“Very close indeed,” Caroline Bingley interjected. “Miss Eliza has walked the distance several times.”
“Walked?” The other ladies showed their disbelief.
Elizabeth smiled but refrained from answering.
Miss Bingley continued. “Yes; she is not a good rider but an excellent walker. I imagine she will walk quite often from Longbourn to Netherfield in the future. As for the rest of the family, they will be only a few minutes away by carriage.”
Elizabeth breathed deeply, took a sip of water, and then responded, never allowing the smile to leave her face.
“I do enjoy walking—I always have—and if I happen to be in pleasant company, even more so. I sincerely hope never to disturb my sister more than necessary. In my opinion, a couple that marries for love should be allowed to enjoy their privacy. No family—hers or his—should intrude excessively.”
Miss Bingley did not miss the allusion, and Mrs Hurst answered coldly, “That might be necessary for those who live in small houses, but a proper house can easily accommodate several persons and still provide privacy for all.”
Darcy’s stern voice replied once more to a question that was not his. “Pemberley is a large house, I would say. And still, if I were to marry for love, I would rather not have people around me other than my wife—at least for the beginning of our marriage.”
”Darcy, I have known you for many years, and this is the first time I have heard you speak openly of love,” Mr Bingley said happily.
“I do not speak of love, Bingley. I just gave my opinion upon a certain subject.”
“Of course! It would be strange to hear Darcy speak of love. He surely considers it a ridiculous notion.” Mr Godwin laughed.
“Please do not presume you know what I consider a ridiculous notion, Godwin,” Darcy answered as a servant refilled his wine glass.
Miss Bennet suddenly offered a decided opinion in Darcy’s favour. “Love is not a ridiculous notion but a most important matter. And I am sure Mr Darcy gives proper consideration to what is truly important. Knowing him better these last weeks, I completely trust his judgement and wisdom.”
The gentleman was apparently surprised, and he bowed his head to her in gratitude.
“Love is something that people discuss easily, and it is lovely to read about it in novels,” Miss Julia Kendal said in earnest. “But a woman rarely has the luxury of choosing with whom she falls in love. She must be careful where she allows her feelings to lie if she wishes to make a good marriage.”
“You must be right, Miss Kendal. But can anyone choose with whom they fall in love?” Elizabeth asked. “Is love something to be careful about?” She tried not to look towards Darcy, but with little success. Their eyes met briefly.
“It must be, otherwise it is nothing but carelessness,” Miss Kendal declared.
“When one falls in love, it is often careless. It has happened to me several times,” the colonel said with a laugh.
“If it happens to you so often, how can you or a lady trust your heart, Colonel? How do you know it is love and not mere infatuation?” Miss Godwin inquired.
“True love is different from infatuation,” Bingley said seriously.
“You cannot confuse them. You know when your heart belongs to someone forever and nothing else matters.” His words were heartfelt, and silence fell on the chamber while Jane, flushed and almost tearful, looked at her betrothed adoringly.
“I say, Bingley, I envy and congratulate you for finding your perfect match. If only we could have half your luck,” the colonel said as he raised his glass, and the other gentlemen joined him to cheer that statement.