Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
In the fortnight following their first two meetings, Darcy did not see Miss Elizabeth, which suited him very well.
His interaction with her at Netherfield had inflamed him in a manner he knew was both enticing and dangerous.
Being in control of his sensibilities and behaving in a rational manner were of great importance for a gentleman of his station.
He could not understand what it was about Miss Elizabeth Bennet that tempted him to act otherwise.
He expected to see her at the various neighbourhood dinners to which the Netherfield party had been invited and thought it very odd when he did not.
There were four occasions at which the Bennet family and the Netherfield party were mutual guests, and in each of these instances, Mr and Mrs Bennet, Miss Bennet, and Miss Mary, were in attendance, but Miss Elizabeth was not there.
The fourth occasion was at Rowney Abbey, seat of the Dugdales, an unremarkable family who were best described as mild and inoffensive.
They had two vapid daughters—who said little and appeared to think even less—and a dull son of four and twenty.
They had forwarded the daughters to both Darcy and Bingley at their first meeting.
It was to their credit that they recognised quickly such efforts would be unfruitful and vexing to both men.
As was becoming his habit, Bingley rapidly found Jane Bennet among those gathered and formed a little tête-à-tête with her. Darcy joined them soon thereafter.
“Miss Bennet, how are you this evening?”
“I am quite well, Mr Darcy, and yourself?”
“Very well, I thank you.” He paused, sipping his drink and ignoring Bingley’s eyes, which were telling him to go away. “I notice Miss Elizabeth does not join us this evening. I hope she is not unwell?”
“She is perfectly well, sir, and I appreciate the enquiry on her behalf.” Miss Bennet smiled blandly.
Bingley, bless him, spoke up with far more inquisitiveness than Darcy could permit himself to display. “I wonder that we have not had the pleasure of her company at these past few soirees that we have all attended! I enjoyed meeting her and hoped to further our acquaintance.”
Miss Bennet smiled though Darcy noted a distinct look of discomfort. “Lizzy is not always of a mind for an evening out. Her preference is for quieter pursuits at home.”
“Indeed?” Bingley laughed, his mind unfettered by any rudeness that might be inferred from further enquiry.
“I would not suppose it from some of the tales you have related to me.” Turning to his friend, he said, “Darcy, you must hear Miss Bennet’s story of the occasion in which her spirited sister had a dance master who was a bit too familiar! ”
Miss Bennet was blushing fiercely. Darcy pitied her but could not deny his need to hear more of Miss Elizabeth.
“It is true: my sister has always been of a lively, playful sort of disposition, but she also recognises the need for temperance and wisdom. Please, good sirs, do excuse me. My sister Mary needs me to turn pages for her.” She curtseyed and departed.
Bingley trailed after her, devoted to keeping her within his reach, while Darcy was left to ponder Miss Elizabeth and the odd duality he had begun to perceive in her nature.
He had observed, at both the assembly and the Bennets’ morning call, a great deal of reserve and elegance in her manner, far more than he would expect to see in a girl raised in the country with limited social discourse.
At times, there was a timidity in her, a quiet sort of watchfulness, yet on other occasions, he saw a glimpse of a teasing, playful sort of disposition—such as when she had refused to hear his apology and, at the assembly, when she had left after his rude remark and gone to her friends.
There was no doubt she had told the story with great animation and good humour as he had seen them all laugh and glance his way.
Why concern yourself with comprehending her character? Knowing more of her can only put you in greater danger. You would do best to know nothing about her because she can never be more than a lady you met briefly in the country.
The Bennet family, as a whole, continued to puzzle him.
He had heard their means were rather modest. The estate was entailed and brought in only two thousand a year, yet the daughters had dowries of ten thousand each.
Darcy could not think how Mr Bennet had managed it.
Perhaps Mrs Bennet brought a large fortune to the marriage?
Thinking of that lady brought the oddity of the Bennets even more to mind. Despite roots in trade, and her current status as minor gentry, she conducted herself as the haughtiest of the haut ton. And now I have the opportunity to dine with her.
The lady was without restraint in her attempts to verify his income and standing in society. He withstood her questions for as long as he could bear it and with as much circumspection as possible, yet he could not help but confirm some of her beliefs of his grand estate and revered family.
“I have heard, Mr Darcy, that your estate is in Derbyshire.”
“It is.”
“And your parents have passed? You have my condolences.”
“Thank you. My mother passed away twelve years ago, and my father, five.”
She clucked sympathetically at him. “Just one sister then?”
He gritted his teeth. “Yes, she is fifteen.”
“Raising a girl through that age is a difficult task. You are to be commended for undertaking it.”
He gave her a curt nod.
“With such means at your disposal, I suppose you must have a companion for her. Or is she still in school?”
“She has a companion, madam.”
“Oh, good. Of course, a companion can never be all a girl of that age needs. She needs a mother, and if she has not, then a sister will do almost as well.”
Purposely misunderstanding her, he said, “My sister must content herself with only a brother as there is no one else. We have extended family enough.”
She tittered, her ample bosom shaking alarmingly in her low-cut dress.
“Mr Darcy, surely you must understand that I meant she should acquire a sister through marriage. My Jane there”—she gestured down the table to where Miss Bennet sat—“is such a lady! And well experienced in the guidance of those younger than she. I do not suppose you know it, but besides Mary and Lizzy, I have two other daughters who remain in the school room.”
Darcy chose not to respond.
“I cannot understand why there is this absurd custom whereby we must shut away our younger daughters until their elder sisters marry. Why, my Lydia, with her lively spirits, could make any party that much more agreeable! But so it is, and my Lydia awaits her turn at home.”
Darcy had no opinion to offer on Miss Lydia Bennet, having never seen the girl.
“I would advise that you marry as soon as you can, Mr Darcy. It will be to your sister’s benefit as much as your own.”
Darcy again remained silent, but Mrs Bennet was neither dismayed nor reproached by his reserve.
The conversation continued on with Darcy in silent indignation as Mrs Bennet did all she could to alternately urge him to marry and forward Miss Bennet to him.
From there, she gossiped about her neighbours, pointing to each in turn and relating bits and pieces about them.
The sum total of this discourse was that the Bennets were far and beyond the superior of the country society in which they found themselves, but they did all they could to provide the example of more genteel ways to the neighbourhood.
Darcy breathed an enormous sigh of relief when the ladies rose to depart, taking the vulgar Mrs Bennet with them.
Likewise, Mrs Bennet was left with no great opinion of Mr Darcy, and she voiced her vexation loudly to Jane in the ladies withdrawing room.
“I would dare you to find a more arrogant and unpleasant man. He had no conversation—quite silent, no doubt censuring us all. I am very disgusted with him. Such pride! If only he knew to whom he spoke!”
She is here. A painful thrill went through his chest.
The occasion was a party at Lucas Lodge several days later.
Miss Elizabeth was present with her family and engaged in conversation as he entered the room.
He would not join her—he could not so plainly show his admiration—and instead chose to accept a glass of wine and walk over to the window near where she stood.
The conversation, held with the colonel of a regiment newly quartered in Meryton, was one he might have enjoyed. They spoke of travel on the Continent, and Miss Elizabeth admitted to having gone to Italy, which he found surprising. Had Mr Bennet taken his family? Singular.
He lingered, eavesdropping for some time and avoiding those who attempted to draw him into different discussions. He hoped she did not see his purpose; he flattered himself that she did not.
As the dinnertime approached, Darcy was surprised to see Sir William move towards Miss Elizabeth, evidently intent on escorting her into dinner. She quickly whispered something, and he looked fleetingly embarrassed then quickly went to Miss Bingley, extending his arm.
Darcy could not comprehend why Lady Lucas appeared momentarily flustered and made a quick motion to the housekeeper. But he could not concern himself with it overlong as they entered the dining room minutes later and he had the pleasure of being seated next to Miss Elizabeth.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” he acknowledged, as he assisted her into her chair.
“Mr Darcy.”
They were across the table from Mr and Miss Bingley.
To Bingley’s dismay, Miss Bennet was seated at the far end of the table, eliminating the possibility of discourse with her, at least during dinner.
It was fortunate for the rest of them, however, as Mr Bingley’s liveliness and amiability carried the conversation.