Chapter One #3
“I, too, have been limited in society,” Mr. Churchill said with a sad smile.
“My father is an excellent man, and we see each other a few times a year in London, but my mother died when I was but three years old – I do not even remember her. My father was then but a poor soldier, and he sent me to live with my mother’s sister, Mrs. Churchill.
She and my uncle are both invalids; though my uncle is modest and obliging, my aunt’s health is often in such great distress that she cannot part with my company.
I left university more than a year ago, but only twice since then have I left her side.
I visited my father in London last winter, and now you find me very happy to be here, among companions my own age.
I have not been so merry since the spring, when I took my aunt to Bath for her health, and she recovered enough of her constitution that we were often at balls and parties. ”
“My guardian Mr. Bennet despises London,” Elizabeth said with a look of commiseration.
“My first visit to town was only on my journey here, for Mr. Bennet had an urgent matter of business that could only be settled in London. Were it not for that, I doubt he would have been willing to part with me. Fortunately, Netherfield had a large library and every other imaginary comfort, and I have many friends my own age in the neighborhood. You must have at least as much experience in society as I do, sir, else you could not be so fine a dancer.”
“I am sure I am only as graceful as my partner, Miss Bennet. But it seems our fellow orphan Miss Fairfax is the luckiest amongst us, for she was taken in by a family that is very fond of travelling the kingdom.” Mr. Churchill turned his gaze to Miss Fairfax, who happened to be observing them with a curious expression.
“I should like to hear her story,” Elizabeth mused. “Lady Gresham seemed to think we shall get on, though she is so reserved.”
“Indeed she is,” Mr. Churchill agreed, his eyes still lingering on that young lady.
“But perhaps Lady Gresham comprehends that your candid affability is just the thing to draw her out. Though the Campbells all dote on her, I believe Miss Campbell’s manners are not so open and easy.
” He leaned his head closer and whispered, “I believe she is rather a snob, and her friend’s reticence is merely a symptom of mortification mingling with obligation. ”
“Are you much acquainted with the Campbells?” Elizabeth watched him curiously, really wondering if he was better acquainted with Miss Fairfax than he let on.
“I am – though I do not mean to boast – rather keen to observe my fellow man. I have sensed that the colonel is a stoic and old-fashioned fellow, and his wife is of good enough breeding to think the young ladies in her charge quite above their company. Miss Campbell is much the same, and her recent engagement has only increased her hauteur. But I suppose I should also be unpleasant? If my perpetual companion was far handsomer than myself. Poor Miss Fairfax! It must be mortifying indeed, to be so superior in merit to her companions, and yet by circumstance dependent on their benevolence.”
Elizabeth considered his reply, which perhaps betrayed more than he had meant to reveal.
He had not directly clarified the degree of his acquaintance with that family, but he had certainly formed decided opinions about them, which could not have been formed on the afternoon of his arrival, since Miss Fairfax had said they were in the village for much of the day.
He claimed a great discernment of character, and Elizabeth had always prided herself in that same ability; she began to believe there was more to be discovered of both Mr. Churchill and Miss Fairfax.
As it happened, neither of them were engaged for the next set, and so Elizabeth again ambled around the perimeter of the ballroom with Miss Fairfax, who looked vastly relieved to be out of the viscount’s company.
“Lord Montrose had very high standards concerning the female sex,” Elizabeth observed.
“I was raised by a gentleman of wealth and property, but know little of my parents. I understand you are of a similar background; the poor viscount may never recover from the indignity of dancing with two orphans on the same evening.”
Miss Fairfax’s eyes went wide in surprise. “Oh! Are you – do you – that is, it must be very painful….”
“If it is unpleasant for you to speak of, I will not press you, but I am not unwilling to share my history,” Elizabeth replied with a gentle, encouraging smile.
“My guardian has told me very little of my parents, who both died not long after I was born. I have two little pictures of my mother, and I can tell you that she was very beautiful – I suspect my guardian might have admired her himself, for at times I think my resemblance to her pains him. Perhaps that is why I have no pictures of my father, if he was Mr. Bennet’s victorious rival. ”
Miss Fairfax seemed to relax at Elizabeth’s mirthful tone.
“My father was a soldier, as well. He was in the same regiment as Colonel Campbell, who took me in because he considered my father to be like a brother to him. I have a few pictures of him, and I have seen my mother’s portrait, for it hangs in my grandmother’s house in Highbury.
I resided there with my grandmother and my aunt until I was ten, when I went to live with the Campbells. ”
“Highbury,” Elizabeth repeated, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
“Perhaps Mr. Churchill mentioned the place? I understand his father also resides there,” Miss Fairfax said, angling her face away from Elizabeth for a moment as she fidgeted with the sheer gold netting of her gown.
“What a coincidence! He did not mention it, but I am sure I have heard of it somewhere. I cannot account for it – I have travelled so little. But I have heard that the Campbells are fond of travelling, how lucky you are!”
“Yes, they are – that is, we scarcely stay in one locality for more than a few months before the colonel’s regiment moves on.”
Elizabeth grew impatient at Miss Fairfax avoiding her eye, and she followed her companion’s gaze to where Mr. Churchill was dancing with Miss Dixon.
Her interest was piqued, for Miss Fairfax and Mr. Campbell’s seemed to know more about one another than ought to be possible, since they had not been in company much on the day of their arrival in Weymouth.
“I have only lately seen London for the first time, on my journey south from Hertfordshire. I spent a few days there with my guardian, who had some business in town. I have not been unhappy in my life in the country, but I have always wished to visit the seaside, or some other leisure destination, such as Brighton or Bath. Have you ever travelled to such a place?”
“Yes, both,” Miss Fairfax replied, finally directing her attention back to Elizabeth. We went to Brighton last summer, and it was delightful – I adored sea-bathing, and I hope we shall do a great deal of it here in Weymouth. Do you not wish to attempt it?”
“Oh, certainly,” Elizabeth agreed in all sincerity. “I have every hope that immersion will agree with me, if only so that I can inform my guardian of the fact – and then I shall badger him relentlessly to allow me to take the waters in Bath!”
Miss Fairfax wrinkled her nose. “I liked that rather less.”
“So you have visited Bath? Some other summer excursion, I suppose.”
“Colonel Campbell’s regiment of the militia was quartered there in the spring; it was his last assignment before he retired.”
Elizabeth pursued her lips to conceal a smile at this revelation; her private speculation sparked a degree of curiosity in her mind that must be sated, but she sensed that some patience would be required.
“And where shall you all go now that the Campbells are at liberty to establish a permanent residence?”
“I believe they mean to spend considerable time in Ireland after Miss Campbell is wed. I have yet to decide if I shall join them, for I know my aunt and grandmother Bates are longing to see me.”
“Bates,” Elizabeth mused, again struck by an ineffable sense of familiarity.
“We are not among the Bateses of Belmont Hall in Norfolk,” Miss Fairfax said flatly, as if it were a common inquiry she had grown accustomed to answering.
“More the pity for them , I daresay,” Elizabeth quipped, giving her new friend another encouraging smile.
She feared she might only put her off if she persisted in questioning Miss Fairfax in such a fashion, and so she gestured to an empty chaise longue at the back of the room, and bid the young lady sit with her.
For the next half hour, they spoke of easier subjects, such as those most common in the opening of an acquaintance.
They discussed their passions and pursuits, and happily discovered a mutual fondness for reading, drawing, languages, and poetry.
Music was the greatest delight of each, and by the time they had agreed that they must learn a duet together, their partners for the supper set had come to claim them.
Mr. Gresham seemed to be humoring his step-mother in standing up with that lady’s relation for such an auspicious set, while Mr. Dixon made no secret of his delight in claiming Elizabeth’s hand.
He flirted brazenly with her as he led Elizabeth to join the set, and it was her favorite dance, a spirited Boulanger.
She received his compliments with a swelling sense of delight at being out in the world, looking very fine, and basking in the company of so many pleasant young people.