Chapter Seventeen
Quite Contrary
Later that day, Bingley and Darcy paid their first visit to Longbourn.
Being a customary visit, it lasted only thirty minutes, but Darcy had the benefit of speaking to both Bennet parents.
Halfway through the visit, he even met Robbie who found a reason to make an appearance.
Although a brief interlude, Darcy and Rowan also meet Tiddle.
After that day, Darcy did not see the family or Miss Elizabeth again until the Lucas dinner party three days later. A steady rain fell during those intervening days making it inadvisable for visits of any nature.
In preparation for evening at the Lucas home, both Lizzy and Jane spent extra time on their apparel, for each lady wanted to make a good impression on one of the gentlemen who would be in attendance.
Lizzy had not been blind to the attention Mr. Bingley had paid Jane on that first visit, but she also realized how much she enjoyed Mr. Darcy’s company.
The fact that her mother allowed conversations to flow naturally without interrupting them, also pleased Lizzy.
She had been in the presence of Lady Lucas when she loudly promoted her eldest daughter to any gentleman in her company.
Jane, Lizzy, and Mary once spoke about Lady Lucas’ pushiness where her daughter’s marriageability was concerned. They also spoke of their thankfulness that their mother was not like Lady Lucas.
When their mother informed them the coach had arrived, Jane and Lizzy quickly took one more glance in the looking glass before they left their room and walked arm and arm downstairs.
“They both look extremely lovely,” Mr. Bennet declared when he saw his two eldest daughters.
“Thank you, Papa,” Jane and Lizzy answered in unison.
Still smiling, their father looked past them and saw Mary. “I must say, Mary, you also look lovely. I know your sisters want to impress the gentlemen from Netherfield.” Smiling broadly, Mr. Bennet added, “I am, however, unaware of what gentleman you are wishing to impress.”
Mary blushed but offered no response.
“Come,” Mrs. Bennet ordered while pulling on her gloves, “we do not wish to arrive late. It is the height of rudeness not to be on time.”
After donning her gloves, Mrs. Bennet then led her three daughters out to the coach.
Although Mr. Bennet left the house after his four ladies, he did reach the coach before them, opened the door, and then handed each lady into the coach before he then entered it.
Since Mr. Bennet accompanied the ladies, Ben and Joseph enjoyed a free evening.
Lizzy was thankful the coach provided enough room for all five of them.
When her grandmother commissioned the building of the coach, she requested extra room to seat three people comfortable on each side.
She also requested the most comfortable seats and best springs available.
Grandmother Bennet refused to travel in a poorly sprung, uncomfortable, coach especially with all the traveling she did when she was older.
Every time Lizzy entered the coach, she gave a silent ‘thank you’ to her grandmother.
The trip to Lucas Lodge was quick and soon her mother, her sisters, and Lizzy were being helped out by their father.
Lizzy took a moment to look around at the other coaches before she went into the house.
She thought she might spy an unfamiliar coach, meaning the Netherfield party had arrived.
Unfortunately, she recognized every coach she saw, so she slowly made her way into the house.
Charlotte greeted Lizzy as soon as she walked through the door.
“Eliza, come this way. Papa invited all our neighbors, so it is quite a crush,” Charlotte said as she took Lizzy arm and led her to a quieter, less crowded nook.
“I see the Netherfield party have not arrived,” Lizzy noted.
“No, and Papa has been lingering by the door so he will be the first to greet them,” Charlotte said with a little chuckle.
“Sir William has always been the most considerate of hosts,” Lizzy replied with a broad smile.
“Mama is hoping to befriend Mr. Bingley’s two sisters. She was impressed with their manner of dress the night of the assembly.”
“I, personally, thought they were overdressed for our local function,” Lizzy observed.
“Moreover, they spoke to almost none our neighbors. I noticed the two sisters stayed close together, whispered and laughed amongst themselves, and when anyone approached them, they seemed unimpressed by the attention.”
“Maybe they need more time to become better acquainted with their neighbors,” Charlotte kindly offered in the two ladies’ defense.
“By now, many of our neighbors should have paid the two Bingley sisters morning calls. I am interested in seeing how they interact this evening. Maybe they are not as standoffish as I first suspected,” Lizzy offered in return.
Charlotte chuckled but changed the subject of their discourse. “I must warn you, Eliza, as soon as everyone has arrived, Papa wishes you to charm us with two or three songs on the piano.”
“Must I always be the first to display my trifling accomplishment?”
“We all know you always minimize your skill,” Charlotte began but seeing Lizzy’s frown, she quickly added, “You may not be as proficient as Mary, but you infuse more feeling in your playing. Besides, you have the loveliest singing voice in the area.”
“Since it is your father’s dearest wish to hear me play, then, I will agree,” Lizzy said, offering a broad smile.
Before either spoke again, they noticed the door opening, and Sir William greeting the newcomers.
“They are late,” Lizzy observed.
“By almost half an hour,” Charlotte added.
“Mama, on the way here, observed that ‘lateness is the height of rudeness.’ Do you suppose they meant to offend your family by arriving so late?”
“Maybe in London it is fashionable to be late,” Charlotte offered.
“My uncle and aunt live in London, and they are never late for any social gathering. In fact, in the matter of business, uncle views lateness as an insult to him personally and to his business.”
“Maybe it is just those from the higher circles that view lateness as acceptable,” Charlotte offered.
“I am sure I would feel as if I offended the hostess if I arrived late to a function I was invited to.”
“I am sure they did not mean to offend my parents by arriving late,” Charlotte added.
Lizzy watched the group as Sir William greeted them.
She noticed the sour look on the faces of the two sisters.
Mr. Bingley, she noted, gave a quick greeting and then made his way directly to her sister Jane.
Mr. Darcy, after replying to Sir William, looked around the room and smiled when his eyes landed on her. He then began walking in her direction.
“Do I detect an admiring look in the gentleman’s countenance?” Charlotte gave Lizzy a sly look.
“I am not sure I would label it admiring, but we have had the opportunity to speak a few times since the gentleman arrived at Netherfield.”
“And did you find much in common to speak about?”
Lizzy knew her friend was looking to make a romantic connection between her and Mr. Darcy. Lizzy, however, was not about to acknowledge any intimate connections since she had just met the gentleman.
Upon reaching the ladies, Darcy bowed as they curtseyed and said, “Good evening, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Lucas. I must offer my apologies for arriving late, but some of our party believe a late arrival is the height of fashion.”
Lizzy looked at Charlotte and they both covered their mouths to suppress their laughter. When asked what they found funny, Lizzy looked at Charlotte who nodded her head, and then Lizzy told Mr. Darcy what her mother said about lateness.
“You mother is a wise lady. I completely agree with her,” Darcy declared, causing Lizzy to smile approvingly.
“Miss Eliza,” Sir William said as he approached their small group, “Would you please consent to play for us before dinner.”
Lizzy nodded and smiled. “I would be pleased to play for you Sir William.”
“Capital, capital,” the gentleman declared.
“If you will excuse me,” Lizzy said to her companions before moving toward the piano.
Lizzy sat down and played two of Sir Williams favorite songs, one with words and one without.
While she played, she watched Mr. Darcy.
She noticed Miss Bingley sliding up beside him placing her body as close to his without seeming indecent.
Lizzy thought the lady looked like a snake slowly approaching its prey before striking.
Miss Bingley then leaned closer to the gentleman and seemed to be whispering something to him.
She watched as Mr. Darcy frowned, turned, and walked away from the lady.
After Lizzy finished both her songs, she allowed Mary to take her place, but before Mary could begin playing, dinner was announced.
Lizzy took her accustomed place to the right of Sir William with Charlotte seated across from her.
It pleased Lizzy to note that Mr. Darcy was seated to her right, but she noticed Miss Bingley sat at the other end of the table next to Lady Lucas with her mother seated across from the young lady.
Miss Bingley’s frown reminded Lizzy of someone who had just taken a mouthful of sour milk.
Lizzy decided, however, not to allow Miss Bingley’s displeasure to ruin what she knew would be a splendid meal.
During the separation of the sexes, after the meal, Lizzy strolled around the room listening to the different conversations taking place. She was arrested when she heard Miss Bingley loudly declaring to Mrs. Bennet, Lady Lucas, and Mrs. Long how displeased she was about the Netherfield.
“I have never lived in a house so poorly maintained. I am sure the maids never dust any of the rooms, and many of the floors appear dirty and unattended as well,” the younger lady complained.