Chapter 7 #3
Miss Bingley was holding back the urge to scream at Lady Anne and the deep desire to smash Elizabeth’s face with all the violence she could muster.
The ladies sat trying to talk about frivolous subjects to ease the charged atmosphere. Mrs Hurst made a brave attempt to include her sister who was pouting in a corner and having none of it.
Eventually, the men came back in and Miss Bingley removed herself from the corner and started to serve the tea, giving priority to Mr Darcy above his own mother and sister.
Lady Anne had to repress a shake of her head as she observed that there was no end to the woman’s lack of manners.
She hid a small smile when it dawned on her that Miss Lydia was actually better behaved than the self appointed queen of Netherfield.
After a few minutes of restrained conversation, to add to Miss Bingley’s anger, Georgiana hooked arms with Elizabeth and invited her to play a duet on the pianoforte.
Elizabeth laughed which only deepened Miss Bingley’s wrath.
“Miss Darcy, you are under the misconception that I am as accomplished as you at playing the pianoforte. Let me disabuse you at once, I am not.”
“But of course you are not,” Miss Bingley responded instead, “nobody is as accomplished in the art of music as dear Georgiana.”
Georgiana also laughed, “Miss Bingley is definitely prone to exaggeration when it comes to my talents. Goodness, it makes me think you have never actually heard an accomplished pianist in your life before, Miss Bingley.”
Georgiana’s retort had not meant to sound so reproachful, but with Miss Bingley becoming as red as the turban she was wearing, she sensed she might have offended her hostess. She looked at her mother for help and the lady did not disappoint, intervening in the conversation,
“Oh nonsense, Miss Elizabeth, we all heard you playing at Lady Lucas’ soirée. You are more talented than you give yourself credit for.”
“All young ladies are accomplished in my view,” Mr Bingley said with a smile to Jane, “it amazes me how patient you all are.”
His sister huffed, “all young ladies accomplished? My dear Charles, what do you mean?”
“Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. I scarcely know anyone who cannot do all this… and of course play the pianoforte.” He turned his smile to Georgiana and Elizabeth.
“I am sure I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished.”
“Your list of accomplishments,” said Darcy “has too much truth.
The word is applied far too liberally, since many young ladies' only accomplishment is netting a purse, yet they boast of far more than their capabilities. But nonetheless I am unable to agree with you in your estimation of all ladies being accomplished. I for myself cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen who are really accomplished.”
“Nor I,” said Miss Bingley, siding with Darcy and hoping to score some much needed points.
“Then,” observed Elizabeth to Mr Darcy, “you must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished woman.”
“Yes, I do comprehend a great deal in it.”
“Oh yes, certainly,” agreed Miss Bingley with warmth, “no one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what one is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word. And of course with all this she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of speaking, the tone of her voice, her address and expression or the word will be half deserved.”
“And to all this,” added Darcy, “she must add something more substantial, the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.”
Miss Bingley was about to expound further on what she thought was appropriate on the subject when Lady Anne interrupted, “oh my goodness, for my part I am relieved I never met such a woman. For such a paragon of accomplishment would frighten me out of my wits.”
“And me,” added Georgiana with a chuckle, “but going back to my original request, Miss Elizabeth, would you honour me by joining me at the pianoforte for a duet?”
“Of course, Miss Darcy, lead the way.” Elizabeth sat with her and they took a few minutes to choose a piece. When they started, Darcy moved to the window and turned his back on the group.
Elizabeth tried hard not to take further offence as the man simply did not know how to show the smallest of civilities towards her, even when his own sister was involved.
What Elizabeth could not have known was the fact that Darcy had to turn his back in order to keep hidden from the other occupants of the room of how much he truly enjoyed her performance.
She made him forget what he owed to his family and friends, because honour, decorum, prudence all forbade him from forming an interest in Miss Elizabeth.
And yet here she was; a temptation that took him by surprise.
She both irritated and fascinated him. Yet Darcy was simply resolved to put an end to this infatuation - by force of absence if he had to - before she became too essential to his mother and sister.