Chapter IX
Assemblies are among the primary amusements for the gentry in small town societies.
While morning visits, dinner parties, garden parties, and other such attractions were a common part of any local society, there was something about assemblies that fired the imagination.
While the gentlemen anticipated them with eagerness for the chance to admire the young ladies in attendance, it was those young ladies who were always the most enthusiastic.
“Oh, that is excellent,” exclaimed Lydia the day they received word of an assembly only a few days hence. “Why, we have not had an assembly since October.”
“I have longed for a dance,” sighed Kitty, her attempt at excitement not the equal of Lydia’s—the younger sister was naturally dramatic, having inherited it from her mother.
“And this time, all the officers will be present!” exclaimed Lydia.
Kitty giggled her delight, no doubt imagining an evening swept up by the hordes of handsome, adventurous men who would attend.
Elizabeth thought it was all a little much.
The officers were, in her opinion, a decent enough lot—especially now that the odious Mr. Wickham was no longer among their number—but there was nothing special about them.
Elizabeth noticed something her sisters did not; Georgiana listened to all this with interest, though she displayed a hint of melancholy.
“That is most amusing,” said Mr. Darcy in a low tone designed for only Elizabeth to hear. “Tell me, Miss Elizabeth, do you look on the opportunity to dance with red coated men with as much enthusiasm as your youngest sisters?”
Mr. Darcy was, as usual of late, by Elizabeth’s side—he could almost always be found with her, though he often spoke with Mr. Bennet and occasionally with Mary.
What he might have to discuss with Mary she could not say, but she supposed Mary’s calm demeanor was more appealing than Kitty and Lydia’s high spirits, and as Jane was always with Mr. Bingley, there was no one else with whom he could be easy.
Of more immediate interest was the gentleman’s dry sense of humor that Elizabeth had discovered as she spent more time in his company.
Mr. Darcy would never be a man who overflowed with mirth, but she found she enjoyed his understated commentary and earnest conversation.
What a departure it was from when he had been in Meryton the previous autumn!
“I think you know me well enough to understand my sentiments,” replied Elizabeth. “There are not five such girls in the kingdom who possess greater zeal than my sisters.”
“As I would not offend you by speaking of your sisters, I will refrain.”
Elizabeth grinned at him, knowing from their recent conversations that he understood she would not take offense.
“Perhaps you do not look on dancing with the officers with bated breath, still, it is a pastime you enjoy.”
“Yet you do not,” said Elizabeth. It was not an accusation—from what she had seen, it was nothing less than the truth.
“That is not entirely accurate, Miss Elizabeth,” replied Mr. Darcy. Seeing her interest, he did not hesitate to explain. “Dancing is not among my favorite activities—to say otherwise would be silly. But I can enjoy dancing under certain circumstances.”
“Oh?” pressed Elizabeth. “And what might those circumstances be?”
“Of particular importance,” replied the gentleman, “is the partner. If I know and esteem my partner, I can withstand a dance very well. I do not appreciate dancing with women who are hunting for a husband—in London, I have experienced far too much of that.”
“Then your determination not to dance at the last assembly . . .”
“Was not all because of this,” confessed Mr. Darcy. “When I came to Hertfordshire before, my temper was not at all good because of certain circumstances that weighed on my mind.”
It was an explanation she had not considered, and Elizabeth did not mistrust him for even an instant.
Mr. Darcy, she had come to understand, possessed the facility for looking down on his fellow men and holding himself aloof, but that was not the extent of his character as she had thought.
He was much more complex than her initial observations suggested.
“I am curious, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth. “By your own admission, you do not enjoy many of the trappings of society, yet you are of the first circles. How do you manage the season?”
Mr. Darcy considered his response for several moments. “As you surmise, I tolerate it more than anything. I exercise care in choosing which events I will attend, as I am much more comfortable in the company of those with whom I am well acquainted.”
The gentleman shrugged. “There are also many other attractions, such as museums and the theater, in which I indulge with my sister. By moderating my attendance and attending to those things I enjoy, I make my way through society with a certain measure of credit. Or at least I hope so.”
This last the gentleman accompanied with a wink, provoking Elizabeth’s mirth. “Would your uncle approve if you did not?”
“Perhaps he would not,” replied Mr. Darcy. “But my uncle also expresses a measure of distaste for certain segments of society, though my relations are a more jovial lot, like my cousin Fitzwilliam.”
They descended into a conversation about activities they preferred, Elizabeth speaking of her love of the theater, though she did not appreciate opera so much, while Mr. Darcy spoke of the attractions in London.
Elizabeth had attended some of them, her aunt and uncle often indulging her and Jane when they were in town.
There were some, like the menagerie, that Elizabeth had never attended, though she thought she might be interested if the occasion permitted.
“You would find Hyde Park to your taste, Miss Elizabeth,” said Mr. Darcy when he mentioned the proximity of his home to the famous park. “It is a little bit of wilderness in the city, though I suppose one would not find extensive manicured lawns on an estate.”
“Come now, Mr. Darcy,” challenged Elizabeth. “Your venerable estate must have lawns aplenty.”
“There are gardens behind my house,” agreed Mr. Darcy, “and there are some lawns to be certain. But much of the park is left to nature’s sway—my ancestors preferred it that way, and I like it that way myself.”
“It sounds lovely.”
“It is, Miss Elizabeth,” replied Mr. Darcy. “Should you ever see it, I believe Pemberley can provide walking paths enough for even your prodigious appetite for them. The park is ten miles around.”
For the first time, Elizabeth thought Pemberley might be a desirable situation, indeed.
Though she had not thought of it, Mr. Darcy’s comments about his estate aroused in her the desire to someday see it.
She would not speak of it to Mr. Darcy, however—the gentleman must have extensive experience with ladies pressing him for information about his situation. Elizabeth would not be one of them.
“Not attend the assembly?”
Lydia’s voice rose above the company, capturing the attention of everyone in the room. The girl’s tone was no less than incredulous. A glance at Georgiana showed her embarrassment, though Lydia appeared to see nothing of it.
“But surely you must have attended before,” said Lydia.
“No, I have not, Lydia,” replied Georgiana, seeming to wish Lydia would drop the subject. “My brother has suggested that I might attend this summer, but that will not be until we return to Derbyshire.”
“Why ever not?” demanded Lydia.
“Because I am not yet out.”
Lydia stared at her as if she could not fathom such a thing. “Not out? Why, you are older than I am, and I have been out for a year now.”
Kitty kicked at Lydia’s foot, and while it provoked a glare, Lydia lapsed into silence, though she still appeared astonished. That Kitty had the sense enough to stifle Lydia’s outburst was a surprise, though welcome. It was no surprise when Lydia chose another tactic.
“Surely you would not require your sister to stay at Netherfield when we shall all have fun at the assembly, Mr. Darcy.”
The gentleman appeared to consider this for several moments. “If you wish to attend, I have no objection.”
Georgiana’s eyes widened to the size of teacups. “I may attend?” It was little more than a squeak.
“You may,” replied Mr. Darcy. “As you are unknown in Meryton, it is an excellent opportunity to experience your first function without the pressure of London or Derbyshire. There will, of course, be certain restrictions.”
So pleased was Georgiana that she did not object at all. “That is wonderful, Brother. Thank you!”
“Might I assume your restrictions will include partners?” asked Mrs. Hurst who was looking on with interest.
“That would be prudent,” said Mr. Darcy. “A young lady at her first event should not make herself available to every man in the room. Perhaps myself, Bingley, or even Hurst and Mr. Bennet should they be inclined.”
Mr. Hurst, Elizabeth noted, did not appear pleased, though Elizabeth supposed Georgiana would not be so eager to dance with him even if he was. Mr. Bennet snorted but said nothing, and Georgiana nodded eagerly.
“My sisters and I shall also stand up with Georgiana,” said Elizabeth.
“We often do it when gentlemen are scarce,” added Kitty, excited about the prospect.
“Then it is settled.” Mr. Darcy grinned at his sister. “I can promise you several dances, Georgiana, as my disinclination for much dancing is such that only a few will be sufficient for my interest.”
“Only you, Darcy,” said Mr. Bingley, shaking his head, “would suggest dancing with your sister to avoid the other ladies in the room.”
“Not at all, Bingley,” was Mr. Darcy’s bland reply. “I shall look on it as a duty to my sister.”
“Will you not dance with other ladies?” asked Mrs. Hurst. “Charles cannot be the only member of our party doing his duty to the ladies of the neighborhood.”
“No, I suppose not,” replied Mr. Darcy. “I shall stand up for a few, Mrs. Hurst. How many is a matter as yet undecided.”