Chapter Twelve
It was time to write Jane another cheery letter.
Dear Jane,
The assembly is tonight. Netherfield Park’s new tenant is to attend, and of course Mama hopes he will dance with one of her girls.
Elizabeth did not want to tell Jane that she had already been solicited by Mr. Bingley for the second dance. If Jane suspected that Elizabeth had a serious romantic interest, she would hasten home at once to support Elizabeth.
Mama is actually forcing Lydia and Kitty to remain at home, so as not to give the man a bad impression of our family! I am everything grateful, as is Mary!
Elizabeth had reminded her parents that both girls had enjoyed rather too much punch at the last assembly, and had been actually lurching about the room. Was this something they wished the Bingleys to see?
She has also insisted that Papa attend! He has not stopped grumbling.
This was Mrs. Bennet’s doing; she believed that Mr. Bennet’s presence would help solidify Mr. Bingley’s impression of the Bennets as a respectable family, one worth marrying into.
Mr. Bennet had objected, until Mrs. Bennet pointed out to him, in scathing tones, that it was his failure as an estate owner that had gotten them into this mess, and he must now do anything and everything asked of him in order to get the family out of said mess.
I am looking forward to it, particularly knowing that Kitty and Lydia will not be there to embarrass me!
I must confess that your rose gown has been hemmed up for me to use for the assembly.
Mama says you have been given new clothing by the Gardiners, but nonetheless, Mary and I were careful with the alterations, and it will be no trouble to let the hem back down when you return.
Of course, you may end up married to your Honourable, and will have more new clothing than you know what to do with! Please do write and tell me how that little romance is progressing; I am certain that it is far more interesting than our simple country assembly!
Your loving sister,
Lizzy
It was becoming more and more difficult to write letters to Jane that did not in any way reveal Elizabeth’s own conflicted feelings about Mr. Bingley, her anger at being forced into such a position, and her very real fear of what would befall her family should neither she nor Jane marry a wealthy man.
Moreover, she was tormented by doubts. Was it a mistake to keep the family’s problems from Jane? Should she not be told the danger they were all in? Elizabeth wanted her sister to be allowed to marry for love, but might Jane not be upset to have been left in the dark?
Head beginning to throb, Elizabeth sealed the letter and then lay down on her bed, hoping to calm her fears and be able to at least pretend to enjoy the evening.
***
Mrs. Bennet sent Sarah to help Elizabeth prepare for the assembly; this was a first, as Sarah was usually kept occupied with Mrs. Bennet’s preparations, leaving the girls to fend for themselves. But this night, the family’s efforts would be centered entirely on Elizabeth.
Kitty and Lydia were furious beyond words at their exclusion from the most exciting event of the month.
The wails set up by those two sisters when they understood that Mama was serious, that they really were not to go to the assembly, had worn Elizabeth’s nerves to a frazzle.
By the time the Bennet carriage arrived at the assembly hall, she was clutching Mary’s hands.
She knew Mr. Bingley liked her, but making him fall in love with her enough to make her an offer was an entirely different matter.
She would have to be at her most enchanting tonight, would she not?
Or would too much sparkle and charm put him off?
She did not know him well enough to understand what would appeal to him.
The Bennets were among the first to arrive, but – as usual – the Lucases were already present.
Sir William enjoyed the opportunity to act as master of ceremonies; generally, there was little need for his services in this regard, as everyone in the small town knew one another and required no introduction.
Tonight, though, there would be newcomers, and he was eager to introduce them to everyone.
The Bingleys and the Hursts arrived just before the first dance; Sir William began to escort them about the room, making introductions.
“I beg your pardon, Sir William,” Mr. Bingley said, rather urgently. “I am promised for the second and third dances; after those are done, I would be happy to be presented to the rest of the gathering.”
“Indeed?” Sir William enquired, with a small frown of displeasure. “I thought you knew no one here.”
“I know the Bennets,” Mr. Bingley replied. “And it is with Miss Bennet and Miss Mary that I am engaged.”
“Ah,” Sir William said, his face falling. “I had hoped to introduce you to my own daughter.”
“May I solicit her hand for the fourth, Sir William?” Mr. Bingley enquired, understanding at once what was required of him.
“Of course,” Sir William said, accepting the situation. “The Bennet ladies are just there.” He indicated their direction with a nod of his head.
“Thank you!” Mr. Bingley said. He spoke over his shoulder, as he was already walking in that direction.
“Ah, Miss Bennet! My sister rather took her time preparing for this evening’s festivities and I had rather feared that I had missed our dance, but I hear the musicians tuning their instruments only now.”
“I was determined to wait for you, Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth looked up at him from under her lashes. She was unaccustomed to employing this sort of flirtatiousness, but she had seen Lydia use it to good effect.
He beamed down at her. “I visited the tenant farms, as you suggested, Miss Bennet.”
It had been Mary’s suggestion, but no matter. “Did you? Oh, that is excellent news, Mr. Bingley. What did you think of your tenants?”
The resulting conversation lasted through the entire first dance. When the second began, Mr. Bingley offered his arm.
Mr. Bingley was a good dancer; Elizabeth had no difficulty in partnering him. “I saw you speaking with Sir William,” she said, when the dance permitted conversation.
“I did, yes; I am to dance with his daughter for the fourth.”
“That will be with my dear friend, Charlotte Lucas. She is an intelligent and sensible young woman; you will enjoy your time with her.”
“I would far rather talk about you, Miss Bennet,” he replied at once.
Elizabeth reddened. She dropped her eyes, modestly. “There is little to tell, Mr. Bingley.”
“I doubt that very much. You have taken on the responsibility for my tenants as well as your own; that tells me that you are kind and generous. You sing beautifully. You mentioned that you play a little, but since I already know you to be modest, I suspect you play rather better than just ‘a little.’ I also now know you to be an excellent dancer.”
“Your praise is far too much, Mr. Bingley!” Elizabeth had to laugh.
“Let me balance your opinion at least a bit.
I do not ride, as I fear horses, so I walk wherever I need to go.
As a result, my skirts are dirty more often than not, which makes our maid shake her head at me on laundry day. I –“ here she hesitated.
“Go on; these paltry faults do not in the least change my opinion of you.”
“I read books, Mr. Bingley. I am not a scholar, of course, but I love to learn, and my father has allowed me to study both Greek and Latin.” There; he may as well know the worst of her!
“You remind me of Darcy!” Mr. Bingley laughed.
“You have mentioned your friend before; you admire him, I think.”
“Oh, I do! He is the cleverest man I know, and has helped me in innumerable ways.”
“I am glad you have such a friend.”
“He will visit us in the next few weeks; you and he can discuss books and I will listen admiringly.” He seemed not in the least deterred by her admission. “You speak French, I imagine.”
“I do, yes, and Italian as well.”
“You are the very epitome of an accomplished young lady!” he exclaimed. The dance ended then, and he returned her to Mrs. Bennet and offered his arm to Mary for the third set.
“The two of you looked perfect together!” Mrs. Bennet enthused, clutching Elizabeth’s hand.
“Mama, he must be told that I have no dowry.” Elizabeth’s tone was firm.
“Of course, but not quite yet.”
“Mama –“
“Elizabeth, hear me.” Mrs. Bennet took Elizabeth’s arm and turned her so that they were face to face. Her voice was low, but harsh. “This is no small matter. Our entire family’s future is at stake. You will do as I tell you.”
Elizabeth bit her lip and nodded. She felt tears coming to her eyes, but she forced them back.
***
Later that evening, Charlotte found Elizabeth all but hiding behind a column. “Eliza! There you are! Is something wrong?”
“Oh, Charlotte!” Elizabeth’s voice broke.
“Eliza, heavens! What is it?”
“I cannot speak of it here; will you visit me tomorrow? No, better yet; will you meet me at Oakham Mount just after breakfast?”
“I will, of course,” Charlotte replied at once.
“Eliza, did someone say something to upset you? I saw you dancing with Mr. Bingley, but you seemed cheerful enough. Then with my brother, and you know John too well to be upset by anything he might say. Then that new man, Mr. Hurst, I believe is his name. Was it him?”
“No, no. Charlotte, I promise to tell you all, but not here, not now.”
A male voice interrupted them. “There you are, Miss Bennet! I have been searching for you everywhere!”
“Oh, Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth said, her voice faltering.
“Will you not allow me to escort you to the dance floor one last time before the evening ends?”
Elizabeth tried to protest, saying that it might look rather peculiar for them to share two dances so soon after meeting, but he overrode her protests, smiling, and in the end, she took his arm and allowed him to lead her to the floor.
***
“Two dances, Mr. Bennet! Lizzy was the only young lady he danced with twice!” Mrs. Bennet was triumphant. “I knew that gown would be perfect on you, Lizzy, did I not say so?”
“You did, Mama.”
“Why do you sound so very dull, Lizzy? An attractive and wealthy man is paying attention to you! For heaven’s sake, you should be happy!”
“I do not love him, Mama.”
“You will learn to love him. After all, what is there not to love about him? He is handsome enough, he is more than rich enough! I am ready to fall in love with him myself!”
Elizabeth looked out of the carriage window into the dark sky. There was no point in having this conversation again. She felt a warm hand take hers and squeeze. “Thank you, Mary,” she whispered.