Chapter 11 #2
Lady Campbell invited the Darcys to take a seat and attempted several times to draw Mr Darcy into conversation, but each effort proved equally unsuccessful. He answered every question with little more than a monosyllable. Georgiana, noticing her brother's discomfort, became even quieter than usual.
Lady Campbell smiled pleasantly, unwilling to surrender so easily.
"I trust you have enjoyed London's agreeable weather, Mr Darcy."
"Yes, we have had good weather lately."
"I have heard The Season has been particularly lively this year."
"So people say."
"I imagine there have been many splendid balls and musicals."
"A few."
"And have you attended many of them?"
"Only those duty required."
A brief silence followed before Lady Campbell tried once more.
"I have always thought London offers enough entertainment to satisfy every taste. Concerts, exhibitions, the theatre... one could scarcely exhaust them all."
"No."
"No?" Eleanor repeated with a puzzled smile.
"I do not often seek amusement. My time is chiefly occupied with the management of my estate."
"I see." Lady Campbell maintained her composure admirably. "Then perhaps the quieter pleasures suit you better."
"They do, my Lady."
After another pause, Eleanor graciously abandoned the attempt, sensing that no amount of kindness could persuade her guest to extend his answers beyond the barest necessity.
Elizabeth was astonished by Mr Darcy's behaviour. She concluded that he must disapprove of Lady Campbell's receiving the Bennet sisters under her roof. Feeling sorry for Miss Darcy—and wishing to leave Mr Andrews de la Garza free to converse with Jane—she turned towards Georgiana.
"Miss Darcy, your brother once told me how fond you are of music. My sister Mary also loves it and has recently begun taking lessons with Maestro Russo."
"Indeed?" Georgiana replied, blushing. "How fortunate Miss Mary is. He is one of the finest music masters in London."
"Yes, I am very fortunate that my dear aunt engaged Maestro Russo," Mary answered modestly.
"It was not as difficult as you imagine, Miss Darcy. As it happens, Maestro Russo is a close friend of Mr Andrews, and he helped me persuade him to accept Mary as his pupil,” explained Eleanor.
Before long, Mary and Georgiana were deep in conversation about music, while Laura and Kitty laughed heartily at several of Matthew's amusing remarks.
John had gone to fetch something, and two minutes later he returned to the drawing-room carrying two kites.
"Cousin Lizzy, today is your second lesson. This time, I bought the kites myself to make sure they actually fly."
"Miss Elizabeth, my good friend John told me everything about your first lesson, and I believe I have a few suggestions that may help you," Matthew said. He liked Elizabeth. She reminded him of his mother; both were lively, entertaining, and full of spirit.
"If you teach kite flying the same way you teach Spanish, I think I shall have to find another instructor," Elizabeth replied with a smile.
Everyone laughed and teased Matthew about it for several minutes.
"I am beginning to suspect your students require an unusual amount of courage, Mr Andrews de la Garza," Eleanor said with a grin.
"They do not," Matthew replied, feigning offence. "Only patience."
"I must admit that patience is not one of my main virtues," Elizabeth said apologetically.
Matthew folded his arms with mock solemnity.
"Very well. If Miss Elizabeth does not succeed today, I shall accept full responsibility."
"Oh, no," Elizabeth said with a mischievous smile. "You have already admitted you are the instructor. If I fail, everyone will simply conclude that your methods are completely ineffective."
Even Lady Campbell laughed.
"Mr Andrews," Jane said, "I fear your reputation now depends entirely upon my sister Elizabeth's performance."
"In that case," Matthew replied with an exaggerated sigh, "I believe I have undertaken a far more perilous task than I first imagined."
"Come, Lizzy, let us go to the park," John said eagerly. "Mr Andrews, you promised you would help us. You cannot withdraw your offer now."
Matthew smiled resignedly and said, "I promise I will keep my word."
Elizabeth did not wish to separate Jane from Matthew. She had noticed them exchanging glances all afternoon and suddenly had an idea.
"Jane, come with us," she said. "It will be amusing, and after I make a fool of myself again, you may laugh at me."
"Very well, I confess I am eager to see what happens," Jane said, stealing a shy glance at Matthew, whose smile betrayed his delight.
Then, turning to Darcy, Elizabeth added, "Would you care to join us, Mr Darcy? Perhaps you can help me as well."
Her plan was simple. Once they reached the park, she intended to lead her cousins and Mr Darcy to one part of it while allowing Matthew and Jane the opportunity to converse privately elsewhere.
Mr Darcy seemed to come to life the moment Elizabeth addressed him and favoured him with one of her radiant smiles.
"Indeed, I know very well how to fly a kite, and I shall be delighted to teach you if you will allow me," said Mr Darcy.
He was pleased beyond measure. Elizabeth had sought his company and, as far as he could tell, had paid no particular attention to the other gentleman. However charming Mr Andrews might be, she had invited him.
"Thank you, Mr Darcy," Elizabeth said, thinking, ‘Jane, I hope you appreciate the sacrifice I am making for you by enduring this man.’
Meanwhile, Georgiana had become so engrossed in her conversation with Mary that she declined the invitation to accompany them and happily remained at home. Kitty, who was also trying to improve her musical skills, gladly stayed behind to spend the afternoon with Mary, Georgiana, and her aunt.
Kitty loved spending time with Eleanor. She was both intelligent and affectionate, and with each passing day, she grew closer to Mary as well.
She had discovered that they had much in common.
Mary was generous, always listened patiently, and never tried to make Kitty feel inferior—quite unlike Lydia.
Once they stepped outside, Mr Darcy immediately offered Elizabeth his arm. She had little choice but to accept it.
Matthew did the same for Jane, and the two couples walked towards the park.
John and Laura remained beside Elizabeth and Mr Darcy.
Elizabeth deliberately kept her cousins engaged in conversation and laughter.
She had two reasons for doing so: first, she wanted Jane and Matthew to enjoy some privacy; second, she had no wish to be left alone with Mr Darcy.
She had no desire to engage in another of their lengthy discussions or endure the sort of criticism he had directed at her during their stay at Netherfield.
When they reached the park, Jane turned shyly to Matthew.
"Mr Andrews de la Garza, would you teach me how to fly a kite?"
For the first time in her life, Jane wished to do something adventurous.
She had spent years watching Elizabeth accomplish all manner of daring exploits—climbing trees, swimming in the river, racing to the top of Oakham Mount—while she remained seated, admiring her sister and wishing she possessed the courage to do the same.
Yet standing beside Mr Andrews, she felt different. For once, she was no longer afraid.
"Of course. It would be an honour to be your instructor," Matthew replied in a mock-solemn voice.
Then, lowering his voice and glancing about to make sure Elizabeth was not listening, he added, "Between ourselves, it is something of a relief. I believe you shall prove a far more promising pupil than Miss Elizabeth."
Jane laughed softly.
"I am not so certain of that, but I can at least promise to be more patient than my sister."
Matthew could scarcely conceal his delight. He would have the opportunity to spend time alone with the beautiful Jane. It did not escape his notice that Elizabeth was deliberately trying to leave them together, and he silently thanked her.
‘I am already very fond of you, my future sister.’
When Elizabeth heard that Jane wished to learn how to fly a kite, she was genuinely surprised. It was evident that Mr Andrews de la Garza had given her sister a confidence she had never possessed before, and Elizabeth could not have been happier for her.
"Cousin Elizabeth, I want to watch Cousin Jane learn to fly a kite and see whether she does any better than you," Laura said, taking Jane's hand.
"Of course, my dear," Elizabeth replied with a laugh. "I am curious to find out myself."
"John, Mr Darcy, let us go to the other side of the park," Elizabeth said cheerfully. "We shall all need plenty of room if we are to avoid tangling our kites."
"That is an excellent suggestion, Miss Elizabeth," said Mr Darcy, secretly pleased that the arrangement would place some distance between himself and the Spaniard. The children's obvious delight brought an uncharacteristic smile to his face.
John eagerly followed Elizabeth and Mr Darcy, while Laura remained with Jane and Matthew, smiling to herself as she watched the new lesson begin.
Once they had found a suitable spot, Mr Darcy decided to explain a little more about the subject before they began.
"Miss Elizabeth, for a kite to rise into the air, the lifting force produced by the wind must be greater than its weight.
Once it is aloft, however, the forces must remain in balance.
The lift must support the kite's weight, while the pull of the string and the wind together must counter the resistance of the air.
Naturally, the strength and direction of the wind are of the greatest importance. "
Elizabeth looked at Mr Darcy in surprise and could not resist saying with a playful smile, "Mr Darcy, how do you manage to make something as entertaining as flying a kite sound like the dullest occupation imaginable?"
"I do not know, Miss Elizabeth," Mr Darcy replied with perfect composure. "But I believe I possess a particular talent for that.”