8. Some Effort at Happiness
Some Effort at Happiness
Elizabeth’s tendency to forget whatever had given her displeasure in the past was practised in even greater habit by her elder sister, thus when Elizabeth arrived in Cheapside in March for a short visit before journeying to Kent for a reunion with her newly married friend, she found Jane to be in the happiest of humours.
While much of her sister’s contentment was found in the delight she took in caring for her young cousins, Jane’s confession to her aunt of Miss Bingley’s spiteful letters—and indeed, her sharing of the lady’s cruel words—seemed to further dispel any lingering melancholy.
So too had her friendship with Mrs Dallish, whom she had written was a ‘lovely, intelligent lady’ and through whom she had befriended others in town.
Although the lady had returned with her husband to their home in Devon before Elizabeth’s arrival, some of the others Jane had come to know had maintained their acquaintance.
Chief amongst them were the Catesby brothers, whom the Gardiners vouched for as single men of good character and reputation.
‘Not the sort of capricious, inconstant men who would trifle with a lady’s heart,’ her aunt had whispered.
Mr Catesby, a lean, bespectacled gentleman with a small estate in Faversham, had begun calling on Jane just a week prior.
He was proving to be all that was good and seemed besotted by and respectful of Jane, who was more than content in his company.
Mr Bingley’s buoyant if perfidious charm appeared forgot—if Mr Catesby boasted less hair and height than Netherfield’s capricious master, his warmth and gravity more than compensated.
Mr Catesby’s younger brother, a sea captain, possessed the humour one might expect in a homely second son, and within moments of their first meeting, appeared rather enamoured with Elizabeth.
She enjoyed his cheerful conversation but would not encourage a deeper connexion. It was Jane’s heart that mattered.
Captain Catesby was to leave town in a se’nnight, but Elizabeth’s own stay was briefer. She was to journey to Kent with the Lucases in two days. Although the news was already known to the Catesbys, their pleasure in describing the country to Elizabeth was fervent.
“Although I am partial to my more inland forests, you will enjoy the walks at Rosings,” said Mr Catesby. “The gardens are rather formal, but there is much to admire in even so well-cultivated a park.”
“Are you acquainted with Lady Catherine de Bourgh?” Elizabeth asked.
He demurred, somewhat awkwardly, and stated that through his mother, he was aware that Lady Catherine did not much join local society. “Her nephew, whom I knew at Cambridge, advises her on managing the estate.”
“Mr Darcy?”
Mr Catesby seemed startled by Elizabeth’s familiarity with the name. “Indeed. Are you acquainted with him?”
She bit her lip and glanced at Jane. To her relief, her sister’s serene countenance was unchanged. “A little. He visited Hertfordshire in the autumn with friends.”
“Ah, I regret that I have not kept up the acquaintance,” he replied.
“I recall Darcy’s father died after we left Cambridge, and he has since busied himself managing their estate in Derbyshire.
” Mr Catesby glanced at his brother, who was sitting beside Elizabeth and listening with interest to the conversation.
“Our own father died two years ago, and I have been similarly occupied at Bilton Hall. I would be pleased to renew our friendship, if we should encounter one another, as we have much in common.”
Elizabeth attempted to look disinterested when she asked, “Is Mr Darcy often in Kent?”
“I suppose,” said Mr Catesby, bemusement in his voice. “It is said that Lady Catherine anticipates joining Rosings to her nephew’s estate when he weds her daughter. Mr Darcy has evaded those expectations and is often at Pemberley with his sister.”
Elizabeth was gleeful to hear that at least some of Miss Bingley’s wishes would be thwarted if Mr Darcy’s aunt had her way.
Although mindful that Jane might dislike her persistence and that Mr Catesby might find her overly curious, she asked, “Miss Darcy is not so very young, is she? As an educated heiress, she is likely yearning for the attractions of town.”
He looked at her oddly. “I met her once when she was a child of six or seven. She was quite shy and clung to her brother. Darcy was devoted to her then, and I would think even more so after they lost their father and had only each other.”
“Mr Darcy is a very good brother,” interjected Jane. “I recall he spoke of his sister with great fondness.”
“If only elder brothers could speak fondly of younger brothers, but we are less inclined to sit on laps and heed their wisdom.” Captain Catesby chuckled.
“And far more inclined towards mud and mischief,” Mr Catesby replied.
“Well, that was Lizzy as well.”
Jane’s joke lightened the atmosphere, and the remaining minutes of the visit passed pleasantly.
Later that evening, cosily ensconced in their shared bed, Jane questioned her sister. “Why did you speak so familiarly of Miss Darcy and press Mr Catesby with so many questions about the Darcys?”
“Did I? I did not mean to. I was, I suppose, shocked to find we had an acquaintance in common, which led to curiosity about Miss Darcy.” Elizabeth was grateful she had blown out the room’s single candle moments before.
But much as the darkness hid signs of her embarrassment, it encouraged Jane to be bolder in her speech.
“You were surprised Mr Catesby had only praise for Mr Darcy’s care for his family and friends.”
“Your Mr Catesby is a man of great benevolence. He would not disparage anyone.”
Elizabeth’s hopes of steering the conversation to the topic of her own feelings about Mr Catesby failed. Instead, Jane pressed her point more directly.
“Lizzy, do you recall how Mr Wickham spoke freely and disparagingly of Mr Darcy? It was poorly done, and I pray you will give heed to the opinions of friends, new and old, when you consider the character of a mutual acquaintance.”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks flame. She had thought as poorly of Mr Wickham’s behaviour as she had of that exhibited by Mr Darcy and Miss Bingley.
Of Mr Bingley, she thought even less. Still, Mr Darcy wore no halo.
If he knew Mr Bingley was wicked yet remained his friend and wished to make him his brother, he was a terrible man.
If he did not know, he was far stupider than she had believed.
Neither alternative was good, especially for his poor sister.
How good it would be to go to Kent, enjoy the company of her friend Charlotte, and think nothing more of either man!