by Zoë Burton
Mr. Bennet himself generally took to his book room when his wife had a spell. He had perfected the art of announcing whatever news he was duty bound to share with them and then vanishing immediately, leaving his daughters to deal with their mother.
Thomas Bennet did not limit his avoidance to his wife’s fits of nerves, however. Sitting in his book room reading his newest tome was his preferred occupation. He was not fond of society in general, though he did gain much amusement from observing his neighbors at the various dinners, assemblies, and private balls held in the area. Nor was he particularly keen on being out amongst his tenants. He had a steward to do the actual work of running the estate, and beyond providing funds and resolving the occasional dispute amongst his renters, he had little to do with it. Likewise, he left the raising of his five children to his wife. He preferred his own company to that of anyone or anything else. If he must exert himself, he would prefer to do it spending time with Elizabeth.
While all of his daughters had access to his library and all the masters they desired to teach them, only Elizabeth made full use of his books. Jane had restricted herself to poetry and the occasional novel, Mary to sermons, and the youngest two preferred any activity to reading. His second eldest, however, had read every book he owned. She was a quick study, easily grasping the most complicated matters. She had also inherited his quick wit and tendency to sarcasm. The two had spent many a cold winter’s evening in debate over some topic or other, and more and more often did Elizabeth prove her opinion to be the soundest.
His wife, of course, did not appreciate his encouragement of her least understood daughter in the matter of improving her mind. Elizabeth, with her preference for books and solitary walks about the countryside, baffled Mrs. Bennet, and she was certain no gentleman would ever have her for a wife. All of her husband’s explanations that some men preferred an intelligent spouse went over her head. She had not caught a husband with her mind, but with her beauty and lively personality, and she could not fathom anything else. Furthermore, she did not know who would maintain the girl when her father was gone, for Mrs. Bennet herself would not have the funds.
Elizabeth had learned to ignore her mother’s frequent lectures, for the most part. It bothered her, of course, to be berated so often for something so innocuous, but she could not bring herself to be disrespectful by talking back. She did love her Mama, despite Mrs. Bennet’s inability to control her speech or regulate her voice in public, traits which often embarrassed her daughters.
To be honest, as much as Elizabeth appreciated her father’s interest in her and his willingness to help her education along, and as much as she loved him in return, she found herself frequently wishing he would act to control his family. Her youngest sister was wild and untamed, and Kitty followed wherever Lydia led with no thought to her own reputation. Mary, in an effort to distinguish herself, poured her efforts into the pianoforte and making extracts of sermons. She gave the impression that she was a self-righteous prig when, in fact, she was simply an uncertain young lady trying to appear intelligent. Her father, should he take the time and effort to do so, could, with just a few words, improve Mary’s outlook enough to possibly change her behavior, yet he failed to do so. It would take a more concerted effort to alter the manners of Kitty and Lydia, but with diligence, it could be accomplished. She knew, however, that Mr. Bennet would not be moved from his book room and since she was not formed for unhappiness, Elizabeth did what she could to influence those around her, pasted a smile on her face, and walked out whenever she found opportunity. It was from one of these daily strolls that she was returning when she was beckoned to join her father.
“No, nothing is the matter. Not yet, at any rate, but your mother has not come down from her rooms.” Mr. Bennet chuckled at his own jest, while Elizabeth smiled and shook her head.
“Papa.”
Returning Elizabeth’s smile, Mr. Bennet began his explanation for summoning her. “Have you received your post today?”
“No, I have not, not as of yet.” It was unusual for her father to inquire after her correspondence, and she was surprised that he did so now.
“I suspect you will have a letter from your younger sister, asking that you attend her in town.”
Elizabeth’s brows rose. “Really? Does she say why?” She was not terribly surprised by the request. Mary had always preferred her to either their older or younger sisters. What did surprise her was that Mary wanted anyone at all with her. She had been quite eager to be away from them, and now Elizabeth worried that something had happened to upset her in some manner.
“She does not, but your aunt has sent me a note to warn me of the request. She reassures me that nothing is wrong and that your sister appears to be enjoying herself. She has made a new friend, and I think perhaps she wishes to get your opinion on the matter. Are you interested in going?” He peered at her over his spectacles. He knew how protective his girls were of each other, and was quite certain that his Lizzy would not hesitate to go to Mary.
“I am. It is an unexpected request, to be sure, but my sister would not ask if she did not truly need me.”
“Very well, then. I shall send an express to your aunt. You may take my carriage to the post stop tomorrow. She will send hers to meet you there. Your mother and sisters can chaperone you as far as the posting inn; I am quite certain they would enjoy a bit of shopping as recompense for staying at Longbourn.”
“Thank you, Papa. I will begin my packing now.” Elizabeth rose from her chair, walking around behind his desk to kiss his cheek before heading toward the door.
“I shall miss you, Daughter. You are the most sensible of my children, you know. What shall I do while you are gone?”
Elizabeth turned before exiting the room, an impish grin on her face. “Why, I do not know what you will do,” she exclaimed, before winking and stepping into the hall to the sound of her father’s delighted laughter.
Chapter 2
London
“Mary, dear,” Lady Watts called out as she entered the drawing room. “I have a letter from your father.”
“You do? What does he say?”
Lady Watts laughed. “That was a rapid response! I have never seen you so eager to hear from your family.”
Mary blushed at her godmother’s tease. “Yes, well, I have never before had as good a reason for it.”
Laughing once more, the lady relayed the news. “Your sister will arrive tomorrow in time for tea. Would you like to invite Miss Darcy, or do you think Elizabeth will want to rest and meet your friend later?”
“Oh, I cannot imagine Lizzy being too tired to meet someone new, but I confess I should like some time to visit with her before we have guests.” Mary looked at her hands, clasped in her lap. “I have never been from home for so long, and though I have been without my elder sisters for longer periods, this time feels different. I am impatient to be with her.”
Lady Watts laid her hand over her goddaughter’s. Speaking gently, she reassured her. “Of course you are. This is all so new to you, being in London and in society. It is good that Elizabeth is coming to give you a listening ear and help you sort things out in your mind.” She leaned over and kissed Mary’s cheek. “You are a beautiful young woman, and I am so happy to be able to host you.” Squeezing the hand she held, Lady Watts smiled before rising, quietly leaving her guest to contemplate her sister’s arrival.
The time between Mr. Bennet’s express and Elizabeth’s arrival passed as it always does when someone is expecting an eagerly-awaited visitor. That is to say, rather slowly. Eventually, though, Lizzy entered the house to be eagerly embraced by her aunt, uncle, and sister, who clung to her as though she might never let go.
“Oh Lizzy, I am so happy to see you!”
“And I, you. Are you well? Your letter worried me.”
“I am sorry; I did not mean to cause you alarm. It is just that I missed you and am in need of a sisterly ear to listen and help me make sense of my thoughts and feelings.”
Elizabeth searched Mary’s face for the truth. Not seeing any artifice, she conceded. “Very well, then. We shall talk this evening before bed, as we do at Longbourn, yes?”
“Oh, yes, thank you, Lizzy!” With a final hug, the girls broke apart and followed Lord and Lady Watts to the drawing room, where tea was laid out. Following a lively discussion and catching up of news, the group separated to prepare for dinner.
It was much later that evening that the house retired. Mary soon knocked on Elizabeth’s door, and upon being invited in, settled on the bed as she was wont to do at home when the sisters chatted.
“I am so happy you have come, Lizzy!”
“I am, as well.” Elizabeth leaned forward to place her hand on Mary’s. “Is anything bothering you? You do not seem out of sorts, but I was surprised that you requested me to come.”
“Truly,” Mary began in an earnest tone of voice, “I am happy. My aunt is wonderful to me, and treats me as her own child. I have been to dinners and the theater and museums, and had so many new experiences! I simply needed a sister with whom to share them.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Well, then, here I am. Tell me all about it.”
They spent a happy hour with the younger sister describing in great detail her adventures.
The next day
“Lizzy, with my godmother’s permission, I have invited my friend, Georgiana, to dine this evening.”
“Wonderful! I am pleased. You have needed a friend, and I am happy you have found one. You make her sound lovely.”
“Oh, she is!”
“Indeed, she is,” interjected Lady Watts. “Shy and lovely, and of the best of families.”
“Good, good. What can you tell me about her?”
Mary explained all that she knew about Georgiana, including that she had a brother. Purposely, Mary did not tell her sister that said brother was unmarried or that she and her friend hoped to push them together. She wanted their meeting to be totally without prejudice.
Elizabeth and Mary descended the staircase together, dressed in their finest and chatting about the evening’s guests and entertainment. After spending the morning practicing on the pianoforte, they were prepared to perform a duet, along with individual performances.
“I do hope we can convince our aunt to display, as well. She is quite skilled, you know.”
“Then I will do my best to persuade her. What about Miss Darcy? You said that she is a gifted performer, as well.”
“She is, but she is not yet out and is quite shy. I am not certain she will be willing, though we can certainly ask.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Very well, we will not push her.”
At that moment, they arrived at the drawing room, where their aunt and uncle awaited them. Before they had a chance to settle into seats, the butler, Mr. Clarke, stepped into the room and announced the visitors.
“Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Miss Georgiana Darcy.”
“Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, welcome! Come in, come in.” Lord Watts greatly enjoyed being a host and was eager to get the evening underway.
“Thank you for inviting us, sir.” Mr. Darcy began, his attention focused on his host. “My sister and I have been eagerly awaiting this event.”
“Wonderful!” Lord Watts turned to his family. “The ladies have done nothing but chatter about it all day, as well.”
Darcy smiled as he, too, turned his attention to the ladies. He greeted his hostess and his sister’s friend, then noticed a new person standing beside Miss Bennet. He was struck by her sparkling, laughing eyes and the half-smile that graced her face. Not removing his gaze from her, he asked his host for an introduction.
“Certainly! This is another of my nieces, Mary’s older sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth, this is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
Darcy reached out to grasp Elizabeth’s hand. Bowing over it, he resisted the urge to kiss it, instead forcing himself to stand up but retaining the delicate hand in his grasp. “I am pleased to meet you, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth startled at the sound of his deep voice. She blushed, curtseying and returning his greeting. Her attention had been riveted by the tall, handsome man when he entered the room, and his warm touch made her heart race. For that reason, she made no move to pull her hand away, though she knew very well that she should.
Mary and Georgiana exchanged glances, relaying to each other their happiness with the events of the evening so far. Of course, this was just a first meeting; there was still work to do to be assured an attachment would form, but so far, it seemed as though the couple in question was going to make it very easily done.
Lord and Lady Watts also exchanged amused glances. In the way that long-married couples often had, they communicated their delight at the apparent fascination Elizabeth had with Mr. Darcy, and he with her. They silently agreed to discuss it later, but both knew that it was an eligible match.
The spell that held Darcy and Elizabeth in thrall was broken by Mr. Clarke, who once again entered the room, this time to announce that dinner was served. They jumped apart, blushing deeply, and Darcy quickly introduced his sister to the newcomer. That nicety completed, the group paired up, with Lord Watts quickly taking his wife’s arm and Darcy, while surprised that the elder couple had chosen not to follow propriety’s rules for precedence, gladly offering his to Elizabeth. Mary and Georgiana followed at the rear, trying to contain their giggles.
Darcy received a further surprise when, instead of entering the formal dining room, Lord Watts led them into a parlor that had been set up as an intimate dining space. The small table just fit the six of them without feeling cramped. Darcy was seated at the right hand of his host, with Elizabeth to his right. Georgiana was seated to the right of Lady Watts, and Mary was across from Darcy.
The evening progressed as most dinner parties do, but the further along it went, the harder pressed Darcy was to give his attention to anyone but the woman beside him. He was intrigued by her conversation and witty banter.
Elizabeth was just as interested in Darcy. While she found him to be very formal in all their interactions, he displayed an interest in what she had to say and a respect for her opinions that she had never before experienced. It became, over the course of their conversation, a challenge for her to make the hint of his smile appear, and she took it as a personal accomplishment when she managed it.
Too soon for either of them, the evening ended. As they said good night, Darcy spoke quietly to Elizabeth. “May I call on you, Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth was surprised and pleased. “You may.”
“Thank you.” His appreciation was clear in his voice and manner as he bowed over her hand once again.
As she got ready for bed that evening, after enduring the sly innuendoes of her family and their probing questions about her opinion of Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth let herself examine the evening and her dinner companion.
She was impressed with Mr. Darcy, she had to admit. He was attentive to her, but other gentlemen had been in the past. What intrigued her more was that he did not scoff at her opinions. He challenged her to explain them more fully at times, and debated them at others, but never did he belittle them.
He was gentle with her to the point of tenderness. She searched her mind for anyone of her acquaintance, including her family, who treated her so, and could not think of a single person, male or female, who did. She found that she rather enjoyed being the recipient of such attentions, and was glad he was to call on her.
Elizabeth had long ago realized her limited prospects at home. Everyone there knew of her small portion. They were well acquainted with her likes and dislikes, her pursuits and passions, and her sharp wit. Even if there were gentlemen of the right age and consequence, not too old or too young—which there were not—she was not able to compete with other women who had more beauty or a bigger dowry. She had nothing but her wit and her charm with which to entice a gentleman. Finally, there were few newcomers to the area. She had begun to fear that she would never
marry, or would have to marry a tradesman and give up the luxuries she enjoyed as a gentleman’s daughter. Worse, she feared a marriage without esteem, respect, or affection. Given these facts, if Mr. Darcy continued to call, it would be a blessing that she would not take for granted.
The same night, Darcy House…
Darcy dismissed his valet, Mr. Smith, and climbed into his large, empty bed. His thoughts were full of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, as they had been since he first laid eyes on her at Arthur Place.
Never had he been so captivated by a woman. He had been master of his family’s estate for five years, taking the reins at the death of his father. At every turn after that—even before then, if he were honest—he had been pursued by many women. He had danced with hundreds of them, but none had held his attention for longer than a set. Miss Bennet, however, had. He mentally listed her good qualities: she was vivacious, good humored, intelligent, accomplished on the pianoforte, had expanded her mind by extensive reading, spoke and read French, and read Latin and Greek. She played chess, and was able to hold her own in a debate. Her opinions were well thought out. Beyond her mind, her person was attractive, as well. Her figure was light and pleasing, and her eyes were expressive. There was none of the bored debutante about her, with cold eyes and blank looks. She exuded warmth, and it drew him to her like a bee to a flower.
Darcy turned his mind to her connections and circumstances. Her aunt and uncle were peers, and that was in her favor. It was unfortunate that her mother’s family was from trade, but he had learned long ago not to judge a person based on his position in society.
It was also unfortunate that she had so little by way of a dowry. While he did not know the exact figure, Lord Watts had told him that the Bennet sisters would have equal shares in their mother’s portion after her death, and that was all. Their father had not saved to add to that amount. Of course, Darcy was wealthy enough that it did not matter much to him; his concern was his family’s reaction. While he did not cater to their whims, wants, or desires, and would marry whomever he chose without regard for their opinion, he did not want his future wife to be treated poorly because she was not from the same circles. I shall have to make it plain to them, should I choose Miss Bennet, that she is to be treated with the same accord they would have treated my mother, had she lived. And I am almost certain I shall eventually offer for her; she is everything I have looked for in a wife. With those pleasant thoughts, Darcy drifted off to sleep, a smile on his face.
