Darcy and the Accomplished Woman

by Linda Phelps

  “Elizabeth Bennet!” said Bingley. “But however do you know of her? I am surprised you have heard her name.”

  “It is only a name I heard your sisters mention,” said Georgiana. “What sort of person is she?”

  Bingley thought for a moment then said carefully, “She is very pretty and charming. She has wit and spirit.”

  Georgiana recognized what she took to be the attitude of a man in love. But if that was the case, why was Bingley here in Darcy’s breakfast room rather than at Netherfield in his own breakfast room? “Do you think I shall ever meet her?” She regretted the question in an instant. Bingley’s normally cheerful mood had disappeared.

  “I think it unlikely,” said Bingley. “I have no particular wish to return to that house.”

  Miss Darcy’s Journal (London)

  I was correct! Bingley is in love with a woman named Elizabeth Bennet who lives in Hertfordshire. He feels about her the way I feel, that is, the way I felt about W. There is something that keeps them apart, for certainly most women would be delighted to be the object of Mr. Bingley’s affections. I believe he has a broken heart! Did she reject him in favour of another man? Perhaps she was already engaged and could not escape the commitment. Poor Bingley. No wonder his sisters do not like to mention Miss Bennet in his presence.

  Darcy’s Journal (London)

  I have written to cousin Fitzwilliam to remind him that the time to make our annual visit to Aunt Catherine approaches. He will grouse about it, as he always does, but he will accompany me. Aunt ignores him almost completely. She does not expect him, as a younger brother, to improve the lot of the family in any significant manner. There she is wrong, for he has a pleasing set of manners, much better than hers, I envy him that. Indeed it is not impossible that he will someday marry well.

  I had hoped that this year Georgiana would also be in our party, but although she responds to my slightest request immediately, to this she said a very absolute NO.

  ‘But why?’ I asked. ‘She is as much your aunt as she is mine. You should be anxious to see her, for you have no female relatives other than she.’

  ‘She frightens me’, said my sister. ‘The things she says--‘

  I cannot argue with her about that. Aunt Catherine speaks her mind about people with little thought of the effect her words have on her subjects. Fitzwilliam laughs once he is away from her, but Georgiana is still too young to find amusement in her criticism.

  ‘It is her way of speaking,’ said I. ‘You must learn to listen with only one ear. Then there is your cousin Anne. She will be good company for you. She must be quite lonely in that big house with no brothers or sisters.’

  ‘I cannot bear her, Brother,’ said Georgiana. She was on the verge of tears. ‘You do not know how she speaks about you. “I thought it best not to question her about that. I well know that Aunt Catherine fancies that someday I will marry Cousin Anne, I pity Anne. Her health is not good, nor has she had opportunities to have friends. But I will not marry her. I do what I can each year to keep from giving her or my aunt any hope in that direction.

  ‘But where will you stay?’ said I to my sister. ‘You cannot be left to roam this house by yourself.’

  ‘Send me back to Mrs. Cassidy!’ said she. She could tell by my face that this idea did not please me. ‘If not, let me go to Pemberly. The housekeeper treats me as if I were her daughter. I would be happy there.’

  ‘School mistresses and housekeepers,’ said I. ‘It is time for you to live in other society. I will ask Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst if you may stay with them. They will keep you occupied, and your friendships can grow. There will come a time when you are glad you have become intimate with them.’

  It seemed for a moment that she would also argue about this arrangement, but she thought better of it. What would be more appropriate than for her to be in the society of the ladies who may some day, in one way or the other, become her sisters?

  Miss Georgiana Darcy’s Journal (London)

  It is almost more than I can bear. Brother leaves for Rosings in ten days. He insists that I stay with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst while he is gone. Does he not see how tedious their company is to me? Miss Bingley is an accomplished musician at the piano, but that is the only way we are alike. I cannot share her passion for fashion, nor the constant rounds of calls and callers that fill their days.

  I can think of no remedy. Fortunately Brother has arranged for my usual masters to come to me at their house.

  I shall miss him, but I take comfort in the knowledge that he seldom stays much past Easter.

  Does he know that Aunt de Bourgh has fixed on him to be husband to her daughter? When last I saw Anne she spoke of nothing else. Her mother has convinced her that she will someday be Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Anne has planned the carriages she will own and the changes she will bring by adding more modern furniture to Rosings once Aunt Caroline is dead.

  I cannot believe Brother would marry solely for the purpose of uniting the estates.

  “Welcome,” said Louisa. Georgiana had arrived followed by her harp. “I see we shall often have the pleasure of hearing you play on this instrument, and please do consider yourself free to practice on the pianoforte whenever you feel the need.”

  “I thank you, Mrs. Hurst,” said Georgiana. “Indeed I do not like to miss as much as a day’s practice on my instruments. I only hope I will not disturb you. Sometimes practice exercises are not pleasant to hear.”

  “Nonsense,” said Louisa. “One who plays as you do can scarcely help making scales and chords a delight to hear.”

  “I hope, dearest Georgiana,” said Caroline, “that you are not too unhappy about your brother’s absence. We will do everything in our power to entertain you. We have planned several outings into the city and an absolute inventory of the people you must come to know. There will be no time for lonely feelings.

  “I do not mind solitude,” said Georgiana. “I take great pleasure in reading, and do not often have the time for it.”

  “Our library is nothing to the one at Pemberly,” said Louisa, “but you may find books that amuse you. If not, we will send for any that you wish.”

  “Our only desire is to please you, “said Caroline, “if not for your sake for the sake of your dear brother. Thank how happy he will be to know we have kept you happy and entertained.”

  “That is very kind of you,” said Georgiana.

  “You must let us know if you crave any particular type of sweet,” said Louisa, “so we can acquire it for you.”

  “I thank you. You are so very kind,” said Georgiana again, “and now, if you can spare me, I will practice on the harp for a time.”

  “Of course, dearest Miss Darcy,” said Caroline. “Whatever you wish is what you shall have.”

  Miss Georgiana Darcy’s Journal (London)

  Caroline Bingley says, ‘Whatever you wish is what you shall have.” What have I done to merit this degree of devotion to my wishes? I am to have no privacy while staying in the Hursts’ house, nor am I to have leisure. The sisters are determined to fill my every minute with what they think of as ‘pleasant amusements’. How do they bear the lives they live?

  We have already spent two mornings in the making of calls. I do not mean to suggest that the people upon whom we call are at all unpleasant. I am treated with great respect because I am the sister of Darcy.

  That is, of course, the reason I find such eagerness to please me on the part of the sisters. They hope that I will relate all they do for me to Brother. They want his good opinion as much as they want mine.

  Before Wickham, I believed that everyone I met was exactly as he or she seemed. Now I am always suspicious of those who praise me and seek to be my friend. That is why I do not quite trust Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.

  What do they want of me? I suppose they hope I will marry their brother Charles. He is an excellent gentleman, but I am not stirred when I speak with him. I think of him as a friend. It is not possible to think of him as
a potential husband.

  In truth, I have none of the stirrings of my heart that the least word from Wickham could inspire. I do not expect ever again to meet with a man with such powers to move me.

  I suspect that Miss Bingley feels what I felt when she is with Brother. I have seen her smile up at him, doing anything she can to win his attention. Does he realize that she does so? Is he pleased that she does so?

  Does Caroline Bingley hope to become the mistress of Pemberly? Yes, indeed. She is almost insufferable with pride at present; what would she be like if she had such a position?

  I have overheard Mrs. Hurst speaking sharply to Miss Bingley. “I take responsibility for your air of superiority where none is warranted. I spoiled you when you were a child, and now this is the result. Leave Georgiana in peace. She never will be as quick to speak as you are. You cannot make her into a replica of yourself, for which fact I thank heaven.’

  Darcy’s Journal (Rosings)

  What an extraordinary coincidence. The daughter of Sir William Lucas in Hertfordshire has married the tall Bennet cousin who happens, thanks to Aunt Catherine’s beneficence, to be the rector of Hunsford. He came up to the house to welcome us to his parish.

  The minister, Mr. Collins, said the most astonishing thing. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is currently in residence in the rectory! She has come to stay with her friend whose name, I am reminded, is Charlotte. I will confess now that my insistence that we all leave Netherfield was only partly to save Bingley from an impossible relationship with Miss Jane Bennet. I was well aware that I myself needed rescue from my attraction to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. And now she and I are in the same neighbourhood. I immediately offered Fitzwilliam and myself to accompany Mr. Collins to his home that we could pay our respects to these ladies.

  Fitzwilliam seemed somewhat puzzled by my haste, as in truth I was myself, but he is always ready to escape from the house and from his Aunt Catherine and Cousin Anne. Thus we had not been in Rosings an entire day before we set off to make our call at the rectory.

  I am astonished at my own eagerness to see Elizabeth Bennet again. Although I told Fitzwilliam that our call was merely a courtesy, it was not so. I believed I had put all thought of her from my mind since the moment we left Netherfield, but I had a great impatience to see her where I had never expected to. It seemed to me a stroke of good fortune.

  She was as I remembered; beautiful eyes and a fine complexion, graceful movements and an arch way of speaking that is entirely charming. I could recognize that Fitzwilliam, even upon a first meeting, was drawn to her.

  There was one bit of awkwardness. Elizabeth said to me, “My eldest sister has been in town these three months. Have you never happened to see her there?”

  For a moment I had no ready answer. Then said I, “I have never been so fortunate as to meet Miss Bennet.”

  Other than that, I played no part in the conversation. Fitzwilliam and Mr. Collins were not at any loss for words, but I could scarcely open my mouth. How uncivil I must have seemed!

  I wonder of Aunt Catherine will invite Elizabeth to Rosings. I should like to see her in that elegant setting.

  Now why do I want that?

  I think I would be wise to stay away from the rectory. I will let Fitzwilliam make the calls.

  Darcy deliberately neglected calling at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Collins. He did not trust himself to make a good showing there. Then, for his own safety, he felt he should not be with Elizabeth too much. That she had the power to affect him was something he admitted to himself. He was astounded at the jealousy he felt when his cousin Fitzwilliam recounted conversations or walks he had shared with Elizabeth Bennet. His pose of indifference was tested repeatedly.

  Not until Easter night did Lady Catherine honour the people of the rectory with an invitation for an evening at Rosings. When she had the company of her nephews, the others were not needed to amuse her.

  Darcy prepared himself for this meeting with Elizabeth Bennet. He had resolved to be at ease in her presence. He would say little, and what he did say would suggest no hint of personal interest. He knew that he would not be disappointed in his expectation that his Aunt would dominate any conversation that occurred. His silence would not be noticed.

  However, despite his determination to discipline his words, Mr. Darcy felt a certain wonder when he was once again in the presence of Elizabeth Bennet. She greeted him pleasantly. Her voice had the musical sound he remembered from their meetings at Netherfield. She greeted Lady Catherine with a proper air of deference, but to one who listened closely, as he did, there was a satirical note to her words. She was not overawed by the great lady. Darcy felt he should be offended by this subtle show of rebellion from accepted modes of greeting one’s superiors, but in fact he was amused by this display of spirit on her part.

  Fitzwilliam soon separated Elizabeth from the group, and seated beside each other, they engaged in a spirited conversation. Darcy, waiting on the words of his Aunt, watched them without seeming to do so. He felt a desire to hear Elizabeth speak in this engaging fashion to him.

  “Darcy!” said Lady Catherine de Bourgh. “I do not think you attend my words.”

  “Forgive me, Aunt,” said Darcy. “I was drawn by something Fitzwilliam said.”

  Lady Catherine did not scruple to call out, “Nephew, what is that you are saying?”

  Darcy feigned indifference, but this once he was grateful to his aunt for her directness.

  “What are you telling Miss Bennet? Let me hear what it is.”

  At first Fitzwilliam seemed not to realize that she called him, but upon her second entreaty he responded, “We are speaking of music, Madam.”

  “Of music! Then pray speak aloud. I must have my share of the conversation. There are few people in England who have more true enjoyment of music than I myself. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient. How does Georgiana get on, Darcy?”

  “Amazingly well. She plays as capably as anyone I have ever heard, and certainly more melodically,”

  “I am very glad to hear such a good account of her,” said Lady Catherine. “And pray tell her from me that she cannot expect to excel if she does not practice a great deal.”

  “I assure you, Madam,” Darcy replied, “That she does not need such advice. She practices very constantly.”

  “I have told Miss Bennet several times,” said Lady Catherine, “that she will never play really well, unless she practices more.”

  “Indeed, Madam,” said Darcy, “I have had the pleasure of hearing Miss Bennet play.” He saw that the mention of her name had drawn Elizabeth’s eyes to him and his aunt. Flustered, he could not think of a way to end his comment.

  “I have often told her,” said Lady Catherine, “that she is very welcome to walk to Rosings every day, and play on the piano forte in Mrs. Jenkinson’s room. She would be in nobody’s way, you know, in that part of the house.”

  Darcy was taken aback by this example of his aunt’s condescension. Afraid he would say too much if he replied, he turned to Lady Catherine and attempted to look agreeable. Fortunately, coffee was brought in and the conversation moved away from music.

  When the refreshment was over, Colonel Fitzwilliam reminded Elizabeth of her promise to play for him, and she immediately left the table to sit at the instrument. Darcy saw his cousin draw a chair up next to the girl. He was alarmed by the feeling this simple movement aroused in him. Was it jealousy? His aunt chattered on as Elizabeth played. Without volition Darcy found he had excused himself and stood at the piano, positioned so he could see her face.

  “You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy in coming in all this state to hear me,” said Elizabeth, “but I am not alarmed, although your sister does play so well.”

  “You mistake my motive,” said Darcy. “But when I previously had the pleasure of you acquaintance, I learned that you occasionally profess opinions which are not your own.”

  Elizabeth smiled at this description of herself. She fell to teasing Mr
. Darcy, telling Colonel Fitzwilliam tales of his cousin’s refusal to dance at balls they had attended together. Darcy, rather than taking offense, was delighted at the way she made light of his various insults to the cause of civil behavior. However, Lady Catherine could not countenance this abandonment by her nephews. She came up to them, stopping all conversation, and listened to Elizabeth play.

  “Miss Bennet would not play amiss if she practiced more,” said she. “She has a very good notion of fingering. It is a pity her parents have not provided her with a London master, but I understand from what she has said previously, that they do not take their responsibilities to their daughters with the seriousness one would wish.”

  Darcy found that he was greatly tempted to speak in favour of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. How could that be? He found Mrs. Bennet to be an object of disgust and the father only less so by his apparent pleasure he took in the silliness in others. Yet Darcy discovered he disliked any criticism of Elizabeth’s family. Then when she chose not to defend her people, he closed his lips. Lady Catherine continued her condemnation of her guest’s musical abilities, not leaving this topic until Mr. and Mrs. Collins and their guests were taken back to the rectory.

  Darcy’s Journal (Rosings)

  Aunt entertained the people from the rectory tonight, but only for coffee. They were not invited to dine with us. That is unfortunate. I have only dined in company with Miss Bennet on one occasion, that of Sir William Lucas playing host to the neighbourhood. I do not count the dinners at Netherfield when her sister was ill. She had no interest in her food or any other thing but the health of Jane Bennet. I would welcome a chance to see her engaged in a formal dinner at Rosings.

  Elizabeth looked quite well. The dress she wore enhanced her natural grace. When she played at the piano forte, I found I was unable to resist the opportunity to watch her. In her own way she is quite as well dressed as Bingley’s sisters, although both of them have considerably more money to devote to the task.