Clever Compromises

by APRIL FLOYD

  Mr. Bennet did not care for the question though Jane had asked most humbly. As he spoke, he cut his eyes at Mary. “I could not see him leave without choosing one of your sisters.”

  Jane understood immediately that her father had only accepted the man’s generosity in the hopes that he would choose poor Mary. It was true that her middle sister would likely have very few offers of marriage.

  A thought occurred to her and she glanced to Elizabeth and back to her father. “But Papa, there is also Lizzy he might choose. What shall you do then? Lizzy would not accept a man so foolish that his chief concerns in life are shelves and potatoes.”

  Mr. Bennet smirked at Jane for she could be as witty as his Lizzy when she wished. “Do not worry, my dear. Lizzy is far too opinionated to please Mr. Collins.”

  Jane thought perhaps Mr. Bennet was a bit complacent in his surety of their cousin’s inclinations and decided to promote Mary as a match for the man whenever she might. There would be no harm in steering his decision.

  When dinner was done, Jane followed her sisters to the parlor while the men remained seated at the table.

  Joining Elizabeth on their favorite settee, Jane addressed Mrs. Bennet. “Mother, Father has said he will allow our cousin to choose one of my sisters as a wife. Have you any idea which of us he might favor?”

  Lydia and Kitty began to caper about the room pretending to be Mr. Collins and Mary on their way to the church. Elizabeth cast a wary eye at the pair and shook her head. Poor Mary had borne the brunt of their teasing for half the day.

  Mrs. Bennet hushed her youngest daughters and sent them away. Their giggles and guffaws carried up the stairs behind them as they went. “We know he shall not choose either Lydia and Kitty since they are far too young and foolish to be considered by any man just yet. That leaves only Lizzy and Mary. I expect he would follow tradition and choose Lizzy as it is only proper she marry after you, Jane.”

  Elizabeth was most alarmed by the ease with which her mother decided she should be the one to marry the parson. Before she might complain, Mary rose from her seat and crossed her arms. “Why not allow the man to choose between us, Mother? If any of us should be fit for the life of a parson’s wife, I should think it would be me. Lizzy cannot play half as well nor does she know the Good Book from cover to cover.”

  Mrs. Bennet dismissed her middle child with the wave of her handkerchief. “Oh Mary, do sit down! Mr. Collins will choose as he wishes and you have no say in the matter. Though your father and I do hope he chooses you as his offer may well be the only one you shall ever have, dear.”

  Elizabeth was pleased that Mary seemed happy with the idea becoming Mrs. Collins but her heart ached for the harsh words their mother delivered without a care for the girl’s feelings. “Mary, do you sincerely wish to be married to Mr. Collins?”

  Mary swiped at the lone tear brought on by their mother’s harsh remark but her countenance remained defiant. “He is a clergyman with a fine living in Hunsford and as mother says, I am not likely to marry for love nor have many offers. I would be happy to have my own home and family, Lizzy. We cannot all of us be beautiful and marry rich men.”

  With this, Mary turned to quit the room. Elizabeth went to her and took her by the arm. “Stay Mary and speak with him when he comes in with Father. If you wish to win his affections, you must sit with him and listen as he speaks. Smile when he is witty,” here Elizabeth grimaced to think of Mr. Collins as witty, “encourage him by speaking of his work and life in Kent.”

  Mary’s eyes brightened at her sister’s advice. “Do you think he will like that Lizzy? I am afraid I am not so skilled at conversation.”

  Jane joined Elizabeth in her encouragement of Mary. “But of course, dear. Gentlemen love to speak of their success and impress a lady. Simply keep your gaze upon his face and seize upon a thing here or there that he seems most proud of and praise him for his talent. With Mr. Collins’s love of speech making, you shall not have to worry about interesting conversation.”

  Emboldened by her sister’s advice, Mary returned to her seat and sat nervously watching the door where her father and Mr. Collins would enter the parlor.

  Chapter 6

  In the library after dinner at Netherfield Park, Mr. Darcy sat quietly while Mr. Bingley opined on the beauty and amiable nature of Miss Jane Bennet. “She is a rare jewel, an angel one might say. I have never met such a lady in all my life. We shall be the happiest couple in all the world.”

  Mr. Darcy sipped his port as his friend carried on in his praise of the young lady. Charles Bingley had surprised him with his adoration of the eldest Bennet daughter and his refusal to abandon the idea of marriage to the young lady.

  Both Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley had attempted to sway their brother away from Miss Bennet with every tool in their employ. It had been quite the spectacle to behold and he now dearly longed for the peace and quiet of his estate in Derbyshire.

  “Charles, I admit I am shocked at your devoted pursuit of Miss Bennet. I have seen you in love a dozen times yet this time you are certain of your feelings and of hers?”

  Mr. Bingley stood and carried a book Miss Bingley had left on the table to its proper shelf. He had precious few volumes as he had only recently let Netherfield Park. He would soon correct the deficiency as his Jane dearly loved to read almost as much as her sister, Miss Eliza.

  “Darcy,” he said as he rejoined his friend, “a man who has not found his true love might think a strong infatuation is love and be terribly certain he has the right of it. But when at last he meets the woman he shall marry, he understands he has never known love before. As for my Jane, I am quite certain of her feelings.”

  His friend’s romantic speech plucked at Mr. Darcy’s heart. Hadn’t he felt the same looking into Miss Elizabeth’s eyes at Lucas Lodge and again when she came to tend her sister at Netherfield when the woman fell ill? What good it did him to think of it now he did not know.

  Her connections were not those his family would approve and her mother was a terrible gossip who seemed to despise him for some perceived slight. Still, he might put all that aside for the lovely Miss Elizabeth Bennet did he not have his sister’s future to consider.

  “Darcy, have you fallen asleep old man? I say it is late.”

  Mr. Darcy shook his head. “I had not fallen asleep, Charles. I was only thinking of what you said about love. Whether the match is a good one is not love’s concern. Men love in haste…”

  Charles Bingley knew his friend was considering Miss Eliza. He had not missed the attention Darcy gave the lady when his sweet Jane was ill in a room upstairs and he’d overhead Caroline telling Louisa of Mr. Darcy’s description of her fine eyes the evening of the party at Lucas Lodge.

  “My dear friend, I have never known you to act in haste in any matter. Do not keep secrets from me for I have two eyes and two ears. It is plain to me that Miss Eliza has captured your attention.”

  Mr. Darcy was surprised his friend had found him out. “Indeed she has Bingley, but it matters not when a match between us would be frowned upon by society. I would not see her ridiculed by the Ton.”

  Mr. Bingley snorted in disbelief. “When has the great Fitzwilliam Darcy cared for the opinion of polite society? You have none to answer to save yourself, sir. I would think the love and affection of Miss Eliza far preferable to the cold and calculating embrace of the Ton.”

  Mr. Darcy knew his friend spoke the truth. He did not care what the world thought of him, only of his sister. And she must avoid further scandal before her season in London. “There is Georgiana to consider, you know. I would not have her season ruined by gossips and naysayers.”

  Again Mr. Bingley made his snorting noise. Mr. Darcy was becoming irritated with it now. “I do not believe any slight given your sister would turn potential suitors away. No, her dowry means much more to the gentlemen who shall chase her than the silly gossip of malcontent matchmaking mamas.”

  Mr. Darcy laughed at the alliteration. His friend
was correct on that point. There wasn’t an eligible gentleman in all of England who would be turned away from the only daughter of Pemberley. He had worked tirelessly since the Ramsgate incident to be certain her name was not dragged through the mud.

  The scandal of Wickham’s plot against his family had been narrowly avoided with the help of his cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. Georgiana was safe in London under the watchful eye of Richard’s mother, Lady Margaret Fitzwilliam, for the time being. When he thought of how narrowly his family had avoided the ruination of his sister, a cold chill chased down his spine.

  “You have given me much to consider, Bingley, as always. Perhaps I ought to think with my heart as you do and not with my head when it comes to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

  Mr. Bingley was astonished by his friend’s easy acquiescence but chose not to tease him over it for he did not wish to be a hindrance to his friend’s future happiness. “See that you do Darcy, see that you do. What a happy coincidence that we may be related before too much time has passed. Poor Caro though, to lose you to Miss Eliza would break her heart.”

  As his friend pretended at sadness for his bothersome sister, Mr. Darcy grimaced. “I was never hers to lose, Bingley. Perhaps once she sees that truth she will make a match with a man who might truly love her. I would be most happy to see such a future for Miss Bingley.”

  The gentlemen rose together and quit the library to seek slumber in their respective beds. Mr. Darcy, upon entering his room, greeted his valet. Once the man had left him, he went to the door and turned the lock. It was an old habit of his whenever he and Miss Bingley were under the same roof. He’d never told her brother of the time she came to his room one night a few years ago but he had not trusted her since to employ good judgment.

  As his head hit the pillow, Mr. Darcy thought again of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. There was time to determine a plan of action while his friend and her sister were off on a wedding trip. His heart raced at the idea of holding her close and whispering words of love.

  Chapter 7

  The next day, Jane and Elizabeth walked arm in arm behind Mr. Collins and Mary while Kitty and Lydia skipped along ahead of their party on the road to Meryton.

  The evening before, Mary followed her sisters’ advice to attract their cousin’s favor. She listened dutifully as he carried on about his good fortune at serving the de Bourgh family and to Elizabeth’s delight, he had forgotten everyone in the room while preferring Mary’s painfully amateur attempts at flirting.

  When they set off that morning for Meryton, Mr. Collins offered his arm to Elizabeth but she declined and made the excuse of wishing to speak privately with Jane. “Cousin Collins, walk with Mary please. Jane and I must discuss delicate matters pertaining to her wedding.”

  Mr. Collins moved in haste to Mary’s side at the drop in Elizabeth’s voice as she whispered about delicate matters. Jane poked her sister gently in the ribs. “Lizzy, how terrible to tease the man so! I must remember your tricks in the future when Miss Bingley has tried my nerves.”

  Elizabeth giggled and bent her dark head close to Jane’s fair one. “If only Miss Bingley were as easily offended as our cousin, you should not have to worry.”

  Jane allowed a bit of merriment at her future sister’s expense before schooling her expression. “Now Lizzy, it is fine to make sport of Miss Bingley when we are alone but we must not become accustomed to abusing her in such an easy manner.”

  Elizabeth could not help but abuse Miss Bingley though her sister was correct. She must take care when visiting Jane at Netherfield after the wedding. It would not do to draw Miss Bingley’s ire and sow contention in Jane’s household.

  “I give you my word that I shall be all that is pleasant when in the company of Miss Bingley though it shall pain me greatly,” Elizabeth said trying to maintain a serious face.

  The sisters shared much laughter but slowly grew silent as they walked along. The conversation between their middle sister and the parson drifted to them. Mary’s voice rose prettily as she fawned over their cousin. “Mr. Collins, it must be wonderful to tend the souls of Hunsford! How I long to be so useful.”

  Elizabeth bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing aloud, for Mary did wish such a life for herself. Any tease from her sisters would only serve to cause her embarrassment and cast her new and wobbly self-esteem into jeopardy of wilting before it might blossom.

  Jane slowed their pace to allow the couple their privacy and avoid the boisterous enthusiasm of their cousin as he regaled Mary with his many tales of tending his flock in Hunsford.

  As the party entered Meryton, the younger sisters were distracted by the red coats that waved to them across the road. Jane called to her younger sisters as the pair stepped into the road and hesitated before a pair of gentlemen on horseback. It was Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy!

  Jane smoothed her skirts and hurried to join Lydia and Kitty before they might run to meet the soldiers who were now crossing the road. Linking her arms with her sisters, Jane gave them a gentle admonishment. “Young ladies do not run after gentlemen even if they are handsome soldiers.”

  Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy halted their progress and the soldiers were introduced along with Mr. Collins. The parson seemed perturbed by the attention his younger cousins paid the men and made his apologies to Mr. Darcy. “Sir, I assure you that with my guidance the young ladies shall behave in an appropriate fashion.”

  Mr. Darcy seemed irritated at being singled out by the parson but soon learned the reason for the man’s familiarity. “I serve your aunt in Hunsford and am most humbled to make your acquaintance, sir.”

  Mr. Bingley made haste to dismount. Offering his arm to Jane, the man happily surveyed the party. “Shall we take a turn about the town?”

  Delighted by the opportunity to be escorted by red coats, Lydia and Kitty accepted the gallantly proffered arms of the lieutenants they’d met several times before in Meryton.

  Mr. Collins glanced to Elizabeth but Mary pulled him forward. “Cousin Collins, you were just about to tell me of that poor widow Mrs. Bancroft.”

  Happy that Mary had Mr. Collins in her grasp, Elizabeth turned to Mr. Darcy. “Good morning, sir. Have you come to town with Mr. Bingley in search of wedding clothes?”

  The gentleman gave the lady a genuine smile and shook his head. “We were out for a ride across Netherfield with the steward this morning and thought we might pass through Meryton in hopes of meeting your family.”

  Elizabeth could not believe her ears. Mr. Darcy was not entirely fond of the Bennets and she could not blame the man. Her mother had been terribly rude to him at the Assembly and again at Netherfield whilst Jane was recovering from her illness. “I suspect that hope lies with Mr. Bingley, sir, and not with yourself.”

  Mr. Darcy gave a low chuckle and held out his arm for Elizabeth’s consideration. “I admit it was Bingley’s idea but I am most pleased to find you on my arm this morning, Miss Elizabeth.”

  Mr. Collins turned at these words from Mr. Darcy and gave the pair a stifling look. Mary frowned and sought to advance their position. “Come, Mr. Collins, we must keep up with Lydia and Kitty as they are bound to misbehave. Jane has all her attention on Mr. Bingley.”

  The parson turned away from Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy but his sour expression remained fixed upon his face. It was unseemly for his cousin to walk about town with a man promised to another and seek his favor, especially the man promised to Lady Catherine’s daughter. He must speak with her when they returned home and discourage the connection.

  Elizabeth pushed aside her cousin’s interference as she laid her hand upon Mr. Darcy’s arm. Certainly Mr. Collins was only thinking of Miss Anne de Bourgh and the promise he spoke of at dinner the night before. Could Mr. Darcy be meant to marry his cousin?

  She doubted the supposed engagement as Mr. Darcy carried their conversation. He spoke of Pemberley, his home in Derbyshire, and invited Elizabeth to pay a visit should she find herself in that county. “With my sister in London I
find myself eager to return home.”

  Elizabeth recalled the plans of her family in London. “My Aunt and Uncle Gardiner wrote of visiting the Lake District come the summer. Aunt Madeline grew up in Lambton.”

  Mr. Darcy smiled broadly. “Ah, then you must accompany them. Lambton is not far from Pemberley and I believe my sister would dearly love the company, Miss Elizabeth. Say that you shall come if you find yourself traveling with your family.”

  Elizabeth meant to give her word when a handsome, young lieutenant crossed the road ahead of them and called out to the soldiers escorting her sisters. Mr. Darcy ceased their progress and turned his head in the direction of the young red coat.

  His demeanor changed drastically in the space of but a few moments. “Have your sisters become acquainted with that lieutenant before today, Miss Elizabeth?”

  She stepped forward and peered around Mary’s shoulder as she and Mr. Collins had stopped as well. The spectacle of her younger sisters fawning over the new solider had caused all but Jane and Bingley to interrupt their walk.

  “I do not believe so, Mr. Darcy. I have never met him and the younger girls are not allowed into town without me. Do you know him?”

  Mr. Darcy’s mouth was set in a grim line and Elizabeth noted the darkening of his eyes. “I do, unfortunately. He is George Wickham. A scandalous cad that seeks to destroy young women for sport. You must speak with your sisters and warn them against him. I must return to Netherfield, my apologies.”

  Elizabeth meant to give her thanks for the words of warning but Mr. Darcy turned swiftly on his heel and left her with Mary and Mr. Collins. It was plain he did not wish to make idle conversation with this Mr. Wickham. Watching as he mounted his horse, Elizabeth’s heart gave a tug in her chest and she found herself annoyed with the young lieutenant.

  Mr. Collins took the opportunity to chastise Elizabeth. “You must not encourage Mr. Darcy’s attention. He is promised to his cousin and though he is a gentleman, he is a man who might find comfort in the company of a handsome young lady who does not know her place.”