Mr. Darcy Dances: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Sophie Lynbrook

  “She is the sort of woman who must have some friend,” Charlotte observed. “Having settled upon you, she is not likely to change her mind without some great provocation.”

  “I almost feel inclined at times to follow Mr. Darcy’s example. If only I did not feel that it would be too rude of me. His treatment of her grows more excessive every day, but he seems to have no scruples. I am inclined to think, however, that his concerted effort to thwart and annoy her is not a sensible course of action. This outright hostility guarantees that he will not have a comfortable marriage.”

  “I imagine he has little anticipation of that. Obviously, their arrangement is not to his liking. I do not suppose it ever was. The evidence of their behaviour points to a deep-rooted dislike. There is something very wrong between them.”

  “Which will not be fixed if he is determined to widen the breach.”

  “I doubt he wants to repair anything. I am inclined to think he has hopes that she will choose to break the engagement.”

  “I do believe you have hit upon his precise intentions. Since he cannot break the engagement without unpleasant consequences, his ill-treatment of her is his way of forcing her hand. That does explain everything, but it is not very honourable of him.”

  “It is not, but I do think it shows the extent of his desperation.”

  “I think it also shows the extent of his delusion. I have seen strong evidence that nothing will move Miss Bingley from her determination to marry him. It seems to me that she sees his dislike and does not care. She wants to be Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley more than anything. I have heard her speak of that estate as though it is already hers. Her thoughts are centered upon her wedding, and she has spoken of wishing to settle a date for the event. I believe that Mr. Darcy’s fate is sealed, and I feel extremely sorry for him.”

  “I would not be so very certain,” Charlotte said. “He seems to be a resourceful man.”

  They next met on the occasion of a large party at Sir William Lucas’s home, and Mr. Darcy was in his usual high spirits. When dancing was suggested and Miss Mary Bennet was appealed to play some suitable music, he added his voice strongly in favour of it.

  Sir William clapped his hands in approval of the activity. “It is a charming amusement for young people,” he said. “Dancing is one of the first refinements of polished societies.”

  “It also has the advantage of being in vogue among the less polished societies of the world,” Mr. Darcy observed. “Every savage can dance.”

  “Do savages dance?” Lydia asked. “You do know so many interesting things, Mr. Darcy.”

  “One picks them up here and there,” he said airily. “Some of my friends are quite brainy. But we need not concern ourselves with matters of the intellect. Come, Miss Lydia. Let us go and dance like savages.”

  Laughing together, they jostled in with the other dancers. Elizabeth had overheard this exchange with some exasperation, and now she saw them making a great effort to live up to Mr. Darcy’s words. Lydia was being unbearable loud and foolish, and he was laughing and encouraging her. It was too provoking. She felt an inclination to tell him exactly what she thought, and an opportunity soon presented itself.

  She was standing on her own when Mr. Darcy walked her way after the dancing and gave her one more piece of provocation by asking a ridiculous question. “Do you not think, Miss Bennet, that I carried myself uncommonly well just now, while dancing like a savage?”

  “With great energy,” she replied, “but then you seem to always be energetic. If savages do dance, I could imagine their style of doing so to be very much like yours.”

  “I hope you do not mean to be severe upon me.”

  “There could hardly be any purpose to that. I am sure you would laugh it off as you do everything else.”

  “Not everything, I assure you, but lately I have found that laughter is great compensation for one’s troubles.”

  “It can also be away of drawing attention to oneself.”

  “Do you begrudge me my share of attention? Perhaps you would care to be my partner for the next dance?”

  “You must not assume I mentioned the matter because I am looking for a share the attention or a dance partner. Nor can you be in need of one. I am sure that every other lady here is eager for you to ask her. You have become very popular, Mr. Darcy.”

  “I suppose you are about to lecture me again on giving rise to impossible hopes, but I will counter you by observing that an engaged man may do almost anything without occasioning suspicion.”

  “I am not at all certain that is the case, but I have no reason to accuse you of anything other than being a deplorable influence on my sisters. You encourage them to foolish behaviour. At their age, they are in need of better guidance than you offer, and with your experience in the world, you should have known better.”

  “I never meant to be bad influence on anybody,” he protested.

  “Yet you have been. Kitty and Lydia have never been so silly as they are in your company, and Mary had been led to believe herself possessed of accomplishments she does not have. All three of them are prouder than they used to be before your advent into their lives. I am sorry that you should think me lecturing, but that is the truth of the matter, and I am glad to finally have an opportunity to express my feelings so openly. I would be very grateful if you might consider doing something to minimize the damage for which you are responsible. Your behaviour is as silly as theirs, yet I comprehend from some of what you have said, and from Charlotte’s and Jane’s observations that you are not always foolish, so I am trusting you to use whatever good sense you may possess.”

  He looked to be in shock, and Elizabeth had hopes that this conversation had not been in vain. “I shall leave you to think things over,” she said before walking away.

  CHAPTER 9

  This conversation with Elizabeth went directly to Mr. Darcy’s conscience. She spoke the truth. He had failed to consider that he was unduly encouraging two young and impressionable girls. It was their behaviour which had originally encouraged him, but her point was valid. He did know better, but he had been too busy enjoying himself to properly consider the situation. He was gravely in error.

  For the rest of the evening he was quiet and withdrawn, unable to appreciate the companionship which had come to mean so much to him

  Being quiet and more observant allowed him to see further evidence that Elizabeth had spoken truthfully. Both Kitty and Lydia were excessively spirited. Without having known them very long, it had been unreasonable of him to conclude that this was their usual degree of exuberance. Something else gave him particular cause for regret. Lydia had picked up on his joke about savages and for the rest of the evening she continued to speak loudly and rather ridiculously about behaving like savages. That clearly was his influence, and he was not proud of it.

  He returned home in low spirits and went to bed thinking himself a despicable creature. After breakfast the next morning, he went off for a solitary ramble to mull over the consequences of his behaviour, and decide what he ought to do next. That was soon determined for him by an unexpected encounter, which gave increase to his regret, but purpose to his contrition.

  He was kicking moodily at a few stones in the dusty lane when he heard the sound of voices and looked up to see the three youngest Bennet sisters approaching. They were arm in arm and walking in a dispirited way. As they drew closer, he thought they had an appearance of unhappiness. In another moment, Miss Kitty dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, giving confirmation to his suspicion. Something was amiss. When they were close enough for him to wish them a good morning, he observed that all three had tear stained cheeks.

  It half occurred to him that he should continue on his way and not interfere in their business since his influence in their lives had not been a positive one, but he now thought of them as friends and felt that he could not walk away without offering compassion and assistance if it could be of any use, so he stopped and inquired what ailed them.
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br />   “We have just come from Meryton,” Lydia said. “We were going to call upon some of the officer’s wives, like we often do.”

  “The window was open,” Kitty said. “We heard one of them say she hoped we would not be coming to visit. She said we are silly and tiresome.”

  “Especially me,” Lydia added. “They think I am not fit to have been let out of the schoolroom.”

  “And that we throw ourselves at the officers. I never meant to throw myself at anybody, but there is one of the officers that I like very much and I was talking to him yesterday, but I did make a fool of myself by trying to discuss the war in Europe. One of the wives overheard me, and we just heard her make fun of everything I said. She called me ignorant and stupid.”

  “Me as well,” Mary said, speaking for the first time. “They said I set myself up as a scholar when I know nothing. They think I’m conceited and that my piano playing is dreadful.

  They were all blinking back tears and Mr. Darcy felt himself to be culpable. He had made a habit of praising Miss Mary’s atrocious playing in order to annoy Miss Bingley. For the same reason, he had agreed with all sorts of ignorant observations and never provided an example of a superior conversation. He could have been a better friend to them.

  “You must not let their remarks get you down.” he said in a hopeless attempt at kindness which he knew was not sufficient for all that he had done.

  “They would not think of us that way without good reason,” Lydia replied. “To think I was stupid enough to believe they were my friends.”

  Kitty sighed. “They were right about us. I really do not know much. I should not have tried to impress anybody when I am so ignorant.”

  “Do you think we are silly?” Lydia asked Mr. Darcy.

  He carefully considered what he could say. They had arrived at a moment of great import, and perhaps it would be for the best if he was bluntly honest. This revelation could mark a changing point in their lives, and what he said and did next could make all the difference to the outcome. His role in all of this, put him in a position of obligation to make up for having encouraged them.

  “I shall speak with complete frankness, but I ask you to hear me out before you reply, and to try not to take offense at my honesty,” he said. “You are silly at times, and you are uneducated. Your manners lack of polish, and your appearance is inelegant. You do not know how to behave in society, and you put your own seeking of pleasure ahead of all else. These are great faults, and if you are of a mind to correct them, I would encourage you to make a serious attempt before it is too late; however, there is more than this to your characters. You are also cheerful and unaffected. It is amusing to be in your company, and your good spirits help your friends forget about their troubles. You are not critical of others; nor do you wish them ill. You do not contrive and manipulate. There is no vice in your characters beyond ignorance and a degree of selfishness. These things can be corrected.”

  The girls looked dejected, but then Kitty spoke, taking the lead for once.

  “I would like to correct them,” she said. “I do not want to go on thinking ill of myself. We need to make an effort to change, Lydia.”

  “We do.” Lydia sighed again, but this was a sigh of resignation. “I agree with you, but how is this to be done? We have not the ability to educate ourselves.”

  “You require instruction,” Mr. Darcy said, with an idea taking shape in his mind. “I could oversee your education if you wish; however, there are some things which I must first confess. After you know the truth, then you can decide if you wish to be my friend any longer.”

  He told them everything that had happened on the night of the assembly and in the ensuing weeks, and confessed to the worst of his transgressions.

  “I allowed you to think that silliness was perfectly acceptable and did nothing to prevent you following my example,” he said to Kitty and Lydia. To Mary he admitted having applauded her performance while recognizing its deficiencies, and encouraging her in ill thought out opinions when he had the ability to offer an educated perspective.

  “I am not really like I have appeared in these past weeks,” he said. “All my life I have been much more like Miss Bingley.

  “Impossible,” Lydia said loyally.

  “Well, not quite like her, but near enough. I was always arrogant and inclined to think myself above people. You have made a difference in my life. While I was being a bad influence on you, you were exerting a good one on me. You helped to turn me into a more agreeable and happier person than I have ever been, and it is a change which I greatly value. It is true that I first only thought of annoying Miss Bingley, but I have appreciated your friendship.”

  “Why are you engaged to her?” Kitty asked.

  “She employed devious methods to force it upon me. I would give anything to be free of that engagement, but she will not give it up even though she comprehends my wishes. Everything I have done has been in vain.”

  “That is despicable of her,” Lydia cried.

  “It is not right,” Mary added.

  “It is a matter of honour,” Mr. Darcy said. “It looks as though there is nothing to be done, but I have not quite given in to despair.”

  “We would help you if there was anything we could do,” Kitty said.

  “That is kind of you.”

  “It is what friends do,” Lydia said. “We are friends, are we not?”

  “We are.”

  “So we will trust you to help us.”

  “It will be hard work, I warn you,” he said.

  “We will work hard,” they promised.

  “Can we have music lessons?” Mary asked.

  “Certainly. I shall engage someone to instruct you. I think a number of teachers will be useful.”

  “Could we learn something about military history?” Kitty requested.

  “You can,” he said, not much surprised by this interest, but fearing that she might find it a difficult subject. Still, there was no need for her to become an expert. She could at least acquire a little knowledge, and it would only be one of many subjects. They were foolish and ignorant, but he did not have the impression that they were entirely stupid. It would be worthwhile to challenge them and see what they could manage.”

  “You should learn as much as possible in many areas of study,” he continued. “We must begin almost immediately. I shall need to make some arrangements first and will send you word as soon as everything is settled.”

  He wished them good morning and hurried back to Netherfield, calling to have his horse saddled before going into the house.”

  “I am setting of for London immediately,” he said to Mr. Bingley.

  “So suddenly,” Miss Bingley said. “You said nothing of it this morning. Whatever can have happened in the course of your walk to make you decide to go away.”

  “A cousin’s birthday,” he hastily fabricated. “I promised to dine with him, and I just realized the date.”

  “I have a very good idea. Let us all go. I long to be in London again. We shall pack at once.”

  “I am leaving in the next five minutes,” he said. “I have not a moment to lose.”

  “Then we shall follow you.”

  “I will not discourage you from going to London if you wish, but I hope you will not join your sisters, Bingley. I shall be returning here in the morning. There is some business I have to see to in Meryton.”

  “I will be here,” Mr. Bingley assured him at the same time as his sister exclaimed, “Business in Meryton! Why on earth would you have any business here.”

  “I have become involved in an interesting endeavour,” he said. “It will keep me in Hertfordshire for some time, but you need not stay here on my account if you have a fancy for being in London.”

  “I shall remain,” she said firmly.

  To keep an eye upon me, he thought and he hurried to his horse.

  Before leaving the town, he stopped in Meryton, made some rapid enquiries about properties, and arrange
d to lease two of them with immediate possession. His haste surprised the agents as much as it had earlier surprised Miss Bingley, but they were perfectly happy to accommodate him and grateful to receive his money.

  He then left for London, where he worked into the evening securing his staff and paying them generously to make their way to Meryton with all haste. In the morning, having deprived London of some it’s finest masters, he returned there himself. Stopping at Netherfield only to change, he brushed of Miss Bingley’s inquisitiveness, apologized to Mr. Bingley, and hurried away to his makeshift school on the excuse of this mysterious business. It was very satisfying to find that his arrangements were taking shape. Some of his staff were already in residence, including the lady who had been engaged to oversee everything and ensure propriety. A note in her hand was sent to inform their pupils where they were to meet, and three girls turned up surprisingly quickly. He commended their eagerness and introduced Mrs. Pearson.

  “She will see that everything is done properly,” he explained,” and also make a schedule for your lessons. Some of them may be taken in a group, but others like your music lessons will be on an individual basis, so good organization will be vital. I have also engaged two assistants to help her make sure that you will always be properly chaperoned. There will be nothing untoward in our little endeavour. I have employed a number of instructors for your benefit. They have not all arrived yet, but they will before the end of the day.

  “You will be taking lessons in music, singing, dancing, drawing, painting and modern languages. We may consider other languages later if you are interested and all goes well, but for now, I have engaged teachers of Italian and French. The former can be very useful in understanding opera, and the latter will come in handy if the French invade,” he said, finding that his newfound tendency toward humour and good spirits had not deserted him.