Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman

by Maria Hamilton

  “Yes, I had the pleasure last spring in Kent.”

  “Oh, I did not realize. Forgive me for asking, but having had the benefit of her acquaintance, you must have been as surprised as we were to hear of their engagement. We were all quite stunned.”

  The colonel replied in a curt tone, “I was indeed surprised, but I think it was for reasons other than yours.”

  As Darcy entered, he cleared his throat and said in a formal manner, “Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, let me present my fiancée, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” As the introductions were made, Elizabeth took solace in Darcy’s kind words, but she could not help but feel disappointed that he continued to show Miss Bingley every civility. She knew there was nothing to be done about the slight they had overheard Miss Bingley make, but she could not comprehend how Darcy could keep his temper so even as to make his emotions unreadable. Before Elizabeth could give it more thought, she was drawn into a pleasant conversation with the colonel, who welcomed her unreservedly to his family.

  Elizabeth and Georgiana were just beginning to become acquainted when Miss Bingley announced the arrival of the tea and took the opportunity to inject herself into their conversation. “Georgiana, darling, this must be so exciting for you. I am sure Eliza would agree that it must be quite an event to hear of your brother’s betrothal by post. I know that Eliza had the pleasure of making the colonel’s acquaintance on a previous occasion, but am I not correct that you two have never had the opportunity to meet before now?”

  “Yes, Miss Bingley, that is true,” replied Elizabeth.

  “But I suppose that is easily explained,” replied Miss Bingley with mock solicitude. “After all I can hardly imagine when your paths might otherwise cross.”

  “And yet I do feel,” interjected Georgiana in a meek voice, “that I know Miss Bennet. My brother first mentioned her in his letters to me last November. He had never before referred to any woman of his acquaintance in any of his correspondence, other than, of course, to say that someone sent their regards. I therefore took great notice of the fact that he would often relate to me what she had said or her specific opinion on a given subject. Consequently, when he wrote to say he had secured her hand, I cannot say I was really surprised.”

  “He sounds a very loyal correspondent, then?” inquired Elizabeth in an attempt to steer the conversation to safer ground.

  “Yes, he has always been. He has been a very devoted brother. I could not be more fortunate.”

  As Elizabeth went on to tell Georgiana about her family, they soon fell into a comfortable discourse and the afternoon passed as pleasantly as could be expected.

  Before long, Elizabeth soon found that it was time to prepare for dinner and the arrival of her family. The idea gave her some initial discomfort. She knew that her family was an acquired taste, and while Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam had been nothing but cordial since their arrival, she felt that the mixture of their personalities under Miss Bingley’s indifferent hand might prove awkward given that that lady had no incentive to make the evening a success.

  Her family soon arrived with much more noise and fanfare than she would have liked. Her mother seemed intent on asking Georgiana a series of questions without waiting for her to answer before proceeding to the next. Luckily, Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam were able to provide enough liveliness for the group in general.

  The evening began well enough. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth quickly fell into a discussion of their upcoming trip to London. After several moments had passed in this pleasant manner, Mr. Darcy said, “I know there is much to be done while we are in London, but Georgiana has expressed the hope that there might be enough time to attend the theater or perhaps even the opera. My steward tells me there is presently a grand production at the opera house that I think you would enjoy.”

  Before Elizabeth could respond, Miss Bingley spoke. “Mrs. Bennet, have you been to the opera in London? Mr. Darcy has an exquisite box there. If your family party is destined to attend, I would highly recommend it.”

  Mrs. Bennet, who had been talking to Lydia about the latest fashion, replied in a flustered tone, “Oh, yes… what? I am sorry, dear, I did not hear what you asked.”

  “I was just noting that Mr. Darcy was discussing the plans for your upcoming visit to London. A trip to his box at the opera would be a delightful diversion.”

  “Oh, yes, my Lord, yes! What a good idea! I have not been in years,” cried Mrs. Bennet. “But I will need something new to wear. You will too, Lizzy. I am sure Mr. Darcy would not want you to be seen in the same old gowns. We will have something made. You must remember, dear, that you need to look the part.”

  Unsure who was more vexing, her mother or Miss Bingley, Elizabeth directed her response to the woman whose behavior she thought she might have some small ability to control. “Mother, I am sure I have many acceptable gowns to wear, but I do not think any definite plans have been fixed. We should not assume.”

  “Oh, but why should we not go? Now that it has been mentioned, I have my heart set on it. And besides, Lizzy, you need to start thinking of such things. In your new position, it will be important for you to be seen about the ton. Moreover, we could bring some of your sisters with us. It would be a wonderful opportunity for Lydia to be seen in such a refined setting. Just because Jane’s and your futures are set, we cannot forget your younger sisters.”

  But Lydia’s assent was much harder to come by. “Mama, I don’t want to go to some stuffy old opera. I’ll never understand what they are saying. I would much rather go to a party. There must be lots of parties in London. Why can’t we have a ball? That would be far more fun. Lizzy, your fiancé’s house must be big enough to host a ball. And if it is not, Mr. Bingley’s house must be. He probably knows more people who like to dance anyway. I am going to ask Mr. Bingley about it the first chance I get.”

  Elizabeth sat in mortification. Lydia’s refusal of an invitation that had not yet been offered seemed rude in more ways than one could count, and her unfeeling insult to Darcy made her blush from head to toe. To make matters worse, Elizabeth knew her mother would be oblivious to both the insult and the impropriety of Lydia’s suggestion. She looked to Darcy for both his reaction and guidance, but he seemed suddenly engrossed by his watch. Attempting to dissuade her mother from either of the topics at hand, Elizabeth tried a different approach. “Mother, I do not believe our Aunt Gardiner has sufficient room for all my sisters to visit at the same time. We have never discussed them coming. I thought it was decided that only you would accompany Jane and me to London.”

  Before her mother could object, Miss Bingley offered, “If it would help with your family’s arrangements, dear Jane could stay at our townhouse. Then, perhaps there would be more room for your other sisters at your relations’ home in, where is it… oh, yes, Cheapside.”

  Elizabeth looked at Miss Bingley with surprise and saw a glint in her eye that showed how much she was enjoying the discomfort she was inflicting. She suddenly understood why Miss Bingley had initiated a conversation with her mother. She had obviously anticipated Elizabeth’s weakest side and hoped to play on it.

  “Oh, Miss Bingley,” squealed her mother, “what a very thoughtful invitation. How can I thank you? I am sure Jane will appreciate such generosity, and it would indeed give us more room at my brother’s house. That way, we could squeeze in Lydia and maybe, if possible, Kitty as well.”

  Seeing that her mother had no intention of stopping, Elizabeth attempted to interrupt. But her mother continued on without pause. “Mr. Darcy, perhaps if your sister were inclined to extend the same invitation to Elizabeth, we could fit Mary in as well. Mary will never find a husband with her nose in a book, and while she will no doubt be a trial to me during her entire visit, I suppose it is my duty as her mother to endure it the best I can.”

  Mortified, Elizabeth began to plead, “Mother, please, I am sure…”

  “Mrs. Bennet,” interrupted Darcy, “Georgiana and I were just discussing this morning how much s
he would enjoy an opportunity to spend more time with Miss Elizabeth. She wanted to invite Miss Elizabeth to stay at our house in London but was unsure if she would want to be separated from her family party. If I may be so bold, perhaps both Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth could stay at our townhouse. That way, there would be more room at the Gardiners’ house and your party would not be quite so scattered.”

  Elizabeth looked at Darcy, wondering if he knew what he was about by making it easier for her younger sisters to come with them to London. Elizabeth might have been shocked to know that Darcy knew exactly what he was about. He wanted Elizabeth near him, and all other considerations were beside the point. He thought it unlikely that her father would let her stay at his townhouse all by herself, and thought that the addition of Jane would be most to Elizabeth’s liking. Bingley might be disappointed at his opportunism in snatching Jane away, but he sincerely believed that Bingley would have more opportunity to spend uninterrupted time with Jane if she were not at Bingley’s home, where his sisters would also be in residence.

  “Oh, Mr. Darcy, you are so gracious,” cooed Mrs. Bennet. “It would be such a comfort to have all my daughters in town.”

  Nodding at Mrs. Bennet, Darcy smoothly turned his attention to Caroline and intoned, “Miss Bingley, I hope that you will forgive me for stealing Miss Bennet away. I know that you would want both ladies to stay with you, but this will give Miss Elizabeth an opportunity to familiarize herself with what will eventually be her new home.”

  “Not at all, sir,” replied Miss Bingley coolly. “This way, Eliza and Jane will be together when you and Charles call on them, and it will spare you the need to travel to Cheapside on a regular basis.”

  Darcy bowed slightly. If he was fazed by Miss Bingley’s comment, Elizabeth could not tell from his demeanor. After a pause, he looked up at Elizabeth and stated, “I think you will like our housekeeper in London. She has been with our family for many years, and she is very capable. I hope she meets with your satisfaction.”

  As she and Darcy continued to talk, she could feel Miss Bingley’s frosty stare. At the first lull in the conversation, Miss Bingley cleared her throat and spoke in a voice meant for all, “Mrs. Bennet, I think you were just saying how lucky you are to have two daughters engaged. It must be quite a comfort to you.”

  “Oh, yes. You cannot know. I only hope that my other daughters are as fortunate.”

  With a condescending smile, Miss Bingley replied, “Yes, I am sure they will be, given that you will be there to oversee their futures.”

  “Oh, you are too kind,” twittered Mrs. Bennet. “Not everyone understands what a heavy burden a mother carries in this regard. A daughter’s future is made by her marriage, and it is up to a mother to ensure that she secures the best place she possibly can.”

  “I had never thought of it that way before,” replied Miss Bingley with fake sincerity. “Then you are careful to ensure that your daughters take serious account of financial considerations when they consider a marriage proposal.”

  “Oh, yes, my dear, we must be practical too,” beamed Mrs. Bennet.

  With a triumphant smile, Miss Bingley replied, “Yes, Mrs. Bennet, I suppose some people must.”

  Elizabeth sat in mortification. Miss Bingley had clearly won her point. She had always known in the back of her mind that some would think she had accepted Darcy’s proposal for mercenary means, but it had never hit home as forcefully as it did now.

  Before she could think how to react, Elizabeth heard Darcy addressing Miss Bingley. “While it is true that both partners in a marriage often look to more material considerations when selecting or accepting a spouse, it is not the foremost concern of every individual who anticipates marriage.”

  “Oh, yes, Mr. Darcy. I am sure that men of a certain means need not take such issues into account. I was simply agreeing with Mrs. Bennet that it is something a woman may need to consider if she is not of… independent means.”

  Darcy cleared his throat and looked closely at Miss Bingley before speaking. If his intent was to unnerve her, he succeeded. “You may be right, Miss Bingley. You are, of course, more familiar with what a woman considers important in seeking a husband than I. But I am roused to defend my sex. I think some would consider attention to such considerations, to the exclusion of all else, an insult to the virtues of all men since a man’s worth in the matrimonial state might be misconstrued as tantamount to his worth in a material sense.”

  “Yes, of course, Mr. Darcy,” cooed Miss Bingley, “I am in complete agreement. But I think Mrs. Bennet was simply saying that it is something that she has been careful to instill in her daughters as it is a concern that will obviously affect their futures more than others.”

  Elizabeth could not believe that Miss Bingley had so openly questioned her motives. She wanted to reply—at least to defend her attachment to Darcy—but every approach to the subject seemed blocked. Miss Bingley’s cruel innuendo seemed extreme, as it was done directly to her face, but she knew that similar gossip would follow them wherever they went. As she struggled for a reply, she heard Darcy casually state, “I am particularly relieved, then, that such ideas held little sway over my fiancée, as I know that did not motivate her to accept me.” The silence in the room was deafening.

  Miss Bingley could not help but offer one more barb. “Luckily, most men feel the same as you do, sir.”

  “Yes, Miss Bingley, I am sure you are correct. But there is a difference between hoping something is true and knowing something is true. I know that I have been blessed in choosing a wife who possesses superior beauty, intellect, and character. While she may not be receiving similar advantages in accepting me, I know that she has done so because she believes our temperaments are particularly suited for each other and because I have been lucky enough to win her affections. I know not all men can make such a boast, but I do so sure of its veracity.”

  Elizabeth had watched this exchange with growing concern. In an attempt to dissuade him from what she feared was his intended course, she quickly interjected, “Mr. Darcy, I do not think…”

  But Miss Bingley was quicker, stating sweetly, “Your faith in womankind is clearly a testament to all women. I thank you on all our behalf.”

  Instead of letting the issue drop or heeding Elizabeth’s hint, Darcy offered, “But I did not intend to compliment all women, for I certainly cannot attest to the motives of your entire sex. Of Miss Elizabeth’s intentions, I have no doubt. For you see, if she had wished to accept me for the material advantages that I can obviously supply, she would have accepted me the first time I proposed. At the time, though, she did not hold me in high regard, and consequently she appropriately rejected my offer and whatever advantages such a union might provide her.”

  While his words sunk in, Mrs. Bennet sat in stunned silence, blinking. Miss Bingley fared no better as she unsuccessfully attempted to formulate a reply. Bingley abruptly laughed but then quickly looked down, afraid that his sister might attempt to catch his eye. Jane looked to Elizabeth with concern and found her head bowed and her cheeks bright pink. Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam stared at Darcy with open astonishment. Mr. Bennet observed Darcy in what appeared to be thoughtful consideration. It was therefore to the surprise of everyone in attendance that Kitty’s voice was heard to reply in a dreamy tone, “How romantic. You proposed twice. How? When?”

  Darcy smiled indulgently at Kitty, and she seemed to look back at him as if seeing him for the first time. He then answered slowly, “I asked Elizabeth to marry me in April when we were both in Kent.”

  Replying as if they were the only two people in the room, Kitty quickly asked, “But she said no?”

  “Yes, she rejected my proposal out of hand.”

  “Were you heartbroken?”

  “Yes, I suppose so. I thought she would accept me when I first asked, and when she did not, I found it very difficult to live with the results.”

  “So, you came to Meryton to win her back.”

  “Ye
s, it was one of the reasons I returned.”

  “And how did you succeed in getting her to accept your second proposal?”

  He looked quickly at Elizabeth, but she continued to keep her gaze down. “I attempted to court her, as I had failed to do in Kent. I persuaded her to give me a second chance to prove myself. But maybe it would be best if you asked your sister the details yourself. I am sure this is of very little interest to the rest of the room, and I have monopolized the conversation long enough.”

  When he looked up again, he saw that most of the party was still staring at him. He looked to Miss Bingley and said, “Miss Bingley, I am so looking forward to dinner. You always set the most sumptuous table.”

  Chapter 20

  HONESTY AND DESIRE

  Darcy arrived at Longbourn the following morning to find all of the Bennet women assembled in the parlor. After his confession at dinner, there had been little opportunity to speak to Elizabeth alone. As the carriages were called, he had hoped to say his good-bye to Elizabeth in private, but her father once again seemed omnipresent. He almost thought that Mr. Bennet wanted to say something to him, but in the end, he simply departed with a nod. Remembering the charge that Bingley had given him at breakfast, Darcy turned to Jane. “Miss Bennet, Mr. Bingley asked me to make his apologies for not coming to call this morning.”

  “Oh, I hope he is well?” asked Jane with concern.

  “Yes, very,” replied Darcy. “It seems that Miss Bingley and the Hursts have decided to return to London a little earlier than planned. He will be detained while he sees to their traveling arrangements. He intends to call later today.