Prudence and Practicality

by C. J. Hill

  “Well, that may be so but mark my words, they could be a valuable asset for you to cultivate, if only to be on visiting terms with them when in London. Think how grand it would be to pay your respects at their house in London! Your father says that they have a great many friends there and socialise a great deal.

  “Now, are all of the servants prepared for this evening, Charlotte? Did you remember to ask for the extra girls from the village?”

  “Yes, indeed Mamma, all is well in hand, I assure you. I am quite ready and anxious for the party to commence now and I promise you I will converse with the sisters, and even Mr. Darcy if absolutely necessary!”

  As her mother swept off to worry the servants once again, Charlotte went upstairs to her sister’s room to offer her help and advice before yet another party - she was certainly coming out in style! Maria was sitting in front of her dressing mirror trying her best to arrange her hair up, but rather unsuccessfully.

  “Oh, Charlotte! How can it be that you manage to arrange your hair everyday and it stays, but here am I with a curl no sooner fixed upon my head than it falls out again! It is too much, really it is! Gentlemen do not have such troubles I am sure!” she complained.

  Charlotte laughed and hastened over to assist her sister. In a few minutes the recalcitrant strands had been subdued and she took a moment to look at her sister in the glass.

  Maria was in many ways different from Charlotte. With her blond hair with slight waves, blue eyes and fine features, Maria had the best of the Lucas beauty between them. Charlotte ruefully admitted every time she inspected herself in the mirror, that her own features could be called interesting or pleasant at best, but this had been enough, coupled with her wit and intelligence to repel many young men, and some not-so-young men. Maria would have no such effect upon any of the opposite sex. She was as pretty as Jane Bennet and with a similar nature, one that easily acquiesced and found good in most things and people. No, a suitor for Maria would not have to endure leading questions on current matters or literature and then be debated with when his answer was considered to be inferior.

  “There, Maria! How grown up you look these days. How fortunate that father relinquished his decision about not allowing you to come out to such gatherings! You have certainly been lucky enough to enjoy the best parties in the village that have occurred in quite some time. And the company is, of course, very grand! Tell me, how do you like the Bingleys, Mr. Darcy and the Hursts?”

  “Oh, they are very grand, are they not, Charlotte? I hardly dare to talk to them when they stand near me, but I suppose tonight I must as we will be receiving them into our home. Of course, usually, they are always too busy to speak to me. Why must I be in the receiving line tonight? It makes me terribly nervous!”

  “Naturally, you must. As the second daughter of Lucas Lodge you must greet all of our guests and not run away as soon as you see your friends arrive. I warn you, Maria, do not be led astray by Lydia Bennet; she may have superiority over your experience of such events but do not follow her lead. Instead, observe those whom you find so ‘grand’ and take them as a model for your behaviour. They exhibit London society manners and we should imitate such refinements when we are offered the opportunity to do so!”

  “But may I not dance tonight, Charlotte?” Maria asked dejectedly.

  “Of course you may, but take care how you present yourself. We do not want the Bingley sisters to return to London with a false impression that you are similar in character to Lydia. Think how your connections could be advanced if they felt so inclined! They may have many eligible young men in their circle to whom they could mention your name if they were suitably impressed with you.”

  Maria slumped in her chair.

  “I had not thought of that, Charlotte. Must I always from now on be considering such things? Can I not merely enjoy the parties? Truly, I was so happy and excited to be allowed out so soon when I thought it would not be so for many years! But this aspect brings a new solemnity to the occasions for which I do not believe I am quite ready. You have not found a husband, Charlotte! Why should I have to be so serious about it already?”

  Maria turned back to the mirror and placed her necklace around her neck while Charlotte fastened the hook.

  “Anyway, Lydia says she will marry when she wants and with whom she wants and doesn’t care one jot about her parents finding the right man for her. She says there are lots of very amusing men in the militia and that they are all violently in love with her! She says that we should enjoy ourselves and not take all of this marriage business so seriously.”

  Charlotte paused and rested her hands upon her sister’s shoulders, her gaze kind and steady. “When you are allowed out, it is for the purpose of introducing you to eligible marriage partners. While Lydia may express herself to refer only to her own opinion, rest assured that, eventually, even she must recognise the necessity of a prudent marriage. As for me, I am not as fortunate as you are in looks or temperament and, although I have attracted the interest of one or two men over the years, they were all of them repulsed eventually by my manner, if not entirely by my looks!”

  Charlotte smiled ruefully and went on.

  “Men want women to be young, pretty and accomplished, just as you are now. After that it all rather depends upon the man. Some require intelligence; some require modesty and a lack of opinion. Some want a companion and a good mother for their children. There are many reasons for marriage, Maria, and the idea that being in love is the main one is all ridiculous nonsense put about by the likes of Lydia Bennet who believes all young men are violently in love with her because she is forward and a flirt and unaware of what they actually may think of her. She must take care that this ‘marriage business’ is not ruled out for her because of her behaviour.”

  “Yes, but, does not love make marriage so much better, Charlotte? Surely you would not marry for security alone? Surely you must at least like and respect your partner in life, even if you do not immediately love him?”

  “You are right, Maria. No one should marry for mercenary reasons alone; knowing that your partner is a good man and able to provide for you is important. Liking, respect and, perhaps, love, may emerge along the way after his character becomes apparent; but these things take time. Never consider that you know someone properly until you have lived with them intimately for a lifetime; even then it may be too short a period in which to take his measure!”

  Charlotte smiled at her sister who had listened to her with open eyes and mouth.

  “Enjoy yourself this evening but be on your best behaviour and impress the guests as a daughter of Sir William and Lady Lucas of Lucas Lodge!”

  The party was all that Lady Lucas had hoped; everybody was in attendance and some had donned heretofore unseen new gowns for the occasion, Lucas Lodge being very nearly next in line to Netherfield Park for grandeur in the village. Lady Lucas was extremely gratified. She made sure to speak with all of her guests throughout the evening in order to receive their praise and to hear any new gossip.

  Maria, after her conversation with Charlotte, performed her duties prettily; she also made the most of there being enough dancing partners in the shape of the young officers from the village and danced every dance along with her friends, Lydia and Kitty. Charlotte performed her duties with her usual grace; greeting all of the guests beside her father and mother as they arrived and then circulating through friends and neighbours until she could make her way towards her friend with whom she had been anxious to speak all evening.

  “Lizzy! I have been longing to speak with you; I have been so busy preparing for this evening I have quite neglected our friendship!”

  She looked meaningfully across the room.

  “I see that Mr. Bingley continues to pay his attentions solely to your sister again this evening. He certainly has the ability to seek her out whatever her location and keep her to himself in quiet corners. Tell me the news, Elizabeth. I must know it all!”

  Lizzy disclosed, quietly delighte
d, that although Jane was still being very guarded about her feelings for Bingley, both to her privately and to the general public, that she hoped for, but did not yet conclusively know the details of the situation.

  “But Jane must encourage him, Lizzy! If she does like him she should show more affection than she feels in order to secure him. After all, there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement!”

  “I am very happy for her, Charlotte. I believe she is in a way of being in very much in love with him if his attentions continue. However, how can she make such a decision as you suggest when she has known him only a fortnight? She cannot even be certain of the degree of her own regard for him.”

  “If she were to marry him tomorrow, I should think she had as good a chance of happiness, as if she were to be studying his character for a twelve-month. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance, and I firmly believe it is better, therefore, to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life – is it not now?”

  Lizzy laughed loudly at this proclamation from her friend, enough to attract the attention of some of those in the room and so excused herself for a moment in order to step into the next room to drink some water and regain her composure.

  Charlotte watched as Elizabeth passed through the room, still smiling from her conversation with her friend, but then noticed that she was not the only person following Elizabeth’s movements; Mr. Darcy, who was standing in a retired corner with Miss Bingley, stopped his conversation with that lady as his gaze lingered upon Elizabeth’s form as she glided outside. Intrigued, Charlotte watched as his gaze remained upon the space where Lizzy had disappeared, and only returned his attention to Miss Bingley when she touched his sleeve to remind him of her presence.

  If she was to hazard a guess, Charlotte smiled to herself, his glance this time did not bespeak disgust or distaste at what he saw crossing the room and disappearing through the doorway; he looked for all the world as if he would very much like to rest his eyes upon the subject again! His initial and un-gentlemanly thoughts of Lizzy being merely ‘tolerable’ had perhaps passed.

  Once again, Charlotte passed through the rooms smiling and commenting to her guests, while mulling over her observances of Mr. Darcy of her friend, until she found herself again beside Elizabeth who was now having a lively conversation with Colonel Forster regarding a ball she was proposing be presented by the Militia. He was in the process of giving ground as she spoke.

  “My dear Miss Bennet! Of course I should dearly love to give a ball at Meryton; the question is who should be in charge of the arrangements? With no female members, we are a sorry spectacle when it comes to organising social occasions, I’m afraid! We are only capable of arranging our own, very basic and masculine affairs, nothing to which we could possibly invite young ladies such as yourself!”

  “Then perhaps, Colonel Foster,” riposted Elizabeth, “you should consider the very useful qualities of a wife! She would be able to arrange any and all of your festivities, and with considerable grace, I expect. The wife of an officer must show a certain degree of ability in assisting her husband with his duties, and if that duty is to arrange a ball for the deprived populace of Meryton, then she should be found immediately!”

  Colonel Forster laughed loudly.

  “Well, Miss Bennet, that is one reason for matrimony which I had yet to consider, and I can certainly see the reasonableness of it!

  “Miss Lucas, you have presented a splendid occasion here tonight. I would like to congratulate you upon it.”

  While Elizabeth engaged easily with the Colonel, Charlotte had noticed that Mr. Darcy was again looking straight at Elizabeth as if to understand the conversation from across the room. After a while the Colonel excused himself and it became apparent that Elizabeth had also recognised that she was being watched.

  “What does Mr. Darcy mean by listening to my conversation with Colonel Forster?”

  “That is a question which Mr. Darcy only can answer.”

  “But if he does it anymore I shall certainly let him know that I see what he is about. He has a very satirical eye and if I do not begin by being impertinent myself, I shall soon grow afraid of him.”

  “Well, perhaps you should begin that impertinence. He is approaching this side of the room. I defy you to instigate a conversation with him!”

  Lizzy looked to where Charlotte nodded and smiled mischievously at her friend. “I am not afraid of him! I shall intercept him and ask what he is about.

  “Did not you think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?”

  “With great energy; -but it is a subject which always makes a lady energetic,” said Mr. Darcy gravely, but with a relief that he had been allowed to speak with the object of his errant attentions. Perhaps she would now reveal something abhorrent to him and his infatuation would dissolve, never to be thought of again.

  “You are severe on us,” laughed Lizzy, wondering what he was thinking to her detriment.

  “It will be her turn soon to be teased; I am going to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows!” Charlotte laughed in her turn at Lizzy as she protested against playing to the company, but eventually, consenting reluctantly, followed her friend to the piano.

  Charlotte retired to a corner to watch, surreptitiously, for any more indications from Mr. Darcy of his interest in her friend. He seemed to listen to the competent playing of the two pieces with indifference and then walked over to the other side of the room to solitary contemplation, unbroken by either local personage or friend until, Charlotte noticed later, her father talking with him, then being joined by Elizabeth for a few words.

  Twice in one evening! Charlotte smiled secretly to herself. Mr. Darcy was undoubtedly interested in Lizzy; he would never have exerted himself even so much as to cross the room to come near her otherwise. And his constantly unguarded looks when in her company gave him away in a much clearer manner; to cross the room and become accosted accidently is one thing, but to have complete control over where he chooses to direct his eyes and find them always looking at the same object? Too coincidental indeed!

  However, Charlotte determined not to speak of her observations with her friend as she knew all too well Lizzy’s mind on the subject; nothing would ever convince her that such a man, who had started off their acquaintance through insults, could ever concede to have ill-judged a matter. No, Charlotte preferred to watch and observe from the edges of the drama to see how it would unfold, although she was convinced that Mr. Darcy, like many men of his standing, would be forced to conquer his attraction to an unsuitable match and forfeit it for a lady more nearer his equal in society. Not that Charlotte believed Lizzy to be less equal to any of Mr. Darcy’s ilk; indeed Eliza would challenge him both intellectually and personally. It was merely that usually this was how matches eventuated.

  As she stood with her parents at the door waving goodbye to the last of their guests, these thoughts were flooding Charlotte’s mind. Jane and Bingley had, again, spent most of the evening together as, Charlotte and Maria being the unmarried daughters in the Lucas family, Bingley’s duty had been served swiftly, giving him even more time to spend more or less alone with his true interest to the exclusion of all others. That courtship appeared to be following the proper channels and Charlotte would be surprised if an announcement was not made very soon.

  No, the interesting fledgling courtship which occupied the whole of Charlotte’s attention, and which both parties would adamantly deny - indeed, one of the party was utterly unaware of its existence - was between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. Charlotte felt convinced that she alone was the only one in the room that night who had observed Mr. Darcy’s interest and she looked forward to following its progress wherever it may lead.

  Charlotte smiled to herself as she slipped into bed, exhausted but happy. The party had exceeded her expectations, and
those of her mother. Romances were proceeding as they should and her sister had proved herself to be more than a match against the wildness of Lydia Bennet. This evening, although happily enjoying the company of the officers and dancing every dance as she should, Maria had carefully refused to participate in any indiscreet behaviour promoted by Lydia, preferring to behave in a most becoming and ladylike manner.

  Yes indeed, a successful evening to be sure!

  V

  The ball at Netherfield was to be the event of the Winter season, nothing of its magnitude had occurred in anyone’s recent memory; everybody in the county was to be there, including the officers from the Regiment and, it was rumoured, many London friends and associates of Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. Even Sir William and Lady Lucas were planning their attire for the evening with unusual fastidiousness. The chance to mingle with quality society from London was rarely offered in the country, and to be neighbours with such personages was most satisfactory. Sir William rather hoped to be able to make the acquaintance of many of this new society during the evening and dared to hope that it would lead to many more events that would be profitable to him and his family: Lady Lucas was far more concerned that, compared to the London guests, she would not be the most fashionable lady attending. She knew, however, with some satisfaction, that she would be far more fashionable than any of her neighbours could attempt to be, but had resolved, just in case, to include an extra ruffle of lace at her throat, with pearls and feathers in her headpiece to add the required distinction.

  Her good temper had been sorely provoked this week with the regular visits, far too frequent for good taste to Lady Lucas’ way of thinking, of Mrs. Bennet with regular updates about Mr. Bennet’s cousin who had arrived from Hunsford, Kent, and had many distinguished connections and prospects. Lady Lucas now knew intimately every detail of the man and his life since his coming to Meryton, and it galled her even more that he had decided to choose a wife from one of the Bennet girls without even considering any others from the county. Mrs. Bennet, naturally, was overjoyed by his visit and could barely control her satisfaction at the prospect of having one of her girls married; it had been her only topic of conversation and she returned to it with a delighted doggedness which had proved most wearing for Lady Lucas.