A Dishonorable Offer

by Timothy Underwood

  Maybe she should think horrific and indecent thoughts about Lydia. She deserved them.

  Jane smiled serenely and engaged in friendly conversation with Denny and Carter, while Lizzy and Mr. Darcy went elsewhere and started talking to Charlotte.

  Eventually Jane decided she could look to talk with Bingley for another half of an hour. Bingley was talking to Elizabeth, Charlotte and Mr. Darcy. Captain Denny followed her.

  Darcy said, “I am not near so radical as my uncle, but I do think women should be able to own their own property after their marriage.”

  “What does your uncle’s radicalism entail?” Elizabeth asked. She clapped her hands. “Let me guess: he thinks married men should no longer be allowed to own property, as women naturally worry more for children than men, so we are less likely to waste and ruin a fortune.”

  “There are women who care nothing for their children, and men who care a great deal, so the argument does not hold.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “Very true. But what is your uncle’s response to your reasonable rebuttal?”

  “I am afraid you mistook his position. While my uncle wants married women to have property rights, he does not think they should be denied to married men.”

  “Shocking. That is depressingly unradical. I could name a dozen prominent men who propose the same.”

  “Yes. I agree. I was most disappointed, I confess, to discover he did not think himself incompetent to manage his estates by reason of marriage.”

  “Does he not have a high opinion of the state?”

  “No, he does. So I suppose it was not a shocking discovery on my part, but it still disappointed me enormously.”

  Charlotte was grinning at the verbal play between Elizabeth and Darcy. Bingley looked slightly bored. Jane felt confused. It sounded like they were talking nonsense. Still they looked pleased.

  Jane asked Mr. Bingley, “Can you explain what this conversation is about?”

  Bingley laughed and smiled brightly at her, “No, I cannot. Can you follow your sister’s mind? For I certainly fail to. It is good to see Darcy have a chance to argue with someone like her.”

  “I apologize.” Darcy nodded his head to Jane and Bingley. “I do know certain topics are not of interest to everyone. Bingley despises disputes. But I assure you, Miss Bennet, he is an excellent man otherwise.”

  Jane smiled back. “Oh, I do not doubt that. And as I am not fond of such myself, I think we shall suit nicely.”

  She then blushed at how forward that had been. But Bingley brightened instead of looking wary, the way he had when the evening began.

  Bingley said to Jane, “It is deuced good fortune you came just now. I suspect they would have continued in a like manner for a half hour, and they talk so quickly, I would not have dared interrupt.”

  Jane had forgotten that Captain Denny had followed her. He exclaimed, “I wish to hear. How is Mr. Darcy’s uncle so radical?”

  Everyone stared at him. He added in an aggressive tone, “I’ve heard about Lord Matlock from a friend. I heard he is an atheist and wants to kill all of the clergy, like the French did.”

  Darcy drew himself up haughtily, as though defending his uncle, the earl, to a mere captain in the militia was beneath him. Jane was impressed with how well he managed a look of arrogance. Every time she’d talked with him he was smiling and friendly. Though despite his politeness, he had no real interest in her, except when he asked about Elizabeth.

  Denny flushed and looked between Jane and Elizabeth. He obviously wanted to impress the women by challenging Darcy, but knew he was failing.

  Jane wanted to make everything calm again. She said, “What does your uncle think, Mr. Darcy? Since I am sure he is no atheist, and as for killing all the vicars.” Jane tittered nervously. “Your friend must have been funning with you, Captain Denny. No good Englishman would suggest that.”

  Darcy shrugged. “His radical notion is that delicacy in a female is a positive evil. He educated my sister with the intention of eradicating all traces of it. He mostly succeeded.”

  Elizabeth blinked at that. “I am fascinated. I’m not at all sure that is a bad policy. I hope to meet her someday.”

  “Georgiana would adore you.”

  Charlotte tapped her chin. “To judge the wisdom, we would need more details.”

  “Do not let Darcy give you a false idea,” Bingley said. “Miss Darcy is a lovely girl, accomplished, clever, and sweet. But she can say the most disconcerting things you would never expect to hear from a gentlewoman.”

  Denny exclaimed, “Mr. Darcy, if I were you, I would despise my uncle for what he did to a woman so closely related to you. It does not speak well that you do not show more concern for your sister’s welfare.”

  Darcy sneered down at him again.

  Bingley said with his sunny smile, “Come now. Let’s not argue. I hate arguments. Miss Bennet, is the weather hereabouts always so fine this time of year?”

  “Not always.” Jane smiled, relieved the conversation was moving away from such conflict. “But it is this nice often.”

  “I love the sun, and the rides, and the hunts. You have always lived here, so you must not realize how simply lovely Meryton and the area about is.”

  Jane smiled. “Oh, I do realize. But we are delighted when new families enter the neighborhood and see it for themselves.”

  Captain Denny refused to let it go. “Miss Bennet, a woman so perfectly delicate as yourself must agree it is necessary women should be protected and guarded. And that Miss Darcy’s method of education is very wrong.”

  Jane remembered how Charlotte had always said it was absurd a woman must marry to gain a respectable establishment, so it did not surprise her when Charlotte angrily exclaimed, “That is foolishness. Men do not always protect women, and women should be given the tools to make their own way in the world. I was fortunate in my marriage, but I am as capable as any man, more capable than most. Society is most unfair towards women.”

  “Society treats us just as unfairly.” Denny spoke passionately, “We are required to fight in wars, we are required to work. The law favors women.”

  Charlotte rolled her eyes. “The law? Where in the entire code does the law favor women? Recall the conversation began with noting that if a woman has any money, it becomes her husband’s immediately.”

  “That is only because men can manage land and property so much better. But that matter does appear to favor men, I will confess. However, a woman can sue for breach of promise if a man leaves an engagement, while a man can do no such thing. Society demands gentlemen never retreat once their honor is engaged.”

  Darcy said, “Men should be forced to marry once they have given their pledge. It protects women. You claimed that was important. A jilted woman loses an important part of her youth, and many persons will believe they had taken liberties together. The ability to sue protects her. Besides, while rare, men can sue for breach of promise.”

  Several voices went up together, “They can, how absurd!”

  Bingley exclaimed, “Any true gentleman will honor an engagement as a matter of honor. Viscount Wellington, when he returned from India and married the woman he’d formed an attachment to ten years earlier. Have you heard what he said?” Bingley’s brown eyes caught Jane’s. “I swear this is true. Upon seeing her again, he cried out, By Jove, Kitty’s grown ugly. But he married her anyways. Straightaways. After she’d waited so long, it would have been viciously wrong to spurn her then. No gentleman would.”

  Denny said with a frustrated expostulation, “It is a deuced unfair system. Making men marry ugly women because they’d promised to ten years earlier. A hero like Wellington deserves better than that.”

  Denny walked away. At last.

  Charlotte clapped her hands. “Enough of this subject. Lizzy, the piano is open, would you play for us a little?”

  Elizabeth jumped up, and said, “Mr. Darcy, I shall need you to turn the pages. And then afterwards we will have Mary play a jig for eve
ryone to dance to.”

  Jane frowned when Mr. Darcy sat on the stool next to Elizabeth. He was just an edge too close to her.

  “Miss Bennet,” Mr. Bingley interrupted Jane’s concern, “dashed good evening. But poor Denny, making a fool of himself trying to offend Darcy. Darcy will never be bothered by such a thing.”

  Jane smiled at Bingley, “I believe Denny hoped to impress me.”

  Maybe the reminder of how other men looked at her would make him a little jealous. Possessively so, not unpleasantly so.

  “Did not work. Not at all.”

  Jane smiled placidly at Bingley.

  “He didn’t impress you did he?”

  “Not at all.” Jane decided to try laying her hand, just for an instant, on Bingley’s forearm. But she blushed and became too embarrassed before her hand reached halfway. She dropped it back to the side. It was too improper. She wasn’t supposed to do things like that.

  Bingley exclaimed, “You are blushing! You can’t find that coxcomb attractive. He looks well in regimentals, but he’s no air to him. Hardly a sort of fellow to strike the fancy of a sensible girl. And…” Bingley lowered his voice, “I should not say it, but he does not strike me as terribly clever.”

  Jane smiled brightly at Bingley. “Of course I don’t find him attractive. Though I do think you should not make fun of him.”

  “Oh.” Bingley shuffled his feet. “Of course not. He’s a peacock, no substance. I’d had no idea men could sue for breach of promise. Never would have guessed. But Darcy would not make a joke in that tone. He wasn’t angry though, just amused.”

  “He looked very arrogant. He is usually so kind.” Jane glanced at Darcy again. He was turning a page for Elizabeth, while listening intently. “Is he kind?”

  “Darcy is the best man in the world. Nothing he wouldn’t do for a friend. Honorable, a superb rider, clever… Why do you ask?”

  Jane smiled, “Lizzy just likes him very much.”

  “Yes. They do talk a great deal. But no harm in that.”

  “But…” Jane felt anxiety for her sister, but didn’t know what to say. “He would not…despite her sharp mind, she still has a tender heart, and if he…”

  “Oh do not worry about that. Mr. Darcy would never take advantage of a woman. I am sure they are just friendly. Do you think she has started to think too much of his attentions? I will tell my friend to speak with her less.”

  “No. No. Do not mention anything. I only wished to hear that he was a good man. Lizzy would be quite annoyed with me if you said anything. She does not expect anything. I just wished to be assured he would not intentionally hurt her. We understand our positions very well. Both of us. It is quite a disgrace, what Lydia did.”

  “It is deuced unfair I say. You should be judged for yourself. My sister begged me to speak no more with you after she found out, and I thought she was right at first, since people tend to look down on me a little since, while I have so much money, it is from trade. I must keep up appearances, you know. Darcy convinced me though it is no matter, since you are accepted in the neighborhood.”

  “I know.” Jane frowned.

  “Now what is the matter?”

  “You should know; we are only half accepted. If the Collinses and Lucases did not still sponsor us, we would not be noticed — they are the best and most charitable people in England — no one else is intimate with us anymore.”

  “Oh.” Bingley pulled at his coat sleeve, bringing it down a little further over his hand. Then he brightened and shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me at all. This is not London, and those excellent people are among the leaders here. I am very glad for the kindness they have shown you. You can trust that you and Miss Elizabeth will also be invited to any event at Netherfield.”

  “Thank you.” Jane smiled unevenly at him. She understood very well the need to act as everyone demanded. It was why he would never consider marrying her. But his kindness was still wonderful.

  Not long after Mary and Elizabeth exchanged places at the piano, and Mary played a lively Irish tune for them all to dance to.

  They turned around and around in a pattern of four couples taking up most of the floor, always smiling at each other. It was a house party, so she and Bingley danced together for nearly an hour.

  Jane smiled brightly at him the whole time, and he smiled back.

  Chapter 10

  Elizabeth whistled happily as she walked to Longbourn with Mama and Jane. The Collinses were holding a dinner party, and Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley would be present.

  Elizabeth had gotten Mr. Darcy’s measure — part of him still was that boy who would much rather stand on the side and scowl while thinking of Latin.

  Something pulled them together. Elizabeth’s reasons for enjoying his company were obvious. The surprise was that such a great gentleman wished to know her better.

  As they walked Mama berated Jane about what she should do to attract Mr. Bingley — though of course, Mama added, none of it would work, not after Lydia, the horrid girl, ruined all of our futures.

  Elizabeth’s thoughts went back to Darcy, and she blushed. Elizabeth looked at the hedges they walked past to hide her face from Mama. She would never forget Mr. Darcy’s voice as he described how he’d watched her that night at the assembly ball. He was flirting with her, but he also meant it.

  Elizabeth pretended for a moment she had a dowry and good connections. Even if it was just ten thousand pounds she would charm Darcy by teasing him until he laughed and they fell in love, because even though Jane was more beautiful, he liked her better.

  Nonsense, of course. Nothing of the sort would ever happen to her. Maybe if she had been as beautiful as Jane…

  “Lizzy! Listen to me when I speak to you.” When Elizabeth turned her head, Mrs. Bennet frowned in disgust. “Ungrateful girl. After I’ve done everything for you, I spent all my fortune upon you and Jane, I convinced my brother and sister to take you in, yet you pay no attention to me. It is your fault Jane did not marry before Lydia ruined everything.”

  “What were you saying, Mama? I shall pay attention now.”

  “Bingley’s friend — that Mr. Darcy — he pays a great deal of attention to you. He talks with you so much, and he danced with you at Lucas Lodge. But you are too disagreeable — are you doing everything you can to attract him, since at last a gentleman is paying attention to you?”

  “Mama! Mr. Darcy would never think about marrying me. His uncle is an earl. We are only friends, and he likes my conversation more than my person.”

  Mrs. Bennet curled her lip up in a disgusted sneer. “Do not be absurd — no young man only wishes to talk with a pretty girl. I know he won’t marry you. Lydia made it so none of you will marry. But—”

  Mrs. Bennet looked side to side and seeing that no one was near clenched Elizabeth’s wrist to pull her to a stop. “I wrote Mrs. Gardiner about him, she is from the same part of the country as he. Mr. Darcy’s family has a scandalous reputation — he wants you to be his mistress — encourage him, touch yourself and him when he is near, as if by accident, repin your dress so it covers less, bat your eyes — I daresay Lydia could give you some advice — seduce him.”

  “Mama!” Elizabeth had never felt so aghast in her life. She looked at Jane whose eyes were wide and whose mouth hung open.

  “Ungrateful girl! Think about me. Mr. Darcy is as rich as a lord. If he liked you enough, he would be generous. You could help me then. It is time you stopped only thinking of yourself. If you were ever going to marry anyone better than a workman like Lydia, you already would have. I’d far rather see you Mr. Darcy’s mistress than a Mrs. John Manure.”

  Elizabeth stalked off as fast as she could, cursing under her breath as she opened distance from her mother. It didn’t even surprise Elizabeth that her mother wanted to sell her body for money.

  How dare Mama think the only reason a gentleman would wish to be friends with her was because he hoped to ruin her? How dare Mama suggest she sell herself like a whore?<
br />
  In a few minutes Elizabeth reached Longbourn. Before entering she forced her face into calmness and smiled to greet Charlotte and Mary.

  Charlotte took her hand in greeting and said, “Lizzy, I’m so happy to see you, where are Jane and Mrs. Bennet? — Goodness, what is the matter?”

  “Nothing.” Elizabeth thought her voice was quite cheery, and she still smiled.

  Charlotte raised an eyebrow and shared a look with Mary. “My — from your looks whatever your mother said must’ve been particularly bad — remain after the guests leave, and we might talk about it.”

  Elizabeth grimaced. “We won’t.”

  “Ah — very bad indeed. Then we shall talk about something else entirely, perhaps those handsome, amiable, single gentlemen at Netherfield. Oh, Mrs. Bennet ruined that subject. Then we shall talk about fashion!”

  Elizabeth laughed. Mary, as usual, had been quiet, but now she quirked her eye at both of them and added, “We also may talk about upright living.”

  “Fashion and moral behavior. It is the plan.” Mrs. Bennet entered the room with a scowl. Mary went to greet her and Jane, while Charlotte quickly added, “Lizzy, barely any guests have arrived, you are looking better — but go sit in the study for a half hour and calm down. I’ll keep your mother away from you.”

  Nodding gratefully, Elizabeth walked down the hall and entered the familiar room. The portrait of her grandparents and other knickknacks and decorations Mr. Bennet had kept were long gone, however the books were still there and most of the furniture was the same. Mr. Collins had only added material more to his own taste to the large bookcases which still entirely covered two of the walls.

  The room still had the old comforting scent of tobacco and port. It still had the same dark leather wingback chairs. It still had the same mahogany incidental tables. It still had the same musty, dusty smell of old books.

  The look through the window was different. There had been a large oak tree in her father’s time, but when that tree had died it was replaced with an extension of Mr. Collins’s gardens. Right now the garden was mostly frozen and dull in the dim afternoon light, but in the spring and summer the profusion of colors made an improvement.