Chapter 1
It is a truth universally acknowledged that I will never find a husband and live my life with the pleasant company of my multiple cats and library full of books. At least, that is what I maintain will happen. My mother, on the other hand, insists that I will find a match. I may not find a very handsome suitor but I am pretty enough to find one at all. Of course, those are her words. I have had a number of men come into my life in the past, though not by my own choice. Yet, most of them have been well over my father's age or they have been quite grotesque. Mr. Hartford, for example, had a growth on his face that seemed to ooze every time I was in his presence. There was also Mr. Marcus who had a plethora of saliva that never ceased to appear dripping down his chin. It must be my charismatic charm that attracts such men. That has to be it.
"It is a shame! Is it not? That dear Jane is off visiting old Aunt Martha when she could be seeking out a husband at the masquerade ball!" my mother exclaimed, clearly distraught and clutching her chest.
"A ball?" My daydreaming has been snapped back to reality at the mere mention of a public event, which I must attend.
"Have you not been listening to anything I said?! There will be a masquerade ball held in Bath by the Leshers. Your father was Mr. Lesher's acquaintance in church when he was a boy. We paid them a visit the last time we were in town. This is the chance we need." Her eyes seemed to grow larger and I sank in my chair more. I looked at my sisters, who were also at the breakfast table. Lydia was smiling in sheer delight. She loved any sort of public event where young gentlemen would be present. Kitty seemed excited as well, but most likely just from getting out of this house. Mary seemed to look entirely bored with the conversation. I know that she is not interested in the company of men at this time in her life. She would rather play the pianoforte all day as her sole companion.
"My dear Mrs. Bennet, what is it that we need so desperately?" My father put down his newspaper, exuded a sigh, and smiled at me with a twinkle in his eye.
"To find suitable matches for our daughters of course! I have already taken the liberty to send a letter to Jane urging her to return at once so we can prepare for the ball." Jane was the eldest Miss Bennet. The order of our births went Jane, Myself (Elizabeth or Lizzie), Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. With all of the girls around, I am surprised that my father has not gone mad.
"And dear wife, what will you do if your eldest daughter does not choose to return home? Jane has always been a gentle spirit and the loss of Uncle Thomas has had a large impact on that household."
"I may have to go there myself and take her with me. Aunt Martha will survive one fortnight without Jane. This is for her future happiness." It was clear my mother was beginning to grow desperate.
"You will follow your daughter's wishes and she will return when she sees fit." There were times such as this when my father would be stern with my mother. She needed it. I have always told myself: If my mother can find happiness with my father, then I can find a husband.
"Of course dear. I am just worried that she is missing her chance. She is so very pretty and a ball will be a great way to parade her in front of eligible gentlemen."
"My darling wife, have you forgot that you also possess four other eligible daughters whom you could find matches for as well and who will also not be far away attending to the emotions of a mourning widow?" He put the newspaper back up to his face to show that his contributions to the conversation were over.
"Oh please Papa, are we all allowed to attend?" Lydia was beginning to look like a hungry lion getting ready to attack her prey.
"Of course Lydia," my mother replied. "We are all going! We have so many preparations to make. We need gowns and masks." I let my mother's voice fade into the distance. It took me a second to realize I had stood up and everyone was staring at me.
"I think I am going to go for a walk." I turned to leave when my mother's voice startled me.
"Pick up some things from the town while you are walking, Lizzie." She handed me a piece of paper with her handwriting on it. I walked to the door and took my bonnet from a maid who was waiting for me. The minute I opened the door I felt free. Free from the constraints of my home, possible suitors, and my mother's watchful gaze. I took the long way into town. Passing by rivers and fields of flowers. I wanted to lie down and relax, so I promised myself I would do that after collecting the errands.
The town was busy for a Saturday. I took a sniff and immediately regretted it. There was a distinct odor change from the country to the town. It did not necessarily smell dirty, but rather, it smelled busy. I could smell people, animals, and carriages. I noticed that some workers were installing a sundial in front of the post office near a group of boys playing and stopped to watch their progress. At that moment, a carriage drove by me entirely too fast and close. They were so close in fact that they drove through a puddle and splashed the whole front of my lavender dress with muddy water.
"Hey!" I yelled after them.
"My apologies madam" the coachman yelled back as he drove on. I stood there very confused as to the reason for the sudden rush. I looked around and others were whispering to each other the same question. The entire front of my dress was clearly dirty now. I had no desire to return home for another dress. I tried to smooth it out but nothing worked and I soon gave up and continued my quest to finish my mother's list.
After what seemed like hours, I approached the last shop and let out a sigh of relief. All that was left was a hairpin for my sister Lydia. Lydia had been wearing Jane's old accessories and lately she has been urging our father to purchase her a hairpin of her own. I looked at the money I had left and entered the store.
The room smelled musky and the walls were covered with items to buy. I walked to a small table and picked up a dark green hairpin. This color would match well with Lydia's auburn hair. As I did this, a voice startled me so much I nearly dropped the precious item.
"I believe you are holding an item in your hand that I intend to purchase." I turned around to meet the gaze of a man. He was tall with dark hair and piercing brown eyes that seemed to bore into my soul. His facial expression did not appear to be welcoming.
"You want to buy this? I am sorry sir but I am going to buy it." I managed a smile and he could tell it was forced. A look of confusion flashed over his eyes.
"You are mistaken madam, I intended to purchase that emerald hair pin and was going to put some other items in my carriage first." He pointed to a waiting carriage. I stared for a second until realization hit me.
"That is your carriage?" He nodded. "Oh well then I must tell you how dangerously your coachman was driving. You almost ran over some children playing and also ruined my dress. You are clearly not from around here but I should let you know that the behavior you exhibited was uncalled for." There, I said it. I felt relief run through me. This man must let me have the hairpin now. I look for a shopkeeper when I found him blatantly staring at the backside of two young women who were perusing the shop.
He looked down at my dress and I could feel a warm blush reach my cheeks. "Excuse me but I believe you are the one who is mistaken for your dress must have been ruined long before my carriage splashed mud on it. This look now is an quite an improvement." A smug smile crossed his eyes. Now my cheeks were really heating up and it was not from pleasure. This man was downright rude. He was no gentleman. "So you see, that is my hairpin."
"I'm sorry but if you intend to use that hairpin on yourself, sir, I think it does not suit you. The color is all-wrong for your complexion, and therefore, I must buy it to relieve you of any further embarrassment than what you already have. " I knew there were other suitable hairpins in the store but this was war and I was not going to surrender now. He let out a low chuckle.
"How much are you willing to pay for it because I know I will outbid you?" This man was relentless. I knew he would win. He clearly had more money than me. There were times like this when I wish I had Jane by my side for encouragement.
"A true gentleman would let a lady have it." I met his gaze with mine to show him that I was up for the challenge.
"Indeed," he narrowed his eyes at me. "Well that would be an option if I had not informed the shopkeeper of my intended purchase for a lady who requested it. Not returning with the specific hairpin would mean I have failed my gentlemanly duties." At that point, we just stared at each other. No one made a move. I took a deep breath and gazed down at the pin in my hand.
"I concede, sir. You may take your prize." I immediately left the shop and did not look back to the man who seemed to be entirely difficult. I did not want to let him get to me. I just know that if I ever meet him again, I will let everyone know what a horrid man he is.