The Bingley sisters soon visited the Bennets, as they honestly wished to enjoy the gentle company of Miss Jane Bennet. What could be said for the rest of the family - they would not discuss. At least, not with Jane. When undisturbed by their mother and younger sisters, Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were pleasant, if perhaps conceited, conversationalists. They lamented Jane's lack of experience in ton, and regaled her with stories of their most amusing balls. Lizzy felt some of her suspicion falter after their first visit.
But when they came a second time, this time with their cheerful brother, Lizzy confirmed her original assessment. Charlie Lucas and Elizabeth had just finished their late morning walk as the riders of the Bingley carriage were descending to the Bennet home.
"Now Charles - do be sensible and attend to Mrs. Bennet, so we can visit our friend. You were brought along to distract the old loon, not chatter about with Miss Bennet." The sisters snickered, commenting at the annoyance of their host.
Charlie and Elizabeth exchanged a look, but held back, allowing the visitors to enter without knowledge of their unfortunate eavesdropping. When they entered the parlor, it seemed they had just settled. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley sat on either side of Jane while Mr. Bingley sat in a chair across from their mother, who was, indeed, blathering away. Lizzy stifled a laugh as he opened his mouth to add to the discussion, but got no more than a syllable in edgewise. With a sigh, he appeared to capitulate to his assignment, and smiled feebly. With this defeat, he took solace by allowing his eyes to wander and watch Miss Jane Bennet. Charlie and Lizzy welcomed their guests quickly, and found their way to an unoccupied corner to observe. Elizabeth was particularly interested in the warm looks Mr. Bingley bestowed upon her sister.
"How dull the countryside is, Louisa. Miss Bennet, YOUR company is the only thing I have been pleased with thus far." Caroline continued to complain at the joyless task of keeping house over a rented home. "Charles - you must purchase an estate. Renting one is so dreadful. Look in Derbyshire, then we can be closely situated to our dear friends, the Darcys."
Lizzy hid a scowl under the bright shine of a smile. "But Miss Bingley, Derbyshire is a long distance from London. Here at Netherfield, it is such an easy trip to your beloved ton." Elizabeth suspected Caroline was not oblivious to her previous slight to Hertfordshire. But Lizzy found she could not care - how wretched it would be if the Bingley sisters actually liked it here! Imagine if they planned to take over Meryton with what Lizzy imagined to be their snide friends.
"True … But ton is not as pleasant as the exceedingly perfect company of Mr. and Miss Darcy. Truly accomplished, regal people they are."
Mr. Bingley finally excused himself from Mrs. Bennet's conversation and walked toward the three, but his eyes were ever-fixed on Jane. "Caroline, perhaps next season we will look elsewhere for an estate. But for now, I find I am most pleased with Hertfordshire." Jane's eyes crinkled with the delight of a true smile.
Pride & Prejudice - Chapter 6
It was generally evident whenever they met, that Mr. Bingley did admire her and to Elizabeth it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to the preference which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a way to be very much in love; but Lizzy considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane united, with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and a uniform cheerfulness of manner which would guard her from the suspicions of the impertinent. She mentioned this to her friend Mr. Lucas.
"It is perhaps pleasant," replied Charlie, "to be able to impose on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded. If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him; and it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in the dark. There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all begin freely - a slight preference is natural enough; but there are are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. In nine cases out of ten a woman had better show more affection that's she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on."
"But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow. If I can perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton, indeed, not to discover it too."
"Remember, Lizzy, that he does not know Jane's disposition as you do."
"But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavor to conceal it, he must find it out."
"Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But, though Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together; and, as they always see each other in late mixed parties, it is impossible that every moment should be employed in conversing together. Jane should therefore makes the most of ever half-hour in which she can command his attention. When she is secure of him, there will be more leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses …"
Charlie mused as Lizzy baffled at her friend's opinion. True, they had never explicitly discussed such matters, but she was shocked at his calculated assessment. While she struggled to reply, Charlie continued: "You must also remember that Bingley is besieged with other, most likely negative opinions of your family's circumstance. Consider, he did nothing to curtail his sister, and even suggested he might give way to her notions. He also looks upon Mr. Darcy as a source of advise. Are you certain that Jane's quiet feelings will outshine Miss Bingley's loud judgments? I do believe that Miss Bingley has greater plans for her brother than a Hertfordshire lass."
Lizzy frowned, "But - in matters of the heart; in the choice of the partner for one's life … a man would not abdicate to his sister or his friend."
Charlie laughed softly. "Lizzy! Just because you have the will of a mule does not mean the rest of the populace is as stubborn as you."
Lizzy started to protest, but Charlie stopped her, calmly lifting a hand. "Mr. Bingley does not appear to me as a man of unshakable convictions. He is amiable to be certain, but he has rented a new estate and called upon a friend to oversee it. He has brought both his sisters to keep his house. I believe Bingley is just the sort of happy man who may be swayed by the wishes of others. And Lizzy," he added, "There is absolutely nothing wrong with that either."
"I am somewhat surprised at this assessment, Charlie." Lizzy crossed her arms in distress. "But even if you are true, I simply cannot believe a man of consequence, including Mr. Bingley, would not look to his own opinions when considering his wife." Although her words claimed a steady opinion, Lizzy respected Charlie enough to think upon his words at a later time. Charles had more interactions and conversation with Mr. Bingley than she or even Jane had. The seed of doubt had been planted.
"Well," said Charlie, "I wish Jane success with all my heart. If she shall not take the leap of overt, unaffected affections, then we must hope that Mr. Bingley will not need them."
Lucas Lodge was known throughout town for it's hospitable evenings amongst merry friends. At one such party, Miss Elizabeth Bennet conversed with Mr. Lucas and Colonel Foster, the lead officer of a militia regiment which was set to winter this year in Meryton. Lizzy conversed with such an ease; the Colonel and his young bride were thoroughly charmed by her light quips and welcoming conversation. She advised them on the best shops of the village for her pleasure, the best fields for training his soldiers, and the best locations to strategically defend the most populated areas in case of disaster.
Charlie's plain face was somewhat more pleasing when he smiled at Lizzy. He knew of no other woman who could skillfully converse on such a wide range of topics - and thread them together in such a way to invite everyone into the conversation.
Darcy had been attending to Miss Elizabeth Bennet's discussion, and quickly dissected Mr. Lucas' face - it had somehow transformed into something closer to handsome. He could see it teeming with pride for Miss Bennet's acumen and tact. His stomach roiled with acid. That was the sort of love he desired - to be granted the pleasure to glow at the gentle accomplishments of your partner. To bask in the graceful intelligence of your beloved. Darcy felt his blood turn cold; the back of his neck became gooseflesh. Miss Elizabeth Bennet was just the sort of woman he could love. Was Miss Elizabeth Bennet just the sort of woman that Mr. Lucas loved? Darcy wavered in his assessment of Mr. Lucas' gaze. Could it be the platonic love of a brother? He could see parallels of that glow to his own countenance with Georgiana. When she performed the piano forte, or when she quietly conversed with him. He smiled so when he was certain she would continue to grow into the gentlest and kindest of ladies. Or was his a look of contented, acknowledged love? Darcy's gaze drifted from Mr. Lucas back to Miss Bennet. She was a lively, beautiful creature. Her playful manners put the world at ease, and her intelligence was certain to entertain. She was suddenly aware of his fixed stare, and he watched her question and then steel herself and turn back to her company. Miss Elizabeth Bennet had no connections, most likely no dowry; there was no reason to take her as a wife. But she was just the sort of woman Darcy would like to marry. It occurred to him, as he continued to drink in her playful whit, that he had never before thought such a thing.
Lizzy curtsied to her new acquaintances and smiled goodbye. Grabbing Charlie by the arm, she led them to the buffet table to acquire a glass of wine.
"Mr. Lucas," she whispered, after taking a long sip. "What can you suppose Mr. Darcy means by staring at me so, and listening in upon our conversation?"
Charlie raised his eyebrows, throwing the question right back at her, "What do you suppose Mr. Darcy means, Lizzy?"
She scowled with a sigh, "Well, I AM only tolerable" here her eyes sparkled with the absurdity of the comment, "- he must be contemptuously devising other insults to hurl at me. Or perhaps, critiquing my presumptuous opinions about militia and tactics."
Charlie, eyebrows still raised, gave a small smirk. "Is that so."
"It could be nothing else!"
Mr. Darcy was waylaid by Sir William Lucas later in the evening. He was convinced his gathering would bring vast enjoyment to Mr. Darcy. Why, at such a capital event between friends, there was no cause for unhappiness or distress. Miss Mary Bennet was indulging her youngest sisters in a reel when Sir Lucas launched into a conversation with Mr. Darcy.
"My, Mr. Darcy, what a delightful evening this has been. And now for the young people - the joy of dancing; one of the refinements, you know!"
"Every savage can dance," Mr. Darcy replied in the shortest manner possible while maintaining some measure of politeness.
"Ah…" Sir William Lucas awkwardly tried to avoid the impending conflict. "Well, your friend is a grand dancer. I am sure you have just as much grace, sir."
Darcy turned to view Bingley grinning from ear to ear as he danced with his beloved angel. Miss Bennet looked serene under his lavish attention. The younger Bennet sisters were giggling with boundless energy as they flirted and stomped about with the young officers. "I believe you witnessed me dance at the assembly earlier. You may deduce your judgments from those performances."
Still determined to entertain Mr. Darcy, Sir William Lucas watched Elizabeth move nearby, making her way to the other side of the room. She flinched at the outrageous laughter inappropriately bursting from Miss Lydia. "Ah - Miss Lizzy!" Sir Lucas grabbed her by the hand, and presented Mr. Darcy with a most enticing partner. "Miss Lizzy is the liveliest of partners; Most desirable! Mr. Darcy, surly you can join your friend and accompany Miss Lizzy."
Elizabeth blushed at the notion of being the livliest of dancers. She was just admonishing her youngest sisters for their overpowering vigor.
Darcy gaze darkened as he enjoyed the pink kissing her cheeks. "Miss Bennet, I would be honored if you would dance the next with me." Darcy outstretched his hand, certain of his acceptance.
Elizabeth balked at the man- "I am sorry, but I have promised the next to Mr. Lucas," she lied. "I was just making my way across the room to find him."
Sir William Lucas blustered. "But, Miss Lizzy! You can dance with Charles at any time, he will of course defer to Mr. Darcy."
Darcy continued his solemn stare, and again offered his hand.
Fiery eyes met his gaze, and she dared to stand her ground - "I am sure Mr. Darcy is all politeness, and would acquiesce to tolerate me, I am sure. But I really must find Charlie." With a quick curtsy, she darted off. Finding her friend, she whispered harshly, "Dance with me…" And pulled him away from his conversation with Mr. Hurst.
Darcy stood appalled for a moment. First, he realized that he was not only rejected, but replaced by the plain Charles Lucas. Never before had he been so rebuffed by a woman. He dumbly lowered his offered arm, and stalked to the edge of the room, leaving his host perhaps more dumbfounded than himself. Then, he worked to deduce her meaning and slowly discovered she must had heard his stupid comment at the assembly. As he watched the pair begin the set, Darcy found his opinion of her had not be injured, but perhaps even bolstered. But the same could not be said for his feelings toward Mr. Charles Lucas.