Chapter VI: Accomplished
A/N: Beta is the charming T.J. Elise.
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Jane remained in her room all through dinner that evening. Darcy returned to her before coffee was served. By that time, Jane had fallen into a somewhat restful sleep.
When Darcy entered the drawing room, she saw Hogun and Volgstaff not only playing chess but rolling dice as well. Fandral was polishing his sword. Thor and Lady Sif were playing a card game. Loki was by himself, reading.
"Would you like to join a game of cards, Miss Coulson?" Thor asked.
"I would hate to disturb your current game. Maybe when you are finished. I am also curious as to what you two fine gentlemen are doing with dice and chess," Darcy said.
"It is an older version of chess," Volgstaff said, "The chess moves are decided by a roll of the dice. It is less about wit and more about chance, but the game goes faster."
"I would imagine so," Darcy said, smiling.
"I remember when there were no queens on the board," Volgstaff said, "Only viceroys."
"What changed?" Darcy asked.
"Women became queens, not just the wives of kings," Loki said, not looking up from his book.
"Lo and behold, our Trickster speaks," Fandral said.
"Miss Coulson was the first one of you to speak rationally and in a way that demanded that I answer," Loki said.
Lady Sif's rolled her eyes at the comment. Darcy examined the books in the room and found them to be on a wide variety of subjects and from a variety of eras. She saw a novel that she had been longing to read but had been unable to get through the circulating library. Taking the first volume off the shelf, she began reading and was entranced from the first line.
"Miss Coulson, are you all right?" Lady Sif asked.
Darcy looked up, startled. "Yes? How may I help you?"
"You did not answer me after calling you over several times," Sif said.
"Oh, I must apologize. I was lost in this book," Darcy said.
"What story enchants you so?" Fandral asked.
Darcy glanced over at Loki before saying, "Romantic drivel."
"Does the master run off with the governess or something shocking like that?" Lady Sif asked.
Darcy shook her head. "No. I am familiar with this author, and she lives up to the title: 'A Lady'. There were small scandals in her previous novel, but it was nothing to turn a person's hair white. This one is called First Impressions. It appears to tell the story of sisters who are trying to find love before their wicked cousin removes them from their home and they are cast poverty. I so wish to scold the friend of the gentleman courting the eldest sister. He bothers me so, and I hope we do not see more of him or at least if we do it is so that we see him shamed."
"If you wish for more novels, you may use any of the books in this house save for my brother's private library," Thor said.
Darcy gave a wide grin but tried to contain her excitement at the thought of such a large library to discover. "That is very kind of you and I may take up your offer."
"I have Loki to thank for building my collection here," Thor said, "I hardly know where to start in my personal reading though."
"If I may suggest, Robinson Crusoe is a wonderful adventure," Darcy said. She paused. "Mr. Loki Odinson, you bought romantic drivel?"
"I thought it might amuse Fandral," Loki said, smirking slightly.
"You underestimate the necessity of having a common ground with women, Loki," Fandral said, "If you actually spent time in polite society, you would spend at least half that time in the company of women."
"What you consider polite society is not what most of the realms consider polite," Loki said.
"And what society do you have business with, Silvertongue?" Fandral asked.
Darcy realized the two men were going to quarrel and judging from their personalities, it would not be civil. The necessity of a new topic was imperative.
"And what isconsidered common ground between Asgardian men and women?" Darcy asked.
"Stories," Sif said, "Horseback riding. Hunts. To a certain extent, battle. All women are trained to defend themselves."
"And are all warriors like you?" Darcy asked.
"No. Lady Sif is the only female warrior amongst the Asgardians. She has proved herself better than most men time and time again," Thor said.
Lady Sif seemed pleased with the praise, but tried not to show it.
"May we ask the same question of you, Miss Coulson?" Volgstaff asked.
"I suppose stories as well as some sports such as horseback riding," Darcy said, "Ladies themselves are to know of music, art, and other such things, though they are not necessarily common ground between the sexes."
Loki scoffed. "The purpose of the women of Midgard is to please their husbands and make more children. The only common ground between men and women is the exchange of money during a marriage," Loki said.
Darcy took a deep breath before answering. "That is not true. Marriage is not our only path."
Loki did not look up. "From what I have observed, accomplished ladies of your class must have a knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the 'modern' languages. She must know how to run a household and how to hire a good governess. If she cannot find a husband, there are few other paths. You may be a governess, a school teacher for ladies, or rely on the charity of others. Unless, of course, you enter more disreputable fields."
Thor tossed a pillow at his brother. "That is not true, and you know it."
"He is right," Darcy said, "Just because a statement is unpleasant, does not mean that it is wrong. But women are doing more. Some are even capable of making money from playing music or writing. And what are the women of Asgard permitted to do? From what I understand, Lady Sif is the exception."
"Women are capable of wielding political and magical powers," Lady Sif said, "The Odinsons' mother herself is a seer and adviser to King Heimdall."
Darcy said, "Truly? That is quite amazing."
Darcy had not thought about the Odinson brothers' Mother. Their Father was well known to Midgard, but their Mother was not. Darcy wondered what kind of Mother could raise such dissimilar sons as Thor and Loki. A woman who lived long enough to see Loki raised to adulthood was certainly a woman to be applauded.
A servant came into the room and informed Darcy that her sister had asked for her. Darcy excused herself.
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Darcy spent the rest of the night with Jane as she was fighting off the worse of her cold. Thor came before the house retired to apologize to her if Loki's words had offended her.
"I know the weaknesses of what paths are available to my sex, Mr. Odinson. His manner was harsh, but his words were true," Darcy said.
The next morning, Jane seemed better and was asking questions about the Asgardians. Darcy requested to have a note sent to Longbourn, as she desired her mother to visit Jane, and form her own judgment of her situation. The note was immediately dispatched, and its contents as quickly complied with. Mrs. Coulson, accompanied by her three youngest girls, reached Netherfield soon after the family breakfast.
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Had she found Jane in any apparent danger, Mrs. Coulson would have been very miserable. Being satisfied on seeing Jane that her illness was not alarming, she had no wish of her daughter recovering immediately, as her restoration to health would probably lead to her removal from Netherfield. She would not listen, therefore, to Jane's proposal of being carried home; neither did the apothecary, who arrived about the same time, think it at all advisable. After sitting a little while with Jane, on Lady Sif's appearance and invitation, the mother and four daughters all attended her into the breakfast parlor. Thor met them with hopes that Mrs. Coulson had not found Miss Coulson worse than she expected.
"Indeed I have, sir," was her answer. "She is a great deal too ill to be moved. Mr. Jones says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness."
"Removed!" Thor said, "It must not be thought of. My friends, I am sure, will not hear of her removal."
"You may depend upon it, Madam," said Lady Sif, "that Miss Coulson will receive every possible attention while she remains with us."
"You are much too kind, my good sir and lady. I am so grateful for the kindness you have shown to my daughter as she has been ill," Mrs. Coulson said, "I am sure, if it was not for such good friends, I do not know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers a vast deal, though with the greatest patience in the world, which is always the way with her, for she has, without exception, the sweetest temper I have ever met with. I often tell my other girls they are nothing next to her. You have a lovely room here, Mr. Odinson, and a charming prospect over the gravel walk. I do not know a place in the country that is equal to Netherfield. You will not think of quitting it in a hurry, I hope, though you have but a short lease."
"Whatever I do is done in a hurry," replied Thor, "and therefore, if I should resolve to quit Netherfield, I should probably be off in five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here."
"That is exactly what I should have supposed of you," said Darcy.
"You begin to comprehend me, do you?" said Thor, turning towards her.
"Oh! Yes—I understand you perfectly," Darcy said.
"I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen through I am afraid is pitiful," Thor said.
"That is as it happens. It does not follow that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours," Darcy said.
"Darcy!" Mrs. Coulson said, gently swatting Darcy's arm, "Remember where you are. Do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home."
Thor continued as he was much pleased by Darcy's willingness to speak openly. "I did not know before that you were a student of character. It must be an amusing study."
"Yes, but intricate characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage, even if many of their manners are lacking," Darcy said.
"The country," said Lady Sif, "can in general supply but a few subjects for such a study. In a country neighborhood, you move in a very confined and unvarying society."
"But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them forever," Darcy said.
"Yes, indeed," said Mrs. Coulson, offended by the way he spoke of the country neighborhood. "I assure you there is quite as much of that going on in the country as in town."
Everybody was surprised. Mrs. Coulson, who fancied she had gained a complete victory over the suddenly rude Lady Sif, continued in her triumph. "I cannot see that London has any great advantage over the country, for my part, except perhaps for the shops and public places. The country is a vast deal pleasanter, is it not, Mr. Odinson?"
"When I am in the country," Thor said, "I never wish to leave it, though when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either."
"Aye—that is because you have the right disposition," Mrs. Coulson said.
Darcy, for the sake of saying something that might turn her mother's thoughts to other matters, asked "Has Miss Lucas been at Longbourn since my coming here?"
"Yes, she called yesterday with her father," Mrs. Coulson answered, "What an agreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Odinson, is not he? So much the man of fashion! So genteel and easy! He has always something to say to everybody. That is my idea of good breeding. Those persons who fancy themselves very important, and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter."
"Did Betty dine with you?" Darcy asked.
"No, she left for home. I fancy she was wanted about the mince-pies. For my part, Mr. Odinson, I always keep servants that can do their own work; my daughters are brought up very differently. But everybody is to judge for themselves, and the Lucases are a very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Betty so very plain—but then she is our particular friend."
Darcy bit her lip, not wishing to argue with her Mother as she could not be civil on the subject.
"She seems a very pleasant young woman," Thor said, noticing Darcy's discomfort.
"Oh dear, yes! You must own that she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied my Jane's beauty. I do not like to boast of my own child, but to be sure, with Jane one does not often see anybody better looking. It is what everybody says. I do not trust my own partiality. When she was only fifteen, there was a man at my brother-in-law Mr. Stark's in town. The man was so much in love with her that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer before we came away. But, however, he did not. Perhaps he thought her too young. However, he did write some verses on her, and very pretty they were."
"And so ended his affection," said Darcy impatiently, "There was an affection, I fancy, overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!"
"I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love," said Lady Sif.
"Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it away entirely," Darcy said.
Lady Sif gave a small smirk before returning to indifference. After a short silence, Mrs. Coulson began repeating her thanks to Mr. Odinson for his kindness to Jane, with an apology for troubling him also with Darcy. Mr. Odinson was unaffectedly civil in his answer. Mrs. Coulson was satisfied, and soon afterwards ordered her carriage. As they made their way outside, the youngest of Mrs. Coulson's daughters put herself forward. The three youngest girls had been whispering to each other during the whole visit, and the result of their conversation was that the youngest should tax Mr. Odinson with having promised on his first coming into the country to give a ball at Netherfield.
"You did promise a ball, did you not, Mr. Odinson?" Natasha asked.
Thor thought for a moment. "I believe I did."
"It would be quite shameful for the whole world if you did not keep that promise," Natasha said, looking all the part of an innocent girl asking for a treat before supper.
The group was now outside, watching the carriage approach. "I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my word on it. When your sister is recovered, you shall, if you please, name the very day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing when she is ill," Thor said.
Natasha said, "Oh! Yes - it would be much better to wait till Jane was well, and by that time most likely our friends in the regiment would be at Meryton again. And when you have given your ball, I shall insist on their giving one also. I shall tell Colonel Forster it will be quite a shame if he does not."
Suddenly, a second Lady Sif appeared, galloping towards them on a horse. "What magic is this?" Mrs. Coulson said, glancing back and forth between the two Sifs.
The Lady Sif on the horse dismounted, showing that she had been riding astride and in fitted menswear. She came up to the Lady Sif who had been with them in the breakfast parlor.
"Loki, I told you to tell Thor I was out riding, not to take my place," the horsewoman said.
The genteel Lady Sif sighed. Within one blink of an eye, Loki Odinson was himself and adjusting his cravat. "I was…" his voice was still Lady Sif's. He coughed a few times before being satisfied. "I was testing out a spell. I needed a broader audience who was not familiar with my magic."
Mrs. Coulson was fanning herself at the shock of seeing Loki's transformation, but Natasha was giggling hysterically with Maria while Peggy tried to shush them.
"I wondered why Lady Sif was so uncivil," Thor said.
"As always, Thor, you see but you do not observe," Loki said dryly.
"You will apologize to these fair ladies, brother, for deceiving them so," Thor said.
Loki looked skyward. "Do I have to? It was just a joke."
"Loki…" Thor growled.
With a sigh, Loki put on his most remorseful expression and bowed deeply to the Coulsons. "I am terribly sorry for the fright I have given you kind ladies. I ask for your forgiveness."
Mrs. Coulson was still fanning herself. "We accept your apology, Mr. Loki Odinson. We hope that you never do such again."
"I shall do my best to spare you the trauma, ma'am," Loki said.
Mrs. Coulson and her three youngest daughters then departed. Darcy stood in front of Loki and crossed her arms, tilting her head back slightly to keep eye contact. "You may tease me and your friends all you like, but my Mother and sisters deserve none of it. My Mother has terrible nerves. Maria and Natasha are silly, but young. Peggy has done nothing to deserve your censure. Leave them alone."
Loki's demeanor changed from repentant to mischievous. He bent slightly and said to Darcy, "I can do as I wish, Miss Darcy."
"Do not call me such again. We are not friends, Mr. Loki Odinson," Darcy said.
"Most definitely not," Loki said, his smirk growing wider. He stepped back and said to Thor, "Well, that was dull. I'm off to sacrifice children and eat virgin flesh."
Loki stalked off towards the house. Darcy gulped audibly as a small part of her questioned if what Loki said was true.
Thor reassured her, "He is just reading the newspapers and having his morning tea."
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A/N: A Little Loki in a cravat for anyone who caught the Sherlock Holmes reference. Mr. Holmes was not written until towards the end of the 19th century, so I could not quote the good detective directly.
*awkwardly looks around* Me? Make cliché, over-used references to Jane Austen? Moi? *end sarcasm*
I thought the conversation about "an accomplished woman" might go differently since Regency England and Asgard would have different views on women and what is desirable in a woman. Lady Sif is an oddity, but women do have some power from what I understand.
On the chess game inspiration: having a Grandfather who has played chess extensively for decades comes in handy. Chess history is actually a cool way to look at changes in society.
Next week there will be only one chapter posted on Wednesday. I have a big project, a mid-term, and a week's worth of homework I have to complete by Thursday because I will be gone all weekend.