Elizabeth
"Come, girls! We must make haste if we are to visit Netherfield and go to Meryton this morning!" Mrs. Bennet bellowed up the stairs as all five daughters prepared to make morning calls. It had been three days since the assembly and it was high time they visit their new neighbors.
"Coming Mother!" Rang out in unison. The youngest two said it with unmatched enthusiasm while the others answered with varying degrees of excitement. Jane, of course, was nervous that her preference for Mr. Bingley's company would be easily discerned by his party. While Elizabeth was simply happy to accompany Jane and attempt to mitigate the inevitable embarrassment her mother and sisters might cause. However, she was not particularly looking forward to being back in the familiar rooms of Netherfield and potentially being overcome by emotion. And Mary, well, Mary would much prefer to stay home practicing the piano forté or reading the latest scientific journals when her father was able to procure them.
As their carriage approached the front of the stately home, Elizabeth closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath to steady her nerves. I can do this. I just need to focus on Jane and all will be well. She opened her eyes with a start when she felt Jane take her hand and squeeze.
"If this is too much, just say the word and I will feign a headache so we may leave." Jane whispered in her ear, careful not to draw the others' attention. The last thing either of them wanted was to remind Mrs. Bennet that this might be a difficult visit for Elizabeth. Sadly, motherly concern was not likely to be her response for Mrs. Bennet had a penchant for making every hardship about herself and how she was affected by whatever tragedy had occurred.
"Thank you, Jane. I will be fine. We all knew this day would come eventually. I have prepared myself."
As they entered the foyer, they were greeted by Netherfield's longtime butler who took their pelisses and hats. He gave Elizabeth a particularly warm smile that made her heart constrict but she returned his greeting in kind. Moving into the parlor, Elizabeth was startled to find the room had been rearranged and the lovely wall coverings had been repapered in a rather garish salmon colored design. Not only was she surprised by the choice of color but also at the speed in which Miss Bingley had taken to making changes.
Miss Bingley spoke first, "Good morning, welcome. Please, do sit. Tea is on its way." As she motioned to the newly arranged chairs and sofas, Caroline unwittingly took a seat in what had always been Elizabeth's favorite chair.
"Oh, I do love what you have done in this room, Miss Bingley!" Mrs. Bennet began her effusive praise but before she could continue, Miss Bingley cut in.
"Thank you, I have more changes in mind but I simply had to update this room as soon as I could manage it. I wouldn't want my guests to think I had such … quaint taste." As she said this, she looked around the room with a measure of pride that caused Elizabeth to want to defend Mrs. Harrington's design choices. She knew however, Miss Bingley had every right to make changes in her brother's home where she was acting as his hostess.
Tuning back into the conversation, Elizabeth was horrified to hear her mother recalling how she'd often instructed Elizabeth that when she became Mistress of Netherfield, she should make those same changes.
"Mother!" Jane and Elizabeth cried in horror. Elizabeth turned to Miss Bingley in time to see a look pass between her and Mrs. Hurst. Elizabeth, in an attempt to redirect the conversation away from herself, merely said, "I don't believe Mrs. Harrington often made changes when she was in residence. She was very traditional."
Mrs. Hurst smiled sweetly at Elizabeth but it did not touch her eyes and Elizabeth thought it was not to touch her heart either. "Our apologies, I have heard a little of your attachment to the Harringtons. This cannot be easy for you."
Elizabeth's gut twisted at such an obviously insincere and artless attempt to glean information. Fortunately, at that moment, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Hurst entered the parlor. "I heard we had visitors! Welcome Mrs. Bennet, Miss Bennets!" Bingley bowed and took the seat closest to Jane.
Mr. Hurst found his way to a sofa in the corner and Mr. Darcy gave a quiet greeting and sat in the seat farthest from Miss Bingley which also happened to be closest to Elizabeth. Noticing the subtle look of discomfort that Elizabeth was clearly trying to hide, Mr. Darcy quietly inquired, "Are you well Miss Elizabeth?"
Hoping to hide her true feelings, Elizabeth replied in a perhaps somewhat arch manner, "Yes, thank you, Mr. Darcy. Are you?"
He looked at her for a moment and he could tell she was not herself - even from what little he knew her - but chose to leave it alone. Instead, a small, conciliatory smile as he replied, "I am very well, thank you."
Rejoining the group's conversation, they spent the next quarter hour discussing the weather, the landscape, and all the other inanities of polite society. Elizabeth noted with pleasure that Jane and Bingley often directed their comments to each other whilst carefully remaining a part of the conversation at large. Before long, it was time to leave and Elizabeth was gratified that they had made it through the visit with minimal embarrassment from her family and she had not broken down and made a ninny of herself.
Standing rather abruptly, Mrs. Bennet declared that while she couldn't remember a more pleasant visit, they really must leave if they were to complete their errands for the day. The ladies of the house said their goodbyes and then stood under the portico while Bingley handed them into the carriage one at a time, much to Mrs. Bennet's delight. While she waited for her turn, Mr. Darcy again quietly spoke to Elizabeth, "It was a pleasure to speak with you again, Miss Elizabeth. I do hope the comments I walked in on earlier were the only ones of that nature. Like you, I am a private person and would be similarly disconcerted to have my private affairs bandied about."
Elizabeth turned to him, assessing his sincerity. Satisfied with what she saw, she replied, "Thank you for your understanding, sir. This was not an easy visit for me if I am honest but I made it through and next time it will not be so difficult." When Elizabeth smiled, he visibly relaxed.
"I look forward to next time then." And having said that, he led her toward Mr. Bingley to be handed into the waiting carriage.
Darcy
Bingley and Darcy waited impatiently for the rest of their party to join them downstairs so they could depart for Longbourn, the Bennet estate.
"Car-o-line, hurry along now." Bingley whined like a petulant schoolboy, adding under his breath, "We aren't visiting the queen."
"It really is ridiculous, Bingley. We have been waiting in this spot for almost twenty minutes. I see no harm in riding ahead."
Bingley looked at Darcy clearly agreeing with his friend's assessment before shaking his head, "No, Caroline would be so upset if she didn't get to see Miss Bennet. She has a particular fondness for her which I should like to foster."
Darcy merely sighed, ran a hand through his hair, and checked his pocket watch for the fifth time. When he was about to beg off the visit entirely, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst appeared at the top of the stairs. "So sorry to keep you waiting. I had a dress emergency and Caroline came to my aide."
Bingley looked around them, noticing Mr. Hurst was not with them. Exasperated he asked, "Where is Hurst?"
"Oh. He is not feeling well and will not be joining us. I had hoped that he would have recovered by now but he is still… "
"In his cups." Caroline supplied to her sister's horror. Then looking down her nose, shrugged adding, "What? We all know it's true, Louisa. No use trying to hide it." Louisa sputtered but said nothing, a splotchy red blush rose from her chest and covered her cheeks.
They rode in silence to Longbourn. Darcy was certain the dark cloud which had been hovering over them and creating ill will at Netherfield was likely to follow them to their destination. For it was a well-established fact, that when Miss Bingley was in a temper, everyone around her would feel its effects.
So it was that they arrived at Longbourn to be greeted upon their entry with the telltale noises of people hastily fussing about in preparation for an unexpected visitor. Darcy laughed silently to himself but he could see the others - save Bingley, of course - rolling their eyes as they took off their outer garments. Within moments, 'Hill', the maid, showed the party into a cozy but pleasant sitting room.
"Welcome Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, Mr. Darcy! It's such an unexpected pleasure to have you in our home. Isn't girls?" Mrs. Bennet's shrill voice rang out in search of confirmation. The eldest three gave the obligatory and pleasant responses expected; Kitty and Lydia just giggled.
"Thank you for having us, Mrs. Bennet." Bingley said, though he only looked at Miss Bennet. How he managed to speak without his smile dropping in the slightest, Darcy could not figure out.
The Bingley sisters, who had not yet recovered from their earlier tiff, entered the room and the atmosphere immediately shifted from friendly welcome to uncomfortable confusion. The two ladies barely concealed their disdain for their surroundings and Bingley was so worried about their causing offense that his behavior became more unnatural by the minute.
After some stilted small talk had failed to improve the situation, Lydia - the youngest but by far the boldest of the Bennet daughters - asked if she and Kitty could be excused so that they might walk to Meryton. Permission was granted and Mrs. Bennet excused herself to see them off and to give instructions for items that needed to be picked up in town.
Once alone, Miss Bingley observed to no Bennet in particular, "You have very… spirited sisters. It must be nice to always be surrounded by such excitement."
Jane blushed and Mary shrunk further into herself, but Elizabeth was not in a mood to be insulted in her own home, "I suppose it is possible, having grown up with Longbourn land to run about on, they may have had too little of the outside world to worry with. I believe 'spirit' is a luxury not everyone can afford and should be nurtured and shaped as they mature rather than quelled as many in society would demand." Elizabeth believed the thinly veiled reference to being landed gentleladies from birth hit its mark as Miss Bingley merely turned her head and looked out the window but said nothing more.
"I daresay some would call Bingley 'spirited' even now but it is rarely viewed as a negative for young men as it is often insinuated for young ladies." All eyes turned to Mr. Darcy as he spoke, for it was quite an unexpected defense, though Mr. Darcy had always been congenial. But, in truth, Darcy thought even Miss Elizabeth would admit - if only to herself - that her sisters 'spirited' behavior often bordered or even crossed fully over into being rude. His gaze unwittingly shifted to her and Elizabeth sent him a small, grateful smile which he acknowledged with a nearly imperceptible nod.
Bingley laughed, "Yes, I will admit, I have been called spirited on occasion. I cannot say it is a trait which has caused me any serious trouble." Though the look on his face and the lighthearted tone of his voice belied the truth that perhaps it had caused him some trouble, just not serious trouble.
Mrs. Hurst laughed as if remembering a particular event. "I should say so, Charles!" She proceeded to relate a time when a young Charles Bingley found himself stuck in a large tree with no hope of climbing down unaided.
"To be fair, I was seven and I was dared to do it!" He protested.
"Yes, that is true but while you were in the tree what did your 'friends' do?" Mrs. Hurst chided.
"They stole my schoolbooks."
At the rather hilarious sight of a grown man being taken to task over an incident that occurred over fifteen years prior, the whole room, excepting Miss Bingley of course, erupted in laughter.
Darcy used this time to evaluate Miss Bennet's reactions to Bingley. She seemed to accept his attentions with pleasure but did not go out of her way to encourage him. Hmmm. She is not so easy to read as ladies of the ton. However, as much as he observed Bingley and Miss Bennet, he also found his eyes wandering toward Miss Elizabeth. Now there is a lady who does not suffer fools - another trait we have in common. I do believe her friendship will prove quite valuable. Perhaps, as we spend time in each other's company chaperoning the happy couple, she will share her insights as to her sister's feelings.
Elizabeth
"Good evening, Charlotte!" Elizabeth greeted her friend with a kiss on the cheek and a ready smile as they stepped further into the room and away from the crowd. Sir William Lucas never threw an intimate dinner party. It was always a 'crush' by Meryton's standards.
"Eliza, you look lovely tonight. I must say, you are the only women who could look so well in mourning." Charlotte teased while stepping back and sweeping her glance up and down Elizabeth's lavender dress.
Elizabeth answered with a small laugh, "Thank you, Charlotte. I must always remember to keep you around should my ego need a boost." Once again, the two fell into their routine of sharing the latest news and goings on about town. Charlotte often had more to tell as she lived closer to Meryton but tonight, she wanted to hear all about how Jane and Mr. Bingley were getting on.
"They do seem quite taken with each other do they not?" Elizabeth asked directing her friend's attention to the couple in question who were politely chatting with each other near the refreshments table.
"Well, Eliza, he is certainly taken with her but is she equally affected by him?"
Elizabeth's jaw dropped in a singularly unladylike fashion, "Whatever can you mean? Of course, she is! Can you not tell?"
"Of course, I can tell but can Mr. Bingley? Remember, Eliza, he does not know Jane's disposition as we do."
Elizabeth returned her gaze to where Jane was still standing, talking to Mr. Bingley. Could it be possible that he may not be aware of her growing attachment? "But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavor to conceal it, he must find it out." Elizabeth had said this almost to herself, but Charlotte answered her nonetheless.
"Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But though Mr. Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together; and, as they always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that every moment should be employed in conversing together. Jane should therefore make the most of every 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."
Elizabeth was about to protest such a pragmatic view of marriage but she noticed Mr. Darcy approaching and did not want to continue this conversation in front of him. She settled instead for saying only, "You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it is not sound, and you would never act in this way."
Mr. Darcy approached and greeted them with a slight bow, "Ladies, you are both looking well."
"Mr. Darcy, do you seek refuge from matchmakers once again?" Elizabeth teased, making a show to glance around the room in search of the offending mothers.
He smiled, "No madame, I was simply hoping to find some interesting conversation." Then he turned to Charlotte, "But first, allow me ask, Miss Lucas, have you recovered from your injury at the assembly?"
"I have, sir, thank you." Truth be told she was surprised he remembered. It had been over a week and half and his having done so caused him to rise in the esteem of both ladies.
The three of them carried on an amiable conversation until Charlotte turned to her friend with a knowing look, "I am going to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows."
"You are a very strange creature by way of a friend! - always wanting me to play and sing before anybody and everybody! If my vanity had taken a musical turn, you would have been invaluable; but as it is, I would really rather not sit down before those who must be in the habit of hearing the very best performers." On Charlotte's persevering, however, she added, "Very well, if it must be so, it must."
After Charlotte had left to take begin the evening's musical entertainment, Darcy turned to Elizabeth, "Do you know what you shall play, or do you allow the mood to strike in the moment?'
Mischief played in Elizabeth's eyes for a moment before answering, "Well sir, I should like to play something truly remarkable but I have only recently been faithful in practicing and so am limited in my choices. And, as propriety dictates, if I am to play at all, it must be something rather more uplifting and cheerful, perhaps even a reel so others may dance. Or shall a I cause a scandal and play the music that reflects my personal preferences?"
"I suppose it depends. May I be so bold as to ask?"
Elizabeth blushed realizing she'd had not intended to open up this part of herself to Mr. Darcy - or anyone really - so with averted eyes, she teased, "You may be so bold, but I may choose not to answer." She and Darcy laughed and then they stood in companionable silence listening to Charlotte's performance.
It struck Mr. Darcy as interesting that Miss Elizabeth appeared to truly not wish to perform - certainly understandable in her position - but that she was also unwilling to disappoint her friend. Her performance was pleasing, though by no means capital but he found he had quite enjoyed it and desired to hear her play more. She chose instead to vacate her seat so that other, more eager young ladies could exhibit their skills.
Unfortunately, those few performances accounted for the only enjoyment Darcy received from the evening. For the rest of the Bennet family - aside from Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth - seemed to be taking the evening as a challenge to see who could act with the least decorum. Miss Mary took up the piano forté after Elizabeth and proceeded to play with neither skill nor taste — it was perhaps, Mary's one true vanity, sadly misplaced though it may be. Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia, along with some of the younger Lucases, and two or three officers took up dancing at one end of the room which had not been intended for that purpose causing others to have to move quickly while servants rearranged the area. What struck Darcy as particularly odd was that no one else seemed to find this behavior all out of the ordinary which could only mean that the Bennets often made spectacles of themselves.
God help him if Bingley aligns himself with such a family.