Chapter 1 of 2 for today
You wanted to know why Darcy is such an ass.
~~CC~~
Interlude
As Darcy had stood looking out the window, his mind drifted.
He remembered his childhood. His mother had always been somewhat distant, but this lack of motherly affection was made up by her sister, his beloved Aunt Catherine. This wonderful lady had guided his early years whenever they had a chance to meet. And when they could not meet, they would correspond.
She was the one who had instilled in him his pride in his ancestry. She had explained to him that he was descended from a noble line through his mother. His father, although from a respectable, honourable, and ancient family was not worthy of the honour of being connected to the Fitzwilliams. Since he was not close to her, Darcy was happy to listen to his aunt denigrating his mother as a silly love-struck girl who had married beneath her.
Lady Catherine drummed into him that it was his duty to hold himself above the rabble of inferior birth. He was devastated when his aunt died within months of his father while he was at Eaton. At her funeral he vowed to make her proud.
His determination to follow his aunt's teachings was tested when he first went to Cambridge where he struggled with his studies.
He came upon the good-natured Charles Bingley, the bright son of a tradesman, who cheerfully offered his help. Initially Darcy accepted the offer since the young man was no threat to his position, and in repayment he smoothed the way for Bingley who was sneered at for his low antecedents.
Although Darcy himself received his share of sneers from some of the highest born students for not having a title, which confirmed his aunt's teachings.
With them he started to pretend that he only kept Bingley around to help him with his studies, despite the fact that he had come to like the young man. Bingley, amiable as he was, accepted his need for the subterfuge.
At that time Darcy developed his haughty mien to ensure nobody could discover how inferior he felt, because everyone in his family was more intelligent than he was. But years of acting in this manner had succeeded in making him believe in his own superiority, particularly in the company of women.
Since he entered society, first as the heir and then the master of Pemberley, he had been highly sought after by many of the ton's daughters. But he found none of them worthy.
Now he was ashamed that he had been beguiled by the sparkling eyes of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a minor gentleman, but no matter how much he admired her, he would never tie himself to a country nobody.
~~RF~~
The visit to Longbourn set the tone for the next few weeks.
The residents of Netherfield called upon a number of families during visiting hours and were called upon in return. They were also invited to functions given by the neighbours.
Mr Bingley and Lady Anne were charming and amiable to all. Georgiana, while still shy, was starting to get to know the young ladies of the neighbourhood and started to come out of her shell. Darcy remained haughty, while Miss Bingley, encouraged by Lady Anne, and the Hursts were cautiously gracious.
It was inevitable that on many occasions they encountered one or more of the Bennet family.
Darcy was in agony. He could barely keep his eyes of Miss Elizabeth's bright smile, sparkling eyes, and pleasing figure. He even dreamt of her at night, dreams which would have shocked the young lady.
Due to Darcy's mask, Elizabeth, who noticed his looks, became convinced that the man stared at her constantly to find fault.
No matter how much Jane or Charlotte tried to convince her otherwise, Elizabeth refused to believe them.
~~RF~~
Shortly after the arrival of Mr Bingley in the area, Mr Bennet received a letter from his distant cousin who was the heir presumptive to Longbourn.
Dear Sir
The disagreement existing between yourself and my father has always given me cause for concern, and since his death I have often thought about how to heal that breach, but for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing it might seem grasping as I appear to be the heir presumptive.
Since my father's death I have received ordination and recently had the great fortune to be distinguished by the patronage of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, who has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish where I shall endeavour to faithfully perform all the duties incumbent on the position.
As a clergyman I feel it my duty to promote and establish peace in all families within the reach of my influence and hope that you will not reject the offered olive-branch. I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters and assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends — but of this hereafter.
If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose to visit you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o'clock, and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday sennight following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Sir Lewis does not object to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day.
I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend,
William Collins
Mr Bennet was amused and intrigued by this epistle, and after procrastinating for two weeks sent an affirmative reply.
He was curious to meet this cousin and discover if his guess about the nature of the olive branch was correct.
In typical fashion, he did not inform his wife of the expected visitor until the morning of the visit.
~~RF~~
~~CC~~
Reversed Fortune by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2021