Chapter 16
Like most, Lydia Bennet, the youngest of Bennet daughters, learned from what behaviors were rewarded and those that were censured. Her high spirits, having always been encouraged by her mother, therefore seldom failed to gain her wish, be it bullying a sister out of a bonnet or insisting on a ball. On the other hand, proper behavior for a Gentlewoman robbed her of her fun, refused her own way, and proved to have little to entice Lydia to count as gain, thus proper behavior seemed to inflict punishment.
"Oh, We must have a ball, will you indulge us, Mr. Bingley? For I do so love to dance. I'm certain all the officers will wish to dance with me and you would not mind, I'm sure, for I know that you prefer Jane, though I would save you a set if you wished and not give a wit if you wore a red coat, as I shall have plenty such partners" declared Lydia. Making her family's visit all the more embarrassing. Mrs. Bennet had arrived with her remaining three daughters and caused quite a spectacle, even as Elizabeth and Darcy were beginning to be at ease in the company of the other.
What wheels there were in her mother's head began turning, Elizabeth could see it and internally began to cringe before she could change the subject her mother blurted "Indeed a ball is just the thing! There is no better way for young people to show their affection than dancing. I must insist that you do Mr. Bingley, for I'm sure it will be an elegant affair, with your dear sisters to prepare it. Oh, and my dear jane, shall surely be the belle of the ball, which will be a credit to you, Mr. Bingley."
A quarter of an hour ago Mrs. Bennet had swept in after seeing Jane, declaring she feared for her dear daughter's life, though it was well known Jane had been on the mend. Mrs. Bennet shortly thereafter exposed her motives by exclaiming Jane must stay for another week complete, at least, lest the outdoor air expose her to certain harm, which would surely send her to her final resting place. Elizabeth learned later from Jane that their mother was incensed to learn that Jane has seen naught of Mr. Bingley, having been convalescing rather than socializing. She insisted her daughter make the most of her time at Netherfield, Jane was appalled and begged her mother to keep her voice down, Mrs. Bennet was smug, certain her place would succeed, so long as she was obeyed.
"Indeed I shall, and you shall name the date, as soon as your sister is well." declared Mr. Bingley, quite cordially drawing Elizabeth back to the present. His sister's faces showed true horror, likely concerned for the social ramifications of having been known to host such savage society.
"How very generous of you Mr. Bingley! Oh, I knew how it would be. Jane could not have been so pretty for nothing." Elizabeth tried to distract her, asking after Charlotte and her father, but to her horror, her mother kept bringing up the topics most impolitic, after barely deigning to answer Elizabeth's questions and oft waving her off entirely. Mr. Darcy was fixed in his spot at the window, and not being spared occasional insults from her mother, had little inducement to leave his chosen retreat. Colonel Fitzwilliam was observing the conversation unfold, carefully considering the ramifications.
"Mama, I'm sure I forgot to ask you how Lady Lucas was doing. I've not seen her either, even longer than since I've seen Charlotte." Elizabeth tried vainly again to distract her mother.
"Lady Lucas called Lizzy yesterday, I'm sure I told you. I said to her myself that I am sure that I was right, and to think, Jane did not wish to ride here on horseback, but you see it all turned out for the best. She is such a dear, obliging girl I am sure, I cannot fathom why she was so stubborn for the carriage in coming here, it must be your influence on her. For she is not the sort of girl to refuse me. I daresay she will see now that I was right." pronounced Mrs. Bennet, either incapable of understanding or not caring that she was further exposing herself and her daughters. Subtlety was neither in her nature nor an accomplishment she could boast. Whatever one's opinions on Mrs. Bennet, one could not make a case for calling her ambiguous.
"Mama Jane is indeed very ill, you have seen her yourself, you know well that Jane is everything proper, and only wished to arrive sensibly and appropriately" Elizabeth all but whispered to her mother. Kitty and Lydia laughed thinking it was all a fine joke.
"People do not die of little trifling colds, Lizzy. She will know it was all for the best, I am sure, for I see her suffer without a word of complaint." dismissed Mrs. Bennet, finally rising to take her leave, to which Elizabeth was relieved.
Colonel Fitzwilliam saw now Darcy's reluctance, any sensible man would be reluctant to take on such a mother-in-law. Openly bragging about such fortune-hunting and machinations, would cause any future son-in-law to look like a fool, affecting business relationships and matches for the unmarried relations. This could hurt Georianna a great deal, thought Colonel Fitzwilliam. This had to be thought through, a strategy put in place, if he were to bring Darcy to look past it, or if he himself were to look past it. It could not be left alone, it would cause gossip of the worst sort, talk of a once-mighty man being ensnared, it would hardly foster a welcome attitude in the ton, or support amongst eminent relations. The Darcy's could end up shunned. How he should go about this he knew not, but a solution must be found before he pushed Darcy further, or before Darcy would be further cajoled.
And what of the youngest sisters? Colonel Fitzwilliam had seen more than one young woman obsessed with a red coat, who may have meant only an innocent flirtation, but who ultimately came to ruin when young officers could not afford to, nor meant to marry. Silly young girls could easily misunderstand what a young man imagined they were offering.
Reality abruptly ended the romantic fog Mr. Darcy had been operating in -to him it was welcome intelligence that Miss Bennet was on the mend—Elizabeth had been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked—and Miss Bingley was uncivil to her, and she was more tempting than usual to himself. He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration should now escape him, nothing that could elevate her with the hope of influencing his felicity; sensible that if such an idea had been suggested, his behavior during the last days must have material weight in confirming or crushing it. Steady to his purpose, he scarcely spoke ten words to her through the whole rest of the day, and though they were at one time left by themselves for half-an-hour, he adhered most conscientiously to his book, and would not even look at her.
Darcy had decided on a ride shortly after Elizabeth rose to walk out. Miss Bingley declared she would join her, expecting Darcy would join them as well. In this, she was disappointed. Miss Bingley thus determined to make good use of her time with her adversary and attempted to intimidate her rival.
"Miss Eliza, I must warn you not to think too much of yourself. You are not the sort of woman a man such as Mr. Darcy would make an honorable offer to. Your designs, therefore, should be reconsidered.'
Headed in the direction of the stable, Darcy approached the corner, just in time to overhear the ladies. Before he could make himself known, Elizabeth fired back her retort.
"You mistake me entirely if you believe I would ever manipulate a man to entrap him. Neither my sister nor I, would ever consider marrying for any less than mutual respect and affection that we believed to be enduring. I have no designs on Mr. Darcy, the thought had not so much as crossed my mind, though I daresay he has no designs on you."
Darcy felt incapable of breathing, it stung more than any of her insults, though he attempted to scold his sensibilities, he hardly made progress. Did he not just determine not to give rise to her expectations, however much he may enjoy her company? She was wholly unsuitable. Yet he had earned a sincere smile from her and it was not easily won. Did she even now harbor resentment for him, or did she simply not favor him. He turned to depart before he was detected in his confusion and humiliation. It ought not to bother him after all, it was exactly as he wished, to not engage her affections. He truly enjoyed her more for not having an objective when she spoke with him, the way she never leveraged for anything, seemed to have no designs. He was hardly ignorant of it, but to hear it so clearly spoken, by one he was beginning to realize he had such affection for, he should rather submit to a knife in his heart. He found himself in torment and her indifferent.
Darcy took a different route to the sables, mounted his horse, and attempted to outride his internal struggle.