Throughout the week after the picnic, Mr. Wickham began to spend much of his free time either at Netherfield or Longbourn, always in company with Mary and at least one other Bennet. A friendship was developing between the four eldest Bennet daughters and Miss Darcy, particularly between Kitty and Miss Darcy, for which Elizabeth was glad. Kitty needed better society than Lydia alone, for Kitty was so easily influenced, and Lydia was so very wild. Lydia had no interest in the Netherfield party, excepting Colonel Fitzwilliam. She would rather spend time in town with the officers.
Mrs. Bennet seemed to think that Mr. Darcy was in love with Elizabeth and that she simply needed to encourage him more. Mrs. Bennet's machinations might have made Elizabeth laugh if they were not so vulgar, for the vast majority of the time she spent with the Netherfield party was spent with Miss Darcy and Miss Bingley. Mr. Darcy typically escaped Miss Bingley's attentions by removing himself to the library or his chambers. It was obvious to Elizabeth that Miss Bingley was very jealous of the Bennets' growing intimacy with the Darcys. Miss Bingley seemed to think herself the next mistress of Pemberley, so the fact that Mr. Darcy seemed to think Jane, Kitty, and Elizabeth more pleasant company for his sister rankled her. Miss Bingley expressed her jealousy in the form of thinly veiled insults and illusions to the Bennets' ties to trade, despite the origins of her own fortune.
Thus, when discussing the engagement ball for Mr. Wickham and Mary that was to be hosted by the Lucases, Mr. Darcy requested sets from each of the Bennets. He reserved the first set and the supper set from Elizabeth, the second from Kitty, the third from Jane, and the fourth from Lydia, and the last set from Jane. Miss Bingley was vexed, for she expected to be asked for at least one of the principal dances. Instead, she was relegated to the sixth set, which was to be a country dance at that.
"Do you not think that shows a great interest in you, Lizzy, his asking for the first set and the supper set from you?" Kitty asked when Elizabeth related these details to her as they prepared for the ball.
"I do not think so. His sister is quite shy, and she will no doubt be sitting near him at supper. I believe he wishes to ensure she is seated near a friend, especially as this is the first ball she will have ever attended, as she is not yet out."
"Still, he might have asked Jane or Mary," said Kitty.
"He, no doubt, assumed that Jane and Mary would dance the first and supper sets with Bingley and Wickham. As you and Lydia already had been asked by the Lucases, I was the only other fiend of Miss Darcy's present, besides Miss Bingley who he dares not ask for the supper set, it was only natural. We are only friends, Kitty. It is possible to enjoy a man's company without wishing to marry him."
"Mama would disagree with you."
"I am sure she would." Both sisters laughed as Mary and Jane came into the room. Elizabeth, still in her shift and petticoats, ushered her sisters to join them as she wished for them all to look their best for the ball that night. She would not hand Miss Bingley the rocks to throw at them.
Mary was hesitant as she thought that she "should not let her beauty be external'. Thankfully Jane had taken Elizabeth's part and thought of some scriptures in the Song of Solomon to soothe Mary enough to allow them to curl her hair before pulling it back in a bun, with a few ringlets hanging down about her ears and framing her face. Jane lent Mary her pearl combs that she inherited from their grandmother. They dressed Mary in one of Elizabeth's best gowns, as they were the closest to the same size, a mint green satin gown with a white lace overlay. Mary kept trying to pull up her bodice, despite assurances that she was well-covered. Jane pinched Mary's cheeks, to which she objected most fervently. She refused to allow Elizabeth to apply coal dust to her lashes and would not bite her lips to make them look redder.
The other sisters finished dressing as Mary sat looking at her altered appearance in the mirror.
"What if Mr. Wickham does not like it?" asked Mary. Elizabeth smiled at the idea of Mary, their Mary, caring for what a man thought of her appearance.
"You look beautiful, Mary," said Jane, "Why would he not like it?"
"I look…I look different."
"You do. This is not for every day, but just for your engagement ball. Should not such an event warrant dressing with more care than a regular ball at the assembly rooms?" Elizabeth asked. Mary reluctantly agreed.
When all of the Bennet sisters were ready, they went down to the foyer together. Elizabeth allowed herself a self-satisfied smirk when Wickham looked shocked at the change in Mary. As Wickham helped Mary into her cloak, he whispered something into her ear that made her blush. Elizabeth was convinced that her sister was well on her way to being in love.
"Who is that with Mr. Darcy?" Kitty asked her eldest sister.
"I do not know, Kitty," answered Jane, "Perhaps more family or friends have come to be able to attend Mary and Wickham's wedding."
"He's very handsome – and tall. He is as tall as Mr. Darcy. Do you not think he is handsome, Jane?" asked Kitty, but Jane appeared distracted by the entrance of Mr. Bingley and his sisters. Mr. Bingley beamed when he caught sight of Jane and bounded towards them. "Lord," Kitty thought, "the man is like a puppy who wants a pat on the head and a bit of meat from his master." Kitty rolled her eyes as it was obvious that Jane was no longer fit for conversation with her.
Kitty decided to try to find out who the handsome man was and if he was married or not. After a bit of searching through the crowd, she located Miss Darcy. After they greeted each other, she asked who the additional member of their party was.
"My cousin Andy- that is, Lord Barlow. He is Colonel Fitzwilliam's elder brother," explained Miss Darcy, "Would you like to be introduced?" When she agreed, Miss Darcy led her over to where Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Lord Barlow stood together. Introductions were performed, and while he was not technically impolite, Lord Barlow said little. He was more inclined to Sir William and Lady Lucas than the others, which miffed Kitty. Why should he be more polite to them, simply because they had titles? What a boorish man!
Kitty excused herself from the party, going in search of Henry Lucas, her first dance partner for the evening. She resolved to forget the handsome, yet arrogant Lord Barlow.
The musicians were beginning to warm up their instruments, but Darcy had still not been able to find Miss Elizabeth Bennet. He located Bingley, who ceased acting the mooncalf with Miss Bennet for long enough to inform Darcy that he had seen Miss Elizabeth speaking with Miss Lucas near the refreshment table. Beginning to move through the other guests towards the refreshment table, he caught sight of her moving towards him. He felt his heart leap when he saw her walking towards him and smiling, adorned in a pale-yellow crape gown that revealed much of her shoulders.
As he was realising that he was in quite a bit of danger, she continued to walk towards him, her expression changing from pleased to puzzled.
"Are you quite well, Mr. Darcy?" asked she, touching his arm lightly.
"Certainly," said Mr. Darcy, "I apologize for my distraction." She looked at him quizzically, as if wondering if she should just accept his words or make another comment. She must have decided on the former, for she remained silent as he led her to the dance. He moved mindlessly through the dance as he pondered the implications of his reaction to her. He knew she was beautiful from the first, but this was quite something else.
It was not as if he could satisfy such feelings, for she was a gentlewoman and yet she was not of his circles. He could not marry her, nor could he escape her for he had promised to attend Wickham's wedding. Bingley was also quite close to being lost to Miss Bennet, meaning that two of his best friends would be soon married to her sisters.
He did not notice his distraction until he found that Miss Elizabeth was looking at him peculiarly.
"I am sorry, once again, for my distraction. Pray, repeat yourself," he requested sheepishly.
"I simply noted that you were very silent and wondered if you might wish to share your thoughts, for troubles shared are troubles halved," she graciously replied. He certainly could not share these thoughts, so he excused his lapse with a weak explanation of a lack of sleep the previous night. She did not seem to completely accept his explanation, for she was far too clever for that, but she brought it up no longer.
"This is Georgiana's first ball," he said, trying for a neutral topic of conversation.
"She told me as much. She seemed very excited, even if she is only allowed to dance with family."
"I would be agreeable to her dancing with people such as your father, Mr. Wickham, or Sir William as well, but I am not quite ready for my little sister to be seen as a subject of admiration by young men yet," he explained.
"Then I will tell my father that he must dance with her, for a young lady such as she will wish to dance as many sets as she may. He will grumble at first, for he doesn't typically dance at such functions, but he will do it if I ask it of him."
"I thank you, Miss Elizabeth. If I may, I would also ask you to keep an eye out for her. She is rather reserved, like myself, and she does not find conversation among strangers easy. I do not wish her to either spend the night sitting alone or be constantly accosted by Miss Bingley. I would wish to stay with her, but as there is a shortage of gentlemen, I cannot. If you and your sisters would engage her in conversation when you are not dancing, I would be most grateful."
"You are a most doting brother, sir. How lucky she is to have such a brother. I will certainly do so. I remember my first ball, which was not among strangers, but my neighbours. I was terribly nervous, even though I was only to dance with the Lucas boys and the two eldest Gouldings," said she, smiling up at him with sparkling eyes. He imagined a younger Elizabeth, Miss Lydia's age, nervous and dressed in a pretty, ruffled dress. The image made him smile. He told her of his first ball, where he stepped on several women's feet and turned in the wrong direction on more than one occasion. They finished their set, and he led her to where Miss Lucas and Miss King stood, before going to find Miss Kitty for the next set
Desiring to keep her promise to Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth looked around to find Miss Darcy. It was nearly time for her dance with Mr. Bingley, but she was becoming concerned by the absence of the girl. Just when she was about to request assistance from Coronel Fitzwilliam, she learn Miss Bingley's shrill laugh and decided to follow the sound. As she assumed, poor Miss Darcy was being bombarded with praise by Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley. Spotting James Goulding and Henry Lucas talking together, she promised them each a shilling if they each asked one of the sisters to dance. They hesitated, but agreed, as both were rather spendthrift boys. Meanwhile, Elizabeth led Miss Darcy away from the crowd and into an unoccupied informal dining room. Upon settling Miss Darcy on a dining chair, Elizabeth asked,
"Are you quite alright, Miss Darcy? You seemed rather overwhelmed." She tried to convey kindness in her voice to put the girl at ease.
"I am not used to balls and parties. I will be well."
"Are you certain? I can tell your brother that you wish to return to Netherfield. I am sure he would not wish you to be uncomfortable."
"I will always be uncomfortable in crowds. If I did not attend a gathering simply due to my own discomfort, I would remain at home always."
"Is it the same in small parties with acquaintances or just large gatherings such as this?"
"If I am particularly well acquainted with the company, I can be at ease. Even then, it depends on the disposition of those in attendance. I greatly dislike being the centre of attention."
"Then I should not heap praise on you and talk of your many accomplishments. 'Tis a pity for if Miss Bingley is to be believed you are quite a paragon," Elizabeth said as she smiled slyly. Miss Darcy stifled a laugh behind her hand.
"You should not speak so." Miss Darcy whispered.
"You must know one thing about me, Miss Darcy. I am rather impertinent. It is my nature as it is your nature to be reserved." Elizabeth replied. Elizabeth and Miss Darcy conversed in the dining room for quite some time before Mr. Darcy appeared looking for his sister. Elizabeth whispered an explanation to him as she quit the room, leaving the siblings together.
Mr. Darcy missed their supper set. He apologised, but he had been able to gain Georgiana's agreement that they should quit the ball early as she was uncomfortable. Assuring him that she could always insist her Uncle Phillips dance with her, she waved them off.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Wickham asked his betrothed as they danced together.
"I am, sir. Although I am not used to dancing so much or being the centre of attention, so it feels rather strange," explained Mary. She smiled up at him shyly.
"You need not call me 'sir', my dear. George or Wickham will do very well. And are you tired from so much dancing? We may sit if you wish."
"Thank you…George," Mary replied, very uncomfortable with the compellation, "I would like to sit out the next few sets, and possibly take some refreshment if you would sit with me."
"Of course," he replied, "would you like to go now?" She nodded and he led her off the floor to a table in an out-of-the-way alcove. He fetched them some lemonade and biscuits, and then re-joined her.
"Are you well?" he asked. She looked, well, stressed.
"I am. I am simply overwhelmed, I believe."
"It is more than that, is it not?" he asked. She looked at him and sighed.
"I keep…I keep hearing whispers. About us. And the circumstances of our engagement. Two of the Lucas boys were making wagers on if a child would be born eight months after the wedding. And Miss Bingley keeps illuding to it as well, although more discreetly. I like you, and I am not unhappy to be marrying you, but I just…wish it was not like this," she said, near tears, "I have always been good. Overly so, even, if there is such a thing, and yet now it is for naught when we did nothing wrong but seek shelter from a storm." He took her hands in his and kissed them, rubbing his thumbs over her knuckles. Her hands were smooth, as a lady's hands should be, except for two spots on her thumb and forefinger where there was a small callus. From needlework, perhaps?
"You certainly have done nothing wrong. Certainly not. And they will know they are wrong in eight months when there is no child," he tried to reassure her, "I am rather glad to hear that you like me. I like you as well and I think you are very pretty, especially tonight. You look wonderful." He grinned, squeezing her hands and trying to cheer her. She gave a small laugh.
"Thank you, sir, I mean, George. My sisters would be glad to hear you say so. They fussed over me, pinched my cheeks, and were quite vexing for some time as we dressed. I probably am not meant to admit such to you and should instead pretend that no effort went into this at all," she said with a smile.
"I will not reveal that you told me."
"You think I am pretty?" she asked, "No one thinks I am pretty."
"Of course, my dear Mary. You have lovely green eyes that sparkle when you are happy and a smile that lights up your face. You are not the traditional beauty like Jane, but I have never liked that type. She is too delicate. I would be afraid to be married to her, lest she break when I touch her. You, however, have a loveliness that is not as apparent, but draws me to you," he said, "Also, I think you have hidden layers that will be revealed when you are not so much in your sisters' shadows. I wish to find them and to help you find yourself, separate from your sisters."
"That was a very pretty speech, George," she said with a smile.
"I also am very impatient to kiss you and make you my wife," he said, with a smirk.
"And there is the rake I have heard spoken of," she remarked with a blush.
"I do not think a man is a rake if the woman he is with is his wife, my dear. Therefore, a reformed rake."
"Hmmm, I suppose so."
"I must tell you, though. I used to have many vices. Cards, drink, and things I should not mention to a lady. I quit all of it when I began law school, but much of my current circumstances, such as the small home and lack of carriage, are due to the fact that I had to pay off many debts in my past. I do not drink strong drink or play cards, even for low stakes, any longer," he nervously explained.
"I understand. It is alright."
"There is something else as well. I-I have a daughter."
"A daughter?" she whispered, shocked.
"She is nearly six years old. She does not live with me, as you saw. She attends school in Kingston for most of the year, only coming for short visits. I did not know of her until she was born, and her mother died in childbirth. Her name is Esther Marie."
"A daughter," said Mary again.
"Yes, Mary," said he.
Mary was silent for long time. Wickham searched her face for any sign of emotion but found none as she puzzled through what she ought to say.
"She must come to live with us. She must be so very lonely with only schoolmistresses and very rarely seeing you. She is so young to be away for so long," Mary declared.
"You are not angry?" he asked, "You would want to have her live with us, another woman's child? An illegitimate child at that?"
"It is not as if her mother can cause problems in our marriage from the grave," she said, "As for legitimacy, she is a little girl. She does not know of such matters. She just wants to be loved; I am sure. I do not think she will mind that I am not her mother by birth."
"You are sure?" he asked.
"Of course," replied Mary, "Now, let us consider, for the second bedroom must be then converted to a room for her. If she lives with us, negating the cost of schooling, could we afford a governess?" She looked thoughtful for a moment as he sat shocked by her prompt response. "The servants' quarters would, of course, house the governess. Room and board would be part of her wages, and the food costs for one woman and one girl could not be very great. How much does her schooling cost?"
"Two pounds a month, plus a pound for her other expenses, but…" he said as she cut him off.
"That would be more than enough, I think. We likely should not tell my parents for now, for I know not what their thoughts would be. After we marry, I will speak to Mrs. Long and see how she found her governess and how much the governess's salary is. Perhaps the school will have suggestions if we were to write to them."
"Mary!" he exclaimed, stopping her from prattling on, "My dear, none of this must be decided this moment. I am glad you are welcoming to the prospect of being a mother. I have paid her tuition for this term, and I do not need to fetch her from the school until December 20th at the latest."
"Oh, but I must meet her before then. It is only twenty miles to Kingston. Surely, we can visit her, or she may come for a visit. A little more than a month is well enough after the wedding, both for us to become accustomed to each other and to set up a room for the girl. You have not yet paid tuition for the coming term then?"
"No, I have not. I would have paid it when I retrieved her for Christmas. However, if you are certain that you do not mind entering motherhood so very soon, I will not pay it and she may live with us. I would be overjoyed at her living with us and having a mother to care for her. I must admit to surprise at your eagerness," he said.
"Well, I have wondered for some time what caused you to suddenly change your ways and become a responsible man and an attorney. Mr. Darcy has said that he would hardly know you from your old ways. I will admit, I had some dreadful scenarios that came to mind, perhaps from Kitty's telling me too much of her horrid novels. A little girl is a much better reason for such a change than my imaginings."
They talked for some time, discussing their plans for the future and for Esther Marie. They agreed that they might tell Miss Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Bingley of the girl, for they would need someone in their confidence in order to discuss the plans and prepare during the remainder of their betrothal. Mary wished for him to find out her measurements, so she might begin making some items to give his daughter as welcoming presents. He listened as she described how her sisters made over bonnets, and her plans to make his daughter a rag doll from some pretty muslin leftover from one of Miss Lydia's outgrown dresses. He could not but ponder his luck at accidentally compromising this particular woman, one so welcoming and loving to a little girl that she had never met.