Mr. Darcy had a megrim. He had spent all of yesterday in a carriage with his sister, his sister's companion, his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Bingley and Miss Bingley. He did not know why Miss Bingley had insisted on accompanying Mr. Bingley to town. She might have stayed at Netherfield with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. Bingley had only been in London for three days anyhow.
"And the most prominent landowner, a Mr. Bennet, did not even deign to call on us? Can you believe that? He sent his son instead. It is like he thinks himself above us, even though his daughters only have seven thousand pounds each and the elders never attended a seminary. They were educated by masters at home. Can you believe that?" said Miss Bingley, who was again sitting with him in the coach on the way to the local assembly hall.
"They are above you, if you wish to treat people according to rank. They are gentry, and have been landed for several generations at least, whereas your family is simply leasing Netherfield. Their house may be smaller than Netherfield, as you said yesterday, but their lands are vaster. That very likely means they have a good income," said Mr. Darcy.
"But only seven thousand each?" said Miss Bingley, "they can hardly expect to marry well with such a pittance."
"I grant you that they most likely will not marry a title or a man of the first circles, but seven thousand is respectable. Three hundred and fifty pounds a year - perhaps more if it is invested well- is enough that a lady might live simply in her own establishment if she does not wish to marry. Mr. Bennet has seen to his daughters' needs well enough."
"Three hundred and fifty pounds! Mr. Darcy! Surely you would not expect your sister to live on such a small sum," cried Miss Bingley.
"Miss Darcy has thirty thousand as you know. However, should the situation of my birth have been different, I would not mind overly much. It is enough that they will never worry for their needs. As for Mr. Bennet sending his son, I assure you that it is quite regular for the heir to call if the father is away, ailing, or occupied. It is perhaps not the same as being introduced to the head of the household, but any son might call in his father's stead," said Mr. Darcy.
"That is what I told you, Caroline," said Mr. Bingley, "Oh and Darcy, it seems two of the Misses Bennet met Miss Darcy this summer. Mr. James Bennet said he and two eldest sisters resided at their cottage which was just across from where Miss Darcy resided."
"I am certain that Mr. James Bennet is claiming an acquaintance where there is none. Such a thing to presume. A gentleman should never claim an acquaintance before the lady does," said Miss Bingley.
"Mr. James Bennet did not claim the acquaintance. He said his sisters, Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Miss Mary Bennet, were acquainted with Miss Darcy, although I presume he was also introduced to Miss Darcy," said Bingley.
Darcy's eyes widened, for he now remembered why the name Bennet had sounded so familiar. It was the names of the sisters that connected the pieces for him. Bennet was the name of the man who wrote to him of Georgiana and Mr. Wickham. The gentleman who had saved Georgiana from certain ruin. Darcy had been in such a hurry to be gone that he had not asked for an introduction or found out the direction where he could send his thanks. He felt wretched when he thought about what happened between his sister and Mr. Wickham. Darcy had arrived a week before he had originally intended to visit, only to find his sister alone in the sitting room of the house with Mr. Wickham. It did not appear that anything too untoward had occurred, and his sister had assured him that nothing had happened. Through the next few weeks Darcy was able to find out that Mr. Wickham had been trying to convince Georgiana to elope with him. She had not agreed, for she did not believe she should like to marry without Darcy present, but she did believe herself in love with Wickham. Her heart was broken when Wickham abandoned her after learning that he would never gain access to her dowry by elopement, for Darcy or Colonel Fitzwilliam had to agree to the match for the dowry to be released.
"I believe, madam, that my sister is acquainted with the Misses Bennet. She spoke often of them," said Darcy.
Miss Bingley soon changed the topic to the lack of fashion among those they had met. She remained on the subject until they arrived at the assembly, rather later than was proper due to Miss Bingley's insistence that it was fashionable to arrive late. There were no carriages waiting to have their passengers alight, an unusual sight at an assembly hall. However, he could hear the music and noise from the people within.
When they entered, all eyes turned towards them. Sir William, an amiable but perhaps overly friendly gentleman, immediately sought them out and began to introduce them to the local gentry. Bingley immediately asked Sir William's eldest daughter to dance.
Darcy asked Mrs. Hurst to dance, for he did not like dancing with those whom he was not acquainted with. Later, he danced once with Miss Bingley, begrudgingly though he felt, for it was his duty to his hosts. Meanwhile, Bingley became acquainted with nearly everyone in the room, danced every dance, and made himself agreeable to all. Darcy was exceedingly uncomfortable throughout the evening, for he could hear whispers about his income and that of his friend, speculations on if either of them were betrothed, and exclamations by each of the mothers when Bingley favoured a young lady with a dance.
"Darcy!" exclaimed Bingley, "Come, I must introduce you to Mr. James Bennet. He was the gentleman whose sisters became acquainted with Miss Darcy."
"Very well," said Darcy, curious about the man who had saved Georgiana from certain ruin. Mr. James Bennet was a young man of perhaps four or five and twenty. He was of middling height with blond hair and blue eyes. He was much like Bingley in manner and address, cheerful by default unless something was particularly troubling. They spoke of very little but the niceties until Bingley went to seek out his next dance partner, who happened to be Mr. Bennet's sister, Miss Bennet.
"Would you mind, sir, going outside on the balcony with me for a moment?" asked Mr. Darcy.
"It is rather warm," said Mr. James Bennet, "I would be agreeable to that."
They went out to the balcony and Darcy leaned against the railing, considering the other man.
"I must ask you first, to ensure you are the gentleman to whom I should direct my thanks, if you spent time in Ramsgate this summer?" said Mr. Darcy.
"I did. I assume you speak of the letter that I sent you, sir. I apologize again for writing without an introduction, but I felt the circumstances were such that it was warranted," said Mr. Bennet.
"Indeed, they were. I was in such haste to have my sister away that I did not have time to get your direction and I burned your letter, only thinking of the harm that would come if someone read it. I meant to thank you and I am most pleased that happenstance brings me into your company now. I feel I owe you a great debt, sir. You have my eternal gratitude."
"It is only what I would wish done for my own sisters. I have four, two of which are not out and are of an age with your sister. I would hope someone would do the same if I were put in such a situation."
"I hope you never are, sir. Pray, do not take offense, but I must ask for your word as a gentleman that you will speak of this with no one else," said Darcy. He thought for a moment about offering the man a sum of money for his silence, but he did not wish to offend.
"You have it," said Mr. James Bennet firmly, "Although I must inform you that I did have to write to my aunt for your direction, as she grew up in Lampton and I recalled her mentioning a Lady Anne Darcy. She knows none of the particulars. I made it sound as if your sister was simply not being treated well by her companion, which is not a falsehood for she was not protected as she should have been. I thought I should inform you."
"Thank you for your discretion, sir. Again, if you have need of anything, please let me know," said Darcy. Mr. James Bennet only nodded, and they re-entered the assembly room.
"I was looking for you, James!" cried Miss Bennet, "Whatever were you doing in the cold?"
"I was having a conversation without having to yell over the noise of the crowd," replied her brother.
"It is quite rowdy tonight." asked the young lady.
James realised then that he was not certain if introductions had been made between the pair. Upon finding that they had not, he did so. "Lizzy, this is Mr. Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire. He has only yesterday joined the party at Netherfield. Mr. Darcy, my sister, Miss Bennet of Longbourn. Although usually people call her Miss Elizabeth or Miss Lizzy, for I have so many sisters that if you call out Miss Bennet, they all turn around."
"I am pleased to meet you, Miss Elizabeth," said Darcy with a bow.
"And I, you," she replied with a low curtsey. "Are you related to Miss Georgiana Darcy?"
"I am. She is my sister. She is at Netherfield with her companion tonight," said Mr. Darcy. He saw her stiffen at the mention of the companion, and hastened to add, "Her companion is a widow named Mrs. Annesley. Mrs. Younge, who I believe you met in Ramsgate, left my employ to seek other opportunities several months ago."
"I understand, sir" said Miss Elizabeth, "and Miss Darcy, she is well? I did not get a chance to bid her farewell this summer."
"She is, Miss Elizabeth. I thank you. She was injured by her… companion's leaving, but she has since seen it was for the best."
"I am glad to hear she is recovering. I do hope to renew my acquaintance if you will permit it, sir," said Miss Elizabeth, "I did so enjoy her company."
"I will inform her of your desire to become reacquainted, and I am certain she will wish to call, Miss Elizabeth," said Mr. Darcy.
The set ended then and they were joined by Mr. Bingley and Miss Lucas. The two Bennets were introduced to Mr. Bingley. Miss Elizabeth inquired after her sister, and Miss Lucas informed her that she was in the powder room fixing a hem that had ripped when her dance partner stepped on it. They spoke amiably for a few minutes until the next set began.
"Miss Elizabeth, would you care to dance the next with me?" asked Mr. Darcy.
"Certainly, Mr. Darcy," said Miss Elizabeth. James then asked Charlotte for the next, but she already had promised her next to Mr. Goulding. He therefore claimed her next open set and Mr. Bingley claimed Elizabeth's next open set.
Mr. Bingley found a partner -a Miss Long- and the three pairs lined up at the bottom of the set. The dance was rather too lively for much conversation, which was much to Darcy's relief. He hated dancing primarily because it required so much conversation between the two people with no one else able to contribute. He was not good enough at conversing to be able to show himself to advantage in such a situation. As it was, they talked of the size of the room compared to the assembly halls in Derbyshire and London, the number of couples, and the places they had travelled.
"I confess to being ignorant of Derbyshire, sir, beyond what my aunt has told me. If you ask her, Derbyshire is only slightly less pleasant than heaven," said Miss Bennet with a laugh. Her face was such that while she was only moderately pretty on first look, but she sparkled when she laughed. Her eyes in particular, which were a very dark green that looked nearly black, were very fine and lit up with flecks of gold when she laughed.
"I would agree with her, for I am exceedingly fond of my home," said Mr. Darcy.
"Then why are you so often away from it?" she asked impertinently. He could tell she meant no offense, but the question surprised him.
"Many reasons, but mostly that I have several satellite estates I must care for. I am the only son of an only son, so I inherited much," said Mr. Darcy. Realizing he may sound proud, he added, "I do not say so to boast, but only to say it is a great deal of work to see to the happiness of tenants and workers when some are in Scotland, others in Devonshire, and still more in Kent and of course, Derbyshire. I have tried to entice my cousin, who is a second son, to take one of the estates, but he much prefers his life in the regulars. "
"I noticed the man in uniform who walked in with you, but I had not the chance to be introduced. Miss Darcy mentioned a cousin in the army. She is exceedingly fond of both you and he," said Miss Bennet.
"Indeed, as we are of her. We are both her guardians, as she may have told you," said Mr. Darcy.
"She did, sir," said Miss Elizabeth. She made to say more, but the set ended.
"You actually danced Darcy?" came his cousin's voice from nearby.
"I did, Colonel Fitzwilliam. May I introduce Miss Bennet to your acquaintance? She is known to Georgiana."
"Indeed? Well, it is nice to meet you Miss Bennet," said the Colonel with a bow and a grin.
"As it is to meet you, Colonel Fitzwilliam," said Miss Elizabeth.
Darcy decided that the people were pleasant enough in Hertfordshire and relaxed a little and danced three more sets that evening. He did remain firm to his rule of only ever dancing once with a lady, lest he raise expectations that he had no intent to fulfil. Mr. Bingley and his cousin had no such compunction. Each danced twice with Miss Elizabeth, much to Mr. Darcy's displeasure. Bingley flitted from one 'angel' to another, often leaving broken hearts behind him. Mr. Darcy would not thank Bingley for hurting the sister of the man who had saved Darcy's sister. Richard was different. He may flirt with a lady, but he never left them expecting a proposal. He was very clear to all that he was a younger son who needed to marry wealth. Seven thousand pounds was certainly not enough for the son of an earl.
The Misses Teann's Seminary for Young Gentlewomen, Brighton
Seventh October
Dearest James,
I would so adore for you to have a harp brought to Longbourn. My lyre is small enough that I might bring it with me, as Papa sent the funds so I might have one of my own. I am glad to hear that such congenial company has come into the area. Tell me, are Mr. Bingley and his friend handsome? Lydie wishes to know if either is an officer. Mama will no doubt wish to push you in Miss Darcy's direction, or perhaps some one or other of their relations. I would hope that you do not let her make you unhappy.
Miss Teann has put Lydie and I in different apartments, as she says we cannot attend to our studies well enough when we are together. I think she meant that Lydia does not attend to her studies, and therefore is bothersome to me when I attempted to do my studies. I do so like school. I am not vexed as I was before. Many of our friends from last year have left school to be out, which still makes Lydia cross. I have told her that she cannot change your mind by being rude to all the other girls, but she does not wish to make friends.
My new roommate is named Miss Martha Dor. Lydia is with Miss Gertrude Hautain. Miss Martha Dor is an orphan who has been sent away to school by her cousin, Mr. Dor. He is a most uncaring fellow. I feel so very sorry for her. Her father's estate was entailed, you see. She has no brother, so the cousin took possession when her father died a few months ago. She cannot even return home over the holidays. Her sister, Miss Hannah Dor, is now working as a governess in Derbyshire somewhere, so there is no one to go to. I wondered if perhaps we might invite her to Longbourn, as I do not like to think of such a kind friend having to remain at school all alone. I know nearly nothing if Miss Hautain, as Lydia tells me nothing of them except that Miss Hautain is engaged to some gentleman from Dover.
By the bye, Lydia is supposed to study the pianoforte, but she does not do so very dutifully. I still dislike Italian and French, as does Lydia. I constantly confuse words between the languages for they seem so similar to my ear.
I hope all in the family are in good health, as well as our friends and neighbours. You'll find letters for my sisters enclosed, as well as one for Mama and Papa. I miss you all dreadfully.
Yours, etc.
Kitty
