Darcy pulled the shade down unwilling to be the recipient of so many open-mouthed stares. "And so it begins," he said to Anne, "we'll all be on display for the duration of our visit. By tomorrow at this time I expect that Bingley will be inundated with at least two dozen invitations to dinners and balls."
"That is part of the reason he leased Netherfield, is it not?"
"The secondary reason. The primary reason is learning how to run an estate. Once he has control of Netherfield then he'll have time to interact with the natives."
Anne laughed, "honestly, Wills, you make the residents of Hertfordshire sound like savages."
"Look out the window, Anne. The natives are gawking at us like we were apes in a zoo."
"They're just curious. You will be an affable guest, will you not, Wills?"
"I suppose," Darcy responded. This was going to be worse than a season in Town. What on earth was he thinking to be a part of this party. Five eligible bachelors descending on a backwater little village? His head was beginning to ache. "What have I done," he groaned.
"Good heavens, Wills, stop being so negative. Take a page out of Mr. Bingley's book and expect to have some fun.
The following day he secreted himself in the library listening to the coaches arriving and departing throughout most of the morning. It would seem that every owner of every estate had come to welcome Bingley to the neighborhood. This meant that Bingley would be spending the next couple of days returning the visits and would have little time to attend to estate matters which was the purpose of Darcy's accompanying him in the first place. He was annoyed at the situation but mostly he was annoyed with himself. He felt like a petulant child and he had to snap out of it.
He knew he was being churlish and it had nothing to do with Hertfordshire. He was suffering from ennui and he could see no end to it. He had to pull himself together for the sake of his friendship with Bingley. Though disguise of every sort was abhorrence to him, it was time to adopt some semblance of pleasure in being a guest at Netherfield. He decided he would even try to be amicable with his hostess though his stomach lurched every time she clutched his arm on some pretense or another. The smell of her heavy perfume was so intoxicating that he was sure he was going to pass out some night and never recover his senses.
Darcy begged off accompanying his friends for a walk into Meryton. He knew the purpose of their walk was to scout out the female population. They returned in high spirits. Apparently there was an ample supply of the fairer sex in the environs. They had even been accosted by two young ladies, the Misses Lydia and Kitty Bennett who personally welcomed the four men to Hertfordshire with giggling coquetry.
When Darcy heard this account he rolled his eyes and determined that he would ignore the Bennett family. That two young ladies would be so outrageous as to introduce themselves to four male strangers on the street of a town went beyond the pale. He could not imagine what kind of family they came from. They had also mentioned the fact that on Saturday evening there would be an assembly ball in Meryton and insisted that the Netherfield guests just had to attend.
Of course Bingley acquiesced gladly to their request for he loved nothing better than a country dance.
The night of the assembly Darcy dressed slowly. He glared at the dancing slippers Thomas had laid out for him. "Thomas, can't I wear my riding boots to the assembly?"
Thomas smiled, "now sir, didn't we decide that you would behave yourself tonight?"
"Not even a pebble in my shoe?"
I placed the pebble in your vest in case it comes to that, sir, but maybe you won't need it tonight."
Darcy sighed. "So what can I expect tonight?"
"Well, there's Sir William Lucas who once was in trade in Meryton and also the Mayor. He made a lot of money and was knighted by the King and presented at St. James Court and never tires of the tale. He is determined to be civil to all. He heads a large brood, the eldest of which is about seven and twenty and bound for spinsterhood."
"Who else?" Darcy said, donning his coat.
"There's the Bennett family of Longbourn. They have five daughters which their mother is anxious to marry off. The two youngest daughters shouldn't be out as they have not a modicum of sense and can speak of nothing but uniforms."
"What kind of uniforms?" Darcy asked in confusion.
"Ah, did I not tell you that a regiment of our brave soldiers is due to arrive in Meryton next week? Apparently the two younger Bennett girls are almost hysterical with anticipation at seeing so many men in their red coats."
"Good grief!"
Thomas grinned, "yes, sir. The middle girl, by the name of Mary, is said to be the most accomplished, however, some say that she must be tone-deaf the way she inflicts such mental anguish on her audience when she assaults the pianoforte.
"Thomas! You're making all this up. You're getting as bad as Richard."
Thomas shrugged, "I'm just repeating some of the things I've heard."
"And what of the two eldest girls?"
"I've heard nothing but good of the eldest girls. They say that Miss Jane looks like an angel and acts like one too. Then there's Miss Elizabeth who everyone adores. She apparently enjoys taking long walks about the countryside and is never seen without a book."
Richard rapped on Darcy's door and stuck his head in. "The carriages await us. Let's not keep them waiting. And Darcy, do try not to appear as though you're going to a funeral.
It was quite a spectacle that presented itself to the assembly room. First came Bingley and Caroline followed by the Hursts. Then came Richard and Anne followed by Guy and Josh. Slowly Darcy emerged from the hall and stood silently behind his friends. The silence was deafening and Darcy twisted his pinkie ring in embarrassment. His initial reaction was to turn around and flee, but common courtesy towards his host precluded such an act of cowardice. He dared a quick look around the room stopping momentarily on a young woman who eyed him with serene interest.
He watched as Sir William Lucas introduced his family and made introductions and it wasn't until Anne glanced back at him with a warning look that Darcy was able to move forward and was introduced.
To his utter surprise Miss Lucas addressed him directly, "I understand, sir, that you come from Derbyshire?"
Darcy nodded, "are you familiar with the district?"
Charlotte Lucas replied with a smile, "I had the pleasure of visiting the peak district many years ago and have not forgotten the experience. I confess I was fascinated by the prehistoric stone circles and the roman remains. I must admit," she added with a gentle laugh, "that I was in heaven standing on the moors feeling the wind whip around me. I couldn't get over the sounds of the wind."
Darcy smiled. "Sometimes I imagine that the wind is alive and trying to tell me something."
"Yes. There's something almost primordial about the moors. It's rather fanciful but I came away convinced that God had stood there when he created the world and the wind was the echo of his voice."
On a whim, Darcy asked Charlotte for the next dance and they happily continued their musings.
He was surprised and delighted to have met such a charming young women. He escorted her back to his cousin Anne and the three of them continued to exchange pleasantries. During the interval between dances Darcy became aware of a strident voice on the other side of the room admonishing someone to stand up straight and with shoulders back. He turned in that direction and saw Bingley walking towards a beautiful blond woman who smiled gently at him. He took her hand and escorted her to dance floor.
Darcy's eyes darted back to an older woman who was the possessor of a voice that could cut glass. He distinctly heard her say to a dark haired young woman, "five thousand pounds. I swear, Lizzie, I shall go distracted."
The young woman raised dark eyes to his and for a scant moment held, then looked away. He turned away, masking his disgust. "Who is that woman?" he asked Miss Lucas.
"That's Mrs. Bennett of Longbourn Estate. And that's Lizzie Bennett, my best friend."
Guy came up and claimed Miss Lucas and Joshua took Anne's hand and led her out the floor. Darcy took that moment to stroll to the end of the room to stare out the window. His interlude with Charlotte had been so pleasant that he had momentarily forgotten that daughters had mothers. He turned and faced the room absently noticing that Richard had captured the hand of Lizzie Bennett whose mother was so excited by Bingley's five thousand pounds. She appeared to have a light and pleasing figure and an easy playfulness.
He focused on Bingley and recognized the look on his friend's face. He'd seen it many times before. Bingley was in love again. The lady was truly beautiful and blond as well. Her smile indicated affability and if she could carry on a conversation without giggling moronically, Bingley might be in serious danger.
Guy, though more restrained, looked like he was enjoying the company of Miss Lucas. Joshua and Anne were renewing their friendship.
His eyes darted back to Richard who was laughing hardily at something his partner had said. Was he falling in love too?
Darcy decided there must be something in the punch.
He saw Mrs. Bennett moving in what she thought was an unobtrusive manner along the length of the room heading in his direction. He was about to move away and seek safety with Anne and the Hursts when he saw Elizabeth Bennett abruptly leave the dance floor and make a bee-line towards her mother with Richard following closely behind her. Richard glanced at Darcy and winked broadly.
Darcy stood in confusion until he suddenly realized that Miss Elizabeth Bennett had stopped her mother in her tracks. Mrs. Bennett tried to push past her daughter but Elizabeth introduced Richard and Richard began one of his famous long-winded stories, no doubt this one about his war wounds.
This maneuver gave Darcy time to retreat. He supposed he had to dance with Caroline though the thought of spending a half-hour in her company gave him little pleasure. He disliked the way she danced. She had a habit of tipping her chin upward and staring down at her nose which he supposed she thought was the height of sophistication but seemed comical to him. With her height and the feathers in her turban she reminded him of an ostrich he'd seen a the London zoo.
"I have never been more annoyed with my brother," she opened, continuing to stare at her nose.
Darcy frowned, "how has he displeased you this time?"
"That he would buy an estate in Hertfordshire of all places. The nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these people! The insipidity and yet the noise. How insupportable it will be to spend many evenings in this manner--in this society. I'm sure you agree, Mr. Darcy."
"Pray tell, which country would you have preferred Charles to settle in?" he asked, knowing the answer.
"Well, of course, Derbyshire is the finest country in all of England."
Darcy glanced away with a wry smile and saw Anne staring at him with amusement. He rolled his eyes before he realized the lady standing next to her was Miss Elizabeth Bennett who was also staring at him with dark merry eyes. He missed a step which caused Miss Bingley to raise her eyes from her nose at last and flash him a look of surprise.
"Forgive me," he said. "I'm afraid my mind wandered for a moment. Of what were we talking?"
"Of the wonders of Derbyshire, " Miss Bingley replied. She was once again staring at her nose. He was hard-pressed not to laugh out loud. Mercifully the dance soon ended and he quickly moved to the window and surveyed the room.
Guy was dancing with Miss Jane Bennett and Josh was dancing with Miss Elizabeth Bennett. Mrs. Bennett was at the other end of the room holding court with some of her friends. Her face was flushed and he suspected that she'd had one dip too many from the punch bowl. Hurst was half asleep sitting next to the drinks table.
Darcy approached Louisa and asked for the next dance. "So how are you enjoying your first assembly ball in Hertfordshire?" he asked.
"Very pleasant. I must say I'm enjoying myself. And more to the point, Charles seems to be having the time of his life."
"What's the name of the girl he can't keep his eyes off?"
Louisa smiled, "her name is Jane. And in answer to your next question, she's a gentle girl and very sweet."
"Will your sister approve of her?"
"I doubt it. She has no dowry and her mother shows a distinct lack of refinement. Her youngest daughter, Lydia, is almost coarse, and Kitty is not much better. The middle sister, Mary, likes to moralize and can recite Fordyce's Sermons by heart."
"And what of Miss Elizabeth Bennett?"
Louisa considered her answer. "Miss Elizabeth Bennett sized up Caroline in seconds and instead of taking umbrage, she seemed almost amused."
"How so?"
"Oh, you know Caroline. She immediately began by trying to impress Miss Elizabeth by droning on about London and the fine shops she frequented. She dropped several names, mentioned the balls she attended last season and how she should be into Town right now for the end of the season."
"How did Miss Bennett react?"
Louisa grinned, "with politeness as she stifled a yawn, but as soon as Caroline took a breath Miss Elizabeth made her excuses and sought out her friend Miss Lucas. They enjoyed a laugh together and there's no question in my mind that my sister was the subject of their amusement."
"What was your sister's reaction?"
"Caroline has taken a decided dislike to Miss Elizabeth and thinks she is singularly stupid and too countrified to bother with."
When the dance was over he claimed Anne for a dance. "Darcy," she said, "I've never seen you so affable in the company of strangers. What's come over you?"
"I've no idea," he answered honestly.
"Well, it suits you. Several ladies have asked about you."
"Which ladies?"
Anne mentioned four or five ladies whose names he didn't recognize, then lapsed into silence.
"Louisa says that Caroline does not like Miss Elizabeth Bennett."
"Does she?"
"Richard seems to have taken a shine to her."
"Has he?"
"Have you spoken to her?"
"Caroline?"
"No! Miss Bennett."
"You saw us standing together when you danced with Caroline Bingley."
"So what do you think?"
"About what?"
"Good grief, Anne. Talking to you is like wading through quicksand. I want to know if you think Miss Bennett is stupid?"
Anne smiled wickedly, "Surely, cousin, if Caroline Bingley thinks Miss Bennett stupid, you have your answer. Alright, I'll take pity on you. I found Miss Bennett a very intelligent and witty young lady and I'm sure we will be good friends. What else do you want to know about the lady?"
Darcy felt his face redden, "nothing more, I assure you. I was simply making conversation."
"I never," she replied, "thought for a moment that your questions tended towards anything else, cousin." She threw him a smile that belied her words and he made a face at her which seemed to amuse her further.
The evening came to an end shortly thereafter and Darcy was glad of it. He'd danced four times in one evening and nobody, he was sure, could accuse him of being above himself. He was anxious to remove to Bingley's library and settle down with a large brandy.