AU Pride an Prejudice

For Clarissa's Sake

Fan Fiction

previously

"Buts sometimes we just have to put aside our own feelings and do what is right for others. Some of us simply do not get your luxury."

"Very well then, I hope you will not regret it and I will support you in your decision."

Defending Mr. Bennet

Ch. 7

Clarissa sat in front of the mirror while her lady's maid styled her hair. The room was spacious and elegant, with cream-colored walls and dark wood furniture. A large window overlooked the gardens of Pemberley, where she had come to stay earlier with Elizabeth, who wanted to get to know her better.

Clarissa's gown was laid out on a table near the window. It was a delicate creation of white muslin and lace, trimmed with blue ribbons. A matching pair of gloves, a fan, and a pearl necklace completed her outfit. Clarissa had been learning how to do her own hair, and she was getting quite good at simple braids. But tonight there was a dance at Pemberley, and it would be the first one she would attend with Mr. Bennet. She did not want to embarrass him, so she let the maid do her hair instead of taking turns with her, as she had done for the past week.

"You look pretty, my lady. I am sure Mr. Bennet will be pleased to have you as his partner at the dance tonight." Mrs. Smith smiled from where she sat in a white chair, watching her daughter work on Clarissa's hair. She actually felt sorry for Clarissa, but she kept her opinion to herself. She glanced at the mirror and smiled approvingly at Clarissa's reflection. Her daughter had arranged Clarissa's hair in an elegant style, with a plaited band across her forehead and curls gathered at the back of her head, adorned with a few white roses.

"Thank-you." Clarissa replied, trying to calm her nerves. She looked at herself in the mirror and wondered what Mr. Bennet would think of her. She had grown quite fond of him over the past week as he had treated her with respect and could converse with her intelligently, even following her when she changed subjects. Soon enough, Mr. Bennet came to escort her downstairs.

The dance hall at Pemberley was a magnificent sight, Clarissa thought. It was large, airy, with a vaulted ceiling and more than one sparkling chandelier. The walls were hung with rich tapestries, paintings and portraits of the Darcy ancestors, and scenes of Pemberley. The room was lit up by dozens of candles in silver candelabras, casting shadows on the polished floors. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's guests were dressed in their finest clothes and the atmosphere was festive and cheerful, except for Lady Catherine's.

Lady Catherine had been polite enough until she saw Mr. Bennet enter with Clarissa on his arm. Her face turned red as if he had committed a heinous crime. She marched over to the couple to give him a piece of her mind.

"Mr. Bennet, you are a disgrace to your family, profession, and class. How dare you associate with this young lady, who is far above you in rank and fortune? You are only trying to take advantage of her innocence and generosity. You are a schemer and a hypocrite, interested only in your own selfish pleasure. You are nothing but an old fool!" Lady Catherine might as well have shouted for as loud as her voice was it carried across the whole room, and everyone could hear her.

Mr. Bennet was about to reply, but Clarissa spoke before he could even open up his mouth finding herself quite protective of the gentleman who soon would share his name with her, and thus giving her security against men as horrible as her cousin. "Lady Catherine..." Her voice was calm and firm. And though it did not carry far it was still loud enough for those around her - including Bennet's own children - to hear her. "You are very much mistaken. Mr. Bennet is a man of wisdom, grace, strength, and virtue. Mrs. Darcy's father has a clear sense of duty and decorum, which you apparently lack. He is not pursuing me for his own selfish pleasure, as you accuse him of. He is well aware of the consequences of his actions, and he now chooses them with great care. He is a gentleman and a friend. If you had any manners, you would not try to humiliate him in public."

Lady Catherine was speechless for a moment. She could not believe that a baron's daughter would stoop so low as to marry a lowly gentleman like Mr. Bennet. She thought that Miss Grey would have more pride and ambition than that. She felt her own pride wounded and her authority challenged by the young lady's bold words. She regained her composure and replied in a haughty tone, puffing out her chest.

"Miss Grey, you are very presumptuous to speak to me like that. You are forgetting your place and your station in life. I am only thinking of your best interest. You deserve someone of higher rank than Mr. Bennet, who is far below you in every respect. You are throwing away your fortune and your future for a man who does not deserve you. You are making a grave mistake, Miss Grey, and I will not stand by and watch you ruin your life and reputation. I demand that you end this engagement at once, or I will expose your folly to your parents and to the world."

"I wish you joy, you old hag, we have my father's consent. And if his health were not so poor, he would surely dance with joy and delight."

Mr. Bennet could barely contain his laughter; Elizabeth and others had the same problem. They quickly pretended to be busy with eating or dancing. Thomas swiftly took Clarissa to the dance floor, pleased with her defense of him against Lady Catherine's charges.

While they were dancing, he smiled and thanked Clarissa, saying, "My dear, you have done me a great honor. You have shown more wit and spirit than many of your sex, and I admire you for it."