Chapter 27 - The Stage of Hertfordshire
Lydia rolled her eyes as she caught snippets of Jane and Lizzy's hushed conversation about Papa as they were leaving Longbourn. Why must they always be so dreary? He was only ill, not dead. Papa wouldn't want them moping about when there was fun to be had.
Lydia swept into Lucas Lodge, her eyes immediately scanning the room for red coats. The mingled scents of various perfumes and colognes hit her as she entered the crowded space. Balls were infinitely more exciting, but even a dull party like this might offer some amusement if the officers were present. And if only she could convince Mary to play something worth dancing to! Even a simple party was better than another dreary evening at home.
Lydia barely waited for their arrival to be announce before pushing past her sisters into the drawing room. Her heart quickened at the sight of several red coats gathered near the fireplace. Now this was more like it! She smoothed her dress, hoping Mr Wickham would be among the officers tonight. She caught sight of Denny and Wickham standing with some of the other officers and grinned. Perhaps this evening wouldn't be so dull after all.
"Oh, look! There's Denny and Wickham." Lydia pulled Kitty. "Come on, Kitty, let's go say hello!"
"But Mama said we should greet Lady Lucas first…" Kitty resisted slightly.
"Don't be such a bore." Lydia was determined. "The officers won't stay all night!"
Lydia rolled her eyes as she caught snippets of her mother's conversation with Lady Lucas. She absently fingered her gloves, the new material scratching slightly against her skin. Their voices carried across the room despite their attempts at discretion, mixing with the general hum of the party.
"Oh, Lady Lucas, you must be so proud of Charlotte," Mrs Bennet gushed. "And the Captain is to call on Sir William tomorrow! And to think, my Lizzy will be married so soon, and Jane not long after!"
Lady Lucas preened. "Indeed, Mrs Bennet. Charlotte has done very well for herself. And your girls too, of course."
Lydia tuned out the rest of their chatter about flower arrangements, new linens and what to serve at the wedding breakfast. Lord, was this all that married life amounted to? Endless discussions about lace and linens? She'd rather die an old maid than spend her days fussing over such trifles.
Lydia's gaze landed on Mr Wickham standing with some of the other officers. The candlelight flattering his handsome features. A flutter stirred in her stomach as he glanced her way, his brass buttons glinting as he turned. Now there was a man who knew how to have fun. She imagined running off with him, causing a scandal that would set all of Meryton's tongues wagging. It would be far more exciting than these tedious wedding preparations.
As Lady Lucas droned on about the proper way to fold sheets, Lydia found herself acutely aware of the slight constriction of her stays as she took a deep, exasperated breath. She longed for the cool air near the windows, away from the stifling talk of trousseau and wedding preparations.
"Lydia, dear," her mother's voice cut through her daydream. "Come here and listen to Lady Lucas's advice about trousseau packing. You'll need to know this soon enough!"
"If I ever get married, I'm just going to run off and do it! No fuss, no bother!" Lydia declared before running off to join Denny and Wickham Kitty following behind her.
As Denny finished his story, Lydia laughed louder than necessary, tossing her hair. 'Oh, Mr Denny, how thrilling! Do tell us another!' She preened as several heads turned her way.
Mr Wickham smiled down at her "Miss Lydia, you look lovely this evening."
"Why, thank you, Mr Wickham!" Lydia delighted grinned in pleasure. "I do hope you'll save a dance for me."
"It would be my pleasure." Mr Wickham replied.
The drawing room at Lucas Lodge buzzed with activity, warm candlelight casting a gentle glow over the assembled guests. Charlotte Lucas, moved gracefully among the attendees, her demeanour subtly changed - there was a new confidence in her step, a quiet joy in her smile that spoke of recent good fortune.
Lady Lucas and Sir William could hardly contain their delight, their eyes following their eldest daughter with barely concealed excitement. The news of Charlotte's imitate engagement, though the gentleman was absent tonight, seemed to infuse the entire gathering with an extra layer of warmth.
Lydia watched as Lizzy, Jane, and Charlotte huddled together, speaking in low voices, she absently fingered her gloves, the new material scratching slightly against her skin. Whatever they were talking about looked serious, but Lydia quickly lost interest. The buzz of gossip from a group of matrons in the corner caught her attention, and she strained to hear what they were saying over the rhythmic tapping of dance shoes on the wooden floor.
Mrs Long was speaking to Mrs Goulding, "Did you hear about Charlotte Lucas?"
Mrs Goulding smiled fondly "Engaged to a sea captain, I heard. Lady Lucas must be beside herself with joy."
Lydia interjected "A sea captain? How thrilling! Though I'd much prefer an officer in a red coat myself."
If only there were more officers here tonight. The red coats added such a dash of colour to these gatherings, and the men wearing them were so much more diverting than the local boys. Lydia sighed, imagining herself twirling in Lieutenant Sanderson's arms.
Sir William stood near the entrance, greeting newcomers with even more enthusiasm than usual, while Lady Lucas flitted between groups, her face alight with pride as she subtly alluded to her daughter's happy news. The joy of their daughter's romantic prospects was palpable.
Maria Lucas, in a rare display of initiative that momentarily piqued Lydia's interest, approached her with a conspiratorial air. The younger Lucas girl, her eyes darting between Lydia and the pianoforte. "Lydia, do you think you could convince Mary to play something we can actually dance to?"
Lydia, ever eager for a chance to dance, found herself intrigued by the prospect of livening up the otherwise tedious evening. "Leave it to me. Mary! For heaven's sake, play that new jig you've been practising. We're all dying to dance!"
The familiar notes of a country dance mingled with the steady murmur of conversation, punctuated by occasional laughter. Despite the generally cheerful atmosphere, an undercurrent of tension seemed to linger in the air, perhaps due to recent events that had touched the lives of many present. Lydia soon found herself dancing with Charter.
In one corner, partially obscured by a large potted plant, Elizabeth Bennet stood in quiet conversation with Miss Darcy. The younger girl's shy demeanour contrasted sharply with Elizabeth's usual vivacity, though tonight, Elizabeth's smile seemed somewhat subdued. Across the room, Jane Bennet, as lovely as ever, was engaged in what appeared to be a rather intense discussion with Doctor Russell, her brow furrowed slightly in concentration.
Mrs Bennet fluttered from group to group, her high-pitched voice carrying across the room as she greeted acquaintances and kept a watchful eye on her daughters. Her gaze often darted to Charlotte, a mix of envy and calculation in her eyes.
A cluster of red-coated officers added a splash of colour to the assembly, their presence causing a ripple of excitement among the younger ladies. Among them, Mr Wickham's handsome features stood out, his charming smile flashing as he regaled his companions with some amusing tale.
As the evening progressed, it became increasingly clear that beneath the veneer of polite society, each guest was experiencing the party in their own unique way. Private thoughts and hidden agendas swirled beneath the surface, as complex and varied as the individuals themselves.
Lydia cast a bored glance about the main drawing room at Lucas Lodge. Although she was still fairly new to this kind of party, they already seemed unfathomably dull. There was something very tedious about a group of people standing around someone's drawing room, drinking wine and talking. Conversation bored her most of the time. Of course it was much better than having to sit still and listen to Mary play. Now that was pure torment.
Lydia watched as Mr Wickham approached Lizzy. How vexing! He always paid Lizzy such attention, when Lydia was clearly much more fun. Oddly, Lizzy seemed eager to escape him tonight. Perhaps she'd finally realized how dreadfully serious she could be.
Lizzy seemed lost in thought again. Lydia giggled to herself. Probably thinking about her boring Mr Collins and all those sermons she'd have to listen to. Still, she felt out of place in conversations. Her oldest sisters were always talking about such serious things, the war with France, the ill health of the King, the policies and politics of the Prince Regent, among other things. At least she knew what they were saying when they discussed such topics, but it was when Mary spoke about music or religion that her mind would wander. Lizzy was the worst, she would speak of poetry or philosophy and then everyone would laugh at a joke that she had told. Lydia would be standing in a circle of people laughing at her sister's sense of humour, while she was hardly aware that a joke had been told or why it was funny.
She had tried for years to behave as Lizzy did, but whenever she told a joke everyone around her would smile sympathetically at her, and then change the subject. Kitty would laugh at it. Mary would pull a face and start telling her something long and boring. Jane would take pity on her and suggest that she maybe tell the children. Lizzy would say something really humorous and everyone would really start laughing. Their father had exclaimed a few times at Lydia's wit and how wonderful a gift it was, she had thought he was proud of her until about a year ago when she had realised that he was making fun of her.
No, humour was Lizzy's talent, not Lydia's. When she came out a few months ago she had been over the moon, finally she could join in the dances like her sisters, dancing was something she could do well. Well, as well as Lizzy, and Lydia was very pleased to see within the first few dances she went to she was just as popular as Lizzy and Jane were, and for the last few dances perhaps even more so.
She had listened for years as Lizzy and Jane would talk about the balls and dances they had been to, determined to learn as much as she could. Elizabeth had once lost her lace and Jane had afterwards commented how popular a partner she had been that evening. Lydia took care therefore to often misplace hers.
It wasn't fair. Even when Lizzy was acting all strange and quiet, people still seemed more interested in talking to her than to Lydia.
Lydia's eyes narrowed as she watched Wickham approach Lizzy. How unfair! He always paid attention to Lizzy, even though Lydia was much more fun. How strange. Lizzy usually enjoyed talking to Wickham, but tonight she looked like she wanted to run away. Lydia wondered what gossip she was missing.
Tonight, however, was not a ball. No, it was an evening party at the Lucas', which meant lots of standing around and listening to polite conversation, and listening to Mary play in the other room. Wickham left Lizzy, Jane and Charlotte and joined the officers near Lydia and soon had them laughing at a story.
Jane kept looking at Lizzy with a worried expression. Lydia rolled her eyes. Jane was always fussing over something.
Lydia was standing off to the side, Wickham was telling a very lively story of something that had happened to a friend of his in London, the punch line of which seemed to be that drinking too much wine while playing cards was not a wise idea.
She was bored, not even sixteen, and she was bored. Denny was smiling at her, he seemed to be having similar thoughts. Kitty was listening with bated breath for Wickham to conclude his tale.
"He put the ace on the table, kept waving his cards around so it was as plain as day what his hand was. Cost him fifty pounds. Fifty pounds, all because he couldn't hold his liquor and he dropped the ace on the floor."
Kitty giggled. Mary played on, "Mozart" or some such thing.
She glanced around, Jane was not speaking with Mr Bingley but another gentleman, Lydia had never seen him before, but he seemed very interested in what Jane had to say. A few minutes later she'd learnt from Sir William that he was Doctor Russell and had come to stay at Netherfield Park.
After finishing a dance with Mr Wickham and having a glass of wine she noticed that Jane was still talking to Doctor Russell.
"Look at Jane, talking to that doctor all evening." She told Kitty. "How dreadfully dull!"
"Perhaps they're discussing something important?" Kitty laughed.
"At a party?" Lydia could not imagine anything so dull. "Oh, please. Jane can be so boring sometimes."
Lizzy was off in a corner talking to a young lady, who she did not recognize either. Why was Lizzy hiding in the corner? Lydia couldn't understand it. Normally, her sister was in the thick of things, laughing and talking with everyone.
Lydia could bear it no more, she stalked off to find Mary and convince her that she wanted to play something to which Lydia could dance. "Lord, why must Mary play such dull songs?"
As Mary droned on with another dirge-like piece, Lydia resolved to liven things up.
"Mary!" she called, marching towards the pianoforte. "Mary, for heaven's sake, play that new jig you've been practising. We're all dying to dance!"
"Lydia, this is hardly the time or place for—" Mary replied shortly.
"Oh, don't be such a spoilsport. Even Mama would agree we need some livelier music!" Lydia said before returning to the officers.
ooOoo
"Miss Bennet you said you had lately been in London?" Doctor Russell enquired of Jane.
"Yes, my sister Elizabeth and I were staying with our aunt and uncle for a few weeks."
"With the Gardiners, if I remember the name Darcy mentioned?"
"Yes, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, in Gracechurch Street. My uncle and aunt."
"I think I know the very street, I had a friend who had lodgings there a year or two ago. I remember it being a very pleasant street, not fashionable perhaps but something pleasing and comfortable about it."
Jane smiled, she was enjoying her conversation with Doctor Russell. He was a very charming gentleman, who had seen much of the world, both the wealthy and the poor and he spoke very knowledgeably. Charlotte also seemed to be enjoying his company, although Jane noticed he was being particularly attentive to her.
Mr Bingley good humouredly chimed in in every now and then, but the chief of the conversation was carried on between Jane and Doctor Russell.
ooOoo
From Wickham's position among the officers, the evening was proving pleasant enough, even if most of it was spent in the company of the youngest Miss Bennets. He would much rather be in the company of their elder sister, Elizabeth, but she was not as available as he would have liked. It was not just her engagement to Mr Collins - there were ways around things like that. He had often found that a pretty girl who is engaged to be married to a fool was great fun.
The closer such women get to the wedding the more they do not want to spend their entire lives knowing only the touch of a man such as Mr Collins. He had seduced a few girls like that.
But Elizabeth did not seem to be thinking along those lines just yet, though he had hinted more than once and she had not even blushed. He was more than a little surprised by this reaction, for it was not one he had encountered before.
Still, in Elizabeth's absence, her youngest sister was a tolerable substitute. Lydia was the most like her in appearance, with their similar dark hair, slightly green eyes, and their lively spirits. The comparison stopped there, Elizabeth's eyes changed shades with her mood, and had an intelligent expression, revealing a mind that was sharp witted and extremely engaging. Her younger sister thought and spoke of very little of any interest. He was halfway through telling a story when he noticed something, a laugh. He could not place it, but there was something familiar about it. Something that did not belong in Hertfordshire. He looked around, but could see no one out of the ordinary.
Lydia had at that moment triumphed in her quest for a dance, for Denny and Wickham were only too pleased to agree. As they moved to their places, Wickham heard the laugh again. But this time he thought he could tell which side of the room it came from. There was another laugh as well, and now that one he knew. Elizabeth Bennet's laugh he could always identify.
ooOoo
"I believe he is really the best of men," Elizabeth said softly, the words escaping before she could stop them. She felt her cheeks warm at this unguarded admission, and forced her thoughts away from Mr Darcy.
Miss Darcy, seeming to sense her friend's discomfort, gracefully changed the subject. "You have two other sisters I have yet to meet?"
Elizabeth laughed, "Three. You can hear Mary is playing, and Catherine, who we call Kitty, and Lydia are over there." She indicated her youngest sisters, who were standing near Mr Wickham.
Elizabeth watched carefully as Miss Darcy's eyes moved to where her sisters stood. Though the younger girl's voice remained steady, Elizabeth noticed how she deliberately avoided looking at the gentleman standing near them. "They seem very comfortable talking in front of so many people. I wish I could do it as well."
"They have each other, and three older sisters. I am sure you will gain confidence with time."
Despite her earlier apprehension about the evening - the encounter with Mr Wickham, the worrying attention from Doctor Russell, and most troublesomely, her own conflicted feelings about Mr Darcy - Elizabeth found herself genuinely enjoying Miss Darcy's company.
"How long do you think you will be in the neighbourhood?" Elizabeth asked.
"I am not at all sure," Miss Darcy replied softly, her eyes studying Elizabeth's face with an understanding that made Elizabeth uncomfortable. "My brother changed plans rather suddenly, as I think you are aware."
"Well I hope you will stay awhile at least," Elizabeth said quickly, attempting to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory. "There are a great many things in Hertfordshire I would like to show you."
"Fitzwilliam mentioned that you enjoying walking a great deal."
Elizabeth blushed slightly at this reference to Mr Darcy's attention to her habits. "I do indeed."
ooOoo
Wickham found himself struggling to focus on the dance and his partner. That laugh nagged at his memory - something about it didn't belong in provincial Hertfordshire. His eyes swept the room as he turned through the figures of the dance, searching for its source before duty required his attention return to his partner.
ooOoo
From his position near the fireplace, Bingley watched with growing unease as Doctor Russell drew Jane away from their group. The doctor had been paying marked attention to her all evening, and Bingley found himself regretting his own hesitation these past months. How many times had Darcy cautioned him about being too hasty in matters of the heart? Yet now his friend's own carefully laid plans seemed to have gone awry with Miss Elizabeth.
"And your sister's wedding is soon?" the doctor asked Jane, his manner displaying a familiarity that made Bingley's hand tighten on his glass.
"Yes, in three weeks," Jane replied quietly, her gentle smile causing Bingley's heart to twist painfully. How often had he been the recipient of that smile, before his own indecision had created this opening for another man?
According to Darcy's uncharacteristically brief letter, Russell was merely there to watch over Miss Darcy in her brother's absence. Something about that sudden departure troubled Bingley deeply - he had expected his friend to remain until Miss Elizabeth's situation with Collins was resolved. Clearly something significant had happened, though what exactly eluded him.
Making an effort to distract himself, Bingley attempted conversation with Miss Lucas and his sister. But Caroline's bitter complaints about the assembled company ("Really, Charles, these country gatherings become more provincial by the day!") only served to remind him why he preferred the simple warmth of Hertfordshire society - and one member of it in particular. He soon excused himself to fetch a glass of wine, though his eyes were drawn inexorably back to Jane and Doctor Russell, who seemed lost in their own private world.
They were speaking only to each other, seemingly unaware of the rest of the company. Bingley watched as Jane laughed at something Russell had said, her eyes bright with amusement. The sight made his chest tighten uncomfortably. He had always prided himself on his easy, cheerful nature, but now he found himself understanding Darcy's darker moods. Was this how his friend felt, watching Elizabeth with Collins?
The wine in his glass had grown warm, forgotten in his grip as he observed their interaction. Russell leaned closer to Jane, speaking in low tones that didn't carry across the room. Whatever he was saying made Jane blush prettily - a sight that had once been reserved for Bingley alone.
"Charles?" Caroline's voice broke through his brooding. "Really, you're as bad as Mr Darcy tonight. What has come over you both?"
ooOoo
Wickham's attention was drawn to Elizabeth Bennet, who had withdrawn to a quiet corner away from the general merriment. Most unusual for her - she typically delighted in being at the centre of any gathering. He recalled their earlier encounter, how she had met his gaze before quickly looking away, her cheeks colouring beautifully. Perhaps she was deliberately seeking solitude? His subtle hints had been growing bolder, and ever since their chance meeting in the woods near Longbourn, he had found himself increasingly preoccupied with thoughts of her. There was something in her eyes that challenged him, like she was daring him to pursue her.
Their eyes met briefly across the room before she quickly looked away, that becoming blush rising in her cheeks once more. The combination of innocence and spirit in her manner was intoxicating. There could be no mistaking such signs. Excusing himself from her younger sisters' company, he determined to seek a few moments alone with her. Though he could hardly hope for much in such a public setting, he could at least begin laying the groundwork. His earlier attempt had yielded little, but now, with her empty wine glass providing the perfect excuse to approach…
ooOoo
Elizabeth glanced across the room to where Jane stood with Doctor Russell, acutely aware of Mr Bingley hovering nearby. She had never seen that gentleman's usually cheerful countenance so troubled. His expression, normally so open and pleasant, had been replaced by one of barely concealed concern. It was most unlike him - in all their acquaintance, she had rarely seen him anything but carefree.
As Mary's playing drew to a close, Elizabeth joined in the polite applause, though her attention was drawn to the movement near the refreshment table. There was something in the way Mr Wickham guided Lydia toward the drinks that made her uneasy, despite her sister's laughing protests about wanting to continue dancing. Elizabeth quickly turned back to her companion, trying to dismiss her concerns as mere fancy.