Chapter 9: The Play
Mr. Darcy watched in fascination at Elizabeth and Jane's abilities to work so masterfully. Within an hour, four footmen were hanging holly boughs with mistletoe in the main door frames and a ribbon of holly down the banister of the grand staircase. He may have thought the decorations were ridiculous as they would only last for a matter of days, but they were beautiful. Instantly, he thought of Pemberley and how Elizabeth would decorate it for the holidays. His home would be joyous again.
Caroline and Louisa were less joyous, though they participated easily enough. They could see no benefit of bringing dirty branches inside, though Caroline hoped to make use of the mistletoe if she could. Thankfully, she could not be considered giddy at the idea, nor did she snicker while telling stories of past kisses while the footmen worked.
"That is a perfect addition to our play. I believe we shall enact this afternoon!" Lord Devon announced. "We considered a stage, but I am too bored to wait. My kiss with Beatrice is too enticing to delay." He wandered towards her, holding an extra bough of mistletoe in his hand.
Elizabeth blushed innocently. Mr. Darcy scowled at Lord Devon, wondering how he ever thought well of him. Jane and Bingley agreed with the idea, so plans were made to retire to the library after tea.
With a sigh of resignation, Elizabeth followed her host to the drawing room, pretending not to notice the stares of two gentlemen who thoroughly confused her. One was only flirting and seemed harmless enough. But the other seemed angry, as though she had affronted him. She already knew herself not handsome enough to tempt him, yet he seemed to think she ought not attract any man of means. His arrogance! Not that she favored Lord Devon. He was too much of a flirt to truly admire or respect.
Thankfully, Caroline was just as eager to drop the conversation. She took Elizabeth's hand as they entered the drawing room and steered her to the serving station. As hostess, it was her job to know everyone's tastes, and she took this position very seriously.
She served the first teacup to Lord Devon, as the highest-ranking individual in the room before returning to Elizabeth. "So, you were first kissed at eleven by a tenant farmer, and your father did not deem it necessary to punish you or him." Her words were low enough that only Elizabeth could hear.
Elizabeth smiled at the memory. "Perhaps he should have, but everything was innocent enough. My father merely laughed and declared that I ought not to allow such a thing again. The following year was the first year we put up mistletoe. My father has not had a moment's peace since." With a laugh, she offered to take the next teacup to Mr. Darcy. "After all, you should not seem desperate to take his cup yourself."
On her way to Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam commanded her attention. "My cousin tells me you have barely stopped smiling since this morning. It is good to see such a pleasant countenance. Our family is too serious for their own good. We think too highly of ourselves to laugh as we ought. I am pleased to have such an example of happiness for him to observe."
"And observe me he does. Mr. Darcy does not miss any detail no matter how small. Every one of my faults have been catalogued for his own purposes, though I know not what those purposes are." Elizabeth handed Mr. Darcy his cup. She faltered as his own hands enveloped hers as he grasped the cup. The heat between them built, causing each to blush. As she gently pulled her hands away from him. "Mr. Darcy is very fastidious and calculates every move and look with precision." She paused and looked deeply into his eyes, sensing his confusion. "And yet, he seems not to always know his own mind." Before he could respond, she moved to take a seat beside Lord Devon.
The colonel watched his cousin and Elizabeth as they slowly sipped tea and pretended to ignore each other. Taking pity on them, or perhaps to antagonize his cousin, the colonel pulled Elizabeth into a conversation. "The mistletoe is lovely. My cousin does not often stay in a house filled with mistletoe. You must have been very insistent to make it come about."
"I did not offer or ask. I simply collected the mistletoe while astride his horse and with his knife. There is a tradition in my family to begin decorating and collecting on the day of the first snow. We cannot put aside tradition in favor of gloom. I did what I had to do, and Mr. Darcy is no worse for the wear."
"And have you been caught under the mistletoe yet?"
Elizabeth blushed. "I am never caught, unless I wish it. My sisters have been practicing for years. I know what I am about."
"A challenge! I shall catch the beguiling Elizabeth under the mistletoe before I leave for town." Lord Devon interrupted. "I heard your first kiss happened when you were twelve. You must be-"
"Eleven," Interjected Caroline.
"Even better. You have had years of practice kissing and avoiding being kissed. I look forward to my reward. Now, we must be off to the library." Lord Devon took the time to thank Caroline for the tea before he bustled out of the room. No one followed him.
"I suppose we must get this daft reading over with." Mr. Darcy stated calmly, as though he did not wish to throttle Devon for wishing to kiss Elizabeth. Placing his cup and saucer on a tray, he offered Elizabeth his arm and led them to the library. He deliberately ignored the mistletoe. He was not going to kiss Elizabeth until she had agreed to marry him.
The rest of the company followed him.
In the library, Lord Devon claimed the warmest sofa beside the fire and begged Elizabeth to sit beside him. "You were out in the cold, you ought to protect yourself from chill. Your sister cannot walk, and it would be terrible if you caught a chill."
"I appreciate your concern, but I am never chill. There are many who claim frequent adventures in the cold protects you from illness."
"That is true on the battlefield." The colonel stole the conversation and offered Elizabeth a seat beside him. He then regaled the party with stories of men who went for walks versus men who stayed abed. Lord Devon and Mr. Darcy were perturbed not to have their share in the conversation.
"I learn in this letter that Don Pedro of Aragon comes this night to Messina." Mr. Darcy recited firmly.
"That's it! Colonel, you must be the messenger. Dear fellow, play along." Lord Devon rose and stood behind Elizabeth.
"Very well, but I shall need a copy of the play, for I cannot remember it all. Bingley, do you have an extra copy." The colonel rose to search on the scant shelves, but Mr. Darcy knew where the copies lay and helped his cousin.
Soon enough, the two began the discussion between Leonato and the messenger. Elizabeth's entrance was soon upon her. "I pray you, is Signior Mountanto returned from the wars or no?"
Lord Devon interrupted before the colonel could complete the messenger's line. "She calls me arrogant and high handed, but at least she wishes to know that I survived." Everyone laughed while Elizabeth blushed.
The colonel moved them forward until Lord Devon interrupted them after Elizabeth's next lines. "Actually, I have won many a fencing matches. I even beat Darcy once." He turned to see Darcy scowling at him. He gulped, hoping Darcy would not mention that he had been beaten more than thirty times at the club. One win was not really much to brag about.
Darcy stared at him with one eyebrow raised for half a minute before he recited perfectly, "Faith, niece, you tax Signior Benedick too much, but he'll be meet with you, I doubt it not."
Lord Devon sighed in relief. Thus began the play, with Lord Devon all but following each speaker and ensuring everyone was on cue. This worked except for when he missed his lines, which was frequent enough.
They paused for more tea to keep everyone's throat refreshed, but otherwise kept the play in movement. While Lord Devon wished to act out more scenes, he was thwarted by most others' disinclination to act.
As the third tea service was laid out, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, along with their two youngest daughters, were admitted to the library. Lydia entered first in her excitement and demanded Elizabeth's attention immediately, as well as that of everyone else. "We have our holly boughs made up, and the evergreen is deliciously scented this year. I cannot wait until we have the militia to tea." She then looked around. "Oh, I thought the party would be smaller."
Lord Devon nodded to Bingley to allow introductions.
"Oh, a lord!" Mrs. Bennet Exclaimed. "That must be why Lizzy-"
"It is good to see you again, Mama? Have you heard from Charlotte?" Elizabeth interrupted, knowing that whatever her mother had been about to say was related to Mr. Collins and not meant for public ears.
"Of course, I have." Mrs. Bennet huffed. "She is to supplant me! She has been dutiful and has accepted her suitor." Mr. Bennet coughed, forcing Mrs. Bennet to change track. "She will marry Mr. Collins as soon as the banns have been read. I hope they are happy in Kent for a very long time."
"Most certainly, my dear Mrs. Bennet." Mr. Bennet patted his wife's shoulder as he stood behind her. "Mr. Bingley, you are very joyous of society, but I did not realize that would materialize in such a scanty library. I hope you have more books in storage or at another home."
"Indeed, I do have more books. I simply have not bothered to send for them. There are always so many more fun things to do that I do not think of reading. Mr. Darcy has always said I should read more, especially since I am considering buying an estate in the future."
"I never understood why you have books you do not wish to have at home with you." Mr. Darcy drawled. He kept his eyes trained on Elizabeth in hopes he would not see the other Bennets do something to sway his mind and heart.
"I assume you brought some with you that you could not bear to part with." Mr. Bingley responded.
"That is how I would have done. Some of the most loyal people I have met have lived inside the written word." Mr. Bennet replied.
Mr. Bingley blushed, worrying he had failed some sort of test. "I like books. I am simply distracted. We have enough copies of this play that we need not share books."
Miss Bingley moved to stand beside Mr. Darcy. "That is why I intend to marry someone with a well-supplied library. I must have plenty of forms of entertainment. A good pianoforte, a well-stocked stable, and an excellent library are all essential to happiness as a woman of good society."
Mr. Darcy was pleased she did not take his arm. He shifted away. "Those requirements are easily found in many ancient homes." He turned to Mr. Bennet. "I understand your library is very well stocked. I should like to see it."
"Anyone with a love of books is always welcome, so long as they can remain silent for at least forty percent of the time."
"That will do for Mr. Darcy. He is welcome to visit the library, for I shall be in the drawing room visiting the officers." Lydia burst out of her chair as she quickly moved to sit by Kitty. "We have been visited every day since the ball. Mr. Denny is very amiable, but Mr. Wickham is the most handsome of the lot. It was a shame he missed the ball. He is one of the best dancers."
Mr. Darcy scowled at the mention of his childhood friend who turned enemy. Mr. Wickham had been given every advantage only to waste it on idleness, drink, and debauchery. For a moment, he thought to warn the Bennets, but one look at Elizabeth told him this was not the right time.
"Papa, with Mr. Collins preparing to become your heir, have you taken him to visit the tenants?" Elizabeth asked loudly enough that even Lydia fell silent.
"I have not had that pleasure, though it ought to be done. Perhaps the next time he visits, for he is returning to his patroness and his duties until the wedding."
"Oh Lizzy!" Lydia interrupted, "When shall we have our archery contest? I have been practicing."
"Archery! In winter?" Miss Bingley stammered.
"A very special archery, Miss Bingley." Elizabeth blushed as she explained, "The first snow is when we pick the first holly to decorate. Then we collect mistletoe. My sisters and I were forbidden from climbing trees, so archery is the next best method." She turned to Mr. Darcy. "Though some mistletoe grows within range to be grasped, archery makes the hunt more challenging."
"Tippins has the arrows ready. I checked on my way home this morning." Lydia stated eagerly, glad to have the conversation back. "We could invite everyone."
Mr. Bingley was quick to agree, until he realized Jane would be left at Netherfield. "Perhaps we can make an early morning of it, so that we can return in time for breakfast with those who choose or must stay home."
"Archery before breakfast! Absurd." Mr. Hurst mumbled. He had nearly fallen asleep on the couch by the fire.
Elizabeth smiled and chose not to respond to the attack. "Chilly fingers make for poor aim. I believe Jane will be well enough waiting for our return. She can keep her own company with a book as much as any of us can."
"I have not practiced in ages, and even sitting with everyone is taxing. I shall happily rest while you have your competition." Jane agreed.
"Well, if that is agreed upon. We shall arrange our bows and meet after breakfast, say around ten o'clock in the mistletoe field between Longbourn and Netherfield. Lizzy will show you where it is, gentlemen. Mrs. Bennet, I believe we have stayed long enough. Lord Devon wishes to get to a better part in the play to see if he might fare better than Benedick against Lizzy. I have every confidence in her abilities, so we had best leave them to it."
Ecstatic, Lydia and Kitty both rose quickly. Mr. Darcy scowled again as he heard one of them mutter, "a lord wishes to kiss Lizzy. I should be in her place, but I would prefer a man in a red coat."
Mr. Darcy was not sure the day could get much worse. He thought ahead to his next line. "Please it your Grace lead on?"
Lord Devon stared at him in shock. He wished to make sense of Mr. Bennet's parting words, but he supposed there was time for that later. "Ah yes, the play. You skipped a bit, but that is no matter. Who is the prince today? Colonel, yes, thank you!"
The colonel picked up his copy of the play and turned to the page with help from Elizabeth sitting beside him. "Your hand, Leonato. We will go together." The colonel said. "And now we may exit, that I may enjoy your company offstage." He winked conspiratorially, but Elizabeth just laughed before speaking sotto voce that they would be missed ere long.
"We do have some time, as Bingley and Lord Devon have the next few lines, and Bingley has needed prodding for most of his lines. Look!"
"Bingley! We are conversing. Try to keep up."
Blushing, Bingley turned away from Jane and found his place in the play again.
Mr. Darcy scowled, as he usually did. He did not need any reminders to keep his place, and he joined in the conversation with ease. The role of the prince suited him very well, though he did not like the idea of encouraging Bingley toward Miss Jane Bennet. Their romance almost seemed inevitable, so he decided not to speak to Bingley about it.
"How now, brother, where is my cousin, your son? Hath he provided the music?" Mr. Darcy proclaimed as Leonato to start scene 2. After a silence, Mr. Darcy added, "Hurst, you have no lines yet, so be my brother for the moment."
"Your brother?" Mr. Hurst sat up as Mrs. Hurst swatted him. He shook the sleep out of his eyes and took a book from Mrs. Hurst. "Yes, I suppose that is just. Leonato's brother. There are not many lines, I believe."
Miss Bingley beamed as she hurried to stand beside Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy wanted to be brother to Mr. Hurst when he could have chosen anyone. This was surely a sign that her dream was materializing. She could barley contain her smile as she strove for a more composed demeanor, as befitting the future mistress of Pemberley. Mr. Darcy chose not to take notice, as he was more pleasantly distracted by watching Elizabeth's attempt to hold in her laughter.
Mr. Hurst turned out remarkably well. Before he finished his lines, few would say his tone and rhythm wanted any practice to be better. Even Mrs. Hurst seemed surprised to see his hidden talent.
"Who are our villains? Colonel, I believe you must be our villain, Don John." Mr. Darcy stated as he finished his lines with Mr. Hurst. The colonel readily agreed. "Now for Borachio and Conrade. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, you both declared you would not read lines, but I beseech you to do so. It would please me if we could move on." Mr. Darcy chose this moment to turn to Miss Bingley, ensuring that they would consent. They did without further recommendation. Their performance was not stellar, but they did move the play forward.
When they finished, Lord Devon rose to his feet and rubbed his hands together. "We have made it to the revelry! The best part save for when I claim my kiss with Beatrice. My lovely Miss Elizabeth, are you ready?"
"Ready to trounce you? Yes, I do believe I am. Mr. Bingley, perhaps a new tea service would be helpful." She turned to Mr. Bingley, who for the first time heard her without needing her to repeat herself. "Are you ready, Mr. Darcy? I believe you must lead us off."
Mr. Darcy bowed in agreement. "Was not Count John here at supper?" He then barely looked at Mr. Hurst, who turned out to be ready for his simple line.
Elizabeth then took the lead, "How tartly that gentleman looks! I never can see him but I am heartburned an hour after."
Jane was ready for her lead. For the first time, she did not need to check the copy she and Mr. Bingley had been sharing. "He is of a very melancholy disposition." She blushed as she added, "Much like Beatrice, you always do so dislike a sour face."
"Jane, it is allowed when speaking of a villain. And yes, I prefer a happy disposition to a melancholy disposition, much like Beatrice. He were an excellent man that were made just in the midway between him and Benedick. The one is too like an image and says nothing, and the other too like my lady's eldest son, evermore tattling."
"I do not tattle! I can be a great secret keeper." Lord Devon announced unnecessarily.
Mr. Darcy spoke louder to avoid another distraction, but Elizabeth noted that his heart was not as focused on the words as he had been. "Then half Signior Benedick's tongue in Count John's mouth, and half Count John's melancholy in Signior Benedick's face-"
"With a good leg and a good foot, uncle, and money enough in his purse, such a man would win any woman in the world if he could get her goodwill." Elizabeth paused so that she could agree with the sentiment, "And true enough it is that looks, money, and disposition mean nothing if the lady does not find him charming."
"Money and looks are paramount to be considered to have good prospects. You may claim to be different, but when the time comes, money and looks will win an acceptance." Lord Devon cut in.
Elizabeth did not feign offence. "Not if he is too boorish for me. I am convinced that only the deepest love will convince me to marry. I like to laugh, but I reserve time for seriousness. Benedick and Don John are equally offensive marriage prospects to me."
Mr. Darcy coughed. He had heard enough to know that Elizabeth would not fall for Lord Devon, but he was equally wondering if she would fall for him. She had clearly enjoyed their debates, and she was enjoying this reading. Surely, she did not see him as Don John with a sour face. She had looked at him as Miss Bennet had spoken. He spoke his next words with a feeling of dejection. "By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue."
The play continued, and the moment passed. Elizabeth could see both men were dismayed by her defense of Beatrice, so she merely recited her lines. The next pause happened as the tea tray was served. The readers took a small break. Everyone felt the tension in Lord Devon and Mr. Darcy, though most did not attribute it to the correct cause.
AN: My usual beta reader is MIA, so please excuse any errors. They are entirely my fault. I would also like your help. How do I properly express them reading a play. I am putting it in italics to mark it separate from my text. Do I need to add the author/line numbers after each line? That would take quite a bit of space, but I don't want to do this wrong. Shakespeare wrote an excellent play, and it is one of my favorites.
I hope you are enjoying my story. School resumes tomorrow, and thus goes my time for writing. Your reviews encourage me to continue, so please take a moment to tell me your thoughts. Thank you for those who send me corrections as well. If you would like to be a beta reader for me, I am open to the idea.