Teaching Eliza, page 4
“Well,” Lizzy countered, “it is a good thing that he is proficient in his field, for were he to be a supposed expert on etiquette, he should be the biggest charlatan that ever lived.”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam told me,” Charlotte added sotto voce , “that the professor also tutors members of the merchant class to affect the speech patterns and manners of the elite. Even with great funds, those who wish to rise into the gentry face significant disdain at the hands of the upper classes when they attempt to enter into society. They are sneered at for their dirt-covered manners and low accents. Professor Darcy teaches them these skills, that they may better ease their way into the society they desire.”
“How fascinating!” Lizzy replied. “He clearly knows his manners, then, even if he does not mind them.” She looked up. “Ah, here comes the colonel with our drinks. I believe I should prefer his company, even though he is not a professor.”
Charlotte was correct. The colonel was a fine dancer and a charming companion. During their two dances, he inquired most politely after Lizzy’s family, learned about her favourite books, and complimented her on her poise and grace. As well, he confirmed her supposition that he was known to sing when slightly drunk, and was able to tell her enough about his time in the Indies that she, too, was eager to hear more.
Although he flirted shamelessly with her, it was all within the bounds of taste and propriety, never crossing that intangible boundary. She knew she would certainly enjoy the colonel’s company as long as he resided at Netherfield, while also being quite certain that any flirtation would remain purely within the realm of friendliness. A man such as he must have little independent income, and his family would insist that as well as being wealthy, any lady whom he might consider could be no less than the daughter of a baronet. This satisfied her, for having resolved to accept the offer of a London season, she had no wish to muddy the waters with an attraction. More than pleased with the situation, she returned at last to Charlotte’s side with a great smile and only compl imentary words about the colonel.
She was happily contemplating these matters when she heard to the side door to the supper room open a short distance away. Turning her head to determine the import of the sound, she noticed Jane emerge, followed closely by Mr. Bingley. Jane’s glowing smile and bright eyes left no doubt as to what had transpired, and Mr. Bingley’s grin, if it was at all possible, was even wider than usual. Spying Lizzy, Jane hurried over to her side, leaving Mr. Bingley to defend himself against his friend, the professor, who stood disapprovingly by the wall.
“Oh, Lizzy! Dear Charlotte!” Jane gushed as she approached, “I am so happy! Why can every one not be this happy? Oh, it is wonderful, so wonderful. He said he had thought to wait some days, until we might be alone at Longbourn, but he saw me tonight and could wait no longer before asking for my hand! He had no planned speech, no fancy words, but he spoke simply and from the heart, and oh, how I love him, Lizzy! We shall be so happy together!”
Hugs and congratulations ensued, but Jane urged restraint. “We cannot be public about our engagement until Charles speaks to Papa,” she cautioned. “I know I do not require his consent, but Charles insists. He wishes to be the ideal son-in-law.”
“Of that you need never fear! He will do everything to oblige Papa through his good and happy manners, and merely by marrying you and being rich will he forever enamour himself to Mama!”
Jane paled. “Oh, Mama… Yes, I had better warn him!”
“Come, lead me to your intended,” Lizzy begged her sister. “Although it is not yet official, I feel I must congratulate him as soon as I might. I could not be happier for you!”
“Later, perhaps, Lizzy. Whilst we know this will not remain secret, if you seek him out now, the news will be about the room within a minute. But I shall tell him you wish to speak to him, and of what, and he will be pleased. Oh, he is the best of men! I am so happy!”
Letting her sister float off on her cloud of elation, Elizabeth and Charlotte wandered off in the direction of the refreshments table, hoping for another glass of something cool to offset the heat of the over-populated room. They had achieved their aim, and were seeking chairs upon which to sit whilst enjoying their drinks when they heard, and then saw, Mr. Bingley a short distance away, talking to the professor.
“Come, Darcy,” said he, “I must have you dance, or at least try to engage someone in conversation. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.”
“I certainly shall not,” came the clipped reply. With Charlotte’s revelations about the colonel still fresh in her mind, Lizzy found herself paying close attention to the professor’s voice. To her chagrin, she found it most mellifluous and rich, his accent ideal, each syllable pure and perfect.
But his words were cold and bitter. “You know how I detest dancing,” he said, “unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner, and even then it is a chore. At such an assembly as this, it would be insupportable. Your sister is engaged, and I should not wish to dance with her a second time, lest I raise expectations where there ought to be none. There is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.”
“You are being ridiculous!” cried Bingley, “Upon my honour I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life. They are not only uncommonly pretty, but lively and pleasant company as well. None as sweet as my Jane, perhaps, but—”
“Your Jane,” Darcy emphasised the word, “is the only handsome girl in the room, and I will grant, the sweetest. I shall even overlook her atrocious accent in favour of her pleasant nature, for she seems to make you happy.”
“You, my friend, are a snob!” Bingley huffed, although his smile never faltered. “I find nothing amiss in her accent, for she has no need to be ashamed of her country home. And before you begin, her country manners are delightful as well. When I am with her, I realise how I always feel I am an actor on a stage when in London. Here, with dear Jane and in this friendly village, I can be myself without a care to who might be judging me or trying to catch out some hints to my low origins. And Jane, Jane… Oh, Darcy, is she not the most beautiful creature you have ever beheld? But look, there is one of her sisters. You met Miss Elizabeth earlier. She is sitting down behind you. She is very pretty too, and very agreeable. Do ask her to dance. She is most lively and shall keep you amused if you allow yourself to enjoy her company. At least talk to her, take the measure of her accent, if such things are what pass for your entertainment. Come, let us approach her.”
Turning around, Darcy looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye. He withdrew his own and said coldly, “She is tolerable, but her accent is not interesting enough to tempt me, nor do I wish to suffer through a dance with her country manners. And those rhotic vowels, while hardly an interesting specimen in these parts, are painful to my ears. Why, oh why can’t the English teach their children how to speak? Look, Bingley, I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men, no matter their regional dialects. You had better return to your betrothed and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.”
With an exasperated huff, and a slight lessening of his smile, Bingley did just as his friend bade him, and Professor Darcy, too, soon stalked off, leaving Elizabeth alone with Charlotte, and with no good opinion of the great professor.
THREE — AN UNCOMFORTABLE REVELATION
~
MR. BINGLEY ARRIVED AT LONGBOURN early the following morning. Lizzy and Jane were in the garden gathering flowers, and Lizzy stepped back to allow her sister a moment with her intended before the gentleman entered the house to deal with a very important matter. Bingley’s interview with Mr. Bennet was conducted with great alacrity and to the satisfaction of all parties, and Jane was soon surrounded by the mob of her sisters all singing their good wishes, governed over by their mother, singing of her own great fortune in her eldest daughter’s success, whilst Lizzy cringed at every syllable.
“Oh, we are saved, we are saved! When your father dies, Jane, we shall not be cast out into the hedgerows, but your Mr. Bingley will save us all. I shall have to ensure that I have enough black lace and trim to mourn suitably in such a grand house as his. Oh, how clever you were to be born so beautiful that Mr. Bingley should wish to marry you. Oh, we are saved!”
All the while, the man in question stood off to the side, blushing and looking a bit aghast at his future mother’s pronouncements. Seeing his discomfort, Lizzy strove to assure him that Mrs. Bennet’s words were seldom thought through. “She has been so worried for so long that all she can think of now is a happier future. She really is most delighted to have you for a son. And I know you shall make my dear sister very happy, and that delights me.” Bingley’s answering smile did not quite reach his eyes and Lizzy could see his discomfort remained, but he acknowledged the situation with the good grace that was his nature.
Seeing her mother draw breath to engage upon another ill-advised speech, Lizzy attempted to rescue the situation. “Oh, are those dark clouds I see in the distance? Come, let us all enjoy this wonderful day outside, for the sky above is still clear. Once the rains begin, it might be many days before we have the opportunity to walk again.” Jane sighed her relief, and Bingley immediately proclaimed this a splendid idea as he dashed off to retrieve his hat.
The group had walked no more than a few yards when Lydia suggested that she and Kitty might walk into town. This, the older sisters encouraged, for the girls’ fussing had not ceased with the remove to the outdoors. Neither did Lizzy object when Mary took herself to the bench under the parlour window to read. Now Lizzy only had to find her own excuse to wander off and the two lovers would at last be left in some semblance of privacy.
As she began to mention something about needing to respond to her aunt’s letter, however, Jane burst out, “Oh, the invitation to London! Now that Charles and I are engaged, of course I will not go, but you must, Lizzy! Think of what an adventure it will be.” She quickly summarised the circumstances behind the invitation to her betrothed, who commented that Lizzy must go indeed.
“We shall likely spend time in London after our wedding, and we would be most forlorn should you not visit us often and join us as we enjoy the city. I shall be proud to introduce you as my sister.”
“Yes, I know I shall miss you greatly,” Jane added, “but I shall be so much comforted were you to be in Town as well.”
Lizzy offered an easy smile. “I had already resolved to accept, but your entreaties have redoubled my commitment to agree to the plan. And now I should not worry about whether to wait for your decision before writing my reply. We need only settle on the specifics. But…” she paused for a moment and her brow furrowed. “Do you really think the plan wise? I do long to spend the time in London, but surely there is no hope for Aunt Gardiner and Lady Grant to find me a husband. I am, after all, a country girl, and not one of the sophisticated ladies any worthwhile gentleman would expect in the city. I should be a rough stone in a field of polished diamonds.” Professor Darcy’s comments at the assembly about her Hertfordshire accent still rang in her ears, no matter how she strove to ignore them.
“Lizzy,” Jane sounded concerned, “What has come over you? You know that anyone who is worthy of you will care little for your country ways once he sees the gem that is inside you. You will see. And your manners are perfectly proper, if not the style of the city.”
Bingley added his agreement, and at last Elizabeth was able to return to the house to write her letter, and to leave Jane and Charles alone in the garden.
In due time the letter was written and sent. An enthusiastic reply came within days: Lady Grant was delighted to hear about Jane’s engagement, and she now had determined even more strongly to find a wonderful husband for Lizzy. To that end, she proposed that Lizzy be presented at court, to ensure a spectacular London debut. The letter outlined in some detail the preparations required for such a grand occasion, and the lengthy litany rather horrified Lizzy. She had been prepared for a series of balls and card parties and soirees; the very thought of these new plans set her heart racing and sent ice through her veins. The notion of all that fuss and ado was somehow rather alarming, and she felt, for the first time, a semblance of real inadequacy and trepidation.
It was only the recollection of London’s other delights—the museums and libraries and concerts and public lectures—that settled her mind somewhat, and she resolved to think seriously of Lady Grant’s latest suggestion. It is all your choice, of course, but think how it will secure your place in society , her friend had written. With a deep breath, Lizzy resigned herself to her fate.
~
The family were partaking of breakfast early the following week when a note arrived for Jane. “Oh, do read it, for it must be from dear Mr. Bingley!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed over her eggs.
“Mama, it might be a personal matter, or some subject requiring privacy!” Lizzy warned. But her mother waved her hand dismissively.
“Nonsense, Lizzy. Let us hear what Mr. Bingley has to say. He will be brother to you all, and nothing he can write need be kept from us. Read it, Jane.”
Nothing Lizzy could say would satisfy her mother, and consequently the note was read.
“Dearest Jane…”
“Oh, he calls you ‘dearest.’ How romantic! He declares himself so openly!” Mrs. Bennet interrupted almost before Jane could complete the salutation.
“No, Mama, it is not from Charles, but from Caroline.”
“Oh. Well, I am certain he told her to call you dearest.”
Lizzy rolled her eyes, but Jane continued reading with a calm and pleasant expression.
“Dearest Jane ,” she read, “My sister, Mrs. Hurst, has arrived at Netherfield from London and wishes to be made known to me immediately. Charles cannot speak a word of ill of you, and so she must see you for herself.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Lizzy whispered. Jane ignored her and continued reading.
“It would please us were you to come to Netherfield to pass the day with us. Mr. Hurst proposes to go out hunting with the other men; perhaps if there is a good port or some fine vintage of wine at dinner, he will join us at that time. I am finding myself quite taxed in my role keeping house for Charles; Netherfield is rather busy, but I shall prove myself more than adequate to the task. We expect you this morning.
“Your future sister,
“Caroline”
“She really means you to come at once, with no previous arrangement? What if you had already made plans?” Lizzy wrinkled her nose in displeasure. “She is no lady, despite the airs she gives herself!”
“Now Lizzy,” her sister placated, “I have no other engagements, and I shall be part of the family soon. Caroline means no ill; it is only that she is not accustomed to our manners.”
“You are too good and sweet, Jane!”
Mrs. Bennet had listened to the exchange with narrowed eyes, and she now peered out through the lace window-dressing. “You had better go at once, Jane, for the weather is rainy of late. It is clear now, but if you tarry, you will surely be caught outside. I see heavy clouds approaching.”
“I was to ask Papa for the carriage.”
“There is no need to impress Mr. Bingley now, for it is too late for him to withdraw his offer. I am going to visit Lady Lucas in the carriage. You may ride.”
Jane left as soon as she was able, but the rains came quickly upon her departure, and Lizzy was not surprised to hear a messenger arrive some hours later with a note from Caroline Bingley. Jane had been caught in the shower and had taken mildly ill; a valise with her night clothes and some necessities was requested. The messenger soon departed with the bag, but Lizzy felt ill at ease, and could not rest until she had had resolved to see for herself how Jane fared the moment the weather cleared.
Fortunately for her plans, the following morning saw a break in the rain. After several days of sporadically inclement weather, she found herself more than happy to take her exercise and walk the three miles between the houses to ask after her sister, caring little about the muddy fields and pastures. She arrived as the residents of Netherfield were finishing their breakfast. She was ushered into the parlour by a butler with a stern face but a glint in his eye, and there she greeted the Bingleys and their guests and made her inquiries.
Mr. Bingley leapt to his feet. “Oh, my poor Jane! Caroline said that she is in good spirits, but is still feverish, with a very sore throat and head. Come, let me take you to her room, where she is being tended by a maid.” He called over a servant to request that a tray be brought for Miss Elizabeth and hastened to lead her upstairs.
Lizzy curtseyed and offered her thanks, and was requested by Colonel Fitzwilliam and Professor Darcy to convey their best wishes to the patient. Caroline Bingley and the Hursts said nothing at all.
~
Darcy watched the door close behind Elizabeth. Her words rang in his ears, but somehow her accent did not bother him this morning. He reflected with a start that he had rather taken pleasure in the sound of her voice.
These musings were cut short, for the moment the door clicked shut, Caroline began to exclaim over Miss Elizabeth’s atrocious appearance. “I would hardly have believed it if I had not seen it!” She smoothed a hand over her perfectly dressed hair. “To have walked all that distance so early in the day, and in such dirty weather, and all alone—why, it is almost incredible. And to think that she should deign to appear before Charles, the master of the house, and us, his guests, in such disarray even more so! Oh, what a sorry lot those Bennets are. But it is,” she condescended, “commendable that such compassion should exist between sisters, and I suppose I will forgive Eliza all her other faults on that basis alone.” She batted her eyes at Darcy, as if to recommend herself to him on the basis of her charitable words.
Having once spoken so magnanimously, Caroline returned to her conversation with Mrs. Hurst.
