He moved nearer and took her arm. “Let me walk you home.”
At his touch, a quiver of pleasure stirred within her. “Will you stay to take tea with us?”
As they strolled together, arm in arm down the quiet country lane, she asked, “Alexander, do you think a poem about two children who grew up together, and then fell in love as adults, would serve as a good foundation for verse?”
He grinned. “Are you going to write a poem about us, Elizabeth? Be certain that you say good things about me if you do.”
Chapter 2: The Meryton Assembly
On Friday evening of that same week, the Bennets, along with all their neighbors who had children of marriageable age, attended the monthly Assembly. The room was large, painted white, well-kept, and cheerful. The modest chandeliers and wall sconces cast a warm glow over the attendees, and music, laughter, and conversation filled the air. The good people of Meryton were in high spirits, pleased with themselves and with one another.
“Papa has been to call on the new tenant at Netherfield,” Jane said softly, her arm linked with Elizabeth’s. “The lease is for two years, and the gentleman is lately come from the north.”
Charlotte Lucas, standing near, inclined her head. “Yes, I heard the same. They say he is from Yorkshire and is quite the sportsman. He hunts, fishes, he rides out every morning, and is eager for any sport in which a gentleman might break his neck.”
Elizabeth laughed. “A most useful accomplishment. One must hope he does not kill himself before he has settled his estate and married a fortunate maiden from Hertfordshire.” Elizabeth looked thoughtful. “If he has such habits, then he will find Hertfordshire agreeable enough. The countryside is well suited to his pursuits.”
Charlotte drew near and whispered. “Well, Lizzy, you need not trouble yourself with speculations about the gentlemen of the Netherfield party. A very eligible gentleman’s heart is already in your possession, and his affections are sincere. Alexander speaks of you constantly at home, and from what he has let drop, I believe you will be married soon.”
Elizabeth’s eyes softened. “Charlotte, I think so too, from things he has recently hinted to me.”
Charlotte’s expression was warm, and when she reached across and clasped Elizabeth’s hands in her own, she added, “You have been my dearest friend since we were girls. I long for the day I will call you sister and see you in our home, brightening it with your lively spirit.”
Elizabeth returned the pressure with affection. Lady Lucas had been the first woman ever to make her feel loved. She had taken Elizabeth into her arms, patted her head, and wished to know what had happened, for she had never seen her cry. That morning, Charlotte and her mother were in the kitchen peeling potatoes when Elizabeth ran in, sobbing.
“Is your father ill, Lizzy? Has something happened to him?” Lady Lucas had asked.
Elizabeth could not answer at once, for she was crying so hard she could scarcely catch her breath. At last, she shook her head and managed, “Papa is well.” Then she explained that her mother had taken away her pin money, declaring it would be wasted on her since she was too thin and shapeless to look well in a new gown. She had said Elizabeth did not know how to behave as a proper lady, and that she would be burdened with her forever, for no man would ever want her. She had mocked her curly brown hair as a travesty, her brown eyes as plain and of no account, and her freckles as unsightly.
When Mr. Bennet tried to intervene, Mrs. Bennet blamed him for ruining their second daughter, for no man desired a wife who knew more than himself. At this, Elizabeth had begun to wail again. Mrs. Bennet then declared that if her own mother did not like her, how would any man like her well enough to marry her?Then she took away her money and went with Jane to purchase a gown, leaving Elizabeth behind.
That morning, when she first learned how little her mother regarded her, she had lain in Lady Lucas’s arms, weeping, and at last had asked, “Why am I so ugly?” Lady Lucas only held her tighter and told her she was not ugly, and bade her stop crying, for she loved her.
When Elizabeth opened her eyes, she found both Charlotte and Alexander had their arms around her, and she heard them say they loved her too, and that all would come right in the end. She had never forgotten how good it felt to be loved, nor how she wished, in that moment, that she might belong to the Lucas family instead of to the Bennets.
Elizabeth pushed the memories down and then changed the subject back to the Netherfield party, saying, “Papa said he brings friends from town, which must enliven our society greatly.”
Elizabeth’s eyes brightened with quiet amusement. “Friends from town will indeed be welcome in Meryton, particularly if they are young men who delight in dancing.”
Jane pressed her sister’s hand. “I only hope they are as amiable as we could wish.”
Charlotte turned a sly eye toward Miss King. “Mary, I heard that you are now an heiress. Is this true?” She glanced round at the other young ladies with a little smile. “Only imagine it, if Mary has inherited ten thousand pounds, she will be the belle of the ball the moment it is made known to the gentlemen.”
Mary’s cheeks flamed scarlet, and Jane, perceiving the younger girl’s distress, took her hand in her own and pressed it. “Mary, I congratulate you. I wish you the best.”
The others followed Jane’s example and also expressed good wishes. Mary, assured that her friends did not resent her for becoming an heiress, grew easy and enjoyed the assembly. Charlotte said, “Look, ladies, there he is.”
All the young women turned to look, and Jane, with open admiration, said, “He has a neat figure and a very open countenance.”
Elizabeth turned to look at the newcomer. “Yes, and his manner seems cheerful.”
Charlotte observed quietly, “The tall lady on his arm must be his sister. She is fashionable and knows it. From the manner in which she surveys the room, it appears we are all beneath her notice.”
Elizabeth was amused. “So much the better, for if she does not observe us, she cannot censure us.” Her gaze lingered on the red-haired sister. “She is a handsome woman with a fine figure. I imagine the couple behind them is Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. I must say, the entire party is elegant and decorous.”
Abby tittered at their observations, but Anise only looked on quietly. Jane, however, exchanged a significant look with Elizabeth, and Charlotte had a look of calculation in her eyes, each aware that the arrival of the Netherfield party might change the fortunes of some in the neighborhood.
Elizabeth shifted her attention to the tall, handsome gentleman elegantly attired in black who entered behind them. “There is another,” she said quietly. “Mr. Darcy.”
