The set with Mrs. Hurst was much more uncomfortable than normal. It seemed his slight of who he now knew was Miss Elizabeth Bennet was known by everyone at the assembly.
What soon became rather evident by the looks of disdain he was receiving, in spite of his wealth and connections, he had fallen afoul of the locals by slighting one who seemed to be held in the highest esteem by all in the neighbourhood.
There was not open hostility, but what he felt was just short of that mark. All he could hope was Bingley, who was dancing a second set with the tall, blond Miss Bennet, would not have his standing in the area suffer.
He was here to supposedly assist Bingley, not hurt him. Questioning himself like this was something Darcy did not enjoy. He had done so after almost losing his sister and here he was again having to question his actions.
Bingley was well pleased he had been granted a second set by his angel. She was to sit out the next two dances after the one they were dancing. “Why do youhaveto sit out?” he enquired.
Miss Bennet explained why andallyoung ladies sat out two sets, just like her next younger sister had during the first set she had danced with him.
The pointed way Miss Bennet explained the reasons to him, Bingley was sure Darcy’s words were widely known among the residents of the neighbourhood. Notwithstanding his affability, Bingley was a rather modest man so he did not know how to address the issue with Miss Bennet. Instead, he said nothing hoping the issue would be forgot soon enough. Confronting Darcy was not something he felt up to right then. Bingley used to prefer peace and quiet to an argument.
After his set with Mrs. Hurst Darcy returned her to where her husband and younger sister were standing. It was easy to note Hurst was already in his cups. All that was missing was a settee or chaise lounge for the man to stretch out on and fall asleep.
“We are of one mind about the savages in this neighbourhood,” Miss Bingley purred as soon as she grabbed Darcy’s arm possessively.
As he always had to, Darcy disengaged his arm from Miss Bingley’s talons and placed them behind his back and out of her reach. “I know not to what you refer, Miss Bingley,” Darcy responded. “These people may not be dressed for a soiree in London,” Darcy did not miss the look of triumph which Miss Bingley affected with what she thought was him agreeing with her. “However, for a country assembly, they are dressed appropriately. It is a mark of class that one knows how to dress to fit the occasion.” Not being sure if he was agreeing with her or censoring her, something she was loathe to consider as a possibility, Miss Bingley could not be happy with his reply.
“We had been told about the reported beauty of the Bennet sisters, yet you correctly called one of them barely tolerable,” Miss Bingley tittered into her hand and was joined in it by her sister.
“What I said should not have been said by a gentleman and no lady would think it well done,” Darcy stated. He turned and walked away leaving the sisters vastly dissatisfied.
She had been sure Mr. Darcy would agree with her, but for some reason, he had not been pleased with her witty comments. Caroline Bingley was determined she would be engaged to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, by hook or by crook, before they departed this benighted neighbourhood.
Mrs. Hurst saw her sister was out of sorts and made to placate her before she became too upset. “Caro, I am sure he was angry at having to be among these country mushrooms and his bad mood was not directed at you,” Mrs. Hurst soothed. “You know the two of you are of one mind on most things.”
“Yes, that is true. I thank you for reminding me, Louisa. All will be well and I will be the mistress of Pemberley and Darcy House soon enough,” Miss Bingley stated firmly.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“For that man to say such a thing about one of my daughters is not to be tolerated,” Fanny raged during the carriage ride back to Longbourn. “If I were not worried about your father being killed and us being thrown out of Longbourn into the hedgerows, I would insist your father call the man out. How dare he slight you in that way?”
Elizabeth bit her tongue to stop herself from reminding her mother she had said much worse on many occasions. She understood even though she was not her mother’s favourite daughter, in her mother’s eyes, no one else was allowed to denigrate any of her daughters.
“It is just as well you will not demand it,” Lydia added. “Although he does not wear a scarlet coat, he is tall, handsome, much younger than Papa, and looks much stronger.”
“When we are hurt, the bible says we should offer the other cheek,” Mary sermonised.
“Thank you Mary, we do not need your moralising at this moment,” Fanny dismissed her middle daughter as she was wont to do. She looked to her second daughter. “You are not missing anything by not being introduced to that rude, disagreeable man. I care not if he owns half of Derbyshire.”
“Mama, I can safely say I will never dance with that insufferably proud man. I have no interest in knowing one such as he.”
Even as she said it, Elizabeth felt the pain of disappointment. From the instant he had entered the assembly hall, she had been attracted by his noble mien and extreme handsomeness. She had hoped he would be as intelligent as he was good-looking so they would be able to discuss topics of mutual interest as intellectual equals.
Now she would never know as the man obviously wanted nothing to do with her. Had she not been attracted to him she would have allowed his words to wash over her like water off a duck’s back.
Elizabeth could not explain why, but that knowledge saddened her. She decided then and there she would harden her heart against the man in order to protect that tender organ from being bruised by him again.
Chapter 3
Talk of the possible arrival of a militia regiment sent the two youngest Bennets into a frenzy of extolling their approbation for the possibility of officers in the neighbourhood. Lydia, with Kitty following her lead, was boasting to one and all how she would be the first to marry—and marry an officer she would.
Jane and Elizabeth were mortified at the crass behaviour of the youngest two Bennets and worse was rather than check them, their mother encouraged their behaviour. If she had believed it would have any sort of effect, Elizabeth would have applied to their father to take his youngest daughters in hand.
It was, however, a fool’s errand. Unfortunately, Jane and Elizabeth well knew their father would dismiss their concerns with some sort of soliloquy about how silly Kitty and Lydia, and for that matter Mary too, were. All that would be achieved was a level of frustration for those making the request and once he had amused himself enough, their father would send them out of his study so he could return to his port and books.
“What a great pity,” Lydia whined, “we do not have a new gown to wear to Lucas Lodge this evening. Maria told me that Sir William has invited the officers who are here to look for a site for the encampment.”
