“She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to temptme; I am at present in no humour to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles. You are wasting your time with me.”
Mr Bingley followed his advice. Mr Darcy walked off; and Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings towards the callous, conceited, arrogant, and disdainful gentleman.
Mr Bingley had opened Netherfield Park at Michaelmas but had not taken possession of the estate before St Nicholas Day. The good people of Meryton had waited two excruciating months in anticipation of the new resident and his friends entering their society, only to suffer great disappointment.
Well, Mr Bingley, she owned, had a pleasant countenance and easy, unaffected manners, which was more than she would ascribe to his sisters. Although decidedly fashionable and handsome, both seemed to think too well of themselves and too meanly of others. Elizabeth could easily justify her harsh judgment of the newcomers when she considered Mr Darcy’s utter lack of manners.
Her grandmother Bennet would of course have excused Mr Darcy’s behaviour by stating that one should not speak behind anyone’s back what one could not say to their face. In that regard, Mr Darcy had been perfectly civil. He had looked her straight in the eyes and declared her appearance tolerable. If she were to follow her grandmother’s words of wisdom, a retaliation…um…reply to the uncharitable speculation would by no means be amiss. An insult should never go unanswered—although they were her own words of wisdom, not her grandmother’s. The gentleman might not remain in theneighbourhood for very long, so another opportunity may never present itself. Elizabeth regarded the offender. He was currently standing in the opposite corner, scowling at her dear friends.
Elizabeth rose with determination, crossed the room, and halted directly in front of him. She relished the slight widening of his eyes, induced by her swift and determined approach.Good, let him be intimidated.She curtseyed deeply. Far be it from her to show any lack of manners onherpart. Oh no,shewould be perfectly civil.
“Mr Darcy, we have not been introduced due to your lack of gentlemanly behaviour. I am willing to overlook that slight impropriety, which surely must count as insignificant and came as the result of you walking away in the middle of an introduction. I am referring to your party’s arrival, when my mother importuned you by asking you to dance with one of her daughters, and your immediate and hasty retreat to the opposite end of the room.”
Mr Darcy opened his mouth as if to speak, but Elizabeth had not finished, and she stopped him with a pointed hand gesture.
“I perfectly comprehend your feelings, Mr Darcy. You are an excellent physiognomist, and you should always judge people’s characters by their looks. One would not want to associate with anyone lacking in appearance, and certainly not dance with any lady slighted by other men. What would we do if all the young ladies who are often overlooked by gentlemen were all of a sudden whisked away to participate in the merriment? I shall tell you! There would be no gossip to be had the following morning, which would certainly not be a blessing…” Elizabeth drew a breath to allow her point to be understood. “You simplymustallow me to express my gratitude. My dear grandmother has instilled in me the virtues of never expressing behind anyone’s back what you cannot say to their face.My neighbourhood seems deprived of honest people. I have repeatedly been told that I am beautiful. Some even go so far as to name me one of the greatest jewels in the county, which is obviously a lie. I, therefore, am most grateful for your forbearance and highly appreciate your sincere evaluation of my appearance. With that said, I shall not disturb you for a moment longer but shall promptly remove my unpalatable presence from your company.”
After a quick parting curtsey, Elizabeth spun away in a flurry of skirts and hastened towards the exit. It would not do to end her perfectly executed monologue in tears, which wouldutterlydefeat her purpose.
Charlotte tried to intercept her escape, but Elizabeth evaded her attempt by almost breaking into a run. Her friend halted in bewilderment, which was fortunate, or Elizabeth would have been left with no time to collect her shawl, and the air had a definite bite to it. Since she could not deprive her mother and sisters of the carriage, walking home was her only alternative, and she travelled the mile in less than fifteen minutes. She might have been running, butthatshe would not admit toanyone.
Quite winded, she entered Longbourn and tried to regain her breath whilst putting away her shawl and slippers. The latter she tucked into the back of a cupboard, utterly ruined as they were. It was best her mother never laid eyes on those, or a scolding would certainly follow. No, it was better if they werelost.
“Lizzy? Is that you?”
Drat!She had hoped to retire unseen to her chamber, but it was not to be. Her father did not usually stay up until they returned from an assembly. It was unfortunate indeed that this was the evening he had chosen to wait up for them. Her tears had dried during the fierce run, but a glance at herself inthe mirror revealed red streaks running down her cheeks. She pinched them to even them out into big red blooms that could be explained by the brisk walk.
“Yes, Father.”
“Join me in my study.”
Elizabeth walked calmly to the end of the hall, where her father sat bent over his book with a single lamp lit.
“Was the ball so dull that you have returned early?”
“Yes, dreadfully.”
“Our neighbours had nothing of importance to discuss?” Mr Bennet smirked.
“Most certainly not,” Elizabeth replied with feeling.
“Ah, a reply corresponding exactly to my sentiments on the matter. You know you need not attend these tedious gatherings, despite your mother’s insistence. I am only too happy to claim you are needed at home, if you should wish it, when the next assembly is announced.”
“Thank you, Papa. I shall consider it.”
“You do that. ’Tis a pity it is too late for a game of chess. Besides, this treatise on crop rotation has caught my interest, and I am loath to put it down until I understand the concept.”
“Then I shall disturb you no further.”
Elizabeth kissed her father good-night and retired.
The morning after the assembly.
“Lizzy! Charlotte is here,” her mother called from below.
Elizabeth had foregone breakfast to avoid the scolding she was certain would come. She had wielded her acerbic tongueagainst an exalted member of society—and a good friend of the eligible Mr Bingley. With the attention the latter had paid to Jane, her mother must be frantic with worry that Elizabeth had alienated the first promising bachelor that had entered their neighbourhood in years. Elizabeth sighed, straightened her back, and descended the stairs to face the consequences of her behaviour.
The parlour was rather crowded. Lady Lucas had brought her two eldest daughters to visit, and Aunt Phillips was always in attendance whenever there was gossip to be had.
