~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The first assembly Bennet attended after his year of mourning was the winter ball, held at the end of November 1785. It was there he met Frances Gardiner, who was already out at the age of fifteen.
Fanny, as she was called by all, was the youngest of three children of Elias Gardiner—the local solicitor—and his wife, Jane Lydia Gardiner. The eldest—seven years older than Fanny—was Harriet, called Hattie by all, had recently married Gardiner’s head clerk, Frank Phillips. Next was Edward, four years older than Fanny. Edward was at Oxford completing his education.
As the youngest, and in her mother’s opinion the most beautiful Gardiner, Fanny was indulged and completely spoilt by her mother who had led her to believe that her looks would garner her anything she desired. Mother and daughter had decided that only a landed gentleman would do for Fanny. As Mr Morris, the owner of Netherfield Park, the largest estate in the area, was married and had no son, mother and daughter decided that Thomas Bennet of Longbourn, the second to largest estate, was to be Fanny’s husband.
At that first assembly that Mr Bennet attended, Fanny tried all of the stratagems her mother had taught her to attract Mr Bennet’s notice. They included complimenting him, batting her eyelashes, smiling, and pulling the lace down as low as possible to allow him to see the cleavage of her bosoms.
At first, Bennet was flattered that the very pretty Miss Fanny Gardiner was paying him attention. He attempted to have a conversation with her. It did not take him long to understand that she was unintelligent, vapid, empty headed, and not one who would interest him. Bennet soon excused himself and never requested a dance from Miss Gardiner.
His disinterest only made Fanny and her mother that much more determined that the former would be the mistress of Longbourn. To that end, whenever Mr Bennet was in company with them, Fanny put herself forward and flirted outrageously with him. Nothing she did helped. He did not attend any of the first three assemblies of 1786, and to Fanny’s chagrin, whenever he saw her approaching him, Mr Bennetturned and walked away.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Two days before the winter assembly to be held on the final Friday of November 1786, Fanny ran into her mother’s parlour excitedly. “Mama, I had just entered the Lucas Mercantile when I heard Messrs Bennet and Lucas speaking. It is such good news, Mama,” Fanny gushed.
“What is good news, Fanny dear?” Jane Gardiner enquired.
“Mr Bennet will attend the winter assembly. I want him as my husband, Mama.” Fanny, who had turned sixteen a few months’ past, stomped her foot to make her point. “I heard he is interested in that plain Miss Morris. She will not take what is mine!”
“Then, you will have him as such, my darling girl. And no, we will not allow Melissa Morris to steal that which is yours. After all, you could not be so beautiful for no reason. Hattie is plain which is why I did not object to her accepting your father’s clerk. As Edward has told your father, he will not read the law, it seems that my son-in-law will have my husband’s law practice next. You are not meant for a clerk, or even a future solicitor. Youwillmarry better than I did. Listen to me, Fanny, this is what we will do…”
By the time her mother had explained the plan, Fanny was excited and could not wait for the two days before the assembly to pass.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Bennet’s naiveté with women allowed him to believe that Miss Gardiner had given up her ambition of him ever offering for her when he had indicated by his actions that he had no interest in her. In his mind, human beings were allrational and what woman would want to be with a man who disdained her?
As he had not been in her company for more than six months, Bennet was convinced that Miss Gardiner had understood that her pursuit of his person would bear no fruit.
The reason he had given into Lucas’s entreaties to attend this assembly was because he had found a lady he wanted to court, Miss Melissa Morris, the only daughter of his neighbours who owned Netherfield Park, who he already loved. He was waiting for her to arrive, and intended to request two sets. The first and the last to indicate the significance to all of his neighbours. Then he would request a private interview for the morrow.
Miss Morris was exactly the type of woman he knew he would love. She was intelligent, compassionate, kind, considerate, and loved reading. Unlike the self-centred Miss Gardiner, Miss Morris cared about the needs and feelings of others, as shown by the way she treated the tenants at her father’s estate. He hoped that he had not misread the signs that she had tender feelings for him.
He could not know it, but one of Netherfield Park’s carriage horses had come up lame just before the conveyance turned onto the lane leading to Meryton, which delayed them by about a quarter of an hour. Hence, Bennet was standing and watching the door and did not see Miss Gardiner approaching him.
As she got close to Mr Bennet, Mama let out a squeal which caused Mr Bennet to turn to see what the noise was. Fanny threw off her shawl and fell forward.
Being a gentleman, Bennet could not allow a lady to fall, so without thinking he saved her from hitting the ground. His thanks was for her to wrap her arms around him and force a kiss onto his lips. It was only then, in his horror that Bennetbecame aware that her gown was ripped, exposing almost all of one breast.
Mrs Gardiner’s squeal had achieved both of her aims. Mr Bennet turned towards Fanny as she had planned, and many of those in the hall had their attention pulled towards the event.
“Elias, Mr Bennet is taking liberties with our daughter, and in public too,” Jane Gardiner said, feigning outrage.
“Bennet! You will come see me first thing in the morning!” Gardiner demanded. He was sure this was something his wife and daughter had engineered, but there was no choice. If he did not demand that they wed, Fanny’s reputation would be in tatters.
The protest died in his throat when Bennet saw all of his neighbours staring at him. Worse, while Miss Gardiner was still attached to him like a limpet, the Morrises walked in. The looks on their faces, especially that of Miss Morris told him everything. The Morrises turned and left the assembly hall. The last one to exit was Mr Morris who gave Bennet a look of great disappointment.
It was then Bennet noted the look of triumph on Miss Gardiner’s face. As much as he hated it, Bennet knew he was well and truly trapped. Without a word, he pushed the woman, who he disliked with a white hot intensity, off his person and marched out of the hall.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Gardiner you know that I was entrapped, do you not?” Bennet insisted when he sat down in the solicitor’s office.
“I have not asked my wife and youngest daughter, but I suspect that is what occurred,” Gardiner owned. “That being said, I am afraid there is no choice. If you do not marry her, her reputation would be destroyed.”
“Why should I care about her reputation when I am the aggrieved party here?” Bennet asked.
