Page 6 of Ever After End
CHAPTER 5
P erhaps one might say that Miss Woodhouse had been paid out for her snub to the residents of The Gables, for fortune did not smile upon any of her hopes for being courted by Mr Churchill in the following weeks. Darcy, Bingley, and Hurst remained in London for two days while Darcy attended to some business. As planned, the ladies of The Gables stayed home the night of Mrs Weston’s dinner.
Emma attended her friend’s dinner party, and to say the least, her friend’s demeanour towards her had cooled somewhat, though Emma was not concerned. Anne Weston understood Emma, having been her governess and companion for seventeen years, and knew how Emma felt about such matters as rank. Emma knew any discomfort would be smoothed over in no time. For now, Emma was simply enjoying the opportunity to be out of the house. The Bingleys had been invited everywhere recently, so she had accepted no invitations.
That evening, Emma took great care with her appearance, and knew that she looked very fine indeed when she descended the stairs. She was all anticipation to meet Frank Churchill. Like Miss Bates and her letters from her niece, Mr Weston had been in the habit of sharing all the details of his son’s correspondence for years. To her, Frank Churchill sounded like the perfect man; well-connected, wealthy, now with an estate of his own. She had heard tales of his grades at school and prowess in gentlemanly pursuits since her girlhood. Since she was old enough to marry she had been certain that if he ever visited his father, he would fall immediately in love with her and take her far away from Highbury.
Perhaps that might have happened if not for the attendance of another unexpected guest. Mrs Weston had known since the previous day that Miss Bates was bringing a guest of her own and had purposely not mentioned it, for fear of giving Emma another excuse to refuse to attend her dinner party.
Emma entered the hall at Randalls and was introduced to Mr Churchill, who had not so far disappointed her with his manner and appearance. After the introduction, she entered the drawing room with her hand upon the young man’s arm, feeling for all the world like the cat who got the cream, when she was startled by someone who rushed up on her right.
“Surprise!” shouted Miss Bates excitedly, shoving a beautiful blonde up to Emma’s notice. “Look! Look, Miss Woodhouse, look who has come, it is my niece Jane Fairfax, she has just arrived yesterday, and will stay with me for a month while Colonel Campbell and his family travel to Ireland! Oh, we are to have such good times, Miss Woodhouse, now that Jane has come to join us in Highbury, I am certain we shall get up to all manner of high jinks! Is it not exciting?”
Emma ground her teeth as she said everything that was polite to Jane Fairfax, who had been to Highbury for short visits once or twice in the past. She was not at all pleased to see her. She had spent years waiting for Frank Churchill to visit his father, and now that he was finally here, she was to share his attentions with Jane Fairfax , of all people?
The company conversed in the drawing room for three quarters of an hour, waiting for dinner to be announced. Emma listened to Miss Bates’s nonsensical chatter while she glowered at Mr Knightley. Eventually, he made his way over once Miss Bates moved on to speak with Mr Woodhouse, who was sitting quite close to the fire, as always .
“Why are you glaring at me, Emma?” he said, smiling as he joined her.
“Oh! Because it is bad enough that you bully me to come when we had no wish to, and now you leave me to endure not only the excessive attentions of Miss Bates, but also the unpleasant proximity of Jane Fairfax!”
“Why do you dislike her?” he asked curiously.
“Because she is too perfect, and therefore there must be something wrong with her!” Emma insisted. “And because she already knows Mr Churchill from her visit to Weymouth, and she should give the rest of us here the opportunity to converse with him, since we have never had the opportunity to do so.”
“You wish for his attention, then?” asked Knightley. “Whatever for?”
“It would be nice to know him, since we have heard so much about him,” said Emma. “You have not had the opportunity to speak much with Miss Fairfax. You ought to pay her some attention so Mrs Weston and the rest of the party can get to know Mr Churchill better.”
“No, I do not think I will,” said Mr Knightley, obviously piqued, though Emma was sure she did not know why.
During dinner, Mr Churchill ignored Emma, who was seated on his right, in favour of talking over several others in order to converse with Miss Fairfax, who was across the table a few seats down on his left. Emma steamed through the entire meal, having no other conversation except that of Mr Elton, who was on her right, and who rambled on insensibly throughout the entire meal. The man had recently married a tedious woman after being refused by Emma, and he spent the entire meal attempting to make her feel her mistake. All Emma felt was the urge to run sobbing from the room. Why had she attended again? Oh yes. She owed this attention to dear Anne. Well… if she had known that Jane Fairfax would be here and that Anne would be so inconsiderate in her seating arrangements, she very well might have remained at home.
Over the course of the meal, the new Mrs Elton had manoeuvred Mr Knightley into opening Donwell Abbey for the company’s enjoyment. The very first thing Mr Knightley did was get Mr Woodhouse to agree that given the length of time since The Abbey had entertained, that he and Emma certainly must attend. Emma narrowed her eyes at Knightley, knowing that the man intended to use this event to force her into an introduction with the Bingleys and their guests. Emma did know that the tradespeople had a gentleman of great wealth and consequence visiting them, along with his young sister. Emma finally decided that she must, at least, make herself available to this gentleman and his sister, if for no other reason than to give them some genteel company during their visit to Highbury. She could not have it said that the society in their village was lacking.
After the meal ended, and it was time for the ladies to exhibit, Emma performed a piece that was of middling difficulty without error, and which she knew that she could sing very well. The company gave their polite attention, but Emma knew that she may as well have never sat down. Everyone was on tenterhooks for Jane Fairfax, of whose talent they had heard of extensively for years. Jane sat down without any music sheets at all and immediately began playing vigorously and impressively. Emma sat unhappily as Jane Fairfax displayed her superiority at the instrument, and though her own talents were not at all embarrassing, when Jane opened her mouth to sing, Emma decided she had felt enough mortification. She looked out of the window, saw a light drizzle that would not be enough to prevent anyone from getting home safely. However, anything was enough to distress her father.
“Is that lightning?” she said cunningly, interrupting Miss Fairfax’s performance. That was all she needed to say to make her father jump out of his chair by the fire and begin his exclamations, setting off Miss Bates and the other neighbours in turn, as Mr and Mrs Weston tried without success to calm everyone. In a trice, the guests were in their carriages, rushing for home in case the light rain outside unexpectedly became a dangerous storm.
Miss Bates was in the drawing room with Miss Darcy and Bingley’s sisters when the men returned from London to The Gables the following day. Mr Knightley was present as well, though the excitement of Miss Bates prevented the man from telling the party why he was there himself. Bingley’s neighbour was there to personally invite them to an outing for the entire neighbourhood at Donwell Abbey, to tour the house and grounds and to picnic outdoors. Bingley was hesitant in accepting, but Darcy could see that it seemed important to their neighbour, so he, and then Georgiana, made encouraging remarks about it sounding delightful. Finally, Bingley accepted for their entire household.
Although it was apparent that Bingley’s sisters did not care for the older lady, Miss Bates was one of the kind ladies who had called upon the women of the house. The reason for their dislike was evident, for the lady was annoyingly high-strung. However, for some reason, Georgiana had taken a shine to her. Georgiana and Miss Bates called upon each other nearly every day, and Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst found themselves unable to say no to Georgiana’s request for their chaperonage. Darcy had noticed that when Georgiana gave Miss Bates her direct attention and spoke kindly to her, with sincere interest, the lady seemed to calm somewhat and babble rather less.
The day of the outing, just over a week later, was a glorious summer day. The ladies all had their parasols to protect them from the sun, and the hood of the barouche was opened. The other guests were mostly there when they arrived, and were beginning to tour the house in small groups. Darcy made sure that he turned away and led Georgiana to converse with Miss Bates and a Miss Harriet Smith when Knightley began to introduce the Woodhouses to Bingley and his family.
Miss Woodhouse behaved as if there was a bad smell under her nose when introduced to the Bingleys. Mr Bingley was extremely reserved in his greeting, then solicited his host immediately for an introduction to a blue-eyed angel nearby. Darcy smiled. Bingley could find an angel under a rock. He wondered if perhaps this new young lady might change his host’s mind about the quality of the neighbourhood.
Another newcomer to the community, a Mr Churchill, looked rather distressed at Bingley’s immediate attention to the blonde beauty. Worried for their brother’s prospects, his sisters immediately attached themselves to the pair, dragging Mr Hurst with them, and paying as little notice to Miss Woodhouse as possible. The Bingley sisters did not like to be snubbed, and would give Miss Woodhouse very little opportunity to do so.
Darcy was content to trail after his sister, Miss Bates, and Miss Smith as they excitedly toured the house, listening quietly to Miss Bates telling Georgiana amusing anecdotes about how things were when Mr Knightley’s mother was mistress. The lady had been visiting the abbey since she was a young girl and recalled details that even their host, eight years her junior, had forgotten.
Darcy was amused by his sister’s friendship with the older woman. “She has lost her mother, and is all alone, Brother,” his sister replied the day before when he had questioned her about it. “I understand her. What would become of me if anything happened to you and Richard? I might not be poor, but I would be alone. And, please do not let this hurt your feelings, but I have been lonely for the company of a mother or an older sister. She has spent a terrible six months pining for company during her mourning. She is excitable, but she is also harmless, good-hearted, and a truly kind person. This pleases me a great deal more than good breeding or haughty manners.”
Later, when they had all explored the house to their content, they all repaired outside to do the same with the intention of exploring the grounds. Spying Mr Knightley striding purposefully towards him with Miss Woodhouse on his arm, Darcy ducked out of the way, heading towards Bingley and the beautiful blonde. Bingley was like a dog with a bone, and Mr Churchill had given up for now. Darcy joined the pair and subtly began to pay the lady his attentions.
Bingley raised a brow at him, and Darcy gave him a sly wink. They had played this game many times when Darcy was attempting to avoid the company of some shrew. In order to insult the woman, Darcy would pay slight attention to whomever Bingley was following instead. For Darcy, even the tiniest attention to a female was significant and enough to offend and embarrass whichever woman was stalking him, and also served to show Bingley whether he was courting a fortune hunter. Those ladies who were only looking for the largest fortune they could manage all forgot Bingley in seconds once Darcy appeared.
Darcy watched out of the corner of his eye as Miss Woodhouse grew frustrated. She obviously wished to be introduced to him, but he would not humour her after her slight of his friend. That was no way to reward her poor behaviour. Miss Fairfax was obviously bewildered by all the notice she received, and kept looking at Mr Churchill as if he might save her. So that is how the wind blows . Darcy thought to himself. I will have to point it out to Bingley before he makes the girl too uncomfortable, though perhaps her suitor’s resolve would benefit from the pressure .
After a half an hour of wandering, the party came together under the canopies to relax and to partake of the marvellous feast their host had provided. Miss Fairfax, rattled from all of the male attention, went directly to the harp, outraging Miss Woodhouse, not because that lady wanted to play, but because she did not know how to play, and her neighbours knew it. Miss Woodhouse sat with Miss Smith, Mr Knightley, and Mr Frank Churchill, while Bingley followed Miss Fairfax as close to the harp as he could, and Darcy sat with Georgiana and Miss Bates. Mr Woodhouse, the Westons, and the other guests paired off into small groups of their own.
After a comfortable hour and a half, Georgiana and Miss Fairfax had exchanged places (Darcy was astonished at Miss Bates’s ease in encouraging his sister to perform), and then exchanged them again, and the company sated themselves. They had not, however, convinced Mr Woodhouse to allow anyone to eat any cake, which he had guarded the entire time on the insistence that “ It is not good for you .” Caroline and Louisa were sitting near Hurst, who had, as usual, fallen asleep.
It appeared that Frank Churchill was feeling quite as neglected as Miss Woodhouse, for he suddenly sat up with a mischievous gleam in his eye, and said, “Miss Woodhouse tells me that she demands to know what you are all thinking of.”
“Did I?” Miss Woodhouse giggled.
“You certainly did!” he insisted. “Knightley, as our host, you should begin.”
“I do not know,” Knightley drawled. “Are you certain you wish to know what I am thinking, Emma?”
“No, I am certain I do not, Mr Knightley,” Miss Woodhouse said quickly. “I would rather hear nearly anything else.”
Mrs Elton, never liking a situation that did not feature her as the centre of attention, expressed a disapproval for Mr Churchill’s deference to Emma’s demands , and insisted that her husband accompany her for a walk.
“You are all so very dull!” declared Churchill. “Very well, Miss Woodhouse demands that each of you must produce one entertaining remark that is very clever, or two that are very dull.”
“Well I shall have no trouble on that last, shall I?” joked Miss Bates, giggling, and nudging Georgiana companionably with her elbow.
“Of course you will, Miss Bates, for however will you limit yourself to only two?” snapped Miss Woodhouse irritably. A shocked hush fell over the entire party, every person present open-mouthed and appalled by Miss Woodhouse’s cruel remark.
“Ah yes,” said Miss Bates, blushing scarlet from Emma’s insult. “I can see what she means. I talk too much, it is true. I will do my best to hold my tongue.”
Mr Weston attempted to enter the conversation and say something very entertaining, no doubt in an effort to lighten the mood, but his effort was wasted as they all watched Miss Bates rise quickly and flee into the gardens, a small sob escaping her as she went. Everyone looked at Miss Woodhouse critically; indeed, even the Bingley sisters were indignant on behalf of Miss Bates. They were obliged to tolerate the older woman’s company every day with Miss Darcy, and if they could avoid outright cruelty, then anyone ought to be able to do it.
“Well, really!” Georgiana said, breaking the ice as she rose to her feet. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself!” she snapped at Miss Woodhouse as she followed after Miss Bates.
“Hear, hear,” snorted Mr Hurst, who had woken just in time to see the debacle.
The party broke up, everyone pairing into groups and heading in different directions towards the gardens. Mr Knightley took off after Emma when she fled to her carriage, and Darcy set off after Georgiana and her much older friend. He heard them on the other side of a large hedge as he skirted the edge of the garden.
“You do not understand her,” he heard Miss Bates say, obviously in tears. “Miss Woodhouse is truly the epitome of goodness, I must make myself very disagreeable sometimes, or she would never have said it.”
“You must not tell yourself that,” said Georgiana. “I will allow that it is possible that Miss Woodhouse may often be the epitome of goodness, but she was not good, nor was she kind today, and that can only be her own fault, not yours, Miss Bates. You are all that is kind and good-hearted in this world. I will not let you take the blame for her peevishness! She spent the day attempting to gain the attention of the gentlemen, and when she could not obtain the attention of the men she wanted, she became sharp. It is not attractive behaviour, but she is the one who has indulged in it, and it must be laid at her own door.”
Darcy moved on, impressed by his sister’s acumen. After strolling for some time, he came across Knightley, looking frustrated. “Badly done, Darcy!” he said.
Darcy knew that his old acquaintance from town was referring to his avoidance of Miss Woodhouse all day. “Do not berate me as if I were your young lady friend, Knightley,” he huffed. “She is an insufferable snob, and I hope you did not expect Miss Darcy and me to notice her after her snub not only of my friend and his family, but now, of her own people from her own village! You cannot expect us to reward such behaviour with our friendship. I have seen how you look at the girl, and I comprehend your predicament, but just because you like her, does not make her agreeable. Why do you like her, anyway? She quite ruined your party.”
Knightley, knowing that he could not argue with any of Darcy’s points, stalked away in irritation. When Darcy and Georgiana returned to the group in the company of Miss Bates, Miss Woodhouse and her father had left in their carriage, and the rest of the party was breaking up. The guests were leaving, none having the heart for the open carriage rides Mr Knightley had planned for their enjoyment.