Page 40 of Obligation and Redemption
The silence in Mr. Collins’ quarter allowed Elizabeth and Jane the opportunity to converse on the evening’s prospects – Elizabeth, expecting many lively dances with her long-held acquaintances, and Jane, without giving too much of her feelings away, upon the pleasure to be had in the company of Mr. Bingley and his sisters.
While they were chatting over the sounds of the carriage and horses, Elizabeth did not notice that Mr. Collins had placed two folded pieces of parchment into her reticule.
When Mr. Wickham had arrived that morning for the call, Mr. Collins watched diligently to see if Elizabeth would give in to her base longings and speak with Mr. Wickham, as Lady Catherine had directed him to do.
While watching out of the window to see Mr. Wickham leave, he saw the man’s obscure summons, quickly exiting the house from the service entrance and going into the shrubbery, where Mr. Wickham waited for him.
Mr. Wickham had devised a backup plan to ensure success before the day was complete.
He had written two correspondences to Elizabeth, declaring his unabashed feelings for her with a hope of future assignations, and planned to find a means of placing them onto her person before the ball.
One was dated for the day of the ball and the other from two days prior, with a broken seal to make it look as though she had already received and opened a letter from him, sentimentally keeping it with her.
Lady Catherine had told him to use her parson as was necessary, that although Mr. Collins was betrothed to join the Bennet family, like a hound, he was loyal to his benefactress.
He instructed Mr. Collins in detail concerning when and how to place the private missives into Miss Elizabeth’s reticule.
Mr. Collins had only to wait for the moment most conducive to success, which he found in the darkness of the carriage.
Once this was accomplished, he need wait until Wickham had been at the ball for at least an hour before telling Mr. Darcy of his witnessing a note being given to Elizabeth from the man.
Once Mr. Darcy sought for and received the evidence, he would be free from the Bennet family.
Of course, Mr. Collins was insensible to the adverse effect this would now have upon his own betrothed, as well as himself should Mr. Wickham find success, but he had not thought through Lady Catherine’s directives to that extent, as he was not a sagacious man, trusting her implicitly.
As the carriage approached Netherfield Park, its inhabitants admired the general splendour of the well-lit structure.
Each window of the home emanated light and beckoned those arriving to enter and join the festivities.
Due to Mr. Bingley’s giving the ball in honour of Elizabeth and Darcy, Elizabeth was to arrive just prior to its opening.
The Longbourn party was greeted upon entering by Mr. Bingley and his younger sister.
Although Mr. Bingley’s welcome was gracious and anticipatory of a pleasant evening, Miss Bingley’s greeting contained only the barest of civilities.
They remained in the receiving line with their hosts, chatting amicably with the master of the home, until more of the guests began to arrive.
Elizabeth and Jane then entered the drawing room, which was well lit and arrayed with seasonal flowers, while Kitty made her own explorations.
As Mr. Collins and Mary found the nearest seats against the wall, the elder Miss Bennets kept to themselves facing the entrance to witness the arrival of the neighbourhood.
All were bedecked in their finest attire.
When Charlotte entered the room, she walked over to her friends who were smiling and waving in her direction. “Eliza, Jane, you both look splendid this evening. Your men will be anxious to take a turn with you, I will wager.”
“Oh, Charlotte,” said Elizabeth with a laugh, “you amuse me. You must remember that I am barely tolerable according to the man to whom you refer. However, perhaps other gentlemen will find me handsome enough for dances when I have completed the obligatory one, and that will satisfy me and my wounded vanity.” Elizabeth said this in jest; however deep down, she hoped that her life would not be filled with the insecurities that come when one cannot find favour with a spouse.
She had seen this between her parents daily; also she had been found lacking repeatedly in contrast to Jane, and happily accepted the comparison, for who could be more beautiful than Jane in countenance or character?
But to always be found wanting by a husband – that would be a sore trial to bear.
The three chatted about the happenings since last they met, then moved on to examine the other guests who had been arriving at a steady pace.
This was the grandest ball that the market town of Meryton had witnessed since Elizabeth had come out in society at sixteen, and all invited wore their best and wished for her well-doing in a good natured way, forgetting that they had ever scoffed at Elizabeth’s predicament betwixt the storm and her engagement.
To be sure it would have been more for the advantage of conversation, had Miss Elizabeth Bennet come upon the town without hope of an attachment; or, as the happiest alternative, been secluded from the world, in some distant farmhouse.
But there was much to be talked of in marrying her; and those who also had the benefit of an invitation to the ball to celebrate the union lost but little of their spirit in this change of circumstances because with such a husband, her misery was considered certain, despite his wealth.
Elizabeth had not yet encountered Mr. Darcy, and she began to wonder if he might not make his expected showing.
She had almost given up on the pleasure when he approached from behind.
“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Lucas, you all look lovely this evening,” said he after an appropriate bow.
Turning to Elizabeth he continued, “May I retrieve some refreshment for you and your friends before the dancing begins?”
Elizabeth was astonished at Mr. Darcy’s attention, but then remembered his tardiness and chose to tease him.
“You may, sir. I am surprised though that I have not yet seen you. I remember your recently telling me that you are usually prompt in your concerns. I am afraid that you are teaching me not to believe a word you say. That is not a fruitful way to begin the marriage state.”
“I apologise. I hope I have not alarmed you,” he replied, hiding any emotion he may have felt at her censure.
“No. However, I did arrive early myself, as you and I are to be the honoured guests. Have you forgotten?”
She had a way of annoying him with her teasing. Of course, it did not occur to him that this was due to the usual veracity of her assertions. Mr. Darcy disliked being scrutinised by people in general, but especially those beneath himself.
He had lingered overlong in the family sitting room with the Hursts before making his entrance shortly after the arrival of the first Bennet carriage, but then had been caught by Miss Bingley, who in favour of his company, had rudely left the receiving line to let her brother perform the hosting duties on his own, while she occupied Mr. Darcy in an adjoining room, out of the view of his fiancée.
Miss Bingley had become quite irritable over the course of the past week since Darcy’s return, and was seeking solace upon that same man’s arm.
She meant to make this evening as unpleasant for Miss Elizabeth Bennet as she could and had been whispering words of disparagement concerning that lady and her friends in attendance.
Miss Bingley was comparing their social skills to her own fine abilities, the absurdity of the analysis completely lost upon herself.
Darcy had finally been able to extricate himself from Miss Bingley’s hold upon his arm and then look for his bride-to-be.
He had found her on the opposite side of the room, facing the doorway that led to the entrance.
She was laughing at something her friend, Miss Lucas, had been saying.
She certainly seemed to be enjoying herself thus far, which was more than he could say of himself.
For someone who claims to be unhappy about the marriage, she seems to be happy enough.
He had longed to have this evening come to an end and would have made an even later entrance if duty had not obligated him to join the festivities.
Knowing he could not delay any further, he had crossed the room to her discourteous enquiries, and thus the conversation continued.
“I have not forgotten. Please, excuse me; I will procure some refreshment for you and your companions.” He then made a quick bow and departed to complete the task.
“Eliza,” said Charlotte, “you must not be so severe on Mr. Darcy. I think he is trying to be solicitous. Rather than tease him so, perhaps you should try to show a little affection and respect. A man needs to feel as though his partner admires him.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Charlotte, since when have you become an expert on the male disposition? I think Mr. Darcy gets enough of that with Miss Bingley. I know you mean to help, but truly, I cannot be someone different than I am in order to gratify a man who has no fondness for me. We must, each of us, learn to accept the eccentricities of the other, and that, my friend, will be difficult enough for me without having to pretend feelings that I do not possess.”
“But, surely you see that you will have to change to accommodate his own requirements. He could make your life uncomfortable if he has a mind. Mr. Darcy is not your father; he may not appreciate a woman who asserts her own opinions so decidedly.”