Page 5 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
Darcy followed her gaze to her youngest sisters. “Perhaps you might introduce me to your sister Mary. I have met Miss Bennet. Later, I would be pleased to be introduced to Miss Kitty.”
“You will be very pleased with my Lydia. She is everything delightful, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Bennet said, again attempting to better his opinion of her youngest.
“Perhaps another time. She runs as a child before they begin lessons. My aunt, the countess, would toss her into the nursery, then cut all connection with the family. Any woman who cannot regulate herself or her children to behave with decorum would be barred from every drawing room ofthe ton.”
“My two youngest sisters, Kitty and Lydia. Kitty takes little pleasure from following Lydia, but my mother gives Lydia some protection against her own folly,” Miss Elizabeth said softly. “Mary, I am glad you have joined us.”
“It is as Elizabeth has said countless times, Mother,” Miss Mary said, obviously hearing much of the exchange and winking from behind her mother’s line of sight.
Darcy was astonished that the younger lady, one not much older than his own sister, was so quick to ascertain he and Miss Elizabeth were making more of their acquaintance than there was. Further surprising him, a lady he had never spoken towinkedat him.
“Mr. Darcy, my sister Mary.” Miss Elizabeth nodded to her sister. “Mary, this is Mr. Darcy from Pemberley in Derbyshire. Sir, Mary is diligent in her practice on the pianoforte and delights us with her ability to draw profiles. At Longbourn, Jane is unmatched in embroidery, yet my eldest sister’s greatest gift is her ability to see the best in everyone. Even a poor wretch like me.”
“Nonsense. Mr. Gardiner described you exactly. I find you to be enchanting and lovely. I know you would have a bevy of suitors in London before you chose the man who will make you the happiest maiden in the land. My own aunt intends to see through a union between my cousin and me.” Darcy glanced at Mrs. Bennet to make certain the woman heard him, so thatshe would not again thrust her child in his direction. “May I infringe on your goodness whilst I am here? We might begin the friendship we never had an opportunity to start in London, Miss Elizabeth.”
“I would like that very much, sir. I, too, have anticipated our introduction these last many months.”
“Then you will honor me with a set?”
“With so few gentlemen, I can assure you, with impunity, we all have at least one set free. I am glad to grant you a set. Mary, Jane, and our dearest friend Charlotte might fill out the remainder of your sets with intelligent conversation.”
“Lizzy, he will not care about your preference for books. Nor will he want to dance with Charlotte. She is so plain, Mary is thought a beauty when beside her,” Mrs. Bennet said in admonishment.
Both pity for Miss Mary and the need to clarify to Mrs. Bennet that she had no input on whom he danced with drove Darcy to secure sets from the lady’s daughters. “I am indebted to you, Miss Elizabeth, and you, Miss Mary. I look forward to standing up with you both.”
Considering the matter further, he thought,Miss Bingley receives compliments she does not deserve, yet doles out disparagements. The two Miss Bennets are treated to insults, yet they remain kind and even playful. I see they have the graciousness of their aunt Madeline Gardiner.
Darcy led Miss Elizabeth to the floor. Miss Lydia’s laugh echoed, drawing the attention of all. “Oh, Mr. Dickerson, you know I have longed to dance with you. Do twirl me about again!”
Miss Elizabeth blushed. “If any others of consequence witnessed such a display, it would not matter how good Jane is or how many times I attempt to disguise their follies. Our chances at good matches would be less than what my mother currently laments.”
“Your efforts to conceal those transgressions are laudable, Miss Elizabeth. But I cannot deny the truth in what you said.”
“It is fortunate they do not go to Town.” Miss Elizabeth shook her head. “If it would please you, sir, when our set is complete, I shall take you to meet Charlotte, with whom Mary now converses. Ensuring your evening is replete with pleasurable company is the easiest of matters.”
“You are everything generous, Miss Elizabeth.”
Mrs. Bennet is Ever Herself at the Assembly
“Did you hear that, Sister?” Mrs. Bennet trilled, grasping her sister’s arm. “Three times did Mr. Darcy, a man worth ten thousand a year, refuse an introduction to my dear Lydia. He called her a child with no manners who should still be in the nursery. He suggests that if her behavior were witnessed in Town, it would ruin our family. His audacity is beyond the pale. I will tell Mr. Bennet the moment I am home.”
“Our sister Gardiner has said the same. It might well be true,” Mrs. Philips said, watching Mr. Darcy frown with disdain, then follow his eyes to her youngest Bennet niece on the dance floor. “Excuse me, dear sister. I do believe my husband requires my assistance to escape conversation with Mr. Long. The man is determined to see his second son given a clerk’s position, but the boy has no head for numbers.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Bennet said absently, not knowing what direction to look once she was alone.
Mrs. Goulding, an acquaintance of near twenty years, said, “I wonder if you will finally listen, Mrs. Bennet. As a friend, I remind you that we often see your Elizabeth and, to a lesserdegree, Jane, urging you to check your youngest. You allowed her out at fourteen because she was so demanding, then she boasted of gaining her way. Because of her flirtatious behavior, I have forbidden my nieces from her company. I am not alone in choosing thus.”
“You cannot imagine the pressure of—”
“Pray, excuse me, Mrs. Bennet. Your complaints are often canvassed. I hope for more varied conversation this evening.” Then Mrs. Goulding retreated to the other matrons.
Overwhelmed by the violence of sudden flutterings in her chest, Mrs. Bennet was frantic, searching the dancers to catch sight of her dear Lydia.
It was with immense relief that Mrs. Bennet saw her youngest laughing when they lined up for the second dance in the set. She scanned the expressions of their neighbors nearest to Lydia, expecting to see their enjoyment of her daughter’sjoie de vivre. The disdain she saw in those attending Lydia was shocking.
Mrs. Bennet marched toward Kitty, who was near Lydia, intending to scold her fourth daughter for allowing her sister to behave so. When Kitty attempted to intervene, Mrs. Bennet stopped. The relief of herself being unnecessary was fleeting. Lydia slapped her sister’s hand away, then rushed toward another gentleman since her partner had left her on the dance floor.
To her horror, Mrs. Bennet watched Lydia be denied, the young man’s sneer proving his disfavor. Her knees weakened when she saw Lydia pester one of their married neighbors until he agreed.
