Page 8 of Miss Bennet's Dragon
“Oh. I thought I must have left it on. Something above my head fascinates you. I hope you do not see my thoughts? That would be impolitic indeed.”
This provoked astonished silence, perfectly interrupted by the arrival of Sir William and Lady Lucas with my mother, whom they introduced to Mr. Darcy.
Mamma joined our conversation with exuberance.
“In all Hertfordshire,” she exclaimed, aiming a frosty look at Mr. Darcy, “I amquitealone in having bound a firedrake. So, I was most disturbed to hear there are now gentry who do not even prepare marriage gold. Do you not agree, Lady Lucas?”
I suppressed a wince at Mamma’s transparent boast, and at her unsubtle attack on Mr. Darcy—or at least, on his rumored lack of marriage gold. Of course, I had just assaulted him myself, but I flattered myself that I had been bold and clever.
“Yes,” sniffed Lady Lucas. “A binding is most important for marriage. Although, the specifics of draca are perhaps given too much attention.” She frowned at my mother, and there was a pause.
“I imagine the fashion on binding varies,” I said. “The society in London, or other shires, may have different trends.” Having tried to disarm my mother’s insult, I could not resist undermining that by adding, “How do you find our country society, Mr. Darcy?Tolerable?”
He gave one of his short, sharp bows. “Indeed, I find it more than tolerable.” I wondered if he had caught my meaning. He was watching me now, rather than staring above my head, and his gaze was steady. I remembered that I was sparring with a man of consequence.
Miss Bingley hastily excused herself from Charlotte and circled around Mr. Bingley and Jane, who were deeply engaged, to join our expanding group.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” she said, “you are insightful to recognize that high society is distinct. London would doubtless seem most foreign to you.” That was not what I had said, and I enthusiastically prepared to argue. But shecontinued, “London society is excessively biased to refinement and accomplishment, and hardly values marriage gold at all. I fear wild beasts in draca houses will soon be relegated to the rustic lifestyle.” Her laugh tinkled. “You must agree, Mr. Darcy, as you have such an accomplished sister.”
Mr. Darcy had always shown precise posture, but now it became exact. Even his cheeks hollowed. “As I reside more often in the country than in London,” he replied, each word distinct, “I defer to your opinion.”
Miss Bingley’s tinkling laugh choked. Hurriedly, she said, “Of course, Pemberley itself is a center for society.” I gathered that Pemberley was Mr. Darcy’s fabled Derbyshire estate.
“Do you advocate binding draca, sir?” Sir William said to Mr. Darcy. “I greatly support the keeping of draca by gentry. It is one of the grand refinements of polished society.”
Mr. Darcy’s pose stiffened further. “It is popular even with less polished societies. Every savage keeps animals.” He strode away, leaving expressions that ranged from astonishment to offense.
I was simply mystified. He was disagreeable—rude, really—but I could not find a pattern in his comments. It seemed that draca, or marriage gold, caused a strong reaction.
Mr. Darcy’s departure left a sizeable gap which was filled by Lydia and Kitty, who between them had captured Colonel Forster. The colonel commanded the militia regiment quartered in Meryton, and he was a favorite of society despite many ladies’ despair over his recent engagement.
“What do you say, Colonel, to draca?” Sir William asked, unwilling to let the subject end.
“Draca are a great topic among our military planners. The regulars are eager to commission married, bound gentry as officers.” The colonel then addressed the women, explaining, “The Spanish, and French for that matter, have no draca. So if the English can apply them in battle, and our opponents cannot, we should have an advantage.”
I thought his explanation was superficial, but not all ladies purloin pages of theTimesandExaminerfrom their father. My mother’s brow was furrowed, as was Miss Bingley’s.
“So theyarebeing trained,” I said. This must be the “misguided attempts by our military” that Papa had mentioned. That reminded me of Mr. Darcy’s comment about “damage inflicted by our military foolishness.” Could they be related?
“They are attempting to train them,” the colonel said with a smile. “I cannot say if they succeeded.”
Lydia’s eyes had narrowed while I conversed with Colonel Forster. She cried, “Lizzy, you aresodull! The musicians are ready. Let us dance!” There was a brief contest for the colonel’s attention between Kitty and Lydia, then Lydia set off with the colonel as prize.
Mr. Bingley excused himself from Jane and invited Miss Bingley to dance, casting forlorn glances at Jane as he departed. Kitty was claimed by another officer, and Jane and I settled in chairs to compare our impressions of the evening.
Mr. Darcy stood proudly, staring at a wall.
5
WICKEDLY HANDSOME
The daysafter the ball were eventful. Mr. Bingley visited three times in one week: twice with his sisters and once with Mr. Darcy. By now, everyone in our household knew the story of Mr. Darcy’s slight to me, and there were many outraged noises when he was spotted approaching. Mamma greeted him with exceptional rudeness. Fortunately, Mr. Bingley’s attention was all on Jane, so he was oblivious to this mistreatment of his friend.
Mr. Darcy received mother’s greeting in silence, then acknowledged Jane and me, as we had conversed at the ball. After his bow, he faced me for slightly too long as if he intended to speak, but he said nothing. Then he found the farthest chair and stared out the window for the duration of the visit. Afterward, I realized he never spoke a word.
“Why on earth did that disagreeable man come?” my mother scolded after they left.
“I imagine Mr. Bingley enjoys his company,” I said, unfathomable as that seemed. “Or he required a new companion, as his sisters had visited enough for one week.” A single gentleman could visit my father without harm, but Mr. Bingley calling alone on the Bennet sisters would launch gossip.
