A Lady’s Reputation Chapter Two

Thank you all for your warm welcome and lovely comments to the first post of A Lady’s Reputation. If you missed it, you can find it here.

 

Chapter Two

Sunday, 12 April 1812, Hertfordshire

Mr and Mrs Bennet, followed by Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, strolled towards the church on Sunday morning, enjoying the warmth of a lovely spring day. As they did, they met Lady Lucas, Sir William Lucas, and their sons. Sir William beamed at them. “Bennet, I understand a certain desirable event is in the making.”

Mr Bennet scowled. He was unhappy to learn his wife had read his express, and he would have liked the chance to speak to Mr Darcy before the neighbours had decided on the outcome of their conversation. Though he agreed with his wife that Mr Darcy likely wished to marry Elizabeth, he would be surprised if his favoured daughter wished to marry Mr Darcy.

“Well, she simply must,” snapped her mother when Mr Bennet dared to offer that opinion. “We followed the perversity of your whims with Mr Collins, and I am afraid I must hold sway with Mr Darcy whether Miss Lizzy likes it or not. You know I am right.” 

Mr Bennet sighed. If Sir William knew, chances were that all of Hertfordshire knew, or they certainly would by the time church had ended.

And so it was. Mrs Long was speaking of the felicitous news as they ascended the stairs to the church, and Mrs Goulding immediately went to Mrs Bennet to offer her congratulations on the match. Whispers and murmurs abounded, and Mr Bennet doubted even one person counted the words of the sermon as the most important message delivered in church that day. 

***

Monday, 13 April 1812, London

“Miss Darcy?” Mrs Hobbs entered the music room bearing a calling card. “Miss Bingley has come to see you.”

As Georgiana was not yet out, she did not expect to receive callers. However, as a relation of her brother’s good friend, Georgiana thought it might be rude to refuse her and took the card from the housekeeper’s hand. “Did she say why she was calling?”

“Forgive me, but I must say that she seems more than a little upset.”

“Upset? Why would she be upset?”

“I cannot say. Shall I summon Mrs Annesley to join you?”

“Please do.” Georgiana rose from her seat at the pianoforte. 

Although she would never admit it, Georgiana always dreaded time spent with Miss Bingley. It was no secret the lady had been in mad pursuit of Darcy since her coming out nearly four years ago. Nor was it a secret that she believed the way to secure Darcy was through his young sister. Miss Bingley fawned and fussed over her in a way that was completely mortifying and discomfiting. 

To say Miss Bingley was upset seemed quite an understatement. Georgiana found her looking almost wild with fury, her face pale save for several unattractive red blotches on her cheeks and chest. “Dear Miss Darcy,” Miss Bingley said through gritted teeth. “These…these lies cannot be permitted to stand. I know your brother too well to imagine he would so imperil you and your family’s reputation by affiliating himself with such a…such a…oh, such a bunch of nothings!”

Despite her confusion, Georgiana refused to allow Miss Bingley to see any sign of uncertainty. She raised her chin and tried to appear confident. “I beg your pardon, Miss Bingley, but what do you mean?”

“Do not be sly,” Miss Bingley hissed, glaring at Georgiana with narrow eyes. “The news of your brother’s engagement is all over town! You cannot be ignorant of it.”

My brother’s engagement? Georgiana was stunned into silence. He surely would not have proposed to a woman with her none the wiser! But evidently he had. Was it someone here in town? Surely, she would have known of that. Had he proposed to Cousin Anne in Kent? Oh, she dearly hoped not.

Nevertheless, she had her dignity and would not allow Caroline Bingley to see her as a stupid young girl who was not enough in her brother’s confidence to know of his engagement. “I am afraid I am not at liberty to speak of my brother’s affairs.”

“What is the truth, Miss Darcy? Surely, he is not promised to that horrid Eliza Bennet!”

Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Hertfordshire! Georgiana quickly dropped her eyes, not wanting her visitor to see the surprised delight revealed in them. The lady who had so unexpectedly appeared in Kent while her brother visited—had Fitzwilliam proposed to her? Oh, how wonderful! How happy we will all be! She surreptitiously bit the inside of her cheek to prevent herself from shrieking madly with joy. 

With as much cool hauteur as she could summon, Georgiana said, “They recently spent several weeks together in Kent, and I can say nothing more of the matter than that.”

Miss Bingley let out an indelicate growl. She looked to the side and muttered to herself, no part of which made any sense to Georgiana. “Mud…headstrong…excellent walker…thousand pounds…trade…the mother!”

Georgiana decided it was due time to end the visit, particularly as Miss Bingley appeared to have lost her composure. She rose. “If you will excuse me, Miss Bingley, I am obligated to my studies. Do give my regards to your family.”

Miss Bingley surged to her feet, gesturing to Georgiana with a furiously pointing hand. “You have my pity, Miss Darcy. The gossips will be merciless.”

“My brother’s happiness means more to me than that,” Georgiana replied. Daringly, she added, “He is very much in love, you know.” She hoped it were true. For her cautious brother to have acted so boldly, it certainly must be. 

Her composure lasted until the door closed behind her outraged guest. Georgiana turned, seeing her companion at the other end of the long hall. “Miss Bingley did not seem best pleased,” Mrs Annesley remarked. 

Unable to contain herself any longer, Georgiana closed her eyes and permitted herself a little shriek. “I shall have a sister! My brother is getting married!” She jumped up and down like a gleeful schoolgirl. Mrs Annesley quickly quelled her enthusiasm, but it was too late, as Mrs Hobbs, one footman, and several of the upstairs maids heard her. All were filled with delight and eager to meet their new mistress. 

***

Miss Georgiana Darcy, having been orphaned several years past, was under the guardianship of both her elder brother and her cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. Neither man liked to leave Georgiana alone for too long, and as they had both been so recently in Kent, Fitzwilliam thought Monday evening an ideal time to visit. 

He had scarcely been given a drink before Georgiana swooped in on him, her eyes glowing and her cheeks pink as she demanded, “Tell me all about my new sister!”

Surprise made Fitzwilliam draw back a bit, though he remained calm. “New sister? I have not the pleasure of understanding— Hey! What the devil!”

Astonishingly, Georgiana had pinched his arm rather painfully. “I know all about it, and I am sure you do too! Pray, do not tease me! I must know everything.”

Fitzwilliam rubbed his arm, considering her for a moment. “What have you heard?”

“That my brother has proposed to Miss Elizabeth Bennet and spent his time at Rosings wooing her.”

“Who told you that?” Fitzwilliam’s mind was racing, trying to apprehend the implications of Georgiana having already heard Darcy’s news. 

“Does it matter? According to one of my friends, the news is all around town! Oh, I am so happy! When may I meet her? Is she in town or still in Kent? Is she very kind? I do hope she is not already returned to Hertfordshire! My brother said she was kind-hearted and witty. Will she like me, do you think?”

“The news is all around town?” Fitzwilliam echoed faintly. How could this have happened? He and Darcy had not been returned a week, and the news was already all around town? Such that even Georgiana, a girl not yet out, had heard of it?

Georgiana nodded impatiently. “I ordered the maids to air the mistress’s bedchamber, to clean it out. I know she will likely change it all, but when she first comes to see the house, I would not like her to meet some dusty old museum of a bedchamber! I believe I shall change the coverlet. That one is rather worn, and there was a newer one in one of the guest chambers with the sweetest little flowers on it. Perhaps I could make a little pillow—”

“Georgiana!” Fitzwilliam exclaimed. “Slow down! Things are not yet entirely settled. I know the news has excited your anticipation, but we must not be hasty.”

Georgiana subdued immediately. “Forgive me.”

“You must wait for your brother to tell you himself. Miss Bennet is not yet even in town.”

Georgiana was immediately abashed. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and she lowered her head but not before tears sprung into her eyes. “ I have behaved foolishly, I fear. I do ask your forgiveness.”

“Now, now.” Reaching towards her, he hitched one finger under her chin and gave her a little tweak. “It is not as bad as all of that. No harm done.” 

Georgiana nodded and rose, keeping her eyes lowered. In her customary faint mumble, she said, “Excuse me, I must summon Mrs Hobbs.” 

She rang for the housekeeper and returned to sit with her cousin, shame marking every line of her being. Fitzwilliam regarded her with dismay, wondering at how quickly her elation had plunged into despair and feeling like the veriest wretch for having upset her so. 

Mrs Hobbs entered within minutes, responding to Georgiana’s summons. “Yes, Miss Darcy?”

“Forgive me, Mrs Hobbs. My cousin has told me I must not interfere with my brother’s plans for his new bride. The orders I gave to clean the bedchamber and so forth—I fear it was not my place.”

Mrs Hobbs looked blankly between Georgiana and Fitzwilliam. “I do not understand. You wish the rooms to remain closed? We would not delay on your orders and have begun already to clean.”

Fitzwilliam rubbed his temples. Darcy would not be pleased by all that had transpired without his leave, but surely he would want Georgiana to be elated rather than downtrodden and humiliated? “Cleaning never hurts, does it?” he said before he could think better of it. 

The smile that returned to Georgiana’s face showed him that his instinct had been correct. “No! No, cleaning could not hurt at all! Pray, carry on, Mrs Hobbs.” The housekeeper departed, a relieved smile on her face. 

Fitzwilliam turned to his young cousin. “Your brother would not like to know, I think, that all of his household has been told news that was rightly his to tell. When he returns, allow him to make his announcement as though you had no suspicion of it. Will you promise me that?”

“Of course,” she agreed happily. 

“Just feign ignorance,” Fitzwilliam advised. “He will never suspect otherwise.”

***

Monday, 13 April 1812, Hertfordshire

Darcy’s horse had slowed to a trot by the time he entered the drive to Longbourn, but he did nothing to urge the animal to a faster pace. Anxiety, held at bay for the ride from London, roared at him in full force. What form of indignity awaited? He had seen Mr Bennet at his finest and did not relish the notion of performing as the object of his satire.

The door opened almost immediately following his knock, and he was shown into the parlour directly. Within sat Mrs Bennet and her three youngest daughters with Lady Lucas, Mrs Philips, and Mrs Long. The ladies greeted him with varying degrees of propriety but an almost uniform measure of excessive and open curiosity. Astonishingly, it was Mrs Bennet who spoke the least, appearing dumbstruck by Darcy’s presence. 

Mr Bennet appeared promptly and took him off to his book room. “Mr Darcy, I trust your journey was easy?”

“Very much so.” Hearing a certain stiffness in his tone, Darcy tried to sound friendlier. “I do hope you and your family have been well.”

“We are all in excellent health,” Mr Bennet said as the two men took their seats. “Sir, as I am almost painfully curious as to the purpose of this call, let us both agree the weather has been fine, the health of our families and acquaintances is good, and our recent travels have been easy and move on to the subject of interest.”

Darcy swallowed heavily, the moment of truth before him. “Of course.” He took a deep breath. “I am recently returned from Kent where I have had the pleasure of Miss Elizabeth’s company on several occasions.”

Mr Bennet nodded.

“While I was here in the autumn, I developed a regard for Miss Elizabeth, and on meeting her again in Kent, my regard was no less. Indeed, as the weeks passed and we furthered our acquaintance, it grew substantially. I came to understand that I…I love your daughter, and I wish to make her my wife.”

With a barely perceptible raise of one brow, Mr Bennet asked, “You proposed to Lizzy in Kent?”

“Not exactly, no. She likely expects my addresses.”

“She does? Why?”

“My attentions, while appropriate, could not have been misunderstood. We walked together nearly daily, I called as often as was proper, and we sat together at my aunt’s house.”

“Ah…” Mr Bennet looked pensive. Clearing his throat, he leaned forward. “Mr Darcy, you will forgive my confusion. Lizzy has, alas, failed to mention any of this in her letters home. Your letter was the first I had heard of any attachment between you.”

“I see.”

“I do not fool myself into thinking my grown daughter would regard me as her confidante, particularly in affairs of the heart.” Mr Bennet gave an indulgent chuckle. 

Darcy forced a slight smile. 

“However, all of that aside, I would be remiss if I did not make clear my reservations regarding this match.” Mr Bennet smiled kindly when he saw the look on Darcy’s face. “No, no, I do not intend to withhold my consent. I only wish to discuss my concerns for this marriage as a father who loves his daughter.”

Darcy nodded and cleared his throat. “Such as?”

“Your acquaintance began on unusual footing. I refer to the remark you made at the assembly—not handsome enough to tempt you, something of that nature?”

Darcy felt himself flush red. “I assure you, it has been many months that I have considered her the handsomest woman of my acquaintance.”

Mr Bennet waved his hand. “Who would wish to marry someone he found disagreeable? But has Lizzy forgiven the slight? A woman’s memory is long in such situations, Mr Darcy.”

“I shall address this with her immediately.”

“Excellent. However, my largest concern remains, and I am afraid it will not be remedied so readily.”

Darcy shifted in his seat. “Which is?”

Mr Bennet’s face lost its previous geniality. “I am enough of a man of the world to understand that, although I am a gentleman, Lizzy has never been near to the form of society such as she would inhabit as your wife. Her reception among that sphere concerns me.”

“It is something I have considered as well. My uncle, the Earl of Matlock, has assured me of his and my aunt’s support and assistance. Some may not welcome her, but I do believe there are enough sensible people in London to appreciate her wit and her charm. She will have no cause to repine.”

Mr Bennet nodded. “Good. To be perfectly frank, Lizzy could never find happiness in wealth or in status. She must have true affection and regard for her felicity.”

Darcy felt a brief smile alight upon his usually sombre mien. “She will have true affection and regard in abundance, sir. I shall see to that myself.”

The two men spoke for a while longer regarding plans for the wedding and the more practical aspects of marriage, such as the settlement articles.

“When do you wish to marry, Mr Darcy?”

Darcy now permitted himself a full smile. “As soon as is possible, sir.”

Mr Bennet chuckled. “I have rarely seen a man, once his mind is set towards matrimony, who wishes to delay. Only in the least auspicious circumstances, I suppose, would a young fellow like his nuptials deferred.”

He rose, beckoning Darcy to follow him. “As you might have noticed from your reception in the drawing room, Mrs Bennet has already surmised the purpose of your call today, and I imagine she will have much to say on the subjects of lace and wedding finery. Let us go to her now, but I warn you”—he paused to look at Darcy, his eyes twinkling—“this might become loud.”

***

Wednesday, 15 April 1812, Kent

“Hunsford is such a beautiful place,” said Elizabeth as she sat with her friend in her sunny parlour. “I am sorry to be leaving on Saturday.”

“No more than I am sorry to see you leave.” Charlotte smiled kindly, sipping her tea. “I cannot express how much I have enjoyed these weeks.”

“Let us not jump ahead to the melancholy of separation. I have always despised the natural tendency to lament the end of a thing, which takes away a part of the very thing we cherish! Let us think nothing of our parting at least until the morning it happens.”

“An excellent thought, though I do think the maids who pack your gowns must do differently,” Charlotte replied practically. “I must say, I was surprised that Mr Darcy and his cousin departed with such haste.”

“I suppose there was nothing that made them wish to linger.” 

“And that was the very source of my surprise, for it seemed to me that Mr Darcy liked to linger about you a great deal. Yes, his eyes lingered on you quite often.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “This again! I assure you, he looks at me only to find fault.”

“And I suppose you must think he came upon you by pure coincidence these many days as you were on your walks? The groves and parks of Rosings are vast, my dear. Two people could wander within them all day, every day and never even catch sight of one another.”

“All the perverseness of mischance, then.” Elizabeth pursed her lips and shook her head teasingly at her friend. “In any case, he is gone, and I shall return to Longbourn. I doubt I shall ever cross his path again.”

The ladies spoke of different plans and schemes for the day. Mr Collins had risen early and went off to Rosings, obeying the urgent summons from Lady Catherine. Charlotte knew nothing of the matter but was unconcerned. There were many urgent summonses that arose in the course of a week, and she suspected her ladyship simply enjoyed having her parson rush to attend her.

In the midst of their planning, Charlotte paused, her attention suddenly directed at the scene outside her window. “Is that her ladyship now? Look there, coming up the walk with Mr Collins.”

It was unmistakably Lady Catherine, Mr Collins fluttering anxiously beside her. “She looks seriously displeased,” Elizabeth observed. 

“It is likely because she must enter so humble a dwelling as this,” Charlotte remarked wryly, surveying her small but neatly appointed parlour. The two ladies rose from their seats as they heard the door open. Mr Collins sounded flustered and upset, and Lady Catherine spoke angrily, but they could not comprehend the words.

Elizabeth turned to her friend, “Perhaps I should leave? Whatever distresses her is best left between those concerned.”

“You are likely right,” Charlotte agreed. 

Elizabeth had not yet reached the door when it was forcefully thrust open. Lady Catherine was framed therein, large and magnificently purple with rage. She thrust one bejewelled hand at Elizabeth, nearly touching her nose as she hissed, “Jezebel!”

Mr Collins hovered behind her like a worried little grouse, muttering things about graciousness and condescension and the unworthiness of the Bennets. 

As soon as she recovered from her shock, Elizabeth schooled herself to be pleasant, knowing that to express what she truly wished to say could only lead to ill will towards Charlotte. “I beg your pardon?” 

“A report of a most alarming nature reached me this morning. A letter from my brother, the Earl of Matlock, proclaimed that you are soon to be united in matrimony to my own nephew. I summoned Mr Collins at once, imagining such a scandalous report must be immediately contradicted! But no! He too has heard this report, and by a different means than I. I insist on knowing the truth. Are you engaged to my nephew?”

Elizabeth felt a little flutter in her stomach. Colonel Fitzwilliam told his father he was engaged to her? It did not seemed likely, but perhaps his intentions had moved her way? “I am not engaged to your nephew.”

The hand with that dreadful pointing finger gradually lowered. “I knew you had far too much sense to reach so far beyond your own station.”

Perversely, this rankled. After all, she did not consider Colonel Fitzwilliam so far beyond her reach, and evidently, neither did he or his exalted father. “Your nephew has not yet paid me his addresses. But he is a fine man, and I hold him in the highest esteem. Such sentiments from him must certainly be gratified.”

Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed. “I pray you do not speak your true mind, Miss Bennet. Such a match would never be tolerated within either the family or society. You would not be recognised by any who knew him, and you would cause him to be censured and despised.”

“I do not agree,” Elizabeth retorted. “I am a gentleman’s daughter, am I not?”

“Who are you to aspire to such a match? Who is your mother? Do not think me ignorant of your family situation.”

“If it is nothing to him, it can be nothing to you.”

Throughout this discourse, Mr Collins kept a running monologue, assuring Lady Catherine she was entirely correct and Elizabeth was entirely wrong. Lady Catherine looked at him and barked, “Mr Collins! Silence, I beseech you.”

The room was at once eerily quiet. 

She turned her gaze back to Elizabeth. “Perhaps you are unaware, Miss Bennet, of his prior attachment. He is already engaged to my daughter, a union planned by his mother and I while they were in their cradles. Now, what say you to that?”

This statement served the purpose of bringing Elizabeth up short. “Engaged to Miss de Bourgh? But I had heard of an existing attachment between Mr Darcy and your daughter.”

Lady Catherine looked as though Elizabeth had lost her wits. “Yes! This match to which you have the presumption to aspire will never occur. I shall not permit the pretensions of an upstart such as yourself to destroy the fondest wishes of myself and my sister for her son.”

It was then that Elizabeth finally understood, and the understanding nearly caused her to laugh aloud. Lady Catherine had somehow arrived at the notion she was engaged to Mr Darcy! 

Lady Catherine was not happy to see an amused light appear in Elizabeth’s eyes and pushed for her assurances. “Miss Bennet, I shall not depart this place until you have given me your word that such an engagement does not and will not ever exist.”

Gladly! I shall never marry that odious man! Elizabeth was tempted to respond as such, however, she was still offended by Lady Catherine’s insulting speech, and it raised within her a spirit of mischief. She would never dream of marrying Mr Darcy, but that did not mean she had to admit as much to Lady Catherine. 

“If Mr Darcy is neither by honour nor inclination confined to his cousin, why is he not permitted to make another choice? And if I am that choice, why may I not accept him?”

Lady Catherine sputtered in indignation. “Because honour, decorum, and prudence forbid it.”

Dangerously close to a wicked giggle, Elizabeth said, “I am sorry you feel this way. However, I shall act according to my own heart and my own conscience, not by any other dictate.”

“Obstinate, headstrong girl! I had hoped to find a more reasonable young lady.” With that, Lady Catherine turned on her heel, departing the parsonage with Mr Collins fluttering behind her anxiously. 

Elizabeth felt triumphant for just a moment until she turned and saw Charlotte’s worried frown. “Charlotte? Oh no, I have created difficulty for you.”

“’Tis of no consequence, I am sure.” From Charlotte’s pinched smile and worried brow, it was easy to see that she did not believe her own words. 

“I shall apologise to her immediately.” Elizabeth was embarrassed, understanding that her pride had gotten in the way of her friend’s happiness. 

“No, no,” Charlotte said immediately. “It would likely upset her more. Let us avoid her until Saturday, and all will be well, I am certain of it. But why does she believe you are to be married to Mr Darcy? And to have heard it from her own brother?”

“I cannot imagine.” Elizabeth had been so absorbed in the insults being served that she had not considered the implication of Lady Catherine’s charges. “She said Mr Collins had heard of it through an independent report as well. What did he hear?”

Charlotte shrugged. “I have not the least idea.”

By uneasy dismissal, the ladies agreed to wait until Mr Collins returned to ask him of the specific nature of the reports Lady Catherine had mentioned. However, when Mr Collins returned, his countenance clearly showed the distresses of his past hours. He would brook no opposition and no further discussion to the decisions and plans he had made. Cousin Eliza must leave post-haste, not on Saturday but this very day. Travel by post had been arranged, and she would be in London that evening. An express had already been sent to the Gardiner residence

In shock and dismay, Elizabeth assisted Charlotte’s maid in packing her things. Mortification that she had caused such trouble for the Collinses rendered her silent and humble, though she still could not abide Lady Catherine’s rudeness or such blatant abuse of one’s inferiors. Nevertheless, she would depart quietly and leave it to Mr and Mrs Collins to make amends with their benefactor.