“The Consequence of Courage”

Happy Friday, Janeites! Once again, I come before you with a small offering of my newest, unedited manuscript. Not untitled you ask?  No! My darling child now has a new name, thanks to reader J. W. Garrett’s suggestion! “The Consequence of Courage” will be available this summer, and I can’t wait for you to devour it.

To whet your appetite, here’s a bit from Chapter 2.

Enjoy. 🙂

Chapter 2

Friday, November 13, 18___

Elizabeth Bennet was not formed for ill-humor. However, even her patience was being tested by the inhabitants of Netherfield Park. One more day. With any luck, Jane will be better by tomorrow, and we can leave this detestable place.

She had been forced into company with those who had only recently been strangers to her, a Mr. Bingley, his two sisters, Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst and her husband a Mr. Hurst, as well as his oldest friend, Mr. Darcy. Of the individuals, all but Mr. Bingley himself was lacking in proper behavior while the others exemplified a number of faults: the sisters’ arrogance; the brother-in-law indolence; and the friend Mr. Darcy… too numerous to list. Conceit, arrogance, overt disdain for anyone outside of his party. “The man is insufferable!” And he had glared at her entirely too much for her own pleasure.

This evening would be much as the previous nights had been. She would assure Jane was well, go down to dinner, where no one would speak to her, save Miss Bingley with her barbed words. Then, she would excuse herself to check on Jane, and after a time return to show her hosts the respect they were due by sitting in the drawing room. There she would once again be ignored or harassed by Mr. Darcy’s glares or Miss Bingley’s strange questions, which led to nothing but raising up that woman’s own sense of superiority.

But, I am a gentleman’s daughter and have been raised as such. My secret thoughts of Caroline Bingley will not leave my lips. EVEN if she calls me ‘Eliza’ one more time. Elizabeth blew out a frustrated breath. It is apparent she is in pursuit of Mr. Darcy and feels I am a threat to her cause. There can be nothing farther from the truth as the man despises me, and I him.

She pulled the covers down over Jane’s shoulders and felt her brow. “Your fever is gone, my dear,” she whispered. “I believe that soon we will be able to return to Longbourn.”

At these words, Jane began to stir. “Lizzy?” A slow smile spread across her lips as the elder sister opened her eyes. “Did you say we are to leave Netherfield? But I have not secured Mr. Bingley’s affections.”

Both girls let out a wan smile as Elizabeth stroked her sister’s hair. “I am grateful your sense of humor has returned. Although, Mama would agree and insist upon us staying longer, I believe you would do much better at home. How are you feeling, dearest?”

“I believe I might be able to come down later, if you would help me. I so wish to see our hosts and thank them for their hospitality. I fear Miss Bingley would not have invited me had she known I would have taken ill.”

“Or that our mother was planning to send you on a horse in the rain? We seem like the most grasping hoydens.”

“Lizzy. Caroline is my friend. She would not think that of me. She may not understand our mother as the Netherfield party is new to the area, but I would hope they would choose kindness over contempt.”

I do not believe ‘kindness’ is in Caroline Bingley’s vocabulary. “As you wish, Jane. Only take care not to over exert yourself today. If you are better, you may sit in the drawing room, allowing Mr. Bingley to make eyes at you while I deflect Mr. Darcy’s contemptuous gaze.”

“Oh, Lizzy. He is not that bad. Besides, he is a great gentleman with many concerns. I do believe he has numerous weights upon his broad shoulders.”

“I will concur his shoulders are broad, but I am certain others have the same number of concerns.”

A small smirk spread across Jane Bennet’s lips. “You have noticed his shoulders?”

“I am not blind. If he was not so disagreeable, he would actually be quite the most attractive man I had ever seen. But, looks are only skin deep, and I am afraid his character has proven to be lacking.”

“Yes, well I will not argue as you have been in his company longer than I. But, I cannot imagine why Mr. Bingley who is the example of all that is amiable would befriend someone who you say has all the worst qualities. He is not using him for advantage, do you think?”

“No,” Elizabeth said shaking her head. “Maybe his sister would, but not Mr. Bingley. I cannot figure out their friendship at all. However, maybe Mr. Bingley’s kind heart will influence his friend, and Mr. Darcy will cease to be so venomous.”

“Then you will not feel averse to appreciating his broad shoulders?”

Elizabeth gently swatted her sister. “Yes, maybe. However, can truly I appreciate a man who finds me so repulsive? Saying I was not tolerable enough to tempt him to dance at the Assembly mere weeks ago? I know Mrs. Long heard, and therefore now everyone in Meryton knows without a doubt that what Mama has said for years is true.”

“What are you referring to?”

“That you are the most beautiful of all her daughters, and that no decent man would want her least desirable daughter, namely me.”

“Lizzy!”

“It is true. Mr. Darcy has proven it. And now, I must reap the rewards of his notice, or lack thereof.” The room grew silent for a moment, and Elizabeth saw Jane biting her lip, and reached for her hand. “Do not worry, my dear. I am only speaking in jest. Mr. Darcy has not injured me. I am quite content with my looks and realize that who one finds pleasing, another will not. Mr. Darcy means nothing to me, nor do his opinions.”

She squeezed Jane’s hand and stood, releasing it, and moved towards the window. Throwing open the curtains, she turned and smiled. “Come, sister. Let us bring you back to the living. I will call for a bath for you and we will wash your hair and prepare you to sit with Mr. Bingley and his sisters tonight. Even when not in the best of health, you will still be in the best of looks.” She winked at Jane and walked over to pull the bell for the maid. “Tonight, you will shine.”

The clear but tired voice of her sister answered her. “No, Lizzy. Tonight, you will shine, as you always do.”

XXXXX

The fire in the sitting room at Netherfield was roaring at an unusually high heat while one of the principal occupants milled around like a mother-hen. With Jane’s first day in company after having been in the house for several days, Mr. Bingley appeared most grateful to be by her side. Elizabeth looked on with pleasure as the lord of the manner instructed a footman to bring blankets to drape around her sister. His fussing and flitting about was a tell-tale sign to her that her Jane’s affections were reciprocated.

“I say, Miss Bennett. I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you with us this evening. I have been most concerned for your well-being. The only solace I have had is that Miss Elizabeth has been your faithful companion while you were convalescing.”

He leaned toward her and tucked the blanket around her, stopping mid-motion, recognizing the impropriety. “Forgive me.”

“All is well, Sir,” Jane said blushing. “I am grateful for your attention to my health. Lizzy has shared the concern of all members of the party, and I thank you.” Jane glanced around the room, smiling at those she made eye contact with.

Caroline Bingley nodded. “Dear, Jane. It is nothing when one is as close of friends as we are. I am determined to see you well and back home as soon as may be to the family who loves you.” She turned to Mrs. Hurst, “I would not wish to linger longer than necessary in a house which was not my own. The familiar sights and sounds would call for me to return as quickly as possible to ensure my comfort.” Turning back to Jane with an ingratiating glance, she sighed. “That is all I have wished for you, dear friend. These several days.”

Elizabeth watched as Jane’s smile altered during Miss Bingley’s speech. Rebranding it on her lips, she turned and looked at Elizabeth with a new understanding, before thanking the mistress of the house and continuing her conversation with Mr. Bingley.

A footman entered the room and bowed low before saying, “Miss Bingley, Mrs. Nichols is in need of a word with you.”

Looking affronted, Caroline rose imperiously. “Since our party is incomplete, I will excuse myself to deal with estate matters. One has so many responsibilities when the mistress of an estate. I will return shortly.”

She will return as soon as she can in hopes of not missing a moment with Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth chuckled and picked up her sewing as she relaxed into the couch across from Jane and Mr. Bingley. They were quite a merry party, content in their own pursuits their side of the room, with Mrs. Hurst and her husband on the opposite side, he asleep, and she playing with her bracelets.

After a few moments of conversation, Mr. Darcy entered the room and walked directly to Jane. “Miss Bennett, it is good to see you down with us. You are looking well.”

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I am feeling well, thanks to my hosts and their care.”

“And also your sister, I am sure.”

“To be sure,” Jane replied.

“Darcy, sit with us,” Mr. Bingley said, as the man began to walk across the room. “Miss Bennet and I were just speaking of accomplishments and I mentioned how gifted Miss Darcy is.”

“You were speaking of Georgiana?”

“We were speaking of accomplishments and although Caroline often inflates her opinion of people, I cannot fault her with Miss Darcy’s playing of the pianoforte.”

Mr. Darcy sat on the couch by Elizabeth, and she tamped down her irritation of having the man so close.

“Other than the pianoforte, what other accomplishments does she possess?” Jane asked, turning a gentle gaze on Mr. Darcy.

“She is quite adept at painting tables, netting purses and the like.”

“I am certain you are being too modest, Sir. Miss Bingley has spoken to me of her many talents and I find myself feeling less than exemplary.”

Much to Elizabeth’s delight, Mr. Bingley immediately came to her sister’s unnecessary defense. “I assure you, Miss Bennet. Miss Darcy’s talents may be remarkable, but you have charms of your own which make you enchanting.”

She saw Mr. Darcy tighten his jaw and wasn’t sure if it was because of the compliment to her sister, or the seeming insult to his. Jane must have witnessed it as well because in her most ‘Jane like’ manner, she smiled at Mr. Darcy.

“Forgive the apparent slight to your sister, Sir. I am certain her abilities far surpass my own, and that is no attempt to inflate my own self-importance. That is speaking a fact.”

“Miss Bennet, I assure you, my sister has had training on the pianoforte since she could barely walk. Everyone’s accomplishments and talents are at different levels.”

Jane touched her finger to her lip in thought before replying. “That is true, Sir. Some might judge people to be merely tolerable I suppose, but not accomplished enough to impress others. No, we should all take stock of our own capabilities and not degrade those who we have not met.” She gave the master of Pemberley a pointed look. “Please do not think I would ever judge your sister as such. Just as I would never want you to judge any of mine before knowing them.”

At that she smiled and turned to Bingley to continue their conversation, leaving Mr. Darcy with a puzzled expression until the significance dawned. He turned to Elizabeth who at once lowered her gaze and was concentrating quite decidedly on her embroidery.

Well, what do you think? Where is Mr. Wickham, you ask?  Oh, just you wait. He’s on his way, but not quite yet!  🙂