Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman (32 page)

After thinking a moment about his response, he carefully said, “But, in a manner of speaking, we are both changing each other in subtle ways all the time. Knowing you has changed my behavior in so many ways. I hope by sharing our life together I will change you as well. I want to show you the world. I want you to share in the things I enjoy, and I hope that you will do the same for me. If you truly feel that riding is something you would never be interested in, then I apologize for my actions. I just thought that maybe you were simply anxious about the endeavor and needed a push to get started.”

As he waited for an answer, she knew her response was of some import as it seemed to foreshadow how they would resolve their disputes in the future.

She briefly thought how another couple would handle such a dilemma. She could not even imagine her parents being confronted with such a question, as they had apparently long ago resolved never to attempt to include each other in their private pleasures. She tried to picture Jane's response if Mr. Bingley were to press her in such a manner, but she could not envision Mr. Bingley doing more than simply asking. Then again, she could not imagine Mr. Bingley being able to ever persuade her to do something that she was not inclined to do.

She knew she had a strong personality and that she would never waver from her position without being challenged to do so. Maybe that was what she found so infuriating about Fitzwilliam's actions. He had outmaneuvered her—a feat not often accomplished. She was now left with only two alternatives: admitting to a fear or looking as though she was rejecting his request because she was petulant and unwilling to participate in an activity that he held dear. Reluctantly, she began to smile and finally asked, “Exactly how big is this horse?”

Her response made him break into a smile that exposed his dimples. Sweeping her into his arms, he said, “I promise you will not regret this. It is wise to be cautious around horses. They are proud and independent animals, but you need not fear them. You simply need to understand them and then make sure that they respect you in return. We should start by meeting your horse. His name is Fleece. I think you will like him.”

“Why is that?”

“You share common attributes: You are both beautiful to look at, gentle, and, apparently, neither of you startle easily.”

As Elizabeth approached the stable, she watched Darcy talk to her father's steward. She noted that he seemed much more at ease in this setting than he did moments ago with her sisters and her mother in Longbourn's drawing room. She could not help wishing that he were more comfortable with her family. As she looked at her horse and began to wonder why it was that she had agreed to this feat, she thought that her one consolation was that it would give her an opportunity to talk with Fitzwilliam away from her mother and the confines of her house.

As she neared, Darcy looked up at her and smiled warmly. He then said, “I am glad you have come. I must say that it did cross my mind that you might have sought the opportunity to be apart from me in order to flee.”

Taking his hand to stand across from him, Elizabeth returned his smile in an unrestrained manner and replied archly, “Not at all. As a matter of fact, I must confess I did in fact consider escaping, but I knew from past experience that you would probably just follow me. I know you have trouble taking no for an answer.”

Laughing again, he replied, “Well, then, I am happy to see that my persistence has served me so well.” As they stared at each other, smiling, Darcy was inclined to lean down and kiss her, but he soon recollected his surroundings and the workers about on the property. “I think for now we should get to the task at hand.”

As they approached, Fleece backed up ever so slightly. His movement gave Elizabeth reason to pause. Embarrassed that she had let it bother her, she said, “It might be worthwhile to remind me once again why I am learning about riding a horse.”

“I told you before, because it is one of life's pleasures.”

“And do you, sir, feel that it is your responsibility to familiarize me with all of life's pleasures?” As Elizabeth waited for a reply, she understood how her question could be taken and wished she could retract it.

Taking his time to answer, Darcy eventually looked at her with his eyebrows raised and replied, “As a matter of fact, yes I do,” adding with a mischievous smile, “If you must know, I spend an inordinate amount of time contemplating that very subject. I thought riding seemed a safer avenue to explore, but I hope our lessons will not end with that.”

“Mr. Darcy, I believe your real interest in taking me out to ride is to orchestrate time alone with me so that you can attempt to frighten me with your provocative suggestions.”

“May I take it then that I am only attempting to frighten you, that I have not yet actually succeeded?”

“Is your goal to frighten me?”

“Not at all. My spirits are greatly buoyed by the possibility that my words have given you no concern at all. But Fleece is waiting. I know that you are nervous, and that is natural. But please trust me. I would never allow any harm to come to you.” He determined, however, that much like her riding lesson, he should also follow a natural progression in the course of their relationship, and this morning was devoted to teaching her to enjoy riding.

***

As Elizabeth's carriage took the short trip to Netherfield, she sat within it fidgeting with her new gown. Her mother had insisted that she wear it to tea to meet Darcy's sister. At the time, she thought it silly, but as she became more nervous, she had to admit that she wanted to make a good impression on his sister, and with Miss Bingley acting as their hostess, she wondered if she would be given the opportunity. As the carriage pulled up, Darcy was outside, pacing in front of the entrance, clearly awaiting her arrival. As they entered the main drawing room of Netherfield together, Miss Bingley's voice could be heard. “Colonel, then you have met Miss Bennett.”

“Yes, I had the pleasure last spring in Kent.”

“Oh, I did not realize. Forgive me for asking, but having had the benefit of her acquaintance, you must have been as surprised as we were to hear of their engagement. We were all quite stunned.”

The colonel replied in a curt tone, “I was indeed surprised, but I think it was for reasons other than yours.”

As Darcy entered, he cleared his throat and said in a formal manner, “Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, let me present my fiancée, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” As the introductions were made, Elizabeth took solace in Darcy's kind words, but she could not help but feel disappointed that he continued to show Miss Bingley every civility. She knew there was nothing to be done about the slight they had overheard Miss Bingley make, but she could not comprehend how Darcy could keep his temper so even as to make his emotions unreadable. Before Elizabeth could give it more thought, she was drawn into a pleasant conversation with the colonel, who welcomed her unreservedly to his family.

Elizabeth and Georgiana were just beginning to become acquainted when Miss Bingley announced the arrival of the tea and took the opportunity to inject herself into their conversation. “Georgiana, darling, this must be so exciting for you. I am sure Eliza would agree that it must be quite an event to hear of your brother's betrothal by post. I know that Eliza had the pleasure of making the colonel's acquaintance on a previous occasion, but am I not correct that you two have never had the opportunity to meet before now?”

“Yes, Miss Bingley, that is true,” replied Elizabeth.

“But I suppose that is easily explained,” replied Miss Bingley with mock solicitude. “After all I can hardly imagine when your paths might otherwise cross.”

“And yet I do feel,” interjected Georgiana in a meek voice, “that I know Miss Bennet. My brother first mentioned her in his letters to me last November. He had never before referred to any woman of his acquaintance in any of his correspondence, other than, of course, to say that someone sent their regards. I therefore took great notice of the fact that he would often relate to me what she had said or her specific opinion on a given subject. Consequently, when he wrote to say he had secured her hand, I cannot say I was really surprised.”

“He sounds a very loyal correspondent, then?” inquired Elizabeth in an attempt to steer the conversation to safer ground.

“Yes, he has always been. He has been a very devoted brother. I could not be more fortunate.”

As Elizabeth went on to tell Georgiana about her family, they soon fell into a comfortable discourse and the afternoon passed as pleasantly as could be expected.

Before long, Elizabeth soon found that it was time to prepare for dinner and the arrival of her family. The idea gave her some initial discomfort. She knew that her family was an acquired taste, and while Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam had been nothing but cordial since their arrival, she felt that the mixture of their personalities under Miss Bingley's indifferent hand might prove awkward given that that lady had no incentive to make the evening a success.

Her family soon arrived with much more noise and fanfare than she would have liked. Her mother seemed intent on asking Georgiana a series of questions without waiting for her to answer before proceeding to the next. Luckily, Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam were able to provide enough liveliness for the group in general.

The evening began well enough. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth quickly fell into a discussion of their upcoming trip to London. After several moments had passed in this pleasant manner, Mr. Darcy said, “I know there is much to be done while we are in London, but Georgiana has expressed the hope that there might be enough time to attend the theater or perhaps even the opera. My steward tells me there is presently a grand production at the opera house that I think you would enjoy.”

Before Elizabeth could respond, Miss Bingley spoke. “Mrs. Bennet, have you been to the opera in London? Mr. Darcy has an exquisite box there. If your family party is destined to attend, I would highly recommend it.”

Mrs. Bennet, who had been talking to Lydia about the latest fashion, replied in a flustered tone, “Oh, yes… what? I am sorry, dear, I did not hear what you asked.”

“I was just noting that Mr. Darcy was discussing the plans for your upcoming visit to London. A trip to his box at the opera would be a delightful diversion.”

“Oh, yes, my Lord, yes! What a good idea! I have not been in years,” cried Mrs. Bennet. “But I will need something new to wear. You will too, Lizzy. I am sure Mr. Darcy would not want you to be seen in the same old gowns. We will have something made. You must remember, dear, that you need to look the part.”

Unsure who was more vexing, her mother or Miss Bingley, Elizabeth directed her response to the woman whose behavior she thought she might have some small ability to control. “Mother, I am sure I have many acceptable gowns to wear, but I do not think any definite plans have been fixed. We should not assume.”

“Oh, but why should we not go? Now that it has been mentioned, I have my heart set on it. And besides, Lizzy, you need to start thinking of such things. In your new position, it will be important for you to be seen about the
ton
. Moreover, we could bring some of your sisters with us. It would be a wonderful opportunity for Lydia to be seen in such a refined setting. Just because Jane's and your futures are set, we cannot forget your younger sisters.”

But Lydia's assent was much harder to come by. “Mama, I don't want to go to some stuffy old opera. I'll never understand what they are saying. I would much rather go to a party. There must be lots of parties in London. Why can't we have a ball? That would be far more fun. Lizzy, your fiancé's house must be big enough to host a ball. And if it is not, Mr. Bingley's house must be. He probably knows more people who like to dance anyway. I am going to ask Mr. Bingley about it the first chance I get.”

Elizabeth sat in mortification. Lydia's refusal of an invitation that had not yet been offered seemed rude in more ways than one could count, and her unfeeling insult to Darcy made her blush from head to toe. To make matters worse, Elizabeth knew her mother would be oblivious to both the insult and the impropriety of Lydia's suggestion. She looked to Darcy for both his reaction and guidance, but he seemed suddenly engrossed by his watch. Attempting to dissuade her mother from either of the topics at hand, Elizabeth tried a different approach. “Mother, I do not believe our Aunt Gardiner has sufficient room for all my sisters to visit at the same time. We have never discussed them coming. I thought it was decided that only you would accompany Jane and me to London.”

Before her mother could object, Miss Bingley offered, “If it would help with your family's arrangements, dear Jane could stay at our townhouse. Then, perhaps there would be more room for your other sisters at your relations' home in, where is it… oh, yes, Cheapside.”

Elizabeth looked at Miss Bingley with surprise and saw a glint in her eye that showed how much she was enjoying the discomfort she was inflicting. She suddenly understood why Miss Bingley had initiated a conversation with her mother. She had obviously anticipated Elizabeth's weakest side and hoped to play on it.

“Oh, Miss Bingley,” squealed her mother, “what a very thoughtful invitation. How can I thank you? I am sure Jane will appreciate such generosity, and it would indeed give us more room at my brother's house. That way, we could squeeze in Lydia and maybe, if possible, Kitty as well.”

Seeing that her mother had no intention of stopping, Elizabeth attempted to interrupt. But her mother continued on without pause. “Mr. Darcy, perhaps if your sister were inclined to extend the same invitation to Elizabeth, we could fit Mary in as well. Mary will never find a husband with her nose in a book, and while she will no doubt be a trial to me during her entire visit, I suppose it is my duty as her mother to endure it the best I can.”