Chapter 4

B ingley, his sisters, and Hurst were at home to the gentlemen of the neighbourhood who began to call at the polite time the morning after they had taken up residence at the estate.

One of the first to call was a Sir William Lucas. After some rather intrusive questions about Bingley's situation, the man informed his host that in his role of master of ceremonies of the local assembly, which would be held on Friday upcoming, the Bingley party was invited to attend.

Even though he did not believe he would meet anyone with the connections and wealth he desired, Bingley accepted—without consulting his sisters or brother-in-law—with the hope he would meet an angel.

"Charles, how could you accept for all of us?" Miss Bingley asked as soon as the knight had been shown out of the drawing room. "You know how Mr. Darcy detests such an event with those with whom he is not acquainted. He will not be well pleased by you committing him to attend."

"Darcy will get over it," Bingley averred dismissively. "He will survive a few hours with the unwashed masses."

"Brother, may I remind you that those who attend these local assemblies are landed gentry, so they are above you and Caroline," Mrs. Hurst pointed out. There were two sour looks as neither her older brother or younger sister enjoyed their roots being pointed out to them. "Once you purchase an estate, that will change and if Caro marries a gentleman, then her status will be elevated as mine was. "

Bingley was well aware Louisa spoke the truth, but it did not mean he had to enjoy it being brought into stark relief before him.

There was a stream of gentleman who came to meet the new master of Netherfield Park and his family. None of the callers mentioned who the owner of the estate was as they, just like Sir William did, knew Mrs. Bennet preferred not to have the information made known to strangers, unless she chose to share it herself.

A quarter hour before the end of calling hours, the final gent was shown in. The butler announced Mr. Thomas Bennet of Longbourn. It did not take very long for Bennet to discover the report Philips had furnished Cilla was wholly accurate.

Mr. Bingley's questions, although not pointed were to discover how many daughters he had interspersed with some not so subtle inquiries regarding Longbourn's size and income. Like he did when faced with such questioning, Bennet mentioned there was an entail on Longbourn. He was telling the truth, and as most did, his host assumed it was one in favour of heirs male while never enquiring if there were Bennet sons. Bennet simply did not correct the misapprehension and as he was not asked about the nature of the entail, he did not expound on the subject.

It did have the desired effect of making Mr. Bingley disinterested in the Bennets' finances based on his assumptions regarding their perceived lack of wealth. After a bow to those in the room, Bennet took his leave.

"Let us hope there are some fashionable people at the assembly," Miss Bingley stated once the calling hours were completed.

"I doubt it," Bingley opined. "At least Darcy will arrive on the morrow and give us some more varied company."

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Still extremely concerned about Anna's state of mind and the pain she was experiencing thanks to Wickham's attempted perfidy, the last thing Darcy wanted to hear was that Bingley had committed him to attend a local assembly. Neither had he wanted to dance nor socialise with those with whom he was unfamiliar, never mind those to whom he had no connection.

At the same time he knew he should not dishonour his host by refusing to attend and remain in his chambers for the night. If he chose that path, at least he would be alone thanks to Miss Bingley's having given up her hunt of him.

He had reneged on his word to inspect the estate with Bingley as it had been far too soon after Anna's almost ruin to leave her alone. He hated not honouring his word, but, in his mind, that was one time there had been no choice. Thanks to the timing, he had not been able to stand by his commitment to Bingley. That drove him to make his decision. As much as he would prefer not to, Darcy would attend the infernal assembly ball.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Due to the report their father had relayed after his call at Netherfield Park, Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary did not anticipate much pleasure in their upcoming meeting of the Bingley party at the assembly that night.

With four ladies in gowns appropriate for a local assembly, which were simpler and far less fine than the ones they would wear in London, Bennet had chosen to use the relatively new, comfortable, and spacious coach for the one mile journey to the assembly hall.

After he had been compromised by his first wife in this very locale, due to the horror the place represented to him, Bennet had never returned. That was, until after he and Cilla married. With her he made new and pleasant memories, danced with her as much as propriety allowed, and exorcised the ghosts of Fanny Gardiner's behaviour which had forced his hand.

Bennet alighted first, handed his three daughters out and then had the pleasure of assisting his beloved wife. As soon as the master, mistress, and the three misses were clear, the coachman guided his team of four to the area where the carriages were kept until needed again.

"It seems more crowded than the preceding assembly," Jane observed.

"There was not great anticipation of meeting the Netherfield Park party last time," Priscilla pointed out. "I believe I see people from as far afield as Hatfield and St. Albans."

"I thank God and my parents for the fact none of us need to marry for security, only love and respect," Elizabeth said softly so only her family could hear her.

They never boasted about the size of their dowries or that Papa had steadily added land to Longbourn so that with the almost doubling of the number of tenants, the annual profit was above six thousand pounds. When combined with that generated by Netherfield Park, the Bennets had a clear eleven thousand pounds a year. There were very few in the neighbourhood who knew the truth. One of the only ones outside of Mr. Philips was Miss Charlotte Lucas.

Although Charlotte was four years older than Jane, and six more than Elizabeth, the three had been the best of friends for many years. Unfortunately, at six and twenty Charlotte was considered an ‘ on the shelf '' spinster.

Mary was friendly with Charlotte's shy sister, Maria, who was seventeen and in her first year of being considered out. There were two Lucas sons, Franklin who was three years older than Charlotte, and Johnathan, called Johnny by all, who was four years Charlotte's junior. As close as the families were, there were no attractions between the Bennet sisters and the Lucas brothers .

At times when Charlotte would lament her situation, she would wish Henry Bennet would have been born some years earlier. She was friendly with both Bennet sons, but they were counted as little brothers.

Charlotte and Maria were standing with their parents, so after receiving permission from their own parents to do so, the three Bennet sisters walked over to join the Lucases. They curtsied to Sir William and Lady Lucas and then the five young ladies moved off to one side.

"How many sets are we to sit out tonight?" Jane asked Charlotte.

"Based on the increased numbers of ladies present, we will need to choose three sets to miss," Charlotte responded.

The Bennet sisters crossed three sets off each of her dance cards. A little before the first set was called by Sir William, there was a commotion at the door. It seemed the party from Netherfield Park had arrived.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

So far, Darcy was not impressed by what he had seen of the hall itself or the attendants within. As he avoided the ones in Lambton, he did not consider as it was a country assembly, one did not dress as they would for the same kind of event in London. The Hursts were the only ones dressed appropriately while he, Bingley, and Miss Bingley were intentionally, or unintentionally, insulting the locals by the manner of their dress, as if they were attending a ball given by a leading member of the Ton .

At least they had departed the estate at the time they needed in order to arrive before the first dance began. Since Miss Bingley had accepted she would never be Mrs. Darcy, she had given up her habit of being fashionably late for any event she attended.

Already in a bad mood, it did not improve when on entering the hall, most of those already present stared at them as if they were oddities.

Sir William approached and Bingley bowed which was returned by the ebullient man. "Welcome to our humble assembly, Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley, and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst." Sir William noticed the man he had not met. "Would you introduce your friend to me please."

Darcy was about to make a biting comment about it being his prerogative to request the introduction. Thankfully he had said nothing as he would have made a fool out of himself—something he detested—which he realised as soon as he heard Bingley's reply.

"It is my honour, Sir William. Sir William, I present to you my friend, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire. Darcy, Sir William Lucas of Lucas Lodge," Bingley intoned.

Darcy bowed and his courtesy was returned by the knight. Sir William led the Netherfield Park party over to where his wife was standing. He introduced his wife, sons—who had just arrived—and his two daughters. Before Sir William could introduce the other three ladies, Darcy felt a pain in his forehead and stalked off to the corner of the room to be away from everyone else.

Bingley did not even notice his friend had left his side. He had just requested a set from Miss Lucas when he looked at the Bennet sisters again. One of them qualified as a blonde angel, while the middle one, although comely, was on the petite side, had dark hair, and emerald green eyes. The younger sister had dark hair—similar to Miss Elizabeth's—was not as tall as the angel, and had pale blue eyes, which were almost grey. Her hair and eye colour did not diminish her looks, she too was very comely. He promptly requested sets from all three in descending age order. Miss Elizabeth explained she could not dance the set he had requested, but had the next open. He did not pay attention long enough to hear why she would sit out during the set. Miss Mary had the set open which he had wanted to dance with her next older sister.

Before he could think to ask about the Bennets' family, Sir William was introducing him to more of his neighbours. He was sure he would be able to greet Mr. Bennet and meet Mrs. Bennet later.

Darcy did his duty and requested Mrs. Hurst to dance the second set with him and Miss Bingley the third. As soon as he danced with Bingley's sisters, he returned to his corner. How he wished he had not come to this country ball. He was self-aware enough to know that given his mood he was feeling even more unsociable than normal.

After returning Miss Mary to her friend Miss Maria, with whom he would dance the seventh set, Bingley made his way over to where Darcy was standing. He saw Miss Elizabeth sitting close to where Darcy stood. It was convenient as he was to dance the next set with her. He was determined to ask Miss Bennet for a second set as soon as he had the opportunity. With five minutes between sets, Bingley knew he needed to speak fast before he collected Miss Elizabeth.

Bingley addressed Darcy: "Come, Darcy," said he, "I must have you dance other than with my sisters. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. The next set will begin in under five minutes. You had much better dance."

"I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this it would be insupportable. I have done my duty to your sisters, and there is not another woman in the room with whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up."

"I would not be so fastidious as you are for a kingdom!" cried Bingley, "Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty, even if there is no wealth or rank between them."

" You danced with the only handsome girl in the room," Mr. Darcy claimed, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.

"Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, with whom I am to partner for the next set. I dare say she is both pretty and agreeable. May I introduce you."

"Which do you mean?" and turning round Darcy looked for a moment at the lady Bingley referenced, till seemingly catching her eye. He turned back to Bingley and coldly stated: "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me ; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who have been slighted by other men. You had better collect her for your set, as you are wasting your time with me."

Without a word, Bingley stood before Miss Elizabeth and bowed to her. Elizabeth was seething, neither man had the good breeding to lower his voice. It was good the slight was aimed at her, because if it had been a girl with less self-confidence, one who did not know her worth, or did not have a mama who often told her daughters how pretty they were, it could have been devastating.

Mr. Darcy had a handsome outward shell but evidently he was a rude, arrogant, insufferable man on the inside. Elizabeth resolved to not think of the man and his unwarranted insult any more. As Mr. Bingley led her to the floor, she gave Mr. Darcy a look of reproof.

Now that Darcy saw her, he had to admit his assessment of her looks had been anything but accurate. And if the gimlet eye he had received from arguably the finest emerald-green eyes he had ever seen was any indication, she had heard his ungentlemanly way of trying to have Bingley leave him be. He knew of his tendency to say the wrong thing when he was angry. Darcy was aware he should not have said what he did, regardless of the lack of veracity of his statement. His conscience pricked him as he remembered the promise he made to his mother right before she passed away. He would have to try and do better. Why, oh why, had he attended?

When Bingley attempted to request a second set from the angel, she had politely refused explaining all of her sets were taken. As much as he wanted to dance with Miss Bennet again, with her card full, there was nothing he could do.

The truth was Jane was happy she had a good excuse. Mr. Bingley was one of those men who only saw her outward looks, and if that were not enough, he seemed rather immature as well. If he gained some maturity he could possibly be a man in whom she could be interested.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

The same evening of the assembly in Meryton, the Duke of Bedford was sharing some news with his wife. "I met Hertfordshire in the Lords this afternoon."

Lord Archibald Winston was the Duke of Hertfordshire. The Duke and his family were close friends of the Rhys-Davies, Carringtons, and Fitzwilliams.

"And? Did he say how Gwendoline is?" Lady Rose enquired.

"His wife is well," Bedford averred. "That is not the best news. Hertfordshire had thought he would not be able to join us on The Rose this year, yet now he is able to do so! The whole family will be with us. It will make up for you, Charity, and the Fitzwilliams missing our adventure."

"That is indeed good news." The duchess paused briefly. "Now I will have to work on Gwen to remain with me."

Bedford was sure Hertfordshire would prefer his wife join them, but he also knew his friend would respect his wife's will.