2. Chapter Two

Afew days later Mr. Bennet was sitting in his study, a half-read book open in his lap, when Charlotte entered. Her keen eyes took in his relaxed posture and the empty teacup on the side table.

"Enjoying your solitude as always, I see," she said, laughter lending a lilt to her voice as she joined him by the hearth.

Mr. Bennet's eyes crinkled with amusement. "You know me too well, my dear."

Charlotte's expression grew thoughtful. "Have you had occasion to call on our new neighbours at Netherfield Park yet?"

"Call upon them?" A teasing light entered Mr. Bennet's eyes. "Whyever should I do that?"

"Ah, come, Thomas!" She tapped him on the knee reprovingly. "You must know I am thinking of Jane and Lizzy. If Mr. Bingley is indeed as young and handsome - and rich - as Mama has told me, he would be a fine match for one of them."

"Ah, but he might like you best, if he should chance to meet you, for you are as handsome as any of my girls."

Charlotte's expression softened. She knew that was not in the least true - she did not compare even to Mary, the plainest of the sisters - but she loved her husband for saying it, just the same.

"As it happens, I paid a visit to Netherfield just this morning," Mr. Bennet remarked, marking his place in the book with a ribbon.

Charlotte leaned forward eagerly. "And what did you make of the party? Any gentlemen of merit?"

"I had the pleasure of Mr. Bingley's acquaintance today. He seems a fine young man - amiable, genteel, and clearly able to support a wife in comfort."

Charlotte nodded approvingly. "High praise coming from you. Do you think he might suit one of the girls?"

Mr. Bennet stroked his chin. "Perhaps. Though he struck me as rather too obliging. Our Lizzy would walk all over such a man, I daresay, but sweet tempered Jane may be just the thing for him."

"We must wait until we meet him at the assembly to know for certain," Charlotte concluded sensibly. "But I am glad to hear you approve of the gentleman so far."

Mr. Bennet chuckled. "My dear Charlotte, you missed your calling. You would have made an excellent matchmaker."

Charlotte smiled archly. "I only want what is best for our family."

"I know you do."

"And what of Mr. Bingley's party?" Charlotte pressed. "His sisters? Any other gentlemen we should take note of?"

Mr. Bennet waved a hand dismissively. "I'm afraid I didn't have the pleasure. Bingley was alone when I called."

Charlotte's face fell slightly. She had hoped to gather as much intelligence as possible about the Netherfield party before their introduction at the assembly. Their fortunes and characters were still a mystery.

"Well," she mused, "I suppose we shall have to reserve judgement until we meet them in person."

"Quite right, my dear," Mr. Bennet agreed. "And I daresay they will be reserving their judgements about us as well."

Charlotte nodded. "Then we must be on our very best behaviour. I will make sure the girls understand how important it is that we make a good impression."

Mr. Bennet chuckled. "What a good thing we sent Kitty and Lydia off to school, eh? Else they should doubtless be making a spectacle of themselves."

Charlotte sighed. Mr. Bennet was unfortunately right about that. But she was determined to do all she could to secure prosperous futures for as many of the Bennet daughters as possible. The assembly ball would be a good beginning, and getting at least one of the girls advantageously married could secure the futures of all the rest. There was time yet for Kitty and Lydia to grow up and learn some sense.

"Jane and Lizzy will be admired by all," she said resolutely. "Now, I must go speak with Hill about the girls' gowns."

The Assembly Rooms in Meryton were abuzz with anticipation as the Bennet sisters entered on the evening of the assembly. Charlotte had ensured their gowns were freshly pressed, their slippers polished, and their hair styled in the latest fashions. Jane and Elizabeth were undoubtedly the most handsome young ladies in the room, and certainly did not lack for partners, even if none of the young men who asked were what Charlotte would consider eligible.

When the Netherfield party arrived, Charlotte noted Mr. Bingley's immediate attraction to Jane. His eyes lit up as they were introduced and he quickly secured her hand for the first two dances. Jane's cheeks were prettily flushed as she gracefully moved through the steps with Mr. Bingley, the two stealing admiring glances when they came together.

Mr. Bingley's friend Mr. Darcy stood aloof, his countenance severe as his gaze swept disdainfully over the room. Mr. Bingley's sisters, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, appeared just as displeased with the company, though more socially adept, entering into conversations and dancing with great technical skill, if little flair.

Charlotte kept a watchful eye on Jane and Mr. Bingley as they danced a second time, noting how he leaned in intently whenever Jane spoke. It was clear he was utterly captivated by Jane's beauty and sweet nature.

When the dance ended, Charlotte gently steered Jane to a quiet corner of the room, handing her a glass of lemonade.

"He seems quite taken with you," Charlotte said in a low voice.

Jane blushed. "Oh, he is just being friendly, I am sure."

"My dear, he has hardly taken his eyes off you all evening," Charlotte pressed.

Jane bit her lip, a shy smile spreading across her face. "He is very amiable. And quite handsome."

"Indeed," said Charlotte. "But take care, we know little of him yet. Do not set your heart too firmly until we are sure of his character."

Jane nodded seriously. "Of course. It is too soon to know what his intentions are."

Charlotte squeezed her hand. "Enjoy it, but cautiously, my dear. Now, you may not dance with him again tonight, lest you tempt gossip to circulate, but if he should care to take a turn with you about the room, and indeed accompany you to supper, that would be quite acceptable."

"Yes, Stepmother," Jane said with an obedient nod. Her eyes were bright as she turned her head, and Charlotte observed at once that Mr. Bingley, even though ostensibly engaged in conversation with his friend Mr. Darcy, had never taken his eyes from Jane.

Elizabeth stood near Bingley and his friend, speaking to Charlotte's mother, and Charlotte wondered what had happened when she saw Elizabeth stiffen, and turn first pale, then flush pink. Elizabeth then put her hand to her lips and began to giggle, and Lady Lucas looked about her in consternation.

Charlotte made her way across the room quickly, catching Elizabeth's elbow. "What happened?" she asked in a low voice, but Elizabeth was giggling too hard to answer her. It was Lady Lucas who spoke.

"Well, I hardly know how to tell you, Charlotte. Mr. Bingley's tall friend, Mr. Darcy, seems to think himself very above the company. Dear Mr. Bingley was trying to encourage his friend to dance, pointing out how lovely the ladies of Meryton are, and encouraged Mr. Darcy to ask our Lizzy to dance."

Elizabeth's shoulders were shaking. Charlotte spared her a concerned glance before looking back at her mother. "And?"

"He said… he said… oh I cannot say it, Charlotte, it was quite dreadful!" Lady Lucas fanned herself.

Elizabeth gained control over herself and spoke, lowering her voice in an attempt to mimic Mr. Darcy's haughty tones. "He said I was tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me." Her voice broke on the last words and she began to laugh again, covering her mouth with her gloved hand.

Charlotte gaped for a moment before recollecting herself. "He… well, my goodness." Angry on Elizabeth's behalf, she looked across at the gentleman, only to find him watching them. "Well, perhaps he is determined to think himself above the company. Still." She took a deep breath. "Do not let Mr. Darcy's ill-mannered remarks wound you, Lizzy. First impressions are often misleading. There may be more to him than his proud exterior would suggest."

Elizabeth shook her head. "I very much doubt that, Stepmother. The man is insufferable." She seemed amused rather than hurt, which was a balm to Charlotte's mind.

Charlotte patted Elizabeth's hand. "Just promise me you will not judge too hastily. Keep an open mind, and observe his character further before deciding. He may have judged us quickly, but let us not be so hasty."

Elizabeth sighed. "Very well, for you I will try. But I confess, it will be difficult."

The young lady had heard him. There could be no other explanation for her laughter and the looks she was giving him, as she conversed with the two other ladies. Darcy felt an absolute fool, especially as he hadn't meant a word of it. The younger Bennet girl was quite beautiful, not perhaps so striking as her older sister, but the way her eyes sparkled as she genteelly concealed her laughter behind her gloved hand was really quite enchanting. He could hardly look away, and was already castigating himself for a fool. All he'd wanted was Bingley to stop badgering him to dance, but he was rethinking his stance on that now, staring at the beautiful young woman who clearly thought him a rude buffoon.

Just then, Caroline Bingley sidled up to Mr. Darcy. "Well! I had thought you were being overly pessimistic about this assembly, Mr. Darcy, but after an hour here I am quite in agreement. What a ghastly, provincial affair." She sneered as she looked about her, her gaze alighting on Elizabeth Bennet. "And these Bennet girls who are acclaimed as the beauties of the county! The eldest is pretty enough, I suppose, with that golden hair, but Eliza Bennet? Nothing out of the ordinary. And her manners are decidedly countrified."

Caroline cast her eye critically over Elizabeth's simple gown. "And her dress! She clearly has no taste or fashion." Fingering the gold-encrusted jewels at her throat, Caroline shook her head in a pitying gesture, though Darcy was quite sure she felt no such emotion. "Is that cross around her neck silver? On a ribbon? What a cheap little bauble, though I daresay she has no better."

Darcy made no reply. He was beginning to feel quite thoroughly ashamed of himself, and was debating asking Bingley to introduce him to Miss Elizabeth Bennet after all. At that moment, however, the music ceased and the supper bell rang, and Caroline Bingley latched onto his arm.

"Come, Mr. Darcy, let us go see what victuals are deemed adequate to serve at an assembly such as this." The scorn in her voice made him flinch.

"I have no doubt we will be able to find something to our liking," he murmured.

"Oh, you are too generous, Mr. Darcy! I am merely glad that I thought to instruct the servants to have tea and cake ready for us on our return to Netherfield!"

"Well, Jane seems to have made quite the impression on Mr. Bingley," Mr. Bennet said slyly to Charlotte, as he handed her up into the carriage for their return to Longbourn.

Charlotte smiled. "So it would appear. But let us not jump to conclusions just yet. There is still much to learn of Mr. Bingley's situation and character before determining if he would make Jane a suitable husband."

Mr. Bennet chuckled. "Quite right, my dear. We mustn't get ahead of ourselves." He climbed up and seated himself beside Charlotte.

Elizabeth lingered behind, gazing up at the starry night sky. It had been an evening full of new acquaintances and conflicting first impressions. Yet she had a hopeful feeling that good things lay ahead for them all. Linking arms with Jane, she joined her family in the carriage, her weariness overtaken by pleasant thoughts of the new friendships blossoming in their little village.