Chapter Text
Pride & Prejudice - Chapter 5:
Within a short walk of Longbourn lived a family with whom the Bennets were particularly intimate... They had several children. The eldest of them, a sensible, intelligent young man, about twenty-seven, was Elizabeth’s intimate friend, a Mr. Charles Lucas. That the Lucases and the Miss Bennets should meet to talk over a ball was absolutely necessary; and the morning after the assembly brought the former to Longbourn to hear and to communicate.
“You began the evening well, Maria,” said Mrs. Bennet with civil self-command to Miss Lucas. “You were Mr. Bingley’s first choice.”Maria blushed.
“Yes; but he seemed to like his second better.” Charlie quipped.
“Oh! You mean Jane, I suppose, because he danced with her twice. To be sure, that did seem as if he admired her - indeed I rather believe he did - I heard something about it - but I hardly know what - something about Mr. Robinson.”
“Perhaps you mean what I discussed with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Robinson; did not I mention it to you? Mr. Robinson’s asking him how he liked our Meryton assemblies, and I asking whether he did not think there were a great many pretty women in the room, and which he thought prettiest? And his answering immediately to the last question: ‘Oh! The eldest Miss Bennet, beyond a doubt; there cannot be two opinions on that point.” Charlie thoroughly enjoyed this little indulgence, to play the role of Lucas gossip. “My overhearings were more to the purpose than Yours, Lizzy. Mr. Darcy is not so well worth listening to as his friend, is he? Poor Lizzy! - to be only just tolerable.” Charlie continued in his light tone. Elizabeth and Charles had a friendship of ease and companionship, and each enjoyed testing and teasing the other. The party continued to discuss his abominable pride.
When he had had enough talk of the unpleasant man, Charlie gave a lopsided grin, too crooked to be handsome. “If I were as rich as Mr. Darcy,” he joked in a singing voice, “I should not care how proud I was. I would keep a pack of foxhounds and drink a bottle of wine a day!” The room dissolved into a fit of giggles and banter about the ridiculously lavish life of Mr. Darcy.
Darcy had agreed to accompany his friend to Neverfield with limited expectations of the estate and county. He was loathe to leave his sister Georgiana, but she had insisted that he find some amusement for himself. Darcy felt there might be joy in mentoring his friend Bingley. But this would come at a cost... to be confined within the same home as Bingley’s sisters would try his patience. But for his friend, and his sister, he attended. In his sulking state, he did consider the punishment fit for such a reckless guardian. The country assembly had stretched his good manners- this place was no different than any other- the whispers of his wealth were spread throughout the room the moment they entered. He typically would leave the gossips behind, and find some dull corner to pass the night, but he strained to listen, for fear of whispers of Georgiana. And then he had strongly disparaged a stranger in the room... A Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
He had wished to push the jolly Bingley back to his partner and leave him alone. He expected that no woman in this room would be worth knowing. But when the lady in question walked past him, he questioned this assumption. She looked at him, knowingly; her fiery eyes held his gaze. Darcy was left in the guilt of guessing she might have heard his acidic comment. He was proving his lack of character yet again. But, unlike most women he knew, she brushed him off, chin held defiantly high. She met with a plain looking man across the room, turned to him, and whispered in his ear. She then broke her stare with him, to smile delightfully at the man and then … of all things … laugh.
The impertinence and audacity should have confirmed his opinion, and dismissed her from his thoughts. But he was surprised to reflect that his eyes consistently landed upon her visage throughout the rest of the night. His chest burned with a strange heat whenever he found her dancing with another and his shoulders tensed when he found her discussing some matter or other with that prosaic man.
He soon discovered through the continued introductions that Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s friend was indeed the son of Sir William Lucas - a shocking discovery! The son had a much more sensible, thoughtful manner to him; nothing like his gabbering kin. Why was it that the brazen woman was constantly returning to the plain Mr. Lucas? What could they be discussing in such a spirited manner that led to such inappropriate laughter? The twinkle in her eye spoke of great bemusement; but Darcy had found nothing but dull but polite conversation when he was introduced to the Mr. Charles Lucas.
Days later, Darcy’s mind still swirled with a potent concoction of confusion, frustration and guilt. He waffled between self-loathing spirred by obsessive memories of Georgianna’s near tragedy, and the strange feelings he could only guess to be jealousy. But whyever would he be jealous of Mr. Charles Lucas? On the third day after the assembly, he resolved to banish the green monster of envy and the black monster of self-pity. It was a fine morning - he determined a hard ride throughout the pretty countryside would slay the creatures.
Charlie and Lizzy had an interesting relationship; for a gentleman and a lady to be such dear friends surprised many people. Indeed, their relationship could be considered scandalous. Luckily, the two were respectable and discreet, and perhaps more importantly, they were both adored by the community of Meryton. There were two predominant opinions of the pair - they would either marry and end happily ever after, or one would betray the other and leave them in an emotional pit of despair. They both had heard this gossip for years, ever since Lizzy had left the nursery behind. And yet the gossip was generally discussed in light hearted teasing.
For Elizabeth’s feelings, she believed she felt a platonic love: deep understanding, respect and comfort in Charles. Lizzy was consament in her decision to not discuss the possibility of their marriage with Charlie - even with her dearest sister Jane. The relationship between a man and a woman was precarious - she was content with their lives as they were, and desperately hoped that they would not damage their friendship, no matter what happened.
For now, it was not a concern. Lizzy was but twenty years of age, and as she was under the protection of her father, was not forced to consider marriage at this given moment. Lizzy met Charlie in the wide open fields as they often did. The past assembly was still a discussion point for the ladies at large, but Lizzy and Charlie had moved on to other topics- one could only talk of dances, ribbons, and lace for so long.
“The Richards are in desperate need of some direction. Their flock has thinned significantly over the summer. Too much disease; there must be some awfully soiled conditions... My father is avoiding the problem.” Lizzy sighed. Having an estate entailed away provided little encouragement for Mr. Bennet. But Elizabeth had always felt the blessing of their situation; even if her mother would argue that they were to be thrown out into the hedgerows. At least they weren’t living in them now! Their family was blessed with more wealth than many, including their tenant families. She was an honest companion to them, and did her best to persuade her father to take action. Her advocating often was given to deaf ears, but she tried nonetheless.
Charlie nodded resolutely. “Oh Lizzy, as much as we both love and respect our fathers, they can both be trying.”
Lizzy grinned, “True - in completely opposite ways.”
“Yes!” He agreed with a hearty laugh. The two smiled as they left the fields to move up a great hill that was often left unfarmed. Lizzy discussed possible tactics to improve the health of Richards’ flock without offending the farmer. Lizzy was accustomed to the necessity of delicacy when suggesting her opinions. She was often interested in what was firmly considered a man’s responsibility.
Darcy had ridden his horse hard from Netherfield, and had found his way through beautiful fields and rested atop a hill overlooking more lovely southern farmland. From Lizzy and Charlie’s angle, he and his steed were hidden. When Darcy had first laid eyes on the man and woman, he tried to convince himself to mount his horse and ride away - he had come out this fine day to banish his thoughts of the infuriating Miss Elizabeth Bennet. But he hardened his resolve - certainly neither of them meant a jot to him - running away would suggest otherwise. As they came closer and banished from his view, his ears locked onto their discussion. First, he perked up at their informal exchange. The way Mr. Lucas called her Lizzy sent a flush of heat up his back and brought his brow to an unhappy glower. Their full laughter was equally unseemly according to proper manners; but Darcy found he could not admonish them. Her laughter was too sweet and unconceited to be stifled by the rules of town. Then, Miss Elizabeth discussed matters of the estate. Darcy, a gentleman farmer himself, was surprised. He had never heard a woman interested in estate matters; let alone providing options for solving the problems. This brought a real shock to his perception of her. His opinion improved as he listened to her intelligence and tact.
“Whatever we conclude, I will need to propose the suggestions in such a way that Mr. Richards believes he was the one who thought up the improvement!” Lizzy sighed with a smirk, “Men can be so fragile. Heaven forbid a woman suggest improvements. You are a rare, confident creature, Charlie” The pair summited the hill to find Darcy tending his horse. “Oh!” Lizzy startled and clamped her mouth shut, fully aware that this pompous man had most likely heard all her ill-bred opinions. She could not help but feel her face flush red. She gave no heed to Mr. Darcy’s opinion of her - she knew she was merely tolerable. But, she felt it was prudent to not actively aggravate such a great friend of Mr. Bingley’s. Jane and Mr. Bingley had stepped into an innate attraction - she wanted to give no cause for Mr. Darcy to think poorly of them; even if she was not tempting enough for a dance.
“Mr. Darcy,” Lizzy greeted with a polite if stiff curtsy.
Darcy turned from his steed, and gave a short bow to the pair.
“Mr. Darcy, greetings. I hope you’ve been enjoying the countryside.” Charlie bowed and smiled softly.
“It is a fine day for exercise.” Darcy quietly agreed. His dark eyes lingered on Miss Elizabeth’s glowing cheeks. Her complexion was bright from the climb, and her eyes lively. Where she was once tolerable, now he was certain she was more than pretty. Her spirited countenance transformed her look to something bewitching. Darcy frowned - this was not an appropriate thought.
Elizabeth mistook Darcy’s frown and icy air for disapproval, but she would not be cowed. “Certainly everyone is entitled to her preferences? Mine is walking. Exercise is a harmless activity.”
Mr. Lucas quickly interjected, with a light hand brushing at her elbow, “Liz, ah- Miss Bennet; Surly Mr. Darcy agrees. There is no need for you to defend yourself.”
Charles Lucas smiled. He was a plain man. Darcy never thought himself vain, but he felt himself questioning why Miss Elizabeth allowed him to touch her so familiarly.
“No, certainly not.” Darcy formally responded, his dark eyes shifting between the man and woman. Was there something deeper between the two of them? Were they intended for one another? Or sweethearts from the earliest of days? If that were true- certainly they would already be married! Darcy stiffened - why did he care?
Elizabeth forced her shoulders to relax, and smiled back at Charlie - his level-head served her well. “Of course; excuse me, Mr. Darcy.” Lizzy was determined to not be frightened by his dark mien, and forced herself to continue on with a light air. “You see, I am accustomed to the council of my mother - no man would respect a lady who tramps across the countryside. Thus, meeting you, I jumped directly to her conclusion. If you would care to refute my mother’s expert opinion, I would be most grateful.” Her eyes twinkled, daring Mr. Darcy to continue on in her playful manner.
She would be disappointed, but not surprised.
“Tramping across the countryside is not walking. I cannot refuse your mother’s opinion in this matter.”
Lizzy bit her lower lip, as her eyes found Charlie’s. She repressed the laughter bubbling within, and curtsied, “Good day, Mr. Darcy. I will proceed with my improper behavior.” With that, she briskly walked past him and his horse.
“Lizzy!” Charlie called after her. Sighing, he looked to Darcy with a weak smile, and bowed a proper goodbye to the man, and quickly followed in her fearless wake. Darcy watched the pair. He was surprised to find his heartbeat quicken, his hands go clammy. He whispered the name, “Elizabeth,” as if trying out a new language. He glowered as he realized he would not be vanquishing the green monster any time soon.