Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman (17 page)

“As I said, you are not intruding. But if you wanted privacy, I am in your way.”

“No, you were here first. Let me leave you to your game.”

Stepping toward her, he said in an earnest tone, “Miss Bennet, I would like you to stay.” At his words, she looked up to see him staring intensely at her. He then said, “I believe you walked in on me once before, in this very room, and at the time I failed to invite you to remain. I have long regretted that decision. Please give me the opportunity to correct my prior mistake. Let me just retrieve my coat.”

Shocked at how nervous she felt, she simply said, “Very well, sir,” as she continued to stare at the pattern in the carpet.

After turning around to put on his coat, he stood before her, smiling broadly. After a pause, he asked. “How have you been?”

“Quite well, thank you. And you?”

“Very well, thank you for asking… I just returned from town… I had some business with my steward that could not be delayed, but I wanted to return as soon as I could.”

Somewhat startled by the implication of his statement, she could not help but respond, “Is that so?”

“Yes, Mr. Bingley wrote to tell me of his proposal and Miss Bennet's acceptance. I wanted to congratulate them as soon as possible.”

“Oh, yes, of course. It is very joyous news. They seem quite happy.”

Smiling, he said, “I am sure they are.”

After a somewhat lengthy pause, she added, “My sister has come to view the house. Caroline is conducting the tour, and I thought they might progress further without my interference.”

“Oh, that seems wise.” After another awkward pause, he asked, “Miss Bennet, can I ring for some tea or refreshments?”

“No, thank you, I am fine.”

“Yes, very well…” Trying to think of something to say, other than declaring how much he had missed her and inquiring if she had even noted his absence, he impulsively said, “Well, I was just passing the time by playing billiards. Do you play? Maybe you would consent to a match?”

Incredulous, Elizabeth repeated, “Do I play? Mr. Darcy, I am taken aback by your question. I would be reluctant to respond, even if I did. It is not typically seen as a woman's game.” Unable to resist, she added, “I am afraid there must be some mischief afoot in your inquiry.”

Smiling broadly, he replied, “Not at all. I was simply trying to ascertain if you were interested in a game. I assure you, I would never dream of attempting any mischief in your company. It would clearly be folly on my part.”

Suppressing a laugh, she asked, “Do you think so?”

“Oh, yes, that I know for certain.” As they smiled at each other, he added, “I suppose my question could be considered somewhat unorthodox, but it does not necessarily seem so to me. I am probably divulging a family secret that my sister will regret, but, as I am sure you know, the winters at Pemberley are very harsh, and without the superior guidance of my mother, I must admit, I let my sister talk me into teaching her to play. She is quite good. We often pass the time in such a manner. I suppose I assumed there were other women who played, and I thought that if you did, you would not be averse to a game of competition.”

With her eyes alive with laughter, she challenged, “Are you insinuating that I have a competitive nature? I am not sure that is flattering.”

“I was simply noting that you always seem to enjoy a challenge. Clearly that is a praiseworthy trait.”

“Even in a woman?”

“When an attribute is scarce, it should be appreciated all the more.”

“That may be so, but would you not be embarrassed to compete against a woman? What if I were to win?”

Raising his eyebrow to accept the challenge, he replied, “Miss Bennet, as I have told you before, I am not afraid of you.”

His response made her catch her breath. As he held her gaze, Elizabeth was surprised at how flushed she felt and hoped her cheeks did not reveal it. As she tried to determine what response she could give, she heard the unwelcome high-pitched voice of Miss Bingley. “Mr. Darcy, I was not informed that you had returned! Please forgive me; I should have waited on you immediately. Has Thomas placed your belongings in your room? You must be tired from your journey. Do you wish to retire? Can I get you some refreshments? I am so pleased you have returned.”

Despite the interruption, Darcy continued to gaze at Elizabeth for her response. He then slowly turned to Miss Bingley. “I just arrived and did not want to impose on you. My bags have been delivered, and I am quite comfortable, thank you.” Turning to Jane, he walked forward and took her hand as he said, “Miss Bennet, Mr. Bingley wrote me of your engagement. I am so pleased. He is a very fortunate man, and I wish you both every happiness.”

Smiling, Jane replied, “Mr. Darcy, it is so good to see you. Thank you for your gracious sentiments. I know Mr. Bingley was eager to tell you of our engagement, and he will be quite pleased to learn that you have returned.”

As Darcy thanked Jane, Caroline came forward to claim his arm. “Mr. Darcy, you must join us in the sitting room; we were just discussing what changes must be made to Netherfield, and your opinion would be most welcome. Pemberley is the standard by which all gracious homes must be measured, and I think Jane would benefit from your wisdom as to how one goes about decorating a fine estate. I am afraid that with her limited background, the task may be daunting.”

Darcy colored and looked down. He knew the obvious slight to Jane might remind Elizabeth of the unkind things he had once said about her family's station in life. Resolved to make his position clear, he extricated his arm as he said, “Thank you, but no. I am sure such issues would best be left to the ladies. I am confident Miss Bennet is more than capable of handling all of the details related to the running of Netherfield. She only needs the time and freedom to become comfortable making her own decisions.”

Missing his message completely, Caroline continued. “Yes, but until she has that confidence, I want to make sure she has all the help she needs. I was just telling her that she should, at least, consult a master furniture maker or a fabric designer, someone who is abreast of the latest fashions here and abroad, to help guide her. I am sure that each room of Pemberley has been carefully crafted with the help of countless craftsmen so that they reflect what the highest levels of society have to offer.”

“Actually, in the past, only major renovations have been completed with the consultation of an architect, and the furnishings have been mostly selected by the people who use them. I know my mother decorated all of the main family rooms herself, based on sketches she made. Georgiana also recently redid her suite. She was able to obtain the effect she wanted by a simple meeting with a few local tradesmen. In the end, it came out quite well.”

In a cooing voice, Caroline added, “I am sure Georgiana did a beautiful job, but she has been raised in such elegance, it was probably second nature to her. I think our dear Jane might need a little more direction.”

Trying to extricate himself from the conversation, but seeing that Caroline had no intention of leaving until she felt she had said all that she wanted, he flatly added, “I was unaware that Netherfield required renovations.”

“Oh, yes, it is in dire need of updating. I am sure that if it were your home, you would require many alterations.”

“Actually, no, I cannot think of anything, other than allowing Miss Bennet, as the new mistress of the house, the opportunity to change anything she desired.”

Clearly disappointed with his responses, Caroline began to usher the party from the room, until Darcy added, “I can think of one thing, although it is a very small point.” Looking directly at Elizabeth, he continued, “I believe this billiard room might benefit from a less austere design so that it did not appear an exclusively masculine domain. I must say, I have never had a more enjoyable time within it than today, when the company was mixed.”

Although she kept her head down, Elizabeth could not repress her smile as she left the room. Noting her reaction, Darcy watched her go, feeling more optimistic than he had in a very long while.

Table Talk

Elizabeth left the billiard room in a state of confusion and excitement. She wondered at Mr. Darcy's ability to incite such turmoil. She knew part of her response was due to the fact that his comments had a double meaning intended solely for her benefit. As such, they seemed more intimate. She also understood that because her reaction obviously had to be internalized, it seemed more intense. The truth of the matter was that he had been flirting with her, and to her own astonishment, she had been flirting back. While she was not the most beautiful woman in Hertfordshire, this was not the first time she had received the attentions of a man, or even returned them. But she had never felt such exhilaration before. Maybe it was their tumultuous history, but his overt attention, even if it were only obvious to her, made her heart race and made her long for a more intimate setting. She wondered what she would have said had they not been interrupted. There were a million reasons for her to deny that she knew how to play billiards, but the one idea that kept flittering across her consciousness was that her denial might prompt him to offer her a lesson on the subject. She was shocked at the impropriety of her thoughts, but could not help laughing silently at her foolishness.

As Elizabeth and Jane took the short carriage ride back to Longbourn to dress for dinner, Elizabeth tried to sift through her feelings for Mr. Darcy. She had not expected to see him at Netherfield. Now, though, she anticipated their next meeting with a fair amount of impatience. She had to admit that her opinion of him had undergone a dramatic transformation. When he went away, without explanation, she regretted his absence; as she got to know him better, she began to develop an affinity for his quick wit, superior intellect, and determined style. And if she was truly honest with herself, whenever he was close to her, she found him most attractive.

But the more uncertain side of her personality wondered at what her emotions actually amounted to. Was this just vanity, enjoying the attentions of a man she had rejected? His steadfastness was certainly flattering. Or did it stem from a simple desire to find her own happiness as she watched her beloved Jane find her partner in life? No, that seemed unlikely. There were other men who had expressed their interest; John Lucas, for example. But it was not the general need for a husband or attention that was spurring her on; it was a specific interest in Mr. Darcy himself.

Despite all this, she wondered if she really knew him well enough to be developing these feelings. Understanding that all her prior opinions of him were wrong was not the same as knowing him. In some ways, she knew his character far more intimately than she did that of any other man. The intensity of their fights had allowed them to speak more frankly than was otherwise permitted in society, and his initial declaration and his subsequent actions toward her told her more about his temperament than would be obvious if their acquaintance had followed a traditional path. But she did not know much about his interests or tastes. They both seemed to have a similar affinity for literature, and each had a close bond with a sister, but she did not know about his childhood or what his everyday life was like. This, she thought, was not really a stumbling block, since it simply required that she try to get to know him better. He had requested as much, and she now thought the idea not just pleasant but essential.

As the Bennets entered Netherfield, Elizabeth tried to remain subdued and resist the temptation to seek out Mr. Darcy's countenance. Their eyes, however, soon met and they exchanged a smile as they performed their formal acknowledgments. As Mrs. Bennet began to speak at length about the beauty of the decor, Elizabeth sought a chair at the far end of the room, next to an empty seat. While her actions stemmed from a desire to separate herself from her mother, she soon realized that it had the added benefit of providing an opportunity for Mr. Darcy to seek her out. As she watched him in conversation with Miss Bingley, she noticed that he often looked her way. The realization made her look down at her hands in embarrassment, as he excused himself and began to walk toward her in an unhurried manner.

Before he reached her side, however, she heard her father's voice as he took the seat beside her. “Ah, Lizzy, I see that you have anticipated me. You have found a most secluded spot from which to monitor the forms of human folly that will most likely exhibit themselves here tonight. Well done. We will look on together and compare notes later.” Elizabeth smiled at him, as she noticed Mr. Darcy move past her and take up a place by the window behind her.

As the group was called to the dining room, Elizabeth was surprised to find Mr. Bingley at her side, extending his arm and saying, “If you would not mind my company, I thought this might be a good opportunity to better acquaint myself with my new sister.”

Caroline was upon them in a moment. Her only consolation in having to host this tiresome dinner was her knowledge that she would be seated at the head of the table with Charles and Jane, which, in turn, would allow her to ignore the rest of the Bennets as much as her role as mistress of the house would allow. She had already arranged for Mr. Darcy to be her escort, and she intended to spend the night impressing him with her skills as a hostess and her attention to his comfort. They did not need Eliza Bennet ruining the ambiance. “Charles, whatever are you doing? As her fiancé, you should be escorting Jane.”

“I thought we might try something new this evening. I want our two families to get to know each other better. We will, after all, soon be one family. Hurst, would you do me the honor of escorting Jane to dinner? Perhaps Mr. Bennet would be so kind as to escort Louisa with Mrs. Bennet?”

Jane, seemingly unfazed by the turn of events, smiled graciously at Mr. Hurst and said, “Sir, I hope you are not too disappointed. I am afraid you will have to make do with me.”

Looking confused, and anxious that dinner not be further delayed, Mr. Hurst simply grunted and offered Jane his arm.

Somewhat baffled by what was transpiring, Elizabeth nodded her acquiescence to Mr. Bingley as she approached what should have been Jane's seat. She began to suspect something was afoot when she saw Mr. Darcy standing behind his chair, attempting to suppress a smile. As she reached the table, she saw that Mr. Darcy was directly on her other side. Elizabeth immediately sought out Jane's face, but it was now Jane's turn to stare steadfastly at her hands folded in her lap. As Mr. Bingley pulled out her chair, Mr. Darcy cocked an eyebrow and bowed to her.

Seeing that she had been outmaneuvered, Caroline indignantly took her place, throwing Elizabeth a venomous stare in the process. As Mr. Darcy's name began to form on Caroline's lips, Mr. Bingley turned to her and impatiently indicated that the first course should begin. After Caroline saw that it was accomplished, Mr. Bingley began to question her thoroughly as to the minute details of the meal. By the time he finished, she looked up to see Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy deep in conversation.

Once Elizabeth sat down, Darcy addressed her. “Miss Bennet, this is a lovely surprise. I had hoped to speak to you earlier but was unable. I was beginning to feel that Fate was not on my side. Your presence here may mean that the tide has turned.”

She replied in an embarrassed manner, “I am not sure that Fate would ever be bothered by such a trivial matter as our seating arrangements. It seems more likely my soon-to-be brother and my sister are to thank.” Elizabeth caught her sister's eye. Jane looked a little contrite but then smiled back broadly at them both.

Noting Elizabeth's exasperated expression toward her sister, Darcy added in a sincere manner, “I believe that the debate over the degree to which Fate intervenes in our everyday lives has raged for centuries. Without attempting to solve that conundrum, I would nevertheless want you to know how sincerely grateful I am for the results.” Softening his tone even more, he added, “I am sure Charles and your sister simply want to share their joy by having their families become better acquainted. I do not think anyone should take anything by it.” Taking his meaning, she nodded her response. He then continued in a lighter manner, “But in any regard, I have long thought that the entire system of prearranged seating is oppressive. I know its purpose is to ensure that conversation is well rounded about the dinner table, but I inevitably find that I am somewhere other than where I would wish to be. If there is a benefit to be had, I do not recall it ever being bestowed upon me. If this is the result of anarchy, I would opt for it every time.”

“You sound quite the radical, Mr. Darcy. Am I to believe you? Do you really hold social conventions in such disdain?”

“I would think, Miss Bennet, that by now you would have noticed that I am often unable to follow social conventions. That being the case, it should come as no surprise that I do not hold many of them in high regard.”

His response made her laugh involuntarily, and the release of tension put her at ease. It seemed clear that he did not think her responsible for her change in location, and she had to admit that she had often also felt victimized by the order of precedence. Why could she not accept that this unexpected change was not only for the best, but being placed beside Mr. Darcy for the evening was something she had secretly been hoping for? In an attempt to remain focused on their conversation, she asked, “You must, however, think there is some efficacy in there being rules for social interactions?”

After pausing to think for a moment, he replied in a serious tone, “I suppose my answer would be both yes and no. I understand the usefulness of such rules in establishing order and to show respect where respect is due, but their effect is often to elevate form over substance. For instance, the rules of social discourse often seem designed to mask one's comments with a sense of sameness. Certain statements are required, and certain responses expected. When such a conversation is complete, I know no more about the speaker than when we began. I am not sure if the person's intention in seeking my companionship stemmed from an urge for friendly intercourse or whether the conversation was preordained to fulfill a social obligation.”

“You sound quite cynical.”

Smiling, he replied, “I do not mean to be.”

Smiling back, she retorted, “Then, sir, I believe you must explain yourself.”

“I simply intended to convey that the rules regarding social interaction are so formalized that they are sometimes beyond me. I am often unsure where the rules of discourse end and where more personal remarks are appropriate. I am afraid I often find it easier to remain silent than to attempt to navigate unfathomable waters. Otherwise, I fear all of my conversations would involve only the weather.”

“I see what you mean, but there is a happy medium.”

“That may well be, but I have a hard time locating it. I know you have told me, in the past, that the solution to my problem lies in practice, but I fear it is not that easy. Perhaps now is a golden opportunity to test your premise. Knowing Miss Bingley's love for elaborate meals, I am sure we will have some uninterrupted time to talk at length. We can, if you wish, attempt a prolonged conversation, and you can teach me what I am lacking.”

Once again, she had to laugh at the charm of his response. Seeing his behavior now, she thought it amazing that she ever thought him cold or in need of improvement. He was certainly doing quite well. That he would honestly discuss the subject of one of her previous reproofs made her respect him all the more. And the wit with which he approached the subject made her see him in a new light. Trying to hide her amusement, she replied, “While it is true that I might once have suggested that practice would improve both one's skills at conversation and musical accomplishment, I do not believe I ever went so far, either in the past or the present, as to infer that you needed formal instruction in that regard. I believe it would be foolhardy for me to take on such a task.”

“Perhaps, then, I spoke too strongly. I am not sure I need a teacher, so much as a friendly guide. Could I not entreat you to take on that role? My motives are not all selfish, after all. Otherwise, I fear that I will bore you the whole of the evening: The weather has not really been interesting enough of late to sustain much prolonged analysis.”

As he smiled disarmingly, she knew she could hardly refuse him the request. As a matter of fact, at that moment, she wondered if she could refuse him any request and found herself involuntarily leaning closer to him as she retorted, “Perhaps we can come to a compromise. You will agree that I need not hold school on the subject, and in return, we shall dispense with any concern as to each other's verbal performance. We will simply talk to each other about whatever subject interests us, without judging whether it falls strictly within the borders of polite dinner conversation or whether our utterances contain the degree of whimsy and fawning required of fashionable social exchanges.”

Happy to agree to any idea where Elizabeth would talk to him exclusively, he eagerly replied, “I think that a fine idea, and I thank you in advance for your kindness. But I am still somewhat unsure of the ground rules. Is any topic of conversation fair game? That certainly seems interesting, but I wonder if that is what you truly mean.”

Catching the mischievousness in his eye, Elizabeth replied, “I may have spoken too quickly. I simply meant to imply that we need not wait for an opening to broach a topic. That is what I consider to be the hardest part of polite banter. I can often think of what I might wish to ask someone or what I might want to relate about myself, but the difficult task is fitting that information into a preexisting conversation. Because we are, as you put it, inclined to do away with the rules of social discourse, we may simply discuss whatever subject interests us without fear of the order in which we approach a topic.”

As Darcy leaned toward her in the same manner, he said, “I appreciate the fine points of your response, but unless I misunderstand you, you have answered my question in the affirmative: I can ask whatever I wish?”