Pride Prejudice and Prodigy

An Engagement is Announced

Chapter 13 ~ An Engagement is Announced

The following morning, Jane Bingley was expected at Grosvenor Square, and the subject of the previous evening's ball seemed certain to be the principal topic of conversation. But Jane was unexpectedly delayed, and Kitty was far too impatient to await her arrival, before beginning the delight of reviewing all the excitement and splendour of the previous evening.

“I never imagined in my wildest dreams,” exclaimed she, “that I would dance with a lord – and not just any lord – but the most eligible young gentleman in all of England, Lord William Beauchamp,” gushed Kitty. “Oh, he is the most charming young man imaginable, and he dances so elegantly, and with such distinction – and to think that I have danced with him – I must write immediately to give my mama the news.”

“And she shall certainly tell it to Mrs Long; and between them, your every acquaintance in the neighbourhood will know of it within the week. It shall certainly make a wonderful memory of your season in London, Kitty.” Elizabeth was too considerate of her younger sister to point out that Lord William was clearly at pains to honour every lady who was in any way connected with Georgiana. Besides Kitty, he had also danced with both herself and Jane. And had Lady Catherine de Bourgh been present, he doubtless would have begged her to honour him with a dance also, thought Elizabeth, smiling inwardly.

When Jane at last arrived, she brought with her such surprising news, that Lady Beauchamp's ball was quickly forgotten. “Charles has just this morning received a letter from his sister, Caroline,” said Jane, in some distress. “It was to announce her betrothal… to…” But she could not go on.

“Good heavens,” said Elizabeth, coming to sit beside her sister and putting an arm around her. “Why are you so distressed at the news? To whom is she engaged? Has she accepted a pauper? Or been seduced by a Frenchman? Whatever can it be, to cause you such grief, my dear?”

“He is neither French, nor poor. He is, in fact, a very wealthy Englishman, and the lord of a great estate.”

“A lord?” exclaimed Kitty, excitedly. “Surely she cannot be engaged to Lord Beauchamp?” she asked in amazement; that gentleman being the lord who was much occupying her thoughts at the present time.

“No, not Lord Beauchamp,” replied Jane. “For the honour of my husband, I only wish it were so. I am too ashamed, almost, to name the gentleman.”

Elizabeth gave Kitty a meaningful glace; silencing her for the moment, and allowing Jane time to compose herself.

“Caroline Bingley is to marry Lord Edwin Darlington,” she whispered ashamedly.

“No!” exclaimed Elizabeth. “It cannot be! I have never held a very high opinion of Miss Bingley – or her scruples; but even she, could not agree to such a match! Does she not know his history? Can she be ignorant of the cruelty with which he has treated his mother, his sister, and his brother? It is all of it common knowledge… she must know of it!”

“Certainly she knows,” replied Jane, “for I related all the particulars to Caroline Bingley and Mrs Hurst when they visited Netherfield Park following my marriage.”

“How can she contemplate marriage to so odious a man?” demanded Elizabeth, shaking her head incredulously. “Edwin Darlington has earned himself the blackest of reputations. No respectable lady or gentleman would even allow him into their society. Does Miss Bingley not realise that in marrying him, she too, must suffer on account of his reprehensible behaviour?”

“She is too astute not to know it,” replied Jane, shaking her head. “Not only must she share his guilt by association, but the whole world will question how she could accept such a man.”

“I imagine she is determined to be wealthy, at any cost. In marrying him, she will not only be gaining great riches, but also the title of Lady Darlington,” said Elizabeth.

“For many years, she entertained hopes of marrying my brother,” offered Georgiana. “She used to pretend a great fondness for me; hoping, thereby, to ingratiate herself to him. I was greatly distressed at the prospect of one day having Caroline Bingley for a sister. I was well aware that her affection for me was a charade; but I wonder now, if she even cared very much for my brother – or if it was only for his wealth and position.”

“Whatever the case may have been then,” replied Jane, “it is very clear that her present attachment to the repugnant Lord Edwin is of the most venal kind. Poor Charles is greatly vexed, and knows not what to do. He hopes for the opportunity of speaking on the matter with Mr Darcy at the earliest opportunity.”

There was no great enthusiasm for discussing the ball after Jane's shocking news; and soon afterwards, Jane agreed to accompany Kitty to the shops, leaving Elizabeth and Georgiana each lost in their own thoughts.

At length, Georgiana spoke. “Elizabeth, would you mind very much if I wished to return to Pemberley?”

“In order to escape Lord William's addresses?” asked Elizabeth teasingly.

Georgiana sighed. “Yes, that is my principal reason, I admit. I should hate to have to refuse him. It would, I fear, cause pain to both parties. And how could I afterwards bear to be in his company; and that of his sister, Gwendolyn, and his mother, Lady Beauchamp, who have both shown me such kindness. I should feel so dreadfully awkward and uncomfortable – it would be quite intolerable.”

“There are ways of dealing with a marriage proposal, in such circumstances, without refusing it outright. A lady, especially a young lady such as yourself, may say that while she receives the offer with the greatest gratitude and pleasure, she is not yet ready for marriage.”

“But Elizabeth, I could not carry off such a deception. I do not possess that art, as some ladies do. Gwendolyn Beauchamp would do it with consummate ease, but not I. And I should hate to give an honourable young gentleman hope, where there is none; perhaps keeping him waiting for me to reconsider, when he would much better look elsewhere. Worse still, he might believe it to be a pretence; that I am simply teasing him in order to increase the violence of his affections, out of my own vanity. Or, he might believe that if he persists with his addresses that I must eventually accept him.”

“Yes, perhaps you are correct, my dear. His mother, I fear, would very likely counsel him to persist with his attentions. I can see how exceedingly unpleasant it might become for you. Yet, it seems such a shame to leave London at the height of the season,” said Elizabeth.

“Oh, but you and my brother must stay, of course. You must not give up your pleasure on my account,” said Georgiana. “In truth, unwanted suitors aside, I have had quite enough of London. I have greatly enjoyed the opera and all the musical concerts, and the theatre also; but I do so dislike the way that people wish to display themselves and admire each other on such occasions, rather then simply appreciating the music or the performance. Have you not noticed, Elizabeth, at Covent Gardens, how a great many people in the private boxes spend more time with their opera glasses trained upon the occupants of the other boxes, than upon the stage?”

Elizabeth laughed. “Oh yes I have, and I quite agree with you. To be perfectly honest, I too have had enough of town, and am greatly missing Pemberley. I long for the beauty of the woods and the gardens. I should much prefer to be walking there than in St James's Park, which seems less like a park, and more like an enormous ballroom filled with ladies and gentlemen preening themselves and parading about like peacocks for their own mutual admiration.”

Georgiana laughed. “Oh yes, I so hate all of that pretence and posturing; and the social charade that one is obliged to engage in. I too, wish for the honest beauty, and the peace and quiet of Pemberley.”

“I think that your brother is very nearly finished all the business he has need of transacting, and I believe that his feelings on the subject of London may not greatly differ from yours and mine, my dear. So perhaps we may all return to Derbyshire together, in a few days time.”

“That would be wonderful,” said Georgiana, smiling happily. “I am so missing the company of Lady Darlington and Julia; and wishing to be among them once more. But until we depart, please promise me, Elizabeth, to stay close by my side whenever we are in the company of Lord William, and thereby deny him the opportunity of a private address.”

“I shall endeavour to chaperone you most closely,” replied Elizabeth with a smile. “I think it best that we keep our plans to ourselves for now. If Lady Beauchamp becomes privy to our intentions of making an early departure, it might very well bring on those addresses which you are so eager to avoid. The Beauchamps are certain to be at the musical performance that is to be given by Lady Basildon this evening. I must say, I am very much looking forward to hearing the famous French countess sing. She is said to have the most exquisite voice. I have heard that she was a celebrated opera singer in Paris.”

***

The performance was to be given in Lady Basildon's ballroom, which had been transformed into a small concert hall for the evening, with chairs provided for a select audience of several hundred guests. Georgiana was impatient for the inevitable parading about and the making of polite conversation to be over with, and for the performance to commence. As she had anticipated, Lord William was very soon at her side, and appeared determined to stay there. Elizabeth, however, was equal in her determination not to give up Georgiana's company, so they strolled about in a threesome until it was time to be seated. As they were being ushered to three vacant seats, Elizabeth managed to attach her husband to their party in a clever manoeuvre, which required Lord William to regretfully detach himself from Georgiana, and seat himself several places distant from them.

“Oh, thank you, Elizabeth,” she whispered, greatly relieved. “I fear he is very much on the point of paying his addresses, and is in want only of the opportunity. It makes me feel so ill at ease.”

But before Elizabeth could reply, the Countess de Namur was led onto the stage and introduced by her patron, Lady Basildon. “Look!” said Georgiana, for as Lady Basildon left the stage, the countess was joined by James Darlington, who immediately seated himself at the pianoforte, evidently with the intention of providing accompaniment to the singer.

For some reason, Georgiana had imagined the countess as a much older woman; but she looked to be no older than her sister, Elizabeth. She sang a selection of Italian and French arias in the most beautiful voice Georgiana had ever beheld. Her voice carried such emotion that the audience sat enthralled, hardly daring to breathe. Georgiana completely lost all sense of time, so engrossed was she in that magical voice. The countess was a stunningly beautiful woman, and her movements were extraordinarily graceful. Alas, all too soon the performance was over, and the enchantment abruptly ended.

Elizabeth and Georgiana could not find superlatives adequate to describe the performance; they both felt quite overcome. “Would it be very rude if we were to leave before supper?” whispered Georgiana, noticing Lord William looking in her direction.

After a brief exchange with her husband, Elizabeth replied that they would be more than happy to make a quick departure. But as they were about to leave the ballroom, James Darlington approached, and asked if they would like to be introduced to the countess; to which they readily acceded. Mr Darlington led them into the supper room, where he made the introductions in French, as the countess did not speak English well. She was exceedingly charming and gracious, but Georgiana, despite her excellent French, was in far too great an awe of the beautiful lady to be able to say very much. However, she watched and listened attentively, particularly to what passed between the countess and James Darlington, between whom she discerned a warm camaraderie. But the countess was much in demand, and her hostess soon led her away to make further introductions. Lady Basildon began with the Beauchamps, providing the Darcys with the perfect opportunity to make their escape.

***

Upon their arrival at Grosvenor Square, Mr Darcy excused himself as he had some papers to deal with, in order to have his business in town completed speedily. With their immanent departure, Kitty had that very afternoon quitted Grosvenor Square to the stay with the Bingleys.

Elizabeth and Georgiana were served tea in the sitting room, but for some time, they remained silent. Elizabeth could not recall hearing her sister speak a word in the carriage, and it was evident that she was preoccupied with something.

Finally, Georgiana said. “She is the loveliest woman I have ever seen. Do you not think her the most beautiful woman in the world?”

“That I could not say – for I have not yet seen them all; but yes, she is astonishingly beautiful.”

“And charming; and the magnificence of her voice is hardly to be believed. How is it possible for one woman to combine such perfections?” asked Georgiana, shaking her head incredulously.

“Oh, yes,” replied Elizabeth, “One feels oneself just a little dull in the presence of her glow.”

“Exactly!” replied Georgiana. “How could any man notice another woman in the presence of the Countess de Namur?”

“Any man? Or are you perhaps thinking of one particular man?” asked Elizabeth.

“If you are referring to Mr Darlington, I most certainly noticed his utter enchantment with the countess. And the manner in which they conversed, suggested a particular acquaintance between them.”

“My French was not quite good enough to keep up with their conversation; but yes, it seemed very much that way,” agreed Elizabeth. “I understood that the countess is only very recently arrived from France; so their acquaintance most likely arises simply from having practiced together for this evening's performance.”

“Did you observe the manner in which she looked at Mr Darlington on several occasions during her performance? It was most marked when she was singing that beautiful Venetian love song. And afterwards, also, while we were talking, it seemed to me that the countess showed a distinct preference for Mr Darlington,” said Georgiana uneasily.

“Many ladies find fascination in James Darlington… such as Gwendolyn Beauchamp,” said Elizabeth with a smile. “From what I have read, French manners are very different from ours, and their ladies are more inclined to flirtatious behaviour with gentlemen; almost as a matter of course. There is very likely nothing to it. And if Mr Darlington had not admired her, he would certainly have been the only gentleman present who did not.”

“Is there a Count de Namur? Do you know?” enquired Georgiana.

“I have heard that she is a widow,” replied Elizabeth.

“Oh, she is very young to be a widow. One would imagine that she must wish to remarry. She is a woman who could capture the heart of any man she wished,” said Georgiana despondently. She remained silent for several minutes before saying, “I am so glad that we depart London soon; I begin to hate it here. Oh, no! We are invited to dine with Lady Beauchamp again tomorrow; must I go, Elizabeth?” she pleaded. “Lord William will certainly wish to take advantage of the opportunity to pay his addresses, and Mr Darlington made mention tonight that the countess is invited; and he, also, is certain to be there. I do not wish to see any of them! It will all be so very awkward.”

Elizabeth sighed. “You do not have to go, my dear, if it would distress you. I shall give your apologies to Lady Beauchamp, explaining that you are indisposed. I will announce that we return to Derbyshire the following morning and if anyone should propose visiting Grosvenor Square prior to our departure, I shall advise them that you are not well enough to receive visitors.”

“Thank you so much, Elizabeth,” said Georgiana gratefully.

***

James Darlington was as much disappointed as Lord William by Georgiana's absence from Lady Beauchamp's dinner, and at the news of their impending departure from London. He managed a brief private conversation with Elizabeth before they sat down to dine. “Is Miss Darcy really ill?” he asked with concern.

Elizabeth affected shock. “Sir, do you accuse me of telling an untruth?”

“I would never accuse a lady of so serious a sin. If you say she is ill then it must be so; although it did occur to me that perhaps she was only ill at ease, regarding the attentions of a certain gentleman; and that her early departure from London might be seen as a remedy to that particular malady,” he said, glancing briefly towards Lord William.

Elizabeth smiled. “You are most astute, sir.”

“Please give Miss Darcy my warmest wishes for a complete recovery. Pray tell her how greatly disappointed I was at being denied her delightful company here today. I am exceedingly sad at the news of her departure, which must deny me the further pleasure of her society,” he said most earnestly. “I only wish it were so easy for me to escape,” said he, looking meaningfully towards Miss Beauchamp.

“In such situations, the gentleman has much the easier part,” observed Elizabeth, smiling. “When a lady receives a gentleman's addresses, she is obliged to give an answer. Whereas a reluctant gentleman has simply to avoid coming to the point, and there is very little the lady – or even her mother – is able do. In your particular case, I think that both mother and daughter may very soon realise the futility of their designs,” said Elizabeth looking pointedly towards the Countess de Namur.

“Mrs Darcy, what are you suggesting?” he asked. But before he could say anything further by way of denial or explanation, they were joined by their hostess. Elizabeth sensed a consciousness on the part of Lady Beauchamp that the French countess indeed stood in the place of a rival to her daughter; although she was far too well-mannered to allude to it. She treated the countess with the greatest civility and hospitality, and after the meal, entreated her to sing.

James Darlington again accompanied the countess on the pianoforte, and Elizabeth watched them closely. Perhaps it was because she was trained as an opera singer that the countess not only sang, but also partly enacted her songs. Often in the love songs, her gaze and her gestures were directed towards Mr Darlington. Was he merely a convenient prop, wondered Elizabeth, or was it genuine affection? That James Darlington was utterly enchanted with the countess' singing was obvious; but then, so too, were all her audience. Is it only her voice that enchants him? wondered Elizabeth. But try as she might she could not decide the matter, one way or the other.