Pride Prejudice and Perplexity

A Husband for Elizabeth

Chapter Three – A Husband for Elizabeth

Not many days after the visit of Jane and Elizabeth to Netherfield, Mr Bingley was able to bring news to the ladies at Longbourn of the arrival of his sister, Caroline; and he had the greatest pleasure in issuing an invitation to the Bennets to dine with them a few days hence. And if that was not cause enough for happiness, he also informed them that his cousin, a young naval captain by the name of Robert Radford, was also arrived at Netherfield.

Mrs Bennet immediately inquired as to whether Captain Radford came alone, or with his wife; and was exceedingly pleased to learn that the gentleman was not married. As soon as Mr Bingley had departed, Mrs Bennet gave vent to her excitement. “There, girls, did not I tell you that with Jane marrying Mr Bingley, her sisters would be thrown into the way of other rich men? And was I not right?”

“We know nothing of Captain Radford, Mamma,” cautioned Elizabeth, “and he may not be so very rich.”

“Of course he must! Everyone knows that a naval captain has far better prospects than an army officer – think of all the prize money he must have taken! Why, he is very likely even richer than his cousin! Lizzy, now that Jane is engaged, you are next in line. Though I have never considered you nearly as beautiful as your older sister, there are many who speak of you as her equal. Why, only the other day, Sir William Lucas was assuring me that you must very soon be married, for you were, he affirmed, the brightest jewel in the neighbourhood!”

“Mamma,” advised Elizabeth, “we know nothing of his character – whether he is amiable, well-mannered, honourable, educated – or even handsome – let alone rich!”

“Nonsense – of course he must be rich! And a wealthy gentleman may pick and choose amongst all the eligible young ladies – and you may be sure that he will always prefer the most beautiful! And with Jane engaged, you are unquestionably the most beautiful, eligible young lady in the district. If only we can keep him here in Hertfordshire for long enough, he shall be yours! I am quite determined!”

Elizabeth shook her head and sighed, but said nothing further, for she well knew that when her mother was in such a mood, she was utterly beyond the appeal of reason. She had already determined Captain Radford's character, qualities, and wealth in her own imagination; and was doubtless deciding upon which of the local properties would be grand enough for him to purchase; and once that was determined, her mind would be occupied with wedding clothes, and in contemplating all the pin-money, jewels, and carriages her daughter must very soon possess.

~~~~~

Luckily, the Longbourn ladies did not have to speculate for very long concerning the mysterious Captain Radford, for he rode over with his cousin to wait on them the very next day. Their initial impression of him was favourable. He looked to be a year or two younger, and was taller than his cousin, but equally handsome, cutting a rather dashing figure in his naval uniform, with locks of blonde hair framing a sun-browned face and falling in curls over his collar. His manners, if not quite as genteel and polished as Mr Bingley's, were open and engaging. He was gallant, but not in an exaggerated way, and made little pretence of being fashionable.

Mrs Bennet endeavoured doggedly to ascertain his degree of wealth. She asked him where his residence was situated – having been at sea, he had none; if he came from town in his own carriage – no, he came on horseback; she asked about his battles at sea: had he sunk many French ships – but he preferred to talk of the many strange and beautiful places it had been his good fortune to visit. When one avenue of attack failed, Mrs Bennet tenaciously tried another – but to no avail; he politely, but deftly, deflected her every attempt.

Elizabeth would have felt embarrassed at her mother's transparent persistence, had she not perceived that the Captain had seen very early on what she was about, and was enjoying the sport of delicately denying her the smallest hint of his wealth. He was possessed of an exceedingly sharp mind, and her poor mother was completely outclassed.

Mrs Bennet invited the gentlemen to stay and dine with them, and was most happy that her invitation was accepted. She suggested that prior to the meal, Captain Radford might like to walk out and see something of the neighbourhood.

“An excellent scheme,” said Mr Bingley, eagerly jumping to his feet and offering his arm to Jane, eager as always of any opportunity for a private tête-à-tête with his betrothed.

“Please excuse me,” said Mary, “if I do not join you, for I would much rather use the time for the improvement of my mind; I have a demanding reading schedule, which leaves little time for such recreational pursuits.”

Mrs Bennet was more than happy to see Mary remove herself from the planned outing, and remonstrated not in the least with her. She was less than pleased, however, to observe Kitty rising to join the party. “Kitty, dear, wherever are you going?” she demanded. Then giving her daughter a significant look, she added, “You well know that I am in need of you above stairs.”

Kitty failed to apprehend the meaning of her mother's glance, and eager to walk out, and be seen about the neighbourhood in the company of a dashing young naval captain, she complained, “Mamma, I have not the least idea of your meaning. For what am I wanted?”

Her mother was quite determined that only Elizabeth should join Jane and the gentlemen, for she was well aware that the lovers would very soon separate themselves, and thus leave the way clear for Elizabeth and the Captain to improve their acquaintance. She could not readily think of a reason for which Kitty was needed; so taking her daughter by the arm, she briefly bade the others farewell, and escorted Kitty from the room, saying, “Come, child, I shall show you.”

Elizabeth was exceedingly embarrassed at her mother's all too apparent ploy of throwing Captain Radford and herself together, and had not the least doubt that it could not have escaped his notice. She remained silent, struggling to regain her composure, as they walked along the country lane following Jane and Mr Bingley – who were already well ahead of them.

“Miss Bennet, I know that good manners require that we ignore awkward little scenes, such as that recently experienced, and pretend that they never happened, and perhaps speak instead upon the weather. I beg you, do not feel embarrassed on my account, for I am not in the least way discomposed – I very much enjoyed the entire performance.”

Elizabeth blushed, but remained silent. She was surprised at his artlessness, and that he should even speak on the subject.

“And I hope you do not believe that I amuse myself at the expense of your good mother. I imagine that with five daughters, she must endeavour to make the most of every ship that sails into port. It speaks of her maternal concern for the happiness of her daughters, which is most admirable.”

Elizabeth smiled. “You are most kind, sir, and generous. My mother is of the opinion that every young man who is not yet married – or engaged to be so – must necessarily be in want of a wife.”

The Captain smiled. “I understand entirely – and I am not insensible of the compliment she pays me,” he added, bowing his head towards Elizabeth, who blushed.

To hide her embarrassment, she quickly said, “Few men could have withstood her persistent enquiries regarding their wealth with such equanimity and good humour. You must forgive my mother for appearing to be so mercenary.”

“On the contrary, it is perfectly natural – and something that a naval officer very soon becomes accustomed to. Unlike a gentleman, such as my cousin, Bingley, whose fortune is as good as published record, that of a naval officer – particularly one, such as myself, without an inheritance – is entirely dependent upon prize money, which is not so always easily ascertained.”

“I imagine,” said Elizabeth, “that those fortunate enough to have enriched themselves would be more than happy to have the whole world know of it.”

Her companion smiled. “And that their less fortunate brothers might have reason to hide their lack thereof?”

Elizabeth looked away, and endeavoured to think of some other topic of conversation. “You must be very happy to meet your cousins, having never made their acquaintance before.”

“Indeed so. Considering our family history, when I first wrote to Bingley, I was not at all confident of receiving a reply, or even of being recognised by him. I am happy to say that he is the most amiable of gentlemen, and not at all what I expected. Do you, by chance, know his sisters?”

“I am somewhat acquainted with them,” replied Elizabeth.

“I have not yet made the acquaintance of Mrs Hurst – only Miss Bingley; and her behaviour towards me more resembled that of her grandmother, than her brother.”

Elizabeth could well imagine the supercilious arrogance, with which Caroline Bingley would treat her new-found relative. “Still, you have at least one amiable relative, when formerly you had none at all.”

“Yes, and I may well have another relative in this world; although I shall almost certainly never know whether they be amiable or not – or, for that matter, anything else about them,” he said.

Elizabeth looked up at him with interest.

“My father was a sailor, and very often at sea; he would visit my mother and myself in our small house in Portsmouth, whenever he had shore leave – which, sadly, was not very often. After one such visit, when I was six years of age, my mother was overjoyed to discover that she was with child. But her happiness was short-lived, for several months later we learned that the ship, on which my father served as second lieutenant, had gone down, and that all her crew were lost.”

“How very sad,” said Elizabeth, moved by the pain in his voice.

“Yes,” he said with a sigh, lowering his head. They walked on in silence for a while before he continued his narrative. “As the birth drew near, my mother sent me to stay with my father’s only relative, a maiden aunt, who lived in Chichester. I soon afterwards learned that my mother had died in childbirth, along with her baby, and that I was now an orphan.”

“You suffered a great deal of misfortune as a child,” observed Elizabeth, sympathetically.

“Indeed so; but my fortunes soon began to change. Aunt Angela, whom I greatly respected and loved, decided that I must remain with her. She was a schoolteacher – and was educated well beyond her calling, by her father, who had been a vicar. She undertook my education with great energy and dedication; and I am happy to say that she was rewarded in finding me a diligent pupil. She taught me a great deal more than she taught the children in her school, where she was paid a pittance.

“My aunt was very poor, and could barely afford to keep a servant, so I determined to go to sea as soon as I was old enough, for I knew I was a burden on her. But she begged me to remain longer, for she loved me, and she had not yet taught me all she knew, which was her cherished ambition. So I remained in Chichester two years more, until her goal was achieved, and though it was very difficult to leave my beloved great-aunt, I felt it was time for me to make my way in the world.”

“You have certainly done that,” observed Elizabeth. “Your aunt must have been very proud of you.”

“Indeed she was; and it was all on account of the excellent education that she gave me. I visited my dear old aunt whenever I had shore leave, and we corresponded frequently – although letters were often long delayed – and every advance of position I received brought her greater joy. I believe it was my desire to give her pleasure, rather than mere ambition, that spurred me on to rise through the ranks. I was a second lieutenant when she passed away; by which time I was but eighteen years old.”

Elizabeth could not but admire this courageous young man who, despite beginning life at a lowly station, and great early misfortune, had advanced in the world by his own efforts and abilities. “How proud your aunt would be to see you now, wearing a captain's uniform.”

“I do so wish that she had lived long enough to see it,” he said with a sigh. “But my story is not yet finished. Two years ago, whilst I was on shore leave in Plymouth, I visited an old friend of my mother, whom I had learned was close to death. She was a midwife and had assisted my mother at both my own birth and the later one which had ended her life. Though she was now on her deathbed, she was overjoyed to see me, for she wished to make a confession before she passed away. She wanted me to know that though my mother had died, contrary to what my aunt and I had been told at the time, the baby had survived. I have a sister in the world.”

“Good heavens!” exclaimed Elizabeth. “Was she able to tell you what happened to your sister, and to whom she was entrusted?”

He shook his head sadly. “Unfortunately not. My mother's friend had at first determined to keep the little girl, and to raise her as her own, for she knew that my aunt was too old, and also too poor; and there were no other relatives. But she and her husband were poor themselves, and had more than enough children of their own to provide for.

“As a midwife, she was aware that sometimes a woman without a child would gladly take an orphaned baby to raise as her own. She learned of such a person making enquiries around Portsmouth, and went with the baby to visit the lady, who was delighted with the little girl and paid handsomely for her.”

“How extraordinary,” said Elizabeth. “Do you know the name of the lady who took your sister?”

Captain Radford shook his head hopelessly. “No, I do not. I have thought over the matter a great deal, and, regretfully, I have concluded that I shall never know my sister.”

Elizabeth realised, when she and Captain Radford returned from their walk, that they had been gone a long time, lost in conversation, and that Jane and Mr Bingley had long since returned, and that it was almost time to sit down to dinner. Mrs Bennet smiled secretly at Elizabeth, well satisfied that she had made a good impression upon the Captain, beside whom she seated her for the meal.

Mr Bennet, who was his other neighbour, was eager to engage Captain Radford in conversation. But unfortunately for Mrs Bennet, rather than question their guest on naval battles and prize money, her husband was more interested in hearing first-hand accounts of exotic places that he had only encountered in his library. The Captain had, at one time, sailed around the Cape of Horn and visited some of the islands of the Pacific Ocean, and he gave a fascinating account of their exotic beauty, and the manners and way of life of the natives, which were so vastly different from their own.

“One imagines, sir,” said Elizabeth, “that you were loath to leave, and would gladly have jumped ship and spent your whole life on one of those tropical island paradises.”

“It was exceedingly tempting; but I was by that time a first lieutenant, and my sense of duty and loyalty to my captain, who was an excellent man, forbade it. Captain – now Admiral – Barclay, is his name, and I shall be forever in his debt – for without his assistance, I should never have got a commission.”

“You are too modest, sir,” said Elizabeth, “I am certain you earned it on merit alone.”

“Unfortunately, merit alone is insufficient. Gaining a commission requires connections and patronage. My origins are humble, and I am without relations who might put my name forward at the admiralty. I despaired of ever going beyond midshipman, until I served under Captain Barclay. He took an interest in me, and through his extensive connections, got me an early commission.”

“But surely, Captain,” protested Elizabeth, “it was your ability and merit that moved Captain Barclay to take up your cause.”

~~~~~

After their visitors had departed, Mrs Bennet congratulated herself on how well her scheme to have Captain Radford for Elizabeth was progressing. “Why, I think the Captain is already a fair way to falling in love with you, Lizzy.”

“Mamma!” exclaimed Elizabeth. “He is nothing of the kind – nor do I wish it!”

“Nonsense, I am quite certain that it is so; for I observed him closely, and it was very obvious that he preferred your company to that of any other young lady present.”

Elizabeth shook her head, but kept her counsel. Her mother would always believe exactly as she wished. Nothing was to be gained by pointing out that Jane was already engaged and had been entirely monopolised by Mr Bingley; and that an educated gentleman, such as the Captain, was hardly likely to show an interest in Mary or Kitty, with whom intelligent conversation was barely possible; or that the Captain spoke as much with her father as with herself; or indeed that it did not necessarily follow that a gentleman must be desperate to marry whichever lady he found the most tolerable at the dinner table. But her mother was in a high state of excitement, and Elizabeth decided that she must do something to counter her matrimonial campaigning, before she began speaking of wedding clothes.

“I suspect, Mamma, that the Captain may be without the means to marry,” she cautioned.

“Nonsense! How is it possible that a naval captain could be so poor?”

“You heard him say that his origins are humble.”

“Don't be silly, child, it is only that he himself may be humble! I am certain that his family cannot be so very poor.”

“Mamma, his parents were poor; and they died when he was but young – leaving him nothing. He was raised by his father's aunt – a school teacher, who was herself poor.”

“That all seems most unlikely,” replied her mother. “How is it possible that his family can be so very poor when his cousin's family is wealthy?”

“Captain Radford's mother was the sister of Bingley's mother,” explained Jane. “She eloped with a midshipman from a modest background, and was consequently cut off by her family.”

“Even if what you say about him is true, he must have very likely earned a great fortune in prize money – do you not agree, Mr Bennet?” she demanded of her husband who had retreated behind his newspaper, which he was now obliged to lower.

“With what would you have me agree, my dear?”

“That Captain Radford must be very wealthy on account of all the prize money he will have won from all the French ships that he must have captured!”

“From what I can recall of our conversation, Mrs Bennet, he made no mention of capturing a ship of any kind. I do not even know if he was ever involved in fighting – he certainly did not speak of it.”

“But there is yet time, is there not, Mr Bennet, for him to engage himself in fighting the French, and winning prize money?”

Mr Bennet shook his head. “I think not, my dear. Most regrettably, for your purposes, Napoleon's navy is all but destroyed – and there are very few prizes left; but in any case, I think that Captain Radford indicated that he does not intend to return to sea.”

“Then he may indeed be lacking in wealth,” conceded Mrs Bennet unhappily.

“Yes, I very much suspect that it might be the case,” agreed her husband.

“But why do you not know?” demanded Mrs Bennet. “Did you not attempt to find out?”

“What business is it of mine, how much money the man has?”

“Mr Bennet! Surely you must know that I am thinking of his marrying Lizzy.”

“Oh, I am quite certain that he could not be that deserving,” said Mr Bennet, smiling fondly at his favourite daughter, well aware that his wife would mistake the meaning of his compliment.

“But then you must not allow it, Mr Bennet!”

“Allow what, my dear? I do not have the pleasure of understanding you.”

“You must not allow that lowly seaman to marry our Lizzy! I am certain she can do much better than that!”

Mr Bennet shook his head and laughed, and wondered (not for the first time in his life) how he had chosen such a silly wife. Unable to endure her nonsensical conversation any longer, he assured her solemnly, “I shall most certainly forbid it – you may count upon it, my dear.” Then rising from his chair, he added, “If he – or any other young men – should arrive at our door to beg for Lizzy's hand, please send them to me in my library, where I shall be diligently composing appropriate speeches with which to refuse them all.”

After her husband had exited the room, Mrs Bennet angrily declared, “The presumption of that Captain Radford, Lizzy! How dare he trifle with your affections, when he very probably has hardly a penny to his name! I imagine that is why he has imposed himself upon our poor Bingley, and taken up residence at Netherfield – so he may live off his generous cousin's table.”

“Mamma,” beseeched Jane, “he does nothing of the kind. Bingley invited him to stay – and I have not heard that he is so very poor.”

“Just the same, Jane, once you are married, you must caution Bingley not to allow his cousin to impose upon him for money; it is not right! The Captain is yet a young man; he should be making his own way in the world, rather than living upon the generosity of others.”

“Mamma,” said Elizabeth, “Captain Radford is not a man who would wish to be dependent upon others. I am certain that he intends to make his own way in the world. He is clever and well-educated; he could study at the law and find an occupation therein.”

“Yes, perhaps,” agreed Mrs Bennet.

“Or he might prefer to take vows and become a clergyman,” offered Mary.

Elizabeth was surprised at Mary's suggestion, for there was nothing in Captain Radford's conversation, or character, which indicated the slightest interest in the church. Mrs Bennet, however, eagerly took up Mary's cause.

“Why yes, indeed, Mary, what you say makes a great deal of sense. The church would be an excellent choice for the Captain – and far more gentlemanly a profession than the law. It may not bring him a great deal of wealth, but it is respectable; and a well-appointed parsonage might make a very pretty establishment for his wife,” she said, bestowing a calculating smile upon her middle daughter.

Elizabeth had to exercise the greatest degree of self-control not to laugh; and avoided looking at her sister, Jane, whom, she felt certain, was equally aware of the absurd alteration in their mother's matrimonial schemes. The Captain, she had evidently concluded, was never likely to be rich enough to marry herself – or very probably Kitty either, for whom also she entertained hopes of a good match. But Mary was another matter altogether. She was the only one of her five without beauty or charm; and being without money, her mother had long ago concluded that it was most unlikely that she would ever receive an offer of marriage. However, if the Captain was poor, he might very well consider her acceptable. For though she had no money, she was a gentleman's daughter, whose family were superior to his own. Furthermore, Mary would make as respectable and religious a wife as any clergyman could possibly wish for.

How her mother could imagine that the Captain would wish to become a clergyman – let alone marry Mary – for whom he had shown not the slightest interest, Elizabeth could not fathom; however, she was so inured to her mother's whimsical imagination, that she was hardly astonished. What did, however, surprise her, was that Mary appeared to share their mother's delusions. Her silly suggestion that Captain Radford might choose the church as his vocation, seemed at first to be nothing more than her sister's customary lack of penetration into the character and preferences of others, conjoined with an excessive respect for the clergy and matters of religion.

Elizabeth recalled that she had sometimes observed her sister stealing glances at the absurd Mr Collins, and had suspected that Mary had hopes that she would be the daughter of her father to whom he would choose to pay his addresses – and she was inclined to believe that her sister would have gladly accepted him. It had surprised her at the time, because the manifold peculiarities of that gentleman aside, she had always believed Mary to be disinterested in marriage, and the most likely of her sisters to end an old maid. Perhaps it was more the attraction of being a clergyman’s wife, than a wife per se, she reflected.

Her sister's greatest pleasure in life appeared to be in moralising over the behaviour of all her acquaintance; and while her younger sisters provided her with ample opportunity, as a clergyman's wife she would have the pleasure of casting righteous judgement over the conduct of an entire parish.