Pride Prejudice and Perplexity

A Mission of Mercy

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Chapter 9 resulted in many comments expressing disdain at Elizabeth's reaction to the possibility of Darcy keeping a mistress, such as... How could she have so little faith in Darcy to believe him capable of such dishonourable behaviour?

Many readers have evidently misconstrued how the author imagined Elizabeth would view such a possibility. In an endeavour to clarify it…

Many of the comments regarding the possibility – and moral connotations – of Darcy keeping a mistress are surprising.

As with my previous two JAFFs, I have attempted to keep this story consistent with canon – in language, grammar, characterisation and social behaviour – without consideration of 21st century morals and romantic ideals and notions.

In the Regency era, a man of Darcy's age, wealth and social status would not have been without s****l experience; and if he kept a mistress, either before and/or after marriage it would neither be surprising nor considered by society (and educated young ladies like Elizabeth) as in any way immoral. Morality is relative.

To quote Elizabeth (in chapter 9):

“… polite society deems it necessary that a young lady not notice; and certainly never give utterance to [such male behaviour]. She is expected to pretend that a young gentleman is everything that he wishes the world to believe him to be; and that such furtive goings-on, occur in some imaginary world, which is no concern of hers, or in any way part of that which she, herself, inhabits.”

True to her times, Jane Austen never mentions such matters, but would expect her readers to be well well-aware of the unspoken world of bordellos, prostitutes, courtesans, mistresses etc. which the heroes and other males of her novels would sometimes inhabit.

Elizabeth would not consider an unmarried man keeping a mistress quietly out of the way as immoral – and to believe it of Darcy does not imply a negative judgement of his character as so many readers suggest.

To demand that a man give up his mistress before accepting his addresses would have been exceptional behaviour at that time. If I have stayed from canon and Regency credibility, it is in Elizabeth making such a demand.

Below are some extracts from the Regency Encyclopedia on the subject:

The role of the mistress during the Regency acquired a cachet which was positively respectable.

"Cyprian" was the polite word for a kept mistress or courtesan, a woman who was given an establishment, an income and protection by one man (at a time).

If the male nobility kept their alternative lives away from prying eyes, the theater was a glaring exception. Cyprians came face to face with the wives and connections of their male benefactors at theaters and the opera.

Any mistress worthy of the title had her own box at the opera and Drury Lane, paid for by one of her lovers, where she held court openly. Even married men wandered in and out during the intervals, in full view of their wives and families who were sitting in their boxes across the auditorium.

Nearly all of the Royal Princes lived openly with ladies not their wives but treated by society with all the deference due to a wife.

Royal mistresses and their bastard children had a status of their own. The sons were often given titles.

Respectable men often kept mistresses with whom they appeared in public and they often recognized their bastard children.

A man of means during the Regency divided his time between his wife, his mistress and his club and often spent most of it in the latter.

Chapter Ten – A Mission of Mercy

It was Elizabeth's intention to call upon Georgiana on the morning following Victoria Barclay's dinner party; both to pass on the warning concerning Captain Russell, and also to bid her farewell; for they were to leave on the wedding tour the following day. But before she had departed the house, a visitor arrived – Victoria Barclay.

“Miss Bennet,” she said, once they were seated, “I have come at this early hour to make a particular request of you, for I am aware that you very soon shall be leaving town. It was evident to me yesterday evening that my cousin, Captain Russell, was embarked upon a campaign to win Miss Darcy's affections.”

“Yes, I, too, observed it,” said Elizabeth.

“I feel most guilty that my dinner party provided a vehicle for him to pursue his enterprise, which I believe he embarked upon at Miss Darcy's ball, some weeks ago.”

“Yes, I recall him dancing with Miss Darcy. I wonder how he obtained the introduction?” conjectured Elizabeth.

“I believe it was from Miss Bingley, with whom he danced the first set. Doubtless he charmed and flattered her into making the introduction. I have known him for most of my life, and he had always been a charming deceiver; and, over the years, he has grown increasingly unscrupulous and disreputable. I believe that Captain Radford warned you about him yesterday. Of his own acquaintance with my cousin, and all that passed in the navy, I know nothing; only that his opinion regarding my cousin's character is entirely in accord with my own.

“Although I endeavour to avoid Captain Russell's company as much as is politely possible, I am nevertheless obliged by my affection for his mother to invite him to my father's house when there are dinner parties and such like. My aunt, whose health is poor, is thus denied the opportunity of seeing her son in society, and has as blind a partiality to him as any mother for her only child. It would hurt her grievously if I were to cut him. Yesterday, he arrived early, and aware that Miss Darcy was to be of the party, he begged me to seat him beside her; he is doubtless aware of her fortune – and he, himself has nothing. I was immediately alive to his designs and refused to oblige him; and placed him well away from Miss Darcy, where he could do no damage; but my devious cousin exchanged the place cards in order to seat himself beside her.”

“Yes, I observed it,” said Elizabeth. “He seems entirely lacking in scruples.”

“Oh, indeed he is! Which is why, Miss Darcy must be warned! I do not feel that I know her well enough to approach her on so delicate a matter; but you, Miss Bennet, are, I believe, likely well enough acquainted with the young lady, to perform the office.”

“Indeed, I am; and, in fact, I was planning to do just that, this very morning; for Captain Radford made an identical request of me yesterday evening.”

“I am exceedingly relieved to hear of your intention, for I believe it may be a matter of some urgency. My cousin is aware that Miss Darcy soon departs for Derbyshire, and I suspect that he may attempt to prevail upon her as soon as may be. He called upon me earlier this morning, and begged me to come with him to wait upon Miss Darcy, for Mr Darcy is seldom At Home to morning callers, and my cousin could hardly call upon her if she were all alone. I declined his request, citing prior obligations.”

“I wonder,” said Elizabeth, with a playful smile, “why you did not think to ask her cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, to warn her. You had ample opportunity last night; for you sat beside him at the meal; and, if my memory serves me correct, you were engaged at length in conversation with him in the drawing room, also.”

Miss Barclay smiled. “He is a delightful gentleman, and I will happily admit to finding the greatest pleasure in his company. And indeed, I did contemplate doing exactly as you suggest. However, I do not have a good notion of the nature of his relationship with his cousin, and I feared that it is a subject which might cause some awkwardness between a gentleman and a younger lady. Furthermore, it is, I believe, an office which would be better performed by a lady whom she trusts, and whose opinions she respects. I did, however, make the Colonel aware of my concerns, after which he more closely observed the behaviour of my cousin, and was exceedingly dissatisfied. I begged him to make Mr Darcy aware of the danger at his earliest convenience, and he assured me that he would do so.”

“It is well that you spoke with Colonel Fitzwilliam, for he shares the guardianship of Miss Darcy with her brother, and will now be hardly likely to give his permission for your cousin to marry her,” said Elizabeth.

“Miss Bennet, my cousin is in need of no one's permission to elope!”

“Good God! Is he capable of such a thing?”

“Oh yes, most assuredly. His charm and prodigious skills in deception and the art of seduction, are equalled only by my cousin's degree of devotion to his own self-interest, and total want of morality or concern for the welfare of others. Which is why, it is Miss Darcy, herself, who is in need of enlightenment concerning Captain Russell!”

Miss Barclay soon afterwards departed, in order that Elizabeth might go directly to Georgiana.

~~~~~

When she was shown into the sitting room at Grosvenor Square, Elizabeth was most surprised to find Captain Russell and Georgiana alone together. Georgiana blushed deeply; but the gentleman was brazen, and acted as if there was nothing in the least bit untoward in their present situation.

He made a show of looking at his pocket watch and remarked, “I cannot imagine what can have happened to my cousin, Miss Barclay, for she promised faithfully to meet me here above thirty minutes ago. Miss Darcy, would you be so good as to inform her when she arrives that I am greatly disappointed in her lack of punctuality, and have given up my vigil of waiting for her.” Bowing elegantly to each lady in turn, he made a speedy departure, all the while avoiding looking Elizabeth in the eye.

“Allow me to inform you, Georgiana, that Miss Barclay will not be waiting upon you this morning; and, as Captain Russell is very well aware, she never had the least intention of doing so. It is clearly a fabrication designed to provide him with an excuse for being alone in your company, which, as you must know, is highly improper.”

Georgiana looked at Elizabeth uncomprehendingly. “I do not understand your meaning; he has been waiting for his cousin these past thirty minutes – I know I should never have remained alone in the same room as a gentleman for so long, but he assured me that her arrival was imminent.”

“I have just come from Fairfield Gardens, where I received a visit from Miss Barclay. She informed me that Captain Russell had begged her to accompany him to wait upon you this morning, but that she declined his proposal. He could have been in no doubt that his cousin had not the least intention of joining him, here, at Grosvenor Square.”

“I am certain there must have been some miscommunication. Did you not hear him say that Miss Barclay had promised to meet him here? Evidently, she must have forgotten. Oh, Elizabeth, I have never met such a charming gentleman in all my life – he is so handsome and his manners are utterly delightful!”

“You sound as if you are well on the way to being in love,” observed Elizabeth with alarm.

“Who could not be in love with so delightful a gentleman,” said Georgiana fancifully.

“And do you believe that he returns your affections?”

“Oh, yes, he was most explicit,” said Georgiana artlessly.

Elizabeth sighed. It was evident that Georgiana was entirely in Captain Russell's power, and that she was so infatuated that she would very likely not hear a single word said against the insincere rogue. She needed somehow to be shocked out of her stupor.

“Then you find him every bit as charming, handsome, and delightful of manner as George Wickham?” demanded Elizabeth sternly.

Georgiana gasped and turned pale. “But... what do you know of George Wickham?” she whispered.

“Everything! How he duped you into believing you were in love with him, and that he was in love with you – when what he really desired was your thirty thousand pounds. I know also, that he persuaded you to elope with him; and that he very nearly succeeded!”

Georgiana was stunned into silence, so ashamed was she, that Elizabeth knew her darkest, most humiliating secret.

“Be not ashamed that you were duped by George Wickham, and that you were on the point of eloping with him – for you were then but a naïve girl of fifteen. But have you learned nothing from that earlier mistake? Of the need to be more circumspect? To comprehend that there are gentlemen who will lie and deceive to obtain a fortune such as yours? Of the prudence of seeking out the opinions of others, whom you trust? You are now a young lady of seventeen, who has come out into society as an adult – and yet you have allowed yourself to be duped in exactly the same way, by a rogue who is no better than George Wickham.”

“You know that he has begged me to elope with him?” exclaimed Georgiana in alarm. “Did you hear him speaking of it?”

Elizabeth stared at her, incredulously. “I heard no day or time. Is it all arranged then?”

“No… of course not,” said Georgiana nervously.

“Then you refused him?”

“No… not exactly… I did not give him my answer.”

“Did he propose to a meet with you, somewhere?”

“He begged me to walk in St James Park this afternoon, but I did not give him an answer – for it was just then that your arrival was announced.”

“You were inclined to go then, I think?”

“But, what harm could there be, if we were to meet in a public park?” asked Georgiana innocently.

“Doubtless, he would have his carriage nearby, ready to whisk you away to Gretna Green. Were he unable to persuade you to elope with him – and he is the most persuasive of gentlemen – he might well have tricked you into entering his carriage, by offering to drive you home – and then abducted you.”

“No! I cannot believe it of him! He is the most noble and honest of gentlemen,” protested Georgiana shaking her head vehemently.

“So it is your intention to meet with him, then?”

Georgiana blushed, and was unable to meet Elizabeth's gaze.

“Yes… no… oh, I do not know – it is all so very sudden; and he implores me to act quickly or others, he says, will prevent it. But Elizabeth, he swears that he truly loves me – surely he cannot be an insincere deceiver like George Wickham – no I am convinced that it cannot be so. And I am quite certain that he is not simply after my money, for he is so very rich himself – or at least he shall be when he inherits his uncle's fortune.”

“I have heard that he has no money at all; and I know of no uncle from whom he is to inherit anything.”

“He told me that Admiral Barclay's fortune will pass in its entirety to him, for it is entailed upon his nearest male relative, which is himself – although he assures me that he intends to make very generous provisions for both his cousin, Miss Barclay, and Madam Lasalle.”

Elizabeth sighed. “Georgiana, my poor, dear girl; you have been comprehensively deceived. Victoria Barclay is the sole heir to her father's fortune; and though I am less certain of it, I believe that Captain Russell is related to the Barclays through Admiral Barclay's deceased wife, and is not even a blood relation of the Admiral.”

“No!” exclaimed Georgiana, “I cannot believe that he could lie to me like that – he loves me! You must be mistaken!”

“Is your brother at home?”

“Yes; he is writing his letters in the library, I believe.”

“Shall we ask him, then; surely you would believe your brother?”

“Of course. He would never lie to me.”

They made their way to the library and upon hearing them enter, Mr Darcy, who was seated at a large table with documents and papers spread all about him, looked up, evidently displeased at being disturbed. However, upon observing Elizabeth, he immediately rose and greeted her warmly. “It is most kind of you to take the trouble of coming all the way up here to bid me your adieus, Miss Bennet.”

“I regret to tell you, Mr Darcy, that I am come on an entirely different mission, and I apologise for interrupting you, for I see that you are very busy.”

He smiled. “No apology is necessary; it is always a pleasure to see you. How may I be of service?”

“By providing the answer to two very simple questions, sir. What is the exact relationship between Admiral Barclay and Captain Russell; and, upon the Admiral's death, who shall inherit his fortune?”

Mr Darcy seemed surprised at the questions. “You will find the answer to your first question here,” he said, walking across to a shelf and taking a copy of Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage, which he thumbed through until he found the correct page, and then offered it to Elizabeth. “Their relationship, I think you will find, is by marriage only. The Admiral's wife was the sister of Captain Russell's mother.”

Georgiana turned pale and looked as if she might faint. Elizabeth put an arm around her and helped her down to a couch, where she seated herself beside her and placed a comforting arm around her shoulder.

“Please let me see it,” asked Georgiana, taking the book from her brother.

“What on earth is this all about?” demanded Mr Darcy. But Elizabeth gave him an admonishing glance, which silenced him.

“And so… Miss Barclay is the sole heir of her father?” asked Georgiana softly, still staring at the book.

“Yes,” said her brother.

Georgiana burst into tears and Elizabeth gently drew the younger lady to her, allowing her to sob on her shoulder.

Mr Darcy looked mystified, but said nothing. He took a large handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to his sister who buried her face in it. After some minutes, she stood and said, “I shall go to my apartments.”

Elizabeth hugged her and said, “I think your brother is owed some explanation. If you will allow me, I shall provide it, and I will then come up to see you.”

“Yes, please do, Elizabeth, and thank you; thank you for saving me from that evil man!” she exclaimed, before turning and quickly leaving the library.

“My God!” exclaimed Mr Darcy, “What on earth is this all about?”

When Elizabeth had finished recounting the whole story, he sat shaking his head in disbelief. “May I offer you a glass of wine, Miss Bennet? I find myself in need of one.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Mr Darcy poured out two glasses from a decanter on the sideboard and handed one to Elizabeth. “Words cannot express my gratitude. You have very likely saved my sister from a most awful fate – that would have ruined her whole life. I had not the least idea that Captain Russell was such a scoundrel.”

“Really? Did no one attempt to warn you?”

Mr Darcy looked up at Elizabeth. “You speak of Captain Radford?”

“I do. He was the first to alert me to Captain Russell's bad character. Though he refused to divulge the details, he spent a twelvemonth at sea with him, so he must, indeed, be well qualified; and he is as honest a man as I have met. He told me that he had attempted to warn you, but that you would not hear him.”

Mr Darcy hung his head, but said nothing.

“Why did you choose not to believe him?” demanded Elizabeth. “Do you know some evil of him? Do you have any reason to think him dishonest?”

“No, is the answer to both your questions. All I can say, by way of explanation, is that having for some time now, observed the growing closeness between my sister and Captain Radford, I have been afraid that they might develop an attachment to each other, and perhaps wish to marry.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Please, do not be too severe with your sister, sir. Be gentle and forgiving; and though she made a serious mistake, please remember that you, too, have erred. Captain Russell's design was not difficult to discover. I saw it almost immediately, as did Captain Radford, Miss Barclay – and even your cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, once he had been alerted to it. Yet you saw it not – even though Captain Radford was most explicit in making it known to you. If you are to give your sister the protection she is owed, then you will need to rise above your own prejudices.”

“Thank you, Miss Bennet, for a well-deserved admonishment. Your accusations are just, and have found their mark. I acknowledge my own lack of perspicacity; and, yes, it was on account of... not prejudice exactly; I would prefer to call it preoccupation. But of whatever appellation it deserves, there is no excuse for my negligence. I must learn to pay more attention to my sister, and of what she is thinking and feeling; and be more vigilant in her protection.”

“I fear you are over-harsh with yourself, Mr Darcy. It is evident that you care a great deal for your sister, and exert yourself as much as any older brother could. All that is wanting is a little more openness of mind.” Elizabeth rose. “I must go to Georgiana, now, and comfort her; she has suffered a great disappointment. I suspect it may be a good many years before she will be willing to again trust the words of a suitor. I do not know how Captain Russell will act when Georgiana does not appear at the park this afternoon – he may attempt to again call upon her.”

“Yes indeed. I shall give instructions that he is not to be admitted – under any circumstances; and if my sister should wish to venture out from the house again, before we depart from London, I shall ensure that it is in the company of a suitable companion. Allow me say again, Miss Bennet, how greatly indebted to you I am. I wish there was some way I could thank you.”

Elizabeth looked at him provocatively. “Oh, I believe you are well aware of how you may thank me, sir.”

He looked at her imploringly, apparently uncertain as to her meaning.

“I asked you a question, some weeks ago in this very library. I am still hopeful, Mr Darcy, of receiving a satisfactory answer to that question. And it is not merely a matter of curiosity; it may indeed be a matter of far greater import,” she said, with her eyes fixed steadily upon his.

He made a plaintive sigh, and shook his head, well aware that she was speaking of the young lady whom she had encountered by the river. “If only you had never seen her, how much happier both our lives would be,” he said regretfully.

“You would prefer that I should be deceived?” demanded Elizabeth sharply.

“No, not deceived, Miss Bennet; for it is a matter with which you need not concern yourself.”

Elizabeth was most dissatisfied with this suggestion, yet he seemed to think it entirely reasonable; and upon that unsatisfactory note, they bade each other farewell.

As she made her way to Georgiana's apartments, Elizabeth wondered if she was, perhaps, being unreasonable. He evidently expected her to be wilfully blind to his keeping a mistress. Society, she knew, unquestionably expected it of a wife, so it was hardly surprising that he should have such an expectation of her. Perhaps rather than being displeased with him, she should feel grateful at his patience and tolerance of her unconventional attitude.

Elizabeth spent the remainder of the morning comforting Georgiana, and advising her on exercising greater caution in the future. “Now that you are out, Georgiana, you will unavoidably be prey to fortune hunters; and there are more than a few of them about.”

“But I am such an innocent; I can see now that I am in no way adept at judging the intentions of gentlemen – most especially when they choose to deliberately deceive me.”

“In time, with greater experience, your judgement will improve. But it is always wise to confide in, and seek the opinion of, others whom you trust, such as myself or Jane; and on no account, ever again, consider eloping – with anyone! Promise me!”

“Oh yes, gladly will I promise you, for now I see how twice it has almost caused my ruin.”

“Your brother and Colonel Fitzwilliam, who are your guardians, are sensible, well-informed men, who both wish for your happiness. You have nothing to fear from having any would-be suitor apply to them; and you can always rely upon them to protect your interests.”

“Of course, you are right; I shall do just as you say. I have the highest regard for my brother's judgement – except when it concerns one particular gentleman.”

“You are speaking of Captain Radford, I think. I, too, have observed his unreasonable concerns regarding that gentleman and yourself. Apart from his lack of fortune, it is difficult to understand what can be the cause of your brother's disquiet.”

“I have told him, on more than one occasion, that while I enjoy the Captain's company, I have not the least romantic notion – and nor, I am certain, does he. But my brother will not be convinced on the matter.”

“Yes, I have lately found your brother difficult to comprehend – and on other subjects, also,” said Elizabeth shaking her head. She and Georgiana parted affectionately, with sincere wishes of meeting at Pemberley in about a month's time.

~~~~~

Upon returning to Fairfield Gardens, Elizabeth told Jane everything that had passed at Grosvenor Square.

Jane shook her head. “I think you will be happy to relax in the quiet beauty of nature, after all the recent excitement in town.”

“Yes... but... Jane, do you think when we depart, tomorrow, we might take a somewhat different route than is normally taken?”

“Why? What are you thinking of, Lizzy?”

“Would you like to see our sister, Lydia?”

“Why yes, I would, very much,” admitted Jane. “And you, perhaps, would like to meet, again, with the mysterious lady?”

“Yes, I am most curious about her, and if we were to arrive unannounced she would not have the opportunity of absenting herself from the house. I attempted to scribble down the directions, when Kitty and I paid our visit, and I am hopeful of being able to find the place again. Do you think Bingley will mind, very much, if we make a short detour at the start of our journey?”

“No, of course not; Bingley is the most obliging and amiable of men. And since you may not wish him to join us in visiting the house, I am sure he will be happy to remain without, and perhaps take a walk, or explore a nearby town in the carriage. Do you wish to tell him our purpose?”

“I would prefer just to say that I am in search of an acquaintance, who lives thereabouts. It will hardly be out of our way, for it is in a northerly direction; in Suffolk, I have concluded, after consulting several maps.”