Pride Prejudice and Perplexity

A Matter of Strategy

Chapter Seventeen – A Matter of Strategy

Not many days following their visit to Pemberley, the ladies of Ashbourne were delighted to receive a second visit from Victoria Barclay and Captain Radford. Bingley knew better than to offer the use of a fishing rod to his cousin; and his attempts at drawing him away from the ladies, to shoot or to walk with him around the grounds, met with not the slightest success.

It was evident that Captain Radford came with a single object in mind – to better acquaint himself with Julia. He begged to see the painting, now completed, that he had viewed in the gazebo upon his previous visit; and succeeded in prevailing upon her to allow him to view it, and other examples of her work, also. The party adjourned to the south-facing room that Julia had taken over for her art, and were much in admiration of all they saw – but none so much as Captain Radford, who paid a good deal of attention to her drawing book. His behaviour was far warmer, and less circumspect, than on his previous visit.

Jane suggested that they take tea in the drawing room, for the Captain was hopeful of hearing Julia perform for them; and he was not disappointed. Only those from Ashbourne had previously heard her sing, for Julia was more self-conscious when singing than playing; but evidently, she felt at ease in the company of Victoria and the Captain, for after playing a piano sonata, she regaled them with several delightful songs.

Captain Radford sat utterly enchanted; and the undisguised affection with which he regarded the performer was unmistakable. When Julia eventually closed the instrument, the Captain, who appeared to be in no way eager to end the visit, said to his cousin, “I should be most happy, Charles, to take you up on your earlier offer of a walk in your delightful grounds. Let us all set out together.”

Captain Radford was almost immediately beside Julia, and Elizabeth observed that they remained deep in conversation for much of the outing.

“I must tell you,” said Victoria Barclay as she walked beside Elizabeth, “that while I was eager to visit Ashbourne again, I was not the author of today's visit. It almost seemed to me that the Captain had taken a resolution.”

“What resolution is that?” enquired Elizabeth.

Victoria smiled. “It was most obvious after our first visit that my dear friend was entirely smitten – although he tried hard not to show it. In all the years I have known him, I have never witnessed anything like it. He is a man of strong resolve, who gives much importance to order – doubtless a consequence of having spent much of his life in the confined spaces of a ship. My dear father is much the same in that regard.”

“Yes, it is entirely understandable,” agreed Elizabeth.

“When he decided to come ashore, so to speak, the Captain devised a plan for establishing himself in what would be an entirely new life. Of course, the discovery of his relationship to Mr Bingley and his sisters, temporarily postponed its execution.”

“And may I enquire as to his plan?”

“Certainly, he would not object in the least to your hearing it. His first object was to purchase a country estate and establish himself there and amongst the local society. As he is in no great hurry, he has allowed himself a year for that task. Next, he intends to buy a house in town, for although he knows that my father will always welcome him, he feels like any young man, grown up, who wishes to have his own residence. Concurrently with these first two objectives, he intends to devote himself to his poetry and endeavour to ascertain if he can attain a high enough standard, that he might have some of it published.”

“Yes, I recall him telling my mother – she was not particularly impressed that he wished to devote his life to such a pursuit; and being under the false impression of him being in want of money, believed him to be likewise in want of a profession. She advised him to become a clergyman, as I recall.”

Victoria laughed. “I fear that your mother has mistaken his character.”

“My mother is in the habit of believing people's characters to be as she would wish them to be, in accordance with her own purposes and schemes. In the case of Captain Radford, her scheme was to marry him to my sister Mary, who would be most eager for, and well suited to, the life of a clergyman's wife.”

“Your mother was not entirely off mark. For once all the other objects had been attained, the Captain then planned to turn his attention to the possibility of matrimony. I use the word, possibility, advisedly; for when we discussed the subject, he was by no means certain that he would ever find a lady who would suit him, and whom he might be able to love. He is quite the romantic, and would prefer, I think, to remain unmarried, than to marry without love.”

Elizabeth smiled. “I suspect that he has perhaps discovered that life does not always bow to one's plans.”

“Precisely,” agreed Victoria.

Before they departed, Captain Radford asked, “Victoria, how soon do you believe we shall be able to receive visitors? I am most anxious to show Hartington to our friends from Ashbourne.”

It occurred to Elizabeth that only one of their number had not yet seen Hartington; for she, Jane, and Bingley had all visited along with Captain Radford, and the whole party from Pemberley in the spring. However, she chose not to point this out to the Captain, whose object was unmistakable.

“I think we are almost far enough advanced to receive a visit from our Ashbourne friends,” said Victoria, “and the pianoforte is promised for today. Indeed, I am eager to return, for I am hopeful that it may have arrived.”

“Then, would tomorrow be too soon?” asked Captain Radford eagerly.

“A little,” replied Victoria. “Perhaps the following day – would that suit you?” she enquired of Jane, who looked at Elizabeth, who smiled and nodded. Julia, who could not be unaware that the Captain's principal object was to show her his fine estate, stared at the ground while the arrangements were completed.

After their guests were departed, and Bingley had set off in pursuit of some outdoor activity, Elizabeth and Jane both looked enquiringly at Julia.

“Did I give away my feelings?” she asked shyly.

“Yes, a little,” said Jane. “But compared to the Captain, you were circumspection and reticence, itself.”

Julia smiled. “As you know, I am unaccustomed to being in the presence of gentlemen; particularly in such circumstances. I admit that it seemed to me that he greatly admired me; but I distrust my judgement. What is your opinion?”

Jane laughed, “I have never seen a man so openly disclose such a degree of admiration in company.”

Elizabeth shook her head. She had not the least doubt that the Captain was unquestionably in love; but she thought it unwise to encourage Julia; for two significant obstacles stood in the way of her hopes. Giving her sister a cautionary look, she said, “I suspect that Captain Radford, while not quite a complete novice in such matters as yourself, Julia, is nevertheless unlearned in the finer nuances of comportment and propriety.”

“I value his forthrightness and openness,” said Julia, rising to his defence.

“It was not a criticism – I, too, value those qualities. I merely mention it because his artlessness needs to be taken into account in forming an opinion of his feelings.”

“Then you do not believe that he might be in love with me?” asked Julia.

Elizabeth sighed, and shook her head. “I do believe he is in love with you.”

“His affection could not be more marked than my own – it is not possible! You are trying to cool my ardour, I believe, because you fear he will not wish to marry me when he learns of my origins,” she said forlornly.

“No, it is not that at all,” said Elizabeth, smiling reassuringly. “As I told you after his last visit, I suspect that it would not be an insurmountable obstacle for him; but I cannot be certain until I have spoken with him upon the subject.”

“Then will you speak with him when we visit Hartington – please – for I cannot bear not knowing!”

“I shall. But Julia, there is a further difficulty, of which you are, as yet, unaware.”

“What is it?” she asked in alarm.

“For some inexplicable reason, your brother harbours misgivings concerning Captain Radford.”

“I cannot believe it – he is unquestionably the most honourable and amiable man who ever lived; what possible objection could my brother have to him?”

Elizabeth sighed, and shook her head. “I can neither understand, nor explain it, myself. I have attempted on a number of occasions to seek an explanation, but your brother refuses to speak on the subject. For some equally inexplicable reason, he has formed the opinion that Captain Radford favours your sister, Georgiana.”

“Oh, no!” exclaimed Julia in dismay. “If he favours Georgiana, then I must withdraw! I cannot deny my own sister the man she loves.”

“Do not trouble yourself, my dear, for she does not love him,” said Elizabeth comfortingly. “I have spoken with your sister on the subject a number of times, and she has been most explicit.”

“But what then of Captain Radford – does he care for her?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “He likes her, and he enjoys her company – and Georgiana feels comfortable in his – but there is nothing in the least way romantic on either side.”

“So you think my brother mistakes friendship for preference?”

“Yes,” replied Jane. “He seems to imagine that they might fall in love, and wish to marry.”

“But if it were indeed so, why would he object to Georgiana marrying so fine and respectable a gentleman as Captain Radford?” asked Julia. “It is incomprehensible.”

“Jane and I find it likewise so. Before the Captain bought Hartington, we thought that perhaps your brother suspected him of being a fortune hunter, because everyone believed him to be poor.”

“Why did they think that?”

“It is a question that only the Captain can answer,” said Elizabeth. “Although he never explicitly said that he was poor, he certainly allowed everyone to think it. Victoria Barclay told me today, that when the Captain retired from the Navy, he formed a plan of how he wished to proceed. First he would buy a country estate, then a town house, all the while devoting himself to his poetry. Marriage, it seems, was something he did not wish to address for several years, if ever.”

“It would appear that Julia has upset his carefully laid plans,” observed Jane, smiling.

“Yes, indeed,” replied Elizabeth. “But given his plan, perhaps he chose to conceal his wealth so as not to become the object of young ladies and their mothers – such as our own.”

“Do you think the Captain might believe I am after his money?” asked Julia anxiously.

“No, not for a minute,” replied Elizabeth. “The reason I mentioned that he was thought to be poor, was by way of attempting to find an explanation for your brother's apparent fears concerning Georgiana.”

“You think he imagined that Captain Radford was after our sister's fortune?”

“Yes, exactly,” replied Jane. “It seemed the only plausible explanation. But Georgiana now tells us, that since the Captain purchased Hartington and his wealth has become known, that your brother still appears to harbour objections to him; for he discouraged her from inviting him to dine at Pemberley.”

“Do you have any idea at all of what might be the reason for my brother's objections to the possibility of Captain Radford marrying my sister?”

“No, none, whatsoever,” said Elizabeth, shaking her head.

“And you believe that the same objections would apply, equally, if he wished to marry me?”

“It is difficult to imagine otherwise,” said Elizabeth.

“Perhaps,” conjectured Jane, “Mr Darcy believes that Georgiana is too young to marry; or he simply wishes to enjoy her company at Pemberley a few years more – for he is excessively fond of her.”

“Yes, it is possible,” said Elizabeth. “If that were the case, his behaviour towards Captain Radford may simply be on account of Georgiana's evident ease and pleasure in his company, which he mistakes for something else.”

Julia was quiet for some time, before asking, “If Captain Radford and I did wish to marry, would I need my brother's permission to do so?”

“You are over twenty years of age,” replied Elizabeth, “you do not need his permission; and furthermore, Captain Radford can hardly request it, for he is entirely ignorant of the fact that you even have a brother.”

“Yes, that is true. But I should hate to go against my brother's wishes. What a truly terrible choice that would be, between the two men whom I love,” she said, shaking her head unhappily.

“Indeed, it would,” agreed Elizabeth. “But since your brother wishes to hide your relationship from the world, he would have no means of preventing the match; even were you younger than one and twenty.”

“Elizabeth, if I did marry Captain Radford – with or without my brother's permission – would I never be able to tell him who I really was – who was my father, and who is my mother, and who are my sister and brother? It would be terrible not to be able to share that with one's husband.”

“I imagine you could introduce him to your mother; but as to revealing her true identity, or that of your father, brother and sister, I fear that Mr Darcy would not wish it – you would have to discuss it with him, I think. Of course, you do not need his permission to tell your husband the truth; for while your brother is under an oath to keep his father's secret – you are not.”

“No, but still, I do not believe I would wish to tell it to anyone without my brother's agreement. And as to marrying against his wishes – I do not know if I could do that either. Oh, what am I to do?”

“I shall endeavour, once more, to get your brother to reveal to me what are his objections to Captain Radford,” said Elizabeth. “It is possible that there is some mistake, or misunderstanding, and that I may be able to alter his opinion on the matter.”

“If anyone can, it is you, Lizzy,” said Jane, smiling shrewdly.

“Until then, it would be best to attempt to give your brother as little reason as possible to suspect your preference for the Captain.”

“I shall find it most difficult,” said Julia, “but I shall try my best.”

“Fortunately, your brother has not yet had the opportunity of seeing the two of you together,” said Elizabeth.

“But he shall on Saturday,” said Jane, “at the dinner party. Perhaps I should not seat Julia beside the Captain, at the table, as was my plan?”

“No, definitely not! Seat them far apart. And, if you seat the Captain beside Georgiana, Mr Darcy will most probably persevere with his obsession about them; and will, very likely, fail to observe anything relating to the Captain and his other sister.”

~~~~~

It was apparent from the moment of their arrival at Hartington on the following day, that Captain Radford was most eager that Julia form a favourable opinion of his estate – and he was not disappointed. He proposed that before taking refreshments, they make a tour of the grounds. He and Julia were soon walking beside each other, strolling down towards the magnificent river, as he pointed out objects of particular beauty, or of special interest, with great animation.

“I think I should inform you, Elizabeth,” said Victoria, as they followed behind, “that I shall not be at all surprised if Captain Radford should wish for a private conversation with Miss Harrison at some point during your visit today.”

“So soon?” exclaimed Elizabeth.

“I have tried most assiduously to persuade him that there is no need for haste; for it seems to me that while your friend very possibly returns his affections, there is an innocence and naïvety about her, which is unusual in a lady of her age; and in deference to which, he should proceed more gently, and allow her time to become accustomed to being the object of such intense affections.”

“Your penetration is most acute.”

“Regrettably, I am not at all convinced that my words of caution have had the least effect. I have the utmost difficulty in reconciling my friend's present indomitable passion with the calm, reasonable, and considered behaviour that has heretofore been his enduring temperament.”

“And you consider it possible that it may be his intention to pay his addresses today?”

“I think it highly probable.”

“Then I must speak with him. When we reach the river, perhaps you could call Miss Harrison, and engage her in conversation, while I take her place beside the Captain.”

“If you wish, but I will be surprised if you have any greater success than I, in cooling his ardour.”

Upon reaching the river, they executed the manoeuvre, and wasting no time, because she feared that Captain Radford would attempt to regain the company of Julia, Elizabeth said, “Captain Radford, we need to have a serious conversation.”

“Oh,” he said, looking up at her, with surprise, as they followed a path that ran along the river bank. The others were far enough behind to be unable to hear them.

“Forgive me, sir, if I presume too much, or am mistaken in my assumptions regarding your intentions; but it appears to me that you have possibly formed a resolution to pay your addresses to my friend, Miss Harrison.”

Captain Radford smiled. “You have not assumed too much, Miss Bennet. Regrettably, I am not in possession of those social wiles which allow a gentleman to feel one way – and act in another. I suppose that my feelings are obvious to all.”

“Captain, before you take any such step, there is some important information that I must impart to you concerning my friend; and which demands your serious deliberation.”

“Oh?” he exclaimed with surprise.

“It is with regard to Miss Harrison's parents. Her father was a gentleman and her mother a gentleman's daughter – but they were not married to each other.”

“I see,” said the Captain, falling into a long silence. Eventually, he said, “It explains a great deal.”

Elizabeth looked at him questioningly.

“Miss Harrison's shyness, and her lack of confidence in the company of others; also her naïvety and apparent lack of experience in social situations – it all makes sense now. Her father, I imagine, was a gentleman, who had a liaison with a younger lady. He was already married, I suppose; so upon discovering that the young lady was with child, he secluded her away in some lonely place. I imagine that Miss Harrison must have grown up, and spent much of her life, in seclusion. Is my surmise at all close to the truth, Miss Bennet?”

“It is close, indeed – and, in fact, it is only a matter of weeks since she emerged from that seclusion – when she came to Ashbourne. Captain, most gentlemen would not wish to marry a lady, knowing that her birth was illegitimate. I urge you to give the matter careful consideration.”

He laughed. “I am not such a one, Miss Bennet. All that you have just now revealed makes me love her more, not less; and it increases my resolve to marry her – and soon – for it must necessarily diminish any interest in her background. And if anyone should persist in demanding such information after we are married, I will simply say that I do not wish for it to be known – and let them think what they will! When my recent victories at sea, and all my prize money, are gazetted, and become generally known – something which until now I have looked upon without enthusiasm – I doubt that anyone will wish to ask questions concerning my wife.”

“Your response is most admirable, sir; but I must tell you, that on account of certain measures taken by her father to hide the scandal of her birth, you may never learn the names of her parents.”

“It would hardly trouble me – what care I, for who they were – I care only for who is their daughter!”

Elizabeth was greatly pleased at how the Captain had taken her news, but her task was not yet complete; for she wished to delay his proposal until an opportunity presented itself of canvassing Mr Darcy's sentiments upon the match; for Julia would have misgivings accepting the Captain's addresses until she knew that her brother approved it.

“Captain Radford, as Miss Harrison's friend, I am delighted with how well you have received my information; and although I am in little doubt as to her feelings for you, I must ask you to wait a little while longer, before pressing your suit.”

“Why? I can think of no cogent reason to wait a moment longer – can you not see, Miss Bennet, how desperately in love I am?”

“Certainly, I can see it. You are a naval captain, sir, who has engaged in battle, so I need not explain to you the value of strategy. Sometimes when pursuing your quarry, it is best to slow down, or to hold back and wait until the wind, and all the other conditions, are right – is it not so?”

“I see you have been reading some of the books on the subject in your father's library. Yes, it is so, but please explain the need of waiting.”

“Perhaps you will recall, sir, when you first went to sea. Probably, there were times when you were ordered by an ensign, or a second lieutenant, to perform some task – perhaps to raise or lower the sail. You did not know why you were required to do this, and perhaps neither did the one who gave the order; but the Captain, knowing far more than yourself concerning the present action, was aware of the exact reason why the order was given – and you were obliged to trust in his judgement. Was it not so?”

“Indeed it was, Captain Bennet!” he replied, giving a mock salute. “You are asking me to trust you, and to follow your advice in this matter, because you are in possession of information that I am not?”

“Exactly,” said Elizabeth. “Nothing could give me greater happiness than to see you and my friend betrothed; and I shall endeavour to do all in my power to bring it about – but in a way that will save her a great deal of pain; both now, and in the future. Will you trust me?”

“I will.”

“What I am about to ask you, may seem most strange and inexplicable; and, regrettably, I cannot give you my reasons, but only beg that you do as I request. Firstly, do not pay your addresses to Miss Harrison today – or until I advise you that the time is right to do so. Secondly, when you come Ashbourne to dine on Saturday, endeavour, as much as possible, to conceal your feelings for her from the other guests. She will attempt to do likewise.”

“Miss Bennet, you are turning out to be a lady of great mystery, indeed. I suppose you will not wish to hear my suppositions on the possible reasons for your most unusual requests?”

“I would prefer not; although I doubt, very much, that you could guess them. But, in any case, I could not answer you. Captain Radford, will you do as I ask?”

“I shall do my best. But how long will I have to wait?”

“That, I cannot say for certain; but I am hopeful that it will be no more than a week. Although Miss Harrison is aware of the substance of this conversation, and will be fully aware of your reasons for circumspection regarding herself when you dine at Ashbourne, it would spare her some distress if you did not make mention of it; nor, indeed, of any of the other matters we have discussed today.”

“I shall do as you request. But, I hope that today, at least, I need not be so guarded in my behaviour towards her?”

“You need not, sir; and I thank you for hearing me. Before you rejoin your preferred companion, I wish to have a quick word with her, if I may?”

“Certainly. While I do not understand your reasons, Miss Bennet, I trust you; and I thank you, most sincerely.”

Elizabeth dropped back and detached Julia from the rest of the party.

“Well?” she asked anxiously.

“All is well,” said Elizabeth reassuringly. “The Captain now knows about your birth, and has assured me that it matters not in the least to him. He has acceded to my request to hide his feelings at the dinner party on Saturday – even though I could not provide him with the reason – and he has also agreed to postpone paying you his addresses, until I advise him that the time is propitious.”

“Oh, thank you, Lizzy! Thank you so much!” exclaimed Julia, joyously. “I knew I could trust you to arrange everything!”

“You have no need of thanking me; it is Captain Radford you must thank – but not today; for I have asked him not to discuss our conversation with you, for I suspect that you might find it difficult.”

“Indeed, I would. Thank you again, you have thought of everything.”

Elizabeth smiled as Julia rejoined the Captain. He had behaved very much as she had expected of him; and she had not been disappointed in the high regard in which she held him. But there was still Mr Darcy to deal with; and she doubted that the dinner party the following day would provide the opportunity she desired.