Page 10 of A Forced Marriage
Mr. Collins, undeterred, continued, "Lady Catherine often speaks of the importance of social gatherings as key topromoting community spirit and proper connections. She would find this assembly most agreeable."
"Indeed, Mr. Collins. One must always strive to meet the high standards set by such noble personages." Mr. Bennet, with a dry smile, added.
Sir William, now understanding the situation, nodded appreciatively, though still somewhat bewildered by the fervour with which Mr. Collins spoke of his patroness.
Seated in their secluded corner, Elizabeth and Charlotte conversed in low tones, audible above the music.
"How are you, Charlotte?" Elizabeth inquired with genuine concern. "How have you been fairing?"
"I am well, thank you, Lizzy. Life has been pretty much the same. And how have you been? I hear there have been quite a few new faces at Longbourn." Charlotte smiled.
Elizabeth chuckled. "Indeed, our lives have become quite eventful. We have had three gentlemen make their acquaintance. Mr. Collins, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Darcy."
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "I have heard of Mr. Collins and his sweet way of flattery, which is not surprising for someone in the parsonage. His said constant references to a Lady Catherine de Bourgh are however quite amusing."
"I see rumours travel fast.” Elizabeth said, “Yes, Mr. Collins does have a way of entwining Lady Catherine into every conversation. He speaks of her as if she were royalty." Elizabeth laughed softly.
"And Mr. Bingley?" Charlotte asked with a knowing smile. "He seems to have made quite an impression."
Elizabeth nodded. "My mother is rather taken by him and is hopeful that he will call on us soon. He has met your father and called on you once, has he not?"
Charlotte nodded. "Yes, he has. Has he done the same for you?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "No, it was Mr. Darcy who stumbled upon our house while trying to find his way to Mr. Bingley’s house. That was the reason my father went to Netherfield. According to Papa, Mr. Bingley appears to be a gentleman, but his sisters seem rather off."
Charlotte looked thoughtful. "I have heard about Mr. Darcy as well. My mother was speaking with Mrs. King, and it seems he is said to be very successful."
"Success does not necessarily signify good character. When he first visited our estate, his manner was distant and far from agreeable," Elizabeth remarked, dismissing the notion with a wave of her hand, Mr. Wickham's warning suddenly echoing in her mind.
Charlotte nodded in understanding. "True, Lizzy. It is often the case that success and wealth do not always align with amiability."
The two friends were still laughing on the subject when Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy made their entrance, immediately drawing the attention of many. Within the first five minutes of their appearance, Bingley, with his easy smile and affable manner, greeted everyone warmly. In contrast, Darcy maintained his usual reserve. The Bingley sisters, Caroline and Louisa, resplendent in their fashionable gowns, accompanied them. Their expressions, a blend of pride and condescension, suggested they viewed the assembly with an air of superiority, as if the company were beneath their standard.
Mr. Bingley was all affability and charm, his warm greetings earning smiles from every direction. Several mothers, eager to secure a match for their daughters, attempted to catch his attention with welcoming smiles and polite curtsies. Mr. Darcy, however, kept to himself, staying closer to the door and maintaining his distance, only exchanging pleasantries with Mr.Bennet, Sir William, and sparing Mr. Collins a few minutes of conversation.
The older women of Meryton, who were gathered in clusters, whispered animatedly. "Did you hear? Mr. Darcy called on the Bennets first," one lady remarked, her eyes wide with the thrill of gossip. "They say he has a fortune of ten thousand a year."
"Indeed," another replied. "It is speculated that he has gone to see Mr. Bennet about one of his daughters."
A number of them debated the veracity of this claim, while others considered its likelihood. Mrs. Bennet, perceiving how this rumour could elevate her daughters' prospects in the eyes of any gentleman, saw no need to correct the misconception.
As the whispers grew louder, Darcy who had also heard the rumour, found himself wondering why neither Mrs. Bennet nor her husband had made any attempt to correct the misconception. Surely, since he was aware of these rumors, they must have heard them too. Yet, no effort had been made to dispel the false impressions spreading through the room, leaving Darcy to contemplate the implications of their silence.
Meanwhile, the Bingley sisters, with their manner of condescension, surveyed the room with expressions of both interest and disdain. Caroline Bingley, in particular, seemed to take pleasure in observing the lively assembly, her eyes occasionally flickering towards Mr. Darcy with a possessive gleam.
As the music began to play, signalling the start of the dances, Mr. Bingley made his way towards Mrs. Bennet. With a polite bow, he requested the honour of dancing the first set with Jane. Mrs. Bennet, beaming with pride, eagerly accepted on her daughter's behalf, and Jane, blushing with pleasure, took Mr. Bingley's arm and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor.
Elizabeth watched with a mixture of amusement and satisfaction as her sister was escorted by the amiable Mr. Bingley. Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy remained by the door, observing the scene with his usual detachment. His eyes occasionally swept the room, but he made no move to engage in the festivities.
Lydia, with her characteristic exuberance, found herself dancing with one of the militia men, while Kitty danced the first set with Mr. Collins. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile at the sight, knowing how much it delighted her younger sisters.
As the first dance commenced, one thing was soon obvious to those in the assembly who watched with keen interest. Mr. Bingley and Jane moved gracefully through the set, their evident enjoyment of each other's company becoming the subject of approving whispers among the guests.
For the second set, Mr. Bingley once again chose Jane as his partner, much to Mrs. Bennet's delight. Lydia and Kitty each danced with different militia men, while Mr. Collins, with a look of determined politeness, asked Charlotte to dance. Elizabeth, however, remained seated, having been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit down for two dances.
Throughout the first two sets, Mr. Darcy appeared resolute in his determination to engage with no one, his gaze briefly alighting on the dancers before returning to the landscape outside, as if something of great importance had captured his attention there. The guests began murmuring about Mr. Darcy's apparent pride and his refusal to dance with anyone, noting his indifference even as he evidently overheard their conversations.
Observing the laughter and the clear admiration Mr. Bingley showed for the eldest Bennet sister, one of the women soon started a rumour that Mr. Darcy’s intentions must be directed towards Elizabeth. However, another questioned why, if that were the case, he had not asked her to dance.
