Chapter 8

November 7, 1812

“Lydia,” Mrs. Bennet called from the bottom of the stairs, “Kitty needs your burgundy ribbons.”

Lydia appeared at the top of the staircase, a wide burgundy ribbon wrapped beautifully around her waist and a thinner ribbon, of the same color, woven among her curls of hair. “Mama, as you can see, I am wearing them.”

“Yes. Well it shouldn't be too much effort to get them off, now should it? I shall help.” Mrs. Bennet started up the stairs, beckoning Kitty to follow her. “You see, Lydia, this set goes so perfectly with Kitty's dress. The color will bring out the small flowers embroidered on the sleeves.”

Lydia was rarely at a loss for words but this was the second day in a row that things were not as they should be. Yesterday, each of her sisters had received a male caller. Lizzy had received two, in fact! But Lydia, despite knowing more gentlemen than all her sisters put together, had received none. When Lydia had accompanied her sister on the walk with Mr. Lucas, he paid her the minimal amount of attention required by social conventions. She had taken comfort, however, because Kitty was with them and Kitty was her safety net in terms of social interactions. Yet, as shocking as it sounded, Kitty also hardly acknowledged her presence. Now, Mama was taking things from her wardrobe to adorn her sisters. This was too much. The world was utterly unfair, and Lydia did not like it one little bit.

Her mother finished delicately removing the ribbon from her hair and was undoing the one around her waist when she said, “if you bring my your blue ribbons, I can reaffix those to your hair and dress, dear.” Mrs. Bennet was hoping to smooth things over with her youngest, and most spirited, daughter.

“Those ones don't bring out the rosy color of my cheeks!” Lydia pouted.

“Well, Mr. Lucas is likely to visit, and we must help Kitty look her best,” Mrs. Bennet suggested. This explanation did not seem to lift Lydia's spirits in the slightest. Mrs. Bennet tried a different tactic. “The blue ones bring out the most lovely shades in your eyes. I've always preferred those ribbons on you.” Lydia stopped pouting and sulked to her room to retrieve the blue ribbons. She was not happy, but she would try to make the best of it. “Can you bring back that bit of lace you bought?” Mrs. Bennet called after her, “I think it would look perfect tucked into the bosom of Lizzy's dress.”

Lydia practically stomped the rest of the distance to her room. She had purchased that lace with her own pin money and hadn't even worn it herself yet. This was all so very wrong!

Mr. Bennet could tell today it would be especially important that he barricade himself in his study. He had often thought, through the years, that living in a home with six females must have been some sort of perverse joke the Almighty had played at his expense. Then, he had met his son-in-law, and he realized that until the moment in which that man attached himself to Mary, his life had been rather easy. Now, a whole parcel of potential sons-in-law were descending upon his sanctuary, and he was afraid to find out what his imminent future might hold. He couldn't imagine that spending time with any of these men would be more painful than spending time with Mr. Collins, but no less than two of the suitors arriving today happened to live nearby. The degree of unpleasantness Mr. Bennet was willing to accept in a son-in-law, decreased in direct proportion to the distance between Longbourn and the son-in-law's residence. But Mr. Bennet had no delusions. He understood that if these men made offers his daughters were willing to accept, Mrs. Bennet would catch wind of it and his hands would be tied. The best he could hope for was to create the impression that he was a busy man who was seldom available for socializing. There was no reason not to lay the groundwork for this image right at the start.

So Mr. Bennet quietly slipped into his study, locked the door, found a good book, and verified that his brandy decanter was quite full, just in his presence became unavoidably required this morning. As he was making his escape, he had managed to catch the exchange between Lydia and his wife. He smiled at his daughter's indignation. At least he could find some humor among the chaos this morning.

Mrs. Bennet was right. Mr. Lucas did call on Kitty that morning. He arrived only moments after all the ladies of Longbourn had settled into the parlor. Much to Elizabeth's delight and Mrs. Bennet's annoyance, he had brought Charlotte with him. As was the custom of the two friends, they squirreled themselves away in a corner of the room, hoping to find privacy. Mrs. Bennet shook her head. She would need to force Lizzy out of that corner, but it could wait until a certain gentleman arrived. Charlotte had accompanied her brother hoping to find out how Lizzy's visit with Mr. Kent had gone the previous day. Charlotte was both disappointed, and intrigued to hear that Lizzy had missed his visit because she had been on a walk with Jane and the two gentlemen from Netherfield.

“Charlotte, did you notice Mama looking at us? I feel like a piece of merchandise that she wants to display in the store front window but has been misplaced back in storage.”

“Does it surprise you that your mother wants to help you secure a future? Had I known you had not yet had your visit, I would have stayed at home with the same goal in mind. As it is, you can expect me to depart as soon as he shows up.” Charlotte smiled and looked to the settee where Steven sat with Kitty. He looked very comfortable there. Not because of the plush surface or soft fabric of his perch, but because of his company. She realized if she did leave early, her departure would likely be unaccompanied. Charlotte added, “Or should I say, as soon as one of your gentleman callers shows up.”

“Charlotte, you are being ridiculous! I will grant you that Mr. Kent seems dead set on finding himself a wife and he seems to have decided that I am adequate for that purpose, but Mr. Darcy simply accompanied Mr. Bingley yesterday to support his friend.”

“Lizzy, how can you be so smart and so blind, at the same time?” Charlotte shook her head. She would have laughed if it wasn't almost tragic how inept Lizzy was at reading those around her, at least when her own future hung in the balance. “I would support you in any way I could. You are my dearest friend. Yet, when one of those two gentleman shows up, I will be leaving. In leaving, I am supporting you by allowing you to fully focus your attention where it is most needed. Had Mr. Darcy wished to simply support his friend, he would have done the same by not coming.” Charlotte paused but, deciding she should leave nothing for interpretation, she added, “Mr. Darcy came to see you Lizzy, not to support a friend.”

Lizzy retrieved the glass of water she had set on the end table next to her seat. After taking a sip, she responded, “You are looking at this as an isolated encounter, Charlotte. If you had seen how he glowered throughout the entire wedding dinner, and how he verbally spars with me during nearly every one of our conversations, maybe you would understand why it is so unlikely that now I would suddenly turn his head. Besides, in the case of Mr. Darcy accompanying his friend yesterday, his presence ensured that I was distracted. He did serve a valuable service to Mr. Bingley, as otherwise, Mr. Bingley would need to at least pretend to entertain me as well as Jane. If you are so sure he is coming to see me, you would not be so heartless and abandon me. You know that I find the man insufferable. I would certainly need your protection if he was attempting to further our acquaintance.”

“When the two gentlemen arrived yesterday, they had no reason to suspect my brother would have called and whisked Kitty and Lydia away. It is true that Mr. Darcy served a purpose in Mr. Bingley's objectives, but that was only by chance. Mr. Bingley could have easily focused on only Jane, without fearing you would be left unoccupied, if your sisters were at home, as they were expected to be. Mr. Darcy came to see you. And, why did he make a point of saying he would return to see you again today, if it was simply for Mr. Bingley's benefit? As he is obviously throwing himself at you Lizzy, why should I protect you from a handsome and wealthy bachelor? As it is, your mother is sending daggers at me through her glares. How would she feel if I chased away someone as rich, and powerful, as Mr. Darcy?”

Lizzy looked over at her mother. For once in her life, she was dressed modestly as if she wanted to blend into the room and not direct any attention away from her daughters. Of course, given that her hand he been instrumental in the decoration of the parlor, she would have had more success blending in if she had been wearing something gaudy and ostentatious. But it even if her dress had provided sufficient camouflage, Charlotte was right. It was almost as if Lizzy’s guest should be able to feel Mrs. Bennet’s eyes burning her skin. “My mother is fully aware of what an unpleasant and arrogant man he is. He made it abundantly clear at our first meeting that I was not attractive to him. You, Charlotte, are the only person in this room fool enough to believe his feelings are altered. I assure you, my mother would find you of great service if you were to engage Mr. Darcy in conversation, so I could devote all of my attention exclusively to Mr. Kent, as she sees him as my true prospect. I would also value your company so I can disabuse you of this idiotic notion in regards to Mr. Darcy and, so I can receive your insight on Mr. Kent. Despite you being entirely off the mark in regards to Mr. Darcy, you do often have a great understanding of character and motivations. I should very much appreciate hearing your thoughts on Mr. Kent, after you see him in person.”

“If there is an overlap in the visits of both gentlemen, I can see that I could help you manage them both, but if there is no overlap, I would be in the way.”

“I assure you, Charlotte, this morning, there is no possibility that you could be in the way. Mr. Darcy is not coming to see me, unless it is to find one of my faults and, as I have promised you, I shall give Mr. Kent a chance.” Lizzy, uncertain if her arguments had been persuasive, searched for something more she could say to convince her friend to stay. Charlotte watched as the gears inside Lizzy’s mind went to work. After a moment, she continued. “Not only would I like your thoughts on the gentleman, I also desire that you observe me keeping my promise. That way, should he prove not to be my intended, you will not entreat me to continue further meetings with the gentleman. Please, Charlotte, I beg you. Please stay.”

Charlotte could see Lizzy’s desperation and knew that she now had the upper hand to negotiate. She glanced at the clock that sat on the mantle and guessed additional visitors would be arriving soon. “If I agree to stay, would you promise me to give both gentlemen an equal opportunity? You have already promised to approach Mr. Kent with an open mind, so you would really only be agreeing to leaving your mind open for Mr. Darcy. I understand you believe him to be proud and arrogant but, with the exception of the first week of his arrival, I do not think his actions support your opinion. I believe he may have been adjusting at first and, it was not until later, that his true nature emerged. Could you give him another chance, forgiving the thoughtless remarks you overheard at the assembly?”

Lizzy was both confused and exasperated. Was it possible Charlotte still refused to accept she was wrong about Mr. Darcy’s interest? “Charlotte, I am not sure I understand your request. You asked me to give Mr. Kent an opportunity to woo me, to convince me that we could be happy together as husband a wife. How could I give Mr. Darcy an equal opportunity when this is not an end he seeks?”

“That should make your promise all the easier, Lizzy.” Charlotte smiled knowing she was about to win the battle. “I believe that is exactly what he seeks. If I am correct, and he seeks your exclusive company today, can you treat him as you would any other viable suitor? If you can, I will stay. In fact, if you can, I will even ensure I distract each gentleman, in turn, so that you can give each your full attention without fear of neglecting the other. If I am wrong, you need not engage with Mr. Darcy as he will not be treating you any differently than he does Lydia or your mother.”

“So, if I agree to be open to a scenario, that is as probable as snow in August, you promise to stay?” Lizzy asked and watched Charlotte nod while attempting to hide the smug smirk fighting for freedom. She focused her eyes on the plush, red carpet so they would not betray her glee. The garish floor covering would serve to punish her orbs for trying to warn Lizzy that she was about to be trapped. “And when you see that Mr. Darcy has no particular interest in me, you will entertain him on my behalf, all the while observing that I have fulfilled my promise to you in regards to Mr. Kent?” Charlotte again nodded. “Well, I do not see any danger for me. I will agree to do as you ask, knowing that I have warned you, we are striking a bargain where only you will end up being required to perform.”

Charlotte raised an eyebrow and said, “We shall see,” just as the housekeeper announced the arrival of Mr. Kent.