Spring Challenge

by Grace

Firthness Challenge Entry - 2004

Challenge One - An Object of Some Interest

Haughty and reserved, Fitzwilliam Darcy possessed a manner that whilst well-bred, was generally uninviting. Unlike his amiable friend Charles Bingley, Mr. Darcy continually gave offence wherever he went in Meryton, where he was a guest at Bingley’s newly let estate. To Mr. Darcy’s critical eye, Hertfordshire contained little beauty and no fashion. At the beginning of his visit, no person there garnered even the smallest of his interest, and from none did he receive either attention or pleasure. That is, until he was surprised by thoughts inspired by a gentleman’s daughter and reputed local beauty, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

As his copy of Harris’s List of Covent Garden Ladies or Man of Pleasure’s Kalendar was refreshed at two shillings and sixpence on every visit to London, he had been amply entertained by the best and finest of London’s Cyprian Corps. Ever fastidious, Mr. Darcy never engaged any but the most elite of these lovelies, neither did he succumb to the wiles of less virtuous ladies of the ton nor seduce daughters of tradesmen, as did his childhood friend Wickham.

A man of good principles, he considered ladies and innocents off limits, there being sufficient superiors among London’s demimondaines to suit his discernment. Accustomed as he was to the regular exercise of his gentlemanly arts, the dearth of quality women about the town in Hertfordshire was beginning to tell on Mr. Darcy. So much so that one whom he had once scarcely allowed to be pretty was captivating him. He was finding the feminine form of Elizabeth Bennet, readily observable in the flowing and sheer fashion of the day, very appealing to his unrequited appetites. Well qualified to judge, he found Elizabeth’s face shewed uncommon intelligence exquisitely reflected by the expression of her dark eyes.

Intrigued, yet mortified to harbour such thoughts regarding an honourable young woman, he could not but find that her form, albeit not as perfect in symmetry as others he knew intimately, was quite alluring. He found himself wondering during an otherwise tedious evening hosted by Sir William Lucas whether her easy, playful manners would carry over to the bedchamber were he ever granted an opportunity to avail himself of that light and pleasing form.

Despite his better judgement -- after all, she was neither suitable as a potential Mrs. Darcy nor one to whom he could offer an establishment despite the material advantages of such an agreement -- he began to wish to know more of her. As a prelude to conversation, Mr. Darcy attended to her interactions with others, drawing her notice and rendering him a subject of her humour.

Having no intention of speaking to either young woman, Mr. Darcy nonetheless found himself approaching Elizabeth and Miss Lucas in order to partake of the vivacity on display. Elizabeth’s lovely eyes glinted with humour and the candlelight behind her gave him an uncommonly fine view of her lovely limbs. Mr. Darcy was quite contentedly entertaining himself with images of where he would like to see those legs when he was addressed by the object of his musing --

"Did not you think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teazing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?"

After a short but witty conversation, Mr. Darcy was treated to the sight of Elizabeth performing at the pianoforte upon the persistent urging of Miss Lucas. During this very engaging display of talent, Mr. Darcy could not help but recall her statement that she would keep her breath to swell her song. Happy to watch that breath enhance her light bosom to even more pleasing proportions, Mr. Darcy found his thoughts wandering.

Her breath would indeed be wasted on porridge; it is almost wasted on song. That depth of breathing will certainly serve her well – such a healthy young woman would never faint at a moment inopportune to her lover. I imagine those charming breasts would swell just so at precisely the right instant.

Following a tedious performance by their middle sister, the youngest Miss Bennets began a small dance by begging a rendition of Scottish and Irish airs of Mary, who complied to seek approbation that her more serious performance failed to inspire.

In silent indignation at such a mode of passing the evening to the exclusion of conversation, Mr. Darcy failed to perceive Sir William Lucas in time to avoid his genial banter. Thus he was surprised by the suggestion that he take Elizabeth’s hand in a dance. Though unexpected, given the satisfying nature of his earlier perusals of her figure, Mr. Darcy was not unwilling. He requested with his normal demeanour of grave propriety that he be allowed the honour of a dance, but in vain. Far from finding her refusals disappointing, Mr. Darcy instead delighted himself by imagining the two of them in another venue altogether as he listened to her withstand the arguments of Sir William in favour of their dancing together.

A woman who so excels at the dance would undoubtedly prove a pleasing partner in bed; the ability to move with grace on a dance floor translates well to a very different half an hour’s amusement. Further coy conversation between Elizabeth and Sir William ensued as Mr. Darcy’s thoughts continued: Such a partner indeed. Those sparkling eyes would show her pretty face to uncommon advantage whilst revelling in my bed.

His pleasing musings enabled Mr. Darcy to find that her resistance injured her not in his eyes. He continued to imagine engaging her attentions in a more intimate setting, until accosted by Miss Bingley who wished him joy in his admiration of Elizabeth and teazed him as to his putative in-laws –

Marriage would assure me the opportunity to assess how her liveliness, lightly pleasing figure and fine eyes will translate to lovemaking. But marriage . . .

Challenge Two – Not the Least Indication


Sunday November 11

My Dearest Aunt Gardiner,

Our sojourn at Netherfield is over; yesterday Jane and I were so fortunate as to prevail upon Mr. Bingley to provide a carriage for our return to Longbourn after morning service today. I, impatient for our departure, left in lively spirits, but Mama is less pleased; she dared say our return troubled her and spent the first minutes deriding Jane for risking another cold. I did feel my father was glad to see us.

What a visit! Engaged as I was nursing a very ill sister, ample opportunity remained to observe the follies, nonsense, whims and inconsistencies of the party, all of whom were diverting, excepting, of course, Jane and her Mr. Bingley. Our host worried excessively over Jane’s health, taking prodigious care to inquire after her. On the evenings Jane herself joined us in the drawing-room, he was devoted to her comfort and spoke to her almost to the exclusion of us all. His general incivility becomes more marked with every meeting and altogether bodes very well for Jane. She esteems him more and more and I wish her happy with all my heart. Charlotte Lucas suggests Jane exhibit more affection than she feels toward Mr. Bingley in order to secure him, but her evident preference for his society convinces me that he cannot but be aware of it. How Charlotte made me laugh -- she asserted it is as well to marry without knowledge of one’s soon-to-be partner in life. She can be very droll when she wishes.

Now, to the happy party: what a group resides in Mr. Bingley’s house! The very first evening, his brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, disdained me for failing to properly appreciate a ragout over a plain dish, then declared me singular for preferring books to cards. Had they known my selection was decided by their playing too high – only imagine Miss Bingley’s scorn had I expressed that reason for choosing a book. Forgive me, I see I have yet to explain the unrivalled Miss Bingley. Let me correct that oversight at once, for she and Mr. Darcy were quite easily the most entertaining of the party.

Miss Bingley is elegant and fashionable, and she and her sister, Mrs. Hurst, can be charmingly agreeable. Their conversation is witty and spirited and I confess they do show Jane decided attention, but this amiability is demonstrated only when there are no gentlemen present. In particular, whenever Mr. Darcy is in attendance, Miss Bingley is so altered as to provoke my distrust even whilst I am diverted by her.

On my first evening there, she continued Mr. Hurst’s derision of me for reading. However, as always happens with her, the conversation progressed into a panegyric of the perfections of Mr. Darcy and his family seat in Derbyshire. How I laugh when I recall her brother’s attempts to halt her interminable praise of Mr. Darcy’s home by claiming that he would buy it himself. Quelle idée! She desires not to reside there as Miss Bingley but as Mrs. Darcy. She persisted in resisting her brother’s obvious desire for a new subject by simply transferring her eloquence from Mr. Darcy’s home to his sister.

One evening, she sat and watched Mr. Darcy write a letter to this sister. Normally, this would have been as insipid as it sounds, but the ensuing conversation was so amusing I could not but listen. I am now decided in my opinion of each: Mr. Darcy is agreeable to no one, not even his hostess, and Miss Bingley desperately hopes to secure Mr. Darcy by praising his sister, his home, his opinions and his person while disdaining others. She even tries to answer for him, with very interesting results. Once she agreed with him that she did not know half a dozen truly accomplished women. She promptly contradicted this claim when I declared my surprise at their knowing any women that fit their requirements -- their list truly comprehended a great deal. She and Mrs. Hurst protested that they knew many women who met these criteria. I refrained from inquiring whether it was but a half dozen or a great many because Mr. Hurst called them back to cards and I returned to Jane.

Mr. Darcy is as amusing as Miss Bingley. It was great fun to engage him in conversation, which Mr. Bingley then divertingly halted. We were debating whether yielding to the persuasion of a friend or adhering obstinately to a rash decision was of greater merit until Mr. Bingley teased Mr. Darcy, who quit the field offended. His umbrage at the teasing checked my own display of mirth, though it was quite humourous. Mr. Darcy clearly dislikes being laughed at. Another time, he claimed to have studied how to avoid the weaknesses that expose a strong understanding to ridicule, and when pressed, stated that vanity is such a weakness but denied so for pride. He claimed pride will always be under good regulation where there is superiority of mind. I found his conviction regarding his own “superiority of mind” and “strong understanding” so droll that I had to hide my smile in order not to cause greater offence.

I am undoubtedly more wrong and reprehensible to his notions of right than his friends, as he frequently fixed his eyes upon me – and I am certainly no object of admiration to him. It is a good thing that I, unlike Miss Bingley, care not for his approbation. I like him so little myself that its lack causes me no pain.

I find myself content to be home. Netherfield, for all its entertainment, was not to my taste. Other than Jane and Mr. Bingley, there was naught but subjects for raillery, and that wore on my patience. At home, I have my books, my work, my father, and Charlotte -- these all bring far more satisfaction than having nothing to do but constantly laugh at one’s companions.

I remain dutifully and lovingly your niece,

Elizabeth

Copyright held by Grace - 2004