Prologue

Posted on Saturday, 24 May 2008

It was not a peculiar set of circumstances that led Darcy to Miss Elizabeth Bennet on that fateful autumn day. Mr. Darcy had been brooding (as may well be expected) over his conflicting feelings for the lady, and had decided a refreshing walk might calm his nerves. Normally a quick turn about the grounds at Netherfield would be satisfactory, but as Mr. Bingley was engaged with business affairs that day, the ladies were especially wont for distraction. Nobody would doubt, then, that Mr. Darcy might endeavor a little negligence regarding the hour as he ambled through Hertfordshire.

Although it was a rather chilly day, the sky was clear and Elizabeth was very much in need of a refreshing walk, herself. Mr. Collins had recently arrived in town and already he had tried her nerves-- any amusement she might have felt in observing him was extinguished when she saw the odious man had taken a particular interest in her. Such things are far less amusing when one suffers for it! And so it was that she wandered towards Meryton, hoping very much to run into someone on the way that might provide some distraction, for she longed for intelligent company.

As she pondered the propriety of such a situation (surely ladies were not to wander toward town unescorted in the hopes of running into entertainment), she was met with some relief-- Charlotte Lucas and her sister appeared coming around the bend. Elizabeth waved and ran to meet her friends.

"Dear Charlotte, Maria! I was hoping to run into you! Or rather anybody, for I am quite fed up with Mr. Collins' company."

"Lizzy, you do yourself a disservice to so quickly dismiss a man who could provide such security for your family."

Elizabeth could not help an incredulous look at her friend. "Though you have only encountered him once, surely you must know he is one of the stupidest persons in England! Even if I were not set on marrying for love, I know not how I could consider such a man."

"I forget your impracticality," replied Charlotte. "I beg you not take after Elizabeth's influence, Maria.”

"Surely you could not expect me to be prevailed on to marry a man like Mr. Collins! He is such a bore!" Elizabeth giggled, but Charlotte only looked cross.

"I am sorry if it pains you to hear such a statement, Charlotte, but you must know that young ladies are always as romantic as they are naïve.”

“Yourself included?”

“Oh, myself more than any! Those with little to their name are always the most optimistic!”

It was this statement-- proclaimed with such satisfied impertinence-- that caught the ear of a certain gentleman who wandered in a similar direction. Given his motives for the excursion, he endeavored to head back to Netherfield undetected; it would not do to spend more time with the lady who so unsettled him.

“Then it is a wonder you dismiss Mr. Darcy, for I have had it from Jane that he has paid you some attention. I can hardly imagine for you a more advantageous match.” At this, Mr. Darcy stopped in his tracks. He knew it was not right to listen—he had not made himself known! And yet the information that Elizabeth apparently disliked him quite clouded his reason.

“Charlotte, how can you speak so? Indeed, my optimism is for a match of love, not material gain, and it would be most unfortunate for me to fall in love with Mr. Darcy, for I quite detest him!”

“Lizzy—“

“How can you suggest that I would not?” Elizabeth continued, indignant. “You have heard of his dealings with Mr. Wickham; surely you do not doubt that gentleman? And his pride! Such conceit and disdain in his very manner! I am determined that his only goal is to displease. It is lucky that he is so disagreeable, for he achieves it wherever he goes.” She paused. “And anyway, I suppose it does not matter, for it was ridiculous to suggest that he might consider me! I, who am merely ‘tolerable’!” She could not help the bitterness in her tone.

“I see you are determined,” Charlotte sighed.

“You need not be so disheartened, dear Charlotte, for I am sure Mr. Darcy’s interest in me-- if indeed such an interest exists, and I am sure it does not-- must be based solely on his desire to find fault, and I expect I provide quite an example for him!”

“He must be preferable to Mr. Collins, though,” Maria interjected.

Elizabeth laughed. “He would at least make a more interesting husband! I am sure I would never know what he was about, silent and brooding as he is, which would give me some entertainment.”

“You are lucky it is only Maria and I that hear you say such things, Elizabeth; you can be quite shocking.”

“Perhaps it is unfortunate that it is so, I dare say, for I dearly love to shock!”

Charlotte could not hide a roll of her eyes, and the ladies laughed and continued on their path, completely ignorant that anyone might have overheard them. Indeed it would be most unfortunate for Mr. Darcy to have been detected, but he was presently in no position to consider his good luck in the matter. The lady’s words had struck him to the very core, and it was not without difficulty that he made his way back to Netherfield, his mind thick with anguish.

To Be Continued . . .