Overheard Read online

  OVERHEARD

  © 2020 MARLEY FULTON. All rights reserved.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Epilogue

  THE END

  Prologue

  Meryton, December 10, 1811.

  Large snowflakes fell gently upon the crowd gathered in front of the Meryton Church. Almost all of those four and twenty families with whom the Bennets were closely acquainted were there.

  The breeze was soft, but freezing, and the fresh air carried the flavour of winter, as it should on a mid-December day. Voices sounded joyful, whispers were murmured, curious looks were exchanged.

  Not a single person of those in attendance would have imagined only a fortnight ago that they would soon attend such an event.

  The illustrious guests–two handsome, tall, impressive gentlemen–stood with Bingley and Darcy. Steps away there was Miss Bingley with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. The Bennet family was together with the Gardiners, and near them was Mr. Collins–speaking of something that nobody seemed interested in.

  From the doorway Elizabeth glanced around at the people so well known to her. She met her father’s worried gaze and she answered with a reassuring smile. There was no more reason to worry. She had decided, and was content with her choice.

  “Lizzy, why are you standing here alone? Are you unwell?” Jane asked near her shoulder.

  Elizabeth turned to her. “Not at all, my dear. I needed only a moment of solitude. I am fine.”

  “It is time, my dear.”

  “Indeed,” Elizabeth said, and the sisters held hands for a moment.

  With one last gaze outside, Elizabeth noticed several red uniforms in the churchyard. Among them was George Wickham, the very man who had most unwillingly, with grudge and hate, thrown them into those circumstances that would change everyone’s lives forever.

  While their family, the Bingleys, Mr. Darcy and his cousins, and then all the others walked toward them, memories enveloped Elizabeth and brought her back to the evening at the Meryton Assembly, where everything had started two months ago.

  Chapter 1

  Two months prior

  The carriage stopped in front of the Meryton Assembly Rooms and Bingley immediately hurried out with his usual excitement. Caroline Bingley and the Hursts followed him reluctantly.

  Through the carriage door, the bustle of voices, music, shouting, and dogs barking disturbed Darcy and stopped him before he put a step out.

  It was not too late to return to Netherfield, he knew he should not have come at all. He had been weak and surrendered to Bingley’s insistences, in exchange for some peace, but his disposition was not inclined to entertainment.

  In fact, he should not have been in Hertfordshire at all. He had done Bingley a favour and joined him in his search of renting a property. He was happy to provide advice to his inexperienced friend – it was the first time Bingley wished to settle on an estate.

  Netherfield seemed a good choice by its situation, his costs and the relative proximity to London. Once Bingley had signed the papers, and his sisters had arrived, Darcy knew he should leave. But Bingley was equally excited and nervous by his property and had begged Darcy to stay for at least another fortnight. And again, Darcy surrendered.

  Then calls and introductions followed; every family in the neighbourhood sent someone to see the new master of Netherfield. Most of them with the poorly concealed intention of securing him for their daughters–Darcy knew that all too well. At least he was safe; these country people seemed rather frightened by his presence and barely addressed him at all.

  But Bingley was in danger, yet he appeared oblivious to it and rather comfortable with his new situation. When the invitation to the assembly had arrived, he happily accepted it. As if that was not enough, he insisted and pleaded with Darcy to join him.

  In front of the large, old building filled with people, Darcy regretted his acceptance after a single glance.

  “Come, Darcy! What are you doing there? Surely you do not plan to run,” Bingley mocked him.

  “Not to run, only to leave,” Darcy answered sternly, and Bingley laughed. “I have no desire to be here.”

  “Oh, come now! I am sure it will be amusing! An evening of entertainment would not kill you,” Bingley continued.

  “It will not kill me, just bore me to death,” Darcy replied, and stepped down carefully from the carriage.

  “Everything bores you, Darcy!”

  “And everything amuses you, Bingley.”

  “I understand how appalling all this must be for you, Mr. Darcy. I know you well enough to imagine how dreadful such a country ball must be for you,” Caroline Bingley interjected with disdain, attempting a charming and comforting smile at him.

  Darcy cringed. Besides Caroline’s constant attention to him, what annoyed Darcy the most were her claims of being intimate friends and knowing his preferences.

  Caroline Bingley was a handsome young lady, with a significant dowry and a good education. She was also one of the women Darcy tried to avoid, but was forced to be in her company often, due to his friendship with Bingley. Darcy was not oblivious to Caroline’s hopes in gaining his attention, nor to her attempts of attaching Bingley to his sister, Georgiana. Both schemes were ridiculous and destined to fail, but that did not diminish Darcy’s vexation.

  If he was to enter into a marriage with no affection, his cousin, Anne de Bourgh, was already waiting. His aunt, Lady Catherine, spoke of that marriage for at least twenty years, so Caroline was far behind in line to be his wife.

  As for Georgiana–she was almost a child yet. At least her innocent heart was, and she was still grieving after the tormenting incident at Ramsgate. She had been very close to losing her respectability and even her future happiness in a most hazardous elopement to a most dishonourable man.

  Darcy would have remained in London with his sister, but Georgiana, still ashamed and overwhelmed by self-blame, gently expressed her preference to stay with her companion, Mrs. Annesley, and encouraged Darcy to accept Bingley’s invitation.

  Bingley was never content, always wanting more in terms of balls and parties - and there he was, Fitzwilliam Darcy, standing still on a muddy road in the village of Meryton. A night of distress was ahead of him, and there was no solution to escape without raising a scandal and general disapproval.

  “Am I not right, Mr. Darcy?’ Caroline insisted.

  “To be honest, not quite,” he replied. “I do not despise country balls more than those in London or any other place. Including St James’s. I avoid them every time I can.”

  “I appreciate the effort you make for me, Darcy,” Bingley said with joyful disposition. “Come, let us enter, the music has already begun!”

  “Yes, Heaven forbid we be late a single moment more,” Darcy mumbled in the same poor disposition as before.

  In the entrance, they met a gentleman who looked familiar to Darcy.

  “My dear Mr. Bingley! What an honour to have you! Allow me to introduce you to our lovely community,” the gentleman said, and Darcy suddenly remembered that he was a Sir William who they had met previously and who repeated several times that he had been introduced at the Court of St James.

  Inside the large ballroom, Darcy entered last and the sound of voices, the strong light, the lack of fresh air and the universal staring tempted him one more time to leave. It was too late, though, as Sir William led their group towards a woman surrounded by two others much younger, obviously her daughters.

  “This is Mrs. Bennet and these are her eldest daughters, Miss Jane Bennet and Miss E
lizabeth Bennet.” Darcy heard Sir Williams saying.

  Jane Bennet looked quite pretty, Darcy admitted. One of the most beautiful women he had seen lately, and a look stolen from the corner of his eye proved to him that Bingley was instantly smitten. Miss Jane Bennet was precisely the kind of woman to whom Bingley had lost his heart several times before.

  The other one–Elizabeth Bennet–had brown hair and a common figure. One of the many pretty faces that he had seen and immediately forgot, especially in an evening when his disposition was so low. His glance crossed with hers for a moment and he had the feeling of being scrutinised. That was also a too common situation for Darcy, so he averted his eyes, trying to remain indifferent.

  The elderly woman’s insinuating voice, as a predator who tried to confuse the pray, quivered Darcy and made him take a step back.

  “Mr. Bingley, you are most welcome sir! We are exceedingly happy to have you here! I trust you enjoy balls?”

  “I do, ma’am, very much. If Miss Bennet is not otherwise engaged, I would be honoured if she danced the first set with me.”

  “I am not engaged,” Miss Bennet said demurely. Then, to Darcy’s appal, Mrs. Bennet addressed him directly.

  “I hope you enjoy dancing too, Mr. Darcy?”

  “Not at all, madame,” he replied briefly, then bowed and moved into a corner of the room where he hoped to find a small piece of tranquillity.

  Darcy felt Mrs. Bennet and her daughters’ glare following him and when he found the desired spot to halt, his eyes briefly crossed with Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s again. He was too far away to be certain, but he believed he noticed her right eyebrow arched in a challenge to him. However, he looked away before he had time to analyse the moment thoroughly. Surely those women did not imagine he would dance with someone he had just been introduced to a minute before.

  He looked around again; girls of Georgiana’s age–perhaps younger–were dancing and laughing carelessly. Was it possible they were out already? Georgiana was reluctant to attend even private balls and she had never danced in public. And now, after that scoundrel’s shameless scheme, she will likely be even more fearful to expose herself in public.

  Lady Matlock–their aunt–use to say it was his fault that Georgiana was so shy. He could not deny that. But how could he force her against her nature, when he had not been capable of conquering his own dislike of certain people and gatherings?

  Darcy noticed Bingley leading Miss Jane Bennet to her mother, with a large grin on his face, so unlike the lady’s demure little polite smile.

  Then Bingley walked toward him with his usual joyfulness and Darcy was certain his younger friend was already charmed.

  “How are you, Darcy?”

  “Drinking.”

  “Does the headache still bother you?”

  “Yes.”

  "This is because you insist on standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You must entertain yourself. You had much better dance."

  Darcy rolled his eyes. Bingley’s chances of success were as big as the sun suddenly appearing in the evening.

  "I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At an assembly such as this, it would be insupportable.”

  "I would not be so fastidious as you are," cried Bingley, "for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty."

  “Every time you attend a ball, you are amazed by the pleasant ladies,” Darcy mocked him. “To be honest, you danced with the only handsome girl in the room, I shall grant you that.”

  "Oh! Miss Jane Bennet is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld!"

  Darcy rolled his eyes again.

  “But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Why would you not dance with her?”

  “You mean the one who has been slighted by other men for the last two sets? I am in no disposition to entertain anyone–myself included. And even if I were, she is not handsome enough to tempt me. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me."

  Bingley shrugged and abandoned any further insistence; eventually, he departed and only then, glancing after him, Darcy noticed that Miss Elizabeth Bennet sat on a chair, behind a pillar, close enough to have overheard their entire conversation.

  ***

  Elizabeth had attended the assembly with her usual high spirit and delight for the perspective of dancing and enjoying a lovely evening with friends. As soon as people gathered together, Mr. Bingley’s attending the ball was the most important subject. The presence of a young, unmarried and wealthy gentleman in such a small neighbourhood had quickly turned the assembly into the most important event of the year.

  Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike, with easy, unaffected manners. He came with his two sisters, his brother-in-law, and a friend–much fewer people than rumours that circulated in Meryton had suggested.

  His sisters were elegant, with an air of decided fashion. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, looked like any other gentlemen in his thirties–not too handsome, not too joyful, not too witty, with very little interest in what happened around him.

  But his friend, Mr. Darcy, soon drew the attention of the entire room. He was tall, with handsome features, noble mien, and the report, which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year.

  The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, and the ladies declared he was much more handsome than Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth considered Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were very different in age, in appearance and in attitude. Long before they came to be introduced to them, Elizabeth noticed that Mr. Bingley smiled all the time - a large, joyful smile spread on his lips, on his face and in his eyes. Mr. Darcy did not smile at all; his expression was a frown and his glance cold, distant, even disdainful. If Mr. Bingley’s pleasure in being there was apparent, so was Mr. Darcy’s dislike.

  Mr. Darcy was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners betrayed that he was proud, above his company, and above being pleased. He showed a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, making everyone feel uncomfortable in his presence. And, although he was reported to have ten thousand a year and a large estate in Derbyshire–which compared to Netherfield was nothing–Mr. Darcy was quickly judged as being unworthy to be compared with his friend.

  Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal people in the room; he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance, smiled and greeted everyone - and such amiable qualities soon spoke for themselves.

  To Elizabeth, it was no surprise that Mr. Bingley invited Jane to dance immediately; Jane always drew the admiration of everyone who met her. Sadly, most gentlemen, as much as they were enchanted by her flawless beauty and sweet nature, could not ignore her lack of dowry and the Bennets’ low connections. Mr. Bingley had no such knowledge, but his admiration was clear, and he invited Jane for a second set, much to Mrs. Bennet’s excitement.

  Mr. Darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, and even then his expression spoke of his appal for the place and the activity.

  He declined being introduced to any other lady and spent the rest of the evening walking about the room. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped to see him as little as possible.

  While sitting on her chair, Elizabeth could not help glancing at Darcy several times. If her father was there, they would have made sport together of his laughable pride and apparent disdain. He was a handsome man - that was undeniable. Probably one of the most handsome Elizabeth had met. And his posture proved a self confidence that could come from an excellent situation in life, a powerful position and a matching wealth. Probably a spoiled child and having everything a young man would hope for, he was
exceedingly proud of himself and cared little for anyone else.

  But his manners in such a gathering were so striking that they became ridiculous. For a moment, Elizabeth wondered how it would be if he invited someone to dance and would have to face a refusal. How would Mr. Darcy’s expression change if he heard a “no thank you, you are too unpleasant to dance with.”!

  She laughed to herself, well aware that such a circumstance would never occur. Firstly, because he would certainly not invite anyone to dance, and secondly because if he did, that woman would feel flattered and would readily accept.

  Elizabeth noticed Mr. Bingley approaching Mr. Darcy. She was protected from their sight by a pillar; on their other side, she could see Lady Lucas and Charlotte talking to her mother – they were also hidden behind a column from the gentlemen’s attention. And then, Elizabeth heard Mr. Bingley asking Mr. Darcy to dance and suggesting to invite her.

  And his reply: “I am in no disposition to entertain anyone–myself included. And even if I were, she is not handsome enough to tempt me.”

  The statement offended Elizabeth deeply; the words were painful, but the disdainful voice was even worse. She could not help gazing at the rude man, all her resentment gathered in her eyes. For a moment, her gaze crossed with his and he seemed uncomfortable. Not for his insolent remark, but for being caught, of course. But even more dreadful for Elizabeth was to notice that her mother, Lady Lucas, Charlotte and Mrs. Phillips had heard too. At that moment she knew she would not hear the end of this any time soon–and her fury against Darcy grew until it reached the edge of her self control.

  To avoid replying as she wished to, she stood up and quickly moved to the other side of the room, from where she kept glaring at Darcy, hoping he could see her anger.

  Chapter 2

  The sound of musical instruments, the laughter and the voices, were all so loud that Darcy’s head ached.