Alias Thomas Bennet (5 page)

October 1811
Hertfordshire

Over the weeks that followed, Mr. Bennet made true his intention to be sociable with the gentlemen residing at Netherfield. He was invited to join a shooting party and accompanied the gentlemen on a tour of Mr. Bingley’s property to assess needed improvements. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet found they enjoyed one another’s company as they were well matched in intellect and shared many similar interests.

Bingley and Darcy called a second time a week after the assembly ball, and the former quickly took up a position near Jane. When Darcy joined the lively discussion on books that Bennet was having with Elizabeth and Mary, Elizabeth was disgruntled that the man who had insulted her was so brash as to join their group. She abruptly made her excuses and left to sulk in the garden.

The gentlemen called again a few days later, and this time, Darcy and Bennet removed to the library to peruse the volume that was the focus of their discourse. Seeing the easy camaraderie between the two men, Elizabeth became jealous of Mr. Darcy. Her rising indignation led her to follow them under the pretence of finding a book. Her real motive was to insinuate herself into the conversation and make a defiant point to her usurper that she deserved to be a prominent participant in any literary discussion at Longbourn. Darcy did not notice he had offended her; he was rather pleased with her company and impressed by her well-informed mind and skilled application to the debate.

Unknown to Darcy, intellectual exchanges were common in the Bennet household. He found it refreshing to see the three elder Miss Bennets engage in lively debates on books and politics and was surprised to find they were as well informed as he.

However, Elizabeth was not interested in showing anything other than disapprobation of Mr. Darcy’s presence. She spoke to him in dismissive or taunting tones and was fierce in her arguments, endeavouring to demonstrate that her intelligence and knowledge were equal to challenging his. Darcy observed Elizabeth in her home as well as at several social occasions in the neighbourhood and had come to admire her unique beauty, wit and vivacity.

Bingley’s attention was fixed on Miss Jane Bennet. Not only did he consider her the most beautiful girl in the county, he also admired her quiet and calm demeanour. He learned that Mr. Bennet actively involved Jane in the management of the estate, making use of her aptitude for solving disputes and skill in adjudication. Just turned two-and-twenty, Jane had a good grasp of the financial and legal issues required of a gentleman farmer and often accompanied her father as he toured the estate. What Bingley did not know was that she had already turned down one very attractive offer of courtship, with both of her parents’ support, because her affection was not engaged.

Elizabeth was, without a doubt, the most intelligent of the girls. Many young men were not inclined to court her as they were intimidated by her intellect. She was unconventional and adventurous, a trait shared with her lively youngest sister, Lydia. However, she also had strong beliefs in compassion, loyalty and propriety that tempered her daring and kept her from reckless escapades. Mr. Bennet shared his interest in the newest discoveries with Elizabeth, and they read the latest scientific pamphlets, including
The New System of Chemical Philosophy.

The middle girl, Mary, was also intelligent and, like Jane, reserved and calm. Although quieter in social settings, Mary Bennet was clearly the most accomplished musically, playing several instruments. She was dedicated to her own improvement by practice and extensive reading. Mary’s intellectual companion, Henry Lucas, the second son of the Bennets’ nearest neighbour, attended Cambridge. Due to their mutual interest in religion and philosophy, they studied together when he was home from university. It was expected they would become betrothed once Henry graduated and obtained a situation to train as a barrister.

The two youngest girls, Catherine and Lydia, were not yet out in society, having completed only sixteen and fifteen years respectively. Catherine was creative and studied with an art master. She was frequently at her mother’s side offering advice on remaking gowns and bonnets, and her sketches were said to rival the fashion plates of the latest magazines from London. Easily influenced by others, Catherine pursued the interests of all her sisters and, since they were closest in age, had a preference for spending most of her time with Lydia.

Lydia was robust and handsome. She had a love of performing and a gift for memorization, word games, and languages. She enjoyed creating rebuses and charades for her sisters to solve, and she was considered the most entertaining when reciting poetry and acting in plays in the drawing room of Longbourn in the evenings. This talent was reserved for family since she was not yet out. Her vivacity made her a favourite with the young girls in Meryton, and though her imagination and impulsiveness sometimes led her into trouble, her exuberance was charming enough to excuse her. She was sometimes too outgoing, boisterous, and impetuous, and her sisters often had to admonish her for her forwardness. She and Elizabeth tamed their energy together with a daily walk in the countryside of a duration that would exhaust many others.

***

Mr. Bennet called his wife to his study to discuss a letter he received from the cousin who currently stood to inherit Longbourn. He watched Mrs. Bennet’s expression become more incredulous as she read the missive.

“Fanny, what is this disagreement he refers to, and what is its basis?”

“The long-standing disagreement was between old Mr. Bennet and old Mr. Collins. I do not recall ever knowing its source, but it could have been regarding the entail.”

“Whatever the reason for the original falling-out, this is indeed a difficult situation. We cannot turn this man away, even if he is so presumptuous to assume a visit without invitation. But he seems odd, and I am concerned and uncertain of what he suggests as amends. He presumes a role as the girls’ protector, implying we will welcome his marrying one of our daughters. I hope he does not pay unwanted attention to any of them. He does not seem to have enough sense or manners to please our girls.”

“I agree he seems ill-mannered in his assumptions. Perhaps he is trying too hard to make amends, and this letter has a bent for excessive flattery that may not be his true nature. I agree we must welcome his visit, but we must be sure he behaves with proper respect and decorum while he is our guest.”

***

“Surely you use explosive chemicals in your mine at Pemberley and have observed the heat that occurs in some situations? We were curious to know from whence the heat came, where it went, and how the chemicals contributed. So Lizzy determined a course of inquiry, and I have instructed Mr. Akuete to undertake the steps she has proposed, attempting various configurations. Akuete, my steward—who came from Africa and ended up in Longbourn via Bermuda—is very meticulous with this type of study. I know no other who is as careful. We have found there is a good chance for a fire or for the person using the explosives to suffer a burn with no consequential useful effect. I have a book here somewhere . . . ”

Mr. Bennet rose to look through his books to find the information on chemical reactions he was discussing with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth took advantage of the break in conversation to challenge Darcy further.

“Pray, Mr. Darcy, tell me what unconventional knowledge related to heat and chemistry have you to offer?”

“None, Miss Elizabeth, other than my own observations. I have a familiarity with the principles behind blacksmithing and other such metal working and, as Mr. Bennet mentioned, the heat from the explosives in my mine.”

“Lizzy has studied Mr. Leslie’s treatises on heat, Darcy,” Bennet said absently as he leafed through a book. He then turned to Darcy as if he had a revelation. “Tell me, sir, did you study much of Euclid at university?”

“I did, Bennet; it was a favourite topic,” Darcy replied with no little pride.

“Well, perhaps you can help Lizzy with some of her postulations regarding Mr. Leslie’s work. The elliptical theory is slightly beyond my abilities.”

“I am more than willing to peruse the treatise and attempt to provide clarity where I am able.”

Elizabeth was aghast that her father asked Mr. Darcy to help her and that he seemed so smug in agreeing to do so. She was proud to best her father in this knowledge and certain she also bested Mr. Darcy and needed no help whatsoever!

But she remembered she had promised to be civil to Mr. Darcy and stated, though somewhat coolly, “Father, do not importune Mr. Darcy. The elliptical theory is Mr. Leslie’s reporting. I am content with my readings of that particular portion of the pamphlet, and I am also satisfied that my knowledge of Euclid is more than sufficient, so Mr. Darcy is safe to keep his superior knowledge to himself. However, I am interested in Mr. Leslie’s heat theories. I believe they may somehow be tied into why Mr. Watt’s engine improves that of Mr. Newcomen’s patent.”

“Darcy, please excuse my daughter’s propensity to speak too freely with regard to science. Lizzy and I have given each other leave to be forthcoming in our opinions when speaking privately. We each have come to expect the other to challenge ideas and arguments made by others in the pursuit of better understanding of scientific theories. I hope you are not offended.”

“I must admit to being surprised at the nature of our discourse today. It is highly unusual to find these topics perused outside of universities or coffeehouses. I am not offended, but I thank you for your sensibility.” He nodded to Bennet then turned to Elizabeth.

“Miss Elizabeth, my father installed Mr. Watt’s engine at one of Pemberley’s mines, and I have seen it operate. It is a great invention with many potential uses once one’s imagination links the practical applications.”

“But have you ever wondered why Mr. Watt’s engine performs as it does? How do you make it perform better? What makes it best that of Newcomen?” Elizabeth asked in earnest. Mr. Bennet agreed and smiled at his daughter.

“Many have performed experimentation on the various components to make them better. Watt’s engine is just a refinement of Newcomen’s, and even Watt continued to improve his engine based on his simple observations.” Darcy sounded like he was carefully explaining to one with no knowledge on the subject, and that irritated Elizabeth.

“Certainly adjustments can be made to the structure of the engine based on simple observation and the past knowledge of men,” she said. “But what do we know about the internal workings and the underlying philosophy of the engine? Perhaps Mr. Priestley’s oxygen, Mr. Leslie’s radiation, or Mr. Dalton’s theories about pressure will help us gain a better understanding of the mysteries within the engine. What chemical changes or elastic fluids cause the engine to move? Why does Mr. Watt’s engine use less fuel than Mr. Newcomen’s? What is the secret; is it of alchemy or caloric fluid or vacuum or some other notion?”
¹

Her energy surprised him, and her questions were beyond what Darcy had ever pondered. He did not feel up to a more thoughtful response, so he remarked in a somewhat condescending tone, “Your questions make for interesting discourse but are unlikely to have any practical application. What of philosophy could there possibly be in such a machine? Nay, Miss Elizabeth, leave the philosophy to the scholars.” He paused with a smug expression and then continued, “Or perhaps the parlours of bluestockings.” He knew he was goading her but so enjoyed the flash in her eyes when she rose to meet his challenge.

“Ah, there it is: the contradiction. It is said that women have no business discussing science, literature, or philosophy, and if they do, they are bluestockings and destined to be spinsters. However, when a woman challenges a man and he has no intellectual response, the topic is dismissed as a philosophical exchange among bluestockings. Come, sir, you cannot have both arguments!” She indignantly lifted her chin, and her eyes gave him the satisfaction he sought.

“Are you a bluestocking, Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy leaned forward and met her eyes with his then gifted her with a rare, mischievous grin.

Elizabeth was caught off guard by the appearance of his smile. Somewhere in her mind, she realized how much more handsome he appeared when he smiled so broadly; he had dimples she had not seen before, his teeth were white and perfect, his eyes sparkled and crinkled at the corners, and his lips looked so soft . . . She felt heat throughout her body, and all rational thought left her for a moment. Blushing deeply, she dropped her eyes to her lap. Her physical reaction confused her as she had never felt affected this way. After a brief moment, she realized she must respond.

“I do not think it can be so, Mr. Darcy,” she said slowly and quietly without making eye contact. “A lady must have fortune enough to support an independent life if she wishes to spend it pursuing education, literature, and philosophy. I have neither the benefit of my own fortune nor the expectation of one.”

There was a pause in the conversation. Darcy was dismayed at her change in demeanour but was at a loss to understand what had occurred. Bennet sensed the discomfort in the room and quickly spoke to distract from the unease between the two young people.

“Here is the book I was speaking of, Darcy, by Mr. Neumann. It is in German, so please forgive my poor translation, but the experiments are intriguing.”

He proceeded to relate, somewhat haltingly, a short passage. Darcy and Elizabeth did not attend as well as they should.