“In that case, as you have no guardian, I suggest that you simply say that it is your practice not to dance twice with the same gentleman.”
“And the gentleman would not feel slighted?”
“Not if he is a real gentleman, no; in fact, he will appreciate you all the more for your restraint.”
“This Marriage Game is a strange thing indeed!” Caroline burst out. “I have always believed that I should make certain that a gentleman knows of my own interest in him, in order to encourage his own interest!”
Jane said, very kindly, “But do you not see, Caroline, that if you behave so with all gentlemen, no one will know if you are truly interested in him or not.”
And Mrs. Annesley added, rather less kindly, “And you will soon be known as a most determined flirt.”
Caroline visibly winced.
Georgiana quickly asked, “Do gentlemen learn the rules of the Marriage Game, or is it just ladies?”
Mrs. Annesley replied. “True gentlemen have their own set of rules. For example, they do not raise the expectations of ladies if they have no intention of meeting them. They treatallladies, regardless of age, beauty or social position, with every care, making certain that they are safe and comfortable. They do not exceed their income, no matter the temptation. Their attire is elegant and simple, though always scrupulously clean and perfectly fitted. Your brother, Miss Darcy, is an excellent example. But remember that not all gentlemen merit the term; there will always be villains, masquerading in fine clothing.”
Georgiana asked, “With all these rules about behaviour, not flirting, not dancing twice, how is a gentleman ever to know that a lady likes him? And if he does not think she likes him, he will never ask for a courtship!”
Mrs. Annesley answered, “There are ways of making your affection known, Miss Darcy, but it is best not to show too much until the gentleman has made his own interest apparent.”
Jane, recalling how easily Mr. Darcy had been able to persuade Charles that she did not care for him, hastily interjected, “But you must give the gentleman of your choicesomeencouragement, of course! Look at him as much as possible without actually staring. Ask him what his favourite piece of music is and play it for him. Ask him what kind of sweets he likes and make certain they are available when he comes to tea.”
Mrs. Annesley continued. “You two must beware of fortune hunters! You each have a very generous dowry, and there are always gentlemen who are more interested in the money than the young lady herself. Marrying a fortune hunter is bound to be disappointing for the lady.” Mrs. Annesley knew this to be a difficult topic for her charge, given the circumstances involving Mr. Wickham, but she thought it best to bring it into the open.
Georgiana bit her lip and looked away, but Caroline asked, “But how does a lady know if a suitor is a fortune hunter?”
“Well, Miss Bingley, let me ask you this: if you are interested in getting to know a person, what do you do?”
Caroline could not think of an answer, but Jane immediately said, “You ask questions of that person in order to learn all you can about them.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Bingley, that is exactly right. But a fortune hunter will, instead, tell you about himself, putting himself in the best possible light. He does not yet know this young lady, but he is already setting a trap for her! That man is a fortune hunter.”
Elizabeth, seeing Georgiana’s distress at this talk of fortune hunters, hastily steered the conversation away to easier matters. “A ball is a perfect opportunity to show off one’s best gowns and jewelry; we shall have such fun!”
At last, Caroline thought. I finally get to dress up!
***
The upcoming ball for Georgiana Darcy was also being discussed at Westmoreland House. Lady Agatha was debating with her maid, Janet, about what she would wear to the ball, when her mother entered the room and motioned Janet away.
“Mother? What is it?”
“Agatha, has your brother got it into his head to marry Miss Darcy?”
Lady Agatha replied, “I know Teddy likes her a good deal, but he knows that you do not approve of her. You have certainly made your feelings known.”
“Will that deter him from offering for her?”
Lady Agatha hesitated. She knew that her brother liked Miss Darcy more than any other young lady, but she forbore from revealing this to her mother.
“Well?”
“If he falls in love with her, then nothing will deter him. You must know that, Mother. He has always hoped to make a love match.” Lady Agatha did not say that the example their parents had set, which had definitelynotbeen a love match, had inspired her brother’s hope for a different marital fate.
“But he owes some consideration to his birth and position does he not?” The matriarch was quite evidently displeased.
“I do not see that Miss Darcy would present a problem in any way. Her manners are faultless, she is connected to the Earl and Countess of Matlock; her brother was one of the most sought-after gentlemen in London for several years; her dowry is more than respectable! Moreover, she is kind and gentle!” Lady Agatha spoke with some heat.
