26 July — Mr. Lacey and I had an interesting conversation today while walking in the grove. I said I hoped there was nothing wrong in London to require Mr. Bingham to return so quickly. Mr. Lacey replied that ‘Bingham is his own man. He does not require my permission to travel about the country.’ I doubted that but said nothing. It was such a beautiful day. I wanted everyone to be happy, even the dour Mr. Lacey. ‘May I ask, sir, what gives you the most pleasure? Is it the theatre, the opera, riding? Your cousin considers you to be an eager dancer when amongst your acquaintances. I am curious as to what you enjoy most.’ He misunderstood and thought I was once again rebuking him for his behaviour in Hertfordshire. He answered: ‘Miss Elizabeth, I am aware I made a very bad first impression when I came to Hertfordshire. I was in ill humour that day because, on the way to join Bingham, one of the horses threw a shoe, greatly lengthening my journey.’ I said that, if his horse losing a shoe had put him in such ill humour, we were fortunate the beast had not broken its leg. Then Mr. Lacey actually laughed out loud. Oh, how handsome he is when he laughs. We continued to walk in the grove, and he said he preferred smaller, private balls rather than large, public ones, and intimate dinner parties of no more than six or seven couples. He recently had the pleasure of seeing Cambridge soundly defeat Oxford at cricket. I know nothing of that sport, but I must admit I was pleased that Mr. Lacey and I were able to engage in a conversation of some length. He can be quite charming.
By this time, we had come to the road to the parsonage, but I wanted to continue our conversation. I told him how honoured I was to have been introduced to his sister, and he freely confessed he is devoted to her and takes pride in the way she performs in public, showing a maturity beyond her years. He then mentioned that Miss Darcy and his cousins intended to play croquet on the lawn tomorrow morning and invited me to join them. Without hesitation, I accepted. What a change has come over me. I thought him to be so proud and disagreeable, and now I see a different side to the gentleman from Derbyshire.
27 July — There is yet another side to Mr. Lacey. He is a very serious competitor even when playing croquet with his female relations. Of course, he was the first to strike the final stake, but I finished second. He seemed pleased that I had done so well without actually beating him. I pointed out that the only person I had bested was his sister. Anne is so fragile a creature she provides no competition, and Col. Devereaux deliberately missed, so he would keep pace with her. Mr. Lacey gave me instructions on how to improve my game and insisted we go through the course again. Afterwards, we were enjoying tea on the lawn when Lady Sylvia, with her lady’s maid in tow, descended upon the group, and the atmosphere immediately changed. Alas, the conversation turned to me! Lady Sylvia decided I should be introduced to a Mr. Whitman, the local printer, who, according to Her Ladyship, ‘will do well enough for you.’ Upon hearing this remark, Mr. Lacey walked back to the house, leaving those remaining to amuse his aunt.
Just when it seemed as if Will and Elizabeth were finally getting along, Elizabeth received Jane’s letter recounting George Bingham’s visit with her in London. Although she was deeply offended by Mr. Bingham’s description of her family, it was nothing compared to her anger with Will Lacey when she found out he had gone to London for the very purpose of ending the romance between Charles and Jane.
30 July 1792
Dear Jane,
There is only one interpretation for George Bingham’s visit. Charles (May I call him Charles?) has asked for his brother’s blessing and permission to marry, and now that George Bingham has met you, he will have it. I would be very surprised if Charles didn’t make you an offer very soon. If he doesn’t, he is beyond hope. I would not waste one minute of thought on what Mr. Lacey will think of your engagement. If Mr. Lacey chooses to end his friendship because Charles is in love with you, he is not a true friend. On the other hand, if your conscience dictates that you must refuse Charles on account of his friend, then you should do so. But I must warn you that I will thereafter regard you as the greatest of fools.
I do not know how you sat through Mr. Bingham’s dissection of our family. How embarrassing to have our weaknesses laid bare. But what did he say that was not true? Until at least one of her daughters is well married, Mama will continue to look at every unattached gentleman as a possible match for one of us, and instead of providing guidance and correction, Papa looks at his wife’s inappropriate behaviour as theatre. Celia and Lucy are still young enough to make changes for the better. But these alterations must happen immediately, or it will be too late.
Apparently, Mr. Lacey left the ball at HH and went directly to London. What an arrogant man he is to think he knows what is best for his friend, especially since you now have learnt that Charles has been perfectly miserable since he left Hertfordshire. George Bingham has given Mr. Lacey too much power over Charles. Some guidance is appropriate, but what right does Mr. Lacey have to determine who Charles should or should not marry?
Mr. Lacey has been meeting me on my walks most mornings. I will now alter my schedule so as not to encounter him. I actually thought I saw improvement in his behaviour and attitude here in Kent, but now I know I was wrong. You must write to me immediately upon hearing from Charles, and I know you will hear from him shortly.
Love,
Lizzy
So much in life is timing, and Will Lacey’s timing couldn’t have been worse. Clearly, he was making an effort to show Lizzy his good side, only to have all of his efforts thrown to the wind because Lizzy had found out about his visit to George Bingham.
3 August — Miss Lacey and Anne Desmet visited the parsonage this morning. Despite Miss Lacey’s advantages and station in life, she seems to be a sensible girl, and she plays the pianoforte so beautifully. It is a delight to hear her, even on Charlotte’s poor instrument. She is to return to London shortly and will be accompanied by Mr. Oldham. There is a story there, but Charlotte and Anne say nothing about Miss Lacey’s guardian. I have successfully avoided her brother, but I will see him at dinner this afternoon. It is Thursday, and we must hear Mr. Chatterton’s Sunday sermon. I am seriously considering feigning illness. I am tired of listening to Lady Sylvia’s soliloquies on every subject, no matter how trivial, and I have no wish to see Mr. Lacey. Uncle Sims has written that he is sending his man, so that I may return home. If I do not leave soon, all benefits of the visit will be lost, and I want to be home when Jane receives her good news.
Lizzy did not dine at Rosings Park that afternoon. Will, who was probably wondering why he was no longer meeting Lizzy in the park, must have assumed she was unwell and went to call on her at the parsonage. His proposal was so insulting that it must have spilled out of him without any idea of how awful it sounded.
8 August 1792
Dear Jane,
I will return home early next week, but I have news that cannot wait. After reading your letter regarding the role Mr. Lacey played in separating Mr. Bingham from you, I was in a very unpleasant mood, so I told Mr. Chatterton I was unwell and would not attend the dinner with Lady Sylvia, claiming I did not want to put Miss Desmet at risk of also becoming ill.