The Regency of Pride (Tori and Reydan)

[toritaynympho]

The couch pulled up to the hall in the center of the small village. Rolling into a stop, a man servant dismounted from the front and walked around to the side where he opened a door and assisted two ladies from the seats within . They were the sisters Bingley, Louisa and Caroline. Recently, they had moved to Neatherfield, an estate located just outside the village of Meryton. Tonight would be the first night that they made their way into public society in the country. Having never before been to Hertfordshire, they were of yet disappointed with the society that they had interacted with. Yet at the behest of their own stature in local society, the two had chosen to attend the ball and make the first of the inevitable many interactions with those of higher society within Hertfordshire. Louisa, the elder stepped from the carriage first.Walking up the steps and into the hall, she was followed by Caroline closely. Neither eager to leave each other's sides as they walked into the hall. Many ladies and gentlemen were there, and clearly there would be no want for partners should the two decided to partake in dancing.

"This is poor company." Caroline whispered to her elder sister as they were greeted by many a party goer.

"Truly sister." Louisa sad after smiling and greeting a lady. "Perhaps we may yet find some pleasant company in these midst. But I truly doubt that much in the name of pleasant conversation and intelligent thought exists within these walls. Far too many a country residant with poor cloth and no table manners."

Laughing but covered it with a move of her hand, Caroline nodded in agreement. "Well then, I suppose we shall have to make the best of it." she said with a grin. "There may yet be someone of substance here, and it is our duty to seek those persons out for the sake of our own selves.!"


(Louisa's dress) (Caroline's dress)

 

[Reydan]

'Hurry girls hurry' Mrs Maria Bennet gasped, fussing her children out of the side room where they had been taking off their outdoor coats and into the whirling life of the Meryton Dancing Rooms. Mrs Bennet, a woman of good looks but not particular intellect or tact, was determined to push her five daughters, after the untimely death of her husband, into advantageous marriages. She especially hoped that one of them would net a husband willing to financially secure their own house and keep it out of the hands of their odious cousin Mr Collins.

'Oh Mamma really' whispered her eldest, the demure and collected Jane, who straightened out her dress and tried not to look embarrassed by her mother's insistent fussing. The two twins, Mary and Kitty, inseparable from birth, simply ignored maternal instructions, linked arms, and drifted off into the party.

The only dark haired one of the family, the bright eyed and sharp witted Elizabeth, simply rolled her eyes. Her mother was always pushing them into the heart of what little society rural Hertfordshire offered in the hopes of marrying them off, yet so far she had never succeeded. Lizzie had convinced herself, long ago, that she would only marry someone her late father would have considered worthy enough to stand beside her and, as she cast her eyes over the group, she was not convinced any new men were here tonight.

Yet the fates of the Bennet girls, and their pushy mother, were all to change that night, lack of suitable bachelors not withstanding, but it would be the youngest, the bolshy and flirtatious Lydia who would be the first to experience it. Rushing off into the crowd she only stopped when she came face to face with two well-dressed, beautiful, women.

Manners, never her strong point, failed her yet again, and the youngest Bennet could only gawp.

'You're new' she exclaimed with a smile.

 

[toritaynympho]

Both women recoiled at the bold and brash way that the young girl had so rudely called noticed to their recent introduction into Meryton society. Louisa, being the elder, took charge and smiled politely. "That would be an accurate assumption." she said with polite contempt. "And who have we experienced the pleasure of meeting? I am Louisa Bingly and here now is also my sister Caroline. We are indeed new to Hertfordshire. Having recently let Neatherfield."

Despite their disdain for such society and the rude young girl, they did still feel compelled to maintain their composure and politeness. Walking with her sister, the two bowed at the girl's mother and also to her daughters. "May we have the honor of introducing ourselves." The elder blonde haired woman said with a smile. "I am Miss Louisa Bingly. Here also is my sister Caroline."

Caroline studied the various daughters and her eyes lit on the eldest. The blonde was an interesting looking woman, and clearly the most handsome of the lot. While her face still bore a haughty look of disdain, her eyes couldn't help but admire the woman.

Louisa meanwhile had caught the sight of the dark haired girl and had begun to consider her appearance.

Aside from those two, both sisters were also studying the mother and other daughters. Considering how society would be with such noisy and interesting neighbors.

 

[Reydan]

Mrs Bennet, whilst polite, was a woman with her eyes on the prize. That prize being, of course, eligible bachelors for her young daughters to marry.

'Ahh, so you are our new neighbors' she trilled, looking over the two well dressed women, 'welcome, welcome. I am Mrs Bennet, and these are my daughters. All fine, upstanding, young women.' Her eyes smiled but, her daughters knew, she was circling for the kill. 'Do you, have any brothers my dears? I only ask because we find it so hard to make up mixed hands for whist at parties in these parts....far too few single men...ha ha ha'.

Her daughters all shifted uncomfortably as their mother laughed off her probing question before introducing them all by name.

Jane smiled, in a friendly manner, at Caroline, disregarding her haughty look, but Lizzie merely nodded to Louisa, uninterested in newcomers who seemed disdainful of their presence here.

Lydia, meanwhile, annoyed at how the two had brushed past her did not wait for her mother to introduce her but cut in instead. 'And I am Lydia, the youngest' she tittered, excitedly, before adding 'can I tempt either of you sisters with a turn about the floor? Here the lack of eligible men necessitates our dancing with our own sex'.

 

[toritaynympho]

Louisa and Caroline turned their attention to the mother. Though both ladies kept their eyes on each of the daughters continuing to study Elizabeth and Jane respectively. "We do." Louisa said with a knowing smile. "He is away of late, but his presence may yet come later. There was talk of him coming to the estate at Netherfield and spending a fortnight there. If he enjoys the country, he may yet stay indefinitely." Both sisters knew that they brother was a flighty sort. His head always getting spun around and twisted with new ideas and notions. Even if he did come to Hertfordshire, there was little chance he would stay given his disposition. But even so, it was helpful to make friends. Even those of a lower society.

Caroline had ulterior motives. Her eyes had lingered on Jane, and she wished very much to make acquaintances with the lovely blonde. "Perhaps we could throw a party when he arrives?" she suggested. Louisa gave her a look, but Caroline inclined her head. Indicated they would speak on it more later.

They were about to continue chatting, but Lydia had interrupted them. Being ladies of high society, it was rude to deny an opportunity for a dance when partners were so wanting. So Caroline turned to the young Bennet and smile. "It would be an honor to accompany you in a dance." she said with a smile, stepping forward to escort the youngest. "And what is your name?"

Louisa stayed with Mrs. Bennet and smiled. "Shall we sit?" she asked, her eyes flitting to Elizabeth from time to time. "Or," turning to face the other sisters. "Are more partners wanting for a dance?"

 

[Reydan]

Mrs Bennet smoothed her dress over her knees as she sat, smiling, and watched as the swirl of the ball began as the music picked up. Her daughters, all apart from Lydia, sat around her in the corner of the room and Louisa found herself pressed lightly up against Jane. The blonde smiled warmly but, across the room, Lizzie seemed a lot more skeptical of the Bingley sisters and instead chatted with her younger sisters.

'How exciting it is that you and your sister have moved into our little region' Mrs Bennet trilled, flashing a wide smile at Louisa. 'I hope that it does not prove too boring for you.'

'Tell me Louisa' Jane said, more softly, smiling at her. 'Where did you live before here? Were you and your sister in London? I have never been...'

Meanwhile, Lydia had practically dragged Caroline out onto the dancefloor. The teen was a decent dancer but, really, all her energy was in chattering at the other Bingley sister.

'A party sounds amazing' the blonde squeaked, dancing closer than was necessary. 'It is so dull here. I could just throw myself into any excitement that comes along. Do you know what I mean? I'm just so desperately keen to live a little'. She pouted as they danced, looking up at the older, taller, woman.

 

[toritaynympho]

Louisa was quite glad to be so close to the beautiful eldest Bennet. Her eyes traced the young woman's body, smiling at her and her alone. "She is quite a beauty." the brunette thought to herself. At first not even hearing the comment that the matron of the family had made. Snapping away from her reverie, her eyes went to Mrs. Bennet's and an acknowledging smile was on her face. "I very much hope it does not." she replied with the tiniest bit of sarcasm, having yet only found a single member of Hertfordshire society that she desired to associate with.

"We did in fact live in town." she replied to Jane. Beautiful, lovely Jane. "My family has a shipping business that is located there. But I must confess, London society is a confusing bit. It's very much a transient flux. One moment you are in the known, the next, you are not. If there is one thing I have already come to admire about the country, it is the simplicity of the society. There are no circles, only a single circle of the inhabitants." Sliding a bit closer to Jane, the elder Bingley smiled. "Would you perhaps wish to take a turn about the room later, Ms. Bennet?"

Caroline had to admire the confidence that Lydia bore. The young girl was so sure of herself that the younger Bingley had to think somewhat more highly of her. "Were she not born in this society," she thought to herself. "We would make interesting friends." She herself was a wonderful dancer, and while the steps of this dance were new to her, she quickly picked it up.

"Perhaps you haven't seen much of the world outside your own." Caroline commented to Lydia as they danced. "Society is not so amiable everywhere. But with that said, my sister and I would no doubt be happy to have you and your other sisters over to Netherfield at some point for tea."

It was in that moment that Louisa was actually inviting Jane for tea within two days. "I would be most honored if you would join us Ms. Bennet." she said to the beautiful blonde. Eager to partake more in her company.

 

[Reydan]

Jane smiled demurely as Louisa talked. 'I see...well I am afraid you will find our little corner of Hertfordshire very quiet indeed Miss Bingley' she said, her face a little flushed from the close attention the other woman was paying to her. 'I would be glad to visit you though - you seem a very pleasant addition to our little world'.

Placing her arm on Louisa's she smiled and added 'Well perhaps a turn around the room is very much what is needed. You can encircle the entire social circle with me Miss Bingley'. She chuckled at her own joke and, standing, led Louisa around the edge of the dancing, occasionally introducing her to notable people.

'I am sorry about my Mama' she said as they walked together, the music playing merrily around them, 'she is merely worried about having five daughters to marry off in a small social circle of eligible men.' She looked at Louisa through her golden fringe of hair. 'Are you not under similar pressure from your own parents Miss Bingley?' she asked.

Meanwhile Lydia, the spirited little pixie, continued to dominate Caroline's time. She led her through two, then three, dances, sweeping her away from other potential partners despite her small stature, and growing flushed with the action. Her small, perfectly formed, little breasts heaved with her heavy breathing as she panted for air as they spun around the floor.

'Ooo you're an amazing dancer Caroline' she gushed, ignoring the slightly rude use of the woman's first name, 'so graceful and dashing. I'm almost forgetting that I'm dancing with another girl.'

They end their spin near the drinks table and Lydia eyes it sneakily. She leans in, on tiptoe, her breath hot on Caroline's ear. 'Will you secure me a glass of red wine Miss Bingley?' she pleads, not realizing that her nubile young body was pressed lightly against the older woman, 'My mother would not allow it, but I know a woman of your exciting ways won't forbid it. I would be eternally grateful' she adds, pouting cutely.

 

[toritaynympho]

Louisa smiled, her soft and pale complexion lighting with the faintest of blushes from Jane's attention to her. "Only time will truly reveal." Louisa replied with a warm smile. "But I think, Miss Bennett, that there may yet be some manner of association in Hertfordshire I may yet desire." Taking the blonde's arm, the two went around the room. Being so close together, Louisa was able to see how Jane interacted. By far, she appeared to be the sweetest and most kind of the Bennett sisters. The one the eldest Bingley was most excited to know further.

"I am by no means surprised by your mother's inclinations." Louisa replied as the two had finished talking with Jane's aunt Phillips. "I myself am under no pressure. My family's situation in life is such that marriage is a virtual certainty should I wish it. Of yet, I have not found a partner I wish to call my own. However, I believe Hertfordshire may yet provide me with what I desire." The two navigate to a table and took wine from a servant. Sipping it, Louisa was determined to share in Jane's company as much as she was able before the night drew to a close. Every so often, Louisa would look to the other Bennett's. Most especially Elizabeth, who was among the most beautiful in attendance, along with Jane.

Caroline was more than able to dance with Lydia. Though her eyes would occasionally flit though the crowd. Seeking out her own sister, the other Bennett's, especially Elizabeth and Jane. But overall, young Lydia maintained the brunette's attention. "That is a fine compliment you pay me dear." the brunette replied to the youngest girl. "I have danced for many years. I should hope I have maintained my abilities. Even with dances I am so unfamiliar with."

Raising her eyebrow at the forbidden question, Caroline nodded. "I believe I may yet be able to make your wish true." she replied. "However. My feet are drawing tired. Could I convince you to allow me to ask my sister to substitute for me? She has yet not danced."

Bringing the young woman over to the food and getting her a glass of wine without Mrs. Bennett noticing, Caroline slid up to her sister and Jane and smiled. "Sister, this energetic young woman has taxed my strength. Could I persuade you to partner with her. I will keep Ms. Jane Bennett company in the meantime." Caroline requested, her eyes on the lithe and beautiful blonde.

"So persuaded." Louisa replied with a smile. "If you'll excuse me Jane, Caroline will keep you entertained."

"Shall we?" Louisa said to Lydia, holding her hand for a dance.

Caroline sipped her own wine and stood next to the beautiful eldest Bennett daughter. "Has my sister conveyed our offer for tea?" she asked the blonde. "At your earliest convenience, we would be most happy to have you."

 

[Reydan]

Perhaps it was the forbidden wine rushing to her head, or the brightness of the lights, or the press of the assembled crowd, but Lydia Bennett found herself quite overwhelmed by the two sisters. She giggled, nodding her head at Louisa, as the blonde took over from her sister and began to steer her around the dancefloor. Although small, the youngest of the Bennett girls was a full, and beautiful, young woman, but she found herself completely outmatched by the metropolitan beauties that partnered her. Her face was flushed, her heart beating fast, as she quickstepped around the floor with Louisa.

'You know, Miss Bingley' she gushed, biting her lip with nervous energy, 'You are your sister make me quite forget all of the men here at the ball. I really hope that the three of us will see each other more....intimately' she added, eying the blonde's breasts when she thought Louisa wasn't looking.

Jane, meanwhile, felt her arm tingle a little longingly as Louisa departed. She rolled her eyes as Lydia scurried away back onto the dancefloor with the other Bingley sister, but willingly took the arm of Caroline and continued their walk around the floor. Jane was a little flushed, like Lydia, but more demure than the smaller girl. She smiled at Caroline, nodding, and said 'Yes, a most kind offer. You must send over to our house soon.' Somewhat unthinkingly, she put her hand over Caroline's on her lower arm. It felt strangely natural, sending a pleasant tingle up her spine.

The music was coming to an end and, clearly, the ball was breaking up. Arriving back at the family group, Jane disentangled herself from Caroline reluctantly and said 'I suppose this must be goodnight Miss Bingley.'

 

[toritaynympho]

As Louisa took her turn with young Lydia, she too became interested in the young woman just as her younger sister had been earlier. Lydia was just such an eager and beautiful young woman. Were it not for her interest in Elizabeth or Jane's company, Louisa would have happily spent her time with the youngest Bennett for the entirety of the event. "That sounds like a wonderful idea." the blonde replied to the young girl. "I believe that my sister and I will be having your eldest sister over for tea in the coming days. But after that time, you and your other sisters must join us. That would be most wonderful. And....perhaps I could show you around our manor? I'm sure you would find some things...most interesting."

Caroline meanwhile, was quite pleased to be walking arm and arm with the beautiful Jane. Her eyes lingered on the beautiful blonde without deviation. Only to look for her own sister, and to Elizabeth, did Caroline ever let her eyes leave Jane's visage. "I shall have a servant by your estate within the week." she promised. "Louisa and I shall be most eager to welcome you to our home." With the event wrapping up, Louisa returned with Lydia. The two families now facing each other. "It was a most wonderful pleasure Lydia." Louisa said with a warm smile. "Yes, indeed." Caroline echoed. 

"We shall be most happy to receive you to Netherfield." Caroline said to Jane as they readied to depart. "It was a pleasure to meet all of you. And we wish to better know you all."

She and Louisa soon departed. Getting in their carrage, they rode back to their manor with wide smiles. "Jane Bennett may be the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on." Caroline said to Louisa with a smile. "I'm eager to see her."

"She is indeed a wonderful beauty." Louisa agreed. "Elizabeth is also wonderful. I wish to make better acquaintance of her as well."

Laughing to themselves, the two women went home and were soon in their bedrooms, dreaming of the Bennett women. 

***

Two days later, a servant arrived at Longbourn with a formal invitation for Jane to join them for tea the next day.

 

[Reydan]

When the invitation came to Longbourn, asking Jane to Neatherfield, two days later Mrs Bennett was almost frantic with the wait. It had been far too long for her ambitious nature. She saw the two Bingley sisters, with the tantalizing prospect of an unmarried brother somewhere in London, as a passport for her girls. A way out of rural Hertfordshire and relative poverty and into high society. And one she was more than eager to pursue.

The entire rest of the day, and the morning after, was spent fussing over what Jane should wear, how she should comport herself in the presence of the two sisters, whether she should take a gift, how she should travel there, and a hundred other things that saw Mrs Bennett send the servants scampering about the house and the village and the other sisters take cover.

Lydia sulked, feeling abandoned, and refused to help out at all. Jane, meanwhile, was simply nervous.

It was decided that Jane should, with the weather being sunny and clear, ride over in her summer dress. But she was only halfway between the two estates when the heavens opened in the otherwise clear sky and sheets of rain began to batter the fields and hedgerows. Poor Jane was soaked through, the sheer fabric of the dress clinging to her generous curves as she knocked at the door, huddling from the wind.

 

[toritaynympho]

During the next few days, there was little that the two Bingley sisters talked about that didn't involve three of the Bennett sisters. Jane, Elizabeth and Lydia to be specific. They were the three that were far and away the most interested to the more mature women. Caroline had become quite interested in the beautiful Jane, confiding in her sister the infatuation that had begun to build. Louisa in return revealed an interest in Elizabeth, at least based on what little they'd experienced of the beautiful brunette.

When the day came, a sumptuous spread had been laid for their guest. All manner of baked goods, jams, cold chicken, and anything that might please Jane had been prepared. The two sisters waited patiently for their guest to arrive. Wearing more beautiful gowns, they spoke casually as they waited their company.

When Jane arrived, a servant greeted her at the door and swiftly ushered her to the room where Louisa and Caroline waited. The two stood up and smiled warmly to their company. "Do have a seat Jane." Caroline said with a very warm smile, her eyes lighting up at the arrival of their guest. Once they were seated, a servant poured them all tea and served whatever food they desired. But in short order, it had become clear that Jane was unwell.

"My dear, shall we ring for a doctor?" Caroline asked, suddenly concerned. She moved to Jane's side, fearing whatever malady might be ailing the blonde.

 

[Reydan]

Jane was shivering by the time she arrived, unable to do more than sip at a cup of tea. She was highly embarrassed at her predicament and it took her a while to own up to feeling unwell. But the Bingley sisters were so kind, and their house and hosting so grand, that she felt that she simply had to confess. Besides, the two had gone to such efforts to put her at her ease since they met at the ball the other night that the blonde Bennett felt that she could ask this favor of the two beauties.

'No...I...would it be an imposition to be allowed to lie down in one of your guests rooms for a little while?' she asked in a timid voice, cheeks a little red with embarrassment. 'Just until my clothes are dried out. If you send to my home, one of my sisters will come around to nurse me if needed.'

She coloured a little deeper at what she had next to ask, but felt that she simply had to. 'Also, this is, I know, a grand imposition, but would one of you be able to help me out of my wet clothes when we are upstairs? I know you have many fine servants, but I hope you can understand that to have a stranger undress me would be....in this condition....' she couldn't finish, too embarrassed, but hoped they got the message.