by Lynne Robson
Darcy laughed at this saying, “Well it is about time that Hurst a firm stand with Louisa, and I hope that Caroline will learn from this experience. I think that being exiled to Devon is a just punishment; she will have plenty of time to think on her mistakes. Bingley, do you really believe that Caroline will be able to change for the better? When does she come into her trust fund, or does she not get it until she marries?”
“My sister cannot touch her trust fund until she marries or is 35 whichever comes first, she had a yearly allowance which she has over spent extensively,” replied Bingley. “My father made sure that all three of my sisters would not receive their inheritance until they were old enough or married. This was a wise move on his behalf for he knew Caroline and Louisa would waste it all of frivolous expenditures and they would not have any inheritance left by now.”
The dressing bell rang, interrupting Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy conversation and they parted to prepare for the nights festivities.
Chapter Eight
Lady Catherine had arranged for one of her coaches to collect the ladies from the parsonage and escort them to the evening’s festivities.
“Oh Jane, I am so looking forward to tonight, what do you think of this beautiful gown that Lady Catherine bought me, isn’t it exquisite?”
Indeed, Elizabeth looked extremely beautiful in her new pale pink gown, with its matching cape, gloves, and reticule, her garnet cross, which she always wore, did not look out of place; even so, she wished she had brought the pearls her Grandma gave her, to Hunsford. The colour of the gown, with the red roses adorning her hair brought out the red highlights in her auburn curls and she looked, according to Jane, like a princess. Jane herself wore a blue silk evening gown that her aunt had bought her in London. The blue in the silk matched her eyes, making her complexion look like porcelain with a hint of pink in her cheeks.
“Maria, Elizabeth, do we know any other people who will be at this ball besides Mr. Darcy? Jane asked,
“No, Jane I have not heard of anyone else other than Mr. Darcy,” Maria replied. “I have heard from Lady Catherine, that most of the nobility in Kent are invited to the ball.”
Just then, a hole in the road jostled them nearly out of there seats. The driver stopped and apologised, asking if everyone was all right. Once he had everyone assurances that all were unharmed their carriage soon joined the queue making their way to the front gate of Rosings Park.
“I am told Jane, that Mr. Bingley may attend, but it is not certain as he has been much engaged trying to sell off a part of his father’s business. Mr. Darcy said he has been selling shares in his business since last November. Apparently, Mr. Bingley is to keep a major interest the business, but has decided to take a back seat in the venture. Bingley wants to buy his own estate so that his family will become part of the landed gentry as his late father always intended.”
Jane paled at the thought that Mr. Bingley may come, but secretly hoped that he would come. Elizabeth carried on saying “Our father arrived yesterday at Rosings too. Did you know that the Earl of Matlock and our father were close friends? Apparently, they have been writing to one another for years about their families.”
“Our father knows the Earl of Matlock! That is the first time I have heard anything about it Lizzy,” Jane answered sounding very surprised at the news.
“Lady Catherine wrote to our father explaining about Mr. Wickham’s character and he then went to see Colonel Forster with evidence of his past behaviour with young ladies. Papa told him that Mr. Wickham is well known for leaving gambling debts, as well as many unpaid debts at many shops around the country. So, now that the Colonel knows about his habits, let us hope that he is going to keep a close eye on Wickham. It is thought that he might be transferred to a regiment leaving for Spain in the next few months.”
Jane looked at her sister as she babbled on about her father and Mr. Wickham. Jane being Jane was curious to know where her mother was during this time “Has Mamma accompanied our father as well, or is she at home with our aunt Phillips?”
“No, she has not accompanied him to Rosings. According to Papa, she is spending much of her time in her rooms, since she believes he sent her daughters to a dreadful school. She has been whining and moaning that she is ill-used and kept Mrs. Hill along with the rest of the servants very busy. Papa said she would not even speak to her sister Phillips because she agreed with father about it being a good thing for the girls.”
“Poor Mamma, all alone at Longbourn. Well I suppose she has brought this onto herself. I am glad that I am not at home as we would not have a moment’s peace.”
Elizabeth laughed and said, “Who are you, and what have you done with my sister Jane! Seriously, Jane it might help her realise that we are all growing up. I hope when she becomes aware, that we are growing up, it will help her to become more like her old self.”
“Yes, I hope so too,” Jane said wistfully
“Now let us forget about life at home and enjoy ourselves at the ball tonight. Maria, are you looking forward to tonight?” Elizabeth asked the young girl.
Maria who had been looking out of the carriage window at the passing scenery, jumped at her name being mentioned.
“You have been so quiet, I know that Charlotte could not come tonight, but you must remember that tonight is a special night and you need to enjoy it as much as possible. If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, with everything, stay with Jane and myself, as we will look after you and make sure you are comfortable.”
“Thank you Elizabeth, Jane, I am feeling a little uncomfortable, but excited as well,” she replied timidly.
She then babbled on excitedly saying: “Did you know the Colonel has asked for my first two dances? He is so nice and handsome, what do you think Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth smiled at this and said “Yes the Colonel is very handsome, Maria and I am glad that he has asked you for the first two dances.”
“Has Mr. Darcy asked you for a dance, Elizabeth?” Maria asked, “I noticed that you and he seem to be getting along a lot better than you did at Meryton, but then again his behaviour here at Rosings is very different than it was in Meryton. I wonder if he is like I tend to be, shy amongst strangers.”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy asked me for my first two dances as well as the supper dance,” Elizabeth laughingly replied. “I have been glad to get to know him a lot better her a Rosings, and yes I do think that he maybe reserved amongst people he does not know.”
Smiling Jane said, “I look forward to meeting the Colonel Maria if he is as nice as you say.”
Both Jane and Elizabeth looked at one another and then at Maria. She had always been a very quiet shy girl for as long as they had known her. She seemed to worship her elder sister Charlotte, and her friend, Elizabeth, always trying to imitate them. Maria kept far away from Lydia even though they were of similar age. She had wisdom to see that Lydia was a silly selfish girl when it came to her words and deeds. Kitty, however, had more sense, so Maria befriended Kitty, encouraging her to follow her elder sisters’ example, rather than Lydia. Hearing Maria talk and act like she was doing in the coach, showed that she was now becoming a little more confident in herself, they were glad to see that Maria was developing into a mature young lady.
Looking out of the window, they could see that they were not far from the entrance to the Manor House so they leaned back and waited for the footman to open the carriage door for them to alight.
Chapter Nine
Arriving at Rosings and seeing it in all its glory made all three women speechless for a few minutes. As they arrived, Mr. Bennet and the Earl approached the coach handing them down. They walked up the stairs into the grand hallway nearest the ballroom. Once there, before anyone could introduce the Earl and his family to Jane, the Earl remarked.
“You must be Jane, I have heard much about you and your sisters over the years from your father. I am pleased to finally meet you.”
“Jane, my dear. This is my good friend, the Earl of Matlock, and
his wife Lady Rebecca.” Turning to Lady Catherine, Mr. Bennet said, “My dear, this is our hostess for tonight’s ball, Lady Catherine de Bourgh”
Jane curtsied at each introduction, “I am very pleased to meet you Lady Catherine, Lord Matlock, and Lady Rebecca, I thank you for inviting me to attend the ball this evening.”
“You are very welcome my dear Miss Bennet.” Replied Lady Catherine, “Now where are those young bucks… oh there you are! Jane, may I introduce my nephews Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy’s friend Mr. Charles Bingley.”
Jane blushing and feeling rather shy Jane said, “Hello Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Bingley,” She turned and curtsied to each of them whist they bowed respectfully. Jane then immediately bowed her head, lowering her eyes, hoping nobody would notice her momentary discomfort and surprise.
In his eagerness, Mr. Bingley could hardly contain himself as he directed all his attention to the lovely vision in blue before him. “Miss Bennet, it is wonderful to see you again. I am very sorry my business has kept me away from Hertfordshire these last few months as I have missed the exceedingly good company I met there.” Jane blushed cherry red from the roots of her hair to the tops of her breasts, when she saw the yearning look in his eyes.
“I am also glad to see you again, sir. I have been in London for the past 3 months, and met your sisters twice while I was there. Did your sisters not inform you I was in town?”
Mr. Bingley offered Jane his arm and as they walked off towards one of the sitting rooms near the ballroom, he then said. “No, Miss Bennet… ah… please allow me to apologize and beg your forgiveness now. I am deeply ashamed to tell you that my own sisters, Caroline and Louisa, kept this information from me, I had no idea that you were in town.”
“Oh! Lizzy was right then! She said that if you had known I was in town you would have called,” Jane exclaimed. “At the time of my visit, they informed me than that you were not at home, but said they would inform you of my being in town.”
“Yes, I would have called on you Miss Bennet and with your permission, more than once. It was Darcy, who wrote and told me that you were in town; he said that Miss Elizabeth told him. He also informed me of the lies my sisters told you about my relationship with Miss Darcy, I want you to know that I am not and never will be engaged to Miss Darcy. To me she is more like a sister than Louisa and Caroline have ever been. Miss Darcy is a delightful young woman, but one I could never fall in love with, as my heart already belongs to someone else. My dear Miss Bennet, I hope you will forgive my neglect of you over the last few months.” Mr. Bingley said hopefully as they walked into the sitting room where among the other couples enjoying the night’s festivities they found an unoccupied settee and sat down.
“I am sorry to hear that Caroline and Louisa could be so deceitful, Elizabeth told me not to trust them. I was so sure Caroline was being kind to me by telling me of your affections for Miss Darcy, but now I see that she was not.” Jane replied sounding distressed.
“Miss Bennet, do not worry yourself about either of them for they are not worth your distress. Neither of them will ever bother you again,” said Mr. Bingley firmly “Caroline is now living with my eldest sister in Devon and Hurst has taken Louisa to his home in Berkshire. My sisters are now reaping what they have sown. I have told Caroline that until she learns to think of others more than herself she is not welcome in my home. She is gone to our eldest sister Helen, who is married to Lord Sale, the Earl of Buckinghamshire. She will undertake the effort to teach Caroline some lessons in true civility and lady-like conduct.”
“Oh Mr. Bingley, don’t be too hard on Caroline. She was only doing what she thought was best for you,” Jane unhappily replied.
“No Miss Bennet, over the last few years since our father passed away, I have been much too lenient with Caroline and because of this, Caroline has become quite conceited in her ways. Hopefully, the separation, so far away from the society in London which she craves, will teach her a well earned lesson,” Mr. Bingley said stressed.
“I hope that Caroline will not be too upset, sir. Surely, your sister will look after her and see that she is happy, ” Jane said compassionately.
“Miss Bennet, please do not worry about Caroline anymore. Let us try to enjoy our evening here tonight,” Mr. Bingley said with finality.
**************
Observing a break in their conversation, Elizabeth, Maria, Mr. Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam walked over to join Jane and Mr. Bingley. Once the musicians started tuning their instruments, the gentlemen escorted the ladies into the ballroom.
The room itself looked and smelt beautiful, for the servants had placed seasonal flowers from the Rosings greenhouses in garden boxes around the perimeter of the room. At one end of the ballroom, French doors lead onto a large terrace. On the terrace, the servants had put up a canopy, where refreshments could be served to guests. The larger drawing room to the side of the ballroom was set up as a card room for those who did not wish to dance, and the slightly smaller study was set up as a smoking room for the men. The servants had cleaned out the large banqueting hall and it looked beautiful with all the fruits of the season arranged as a large centrepiece, a twelve-course meal was enjoyed, with surprises of Belgium chocolates served with the refreshments later after the meal.
A wonderful time was had by all, Mr. Bingley and Jane danced nearly all the dances together and only had eyes for one another, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth danced and talked, getting to know one another better. Maria had never danced so much in her life as she did at this ball; she danced with the Colonel for the first two dances and the supper dance. Lady Catherine introduced her to other young men and soon her card was full.
**************
“Well Thomas, it looks as if your daughter will be joining my family soon,” the Earl teased “My nephew Darcy and your Elizabeth have not taken their eyes off one another all night, they have either been dancing or talking exclusively to each other. Did you not notice what happened when my son went claim his dance with Elizabeth? Darcy looked very jealous and annoyed with him.”
Both Mr. Bennet and the Earl could be heard laughing merrily as they stood watch over the affairs of their family members in the ballroom.
“I agree with you it looks as though I will be losing both my two eldest daughters to a pair of very deserving gentlemen,” Mr. Bennet answered, looking towards the two young couples, who were at that moment dancing to Mr. Beveridge’s Maggot.
The Earl then said in a serious tone, “Anne would have been extremely happy to know that her son and your daughter are to be married. Have you ever told your family about Anne, or have you kept that secret close to your heart all this time?”
Looking closely at his friend he continued, “Hmm… my dear friend, the pained look on your face tells me you have not yet shared this with your family. I will tell you now that Anne thought the world of you but she confided in me that she looked up to you and loved you as she would an elder brother. She hoped that you had forgiven her and that you had a happy marriage like she did. Did you know that we talked of you regularly and of the good times, we had when we were all young? In our many discussions, Anne would often express her hope that one day, her son Fitzwilliam, would marry one of your daughters, finally uniting our families. It now appears that this wish is about to come true.” He looked towards his nephew, Mr. Darcy who was now escorting Elizabeth to the refreshment area.
Mr. Bennet looked thoughtfully, at the Earl and then replied, “I wish I had the courage to see her just once before she passed on. She wrote to me when Georgiana was a young child, saying she did not think she would see her daughter grow and asked or rather begged me to forgive her. She told me of her son and how it would be her heart’s desire to see one of my daughters marry him. I replied immediately, and then about a month later, George wrote of her death, he thanked me for the letter, which he said had helped ease her mind about the past, but asked me not to attend the funeral. That is
one of the many reasons I kept away, and did not attend the funeral even though I wished to. It was not long after that, my mother became very seriously ill, and we found out my wife was expecting again.”
