Dearest, Loveliest Elizabeth

by Marley Fulton

  “Oh, Lizzy, how did we ever find ourselves in such a place?” Jane asked.

  Elizabeth sighed and tilted her head as she shrugged her shoulders. “I do not know, dear sister. I, too, am incredibly surprised,” she admitted, though she knew it was for entirely different reasons than her sister’s. Elizabeth felt as if she were in a place completely foreign to everything she knew, and yet, having felt obligated to accept Lady Catherine’s hospitality, she knew she had no choice but to behave in a pleasant and tolerable fashion. Courtesy, as her mother had warned her, was of paramount importance during her visit. When finally, she and Jane had come to stand on the floor of the foyer the two young women strode toward the dining room doors, as two servants opened them and announced their arrival.

  “Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth Bennet, of Longbourn,” Mrs Hendrickson announced as the two strode within. Already, Lady Catherine and Anne had taken their seats – proud smiles having taking residence upon their regal countenances as the two looked up at them.

  “Good evening,” Lady Catherine muttered with cold politeness.

  Elizabeth forced a smile as she regarded Lady Catherine with a curt nod. “Good evening, Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth muttered as pleasantly as possible. She turned to glance at Anne and nodded toward her, as well, “Good evening, Miss De Bourgh,” she remarked.

  “Good evening,” Jane whispered shyly.

  “Good evening,” Anne replied, barely audible, glancing over Elizabeth, as if she could not bear the idea of actually making eye contact with her. She turned her gaze toward Jane and nodded with a sharp intake of breath, “A pleasure to see you both, once more,” she finished.

  Elizabeth furrowed her eyebrows in thought, feeling a certain creeping apprehension, as if she could detect the displeasure Anne felt having to be subjected to both hers, and her sister’s, presence. It was the same sort of prejudice demeanor that she had sensed within Anne’s cousin, Mr Darcy. Fortunately, it appeared that the gentleman had yet to make an appearance at the dining table.

  “Indeed, we are both so very gracious for your hospitality, Lady Catherine,” Jane stated, for what Elizabeth was certain to be the thousandth time since the two of them had arrived.

  “The rest of my guests should be arriving soon, and then dinner can begin. I expect Darcy to be arriving any moment,” Lady Catherine explained as Jane and Elizabeth took their seats.

  Elizabeth smoothed her palms across her skirt and lifted her head to glance over the table spread out before her. Never before had she been privileged to dine in such a fine setting, and yet, she still felt wholly odd being present in such a place.

  The doors suddenly swung open once more, and Darcy entered hastily.

  Elizabeth’s eyes widening as they focused on Mr Darcy’s face. A sense of overwhelming anxiety took over her. She sucked in a deep breath and glanced away quickly, trying to recover her thoughts, knowing that greeting him would be expected, and frowned upon if not properly done. She closed her eyes momentarily, then quickly turned to look back at Mr Darcy and nodded curtly. “Good evening, Mr Darcy,” she muttered as calmly as she could manage.

  Jane seemed a bit more delighted to see Mr Darcy, though Elizabeth suspected this was due to his closeness, and fondness, for Mr Bingley; whom Jane had not heard from since arriving at Lady Catherine’s estate. Elizabeth also suspected that Jane was worrisome over the possibility that Mr Darcy disliked her, and had therefore, dissuaded his beloved friend from pursuing an engagement, or even courting, with her. This only added to Elizabeth’s assumption that Mr Darcy truly despised her, and her family, and only wished to cause them further distress by preventing any sort of partnering between Mr Bingley and her beloved Jane.

  Mr. Darcy strode around to seat himself on the opposite side of Elizabeth, smiling briefly at her as he lowered himself. Once again, the dining room doors swung open and Mrs Hendrickson appeared, though this time, she had no visitor to announce,

  “Lady Catherine, Miss Caroline Bingley is in the foyer and wishes to have an audience with you in haste,” she explained.

  Lady Catherine tilted her head, her eyebrow perking slightly, as if agitated by Mrs Hendrickson’s interruption. “Mrs. Hendrickson, please instruct Miss Robinson to prepare another setting at the table for our unexpected guest, Miss Bingley, and show Miss Bingley into the dining room.” She turned to smile at those seated and nodded slightly. “If she wishes a private audience, she will have to endure dinner with us, and later I will see her in the parlor,” she stated firmly.

  Mrs. Hendrickson nodded. “Yes, of course, milady. I shall retrieve her straightaway,” the servant woman agreed.

  Lady Catherine looked around at the faces already seated and smiled brightly. “Pardon the intrusion, my guests, but understand I am always a gracious hostess. I am certain Miss Bingley has come with just cause,” she stated.

  Jane turned to look at her sister, her eyes wild with excitement. Indeed, Elizabeth pondered, Jane is beside herself at the possibility that Miss Bingley’s brother might be accompanying her. My dear sister is most positively smitten.

  Chapter Seven

  Mrs. Hendrickson coughed slightly, clearing her throat as she strode back into the parlor where she had left Miss Caroline to wait.

  “Miss Bingley, Lady Catherine has asked for you to join her, and her guests, for dinner in the dining room. Please, do follow me, this way,” she directed, as she smiled at her.

  Caroline’s lips curved with a pleased expression. Though she knew she had indeed disrupted an evening she had not been personally invited to, she suspected Lady Catherine’s reputation for being a hospitable and well-regarded noblewoman would provide her such an opportunity. Fortunately, it seemed, that Miss Caroline’s wager held true as the servant woman lead her toward the dining room doors. She parted the heavy wooden doors slowly, holding it open as she announced Caroline’s arrival, “Miss Caroline Bingley.” Caroline strode through the doors – her eyes darting between the guests, locking upon Mr Darcy at the moment they passed over him.

  “Good evening, Miss Bingley,” Lady Catherine stated. “Please, have a seat beside my dear nephew, Mr Darcy,” she added.

  Caroline’s eyes shifted quickly as they passed over Elizabeth and Jane, to glance at Lady Catherine, and Anne. “Good evening, Lady Catherine, and Anne,” she stated curtly, bowing slightly before she approached her seat. “Good evening, Mr Darcy,” she said with a bemused grin. Seating herself, finally, she glanced at Elizabeth; daggers seemingly dashing from her eyes, as if she were struggling not to blatantly glare at her.

  Elizabeth felt yet another pang of discomfort, as if she could sense Caroline’s disgust with both her, and her sister’s presence in a place she felt neither belonged. It made Elizabeth wonder what would happen if Mr Bingley did choose to continue his pursuit of Jane, and how the rest of the Bingley family might behave with regard to her cherished sister.

  “Good evening,” the murmurs of Mr Darcy, Anne, Jane, and Elizabeth, seemed to overlap as each of them greeted Caroline.

  “Pardon any intrusion, Lady Catherine. I simply could not wait any longer to share the information I have,” Caroline stated, her eyes once more flashing to Mr Darcy, who tilted his head as he listened to her speak.

  “Indeed, and what is it you care to share, Miss Bingley?” Anne asked curiously.

  “Oh, I do not think it is wise to discuss such things when dinner is soon to be served. I had hoped to be allowed a moment’s time with you, perhaps later, in the parlor?” Caroline suggested.

  “Perhaps, and indeed, I agree with you,” Lady Catherine began. “It is never wise to discuss pertinent affairs over dinner,” she finished. Caroline smiled as Lady Catherine began speaking again, “Nevertheless, I hope your setting is to your enjoyment. With such short notice of a guest, my servants worked diligently to prepare it for you,” she stated, admonishing Catherine for visiting without an invitation.

  Elizabeth smiled wickedly, clutching her eyes closed tightly as she stifled
the urge to laugh. Lady Catherine has a lashing tongue. Perhaps, I am not the only woman with a mind of her own, she wondered.

  ***

  Lady Catherine sat at the head of the table, and lifted her hand as she waved toward her servants. “I am feeling quite tired suddenly. I feel dinner should be dismissed,” she muttered. “Mrs. Hendrickson, please show Miss Bingley to the parlor. Anne, accompany them, and I shall be joining straightaway,” Lady Catherine further instructed.

  Elizabeth looked to her sister, who had realized some time into Caroline’s arrival, that her brother would not be presenting himself as his sister had done. Though she knew better, Jane had done everything to behave as if she were not bothered by Mr Bingley’s absence at all, but she knew the moment Jane had a chance she would do her best to subtly inquire about him to Mr Darcy.

  Mrs. Hendrickson held the doors open as Miss Bingley and Anne arose from their seats and sauntered out of the dining area.

  “I suppose I, too, should take my leave, ladies. I wish you both a good evening,” Mr Darcy muttered, rising from his seat and turning to follow after the servant, his cousin, and his friend’s insistent sister, Caroline Bingley.

  Jane’s eyes flashed toward Elizabeth, despair flickering in her eyes as Mr Darcy stepped away. Prompted by the squeezing sadness that she felt within her chest, Elizabeth parted her lips.

  “Mr. Darcy!” she exclaimed. “Mr. Darcy, may I speak with you for a moment?” she asked.

  Mr. Darcy spun about just as the dining room doors closed behind him and tilted his head. “Yes, of course, Miss Bennet,” he replied. “What, may I ask, can I assist you with?” he inquired, his eyes dashing with a curiousness that Elizabeth found astonishing, and yet embracing all at once.

  Elizabeth moved to step closer to Mr Darcy and forced a smile as she glanced back at her sister. “I only wondered if I might ask about your friend?” she asked. “Mr. Bingley, that is? Jane and I were a bit surprised when he did not accompany his sister to dinner this evening,” she stated, knowing Jane would be beside herself with melancholy if she did not learn of Mr Bingley’s wellbeing, at the very least.

  “I cannot say exactly why he did not accompany her, though, I do suspect, there are moments all siblings are not so persuaded to do such things,” Mr Darcy admitted.

  Elizabeth found herself smiling instantly as she considered that very thing. Though, she did not agree with Jane’s obsession, being approachable was the least she could do to soothe her sister’s nerves. Feeling a sudden sense of courage, Elizabeth chuckled slightly before she spoke.

  “Mr. Darcy, I assure you I do understand such sentiments. I do not always agree with my sisters, but I shall never betray their confidences either. It is good to observe that you have preserved some sense of etiquette despite my previous impression of you,” she remarked.

  Mr. Darcy’s eyes widened, and he sucked in a breath as he, too, chuckled slightly. “Miss Bennet, I am very confused by you. It seems that no matter how politely I behave, you shall continually regard with me a fiery sense of loathing that I must admit, I do not understand,” he replied.

  “Of course, I would not expect someone of your stature to understand how your demeanor could offend the likes of someone like myself, nor my family,” Elizabeth muttered dryly.

  Jane’s mouth fell open wide as her eyes grew larger. “Oh, Mr Darcy, please pardon Lizzy’s outburst. She has not slept well since we arrived here,” Jane offered, though, Elizabeth knew Mr Darcy did not believe a word her sister had muttered. Even if he had, it would not have made a difference.

  Elizabeth knew instinctively that Mr Darcy did not appreciate her sister’s interest in his friend, and she intended on finding out why, regardless of the propriety of it. In her mind, Jane simply deserved to know, not continue living in wait, only to have her heart crushed when Mr Bingley chose someone more fitting as a wife. Someone needed to say something, and Elizabeth felt no shame in being that person; not if it meant protecting her endeared sister’s heart.

  “Of course, Jane, I can only imagine how the trip must have exhausted you both. I will, gladly, give my regards to Mr Bingley for you, when I happen to see him again, if you would like?” he asked, as he glanced past Elizabeth his eyes immediately meeting with Jane’s.

  “Could you, Mr Darcy? I would be very grateful if you would,” Jane muttered humbly.

  Elizabeth sighed and shook her head briefly, wishing her sister valued herself more. There would be nothing that could upset Elizabeth more than knowing she had been deceived, and yet, the more she wished to protect Jane, the more it seemed Jane insisted. Elizabeth moved to brush past Mr Darcy wanting nothing more than to ascend the staircase, and put as much distance between the two of them as possible.

  “Of course, Miss Bennet. It would be my pleasure,” Mr Darcy remarked, as Jane moved to follow Elizabeth up the stairs.

  Elizabeth shook her head slightly, her ears perking as she glanced past the two of them. Her eyes focused on Lady Catherine, Anne and Miss Bingley as they entered the parlor. Something seemed strange, and Elizabeth had to know what it was. As Jane and Mr Darcy continued to speak, Elizabeth snuck into the shadows, silently awaiting as Mrs Hendrickson disappeared to join Mr Darcy, her voice echoing from the foyer.

  “Shall I have your horse brought, Mr Darcy?” Mrs Hendrickson asked.

  “Yes, please, I shall be leaving straightaway. Inform my aunt that I enjoyed our dinner.”

  Elizabeth smiled, tiptoeing toward the door as she listened closely.

  ***

  Lady Catherine moved over the threshold in silence, her daughter only slightly behind her as she held the door open for her, and their unexpected visitor, Miss Bingley. “Please, do have a seat, Miss Bingley,” Lady Catherine encouraged, closing the door after Caroline stepped into the parlor.

  “Oh, how lovely. I have never been in such an expansive parlor. You have a lovely home, Lady Catherine,” Caroline murmured, with a genuine tone.

  “Yes, it is a very large parlor. Anne and I enjoy taking our tea here quite often, but I am certain you did not pay us a visit simply to discuss my estate,” Lady Catherine stated.

  “Yes, of course,” Caroline sat down slowly, her eyes darting over Anne who took a seat right alongside her mother, much to Caroline’s dismay. “I had hoped we might be able to have a moment in private. That is, without any others in the audience?” she remarked.

  Lady Catherine tilted her head, lifting her chin upward in slight as she peered back at Caroline. “Is that so, Miss Bingley? How unfortunate. I do not see why having Anne present would cause a problem?” Lady Catherine asked.

  “Indeed, then I shall just open the discussion,” Caroline began. “I have come to announce that Mr Darcy and I are betrothed. We have been,” her eyes darted over Anne, who shifted suddenly, her pallid cheeks seeming to tinge slightly, as if her blood had already begun to boil from Caroline’s words, “since the Netherfield Ball. However, he has been greatly grieved by the possibility of upsetting both yourself, Lady Catherine,” she glanced back at Anne as she continued, “and your daughter, Anne.”

  “Mother, what is she suggesting?” Anne whispered, as she leaned into Lady Catherine’s ears.

  Lady Catherine’s mouth fell agape, and she stared for a long moment directly at Caroline, as if speech had been robbed of her by some unseen force. Paralyzed by what she had heard, Lady Catherine sat stunned, blinking as she turned toward her daughter.

  “She is suggesting the most horrible thing I have heard in ages, Anne!” Lady Catherine remarked, tilting her head slightly. “Miss Bingley, are you not from a higher breeding? How could you come into our home, with no invitation no less, and dare to offend us directly to our faces?” she demanded angrily.

  Caroline tilted her head slightly and sucked in a quick inhalation of breath.

  “Lady Catherine, I do understand the cause of your frustration with this matter, but Darcy did not wish to burden you with the truth for fear of this very reaction. I, howeve
r, felt it a crime of dishonesty not to be truthful with you. I simply could not bear such a burden, especially, with the planning of a wedding. I am sure you both understand?” Caroline queried.

  Lady Catherine blinked at her once more, sucking in a breath as she tightened her mouth.

  “Miss Bingley, why is that my nephew did not voice such a thing over dinner while we were all seated at the table? If what you say is true, I am positive Fitzwilliam would have come and spoken with Anne and I directly, and in haste, regarding such a scandalous action,” Lady Catherine seethed at her.

  “I cannot say why my fiancé did not address such matters at dinner, but I do know that he would prefer avoiding any scandalous affairs. I suspect that is why he did not dare speak upon our engagement, especially, with the two Bennet girls in our presence,” Caroline muttered.

  “Miss Bingley, why did your brother not accompany you this evening?” Anne interjected, tilting her head as she peered back at her.

  “My brother has no interest in seeing Jane any further, which may be to your benefit. Perhaps, Anne could find a handsome partnering with him instead of Mr Darcy?” Caroline asked.

  “You are, indeed, a very crafty young woman, Miss Bingley,” Lady Catherine began. “However, I do not foresee your brother as being the appropriate choice for my daughter. Fitzwilliam and Anne have been betrothed since childhood and neither you, nor that Bennet girl, will dissuade him of my intentions for my family estate,” Lady Catherine stated icily.

  “Lady Catherine, I did not mean to offend you, but I assure you I would not come here,” she glanced at Anne, and continued, “at the expense of my reputation, and my family’s, to tell you something that is untrue. As much as it may upset you both, this cannot change how Darcy and I feel for one another. We are to be wed, and there is not a thing more the two of you can do to prevent it. I only hope,” she smiled briefly, “that we can grow fond of one another once we become family.”