Rocks in the Stream

by Lewis Whelchel

  Bingley began to smile to himself as he listened to Mrs. Bennet’s recommendations of Jane, but his smile faded when he discovered her opinion of Elizabeth.

  “Mrs. Bennet, I find all of your daughters to be pleasing young women, but I agree with you. Miss Bennet is beautiful and has the disposition of an angel.”

  Bingley’s thoughts returned to that first moment when he had seen Jane in that very room. She had appeared to him to be a gift sent from heaven to make his life happy. Without knowing anything about her, he had made up his mind regarding his own future, and had only hoped he could persuade her to share it with him.

  “I am sorry, Mr. Bingley. I believe I interrupted you just now.”

  “Miss Bennet has accepted my proposal of marriage, and I am seeking your blessing on our union.”

  “Mr. Bingley! I am so excited! This is just what I had hoped for her, to marry a young man as handsome and as . . . well, of course you have my blessing! Of course you will marry Jane! Let me call her down! Hill! Hill!”

  * * * * *

  UPON LEAVING MR. BINGLEY, JANE had gone directly to Elizabeth’s room. Sharing her news with her dearest sister had been her first thought.

  “I am so happy! You will never guess why!”

  “Whatever is the matter, Jane? Are you well? You seem quite flushed!”

  “Mr. Bingley has proposed! We are to be married! He is speaking with Mama right now!”

  “Oh, Jane, that is such happy news!”

  “I do love him so, Lizzy, and he loves me.”

  “Of course he does, and how could he not?” Elizabeth sat on the bed again and pulled Jane down to sit beside her.

  “Oh, do not tease me. Look at the ring he has given me. It belonged to his mother.”

  “It is beautiful. When will you marry?”

  “We have not discussed a date yet, but I hope in the next few weeks. There is no reason to wait. Besides, the shorter the time, the less of a fuss Mama can make.” The girls laughed.

  “Not to mention that your Mr. Bingley will not choose to wait, either, I suppose. I am so happy for you!” They embraced each other once again.

  “Lizzy, I would like you to stand up with me. Will you?”

  “Of course, I will.”

  Just then they heard a knock, the door was opened, and in walked Hill.

  “Miss Jane, your mother would like to see you in the drawing room.”

  “I must go to her. I am certain she is with Mr. Bingley. I wanted you to be the first to know of my happiness.”

  “I am happy for you, Jane. Now run along. Mr. Bingley is waiting for you.”

  Jane followed Hill from the room and left Elizabeth alone with her thoughts. Yes, Mr. Bingley would make Jane very happy and she him. They were a well-suited couple. Elizabeth thought with anger on Mr. Darcy. How dare he try to interfere with Jane’s happiness! How dare he speak to another person of his feelings for her family! Yes, her mother and sisters had some failings, but they were not proud, arrogant, and hurtful like Mr. Darcy!

  Elizabeth’s thoughts went back to the time at Netherfield when he took her hand while he spoke of his parents. He had seemed so vulnerable, so childlike, as his grief was played out on his face. His touch was a comfort to her as she told him of her own sorrow, and at that moment, she had felt that nothing could ever come between them. How wrong she was! He had disappointed her and had now tried to hurt Jane. How happy she was that he had failed to separate Mr. Bingley from her sister!

  She was grateful that she would never see him again! She was grateful that she did not have to think of him anymore.

  But how would she ever quit loving him?

  * * * * *

  JANE WAS NERVOUS AS SHE walked down from Elizabeth’s bedchamber to the drawing room. She had no doubt of her mother’s approval, but it was with no small sense of relief that Jane could hear her mother’s voice from the bottom of the stairs excitedly explaining to Mr. Bingley how happy she was and how happy Jane would make him.

  Mr. Bingley stood as she came in the room.

  “Jane,” began her mother, “you should know that I have given Mr. Bingley my blessing to marry you.” Mrs. Bennet pulled Jane into an uncomfortable hug. “I am so happy, you have no idea. You shall be married from Longbourn Church just as soon as possible. I am sure there is no reason to wait.”

  “Thank you, Mama. I believe Mr. Bingley wishes to marry as soon as may be.”

  “There can be no objection to that at all, I am sure. I shall visit you every day at Netherfield, of course. We shall be so merry. We will plan to go to London and stay with my Brother Gardiner and shop for your trousseau. We will get —”

  “Mama! We shall do no such thing.” The thought of being separated from Mr. Bingley now, when all her happiness was assured, was too much. “Whatever I need can be purchased in Meryton. Besides, there is not enough time to wait for the warehouses in London if we are to be married soon.”

  “Perhaps, then, you should wait a little while longer.” Mrs. Bennet felt that wedding clothes were nearly as important to a new marriage as the parson who performed the ceremony.

  “Mama, there is no reason to wait.”

  “Indeed, ma’am,” seconded Bingley with a smile, “I would wish to marry your daughter just as soon as possible.”

  “Oh, very well. If it must be, then so it must. We will make do the best we can.” Jane was grateful to have found her mother to be so persuadable on such a point and gave all the credit of it to Mr. Bingley. “I am so happy, Jane! I knew you could not be so beautiful for nothing. Mr. Bingley, you must stay for dinner.”

  “I would be delighted. There are few things I would like better.”

  “I shall go tell Cook to make a special dinner.”

  Jane smiled at Bingley and he put his arm around her waist to draw her close to him. He could not help himself. He leaned down and kissed her nose. Jane giggled just before he captured her lips with his.

  * * * * *

  CALDWELL STREET, LONDON

  Dear Mrs. Bennet,

  I am writing to accept your kind invitation to visit at Longbourn. It will be a pleasure for me to meet you and your daughters.

  I will be accompanied by my daughter, Constance. She is fourteen years of age and a very amiable and well-mannered girl.

  We are both very pleased with the prospect of seeing you all. Please extend my best regards to your family.

  Sincerely,

  Thomas Grinly

  * * * * *

  “GIRLS! GIRLS! I HAVE WONDERFUL news. A cousin of mine, Mr. Thomas Grinly, is coming to visit.”

  Mrs. Bennet’s daughters answered their mother’s call and assembled in the drawing room. Mary became spokesman for the group. “Who is he, Mama?”

  “He is a widower with a fourteen-year-old daughter named Constance. He lives on a fine estate in Wiltshire with an income of three thousand a year and has been visiting in London these past two months. I have never met him but know of him by the report of your aunt, Mrs. Gardiner. They are cousins. I was pleased with what I heard, so I invited him to stay at Longbourn after his visit to Town is complete. Mrs. Gardiner persuaded him to accept my invitation to join us at Longbourn before his long journey home.”

  “What is he like? What did my aunt say about him?” asked Jane.

  “Oh, I am sure he is not half so handsome as Mr. Bingley, Jane, but . . . I have such high hopes!” cried Mrs. Bennet.

  “High hopes of what, Mama?” asked Mary.

  “Why, of his marrying one of you, of course.”

  * * * * *

  “CHARLES IS JUST WHAT A young man ought to be, Lizzy. He is filled with kindness towards everyone, and I have never heard him speak ill of another person.” The girls were sitting alone on Elizabeth’s bed. The house was asleep and all was quiet.

  “Then you two are very similar in thought and disposition, for I have never heard you speak spitefully of anyone. You are a good match. I am so happy for you.”

  “Thank
you, Lizzy.”

  “Are you at all afraid of the changes about to come to pass in your life?”

  The candles in the room colored the fabric of her bedclothes with a softened glow.

  “I shall miss you very much, but I am not afraid of marriage or apprehensive of living with Charles. We shall call often, and we are to hire a steward to take my place here and to ensure that all our tenants are well cared for.” Jane took Elizabeth’s hand. “You are not angry that I am leaving, are you?”

  “Of course not.” Elizabeth paused for a moment. “You know, my dear sister, Mr. Bingley is a very handsome man.”

  “Yes, he is,” agreed Jane with a laugh.

  “It will be quite advantageous to us all to have you so well settled. Do you think your marriage will throw us into the path of other rich men?”

  Jane laughed again. “Well, I suppose you and my sisters will be thrown into the path of at least one rich man when Mr. Grinly calls next week.”

  “Oh, yes. Mama will not let me forget. It seems I am chosen to be his next wife, but I do not want to think about it. Perhaps Mary will do just as well. I would prefer to remain at Longbourn.”

  “In all the excitement of my own wedding, I have been thoughtless of what you must be feeling. Please forgive me. I do not know why Mr. Darcy treated you as he did, but I am sure he must have loved you.”

  * * * * *

  IN THE AFTERNOON OF THE day before Jane’s wedding, a carriage was heard driving into the yard. Mrs. Hill brought their visitors into the drawing room.

  “Mr. and Miss Grinly, ma’am.”

  They all stood to greet the visitors, and Mrs. Bennet welcomed them very graciously to Longbourn.

  “Thank you, madam,” said Mr. Grinly. “We are delighted to be here. I hope we did not arrive at an inconvenient time.”

  “Of course not, sir. We are glad that your trip was completed in safety and that you are here with us now. We have been looking forward to your arrival with much anticipation.”

  “Thank you. That is very kind.”

  Mr. Grinly surveyed the party around him. He had to confess to being a little anxious at first about accepting the invitation from Mrs. Bennet, but she and her daughters had received such a warm recommendation from Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner that his fears were allayed. Upon seeing them for the first time, his immediate impression was that the Bennets were very agreeable people with whom he would enjoy becoming better acquainted. Another advantage of the visit would be that his daughter would have the companionship of young women nearly her own age.

  “Allow me to introduce my daughters. This is my eldest, Jane, and this is Elizabeth, and Mary, and Kitty, and Lydia.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, ladies,” said Mr. Grinly as he bowed to them. “And may I introduce my daughter, Constance.”

  Elizabeth observed that Mr. Grinly had no striking features about him. One would not call him handsome, but he had an air of confidence that spoke of a man of strength and character. He was of medium height, with lively blue eyes and light hair. From both his appearance and the age of his daughter, Elizabeth concluded that Mr. Grinly must be nearly forty years of age.

  Miss Grinly had a blossoming figure and rosy cheeks. She was nearly as tall as Elizabeth, but she did not favor her father in looks, for she had dark hair and brown eyes. She was shy and very reserved. It was obvious to all that she enjoyed the love of her father and returned it with equal fervor.

  “Oh, you must be so tired,” said Mrs. Bennet. “Please, come and sit down. Mary, ring for tea.”

  “You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Bennet,” complimented Mr. Grinly as he led his daughter to a sofa. “You must enjoy it very much.”

  “We do enjoy Longbourn and are pleased that you appreciate its beauties. How did you leave the Gardiners?”

  “We saw them two nights ago, and they were very well. They are such delightful people. Constance enjoyed their children very much. Is not that right, my dear?”

  “Yes, Father, they are lovely children.” She spoke so quietly that she could hardly be heard from across the room.

  Jane smiled at her. “I hope you are well after your long journey, Miss Grinly.”

  Jane did not receive a response to her inquiry into Miss Grinly’s wellbeing due to an interruption by her mother.

  “Mr. Grinly, my brother and his wife visit above twice a year and always at Christmas. She is from Lambton, you know, a little town in Derbyshire. My brother, my sister, and I grew up here in Hertfordshire. The Gardiners met through an introduction by her father who was in Meryton on business. They tell me it was love at first sight.”

  “Well, they are a very handsome couple and appear to uncommon advantage together. My cousin and Mr. Gardiner are two of the most pleasant people I know.”

  A moment of silence prevailed. Before it could grow awkward, Elizabeth took it upon herself to speak.

  “Miss Grinly, did you enjoy your trip through London?”

  “Yes, ma’am, very much.” Constance felt nervous and out of place in front of the elder Miss Bennets. She had not spent much time in the company of young women who were older than she, and she had to confess to feeling a little nervous around these new friends.

  Elizabeth realized she would receive no more answer than that. Wishing to encourage Miss Grinly, she continued. “We have an instrument here if you like to play or sing. Mary practices every day, and I am sure she would be willing to share her music with you. The garden is very beautiful at this time of year, and you are welcome to walk in it whenever you want. We have many books in the library that are also at your disposal should you care to read. I confess that reading is one of my favorite pastimes.”

  “I only play a little,” whispered Constance. “I prefer to draw.”

  “I do not draw at all, but I would like very much to watch you if you do not mind.”

  The faintest of smiles crossed Miss Grinly’s lips. “I would like that. Thank you.”

  “You have come at a wonderful time,” said Mrs. Bennet. “Jane is to be married tomorrow, and you are both invited.”

  * * * * *

  EVERY SEAT AT LONGBOURN CHURCH was filled with family, friends, and well-wishers come to witness Jane and Bingley’s marriage. The atmosphere was gay, and everyone was happy. All of Meryton knew this was a love match, and that knowledge made the occasion even sweeter for those in attendance.

  Bingley was standing at the front of the church awaiting Jane’s arrival. The day of which he had dreamt since first meeting her had finally arrived. Jane had not yet entered the church, so he took the opportunity to look around him to see if Darcy had come. He had not heard from him since his abrupt departure from Netherfield. As time progressed, it became more and more apparent that he would not hear from Darcy, so he asked another friend, Mr. Graham, to stand up with him.

  All in attendance grew quiet as Jane entered the church. She caught sight of Bingley standing by the altar. His blue eyes flamed with desire for her. She felt herself grow weak and leaned more heavily on Elizabeth’s arm.

  Jane was surprised that Bingley had chosen Mr. Graham to stand up with him. She was certain that Mr. Darcy would have had that honor, but as she watched Bingley gaze at her, Mr. Darcy was quickly banished from her thoughts.

  * * * * *

  JANE AND BINGLEY KISSED EVER so gently as the final words pronouncing their union echoed through the church. With Jane on his arm, Bingley led the way through the church where they received the compliments of their friends and neighbors.

  Bingley placed his free hand over Jane’s and felt himself flush at the feel of her skin. They shared a knowing glance as they exited the church, the kind of look that only couples who truly love can understand. Bingley handed her into the carriage, and they were off to Longbourn for the wedding breakfast.

  They had not spoken to each other since she entered the chapel except for the words they repeated during the ceremony. They had communicated everything with their eyes, the brush of a shoulder, and
the touch of a hand. The intense feelings of love and emotion that were engendered by the service hung thickly in the air.

  Once the carriage pulled away from the church, Bingley moved over to sit next to Jane. He gently caressed her cheek and smiled into her loving eyes. Jane sat still, glorying in his touch, and watched as he bent down slowly and kissed her, firmly and without reserve.

  “Charles, I love you.”

  Chapter 11

  DARCY ARRIVED AT THE TILDENS’ home in good time for the dinner party and soon found himself walking arm-in-arm with Miss Tilden towards a public park across from her home. It was the very situation he had hoped to achieve. If there were any possible way in which he could obtain a favorable insight into her character that would allow him to attach himself to her, it would be on occasions such as this.

  “It is always a pleasure to see you,” said Miss Tilden.

  He felt her lean against him as they walked along a sheltered path to which she had steered their progress

  “Thank you for the kind invitation. I enjoy being with you and your family very much. Have you had any adventures since I last saw you?”

  “Adventures? No, but I have been to a concert.”

  Darcy was certain that a question such as that would have been rewarded with some light-hearted playfulness from Elizabeth. He believed that Miss Tilden would assume he would not care for such behavior and consequently he would receive no teasing from her. In former times, this would have been true, but Elizabeth had taught him better. There were few things more enjoyable than being the object of Elizabeth’s pleasantries.

  “Which concert was that?” He led them onto an avenue occupied by other couples rambling in the fresh air, suddenly unwilling to continue alone with Miss Tilden.

  “It was a thrilling performance by an Italian soprano. She sang a variety of songs from different operas as well as traditional love songs. It was a remarkable experience. I am quite envious of her talent.”

  He could not tell if she was sincere, or if she was fishing for a compliment. Thinking it better to err on the side of safety, he spoke accordingly.

  “Please do not underrate yourself, Miss Tilden. You play and sing very well.”