by Kay Bea
“He is attentive to you.”
“It is a wonder, Lizzy. I had not before understood what it was to have another person so concerned for my well-being. I have been so used to it being only you and I seeing to our own happiness that I fear I could become spoilt by his attentions.”
“I promise I shall do my duty as your most impertinent sister and address you as ‘Miss Caroline’ should you ever become too convinced of your own importance,” Elizabeth teased.
“Lizzy! That is…” Jane's words trailed off and she turned away from her sister to stifle her own laughter.
“’Tis wholly true and I am determined you shall not succumb to such folly. You are far too good to worry about such things. I am glad you shall have someone to watch over you. He is a good man. I believe you will do well together.”
Mr Bingley’s carriage arrived, and the Bennet sisters bid their aunt and uncle farewell as the trunks were loaded. There could be no further discussion of either Mr Bingley or Darcy as the sisters were accompanied by a Netherfield maid, and neither was of a mind to share any information that might become cause for talk below stairs. The journey to Hertfordshire was uneventful and, saving a brief stop for a change of horses and refreshments, was managed without interruption. Their reception at home was exactly as might be imagined. Mr and Mrs Bennet and their youngest daughters were waiting on the steps of Longbourn when Elizabeth and Jane alit from the carriage.
Mr Bennet was first to greet his daughters. “Jane, Lizzy, I am glad you are returned. I dare say there has not been a word of sense spoken since you departed.” He moved closer and pulled Jane close, then in a voice only she and Elizabeth could hear said, “You have done well child. You shall be happy.” Jane returned his embrace and he moved to Elizabeth, welcoming her home in much the same manner.
Mrs Bennet interrupted then. “Jane! Jane! My dear, sweet girl! You must come inside and refresh yourself for you cannot greet Mr Bingley whilst you are covered in road dust, and he is to join us for tea! You must wear your new blue silk, for he has not yet seen you in it and will surely make you an offer!” Mrs Bennet’s chatter carried her into the house and nearly to the stairs before she remembered her second daughter. “And Lizzy, we are glad you have returned as well.”
Elizabeth exchanged a look with her father, and both rolled their eyes at the cool dismissal. Mr Bennet followed his wife indoors, and Elizabeth turned her attentions on the clamouring of her younger sisters. “Lizzy! You have been gone ever so long. Have you brought us any presents?”
Lydia said, “You will not believe our news! Our dear Mr Wickham had attached himself to Mary King, but when her uncle was informed, he removed his niece to Liverpool, and Mr Wickham is safe! I cannot see how he formed an interest in her. She is such a nasty, freckled thing, and I am certain he is well rid of her!”
“Perhaps we had better say that Mary King is safe,” said Elizabeth in a voice was so low that it was not heard by Lydia.
“Only do not keep Wickham’s attention only to yourself, Lizzy, for I like him as much as anyone.”
“I have no wish to engage Mr Wickham’s affections. Do not fear on my account. However, I feel I must warn you to be cautious. I do not think Mr Wickham to be as good as he would like us to believe.”
“You are only trying to keep me away so you may have more of his attentions. But I shall not listen. Now, what presents have you brought me?”
Elizabeth wondered if she dared speak to her father. It did not seem an undertaking likely to result with success, and she decided to speak first to Mr Darcy when he came into the country. Perhaps he would know how it could be done. When they reached the house, Elizabeth could see her father had already retreated to his book room. She had no doubt he was avoiding his wife’s certain raptures when she learned of Jane’s engagement. Turning to her younger sisters, she said, “Presents shall have to wait. I am covered in dust and should like to—” Elizabeth’s next words were cut off by a shriek from somewhere above. Elizabeth smiled. Jane must have relayed her news.
Mrs Bennet’s voice carried down the stairs. “Oh, we are saved! My dear, dear Jane, I knew how it would be. I knew you could not be so beautiful for nothing! Only think, five thousand a year and a house in town! How grand you shall be.”
Jane’s softer voice did not carry, but her mother’s reply was clear enough. “Of course, he loves you. Who would not love such beauty?”
Elizabeth said to her sisters, “Come, we should not linger. I dare say Jane will tell all of her news soon enough.”
“As if you did not already know!” Lydia admonished her sister. “When were they engaged? Have they had a secret courtship?”
“I should hope all of my sisters would know better than to do such a thing. No true gentleman would ask a lady to enter such an arrangement.”
“You sound like Mary with all her sermons…a woman’s reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful,” Lydia mocked cruelly. “Honestly, ’tis no wonder the pair of you have not managed to secure husbands!”
“Enough, Lydia,” Elizabeth said. “I am going to change from these dusty clothes, and then I shall come down to hear Jane’s news with the rest of the family.”
Elizabeth encountered her mother leaving the bedchamber the oldest Bennet girls had shared since childhood. “I am thankful at least one of my daughters will do her duty to this family and save us from the hedgerows when your father dies. You must be especially kind now to Jane and Mr Bingley, as your future care depends on them!”
Elizabeth restrained herself from rolling her eyes and answered, “We are fortunate Jane had sense enough to fall in love with a man of good fortune.”
“What has love to do with this? What a foolish notion. Now go change your clothes so you may be fit to be seen when Mr Bingley calls this afternoon. I must speak with Cook and have all of Mr Bingley’s favourite dishes prepared. Only think, five thousand a year!”
Elizabeth entered their room and Jane, hearing their mother had departed, said, “I had hoped my news would lessen Mama’s bitterness towards you. I am grieved it does not seem to have done so.”
“Mama shall forever blame me for the loss of Longbourn. But enough of that. I must say you were wise to tell her of your engagement in as much privacy as could be managed.”
“I hope I have saved Charles from the worst of her effusions. Perhaps the three of us could walk out when he calls?”
“Of course.” Elizabeth agreed. “Have you selected a date?”
“The first of the banns will be read Sunday next, and we shall be married soon after the last reading. It is not likely Miss Bingley will join us for the ceremony, as she will require more time to settle in Scarborough before she travels again.,”
“Mama will be disappointed, but I dare say not nearly so much as your future sister may be. Come, the girls are most anxious to hear all the details of your engagement.”
The sisters descended the stairs and, before entering the sitting room, they could clearly hear Mrs Bennet, Kitty, and Lydia chattering away, debating the circumstances of Jane’s engagement and speculating as to the cause of her wish to be married quickly.
Mrs Bennet complained, “I do not see why they must marry with such haste. Four weeks is hardly sufficient time to purchase your sister’s wedding clothes! And the wedding breakfast! How am I ever to prepare a proper breakfast with so little notice?”
Lydia paid little heed to Mrs Bennet’s concern for wedding clothes and breakfasts but had much to say regarding the timing of the wedding. “Perhaps, Mama, Jane must be married quickly.” Lydia laughed at her own insinuation.
Jane and Elizabeth had by now reached the room, and Jane said, “Mind your tongue!”
Lydia, naturally, was unmoved by her sister’s sharp rebuke. “You are quick to defend yourself. Perhaps I have hit my mark?”
Elizabeth found herself in the unusual position of peacemaker. Rather than adding her own reprimand, Elizabeth placed a calming hand on Jane’s arm, then address
ed their mother directly. “Mama, surely you would not wish for my sister’s engagement to be surrounded by such hateful rumours. Only consider, what might Mr Bingley think of a family so willing to disparage his honour?”
Mrs Bennet’s eyes widened in comprehension. “But then he might abandon our dear Jane and the scandal would ruin us all!” She turned her attention to her youngest child. “Not another word of the short engagement, Lydia! Your sister and Mr Bingley simply wish to begin their lives together as soon as may be. It is perfectly reasonable for a young couple violently in love.”
Any further dispute was delayed as Mr Bingley was announced. He went first to see Mr Bennet but quickly returned to the ladies. Mrs Bennet spent many minutes speaking of her delight in at last having a son and asking minutely after his preferences in food, what colours best suited her dear Jane, and if Jane should begin alterations to at least the mistress’s chambers at Netherfield before the wedding. “It is only a short time away and the wife of a man such as yourself must have her due.”
“I thank you for your felicitations, Mrs Bennet. I can assure you of my confidence in your daughter, and I am certain that any changes she may wish to make at Netherfield can be accomplished after we are wed.” After at last being allowed to make his bow to the room, he quickly took a place near Jane. “I am pleased you are returned to Longbourn, Miss Bennet. I have missed your company.”
Jane raised her eyes. “I have missed yours as well, sir.”
Bingley inquired after each of the ladies before suggesting he and Jane take a walk about the grounds with Elizabeth. Mrs Bennet was quick to agree. “Oh, yes. You must go out now for the weather is likely to turn, and there will be no opportunity to walk out later.” Bingley moved to the hall to await the ladies, and Mrs Bennet turned her eyes to Elizabeth. “Mind you do not interfere with your sister’s privacy, for Jane will not truly be secure until they have spoken their vows.”
Elizabeth could think of no civil reply to her mother’s suggestion and so pretended not to hear. “Mary, perhaps you would like to join us? It is a fine day and I have missed your company.”
Mary was startled to be addressed and looked uncertainly around the room. “You wish for my company?”
Lydia interjected, “You had much better ask me, for Mary is dreadfully dull and has no conversation! I shall be able to tell you all the news of Meryton and the officers which I know you are longing to hear!” Kitty looked resentfully at her younger sister, and Mary only cast her eyes down.
“While I do not doubt you have much to share, Lydia, I find I am more inclined to Mary’s company. Perhaps you might share your news when we return to the house. Now, Mary, will you join me, or must I bear the lonely company of a couple in love on my own?”
Lydia snorted. “It is not fair! I am far better company than Mary, and I should be the one to go with Lizzy!”
Perhaps because she remembered Elizabeth’s earlier remonstrations, Mrs Bennet insisted that her youngest child remain indoors. When the couple and their chaperones left the house, Elizabeth succeeded in allowing Jane and Bingley their privacy while she took the time to become better acquainted with her middle sister.
Mr Bingley returned to Netherfield after speaking once again to Mr Bennet, and the family resumed their usual pursuits. He had not been long absent when Mrs Bennet excused herself to speak with the housekeeper and Lydia once again raised the cry for presents. “Jane, Lizzy, we shall all perish if you do not show us what you have brought from London! Did you go to many shops? What did you buy? What have you brought for me?”
Elizabeth gave a rueful shrug and looked to Jane. Seeing her sister’s nod, she said, “Come. There are presents in our room for all our sisters.” Seeing Mary move to the pianoforte, she said, “Do you not wish to receive your gifts?”
“I…that is…yes, of course. I thank you,” Mary stammered.
“What does Mary need with ribbons or lace? I dare say she prefers her gowns rather like her face, plain and hardly worth noticing!” Lydia’s voice was filled with derision.
“Lydia! You will mind your tongue, or I may decide you have no need of gifts,” Elizabeth admonished her youngest sister before turning her attention again to Mary, whose eyes were now filled with unshed tears. “You thought I had forgotten you, Mary. I am distressed that you should have reason to think so. But you are not forgotten, and I dare say you shall be pleased. Now, come!”
“No, I thank you. But I do not think I shall.” Mary’s voice quavered and Elizabeth understood.
Unwilling to allow Lydia’s rudeness to be rewarded, Elizabeth spoke sharply to the girl who was now ahead of all the sisters and halfway up the stairs. “Lydia, you shall have to wait. I have decided to give my sisters their gifts in order of their ages. As you are the youngest, the others will go before you.”
“You are unkind!” Lydia spun on her heel and ran through the house shouting. “Mama! Mama! You must make Lizzy give me my presents!”
“I will go to her,” Jane said.
Silently watching the exchange, Kitty said, “Thank you for thinking of us. I for one would like to see what everyone has got.”
Jane retrieved Lydia, and soon all the sisters were assembled, and the gifts were opened and exclaimed over. Mary’s initial hesitation gave way to joy when Elizabeth suggested that Miss Darcy herself might be persuaded to assist Mary with her new music. Kitty was thrilled with her new drawing pencils and immediately declared she would create a sketch for Jane’s wedding. Only Lydia seemed displeased, declaring the embroidery supplies unnecessary, the fabric only acceptable, and the ribbons entirely incompatible with her preferences.
When the last of the gifts were presented, Jane went to speak to Mrs Bennet and the younger girls returned to their own entertainments. Elizabeth closed the door with a sigh of relief. She dampened a cloth from the basin and placed it over her eyes as she lay down and wondered if Mr Darcy would have consented to an elopement had she accepted him while at Hunsford. Of course, she had never been unaware of the general impropriety of her family, but after so long an absence and so much time in more refined company, she found some of them more unbearable than usual. Rather than dwelling on the deficiencies of her family, Elizabeth spent several pleasurable moments imagining herself in the entertaining, but distinctly quieter, company of the Darcy family, or at least in the company of one Darcy in particular.
She could not escape her family all day and did at last join them for the evening meal. If she had hoped to find the time agreeable, she could not be faulted. She could, however, be disappointed. Jane was too preoccupied with thoughts of her betrothed to offer company; Mary had not yet embraced the idea of being welcomed by her; and Kitty was studiously avoiding any possible confrontation with the still peevish Lydia. Of her parents, only Mrs Bennet seemed equal to conversation at the table.
“Well, Lizzy. Lydia tells me you brought gifts from town, but it would appear you were not so generous with her as with your other sisters. It was most thoughtless of you to not consider her needs as well as you did those of Mary and Kitty.”
“I gave Lydia the same number of gifts as I did anyone else,” Elizabeth carefully replied.
“Yes, yes, but Lydia is far more deserving because she is the youngest and is almost equal to Jane in beauty. ’Twas selfish of you not to give her greater consideration. Why, you did not even choose a fabric that was to her liking!”
Mr Bennet finally interrupted his wife. “Yes, Mrs Bennet. Our Lizzy must be greatly at fault to have thought each one of her sisters as deserving as the next when it is apparent there are some who are far more worthy of her attention.”
Mrs Bennet took this as a compliment to her favourite and, to the satisfaction of all, turned the conversation to Jane’s upcoming wedding.
This became the pattern for their days. Bingley would call; he and Jane would go out walking with her sisters; and he would then stay for dinner. Without a hostess, he was unable to invite the ladies to Netherfield, but given the
choice between calling on his love and asking Mr and Mrs Hurst to stay, he found he had no objections to frequently visiting Longbourn. There were calls to make and teas to attend as Jane was fêted by the neighbourhood, and Mrs Bennet boasted the family’s good fortune to all and sundry.
It was on such a morning, less than a week after their return to Longbourn, when Bingley delivered distressing news. He and Jane had set out walking with Lydia, Mary, and Elizabeth not far behind. Kitty had chosen to remain in the gardens to work on her drawing for Jane. As Elizabeth sought to lengthen the distance between the sisters and the engaged couple, Bingley began to cover the subject of his upcoming nuptials. She did not hear all of what he said but was arrested by the few words that drifted in her direction. “I have had a letter from Darcy. It seems he will not come to Netherfield until just before the wedding. Perhaps not until the day before.”
Elizabeth fought to hide her disappointment. From their conversations in town, she knew Darcy had planned to be in Hertfordshire for two weeks prior to the ceremony and that he would likely return after Jane and Bingley’s wedding trip for a more extended stay. She desperately wished for more information yet knew she could not ask.
She was saved the trouble when Lydia blurted, “He is a terrible bore. After his cruelty to poor Mr Wickham, I cannot think why we should miss him, though he is your particular friend. Even so, I cannot blame him for preferring the entertainments of town. Hertfordshire has little to offer, after all, and we shall have even less once the militia depart! I am certain my heart shall break.”
Elizabeth determined then that she must attempt to speak with her father. Still, while she could not like her sister’s manner of speaking, Elizabeth was grateful for the information that followed Lydia’s outburst. “It is not a preference for town that keeps my friend away. There has been a fire at his estate, and he was forced to return to Pemberley to inspect the damage and oversee repairs.”
“I do hope no one was injured.” Elizabeth finally found her voice.
