Love Unsought

by Kay Bea

  “She was searching for the ribbon we purchased last week. Did you not hear her complaints?” Mary answered.

  “I should not be surprised if half the neighbourhood heard her, Mary. Honestly, there was no need to shout so early in the day!” Kitty said with a great yawn.

  “Kitty!” Elizabeth began to admonish her sister but could say no more.

  Mary smiled. “It is difficult to chastise her when you are experiencing the same sentiments, is it not?”

  Elizabeth was forced to laugh. “You are quite right. Now tell me. What brings the two of you to our room this morning? Surely you do not both require ribbon or lace?”

  Kitty answered, “No, we do not. We thought to join you if you will allow it.”

  “What a merry party we shall make!” Jane answered.

  Lydia joined her sisters when her missing ribbon was located, and preparations began in earnest. The time passed in a flurry of ribbons and lace as six ladies made do with the assistance of only each other and one maid. Hairpins were selected and discarded, ribbons tied, and bonnets rescued from near crushing as the sisters made ready to travel to Longbourn’s chapel. When all was complete, and Jane had been declared a vision of perfection, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia slipped quietly from the room.

  “I dare say you are the loveliest bride I have ever beheld,” Elizabeth began.

  “Thank you, Lizzy.”

  “Are you nervous?” Elizabeth asked.

  “I do not think so, but I cannot say. I am more anxious, I think. I am ready to have done with all this fuss and get on with the business of being Mrs Bingley.”

  “Mrs Bingley! How well that sounds. You shall be happy, dearest. Though you will be married, and no doubt have little time, I do hope you will spare a few moments to write whilst I am in Brighton.”

  “Though I shall not write as often as when I was last in London, you may be assured I will not neglect you. Have you any news to share? I heard you come in early this morning,” Jane said this with a look that would brook no argument or dissembling on Elizabeth’s part.

  Elizabeth gave her sister a wide smile. “I fear you will be displeased with me.”

  “And why is that?”

  “I think my happiness may equal or even overwhelm your own today. After you and Bingley return from your wedding trip, Mr Darcy is to come to Hertfordshire. He will then speak to Papa and make clear his intentions.”

  “Oh, Lizzy! I knew it would be this way. I wish you very, very happy!”

  Jane embraced her favourite sister and as Elizabeth returned the embrace, she replied, “As I do you.”

  Mrs Bennet called up the stairs. “Jane, Lizzy, you must come down at once, else we shall be late!”

  “Coming, Mama!”

  Elizabeth descended the stairs first, giving her sister a few moments alone to say farewell to her childhood rooms. She waited with the rest of her family and had the privilege of seeing her father’s face when he beheld Jane in her finery. There was a slight dampness in his eyes and a catch in his voice when he stepped forward. “There you are, my Jane. You are radiant as the sun. Perhaps I shall keep you at home after all. Though your Mr Bingley is a good man, I am suddenly not inclined to part with you.”

  Jane smiled and embraced him even as Mrs Bennet said, “Keep her? You shall not keep her! How can you say such a thing?”

  Longbourn’s chapel was full to overflowing as both the invited and uninvited guests came to witness the marriage of Miss Jane Bennet to Mr Charles Bingley.

  In the front of the church where the primary participants stood, two couples had eyes only for each other. The heat and intimacy of the looks they exchanged would have embarrassed any who cared to notice. Even as she listened to Jane and Bingley repeat their vows, Elizabeth hoped she would soon follow her sister in marriage.

  In less time than it had taken to curl Jane’s hair that morning, the wedding was complete, and Jane was signing her name as Bennet for the last time. Elizabeth and the Darcy siblings followed the couple from the church and watched as Bingley handed his bride into the open carriage hired for the occasion. They would be taken to Longbourn where Bingley’s own conveyance waited to transport the couple on the first part of their tour following the wedding breakfast. As the other guests departed, Elizabeth noted with some dismay that her family had already left for Longbourn. Miss Darcy must have observed the same thing, as before Elizabeth could contemplate the ruination of her slippers, the younger woman spoke. “Miss Bennet, will you return to Longbourn with my brother and me? I dare say we have ample room in our carriage.”

  The offer was accepted with grace and soon the three were situated in the Darcy carriage and making their way with the other guests to the wedding breakfast. Miss Darcy seized the opportunity for a private conversation. “I hope I am not too forward in expressing my delight that you may yet be my sister. I was ever so excited when Fitzwilliam told me his news!”

  Elizabeth laughed before replying. “You may own the privilege of being only the second to offer such sentiments. The first, of course, being my own sister who also did not hesitate to express she had always known it would be so.”

  “It would appear then we were not the first to know of our mutual interest,” said Darcy.

  Elizabeth disagreed. “I believe it was only I who chose to remain ignorant of the situation until recently.”

  “Well, it will do no credit to either of you to continue in a dispute. I say we should all rejoice at our good fortune. I have long wished to have a sister and, soon enough, I shall have five,” Georgiana said.

  “Be careful what you wish for,” Elizabeth teased.

  “So, Brother, while his daughter is in Brighton, shall you undertake the courtship of Elizabeth’s father?” Georgiana asked prettily.

  Such was Elizabeth’s cheer when Darcy handed her from the carriage that not even her mother’s shrill voice could discompose her. Oblivious to her abandonment of her second daughter at the chapel, Mrs Bennet exclaimed, “There you are, Miss Lizzy! Here we are labouring to ensure all is ready for our guests, and where have you been? Off traipsing through the countryside, no doubt! Selfish child, not thinking once of your sisters or your poor mother!”

  Darcy interjected, “I am afraid the blame must fall on me, Mrs Bennet. Once Miss Bennet had signed the registry, she was determined to join her family. However, I was insistent she remain until we had both signed. I would not wish aught to be amiss for the happy couple.”

  Georgiana added, “Indeed, Mrs Bennet, we are indebted to Miss Elizabeth for her kindness. My brother, as you know, is the particular friend of your new son, and we could not think of leaving before Fitzwilliam had seen that all was in order.” The reminder of her new son and the suggestion that all had been done for his convenience easily turned her mother’s mind to other more felicitous subjects, and Elizabeth was spared further mortification.

  Mrs Bennet was more than pleased that the wedding breakfast was a stand-up affair. She could often be heard boasting of Jane’s being so well-loved by the neighbourhood that not even Netherfield might have hosted the breakfast. As she moved about the room greeting their guests, Elizabeth found herself standing between Mr Hurst and Mr Philips. She resigned herself to banal conversation with the pair and was not disappointed. Mr Hurst found the ham to his liking but the potatoes too dry and had little else to say. After making a few desultory remarks regarding Jane’s future happiness, Mr Philips used his time to chastise his niece for intruding on her youngest sister’s pleasure trip.

  “Your aunt informs me you are for Brighton with Lydia tomorrow. Is that correct?” Mr Philips began in a tone that Elizabeth prayed would not carry through the room.

  “It is my father’s wish.”

  “And are you pleased with yourself?” her uncle asked with a laugh.

  “Pleased, Uncle? I fear I have not the pleasure of understanding you.”

  “I should think the question simple enough. You are to join a journey on which you were never invite
d, and though you will miss the Lakes you have contrived to visit the seaside instead. I simply wondered if you were pleased with the results of your efforts.”

  “You are mistaken as to the circumstances under which I travel, sir.” Elizabeth was flushed with embarrassment and spoke with as much respect as she could summon under the circumstances.

  “Do not dissemble, Lizzy. It does not become you. I wonder that you did not invite yourself to join Jane instead if you did not wish to travel with the Gardiners this summer. I had thought you to be inseparable. I assure you, that were you my daughter, such silliness would not be tolerated. But you have ever been your father’s favourite, so I suppose it is to be expected.”

  This was nearly too much! Elizabeth took a large swallow of wine lest she say something unkind. That Elizabeth agreed Mr Bennet had been too lenient with one of his daughters was not in question, but that she herself was that daughter was another matter entirely. “I can assure you, Uncle, despite what you have heard, I sincerely wish for my youngest sister to enjoy whatever manner of entertainments might be considered appropriate for a young lady only newly out in society.” Elizabeth wondered if she was truly the only one to see the probability of Lydia shaming her family even before her next birthday.

  Having said more than she cared on the subject of her impending travel, Elizabeth was horrified to raise her eyes and discover her father had heard every word of her conversation. He had heard and done nothing to intervene. Instead, his eyes held a spark of mischief, and she felt certain he thought she had received her comeuppance at the hand of her uncle. Elizabeth then turned her face determinedly to Mr Hurst and engaged him in what she would later remember only as a particularly tiresome conversation about food, his gout, the weather, and his planned return to London. When she was able to extricate herself from the pair and find others to welcome, Elizabeth thought she could not be more thankful she had accepted Jane’s invitation to stay at Netherfield. She was relieved when at last her mother signalled for everyone to move to the drawing room for tea and cake.

  The wedding breakfast progressed apace, and in due time Mr and Mrs Bingley bade their family farewell and left Longbourn to begin their new lives. Once the Bingleys departed, the wedding guests soon followed. Darcy and his sister were among the last to leave. Darcy had little to say, but Elizabeth did not feel slighted. She could see from the torment in his eyes that he was dreading their parting at least as much as she. As they walked out to the carriage, Elizabeth placed her hand on Darcy’s arm.

  “I do wish you were not for Brighton so soon, Miss Bennet. I hope you will not think me too forward if I ask you to write while you are away?” Miss Darcy asked, and Elizabeth gave Darcy’s arm an affectionate squeeze.

  “Of course, I shall write, and I hope you will as well, for then it will be as if we are not apart at all!” Elizabeth said with a laugh. “You must promise to inform me of your brother’s progress with my father.”

  Georgiana barely suppressed a laugh and said in a clear voice, “You may depend on me, Miss Bennet. And when you return, we shall be the first to visit you.”

  Darcy released Elizabeth only to hand his sister in the carriage. He turned to face her after he boarded, and Elizabeth was startled by the unabashed affection on his face. She felt a sudden longing to leap into the carriage and bear whatever consequence might come. Instead, she smiled when he said, “Soon, Elizabeth.”

  Tears threatened to spill as she watched the siblings depart. Never, she thought, had Longbourn been as lonely as it was then.

  The following morning Colonel Forster's carriage arrived to collect the Bennet sisters. Babbling with excitement, Mrs Bennet was rendered even more incoherent than usual. Mr Bennet looked almost remorseful as he handed his favourite daughter into the carriage. It was not in his nature to apologise, particularly not to one of his children. Instead, Mr Bennet settled for speaking as if all had already been forgiven. “Be a good girl, Lizzy, and try to spare a moment’s thought for your poor father. I fear I shall not hear two words of sense whilst you are away. You may write if your sister becomes too much trouble.” With those word, Elizabeth’s father closed the carriage door and the journey began.

  After weeks in Brighton, Elizabeth had seen enough of the bustling seaside town to know that under different circumstances she might have enjoyed strolling the promenade and gazing at the vast water before her or wandering in the many quaint shops. Instead, her days were an endless circle of chasing away men who she sincerely doubted had ever held a serious inclination for anything other than gaming and liquor, chastising Lydia’s forward behaviour while Mrs Forster countered her every effort, and heartily wishing herself elsewhere. She had scarcely found time to write more than once each week to Jane and Miss Darcy and had written her father only once. What could she say that they would wish to hear? Her only consolation came from a few lines in her most recent letter from Mr Bennet that indicated he now regretted sending her away and that he was enjoying the friendship of a certain gentleman from Derbyshire.

  Colonel and Mrs Forster were attentive hosts but negligent chaperones. Elizabeth had not been in the seaside resort many days before determining that Mrs Forster made less of a chaperone than even Mrs Bennet. She had also noticed her sister’s increasingly marked attentions to Mr Wickham and was diligent in her efforts to discourage the scoundrel. She attempted to warn Lydia of Mr Wickham’s true nature. Naturally, Lydia dismissed her warning as the bitter rantings of a jealous rival and thereafter flirted even more openly with the lieutenant.

  They had been in the area for a month complete and were to attend an assembly to welcome yet another group of men in red coats. Elizabeth was loath to go but could not envision allowing Lydia out of her sight. Even the dubious privilege of tea at Rosings held more appeal than the thought of yet another assembly with two of the most outrageous and ridiculous females she had ever had the misfortune to know.

  A couple hours into the event, Elizabeth was dismayed to discover she had lost sight of her sister. One moment she was watching Lydia dance the set with Mr Wickham and, an instant later, the pair vanished. The assembly room was impossibly crowded and not for the first time Elizabeth wondered why she had ever spoken to her father. If she had held her tongue or even enlisted the aid of her new brother, she might have stayed in Hertfordshire, looked forward to a tour with the Gardiners, and most likely be enjoying a summer filled with the attentions and affection of Mr Darcy. More to the point, she would not be chasing her recalcitrant sister through a sea of red coats.

  With an exasperated sigh, Elizabeth looked towards the room’s many exits to determine where Lydia had gone. At length, she threaded herself through the crush to the balcony and observe the courtyard below. On seeing no sign of Lydia or Mr Wickham, Elizabeth had to admit her failure. She returned indoors and made quick work of checking the card room and refreshment table before locating Colonel and Mrs Forster.

  The colonel and his wife were happily engaged with another couple when Elizabeth approached. “Forgive my interruption, sir. I wondered if perhaps you had seen my sister? I seem to have lost her in the crush.”

  “Not to worry, Miss Bennet. Miss Lydia is sure to be nearby.” The colonel turned to his wife, “Have you seen your young friend?”

  Mrs Forster glanced quickly about the room. “Lydia is always in such demand that she is not likely to miss a dance. I am certain she has only taken a turn about the garden. Do not worry, Miss Bennet. I shall take charge of her the instant she returns.”

  These words did little to reassure Elizabeth. The din of the assembly room combined with worry for her sister was beginning to give Elizabeth a headache, and for the first time, she thought she might appreciate Darcy’s distaste for events such as the one she now attended. What she would give, she thought, to be at Darcy House reading Shakespeare in the library with her beloved Fitzwilliam or walking the fabled grounds of Pemberley on his arm with only the sounds of songbirds to accompany them.

  At last, Eliz
abeth saw Wickham slip back into the room, followed some minutes later by a distinctly dishevelled Lydia, who was joined almost immediately by Mrs Forster. It was clear that rather than chastising Lydia for her inappropriate appearance, Mrs Forster was giggling with the younger girl and looked to be pleading for information.

  Elizabeth could take no more. She was mortified by her sister’s behaviour but knew confronting her would create a scene. She crossed the room and spoke in a voice scarcely above a whisper. “I am relieved to see you are well.” Elizabeth’s eyes flashed with anger as she took in her sister’s swollen lips, flushed cheeks, and mussed hair.

  “You worry far too much! Just because you are determined to act the part of spinster does not mean I should not have my diversions! For I am determined to catch a husband. I shall be engaged to an officer before I leave Brighton!”

  Elizabeth fought to control her tongue before she said, “Marriage is a weighty subject for a ballroom. In any case, I have not come to argue with you. I have a headache and am retiring to the house. I shall wait up for you. We can speak of marriage and officers when you return.”

  Lydia rolled her eyes at her sister, clearly aware Elizabeth intended to give her a set down for her scandalous behaviour with Mr Wickham. “There is no need for that. I shall not return until late, and you will probably be asleep.”

  Elizabeth leaned in to kiss her sister on the cheek and whispered, “Do not be foolish with your reputation, Lydia. No officer wants a ruined wife.” Pulling back, she said aloud, “Goodnight, Lydia. Goodnight, Mrs Forster. I believe the colonel has already arranged for a servant to escort me home.”

  When Elizabeth returned to the Forsters’ lodgings, she utilised a desk in the library to pen a letter to her father, begging him to send for them. She told Mr Bennet she feared for Lydia’s virtue and the futures of all her sisters if the girl were allowed to continue in Brighton for many more weeks. Once that task was complete, she wished she were at liberty to write Darcy. She longed to inform him of Mr Wickham’s actions as they concerned her sister. She also wished to tell him she now thought herself foolish for having delayed making their inclinations known to all the world, and that she at least needed no further time to know her heart. She now knew beyond any doubt that she loved Darcy. She could not imagine a life without him in it and was determined to find some way to tell him so. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. To the rest of the doomed proposal she gave no thought, because it brought her no pleasure to dwell on the past. Some time later, Elizabeth drifted to sleep in the chair, dwelling on thoughts of Darcy and the possibility of life by his side.