by APRIL FLOYD
Brushing away a silly tear, she opened the paper and smoothed it across her lap. Mr. Bennet wished for her to return to Longbourn as soon as she might and perhaps persuade Jane and Bingley to accompany her. There was a pressing need for Lizzy’s presence but she could not imagine why that might be.
Her cousin, Mr. Collins, had visited recently and her father was relieved to know the man would return to his home soon. Her father’s words were clear and his humor was there to coax a smile or two as she sat in the agreeable rays of the sun as it slipped lower in the sky.
It was just as well, she supposed, for Mr. Darcy and his mother would be gone to London for a time and she had considered a trip home could be made before winter came upon them.
Still, she wished she might accompany the Darcy family on their trip to London. She reminded herself that mother and son had need of time spent alone together, to settle their grief and begin to build a life without Georgiana Darcy.
She returned to her letter and her heart lifted at the idea of sitting in her father’s study once more. They would stay but a few weeks and perhaps meet the Darcys in London before they all returned to Derbyshire again.
Inside Pemberley, Mr. Darcy sat with his mother admiring the twinkle in her eyes. He’d feared he might lose her after Georgie’s death, but now he believed she might live to see her grandchildren roam the halls of this great house.
And he knew he wished for those children to be the ones from his marriage to Elizabeth Bennet. At this thought, he leaned across to his mother and kissed her on the cheek.
“Oh William, you do know how to make your mother feel special, but there is a conversation that must be had.”
He was not surprised at his mother’s frank and direct approach. She had been thus since he was a young boy. While his father was benevolent and doted upon his only son, Lady Anne required truth and virtue from him no matter the situation. As a young boy, he had not understood but now he was grateful for her firm hand.
“You must know I find Miss Bennet to be a suitable match and have decided I shall ask her father for her hand as soon as I might. My admiration for her has grown beyond our short acquaintance.”
Lady Anne patted her son’s hand. “There is no doubt of it William, and I have seen the stolen glances when she studies your profile and your eyes. The young lady feels as you do, I am certain. Would that we could take her to London with us.”
Mr. Darcy breathed a sigh of relief at his mother’s words and ran a hand through his chestnut hair. He would have been willing to persuade his mother had she reservations regarding the match. “Miss Elizabeth will likely travel to Longbourn with the Bingleys, mother. Did she not have a letter from her father?”
Lady Anne glanced to the window as Elizabeth’s shadow fell across the panes and clasped her hands. “She did and you are correct, my dear son. We must allow her to attend to her schedule whilst we are in London. Perhaps we might travel to Longbourn once we are through with Town and you may meet with her father then?”
Elizabeth entered the parlor and smiled at the two of them, so alike in their features. “I have news, Lady Anne. Father has requested my return to Longbourn. I shall visit him whilst you are in Town. Perhaps we might meet in London before we return to Derbyshire?”
Lady Anne nodded to Darcy and rose to take Elizabeth’s arm. “I was just advising my son we ought to go to Longbourn after we are done with Town. I know he wishes to see the countryside again and I would love to visit Netherfield Park while the Bingleys still hold the lease.”
Jane returned to Pemberley after breakfast several days later to see Elizabeth home to Brambling Hall before they left for Longbourn.
Servants bustled about loading the carriage the Darcys would take to London and Jane hurried her pace to see Lady Anne for more than the brief moment at the carriage as the Darcys departed Pemberley.
Elizabeth stood in the entry with Mr. Darcy when Jane stepped inside. She was not surprised to find them alone, but Elizabeth moved away from Mr. Darcy’s side at the sound of her sister’s voice.
“Lizzy, where is Lady Anne? I would love to see her again before she leaves.”
Mr. Darcy smiled at Jane and went to stand beside her. “Mother will be down any moment. She returned to her rooms for a wrap in case the weather turns.”
Jane glanced at Elizabeth knowing the woman had likely left them alone for the purpose of a private farewell. Her maid would have gone quickly to her rooms had she a need.
Mr. Darcy’s mother must approve of a match between her son and Elizabeth. Jane was pleased at the thought but there was still the permission of their father to be sought. Elizabeth told her yesterday of Lady Anne’s mention of visiting Hertfordshire after their time in London.
Pemberley’s windows were shuttered and the maids busy in the downstairs rooms covering the furniture for the months the family would be away. Brambling Hall would soon be under the same transformation and Jane beckoned Lizzy to come stand with her and Mr. Darcy.
Lady Anne descended the stairs then with her maid at her side. She smiled warmly at the sight of the sisters awaiting her departure. “My dear Mrs. Bingley, how lovely you have come to see us off to London. As much as I enjoy the idea of Town, I am excited for the time William and I shall arrive in Hertfordshire.”
Jane nodded and accepted the woman’s embrace. “You must stay with us at Netherfield, Lady Anne. I shall have your rooms made ready if you will write to me from London of your plans.”
Mr. Darcy waited until his mother had embraced Elizabeth before he took her arm and the party stepped outside. “Mother and I would be happy to accept your hospitality, and I daresay Bingley would demand it. Netherfield is a lovely estate, but I am pleased to have you as close neighbors at Brambling Hall.”
He turned his gaze to Elizabeth then, the connection between them apparent to all present. Jane wondered about their conversation she had interrupted in the entry earlier and knew Elizabeth would tell her of it soon enough.
She held her sister’s hand as Mr. Darcy helped his mother into the carriage. Elizabeth waved to Lady Anne as the conveyance moved slowly away from Pemberley. She turned to Jane, willing her unshed tears away.
Jane embraced her before leading her slowly up the hill by the lake. “I do wonder why Papa has sent for you Lizzy. Surely nothing terrible has happened or he would have said.”
Elizabeth stopped to pick the wildflowers on the edge of the lake, careful with her balance, and stood offering her sister a small bouquet. “He is likely lonesome Jane. You recall he and I are quite close and the other girls vex him at every turn. It will be lovely to stay at Netherfield Park and perhaps throw a ball while we are there. That would certainly suit Lydia and Kitty and their redcoats.”
Jane laughed. “I imagine that would be a bit of fun, to watch them with the young officers. Certainly it improves mother’s nerves to see them so entertained.”
“Shall we leave on the morrow? Has Charles agreed?”
Jane switched her bouquet to her other hand and nodded at Lizzy. “He has. I admit he would rather stay here but with Darcy away it is easier for him to be persuaded. We shall only stay a few weeks at the most. I daresay we shall all be eager to return to the peace of Brambling Hall.”
Lizzy sighed as they lost sight of the Darcy equipage. Her heart longed to be sitting beside him on the way to London but she could not deny she wished to leave for Longbourn as soon as they might. “I must send father my reply before we leave Brambling.”
She picked up her pace and called for Jane to hurry. The sooner the maids packed their trunks the sooner they would be in Hertfordshire. Elizabeth smiled to think of her life; a delightful round of visiting well connected friends. Moving to Derbyshire with Jane and Charles had proven to be the beginning of her life, perhaps one that would include Mr. Darcy.
William Collins left Longbourn that same morning with hopes of returning in a few weeks’ time to secure his cousin’s hand. Only Mrs. Bennet walked with him to th
e chaise awaiting his departure near the front door of Longbourn.
Mr. Bennet and his younger daughters were happy the man chose to leave and did not wish to suffer his company a moment longer than necessary. Mary watched from the door, for she alone would miss his readings and lectures. She had hoped he would offer for her hand, but Kitty assured her she was quite lucky the man had chosen Elizabeth.
Chapter 6
By the time they arrived at Netherfield, Elizabeth was weary from their journey. Traveling months ago to Brambling Hall to live with the Bingleys had not seemed as arduous as the return trip to Hertfordshire and she thought it must be the excitement she felt at that time.
“Shall we send word to Longbourn of our arrival?” Jane asked Bingley as he helped her from the carriage.
Charles Bingley nodded and instructed the footman to send word once they were unpacked and settled.
Elizabeth stepped down from the carriage, happy to be free of the conveyance at last. Netherfield was as lovely she remembered and she left her family to walk about the garden. Jane laughed and entered Netherfield with Charles. “She is happy to be home, I believe, or perhaps only to be free of the carriage at last.”
Elizabeth wandered away from Netherfield after only half an hour in the gardens and retraced her favorite paths before finding herself in the lane outside Longbourn.
She would share the news of her life at Brambling Hall, save perhaps her tumble into the lake at Pemberley and her friendship with Lady Anne, and sit with her father in the study. Her sisters would demand to know of each and every room of Jane’s new home.
She opened the front door of Longbourn quietly and listened. Lydia and Kitty were arguing upstairs and the effort of Mary’s hands upon the pianoforte drifted from the parlor. Mrs. Bennet and Hill stood at the parlor door surprised by the sight of Elizabeth.
“Why Lizzy, you’ve come home. Where is Jane?”
Elizabeth stepped inside and closed the door. “She is at Netherfield as we only arrived an hour ago, mother. A footman should arrive soon with the news. I suppose I could have saved him the trouble though I only intended to stretch my legs in the gardens of Netherfield.”
Mrs. Bennet took her hand and led her to her father’s study. “Mr. Bennet was hopeful you would arrive today. We have happy news for you Lizzy. You shall save Longbourn for us all!”
Elizabeth’s brow creased at her mother’s words and she entered her father’s study without knocking.
Mr. Bennet rose from his chair and hurried to embrace his favorite daughter. Mrs. Bennet sighed and left them to their conversation. She would have liked to stay, but Mr. Bennet had given strict instructions he would be the one to tell Lizzy of her cousin’s offer for her hand.
Elizabeth wandered the room to be certain all was the same as before. There were books scattered about her father’s desk and his favorite port sat in its decanter at hand. The window that looked out onto the garden still allowed the sun to stream through filtered by the branches of the old tree.
How many times had she sat there in the old tree reading? She could not recall, for there had been many through the years. Her father motioned for her to sit and poured himself a small portion of port.
“Lizzy, how I have missed your conversation and company. The ladies of Longbourn have tried my patience and my study was breached by your dreadful cousin, Mr. Collins, for weeks.”
Elizabeth wondered at this news. “Why would he come to Longbourn, father? Is he not busy with his own concerns? I cannot think he was heartily welcomed here nor missed when he left.”
Mr. Bennet shook his head. “I would be surprised were he missed by anyone, Lizzy, save Mary that is. She seemed to be taken with his readings and endless speeches. Would be a wonderful thing had he asked for her hand.”
Elizabeth laughed at her father’s words. He and mother likely hoped for Mary to be promised to the man because of the entailment on Longbourn. “Would he choose a wife from amongst my sisters? He ought to do so in order to ease mother’s mind. I cannot imagine she was pleased to have him visit any more than you were.”
Mr. Bennet sipped his port and glanced away. Elizabeth read his actions as easily as she always had.
“What news is there, father? Your letter was clear regarding your wish for me to return home.”
Mr. Bennet stood and crossed the room to close the door of his study. The rustle of skirts and sound of feet moving away irritated him. “Mr. Collins refused our suggestion of Mary for his bride. It seems he has chosen you, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth blinked in confusion. Her father’s words echoed in her ears and she shook her head. “I am sorry, father, did you say Mr. Collins believes I shall be his wife?”
Mr. Bennet leaned heavily upon the closed door of his study and removed his spectacles. “Indeed Lizzy, that is his request. His patroness encouraged him to choose a wife from amongst my daughters and he was certain in his selection.”
Elizabeth sat with her hands limp in her lap. How could this be? She had never met the man, only heard stories of him from her father regarding the entailment upon Longbourn and of course the strong declarations of dislike from her mother. “Are you in agreement father? Mother has said I am to save Longbourn.”
Mr. Bennet sighed deeply and stared lovingly at his Lizzy. “I tried time and again to persuade him of Mary’s quiet and humble nature but the man would not listen, even when your mother did the same. He is under the thumb of his patroness and she would be scandalized were he to marry one of the younger girls while you remain unmarried. And he found your portrait a sight lovelier than even Jane.”
Elizabeth rose from her seat and paced about the study. “I cannot marry him father, of course you know this.”
Mr. Bennet came to stand beside her and took her hand. “It is not my wish that you marry the man. But with the entailment, I have little say in the matter. Your mother has decided your fate as is her right with her future and that of your sisters in the balance. I cannot stand against her as much as it pains me to think of you married to the man.”
Elizabeth dropped her father’s hand and hurried to the door of his study. Her mother and sisters were standing in the hallway and she pushed through them, her aim the front door of Longbourn.
Mrs. Bennet ran after her and caught hold of her arm at the end of the hallway. “What is this? You will marry Mr. Collins and save us all from the hedgerows Elizabeth Bennet!”
Lizzy twisted her arm in an effort to free herself from her mother’s grasp and fell to the floor. Tears stained her face as Mrs. Bennet stood over her.
“I will not marry him! I would rather live in the hedgerows for the rest of my life than marry a man I do not love!”
Kitty and Lydia stood beside Mrs. Bennet, their eyes as round as saucers at the sight of Elizabeth upon the floor. Mary hurried from the scene, her own tears flowing freely.
Mr. Bennet helped Elizabeth from the floor and sent Lydia and Kitty to their rooms. “Let us go into the parlor and discuss this with patience, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth refused and turned on her heel. She opened the front door and glanced over her shoulder to her parents. “I shall never marry him, never.”
Mrs. Bennet advanced upon her and Elizabeth stepped outside. “You may never return home as long as you continue your foolish behavior, Elizabeth Bennet. You alone have the means to save Longbourn for your family and you throw it away as a child in a fit of temper.”
Mrs. Bennet slammed the door and Elizabeth trembled as the weight of her mother’s words fell upon her heart.
She could not defend herself nor tell them of her love for Mr. Darcy. She hurried across the fields to seek her sister’s comfort. Jane would not want her to marry their cousin, she was certain.
Elizabeth wished they had remained at Brambling Hall. Had her father’s letter made mention of the match with Mr. Collins she would have torn it to pieces.
How was she expected to be the salvation of her family home by means of a forced marriage to a man
she had never met? Her mother’s acceptance of the man’s scheme did not surprise her, but her father’s actions pierced her heart.
He knew her better than anyone, save Jane, and admitted he did not wish for her to marry the man. Yet, he would do nothing to save her from it, that much was clear.
She swiped at her tears and became angrier with each step toward Netherfield. It was not fair nor would she consider such a life for herself.
Mr. Darcy loved her, she suspected, and would seek her hand when he and Lady Anne came to Netherfield. Bingley would give his blessing and her father and mother would have nothing to say about it since she was no longer welcome at Longbourn.
Elizabeth hurried inside Netherfield and sought the company of her sister. She would pour out her heart to Jane and await the Darcy’s arrival to Netherfield.
Jane sat in the parlor, her complexion gone pale. Elizabeth hurried to her side, her worries for her own situation disappearing at the sight of her sister in distress. “Jane, are you well? Shall I send for Charles?”
Jane dabbed at her brow with her handkerchief and breathed deeply. “I am fine Lizzy; it must be all the traveling. Sit and I’ll send for tea.”
Elizabeth sat across from Jane, her eyes fixed on her dear sister’s face. She did not think for a moment Jane was tired from their journey, for they had stopped often and truly the trip had been an easy one.
After tea arrived and Jane’s color improved, Lizzy’s face fell at the recollection of her visit to Longbourn.
“Did you enjoy your walk?” Jane asked.
It was Lizzy’s turn to inspire sisterly concern and Jane hurried to her side as her tears began. “My dear, what could have happened to upset you so?”
Lizzy took her own handkerchief from her skirt pocket and lowered her head. “If only I had remained in the gardens, Jane, I suppose I might have saved myself a day’s grief. Father and Mother have declared that I must marry our cousin, Mr. Collins.” Lizzy sobbed as Jane embraced her.
