“My Jane shall make a fine hostess once she is wed,” Mrs. Bennet gushed. “Oh, if only Mr. Bingley had not been called away, he could have seen how well you have done.”
“Mrs. Bennet.” Mr. Bennet’s low growl was barely audible.
“I am simply speaking the truth. How shall he know how well she has cared for his home while he was gone?” A sob escaped her as her handkerchief magically appeared and began its normal fluttering. “Oh, what if he does not return?”
“I believe I can assure you, Madam,” Fitzwilliam said succinctly, “that my friend has no intention of remaining long in London.”
Mrs. Bennet glanced his direction, but continued her mutterings as her distress grew. A glance passed rapidly between Fitzwilliam, Jane, and Mr. Bennet until finally the last gentleman sighed and took up his serviette, waving it much like a white flag.
“Be still, woman!” Mr. Bennet looked about the table once more before taking a deep breath. “I had not planned upon announcing this until the man’s return, but if we are to enjoy a somewhat peaceful dinner, I fear I must. Mr. Bingley requested Jane’s hand before his departure.”
Looks of surprise flew between the parties, though Fitzwilliam and Richard continued calmly eating their soup. Mrs. Bennet’s exclamations of joy far exceeded her misery, but quieted into an inane rambling which was easily ignored. Declarations of “I knew how it would be” and “you could not be so beautiful for nothing” flowed amongst the list of items which must be purchased and her one-person discussion of the menu for the wedding breakfast. The others said little until Miss Lydia found it necessary to take part in the discussion.
“Shall I stand up with you, Jane? I shall need a new dress.”
“Oh, yes, yes,” Mrs. Bennet gushed. “You must have a new dress indeed.”
“Mrs. Bennet!” Mr. Bennet’s exclamation finally silenced the lady. He turned toward his youngest daughter. “Have you heard nothing I have said? You shall not be present at your sister’s wedding. You shall not have a new dress. You are going away to school.”
“Oh,” Mrs. Bennet sniffled. “Can she not stay until Jane’s wedding?”
“No. I have been lenient far too long. My mind is decided, an express has been sent, and the school is expecting Lydia’s arrival one week from now.”
“So soon?” Mrs. Bennet whined.
“Not soon enough,” Mr. Bennet replied.
Before anything else could be said, the door
opened and Mr. Singleton entered looking as weary as the others. He took the vacant seat by Fitzwilliam and motioned the servant to fill his bowl. Once all was settled, he looked about, suddenly realizing the room had fallen silent upon his entrance.
“Forgive me, have I interrupted?”
“No,” Fitzwilliam glanced toward Mr. Bennet. “I believe all had been said.”
The table fell silent once more as everyone finished their soup and the dishes were cleared away. The second course was set before us and the normal dinner chatter began as the servants moved away.
When we were nearly finished, Mr. Singleton glanced across the table and spoke quietly. “I say, Captain, I understand you were the man who brought the blackguard down. I must say I envy you the opportunity, but am grateful to you.”
The Captain looked toward me before meeting Mr. Singleton’s gaze. “You can be assured, sir, Mr. Wickham would not have escaped, but I am pleased I was able to be of service.”
A sudden lament from the far end of the table reached them. “Oh, Mr. Wickham! Such a waste. I still do not understand why he is unable to marry my Lydia.”
“Enough!” Mr. Bennet tossed his serviette upon the table and stood. “I have finished my meal, Madam, and we are now leaving.” He glanced at his daughters. “Lizzy, Kitty, order our outerwear. Jane, I fear your time as hostess has come to an end for now.” He bowed toward the far end of the table. “I beg your pardon if my wife’s absurdity has ruined your meal. We shall remove to Longbourn so you may finish in peace.”
“But we are not finished,” Mrs. Bennet carped, her eyes wide in surprise. “We cannot pull Jane from the duties Mr. Bingley entrusted to her. What will his friends tell him? He may desert her.”
“His friends will advise him to marry his bride and take her far away so as not to be subjected to her mother.” Mr. Bennet glared at the woman by his side. “For years I have heard you speak of your fear of being tossed into the hedgerows at the time of my demise, but you are unable to see that your actions have nearly fulfilled your prophesy. The choices you have made for your daughters based on your own need for preservation have led to this,” he waved his hand toward their youngest child. “We still teeter on the edge of destruction, should any of the individuals involved in the search speak of what they heard or saw.”
“More the reason she should marry Mr. Wickham!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed as she jumped from her seat and stood toe to toe with her husband.
The look of dismay which suffused Mr. Bennet’s countenance would have been comical in any other situation. As it was, the older Bennet sisters collectively sighed as their eyes fell to their half-eaten dinners. Kitty was the first to turn away, clearly losing her appetite.
Slowly, Mr. Bennet turned and surveyed the assembled individuals. “I must beg your forgiveness once again,” he said with a defeated tone. “It is clear I have allowed silliness to reign in my home far too long. I am pleased that at least two of my daughters,” his gaze fell on Kitty and a faint smile tugged at his lips, “perhaps three, were able to escape its grip.”
His gaze returned to the woman before him. “Madam, I believe this discussion will be finished in the morning in my study. Lydia and I shall be leaving at dawn. You and I shall speak before then. If you do not appear on your own, I shall drag you from your bed.” Taking her arm, he bowed to the others and escorted her from the room ignoring her protests.
The remaining sisters glanced amongst themselves before rising, saying their farewells, and quickly following their parents from the room. Fitzwilliam followed them into the hallway while I remained, uncertain what was expected of me.
“Well, Poppet,” Richard drawled as he rose his glass in my direction. “It appears you are now our hostess.”
“Seems the man was a bit late in taking charge of his clan,” Mr. Singleton muttered as he cut into the slice of roast before him.
My eyes fell upon the door, desperately wishing to know what was occurring in the hall. I felt a warmth upon my cheeks and turned to find Captain Jacobs watching me closely. The look in his eyes held hope, a belief that I was the ideal lady he knew I could be. I found myself unable to disappoint him, and instead motioned for the servants to refill our glasses as I put thoughts of my brother and Elizabeth from my mind. The Captain’s approving smile filled me with an unexpected calm.
Epilogue
I stood before my vanity holding my hand mirror at an angle above me as I turned my head slowly from side to side. Hannah had truly outdone herself on the extravagant coiffure. If I appear as royalty for my bridal ball, must I be done up as an empress for my wedding?
A soft knock broke through my thoughts and I called “Enter,” knowing it would be my brother.
The door opened, revealing Fitzwilliam with his eyes downcast and his appearance grave. He had been this way for several days, placing an unwelcome impediment upon my final week as a Darcy in my family home.
Taking a deep breath, I stood and held my arms out to each side as I turned slowly in a circle. “Will he be pleased; do you think?”
I stopped in time to see the tears glisten in his eyes. “How could he be anything but? If he fails to recognize the treasure before him, I shall rescind my blessing.”
Laughing, I moved to stand directly before him. “I hate to see you in this manner. I demand you be cheerful tonight.” I laid a hand upon his arm. “Be happy for me. It is not as though we shall not see each other. I shall be living at Darcy House upon my return from our wedding trip, at least until we settle on
the property in Derbyshire. Even then, I will be but a few hours away.”
“But you will no longer be under my care,” he whispered as he took my hand in his and stroked his fingers over the back of it.
I chewed lightly on the inside of my cheek as I glanced toward the doorway. “Where is Elizabeth?” I asked softly.
“She is in the nursery. Bennet refused to eat his vegetables again.” A grin tugged at the corner of his lips.
Laughing, I linked my arm with his and turned toward the doorway. “It is good you have had only sons, if you are this unsettled on the eve of my wedding, you shall be inconsolable when you have to give away a daughter.”
Fitzwilliam laid his hand upon mine as we walked the short distance to the nursery. Standing in the doorway, we watched as Elizabeth rocked an infant in one arm while hopping a spoonful of squash toward her eldest son’s open mouth. The toddler ate happily, pleased to have his mother’s attention.
The contentment of the moment stole over me and I remembered my time at Netherfield Park nearly four years prior. Once Mr. Bennet had left the area to deliver Lydia to Edinburgh, Fitzwilliam had insisted we visit Longbourn daily. As it turned out, he had promised Mr. Bennet he would assure order would rule in his absence. Unfortunately for my brother, it was not as easy as he anticipated.
Upon the first day, we arrived to find Mrs. Bennet bemoaning the restrictions her husband had placed upon her before he left. Apparently, Mrs. Hill had been ordered to admit only visitors on his approved list. She finally had wonderful news to share, and she was not allowed to do so.
Mrs. Annesley had taken the seat beside the mistress of the house and seemed to bring her a much needed calm. I later learned my companion was following Mr. Bennet’s request to “educate his silly wife”. That gentleman was pleased to return home to a wife with a clearer understanding of what would be expected of her in the future. Gossip was to come to an end, replaced by tenant visits and productive activities.
During the visits, I spent most of my time with Kitty, but witnessed my brother and Elizabeth steal glances or brush hands whenever they thought no one was watching. I hoped they would become engaged once Mr. Bennet returned.
To everyone’s great surprise, when that man did return, it was announced that Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth had been engaged since the day of Mr. Wickham’s arrest. Apparently my brother had seized the time alone with Elizabeth’s father while they waited for the scoundrel to reveal himself. When he comforted Elizabeth after the attempted escape, they had already received her father’s blessing.
Fitzwilliam stepped into the nursery, breaking through my memories. “Be careful, Ben.” He wiped a bit of the brightly coloured mush from his son’s chin. “We must not get Mama dirty. Does she not look lovely?” He turned a longing gaze upon his wife.
“Mama pretty!” Ben clapped his hands and laughed.
“Thank you, Ben.” Elizabeth smiled as she filled another spoon and began the journey toward the happy toddler once again, but the boy turned his head to the side and pinched his lips together. “Are we finished?”
He turned forward and nodded his head emphatically before holding his arms toward his father. “Up!”
I covered my mouth as my brother carefully inspected his son before lifting him into an embrace. It would not do for the brother of the bride to be covered in squash this evening. My eye met Elizabeth’s and we both lost our battle to hide our mirth.
“I am pleased we are able to amuse you,” Fitzwilliam said in a cool tone as he turned toward Ben. “Mama and Aunt Georgie think us comedic.”
The boy paid little attention to his father’s words as he had discovered the pin upon Fitzwilliam’s cravat. With a speed that still amazed his father, Ben was tugging upon the sapphire, completely eschewing the once pristine knot.
“Oh Ben,” Elizabeth cried. “Look what you have done.” She tsked the lad while attempting to smooth her husband’s neck cloth with one hand.
Fitzwilliam laughed as he placed a kiss first on Ben’s forehead and then on Elizabeth’s. He turned to see the nursery maid standing to the side and motioned her forward. “Sophia, if you would take Masters Bennet and Edward. I believe I shall return to my rooms before we go below.”
He handed the toddler to his nurse before slipping from the room, but Elizabeth waved the young girl away as she carried her sleeping son to his cradle and laid him down. Placing a kiss upon his spattering of curls, she straightened and smiled.
“Mama, mama!” Ben called from his bed.
She gently shushed him before leaning over and kissing him also. “Now listen to Sophia, Ben, and go to sleep when she says. Be a good boy for Mama.” She tipped her head to one side and gave him a serious look.
Reluctantly he nodded his head as he turned toward his nurse. “Story?” Sophia held up a book in response and Ben clapped excitedly.
Elizabeth joined me in the doorway and looked back over the scene, a contented smile gracing her countenance. I slipped an arm about my sister’s waist and we turned to leave the room.
Once in the hall, Elizabeth handed me a handkerchief and I looked at it questioningly. Before I could ask, I became aware of the tear making slow progress down my cheek.
“How silly of me,” I said as I applied the handkerchief. “I cannot understand why I am so emotional. I told Fitzwilliam not thirty minutes ago that I am not going far.”
“Ah, but when you return to this house, you will no longer be Miss Darcy. Instead, you will be Mrs. Jacobs and a very handsome, accomplished officer will be escorting you.” She slipped an arm through mine and began walking toward the stairs. “It has been difficult for your brother to watch you mature and ready yourself to become a wife. He is exceedingly proud of you; we both are.”
We had just reached the top step when Richard bounded up before us. “Ah, I am not too late.” He stepped forward and offered me his arm. “May I have the honour of escorting you to your ball, Poppet?”
A displeased voice sounded from behind us. “Richard, how the devil did you get here so quickly? I thought you would not arrive until later this evening.”
“And allow you to escort our darling girl to her ball and down the aisle? I think not. I am also her guardian, Darcy.” Richard stood to his full height, knowing he was still a few inches shorter than my brother, and laid his hand upon the sword at his side.
I laughed as I took my cousin’s arm. “You would wound my brother for the honour of escorting me, Richard? And on the evening before my wedding?”
Richard shrugged good-naturedly. “I could then escort you to both.” He turned toward Elizabeth and smiled. “It is not as though he will be lonely. He must escort his beautiful wife.” He leaned forward and placed a kiss upon her cheek. “You look lovelier each time I see you, Elizabeth.”
A feminine voice called from below. “Will you not come down? I see carriages approaching!”
We turned to see Kitty, or Catherine as she was now called, standing in the foyer below. I had been so pleased when Fitzwilliam invited Elizabeth’s sister to live with us most of the year. We had taken lessons together, including time with an art master. Catherine’s talent with sketching had far exceeded my own, so I quickly returned to my pianoforte and left the drawing to my friend.
We had shared our coming out and so many other experiences through the years, but tomorrow I would marry and Catherine would take up residence with the Bingley’s. Tears filled my eyes once more as Richard led me down the stairs. I silently scolded myself for behaving so foolishly.
As we reached the bottom, a mischievous spark entered Catherine’s eye and she glanced over her shoulder. There, out of sight from the steps, stood my fiancé. Colonel John Jacobs stepped forward, his gaze never leaving mine, until he stood before me. The warmth I had felt so often when he looked at me was intensified. Tomorrow I will be his wife.
He took my hand in his and reverently raised it to his lips. “How have I been so blessed?”
Arching my brow, I smil
ed. “As you compromised me nearly four years ago, I am pleased you finally saw fit to do the gentlemanly thing.”
John threw his head back and laughed heartily. “You are correct, of course, my love.”
“What is the raucous? Have the guests begun to arrive?”” Lydia Bennet stepped from the ballroom and looked about. “Oh, it is just Captain Jacobs.” She sniffed and returned from whence she had come.
Lydia’s time in Edinburgh may not have completely dampened her enthusiasm, but it had given her clearer expectations of her behaviour when out in society. She had improved to the extent Fitzwilliam was willing to include her in some social events. With Mrs. Annesley at her side, her behaviour tonight would decide if the Darcys would host her during the next season.
My thoughts were drawn once more to that November in Hertfordshire. I had become friends with all the Bennet sisters, other than Lydia. The only one who would be missing this evening was Mary.
True to her word, she had secured Mr. Collins, though not in the manner she would have preferred. Indeed, it had been one of Fitzwilliam’s trials during the time Mr. Bennet was away.
Upon returning to Longbourn, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet had found the couple alone in the drawing room. This was no scandal as they were cousins; however, when her parents entered the room, they found the couple in what appeared to be a passionate embrace. Mrs. Bennet immediately demanded they marry, while Mr. Collins sputtered “It is not as it appears” repeatedly and Mary stood silently beside him, her countenance redder than any had ever seen.
Following their wedding breakfast, just before the couple left for Kent, Mary admitted to me that she had, in fact, been trying to stop Mr. Collins from leaving the room and he was attempting to move her from his path when her parents came upon them. Though she was not pleased to be married under a scandal, Mary had succeeded in securing her future. As she left Longbourn, I saw her look over her childhood home in a covetous manner. It was clear in my mind Mrs. Bennet would not be pleased should her middle daughter gain possession of their home during her lifetime.
Georgiana Darcy, Matchmaker Page 26
