Most Ardently

by Sheena Austin et al.

  The carriage drew up to the steps at the front of the house. Mary and Catherine waited only long enough for the door of the first carriage to open and their betrotheds to step out of the carriage, before they ran down the steps and threw themselves into the arms of the men they loved. The look of pure jealousy and spite that was on the face of Miss Price, as Edmund greeted his betrothed was missed by all but Emma Knightley who had been observing from the vantage point of the shrubbery where she and Elizabeth had been enjoying a very early morning walk.

  “I have missed you, Mary” Tom said as he held her in his arms. “I am sorry for not making it here sooner. We only received the fixed carriage four days ago, then of course there was Christmas and we had two more days of travelling. We arrived at Netherfield too late last night to travel here. We came as soon as we could this morning.”

  “It does not matter. You are here now.” Mary mumbled into his jacket. Everything suddenly felt right in her world.

  “Yes, I am.” They were interrupted by several coughs from Sir Thomas Bertram, who was standing next to his wife’s sister, Mrs Norris.

  “I think it is time you and Edmund introduced us to these beautiful young ladies and their parents.” Sir Thomas began, “Letters of introduction are every well, but it is time to meet them.” Introductions were exchanged and they moved into the house. Lady Bertram seemed to be in awe of all that Mrs Bennet had accomplished; her general indolence had left her unequal to the exhaustion of the journey of the last few days, and now she lay on the sofa in the Bennets’ parlour, asleep. Nothing seemed to interrupt her, not even the noise from the argument that arose between Lydia and Catherine shortly before noon. Despite her nerves and nervous agitation Mrs Bennet could not understand being idle.

  “Mary,” Mrs Bennet whispered, as they sat in the parlour in the mid-afternoon, “promise me you will not allow yourself to be as indolent as that woman.” Everything for the wedding was done, and all the girls were relaxing. Tomorrow would be a long and tiring day, but all the girls were looking forward to taking their vows.

  “I promise, Mother. We are admonished by the scriptures that we are not to be lazy, and that laziness leads to poverty.”

  “Oh Mary, can you not leave your sermonising for just one day?”

  “I promise I will” Mary smirked, at her mother’s look of relief and then added, “tomorrow.”

  “Mary...” Mrs Bennet was about to scold her middle child when not only did Mary skip away to talk to her betrothed, but Jane looked up and laughed. It was rare that Mary displayed the kind of wit that Elizabeth employed on a daily basis. Mary was interested in Jane’s behaviour. Bingley, Darcy, and Wickham had agreed that they would not come and visit their betrotheds; the next time they would see them would be at the wedding tomorrow. Yet Jane was not sitting with Lizzy or one of her other sisters, no she was sitting with the young gentleman who had arrived at the same time as the Bertrams. The gentleman’s name was Mr Rushworth.

  Rushworth was an odd fellow. He was outgoing yet of a melancholy nature, and Mary knew that initially it was kindness that Jane had sat and listened to the man, yet Jane had not left his side even once since he had arrived in the early morning. The look on Jane’s face told Mary that it was more than simply kindness now that kept Jane by the man’s side. Mary shook the thought of her sister’s inconsistency away. When Bingley had seemed to abandon Jane, she had always seemed to be heartbroken, so why her behaviour should be so inconsistent now Mary was not sure.

  “Mary” Tom gently brought her attention back. “I have another gift for you” Mary was surprised, for Tom had already given her so many gifts. One for every day they had been apart, Mary did not think that there could be anything more that he could have for her. He must have bought out every shop between the village of Longbourn and Mansfield town. Tom grinned and left the room for a few moments. Mary watched her sisters Elizabeth and Lydia as they were sitting together sewing and speaking of the wedding the next day. Catherine and Edmund were discussing their plans for their new parsonage and how they would use their small income to help those who would be in greater need than themselves. They knew though small by the standards of how they grew up, their income would be larger than average, and with frugal living they would be able to make it go a long way and help those who were less fortunate. Mary turned her attention back to her eldest sister. Initially Jane and Rushworth seemed to be discussing the wedding tomorrow, but as Mary listened it became more and more clear that Jane was listening to Rushworth’s tale of how his wife abandoned him and that this was working on Jane’s tender heart. Mary wanted to go over and pull her sister away, but she could not think of a pretence on which to do so. Mary was convinced of Jane’s love for Bingley, but there was a certain mischief that was going on here. The worst was that Rushworth did not seem to Mary to be that bright a fellow. They had never met him until today, but there was a certain something about him that Mary disliked. Sitting in the corner trying to stay out of sight, was the Bertrams’ cousin. Mary had met her before in Ramsgate and had not particularly liked her then, now she seemed to be positively unsociable. The other guests that had come for the wedding had left the house for a walk, and to investigate the area, but Miss Price had excused herself from that walk saying that she needed to stay behind and see to her aunt if she should wake. From what Mary knew of the aunt she would not wake until the dinner gong should go off. However, there was something that was sullen and almost rude about Miss Fanny Price. Mary did not like this one bit, what trouble were these two persons going to give her sisters? The way Miss Price looked at Catherine was disconcerting. Mary knew from Ramsgate that Miss Price was in love with Edmund, but it was clear that Edmund did not feel the same way about her. It was not clear to Mary how far Miss Price would go to ruin the wedding of Edmund and her sister. How far had she already gone? What was going through the head of that girl who behaved more like hired help than a true member of the family?

  Tom returned with something in his hand, that was covered by a cloth. Mary wondered what it was. When Tom pulled off the cover, Mary found herself to be completely enchanted. There, in an ostentatiously decorated gilt cage, were two colly birds. “The colly bird represents the home and family. He stays close to his nest and protects it. They sing beautifully all year around.” Tom told Mary.

  Mary again raised an eyebrow. “Fourth day of Christmas and two Blackbirds?” when Tom had presented her with her gift, the song had briefly flitted through Mary’s mind. This was strange.

  “Fear not my love for you shall have the other two colly birds.” And with a slight dramatic flair, Tom pulled out a pale blue fan that had been decorated with two colly birds.

  Mary laughed. “I was not asking for the other two. I was just remembering the silly counting song.”

  “Ah, but that was half of my inspiration. As long as you do not intend to shower me with all of those silly gifts.”

  Mary whispered. “Aside from anything else we would not have the space to hold so many birds and people.”

  “No, I just wished to give you the four colly birds, as I look forward to making our home and family together.” Mary blushed at the thought of making a family. Living in the country she could not avoid knowing the way in which children were made, and she looked forward to giving her husband children who would carry on the family name and traditions. Tom gently tugged at her chin, “Mary, look at me. I did not mean to embarrass you.”

  “Oh, Tom.” Was all she could get out. The look of love and adoration that was shining in his eyes overwhelmed her. She loved the gifts that he had brought, but to her the most important gift of all was simply his own presence. She would revel from this day forward simply being in his presence. He was the light of her life, her sun, her hero. She had never believed in the fairy tales and romantic notions that her other sisters had, not until she had met Tom. Yet Tom had become her world and her reason for living. And Mary could not wait for tomorrow when she would exchange her vows with the man she lo
ved most in the whole world.

  Chapter 5 – 29th December 1812

  Five Gold Rings

  “OH, MY SMELLING SALTS! MY SMELLING SALTS!” Mrs Bennet’s screams could be heard halfway to Meryton. What should have been a perfect day for her to marry off all five of her daughters, had resulted in scandal and misery. Jane had fled before even reaching the church and Lydia was humiliated and heartbroken.

  THE DAY HAD BEGUN UNREMARKABLY, the Bennet sisters had woken at three in the morning, so as to be at the church for ten o’clock. Five girls, five brides. The house had been full of excited chatter and all kinds of flurries of lace and silk. Sarah had been busy all morning washing and brushing the girls’ hair. All were ready by nine o’clock. Mrs Bennet had noticed that Jane held herself apart from her sisters and had assumed that it was nothing more than nerves that held her back. Every bride is nervous on her wedding day, and Mrs Bennet had been too busy organising Hill and the cooks for the wedding breakfast, as well as making sure that each girl had everything needed for their day to be perfect. Mrs Bennet had been thankful that all of their guests had made themselves scarce that morning, each dressing and then disappearing. There was no sign of the trouble that had been brewing.

  The walk to the church had been cool but pleasant. The girls had each taken turns to walk next to their father and hear his final words of advice and wisdom as they approached the church, where they would take their vows and dedicate their lives to their husbands. Mrs Bennet was so proud of all of her girls; they were all so beautiful in their wedding finery. This was her crowning moment, five girls to marry off, and all marrying at the same time. There was something concerning about the conversation that Jane had with Mr Bennet, Mrs Bennet saw the stormy look that Mr Bennet gave his eldest daughter, and then Jane’s sullen stalking at the back of the group. This was not a happy bride. She was acting as if she was being forced into this wedding. That storm broke when the girls reached the door of the church.

  “I am not marrying Bingley” Jane announced, from the back of the group as they reached the church door.

  “Nonsense, you’re just nervous Jane. Now take your place properly at the head of your sisters.” Mrs Bennet chided.

  “I am not nervous. I was talking with Mr Rushworth yesterday when he arrived, and no, I am not marrying Mr Bingley! Rushworth helped me to see that what I have with Bingley is not enough for a happy life.” Jane answered.

  “Jane would you allow a man who was disappointed in his wife and who has gone through the disgrace of divorcing her to ruin your happiness?”

  “No, he is not going to ruin my happiness at all. I just cannot marry Bingley. I do not love him.” Jane said, there was just something in the soft way that Jane said Mr Bingley’s name and the mixture of formality with informality that told Mrs Bennet that maybe not all was lost for Jane with Mr Bingley.

  “What does love have to do with it? Marriage is about more than love. I thought I had taught you better than that! Marriage is a business contract. You have made a good match with Mr Bingley.” Mrs Bennet insisted.

  “Love has everything to do with it, Mother. I had thought that I had found love with Bingley, like you did with Papa, but” Jane looked at the ground, “there is something about Mr Rushworth that I cannot quite... I do not know. All I know is that I cannot marry Bingley today.” Jane’s determined insistence left Mrs Bennet with no choice but to accept it, time was moving on and she had four other daughters getting married.

  “Very well, but you must go in there and tell Mr Bingley that yourself.” Mrs Bennet thought that would make Jane change her mind, however she was stunned when Jane opened the door and strode down the aisle. Jane stopped about two thirds of the way down the aisle and loudly exclaimed “Charles, I am sorry but I cannot marry you.”

  As one the congregation turned and stared at Jane. Charles Bingley coloured, stared, opened his mouth and closed it again so many times before he could make any sound that it was clear to all that he had not had even the remotest of ideas that Jane would do this to him. By the time as he could speak, Jane had turned around and taken a seat at the back of the church to watch her sisters getting married. What was missed by all but the most observant was that Jane had placed herself by Mr Rushworth. Before Bingley could recover himself properly, the church doors had opened and the other four brides came in and walked down the aisle with their father, followed by their bridesmaids. An embarrassed Mrs Bennet came in last and took her seat quietly. If this had been the only trouble that had befallen the wedding she might have coped, but it was not to be the only trouble. The moment Elizabeth had taken her place next to Darcy, Lady Catherine de Bourgh had stood up.

  “This wedding cannot take place” Lady Catherine announced. Darcy’s low groan had been audible throughout the whole church. “My daughter Anne has the prior claim, that being the betrothal of my sister’s son, Fitzwilliam Darcy and my daughter Anne”

  “I was never betrothed to Anne de Bourgh” Darcy announced. “Neither my mother nor my father had ever made mention of such an arrangement. Since we came of age, Anne and I have repeatedly stated that we have no wish to marry each other. This claim is therefore false.” Anne de Bourgh quietly stood and walked to the front of the church and whispered something to Mr Collins, who stood up, and grinned.

  “It would be quite impossible for my beloved Anne to be betrothed to this man here, since she married me two months ago. We married in Hunsford church by ordinary licence.” Collins announced.

  “Can this be proven?” the vicar asked.

  “It can, I have a copy of our wedding lines here in my pocket.” At that, Mr Collins produced the certificate. That was enough.

  “There is no case to be answered here.” The vicar replied. Lady Catherine sat down, and the shocked congregation held their breath for the next person to cause trouble. Nothing more was said, and so the wedding ceremony began. The surprises were not finished. The vicar called for objections to the marriages and two younger women stood up together. Darcy was shocked to see that one of them was his sister, Georgiana. They whispered together, and then finally one of them spoke,

  “Edmund Bertram cannot marry Catherine Bennet” All eyes turned on the speaker, and she seemed to shrink from the observance of so many people. She dropped her voice as she spoke further. “It was during the days that we were waiting for the carriage to be repaired as we travelled down for the wedding, he made overtures of love to me. He promised that he would give me a home and comfort.”

  “Fanny, I was a witness to all that you are referencing.” Tom Bertram spoke up. “He was not making any overtures of love, but rather promising that he would never see you suffer. He was not promising to marry you.”

  “Indeed, my cousin has gone through much. My sole desire in promising her a place to live was that she should never be forced to marry where her heart did not lead.” Edmund answered. “I was already engaged to Catherine here and I would never do anything to hurt her.”

  “Catherine Bennet had the prior claim and has your heart?” the vicar enquired.

  “She does.”

  “And these claims by the young lady are entirely false?”

  “They are.”

  “And that can be verified?”

  At that point Sir Thomas Bertram stood up. “They are false. My niece, Miss Price, misunderstood my son’s kind heart and the conversation that they were having. Our whole family was present when the two of them had the conversations that she is referring to.”

  The church was silent. There was still one more objection to be heard, but by now everyone was impatient to see the couples marry. How unfortunate for the family that one marriage had already been called off, and two more had almost not happened. The buzzing of whispers through the church was audible, and Mrs Bennet was clearly close to hysterics. She did however keep quiet, for now.

  Georgiana Darcy now wore a malicious grin on her face. This was not the sweet and innocent sister that Darcy knew. Something was afoot that made
Darcy horribly uncomfortable. He shifted next to Elizabeth. What was his sister about to do?

  “It is impossible for Mr Wickham to marry Miss Lydia Bennet.” She said clearly. Then without being invited to do so, she approached the front of the church and handed a wedding certificate to the vicar. “I have been secretly married to Mr Wickham for the past year.” Darcy nearly collapsed, as Miss Lydia fainted. Nothing made sense, and the buzzing conversations that followed were not heard by either Lydia or Darcy. The anger that Darcy felt was written over his face. Humiliated on his wedding day, Darcy didn’t care. He strode over to Wickham and punched him in the stomach.

  “Georgiana, we’ll discuss this later” he hissed then returned to his place next to Elizabeth.

  “This is most irregular, but everything is in order. I am sorry I cannot perform Mr Wickham’s wedding.” The vicar weakly stated. Georgiana gave a swift sly grin, put the certificate back into her reticule, and returned to her seat. Tears streamed down Lydia’s face as she turned to sit next to her mother. However, she seemed to give a second thought, and turned back to Mr Wickham and without saying a word slapped his face hard. She then sat down between her mother and Mr Bingley, embarrassed and humiliated.

  Thankfully there had been no more surprises for the wedding party and three brides left the church on their new husbands’ arms. Everyone walked from the church to Longbourn for the wedding breakfast. Mrs Bennet watched the three newly married couples. Each couple was unique as they walked, but the one thing that was common to all three was the beaming love that was written over their faces. Edmund and Catherine Bertram were the most sedate of the three couples. Their measured and quiet walk showed a dignified example to all who observed them. Tom and Mary Bertram amused Mrs Bennet and her husband. There was no trace of the old Mary who was quick to judgement and slow to forgive. In her place was a beautiful young woman whose strong love had been the final piece to reforming the former wastrel. Their calm playfulness and constant desire to be close was testament to the change in both of them. The last couple, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy, was the most intriguing. The proud young man who had entered Meryton society a year ago had been so quiet and sedate. Yet as he had settled in, and under Elizabeth’s gentle influence, he had gradually relaxed around others. Their boisterous excitement as they left the church was contagious and for a brief while the scandal of the day was forgotten. However, life has a way of catching up on even the happiest of people and the events of the wedding breakfast would remind all present of that fact.