by Louise, Kara
“You won’t tell Mama, will you? She does not need to know. It was not that bad, and it will only upset her, thinking I could have been killed.”
Elizabeth leaned forward in the seat and looked pointedly at her sister. “Lydia, getting killed was not the only thing that could have happened! You could have been sentenced to serve time in prison.”
Lydia huffed, folding her arms across her chest. “I think you are making too much of this!”
Elizabeth stole a glance at David, who was staring out the window, and then to her father, who was either sleeping or pretending to be asleep. “I do think Mother must be told, as well as our sisters.”
“Well, Kitty will think it awfully brave of me. She will be jealous that I had some excitement while she had to stay at home with nothing to do!”
Elizabeth pursed her lips together to refrain from blurting out what she truly wished to say. Fortunately, David intervened.
“Miss Lydia, we all make mistakes in life, but when we do, it is best to learn from them and not idly dismiss them. Granted, the gravity of this could have been must worse, but unless you comprehend that, you have learned naught.”
He ended with a smile, and Elizabeth thought she saw a glimmer of understanding in Lydia’s eyes. It was good he was here to gently admonish his young cousin without being overly consumed with the exasperation she and her father felt.
As the carriage pulled up in front of Longbourn, Jane and Kitty rushed out, followed by Mary. The weary travellers stepped down from the carriage and Mr. Bennet began introducing David to his three other daughters. Once introductions were done, Elizabeth turned to Jane, embracing her.
“Oh, Jane! It is so good to be home!” She pulled away and looked at her, noticing something different in her countenance. “You seem especially radiant! What is it?”
Jane bit her lip and her eyes welled with tears. “It is… it is Mr. Bingley. He has returned!”
Elizabeth’s joy matched her sister’s. “I am so pleased to hear that! Did he tell you we saw him?”
Jane nodded blissfully, her eyes revealing the depth of her joy.
After giving Kitty and Mary a kiss on the top of their heads, Mr. Bennet walked up to Jane. He smiled warmly and whispered, “It is good to see you, my dear.” He then leaned down and kissed her, as well.
Lydia said something to Kitty, and the two squealed and ran to the house. Elizabeth let out a long sigh. “I am so glad to be finally home. How I have missed my favourite sister!” She squeezed her sister’s hand and noticed David walking over. “We have so much to talk about, but we shall talk later.
David came up and took Jane’s hand. “Miss Jane Bennet, I feel as though I already know you. I have heard so much about you from your sister.”
Jane smiled. “It is always a pleasure to meet family.”
As Jane and David talked, Elizabeth walked over to Mary and greeted her. “How have you been, Mary?” she asked.
Mary bit her lip. “It has been quiet, which satisfied me quite well, but poor Kitty has felt the loss of Lydia and the militia.”
“And Mama?”
Mary chuckled. “At first, she fretted every day about you and Papa, but she soon found other things to occupy herself and her thoughts.”
Elizabeth raised her brows as she considered that most likely when they were in the most dire situation, her mother had no concerns about them at all!
As the family gathered for tea and cakes in the dining room, everyone wanted to know about the trip, how Mr. Bennet’s sister was faring, and what St. Mary’s was like. Since they had agreed to divulge to the family only the barest details about their journey home, they each had to think carefully before answering. Mr. Bennet had even decided he was not going to mention the reward. He would, at some point, surprise everyone with the news that each of his daughters now had a suitable dowry.
Lydia shared with tempered enthusiasm about her time with the Forsters in Brighton. There was no need to communicate the news of her scandalous behaviour in front of the whole family when they were so excited everyone was home. Mr. Bennet decided he would speak to Mrs. Bennet alone in the morning. He was certain Lydia herself would spread the news to the others.
When everyone finally retired for the evening, Elizabeth found herself sitting on Jane’s bed, eager to share some of the unspoken details of their time away.
“Mr. Darcy was very gallant in coming to my rescue when the pirates had taken us captive. Of course, I had no idea that it was him until later.”
Jane shook her head in amazement. “So you were again thrown into his presence. I imagine you were quite troubled when you found out it was him.”
Elizabeth softly chuckled. “Troubled in ways you cannot imagine.” She grasped her sister’s hands. “But tell me about Mr. Bingley!”
Jane was more than willing to share her good news.
“We received news that Mr. Bingley had ordered Netherfield to be opened and ready for his arrival. I had been fairly certain my feelings for him had long faded and that I would not allow his return to raise my hopes, but…”
Elizabeth took her hand. “But you found that your feelings were just as strong as they had been when he was here before.”
Jane slowly nodded her head and smiled. “Mrs. Long was very neighbourly and informed us the day he arrived. I almost felt sick from wondering whether he would ever pay a call.” She looked down at their joined hands. “And Mother complained all day that if only Father were here, he could visit him.”
“Little did she know that we had seen him.”
“Yes, when he came, he told us he saw you and Father.” Jane’s cheeks coloured in a faint blush. “And he has come to call each day since.”
Elizabeth leaned in and hugged her sister. “I had no doubt he would!”
Jane shook her head and she pinched her brows together. “He told us something about Mr. Darcy and a pirate and a disguise, but I could not quite understand it. Finally, from what you told us tonight, I was able to piece things together. I still cannot fathom it all.”
“Neither can I.”
“But Lizzy, I must tell you. Not all is right with Mr. Bingley.”
Lizzy’s heart began to pound. “What do you mean, Jane?”
Jane began to smooth the coverlet on the bed. “He said that he and Mr. Darcy had a terrible argument, and he does not know if he can ever forgive him!”
Elizabeth’s brows pinched together in a frown. “Did he say what the argument was about?”
Jane took in a deep sigh. “He said that last year, his wish was not to be gone from Netherfield for long. He wanted to come back and further our acquaintance, but both Mr. Darcy and his sister convinced him that I did not return his affection.”
“I always believed he truly cared for you,” Elizabeth said.
“Mr. Darcy confessed to him that he had been in error in his presumption, asked for Bingley’s pardon, and for that, Mr. Bingley forgave him.”
Elizabeth tilted her head. “But there was something else?”
Jane nodded. “Mr. Darcy apparently knew I had been in town in the spring, and was even aware that I paid a call to Mr. Bingley’s sisters and they returned the visit. But they all kept it from him. It was that deception that Mr. Bingley finds difficult to forgive.”
Elizabeth could barely manage a smile, knowing that until the two men made peace with one another, it was unlikely she would see Mr. Darcy. “What about his sisters?”
Jane shook her head. “He is very angry with them, as well. They have not joined him at Netherfield. He is here alone.”
“Ahh, so that gives you that much more time to spend with him.”
“Yes, but he always comes here, as there would not be a chaperone for us at Netherfield.”
“No, I imagine not.” Elizabeth’s smile turned into a chuckle. “You have a good man, Jane. He is not readily provoked by certain members of our family.”
“He is good,” Jane said with a sigh. “But now that you are here�
�”
“So that is the real reason you are so happy to see me!” She leaned in and said with a laugh, “I am no longer your closest confidante, but your chaperone!”
“Oh, Lizzy, you know that is not true. I have missed you terribly!”
“I know. And how I missed you, dearest Jane.”
Jane looked down at their joined hands. Pulling a hand loose, she began gently stroking Elizabeth’s hand. “And David?” She lifted her eyes to her sister. “I would imagine he shall make the tedious chore of being our chaperone a trifle more bearable?”
“David?”
Jane laughed. “This is perfect! You can be our chaperone while we are chaperoning you and David.” She leaned in, and her eyes widened. “Tell me, Lizzy, what do you think of him? He seems very amiable.”
Elizabeth pursed her lips together and looked away. “He is all that is good and amiable and kind.”
Jane tilted her head at Elizabeth, the way she always did when she felt her sister was not telling her all. “But?”
Elizabeth pressed her fingertips together and brought them up to her chin, as if in prayer. “I believe…” she began slowly, “that if I had met him a year ago, I would have found myself hopelessly in love.” She took in a deep breath and swallowed. “But I have… I have fallen in love with another.” The melancholy in Elizabeth’s eyes did not equal the smile on her face.
“Lizzy!” Jane said, placing her hands against her cheeks. “You have not fallen in love with Mr. Darcy, have you?”
Elizabeth nodded and slowly shook her head. “He is a good man… a most surprising, unpredictable, generous, and gallant one.” She took Jane’s hands again. “I have been such a fool!”
“But certainly there is the chance that he still loves you, after all you went through recently.”
She let out a slow breath. “Yes, there were times, looking back, when I thought he might still care. But…” Elizabeth shook her head and wiped a tear that trailed down her face. “He cannot want anything more to do with our family after what Lydia did.”
Jane remained silent for a moment. “What did Lydia do?”
“Oh, Jane!” Elizabeth said, as her tears flowed freely. “Our sister has done the most unthinkable thing, and Mr. Darcy was witness to it all!”
*~*~*
The following day, when Mr. Bingley called upon Longbourn, he was treated with the news that Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth, and David had returned. He was delighted to be able to walk up to Oakham Mount with Jane, having Elizabeth and David as their chaperones, rather than Mary or Kitty. He also invited them to return with him to Netherfield for the afternoon.
When Elizabeth stepped through the door at Netherfield, memories of her stay there last autumn swept over her. She almost expected to turn her head and see Mr. Darcy gazing out one of the windows or standing by a fireplace with his elbow propped up on the mantel.
She turned to David, who was engaged in a lively discussion with Mr. Bingley, and smiled. He was a good man. Perhaps she could convince herself to love him, knowing that Mr. Darcy would likely never have anything to do with her again. She was certain Mr. Darcy was the type of man who had the principles that would compel him to disassociate himself with the Bennet family and their taint of disgrace.
David and Mr. Bingley both turned at that moment to look at the two sisters, who were sitting next to each other on the sofa. They were both grinning, but David’s smile did not seem as fervent.
Elizabeth shook her head imperceptibly. How could she not have realized that David no longer had the feelings for her that he had exhibited at St. Mary’s? Or even on the ship? Ever since discovering what Lydia had done, he had been distantly polite, kind, and even understanding. But did he now have doubts that uniting with her family was wise?
She smiled back and wondered when he might suddenly announce he had to depart. She sighed as she almost wished it would happen sooner than later. Then, at least, she would know.
As they stood there, the butler walked in carrying a salver and presented it to Mr. Bingley, who picked up a small card. He thanked his butler and looked down to read it. He began smiling, said something to David, and the two walked over to the ladies.
Mr. Bingley sat down, taking Jane’s hand. “It seems there is going to be a Masquerade Ball at the Meryton Assembly in two weeks. I cannot think of anything more delightful!”
Jane returned his smile, her eyes dancing. “Sir William Lucas hosts this every year. He prefers a summer masquerade ball over an autumn or Twelfth Night Ball, so it can spill outside into the courtyard in the mild evenings.” She turned to her sister. “We must begin thinking of our costumes! How shall we dress up?”
David sat down on the other side of Elizabeth and folded his hands, resting them on his legs. “I fear I will not be able to join you. It does sound like fun, but I shall likely be on my way to Staffordshire by then.”
Elizabeth tried to sound surprised and disappointed. “Truly? I am sorry to hear that.”
David nodded. “I shall remain a few days longer, but I really ought to leave no later than the end of the week. I am sorry.”
Elizabeth now had her answer but was truly able to smile, however, for she saw the love and admiration that her sister and Mr. Bingley both had for each other. It might be some time before she felt anything close.
Elizabeth bit her lip. No, she had felt something very close to what her sister felt, possibly even more, but it was something she would only be able to treasure as a memory.
Chapter 25
Two days later, David and Elizabeth were once again acting as chaperones for Jane and Mr. Bingley at Netherfield. Elizabeth suspected that the two gentlemen had been conspiring together on some seriously clandestine plot. Later, as they took a walk about the grounds, David nudged Elizabeth ahead at a quicker pace while Mr. Bingley seemed to linger with Jane.
After they had been walking alone for quite some time, Elizabeth looked back and then smiled up at David. “Do you think we ought to wait here for Jane and Mr. Bingley? We are not being the most attentive chaperones.”
David shook his head. “We can wait if you wish, but I doubt they will catch up with us any time soon.”
Elizabeth tilted her head and looked up at David. “What do you mean, Mr. Adams?”
A guilty smile appeared. He leaned in and whispered, “I think he might be asking her something of great import.”
Elizabeth clasped her hands together, and she squealed with glee. “You cannot imagine how happy this makes me!”
David looked down at her and smiled. “I believe the two of them shall be very happy together. I have enjoyed getting to know them.”
Elizabeth turned to look towards the path they had just walked down. “I think they are perfectly suited for each other.”
Taking Elizabeth’s hand, David gazed at her warmly. “You know I shall be leaving on the morrow.”
“Yes, and I have so enjoyed our time together and deepening our acquaintance.”
He gave her hand a squeeze. “You believe that I am leaving because of your sister’s indiscretion.”
Elizabeth pinched her brows. “I must admit that has crossed my mind.”
David walked around and stood in front of Elizabeth. “No. But I do have other reasons.”
Elizabeth turned her gaze up to him. “What other reasons?” She braced herself, expecting to hear him say he no longer cared for her.
His expression was solemn. He looked down at the ground, bit his lower lip, and finally said, “I believe that you are in love with someone else.” He took in a deep breath. “And I believe that gentleman is very much in love with you.”
Elizabeth felt her face grow pale, and she slowly shook her head. “I am so sorry, David, although I doubt…” She let out a shaky laugh. “I doubt that anyone would continue to have a strong sentiment for me after what Lydia did.”
David gave his head a toss. “Well, Mr. Darcy probably has his scruples – I cannot say what he might feel about what your s
ister did – but I doubt that I would ever find a way to replace that man who seems to reside so deeply within your heart.”
Elizabeth turned her eyes up to look at him. “I am so sorry, David. I never meant…”
“Lizzy!” Jane called out as she and Mr. Bingley hurried around a bend in the path towards Elizabeth and David.
“I want you to know, Elizabeth,” David said as they watched the happy couple approach, “that I truly enjoyed getting to know you, and I wish you all the happiness in the world. I am in earnest.”
“Thank you, David. I feel much the same for you.”
Jane came up and hugged her sister. “Oh, Lizzy! I am so happy! You cannot know how happy I am!”
The two men shook hands as David congratulated his new friend. “I assume she said yes?” he asked.
“Of course! There was no hesitancy at all!”
Jane and Elizabeth walked back to Netherfield, arm in arm, with the men just behind them. Jane told her that Mr. Bingley had visited their father earlier that morning to obtain his permission, which he readily gave.
“When we had dropped far behind you,” Jane gleefully told her, “he stopped and asked me a very odd question.”
“What did he ask?” Elizabeth wanted to know.
“He asked me how we should dress for the Masquerade Ball.” Jane shook her head. “I had not even had time to think about it and could not give him a reply.”
She told Elizabeth that Mr. Bingley had taken her hand and then asked, “What would you think about us going as a bride and groom?”
Jane beamed at Elizabeth with wide eyes. “I did not know what to think!”
“Tell me more, dearest Jane! What did he say next?”
Jane giggled. “It is not what he said, but what he did! He got down on one knee and said, ‘I would be honoured if you would accept my hand in marriage.’ Oh, Elizabeth, I thought I would faint! Fortunately, I did not!”
“And you said yes?”
Jane giggled. “I gave him an unequivocal yes! I was determined there would be no misunderstanding.”
With great joy, Elizabeth listened to her sister as she continued to proclaim the extent of her happiness. She was amazed at the level of Jane’s excitement, something she had rarely seen Jane exhibit.
