“You always tell her everything,” Kitty argued.
A quarrel followed; Elizabeth and Jane tried to temper their sisters but with little success. When calm reigned once again, Lydia spoke, but not before tears filled her eyes.
“Yes, the militia is in town, but they are to stay only a couple of weeks. They are just passing through as they move to Brighton for the summer. So no, there is nothing ‘lovely’ in this situation, Mama! If I meet an officer that I like, I will barely have time to know him. There will be no balls, no parties, no nothing. I wish they had not come at all!”
“Oh, my dear!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, grasping the predicament. “I understand your distress now. I can still remember my excitement at your age when a regiment came into the neighbourhood. I still have a tender spot for a handsome man in uniform. But do not worry—some only need a few days to fall in love and even to marry! Take Mr. Bingley, for example; he already has fallen in love with Jane, and we expect him to propose to her anytime.”
“Mama—please stop saying that!” Jane pleaded. “Mr. Bingley and I have just become acquainted. He is kind and amiable, but we cannot assume his feelings yet or entertain expectations that might prove fanciful!”
“Oh hush, Jane, we all know that I am right. Now, Lydia, tell me more about the regiment. Have you girls seen the officers?”
“Oh yes, Mama; we saw the red coats marching into town, and oh, they were so handsome!”
“Very handsome, Mama,” Kitty approved.
“I did not care much for the officers, Mama. I would rather have stayed home and studied,” Mary declared.
“Yes, yes, Mary—go and study, my dear; we have more important things to discuss.” Mrs. Bennet disregarded her third daughter just as she had done with her eldest an instant before. Her new interest was the regiment and her younger daughters’ story about it.
“Oh, my dearest, let us hope we can make the best of the situation,” Mrs. Bennet said after listening to an enthusiastic description of the officers. “Surely, once Jane is safely engaged to Mr. Bingley—which no doubt will happen very soon—Mr. Bingley will host a ball to celebrate it.”
Jane looked at her mother in panicked disbelief. “Mama, I do not think it is wise to promise Lydia things we are not certain of—not about a ball and, especially, not about an engagement.”
No argument would change Mrs. Bennet’s mind. She knew she could not approach Mr. Bingley on the topic of his engagement to Jane, but surely, she could convince him about the ball. And she would have the perfect opportunity in a few days when the gentleman came to hunt on their property.
Lydia threw off her bonnet, still upset. “Oh, Mama, if only I could be as lucky as Jane and find a handsome admirer, I would wish nothing else in life. Especially if he wears a uniform!”
Mrs. Bennet took her youngest daughter into her comforting arms. “Hush, my child! A nice officer will be your husband one day—you have my word.”
Chapter Fourteen
Elizabeth put her book aside; she had not managed to read a page since she returned from Netherfield, her thoughts inconsistent and wandering. Lydia’s return from Meryton and the subsequent intelligence she carried had not quieted, and even though she could make out little of what was spoken downstairs, she gathered the gist of it. She was not interested in the regiment’s arrival, at least not to the degree that her sisters and mother were, and even less interested in their desperation over the short amount of time the militia would remain in the neighbourhood.
Meryton would be more animated by the presence of the officers—of that, there was no doubt. But no other interest engaged her, thoughts of a different nature circled in her head.
However, when Jane entered the room, Elizabeth pretended to be reading. She must have seemed convincing, as Jane made few inquiries, and the afternoon was spent in silence.
Around dinnertime, a formal letter from Netherfield arrived in which Mr. Bingley expressed his wish to visit the Bennet estate the day after tomorrow. The letter was read several times by Mr. Bennet and then by his wife, who searched for hidden meanings in the words until all possibilities were exhausted.
The letter sent Mrs. Bennet into a commotion as she considered there was not enough time to prepare a decent meal.
“Mr. Bennet, we shall have to send Cook to Meryton tomorrow to buy the necessities. And I shall go with her to make sure she buys all that it is required.”
“Mrs. Bennet, since an expedition usually takes place outside, the gentlemen will have a limited amount of time in the house. I am sure light refreshments and drinks will suffice.”
“A few refreshments? Mr. Bennet, how can you say that? What if Mr. Bingley—or, heaven forbid, that arrogant Mr. Darcy—should be hungry after their exercise and I have nothing decent to offer them! What will they think of us? Of Jane? They might leave and never return!”
Mr. Bennet chose not to reply, as he knew the argument would continue endlessly. Instead, he returned to the library until dinner, hoping that his wife’s excitement might diminish in his absence.
He was wrong; Mrs. Bennet resumed the debate at dinner and woke the next morning with the same preoccupation. She had Mary write a list for servants of their duties and chores, a list of recipes for the cook, and another for her daughters. Elizabeth quickly approximated the cost of such an enterprise and discovered that it would consume their usual expenses for almost a month. She and Jane pleaded with their mother to change her mind, but Mrs. Bennet ignored them completely.
“I do not know what to do, Jane. This is beyond absurd!” Elizabeth said when the two of them were alone.
“I know, Lizzy. I hope Papa will put an end to it.”
“He is not at home. I wanted to speak to him, but he left early to arrange matters for the day in question. Besides, you know he would rather avoid an argument with Mama. But it is ridiculous! I am sure Mr. Bingley expects a simple meal and not this nonsense.”
“I just hope he will not be overwhelmed and embarrassed by such extravagance, Lizzy.”
“I hope and pray that—just as Papa said—they will spend only a few minutes in the house and there will be no time for us to make complete fools of ourselves.”
Elizabeth was thinking not only of Mr. Bingley’s opinion but more of Mr. Darcy’s judgment; however, she said nothing about her apprehension.
Mrs. Bennet’s intention of going shopping with all her daughters was not forgotten, and soon Lydia led the party with promises to find out more about the regiment that had saved their town from absolute boredom. Mrs. Bennet was torn, however, between the two pieces of good news she possessed, and she shared her attention and advice on both matters with her daughters. Jane was instructed to search for new ribbons at the dressmaker while Lydia was encouraged not to share with Maria Lucas the intelligence she would gather about the militia. Her war with Lady Lucas still raged.
As soon as they arrived in Meryton, they were impressed by the red colour of the uniforms throughout the area. They left the carriage and walked towards the shops when their attention was caught by the approach of a handsome officer. Lydia and Kitty whispered joyfully while Elizabeth and Jane attempted to quiet them and maintain a trace of decorum.
“But it is Mr. Denny! I am so happy to see him again!” Lydia sighed deeply with little concern that she was in the middle of the street. Mr. Denny was an officer who had visited Meryton last summer and even attended a ball, and Lydia had fancied him since then. He was handsome and most certainly brave, and Lydia could not imagine anyone better.
Mr. Denny bowed to them, a large smile on his face as he greeted them with obvious pleasure. “I am so happy to meet you again,” the officer said. ‘I wondered whether I would have the pleasure of seeing you during our stay. What a delightful coincidence!”
Mrs. Bennet did not conceal her contentment while her daughters curtseyed elegantly.
“Mr. Denny—a delight indeed! We had not dreamed of seeing you as part of this regiment.
“Are
you in Meryton on any special business? May I help you in any way?” Mr. Denny inquired, while Lydia could not keep her eyes off him.
“We have come to do some shopping; I shall look very pretty with a new bonnet. Do you not think so?” Lydia answered impulsively while Jane lowered her head, embarrassed by such a reckless reply.
“Lydia!” Elizabeth spoke, determined to put an end to her unguarded enthusiasm.
“We have come to visit my sister,” Mrs. Bennet intervened. “To be honest, we are in a bit of hurry, but we would be happy if you would visit us at Longbourn so we could talk more. Anytime would be fine,” Mrs. Bennet said.
“You are very kind, ma’am—as always. I would be delighted to call on you. I must check my schedule as I have some plans with my fellow officers, but please be assured I will come soon.”
“Oh, you may bring your fellow officers too,” Mrs. Bennet quickly replied, much to Elizabeth and Jane’s despair. “We would be happy to meet as many of them as possible.”
“Well, then—that would be lovely indeed. We will certainly accept your generous invitation without delay.”
Mr. Denny left them with a polite and elegant bow while the younger Bennet sisters followed him with longing gazes.
On the way home, Elizabeth expressed her worry about such a hasty invitation to Mr. Denny, especially since Mr. Bennet had not given his approval.
“Mr. Bennet is much too occupied with his books and his land. And besides, Mr. Denny has visited us before, Lizzy; he is not entirely a stranger. And Lydia should have her share of enjoyment.”
“Mama, you cannot be serious! Lydia should not be encouraged in this fantasy. She is too young, and Mr. Denny has never shown a serious design on her.”
“Lizzy, you are quite wrong. Denny always had a preference for me,” Lydia replied angrily. “I shall not allow you to ruin my mood. Jane has her Mr. Bingley; why should another gentleman not pay attention to me?”
Nothing Elizabeth could say would make her mother and youngest sister see reason. As they arrived home, she inquired after her father but found him to be gone again.
Before dinner, however, she had a chance to speak with him privately but not with the desired result.
“Mrs. Bennet will have her way, Lizzy. And you know, to be honest, I see no harm in Mr. Denny’s visit. As I remember, he is a pleasant enough fellow—not quite as entertaining as Mr. Collins was, but amusing enough. “
“Papa, please be serious. I am worried!”
“About what? Your mother? Your sister? Mr. Denny?” Other than Mr. Bingley and Jane, I believe she will have little time to tend to anything else.”
“I wish I could find amusement in this situation, Father. And I do not disapprove Mr. Denny—quite the contrary. He is an amiable gentleman and pleasant company. But you must admit that Lydia becomes increasingly careless in her manners; she is spoiled, and she listens to no one. She takes liberties that an honourable lady should avoid. And Kitty follows her example. Soon you will not be able to control either of them.”
“Do not worry, Lizzy! If this happens, I will lock them both in their room and throw away the key. But I see no reason to worry; they are silly and too poor to tempt any man who might wish to make an advantageous marriage.”
Elizabeth shook her head in disbelief, knowing better than to have argue further. She was disappointed that her father refused to see the danger of her sisters’ reckless behaviour, but there was nothing more she could do except to hope that her concerns were groundless.
***
The next morning, soon after breakfast, excitement returned to Longbourn when the ladies of the house spotted Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Mrs. Hurst entering the front yard. They all hurried to the window as Mr. Bennet went to welcome them. Elizabeth noticed Mr. Darcy looking around him. He surely disapproves of something, she thought. His gaze suddenly met hers, and he made a small sign of acknowledgement; she responded with a polite smile that she feared looked awkward.
Mrs. Bennet urged Jane to make herself presentable just before the door opened and the gentlemen entered.
“We only came to greet you briefly, madam,” Mr. Bingley addressed the lady of the house while his eyes immediately glided towards Jane, who was blushing most becomingly.
“Oh, you are too kind—it is such a pleasure to see you! And your friends, of course. Please keep in mind that we shall be waiting for you with refreshments as soon as you have finished inspecting Mr. Bennet’s land.”
Mr. Bingley looked slightly uneasy. “Yes, well…I believe we could stay a little when we return. But please do not trouble yourself, ma’am.”
“No trouble at all, Mr. Bingley; we look forward to seeing you for more than a few minutes. Besides, you owe us this visit since you cancelled the last one.”
“Yes, well…I mean…we will return in the afternoon,” Mr. Bingley promised as he had no other choice. Elizabeth and Jane were crimson with embarrassment, but fortunately, Mr. Bennet put an end to their disquiet, announcing they were ready to leave.
When the ladies were alone, Mrs. Bennet declared herself satisfied by the unfolding of events and called for Hill, inquiring whether preparations in the kitchen were unfolding according to plan.
Elizabeth and Jane retired to a corner of the drawing room. As Lydia and Kitty began to argue over a subject known only to them, Jane confessed to her sister how nervous she was about the visit.
“Oh, Lizzy, I am so worried that dear Mama, from her wish of having things sorted as she likes, will do or say something to upset Mr. Bingley.”
“We shall be careful to avoid such a thing, dear Jane. Besides, Mr. Bingley seems to accept anything as long as he can be with you.”
Jane smiled nervously. “He is so amiable each time I see him. And so handsome—is he not, Lizzy?”
“Yes, very amiable and very handsome. I allow you to like him very much as it is obvious that Mr. Bingley likes you exceedingly, and you have much in common.” Elizabeth laughed at her sister’s abashment.
“I do believe that I like him very much,” Jane admitted at last.
“Really? Oh, I would not have guessed that,” Elizabeth teased her sister, whose happiness glowed on her face.
“I only wish that you would find someone for your heart, Lizzy—someone as excellent as Mr. Bingley.”
Elizabeth smiled as she took Jane’s hand in hers. “First, we have to see you happy! I shall make myself content with that.”
The rest of the day was spent pleasantly: Mary played the piano without being disturbed by anyone, Mrs. Bennet rested in her bedchamber, and Lydia and Kitty were engaged in a conversation about the officers and Mr. Denny in particular.
“Lizzy, when do you think Denny will call?” Lydia asked.
“How could I know that? But, my dear, please keep in mind that he might have urgent business, and he might not come at all. I would not want you to be disappointed.”
“Oh, but he promised to come, Lizzy! He did, and I do believe he will keep his word.”
“We shall see, Lydia”
To the ladies’ surprise and Mrs. Bennet’s despair, Mr. Bennet returned home alone in the afternoon and declared that it had been a most excellent excursion; both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy proved worthy company, and he admitted that he would repeat such an experience any time.
“I could not care less about your ramble, Mr. Bennet! How is it you are alone? Where is Mr. Bingley?” Mrs. Bennet cried.
“Well, my dear, both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy declared that their appearance after a day in such heat was improper for meeting the ladies. Therefore—and prepare yourself to be amazed and to admit my superior judgment—I took the liberty of inviting them to dinner tonight. They both accepted, although of Mr. Hurst I cannot be sure. I am afraid the event was a little too much for him. I also invited Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, but Mr. Bingley said the ladies might already have plans—”
“Oh, my dear Mr. Bennet—this is amazing!” As he spoke, Mrs. Bennet’s face had b
ecome increasingly red, and the excitement almost took her breath away. “You are such a wonderful father and husband! And so clever! This is beyond wonderful! Oh—I have to talk to Cook again! I have so many things to do and so little time! Oh, my nerves! Jane—go upstairs and prepare yourself! Lizzy—come and help me decide what to serve!”
The din grew until it became insupportable. Mr. Bennet went to change then declared he could be found in the library until dinner, allowing his daughters to struggle with the news and Mrs. Bennet.
A couple of hours later, Elizabeth finally retired to her room and began considering what she should wear. Jane was ready, her appearance perfect as always, waiting impatiently in the drawing room.
Alone in her chamber, Elizabeth felt nervous and impatient, torn between being pleased and worried at seeing Mr. Darcy again for a longer period of time.
She tried several gowns but she liked none, so she sat in front of the mirror, defeated. She knew she was being childish, and she was upset with herself for such behaviour. After all, it was nothing more than a dinner with guests, one of many she had had countless times before. How can the selection of a gown suddenly be so difficult?
At last, she decided on her white muslin —the one she had worn at Lady Catherine’s assembly. The memory of it was not pleasant, but that was not the fault of the gown. It had been an unfortunate series of circumstances that had reflected on Mr. Darcy. The more she thought of it, the more it made sense to wear it. It was a simple gown that was not meant to create an impression on anyone. Mr. Darcy would likely not even remember it. Nobody would.
After she dressed, she began to arrange her hair, trying several schemes until she returned to her usual evening fashion. Why do I do this? Why do I feel the need to make myself other than I usually am? Once these thoughts were settled in her head, and with a last glance in the mirror, Elizabeth was satisfied and left in a hurry before a second thought could change her mind.
Downstairs, the family was gathered and still engaged in conversation about the hunting party.
“I must say, Jane—Mr. Bingley is as pleasant as I expected him to be. Upon my word, with this gentleman, what you see is what you get, and that is not bad at all. Now, Mr. Darcy, on the other hand, is an entirely different matter.”
Meant to Be: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 17
