And Who Can Be In Doubt Of What Followed

by Alexa Adams

  “I must give her credit. A woman with less countenance could not hide her mortification so well, though her recent acquaintance with Sir Ludlow seems to be acting as a balm.”

  “You think Miss Bingley has strong countenance? Should I be jealous?”

  Darcy laughed, “No, but if you could cultivate her ability to find glory in everything I do, I would not complain. Instead, you only perceive my faults.”

  “I am blind to your faults, Fitzwilliam Darcy. The only folly I ever perceived in you was of my own fabrication. It never existed.”

  “Oh yes indeed it did, my dear, and I trust you to keep me in check from now on.”

  “Soon we shall support each other, be it in improvement or folly, till death do we part.”

  “Just one week more.”

  “It feels an eternity.”

  “It will all be a memory sooner than we realize.”

  **********

  The next several days found Longbourn in even greater chaos than usual, as Mrs. Bennet strove indomitably forward towards her goal: nothing less than the most memorable wedding Meryton had witnessed in generations. Mrs. Phillips became a daily visitor, her sister claiming her presence invaluable as the only one who understood the state of her nerves, Mrs. Gardiner proving almost as unsympathetic as Mr. Bennet to their demands. Miss Darcy was finally brought to admit to her brother that life at Longbourn was not perfectly felicitous. She could not bear witness to Mrs. Bennet's spasms, which at first appeared debilitating, followed by a frenzy of activity only the stoutest individual could sustain, without realizing to her sorrow the lady’s ridiculousness, but Mrs. Philips's vulgarity was a far greater tax on her forbearance. However, when Mr. Darcy asked if she might be more comfortable at Netherfield, Georgiana stoutly refused any change in her abode. Mrs. Bennet might not be quite what she hoped, but she had been kind and loving to her, and she would not repay such hospitality by abandoning her now.

  “Besides, Kitty and I are supervising several preparations. Mrs. Bennet would be beside herself were I to relinquish my responsibilities.”

  “You could visit every morning from Netherfield.”

  “But that is when Mrs. Phillips visits, so I should not be spared the real evil of the situation. She stares at me so, questioning Mrs. Bennet all the while about our family, as if I were not even in the room! It's nearly intolerable. No, the evenings are by far the most pleasant time at Longbourn. Kitty and I were up so very late last night, engaged in the most amusing conversation, I am surprised I could open my eyes this morning, but I feel perfectly refreshed.”

  “I am glad you enjoy Miss Catherine's company. Of what did you speak?”

  Georgiana looked askance, “Nothing I shall share with you, Brother.”

  He laughed, “And I shan't attempt to force your confidence, no matter how my curiosity is piqued. I am glad to know you have made a friend. Do you spend much time in Miss Mary's company.”

  She nodded. “We have been practicing together a great deal, and I hope I many not be accused of arrogance if I say it has resulted in some improvement in her performance. Mr. Bennet even said so. But she is not like Kitty, who is so very unreserved. I do not mean that negatively, only that she speaks so honestly and without disguise. I feel as if I could tell her anything, even about Mr. Wickham.”

  “Have you?”

  “No. It would not be right to say such things of her sister's husband, but I do hope she does not spend much time with them in the future. Kitty tells me Mrs. Wickham was always pushing her to venture into schemes with which she was uncomfortable. Such companionship cannot be good for her.”

  “I think you have little to fear. But for when the Wickhams travel here, an expense that they are unlikely to be able to often afford, Miss Catherine will not be seeing her sister. Mr. Bennet sees the situation much as you do.”

  “I am very glad to hear it.”

  “I think we had better invite Miss Catherine to join us at Pemberley, as her companionship is so very agreeable to you. What do you think of the notion?”

  Georgiana's face lit up. “Oh yes! That would be delightful, as long as Mary doesn't feel slighted.”

  “I have already discussed it with Elizabeth, and she assures me that Miss Mary's sense of duty would not allow her to abandon her parents. We will have her to Pemberley another time.”

  Georgiana's obvious pleasure warmed Mr. Darcy's heart. They were comfortably ensconced in Mr. Bennet's library, the only room in the house where any privacy was at present to be had, while their host was about his business on the estate. When Elizabeth knocked on the door to join them, his happiness was complete.

  “I am not intruding?”

  “Not at all.” Georgiana rose and hugged her. “Fitzwilliam just told me about inviting Kitty to Pemberley. I am thoroughly pleased with the idea. Does she know yet? May I tell her?”

  Elizabeth laughed, “Of course! We thought it best not to say anything until you approved. She is in the store rooms, overseeing the inventory.”

  Elizabeth watched Georgiana depart before commenting, “She seems much happier. Was it a difficult conversation to have?”

  “No. She was honest about her discomfort, but has not the least intention of decamping.”

  “I wish I could better shield her from the frequent notice of my aunt. You I can keep to myself, and to those of the family with whom you might converse without mortification. Georgiana, here in the heart of bedlam, is harder to shelter.”

  “A few more days will bring an amendment to the situation.”

  “So they will.”

  Elizabeth and Darcy drank in the silence, enjoying this rare moment alone, until the loud chatter of young ladies shattered their momentary peace. “It seems Georgiana found Kitty.”

  “And that her news was taken well. I hope you do not regret your generosity to my sister. Her presence will certainly enliven Pemberley.”

  “I am looking forward to it. She will keep Georgiana entertained while I engage in more important business.”

  Elizabeth blushed, but any uncomfortable feelings arising from his look only added to her hope for the future. She looked forward with delight to the time when they should be removed from society so little pleasing to either, to all the comfort and elegance of their family party at Pemberley.

  **********

  “Lizzy? May I come in?” asked Jane, with a perfunctory knock at her bedroom door.

  “Of course! I was just organizing my correspondence. Will you help me decide what to keep and what to burn? It is so hard to know what will have meaning and permanence in this new life, and what should be banished to the past.”

  “I know what you mean, though it is easier for me. There are several items of childhood memorabilia I am leaving behind for now, knowing I can easily transfer them to Netherfield later.”

  “Here are your letters from London. Shall I relegate those to the fire?”

  “Most certainly. It will not do to remember such times.” She sat beside Elizabeth on the bed and glanced over the sad lines written in such misery, though she had struggled to hide it, when all hope of Mr. Bingley seemed lost. Acting upon her own advice, she cast them into the hearth. “I found the book of pressed flowers I made when Lydia was born, as well as the collection of riddles we never finished. Remember what a nuisance we made of ourselves, quizzing all the neighborhood for submissions?”

  Elizabeth laughed, “Was that not intended as a wedding present for Aunt Gardiner? It was so very long ago, I can hardly believe it is now our time. I hope the absence of two pushy children doesn’t bode ill for our future contentment.”

  “Are you nervous?”

  “Yes, but it is a happy feeling. In many ways I am sorry to leave Longbourn, but as I have every reason to believe that the future holds far more pleasures for me than I have ever been accustomed to, it is easy to overcome such regrets.”

  “I will miss you terribly.”

  “Oh Jane! As will I! When I think of you, Derbyshire se
ems farther away than ever before.” The sisters embraced, trying beyond possibility to convey all their many hopes and fears for the future through loving arms. They were interrupted by Mrs. Bennet, who insisted they get to bed in order to be in their best looks on the morrow.

  “We will write so often and at such length that our husbands might very well fear for their purses,” laughed Elizabeth as she pulled away from her dearest sister.

  “What nonsense, Lizzy! Mr. Darcy has ten thousand pounds! You may write as often as you wish.”

  **********

  The wedding day dawned cold but fair. While Mrs. Bennet attended to last minute details, Mrs. Gardiner assisted Jane and Elizabeth to dress. Both wore elegant white muslins: Jane's whiteworked and Elizabeth's embroidered with primroses. Mrs. Gardiner smiled approvingly at both ladies as they happily adjusted each other's gowns, relishing the knowledge of what delights lay in store for her favorite nieces, so blessed as to be marrying honorable men whom they loved. Their beaming faces assured her of their felicity, and she said a silent prayer of thanks that circumstances had worked out as they did.

  At Netherfield, the gentlemen gathered in the hall as they waited for the ladies to appear. Colonel Fitzwilliam had arrived the evening before, and Miss Bingley immediately made him the recipient of her attentions. Such determination requiring of her a much longer time than usual to be expended on her dress, Mr. Darcy was left to pace the floor impatiently, while Mr. Bingley stared at the stairwell, his pallor tinged green, all to the Colonel's great amusement. When Caroline and Louisa finally began to descend, both grooms were out the door and in the waiting carriage before they reached the bottom step. At one time, such a slight would have raised Miss Bingley's ire, but as the Colonel graciously took her arm and escorted her to the door, she overlooked the slight.

  Friends and family assembled at the church to see the double wedding, all of whom proclaimed the brides beautiful, the grooms beaming, and the recitation superb. Mr. Bennet was particularly affecting as he proudly gave away his eldest daughters. Those in attendance who knew his disappointment over Lydia's marriage had some notion of how deeply he appreciated the characters of his new sons. He kissed Jane before placing her hand in Mr. Bingley's and then performed the same office for Elizabeth, whispering, “You will always by my little Lizzy,” before taking his seat. Those invited to partake of the wedding breakfast had the satisfaction of being able to declare it the most complete of its kind. If Mr. Hurst found fault with the preparation of the ham, no one paid him any heed, least of all his hostess.

  Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters. With what delighted pride she afterwards visited Mrs. Bingley, and talked of Mrs. Darcy, may be guessed. I wish I could say, for the sake of her family, that the accomplishment of her earnest desire in the establishment of so many of her children produced so happy an effect as to make her a sensible, amiable, well-informed woman for the rest of her life; though perhaps it was lucky for her husband, who might not have relished domestic felicity in so unusual a form, that she still was occasionally nervous and invariably silly.

  Very different sensations belonged to Lady Catherine when she read the wedding announcement in the paper. Fortunately, by that time Elizabeth and Darcy were well on their way to Pemberley, and Lady Catherine was the farthest person from their minds.