by Anne Louise
“I suspect they are very close. Mama, I hope you like both men.”
“Oh, yes, Lizzy, they are both fine gentlemen. It is no secret that your father likes both men and is excited that Mr. Bingley will soon be our neighbor.”
“Mama, let us sit on a nearby bench and I will tell you how Mr. Darcy and I met.”
The two women found a bench and Elizabeth told of her stay at Pemberley, but left unsaid those parts that might disturb her.
“Well, Lizzy, perhaps one day you might wish to write a book about your Mr. Darcy? Does any of this seem like a dream?”
“Mama, it is a dream in that suddenly Mr. Darcy is in my life, and I cannot stop thinking about him. Every now and then I have to wonder if he knew what I was thinking at any given moment.”
“Most people have those thoughts at times. Now Lizzy, Kitty showed me her clippings of stories about Mr Darcy. I saw the way he looked at you and I believe it is you that he wants. Just relax, Lizzy, for what will be, will be.”
Her talk with her mother freed up her heart. Before their talk she always feared that her mother would ruin her chances with Mr. Darcy, but now she did not worry. She was happy again, and could think about Mr. Darcy and dream of him without the fear that her mother would interfere.
Days later, back in town, Jane saw Mrs. Gardiner alone one morning. “Aunt, there is something that I would like to speak with you about. From Lizzy’s last letter, neither Mr. Darcy nor Mr. Bingley have spoken about mother’s obsession to find us husbands as soon as can be. What do you suppose has happened?”
“Jane, another letter also has arrived for you from Lizzy. Why not go and read it and we can talk later? It is time for me to check on the children.”
It did not take long into the letter for Jane to have the answer to her question. Their mother would not interfere in her two daughters love interests. Later, when Jane told of her news, she and her aunt celebrated. For Jane, being the eldest by nearly two years, she and Elizabeth could feel as if the shackles had come off and both could suddenly feel free to make their own decision of who to marry.
After several more days passed, Bingley and Darcy met to go over last minute estate business and the return to Netherfield. With everything done but the moving, Bingley prepared for an early start. He would bring a ladies maid and another servant to stay to help him. They would return in a fortnight or later. He also would be riding with Miss Bennet and would deliver her to Longbourn before meeting the agent at Netherfield to be given the keys to the house. The plan also had Darcy and Georgiana leaving an hour later, and the following day, Darcy’s valet and Georgiana’s lady’s maid would arrive.
****
Elizabeth was the first to see Bingley’s coach arrive and ran out to hug her sister and greet the others. Her sisters soon followed and next her father, but her mother was in Meryton. After speaking briefly with them, and after the servants had offloaded Jane’s things, Bingley gave the order and the coach pulled away as the others went inside.
Jane was surrounded by her sisters as one by one she was inundated with questions about her visit. Occasionally she and Elizabeth locked eyes as if to agree that she needed some private time. What they had thought to say was now said by their father.
“Now girls, Jane needs some private time after her travels and needs to refresh. Jane, you might want to continue with your talks later, perhaps after your mother returns from visiting your aunt.”
Jane then excused herself and went to her room, and shortly thereafter Elizabeth knocked on the door.
“Come in, Lizzy, It is good to be home. The ride is not that far, but Mr. Bingley was in a hurry to meet the agent at Netherfield.”
“Now Jane, I see that you and your friend are still smiling. If you are not too tired, please tell me briefly about the visit and the Gardiners and the Darcys?”
“Everything went well, Lizzy. The Gardiners were kind and gracious and the children were well and very loving, as usual. I visited some with Miss Darcy and her brother but saw Mr. Bingley the most. He came to visit me often and sometimes he and Georgiana and the children and I would visit the park nearby. One day Mr. Darcy met us there as he had concluded some business nearby and knew we might be visiting the park.”
“How did he look, Jane?”
“Mr. Darcy was riding Sampson, his beautiful, back stallion that you told me about. Have you missed him much?”
“I have missed him very much, Jane, just like you missed Mr. Bingley after he left town and came to see Netherfield. It is likely a good sign for both of us going forward with these two men. Now that you know him better, what are your thoughts?”
“Lizzy, I have never met a man who I was so certain I could love. He treats me as someone special and always smiles and is happy to see me and makes over me. The children adore both men, but seem to prefer Miss Darcy, probably because she is much younger. Both men are good around children. Lizzy, he believes that Darcy is in love with you and he asked if I would allow him to court me.”
“That is wonderful news, Jane.”
“But Lizzy, enough about Mr. Bingley, I wish to persuade you to go with me to Netherfield later today to see the place. I want to give it a couple of hours as Mr. Darcy left with Georgiana after Mr. Bingley, and I do not wish to arrive until he and Georgiana are there. It must have been difficult not seeing Mr. Darcy these past weeks, was it not?”
“Jane, I will be happy to accompany you to see our friends. I thought of him often, and his sister too, and it seemed like months instead of days since he returned to town. Did you receive my last letter?”
“I did receive it. Your letter told how mother is no longer obsessed with finding us husbands.”
“Good, then I have a suggestion. Find a private time to talk with mama and thank her for looking out for us all these years. Jane, she and papa like both of these men and mama has told me she believes you have feelings for Mr. Bingley. She also believes I am in love with Mr. Darcy.”
“Are you in love with him? Do not reply as I will have my answer to that question later today, but Georgiana told me she overheard Mr. Darcy speaking your name as he napped in his study.”
“Jane, I believe mama and papa want us to marry and they both see this as a good chance for them to come together again. She told me how she still loves him and I know he loves her, so we must do our part to make them closer. He has complimented her on her change in countenance and they are talking more to each other. Papa also treats her more kindly now that she is not so foolish, and she now visits him in the library. Will you help me help bring them closer together?”
“Thank you, Lizzy, for telling me these things. I will speak with her.”
****
By the time Bingley’s coach had arrived, Netherfield was busy with servants who had returned to the great house and who would sign on again, but there were also others there who looked to gain employment and Darcy would soon be there to help his friend conduct interviews.
The lease stipulated the furniture would remain and that the agent would staff the house with the same servants, if possible, and for the most part, this looked to have been done. Certainly, Netherfield was ready for Mr. Bingley to move into.
Bingley saw that all was working well and most of the former servants had returned to Netherfield. He met the housekeeper, the cook and the butler and welcomed them for joining him. They immediately made him comfortable and assuaged any concerns he had that the property might not be ready for his guests. Already servants were scurrying about bringing in food and other supplies.
He knew all was well when he watched Darcy’s coach turn onto the drive. Darcy and Georgiana arrived at Netherfield less than an hour after him. Next he came outside to greet his friends as servants took their things and brought them to their rooms.
“Welcome, friends, I am glad you have safely arrived. You might wish to refresh from your journey. Mrs. Crawford is the housekeeper and she will show you to your rooms. We will have a light lunch later.”
Darcy and Georgiana wasted little time in returning downstairs. “Bingley, the place looks good. The servants must have been working long before today.”
“My understanding is they have worked hard for several days to clean the house and the gardens as well. The front entrance looks much improved from what we last saw and the repairs and improvements we requested have been completed.”
“How was Miss Bennet? Was she happy to be home?”
“Yes, Darcy, and Elizabeth was the first to greet us as the coach arrived. Jane said she would ask Elizabeth to come with her to visit later today, so you will see the sisters soon.”
As the two friends continued to talk, Georgiana returned to her room to take a nap. Later, Darcy spotted Elizabeth and her sister in the distance and he and Bingley hurried outside to greet them as the sisters dropped curtseys and the men bowed.
“Miss Elizabeth, it has been too long since we last were together. I hope you are happy that Mr. Bingley has brought Miss Bennet home to you?”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy, I am happy for that and for you and Georgiana’s safe arrival. Is Georgiana inside.”
“Just at that moment, Georgiana came outside and greeted her friends and Bingley next said that lunch was being served, so they came inside.”
“This is so different from what I remember, Mr. Bingley. I believe it has been over seven years since I was inside, but the place looks very clean and much of the furniture is new compared to what I remember. Lizzy, does it look differently to you?”
“Yes, Jane, much of this furniture is new.”
Though the sisters sat down for a light lunch, they only ate a little as they had previously had lunch at home.
“Mrs. Crawford told me the cook is very good, and I believe her. What do you all think?”
“This is very good, Mr. Bingley. Perhaps you and my brother will add a few pounds,” replied Georgiana.
“I hope not, Georgiana, Mr. Darcy is the perfect weight for his size.”
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth, I try to eat in moderation.”
After speaking of the health of the rest of the Bennet family, Bingley asked the housekeeper to later give the guests a tour of the place. Elizabeth next spotted Darcy alone and he was outside. After winking at Georgiana, she went outside to speak with him.
“Mr. Darcy, I saw you from inside the house. You look well today. I see your friend is happy and so is Georgiana.”
Elizabeth backed closer to the wall as Darcy pressed nearer to her. “I have missed you very much, my friend and I need to hold you close.”
“But we may be seen.”
“No, we cannot be seen from the house where we are at present, and the trees protect us from others.”
He watched the brightness in her eyes and saw her smile as he gently pulled her to him in an embrace and moments later he kissed her. To his surprise, she was just as interested in his kiss as she returned his kiss and drew him closer to her. Moments later he pulled away as she once again giggled and they took a few minutes to settle themselves.
“That is what I have mostly missed since you returned to town. Time just creeped by and it seemed as if you would never return. Now I will tell you that my sister, Mary, and Mr. Harrison are courting. Will you soon ask my father for the same approval?”
“I will soon ask him, but you do know what this means, do you not?”
“Yes, It means that we find each other interesting enough that we are thinking about the possibility of marriage, but we wish to wait for some period of time to judge if that is true.”
“I will accept that answer, Miss Bennet, and will also wait a few days to ask your father.”
Again Elizabeth giggled and told him that Bingley might also ask her father if he and Jane could also enter into a courtship.
“Miss Bennet, do you believe that your middle sister will marry soon?”
“That news may not be far away. Mary has told me that her friend wants to ask for father’s approval of an engagement by the time of the Meryton Assembly. That dance will be in a week. I hope to see you there.”
“Yes, I will not miss it. Does Mr. Bingley know of the dance?”
“He does know, for Jane said she told him of the dance during their ride back from town.”
The sisters stayed but a few hours before returning to Longbourn, after declining an offer from the gentlemen to return with them by coach.
It was after dinner when Jane had a heart-to-heart talk with her mother, and after that Mrs. Bennet went to speak with Mr. Bennet.
“Thomas, you look happy now that our girls are back?”
“I am happy, Fanny. They bring joy to this house and I assume they and the two gentlemen will attend the assembly along with Mary?”
“Mr. Harrison will accompany Mary. That is what I want to speak about with you. Mary and her friend want to be engaged before the assembly and married before the New Year.”
“Is there any concern?”
“No, I am not worried. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are waiting to ask you to approve their own courtships with Lizzy and Jane. I do hope you will not disappoint them.”
“Not to worry, my pretty wife. I shall welcome them into my library and approve their courtship and later, when they want me to bless their engagement, I will gladly do so.”
“And will you approve of Mary’s engagement with Mr. Harrison?”
“Yes, that is my plan. I did have a long talk with Mary about many things and she said she would speak with you as well. Unless the man somehow proves to be different from how he portrays himself, I will bless their engagement.”
Thomas Bennet looked up and saw that his wife had stood the whole of the time and now she had tears running down her cheeks. “Please sit Fanny, I must improve my manners. Here is a glass of my best port, but first let me dry your face. Good, let us lift our glasses to our daughters. It will be easier with the last two, Fanny. For too long I have put all this work on you, and things will start to change. Like you, I too want all our daughters to be married well.”
“I have tried hard to support them.”
“Of that, there is little doubt, and our daughters have noticed. So here is my toast to you, Fanny. May you and I be good friends again. You still look as pretty as when I met you. No wonder these handsome gentleman are shaking the walls at Longbourn to find their wives. I have had things too easy these many years. You see, I know where the mother of our pretty daughters lives and of your own goodness. It is not too late for us, Fanny. Soon there will be the sound of grandchildren running in the house.”
After the toast they shared a kiss. It was their first kiss on the lips in a long time, but it was a good start.
The days at Longbourn went by fast and soon it was the night of the dance and Jane and Elizabeth dressed. Mr. Bennet allowed Mary to attend and Kitty helped her get ready, but Lydia put up a fit. Her father had her come to his library where he explained that she was too young and if she said anything more on it, he would remove her allowance for the next month and perhaps longer if she persisted. Georgiana stayed with Kitty and Lydia that night and soon the there young women were talking about many things and enjoying their time together.
There was little angst after that as Mr. Bennet and his wife and their three oldest daughters attended the dance. Until the dance, not many of those present had met Mr. Bingley or his guests, and so there were many eyes directed at them. Immediately both men set out to greet the Bennets, but next they circulated well and met many of those present. Darcy and his friend were nearly worn out from dancing and talking with the other men and women in attendance. Also, their necks were sore from following the sisters around, for Jane and Elizabeth had never been more beautiful nor happier.
The next day Mrs. Philips was the first to tell her sister that she overheard so many speak of how handsome her girls were and speak of the rich and handsome and friendly men who paid special attention to her girls.
A week later Mr. Bennet approved the engagement of Mary and Mr.
Harrison. Two days later, first Mr. Darcy and next Mr. Bingley asked for Mr. Bennet’s approval for courting Elizabeth and Jane, and he agreed. After that, Mrs. Bennet and Jane and Elizabeth helped plan Mary’s wedding, and set the date for the Saturday after Christmas.
****
As the days grew shorter they also went by quicker. Though the wedding planning was completed earlier, the Bennets prepared for Christmas. Darcy and Georgiana returned to town with Elizabeth and Jane, where the sisters and Georgiana did some Christmas shopping. Bingley arrived two days later and saw the invitation that Darcy’s aunt had left for him to join her and her husband for dinner and later at the Christmas ball. He was excited that he would soon see Miss Bennet again.
Dinner had just been called when Darcy’s cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, arrived with Mr. Bingley. The two were seated right away after Colonel Fitzwilliam was introduced to Elizabeth and Jane as Darcy’s cousin.
The colonel’s father next asked his son why he was late.
“Father, I stopped at Darcy’s thinking the dinner was much later and Mr. Bingley’s coach pulled up. There had been an invitation for him as well and he will be ready for the ball. Am I also invited?”
“Yes, of course, you are on the list,” replied his mother.
“But I do not have a lady to join me. Tell me, Darcy, do the Miss Bennets have any other sisters?”
“We have younger sisters,”replied Elizabeth, but there is friend of mine that you might like to meet when you come to Netherfield for Christmas.”
“I hope you find him a good woman. As you can see, he needs some discipline.”
Darcy’s cousin grinned as the women chuckled.
The dinner was a formal affair and was enjoyed by all. Darcy’s relations enjoyed meeting the sisters and, except for Georgiana, the others attended the ball that evening. Darcy would return for Georgiana after the ball.
A few days later a story appeared in The Times about Darcy and his friends and the two beautiful sisters in attendance that evening. Darcy saw the article but said nothing, but back at Longbourn, Kitty saved the story for a future read.
