Where The Heart Belongs

by Tilly Davis

  An Unexpected Meeting

  ‘Elizabeth,’ Jane called to her sister, who was making the beds in their bedroom one morning later the next week, ‘will you accompany me into Meryton, I have several letters to post. The walk would do you good, you’ve been so thoughtful these past few days, a little air will clear your head.’

  ‘Yes, do accompany your sister, Elizabeth,’ Mrs. Bennet called up the stairs too.

  ‘I should like everyone to accompany their sister and daughter if it will allow for some peace,’ Mr. Bennet called from his study.

  Elizabeth agreed to the walk, and she and her sister set off for Meryton. It was a cold winter’s day, the month of December now having well and truly arrived, and there was a light dusting of snow covering the countryside around Longbourn, making for a most attractive scene indeed.

  ‘Isn’t Longbourn beautiful in the snow?’ Jane said, looking back at the house.

  ‘Most beautiful,’ Elizabeth said, ‘such happy memories of our time there, but soon all to come to an end.’

  ‘My dear sister, do not speak like that,’ Jane said, ‘you have only to say the word and your fate can change.’

  ‘But I know my fate now, Jane, my duty is to go to Kent. And what of you, have you not seen Mr. Bingley this past week?’

  ‘Only by correspondence,’ she said, ‘he wrote to say how much he enjoyed our company at Netherfield and that he hopes we shall see one another very soon.’

  ‘Dear sister,’ Elizabeth said, ‘you must make yourself more readily available to him, he will lose interest, and then mother will have no second wedding to plan.’

  Her sister laughed as they continued their walk along the lane towards Meryton, passing the lodge where Charlotte Lucas resided with her parents.

  ‘And what of Charlotte, was she terribly jealous when you revealed your betrothal?’ Jane asked.

  ‘She was sceptical,’ Elizabeth replied.

  ‘As we all were, except for mother of course, one could marry a tinker and she would be pleased so long as she could wear a new bonnet.’

  At this moment two figures came into view across the field which separates Meryton Lodge from the first houses of the town, it being more of a village though with a weekly market and charter, granted it was founded hundred years before.

  The church clock was just chiming eleven o’clock, and Jane grabbed her sister’s arm as she recognised who it was that was approaching.

  ‘Elizabeth, it is Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, see, they are coming straight towards us.’ The two gentlemen, who had been in Meryton themselves on postal business, had also recognised the two figures across the field, and quickening their pace they made to meet them.

  ‘Hello there,’ Mr. Bingley called, as he and Mr. Darcy approached, ‘what happy coincidence is this that we should meet upon the road, a hundred yards further and we should have been on the footpath to Netherfield and missed you.’

  ‘A happy coincidence indeed,’ Jane said, ‘you are both well, I trust?’

  ‘We couldn’t be better, and all the more so for meeting you both here, and, Elizabeth, you are well too? It is a fine morning for a walk, make no mistake,’ Mr. Bingley continued.

  ‘I am well, sir, thank you,’ Elizabeth replied, giving a sideways glance to Mr. Darcy, who smiled at her in return.

  ‘You walk to Meryton to catch the post perhaps?’

  ‘We do indeed,’ she replied, embarrassed to make eye contact.

  ‘Well, we shall hope to see you in a more formal setting very soon, I trust Mr. Collins got away without difficulty on Saturday morning?’ Mr. Bingley asked.

  ‘Only after quite an excitement,’ Jane began, ‘you will soon hear the news that …’

  ‘The news that he had to return quickly to Rosings Park at the request of your aunt, Mr. Darcy,’ Elizabeth quickly interjected, shooting her sister a glare.

  ‘I doubt my aunt would be that keen upon his return to send for him after just a week,’ Mr. Darcy said, smiling a little, ‘but then as we have discovered life in the countryside can at times be rather dull, perhaps he provides my aunt with necessary distraction.’

  ‘Well, now that your illustrious visitor has left, we shall look forward to seeing more of you at Netherfield, and in the district,’ Mr. Bingley said, smiling at Jane, as the two men doffed their hats to the ladies, who gave a short curtsey, impeded somewhat by their travelling cloaks, a necessary addition owing to the cold.

  ‘Why did you stop me informing Mr. Darcy of your engagement to Mr. Collins?’ Jane asked, as the two gentlemen moved out of earshot.

  ‘I simply see no need for the fact to be widely known until after the announcements are made officially,’ Elizabeth said, ‘besides, it would not do to inform Mr. Darcy in such a way as that, he has been most awfully attentive to me these past times of our meeting and I would not wish to cause him any upset or ill will towards us.’

  ‘You believe that he would have asked for your hand?’ Jane said.

  ‘I do not know, but I would also not wish to jeopardise your own relationship with Mr. Bingley, should his friend take ill against me,’ Elizabeth continued, as the sisters arrived in Meryton and made for the postal offices.

  On their return walk they met Lydia and Kitty coming from Longbourn, offering the usual story of visiting their aunt, their real motivation of course being the officers who remained billeted in the town and, it was said, would remain there for some months to come. Mr. Wickham was foremost amongst them, the object of today’s visit being a meeting with him, and several of the others.

  But Mrs. Bennet was now so preoccupied with the prospect of her daughter’s forthcoming marriage that she was giving little thought to the fortunes of her other daughters, Jane excepted, of course, assuming that their time would come when conditions were right.

  As Jane and her sister arrived back at Longbourn they found the house at peace, Mr. Bennet in his study, and his wife lain out in the drawing room, the effects of the previous week’s exertions still taking their toll, Mary sitting quietly in the corner about her needle work.

  Longbourn then was a scene of tranquillity, resting after the whirling presence of Mr. Collins, who had brought both fear and hope in equal measure. Until her departure for Kent in a few months’ time, Elizabeth had resolved to enjoy her family home as she had always done. The love and affection of her sisters and parents overcoming any thoughts of fear and trepidation she now experienced, as she looked towards the day when she would become Mrs. William Collins of Hunsford Rectory, Kent.

  Part II

  Marriage And Tragedy

  1

  A Terrible Discovery

  ‘Pass it here, Bingley,’ Mr. Darcy said, savagely snatching the paper out of his friend’s hands.

  ‘It’s all there, in black and white,’ Caroline Bingley said, not failing to disguise the smile playing across her face.

  ‘But there was no indication that she was to be married, when we saw her and her sister just the other day, they made no mention of such a fact,’ Mr. Darcy cried.

  ‘The engagement is announced between The Reverend Mr. William Collins MA (Cantab), Rector of the parish of Hunsford, in the county of Kent and Miss Elizabeth Bennet, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Bennet of Longbourn, Meryton, in the county of Hertfordshire, details to be announced etc.’ Caroline Bingley read out loud from her own copy of the paper.

  ‘But that Collins is nothing but an odious buffoon,’ Mr. Darcy said, throwing down the paper on the table, and slamming his fist onto the arm of his chair.

  ‘It does seem most odd that nothing was mentioned of it when we met them the other day, I felt in her most recent correspondence that Jane was holding something back,’ Mr. Bingley said, ‘why would Elizabeth marry such a man?’

  ‘Because he is of her class, Charles,’ Caroline Bingley said, pointedly, ‘their time here a mere flight of fancy, could you imagine a girl like Elizabeth Bennet even setting foot in Pemberley, the whole family have been raised without any s
ense of true decorum.’

  ‘Enough now, Caroline, you have no right to sit in judgement over our friends,’ Mr. Bingley said.

  ‘If they are such friends then why has Elizabeth courted Fitzwilliam so readily, and her sister conspired also to attract your attentions, dear brother, whilst also undergoing such deception?’ Caroline asked.

  ‘If she had chosen this match then she has made her choice, I have no doubt that she has freely given assent to the match, her father is not the sort who would force a girl to a decision she did not wish to make,’ Mr. Darcy said, his initial anger having changed to something resembling sadness. For he had truly fallen for Elizabeth, though like his friend Mr. Bingley, he had found such sentiments hard to express, his wealth often disguising the fact that when it came to the fairer sex he could find himself lacking.

  ‘My advice is to leave the Bennets well alone,’ Caroline Bingley said, ‘nothing but trouble can come from associating with such a class, you have both learnt that to your cost today,’ and with her characteristic lack of compassion she went back to reading the engagements column of the newspaper.

  Leaving the Bennets well alone was indeed what Mr. Darcy had decided to do, his anger at having discovered Elizabeth’s engagement now, in the days that followed the revelation, turned to sadness.

  Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy was wealthy, one of the wealthiest men in England, but it is a truth to say that riches do not bring happiness, just as the life of a pauper does not necessarily bring with it sadness.

  Mr. Darcy had grown considerably attached to Elizabeth Bennet, even though he had found such sentiments hard to express. At first, he cursed himself for having not been bolder in his courtship of her, but perhaps such things would not have mattered, it seemed evident that the match between Mr. Collins and Elizabeth was one suited to their class. A match between Mr. Darcy and she would have entailed far greater upheaval on both their parts, not to mention the gossiping tongues, led, no doubt, by Miss Caroline Bingley who delighted in Mr. Darcy’s misfortune since it would so evidently be to her own advantage.

  On his part Mr. Charles Bingley could not rid himself of his sister’s words as to the actions of the Bennet sisters, why had Jane kept this union a secret, and why had she herself been so lacking in responding to his evident show of affection?

  It would seem now that both men sought to distance themselves from the Bennet family, and each now became restless at Netherfield, leading Charles to the opinion that they should return to London, or to Pemberley, at once, the attractions of Meryton holding little sway upon them now.

  ‘Netherfield is let?’ Mr. Bennet said, ‘but I thought Mr. Bingley was to remain there for the season.’

  ‘Well, he didn’t say which season, father,’ Mary said, as Mrs. Bennet read the announcement in the Meryton Times.

  ‘The house and parkland at Netherfield are to be let, its current occupants departing for London,’ Mrs. Bennet concluded, ‘it would seem then that our friends wish to depart from us.’

  ‘They are hardly friends anymore,’ Jane said, dejectedly, ‘I have heard nothing from Mr. Bingley, no response to my letter.’

  ‘I fear that is my doing,’ Elizabeth said.

  ‘Your doing?’ Mrs. Bennet said, ‘whatever do you mean, Elizabeth? The rudeness of others is not your doing, why he led poor Jane a merry dance, and now to leave her high and dry when I had considered there to be another wedding planned this spring.’

  ‘If I had not accepted Mr. Collins’ proposal then I am certain Mr. Darcy would have continued our friendship, Mother,’ Elizabeth said, ‘no doubt he sees my choice as an affront, and Mr. Bingley has taken that affront out on Jane too.’

  ‘Well, if Mr. Darcy chooses to behave in such a manner then that is his business,’ her mother said, ‘but to lead Mr. Bingley in such a manner is wicked. Mr. Bennet, you must visit Netherfield at once and demand that Mr. Bingley treat your daughter with honour. Elizabeth has made her choice, and it is a fine one, the rectory at Hunsford will provide a stable and suitable life for her, unlike the wandering life of Mr. Darcy.’

  ‘My dear Mrs. Bennet,’ her husband said, ‘I have no intention of interfering in matters of love, if Mr. Bingley has made it his business to express his sentiments alongside that of his friend then so be it, there is little that you, or I, can do to effect a change.’

  ‘There is everything you can do, you are her father, it falls to you to ensure that your daughters receive a suitable match in matrimony,’ Mrs. Bennet said.

  ‘I had thought you the expert, my dear,’ he said wryly.

  At this Mr. Bennet smiled, and gave a knowing look towards his daughters who returned it as he left the room, his wife’s berating following him as he made his way into his study, closing the door behind him, and setting himself down in front of the fire.

  There was an air of melancholy hanging over Longbourn that day, indeed such an air had hung over it since Mr. Collins’ departure, for despite all her attempts at ridding herself of doubt, Elizabeth could still not find happiness in the fact that she had accepted Mr. Collins’ proposal. But now that it had cost her sister’s happiness too, she wondered whether sacrificing herself to save Longbourn had really been the right thing to do.

  Mr. Bingley and his sister returned some days later to London where he had a house on Berkeley Square. Miss Caroline Bingley found herself delighted at returning to London society, even more so when Mr. Darcy, having paid a brief visit to his sister and estate at Pemberley, joined them in the capital.

  City life was far more conducive to Caroline, and after the perceived dullness of the Meryton district she found herself in her element attending any number of parties, balls and social gatherings, mixing with those she deemed to be of her own social standing.

  But Caroline Bingley herself met with one obstacle when it came to finding a suitable match, for though being the recipient of astonishing wealth she lacked one thing: a title.

  Around her London society bristled with Lady this and Lady that, the Duchess of here and the Duchess of there, so much so that every eligible man, themselves more often than not the recipient of a title, gravitated towards those who had, rather than those who had not.

  Thus, it was that Caroline Bingley had found herself somewhat depressed at the thought that the most eligible man in comparison to herself, one Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, would have chosen a girl like Elizabeth Bennet over her.

  But with the Bennets safely still in Meryton and, she hoped, their memory long forgotten amidst the excitement of the London scene, Mr. Darcy was once again open to suggestion, a suggestion she was more than happy to plant and he, being a man of honour and integrity, felt it his duty to accept.

  ‘Caroline is a good woman,’ Charles Bingley said, as he and Mr. Darcy walked around the gardens of Berkeley Square one afternoon. It was early March, and the weather was pleasant, the spring sunshine shining through the emerging canopy.

  ‘She finds your company most conducive, she always has done, but it would seem that perhaps at times in treating you as my brother I have thought of her as treating you in a similar way.’

  ‘It is true,’ Mr. Darcy said, ‘I find her to be a handsome woman, and to truly become your brother would strengthen not only our families but also our friendship. In all things, she is the model of womanhood, and seeing her amidst London society has only increased my admiration for her.’

  ‘Do you seek a formal engagement?’ Mr. Bingley asked, ‘you’ve been most ponderous these past few weeks whilst we have been in town, is there something troubling you?’

  ‘I have had a great deal on my mind, your sister amongst them,’ Mr. Darcy said, as they neared the entrance to the park.

  Mr. Darcy had indeed been in a ponderous mood these past few weeks, he had been unable to rid himself of the image of Elizabeth Bennet, despite having told himself that he should do so. He could not believe that she had chosen Mr. Collins over him due to matters of affection, surely that could not have been the case, but what oth
er hold did that gentleman have over her, was it something to do with the inheritance that was promised?

  Mr. Darcy had spent many an evening whilst in London pondering these questions, and had even taken quill to ink with the intention of writing to Elizabeth, if not to demand an explanation, at least to inform her of his feelings.

  But such thoughts had only led to despair, and it was with a heavy heart that Mr. Darcy had concluded that in order to make an expedient match he must ask for Caroline Bingley’s hand in marriage. Towards her he had the affection as of a brother to a sister, but not in the tenderest of terms, but rather of a familial affection born of a life-long companionship.

  He loved Caroline Bingley as a sibling and not as potential spouse, he did not know whether such affections could change, and if truth be told there were times he detested her as only siblings could do, her attitude towards the Bennets, and her snobbery in looking down on all those below her a fact he found most unattractive. Hers was a privileged status she had never worked for, born, as they say, with a silver spoon in her mouth. She looked down on anyone whom she considered below her, and that meant most of society.

  But Mr. Darcy knew that for the sake of so much he must make the match which was his fate. Like Elizabeth he now felt duty-bound to pose the question of marriage to her, in no doubt that she would consent.

  2

  An Announcement is Made

  It was now just a week before Elizabeth was due to depart for Kent and there had been much preparation at Longbourn, the Bennet sisters all eager to assist her in readying herself to be a bride to Mr. Collins.

  It had been decided that Mrs. Bennet would accompany her daughter to Hunsford, and remain there until the wedding itself, which was scheduled to take place in four weeks’ time. The date set according to the engagements of Lady Catherine de Bourgh who had, Mr. Collins wrote, graciously assented not only to the match, but also to her presence that afternoon when the Bishop of Rochester would pronounce them man and wife.