Dearest, Loveliest Elizabeth

by Marley Fulton

  Elizabeth sighed in annoyance and sped up slightly as she pushed on down the trail. “Mr. Darcy has some issues with propriety, and the proper restraint of his tongue. He seems to believe that he has the authority, nay, the privilege, to make judgments on others he hardly knows. I find this to be a severe flaw in character.”

  “Oh,” Kitty stated. “So, then mother’s wishes will likely never come to fruition.”

  Elizabeth tilted her head and spun around to peer back at her sister. “What, pray tell, has mother sent you to fetch me to discuss. Do you know?” she asked her.

  Kitty shook her head slightly. “No, but she did seem quite excited about speaking with you, and when you were nowhere to be found she was equally disappointed,” Kitty muttered.

  “Have Jane and Mr Bingley already returned from their walk?” Elizabeth asked her.

  “I do not know. They had not when I first left Longbourn to seek you out,” Kitty muttered.

  Elizabeth sighed as a sense of dread suddenly began spreading out from the center of her chest. Knowing her mother as she did, Elizabeth wondered if Kitty had been prompted to ask her about Mr Darcy because of something Mrs Bennet may have said, and while Kitty and Jane did not seem to find it upsetting that their mother did not mind her audience, let alone utilize discretion where needed, Elizabeth did not feel the same. The idea that her mother might be hopeful for something to come from Mr Bingley’s insistence about Mr Darcy’s similarities to her sent a jolt of fear straight through her veins.

  Elizabeth had now walked so quickly ahead of Kitty that she could hear her sister’s panting exhalations as she began running to catch up. “Wait, Lizzy! You walk far too swiftly for me to keep up!” she exclaimed.

  Elizabeth sighed, and whirled around to face her sister yet again; and suddenly the very bottom of the sky gave out as droplets of rain began falling across her face. “You said that mother had an urgent need to discuss something with me. I am only trying to make haste so as to appease her. After all, it seems I have already disappointed her sufficiently for the day,” Elizabeth retorted.

  Kitty sighed and halted immediately. “Oh, fine. I suppose I shall see you when I return home,” Kitty muttered, panting slightly as she watched her elder sister.

  Elizabeth scoffed, and shook her head. There was no possible way she could just leave her there as she was, not with the weather turning sour as it had. She shook her head, and pulled up her skirt slightly as she trudged through the grass toward Kitty. She could only imagine what her mother might say if she showed up without her sister.

  “Come on, you. I could never leave you out here like this, and you know it,” Elizabeth remarked. Kitty grinned and Elizabeth sighed. How would either of her sisters ever get through life without her by their side?

  Chapter Six

  There are a number of moments in a young lady’s life when she is presented with the opportunity to either excel in the graces of others, or haphazardly brandish herself a complete fool, with no decorum or grace, and therefore, an utter and complete failure in the eyes of society. Elizabeth understood this, even if she did not agree with it. When presented with such a chance, Elizabeth instinctually knew that a refusal of a lady’s hospitality would be a severe infraction even she need not commit. In her own mind, however, she also recognized an unspoken and biting tone in the voice of the very lady whom extended her supposed kindness.

  “Do you hear something, Lizzy?” Mrs Bennet’s concerned voice floated on the midmorning air, brushing lightly at her second eldest daughter’s ears as she directed her voice toward her.

  Elizabeth turned her head toward the sound. She tilted her head slightly and inhaled a deep breath. Indeed, there was a knocking at the door, but lately this indicated visitors that Elizabeth often would have preferred not to host nor converse with. “Yes, mother,” she murmured.

  Mrs. Bennet’s eyes widened as her hands fluttered down across her skirt. She lifted it slightly as she hurried out of the parlor.

  Elizabeth groaned lightly as her eyes flickered toward her beloved elder sister, Jane, whose face had light up with excitement the moment she, too, had heard the sound of knocking.

  “Do you think it is Mr Bingley?” Jane asked with a hopeful tone, her mouth slipping into a wider grin as she considered the possibility.

  “I do not know, but mother will surely bring him to you in haste if he has come to call upon you,” Elizabeth blinked slightly as she inhaled a sharp breath, “again,” she murmured.

  Jane tilted her head, as if she could detect the caustic air that seemed to permeate the room as soon as Elizabeth had finished speaking. “Are you quite alright, Lizzy, dear? You seem a bit,” she paused, not finishing the statement. Weighing her words in careful consideration, Jane slipped her lower lip in and bit into it nervously.

  “Yes, of course, Jane,” Elizabeth muttered quietly. There was no sense in distressing Jane. If Bingley’s attention and affections were sufficient in bringing her sister joy and happiness, she should be content with her excitement, and yet, somehow, deep from within, Lizzy felt a pang of sadness in knowing there still had not been one gentleman who seemed to find her even remotely interesting. At least not to her own knowledge, that was.

  Suddenly, the door to the parlor flung open and there stood Mrs Bennet with an urgent and wild-eyed expression blazing across her countenance. “Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her daughter, Anne de Bourgh, have come to pay us a visit,” she announced, her eyes darting between her two seated daughters hastily.

  Jane arose and promptly curtsied at Lady Catherine, as a gracious smile overtook her face.

  Elizabeth glanced from her mother to her sister, and quickly did the same, even though she could feel her legs trembling from beneath her at the shock of it. Why would Lady Catherine de Bourgh be here at Longbourn, and calling upon us? It did not make a bit of sense to her, and yet, nevertheless, Lady Catherine’s full skirt swept across the threshold as she strode into the parlor, her very stature exuding the elegance and fine breeding of which she clearly held a great deal of pride in.

  “Good day, Jane and Elizabeth,” Anne; the daughter of Lady Catherine, and pale substitute for Mr Darcy’s affection; muttered as she, too, curtsied at the two girls.

  Mrs. Bennet waved to the chaise lounge with a curt nod. “Please, do be seated, ladies. Would you care to have tea?” she asked with a brief smile.

  Lady Catherine moved past Jane and Elizabeth swiftly, lowering herself to sit with perfect poise, which seemed to amuse Jane whom was observing her carefully; as if she were mystified by the radiance of the woman and her every motion.

  “Oh, yes, that would be marvelous. You are such a gracious hostess, Mrs Bennet,” Lady Catherine murmured, her eyes flickering from her daughter, who was a bit plain, and slightly pallid by comparison, to the rosy cheeked Bennet girls who sat across from her.

  Mrs. Bennet bowed her head slightly, and smiled yet again. “Oh, no, I am certainly humbled by your visit, Lady Catherine. I only wish to extend my hospitality to such a high standing guest. It is a rare occasion that we, Bennets, are able to receive a noblewoman,” Mrs Bennet explained.

  “Oh, you need not worry about impressing me, Mrs Bennet. I have actually come to extend an invitation to your lovely daughter, though I am happy to wait until the tea has arrived,” Lady Catherine explained, her visage holding a warm and charming look.

  Elizabeth tilted her head, glancing at Jane briefly as she looked back to her mother. Something about the way Lady Catherine held herself did not sit quite well with her, and yet she knew better than to voice it just yet. Do not be rash, Lizzy, she considered silently. As she looked over her sister, it was clear from Jane’s face that she was intrigued by what Lady Catherine had just uttered, and held a transfixed expression as she peered at the woman. A curious thing, if ever Elizabeth had ever seen, and yet, she simply could not sit in silence as her mother disappeared from the room. She quirked a brow and drew in a quick breath.

  “May I ask why
it is that you have come to call upon us here, at Longbourn?” Elizabeth asked with emphasis on the name of her home. Anne’s head snapped toward Elizabeth; her eyes full of a displeasure that sent an icy chill straight down Elizabeth’s spine. In attempt to dismiss the unpleasant feeling, Elizabeth tilted her head and focused her gaze directly upon Lady Catherine.

  “Well, I have heard that you were recently acquainted with my beloved nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy,” she began. “As a result, I have heard quite a bit about yourself, and your family, Miss Bennet,” she stated matter-of-factly.

  “Is that so? I was not under the impression that Mr Darcy was very fond of either myself, or my family,” Elizabeth retorted, her eyes never once wavering from Lady Catherine’s. “In fact, I find it utterly strange that he even spoke our name to you at all,” she finished.

  Anne’s eyes widened instantly; the obvious shock of Elizabeth’s caustic outburst written all over her pale face.

  “Oh, was that your impression?” Lady Catherine asked, her excitement at the possibility of their disagreement was immediately visible from the change of her tone alone.

  “Well, our meeting was indeed brief, but I truly did not feel an amiable presence when encountered with Mr Darcy myself,” Elizabeth admitted.

  “Oh, well, perhaps you have a poor sense of character, Miss Bennet. I assure you I would not be gracing your house if not for having already heard of the genuine kindness of your family,” Lady Catherine stated.

  Jane, having kept quiet for a moment, felt the need to speak up and urgently parted her lips to do so. “Lady Catherine, pardon my sister’s insistence. We have simply had so many visitors these last few days; and many unannounced. At times, it can be a bit exhausting, hosting various persons,” she stated with a smile.

  “Good day, again, ladies,” Mrs Bennet’s voice split the conversation as she strode into the parlor for a third time. In her hands a silver tray outfitted with everything, save for the milk Elizabeth observed, readied for tea. “Here we are with everything for tea. I do hope it is to both of your liking,” she said lowering the tray to the table separating her daughters from Lady Catherine, and her daughter, Anne.

  “Oh, lovely, Mrs Bennet. It looks wonderful,” Lady Catherine muttered, her lips widening to reveal the brightest smile Elizabeth had ever been privileged to witness.

  “Thank you, Lady Catherine,” Mrs Bennet muttered, as she took her seat, and began serving each of her guests. She followed up by pouring a bit of tea for both of her daughters, and finally herself.

  “I was just telling your daughters that I have come to invite Elizabeth to visit at my estate. I was hoping to get to know her a bit better after having heard so much about her. I understand that she and my darling nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy, were acquainted during the Netherfield Ball, and I was hoping you would be so gracious as to allow me to host her?” Lady Catherine asked, her eyes dashing toward Elizabeth as she directed the question toward her mother.

  Elizabeth’s expression twisted as a perplexed look overtook her fair complexion. “Yes, and I was just explaining to Lady Catherine, that she must be mistaken. I did not feel that Mr Darcy was very fond of me, not in the very least,” she reaffirmed.

  Mrs. Bennet’s mouth fell agape as she glanced at Elizabeth with a shake of the head, as if to reprimand her silently for the disgraceful display she was currently putting on. The very idea of it, sent a wave of nausea straight through her stomach, and she could scarcely control herself, biting into her tongue to keep from lashing out at mother due to her hypocrisy.

  “Nonsense, my nephew would not have spoken so highly of you if he did not genuinely feel it to be true. In fact, Anne and I are very interested in learning more about you. We are here to visit more with my nephew, as I have a few family matters to discuss with him, but nevertheless I would truly love for Elizabeth to visit our home,” Lady Catherine stated.

  Mrs. Bennet looked at her daughter and continued to shake her head. “Lady Catherine, Elizabeth would be delighted to visit your home and I am positive that she would be equally pleased to see Mr Darcy once more. I do hope you will forgive her frankness; it is just that Lizzy is a bit overwhelmed by social calls,” she stated.

  Elizabeth turned her head toward her mother as her mouth fell agape – she could scarcely believe her ears. Does my mother have no shame at all? She wondered, as she considered what Mrs Bennet was telling Lady Catherine. It was as if she truly wished to auction off each of her daughters to the highest bidding gentleman, and Elizabeth found it utterly revolting, though she knew better than to say a word. Her anger rose to a boil within her veins as the aristocratic woman seated before them smirked with satisfaction.

  “How lovely. I am so excited to discover more about you, Elizabeth, and equally curious to gain knowledge of what sparked my nephew’s high praises of you,” Lady Catherine remarked.

  Elizabeth sighed and nodded – her lips forming a forced smile as she looked back at the woman. Is this truly my fate? Why must I be forced to endure such horrid torment? Elizabeth wondered as a feeling of defeat overtook her. I must graciously accept her invitation or mother might never cease reprimanding me. She thought in annoyance. Mrs Bennet looked to Elizabeth, her neck snapping toward her daughter, encouraging her with but a look. Elizabeth sucked in a sharp breath and looked directly to Lady Catherine.

  “Indeed, I would delighted to do the same, Lady Catherine. The same for you, as well, Anne,” Elizabeth muttered dryly.

  Jane’s eyes averted downward, as if she were mildly disappointed by having not been invited, as well. Though it was clear she dare not admit such a thing, taking an entirely different approach than her younger sister.

  Anne shifted suddenly, placing her cup and saucer atop the table and leaning back into her seat. Lady Catherine leant forward, repeating Anne’s actions, and lifting her head to look at Mrs Bennet.

  “Thank you so much for your hospitality, Mrs Bennet. Anne and I do need to be going. I hope to see my nephew before it grows much later,” she stated firmly as she arose from the chaise lounge.

  Mrs. Bennet regarded her with a nod as she too arose.

  “Yes, of course, Lady Catherine. Jane, Elizabeth, and I are very grateful for your visit. Please, if you ever find yourself in the region again, feel at liberty to call upon us,” Mrs Bennet encouraged.

  “Of course, Mrs Bennet, Anne and I shall most certainly do so.” Lady Catherine paused, glancing between Mrs Bennet, Jane, and Elizabeth before continuing, “If ever we find ourselves visiting this area of the countryside again,” she finished.

  Elizabeth grimaced, as an unpleasant thought overtook her, she is behaving just as offensively as her endeared nephew, Mr Darcy. I find it completely appalling! How can mother not detect the pomposity in her voice? She wondered.

  “I will send an official invitation, Elizabeth. If you like, you are welcome to attend, as well, Jane,” Lady Catherine announced as Anne came to stand alongside her.

  Jane’s eyes widened as she looked to her sister with an excited dazzle in her expansive irises. “Oh, yes, I would adore such an opportunity, Lady Catherine. I would be delighted,” Jane expressed joyfully.

  “I thought as much. Then the matter is settled. I simply cannot wait,” Lady Catherine said.

  Elizabeth sighed, she had to admit, Lady Catherine was skilled a with craftiness, and had left her no other alternative but to accept her offer. Especially, now that she had included Jane in the invitation. She sighed with displeasure, having been forced to play the part of a happy young woman when truly she was agitated by the paltriness of it all. After all, it was yet another societal obligation that Elizabeth simply had to obey, much to her dismay.

  ***

  “Dinner shall be served in fifteen minutes, Miss Elizabeth!” the sound of Mrs Hendrickson’s voice broke through the door. Startled by the sound, Elizabeth jumped slightly as she glanced at her elder sister.

  “Oh, my!” she muttered, shaking her head. “Thank you, Mrs Hendrickson
. Jane and I shall be downstairs promptly,” she muttered, as she opened the door to look at the servant woman; one of several that she had seen over the course of the last twenty-four hours since arriving at Lady Catherine’s estate. She sighed, knowing that the moment she had been dreading had finally arrived, and with it, the return of the one gentleman she felt hated her wholly, along with the rest of her family. She even suspected that he disliked Mr Bingley’s interest in her sister, Jane, which only served to add to her many reasons for feeling apprehensive about seeing him once again. Yet, she knew that the endeared Mr Darcy would, indeed, be present, as she had overheard such from a conversation she had accidently eavesdropped upon between Anne and Lady Catherine nearly at the moment of her arrival. As shocking as it was, it revealed a new side of Mr Darcy’s intricate family relations and the dysfunction that lie therein.

  “Oh, Lizzy! It is almost time! I am so very nervous,” Jane exclaimed, waving her hands toward her neck as if to dispel the heat that had suddenly risen in her throat. Elizabeth sighed and rolled her eyes slightly, knowing her sister was beside herself with excitement, though Elizabeth did not quite understand why. It was not as if Mr Bingley was expected to be present at dinner, and yet, Jane still behaved as if she were mystified by the opportunity to be in the presence of an aristocratic lady.

  “Indeed, sister. Shall we make an appearance?” Elizabeth asked as she stood at the door, ready as ever, for the evening to begin, and eager for it end just as swiftly. Perhaps, it will not be as terrible as I anticipate it to be?

  ***

  Elizabeth and Jane slowly descended the stairs making their way toward the dining room. Jane’s eyes darted out across the expansiveness of the foyer, though Elizabeth did not understand why. She had seen the foyer just the night before, and yet, somehow her sister was still in awe over everything about Lady Catherine, and her resplendent estate.