by Lauren King
“Good afternoon, gentlemen. I enjoyed your parents’ dinner party, Mr. Morgan.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Do you know how old Mr. Hugh St. John is and what profession he has, Mr. Morgan? He seemed like an amiable gentleman. He may be a good fit for Kitty. He is handsome, too. I hope he is not too old.” Mrs. Bennet voices her opinions readily.
Elizabeth hopes that her Mother will discontinue her comments right there – PLEASE! However, she will not be surprised if her Mother asks how rich Mr. Hugh St. John is; she will ask whether he has his own estate, how big it is, and his income. Afterwards, she will suggest an introduction. Elizabeth has heard it all; she just hopes that her Mother will use more acceptable words and be a little more tactful.
“I believe he is two and twenty, ma’am. He is the eldest son of Mr. Leonard St. John – my Father’s very good friend.”
“Ooohh! He is the eldest son; that means he is to inherit his family’s estate. How nice! He is not yet attached, is he Mr. Morgan?” Mrs. Bennet asks quickly and excitedly.
“Not that I know of, Mrs. Bennet.” Morgan answers politely but obligingly.
“That is good; I did not see him with anyone particular last evening. Is his estate large, Mr. Morgan? What is his income?” Mrs. Bennet’s curiosity and eagerness is apparent; there is no stopping her now.
“His family’s estate is a little smaller than my family’s.” Morgan is compelled to respond. He knows what Mrs. Bennet is doing, and he just does not like her way about it.
“That is still good.” Mrs. Bennet becomes more eager. “How will I catch his eye for Kitty if we are to stay in town for only four more days?” Mrs. Bennet talks to herself as she looks over at Lydia and then she continues. “I have to speak to Mr. Bennet to extend our stay here. Will you be able to bring him here to introduce him to Kitty, Mr. Morgan?” Mrs. Bennet imposes without hesitation.
Morgan is slightly taken aback when he hears Mrs. Bennet’s imposition. He looks at Miss Bennet briefly, and then he tries to answer as politely as he can. “Well, if Mr. St. John asks me for an introduction, then I will be glad to make it, ma’am.” He hopes that is a clear enough hint that he is not going to go around town being a matchmaker for Mrs. Bennet’s younger daughters.
Jane interjects softly. “Mama, we cannot just assume that Mr. Hugh St. John wants an introduction.”
Mrs. Bennet responds instantly. “That is why Mr. Morgan must talk to him about Kitty and promote her to him. Then you and Mr. Morgan can take Kitty around town so she can be seen and maybe bump into Mr. St John or bump into some of Mr. Morgan’s other rich gentlemen friends.” Mrs. Bennet states with confidence and expectation as if it is the most normal thing to say in front of anyone.
Elizabeth cringes once again; she cannot listen to this anymore. Her Mother does not know what embarrassment is. Mr. Morgan is not even engaged to Jane, yet and her Mother is speaking this openly with such expectation and demand already. Elizabeth looks at Jane silently to will her into standing her ground with their Mother so this does not get out of hand again. Her Mother just does not stop, so Jane cannot get a word in before Mrs. Bennet starts on the questions again.
“I also remember meeting a Mr. Giles Richmond. What does he do and how old is he, Mr. Morgan?”
“He is four and twenty; he is studying the law, Mrs. Bennet.” Morgan will have to halt this immediately; he can tell Miss Bennet is unhappy, but she cannot say anything without risking embarrassing her Mother. “Mrs. Bennet, I beg your pardon, but I do not make it a habit to be a matchmaker, ma’am. I would hate for the gentlemen to think that I sit around and gossip about them. I hope you understand, ma’am.”
“Oh, of course, Mr. Morgan; of course. I only wanted to inquire for my two daughters’ sake.” Mrs. Bennet turns to Darcy and his expression is reserved thus she simply asks, “How is Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Darcy? He is a second son to the Earl of Matlock, is he not, Mr. Darcy?”
“Yes, he is, Mrs. Bennet. I believe he is doing well when I saw him two days ago, ma’am.”
“Oh, that is good.” Mrs. Bennet says genially.
“If you will excuse us, Mama. I promised to show Mr. Darcy Aunt’s roses. Are you ready to see them, sir?” Elizabeth braves her Mother’s discontent. She does not want William to endure anymore of her Mother’s antics. Elizabeth knows that her Mother is going to ask about Richard’s availability, next.
“Yes, I am, Miss Elizabeth.” Darcy answers straight away and stands up to offer her his arm.
At this moment, Mildred comes in to inform Elizabeth that there is a large delivery from Mrs. Templeton’s shop for her. “Alright, Mildred; will you bring everything up to my chambers?”
“Right away, Miss Elizabeth.” Mildred curtsies quickly before leaving.
Out in the garden, Elizabeth and Darcy can only shake their heads at what just happened in the drawing room. They have had enough of it; they will not talk of it anymore; there is no use. He does not want Elizabeth to be upset by it.
Elizabeth asks, “Darling, will you be bringing my things to your house today when you leave later?”
“Yes, I will bring them to our house today.”
Elizabeth smiles widely in recognition of William’s correction. “Oh, good…” Elizabeth quickly caresses his cheek before continuing, “…tomorrow we will be too busy to worry about additional issues like that. Furthermore, I will need my things present already at your house so that I can change once the wedding breakfast has concluded.”
“Do not worry, sweetheart; your things will be moved to our house today if you are packed already.” Darcy raises his brow to tease and remind Elizabeth of her status.
Elizabeth giggles gently because she understands his reminder.
“I want your things settled into the mistress’ chambers before you arrive tomorrow so you have everything that you will need already sorted out for you.” Darcy explains considerately.
“Thank you, darling. You are so thoughtful.” Elizabeth steals a quick kiss from William’s lips.
“Of course, I will be thoughtful of you; that goes without saying.” Darcy hugs Elizabeth and kisses her forehead tenderly. “I love you, Lizzy.”
“I love you so very much. I must say again that my life would be empty and desolate without you.”
“Dearest, do not say that. You will not be without me.” Darcy hugs her even tighter as he rests his face on top of her head and smells her hair.
“I have packed everything already. I only have three trunks plus all the stuff that just came from Mrs. Templeton’s. Will they all fit on your carriage?”
“Yes, four or five trunks should not be a problem. If there is insufficient space then I will send my carriage back to pick up the rest of your stuff. Do not worry, my love.”
Elizabeth remembers that she should tell William about Lydia’s behavior earlier. “Darling, I want to tell you that I disinvited Lydia to our wedding.” Elizabeth waits for William’s understanding.
“Oh? Did something happen?” Darcy releases her from his tight embrace but he does not release her hands. He can guess that Mrs. Denny probably did something inexcusable again in order for Elizabeth to deny her attendance at their wedding.
“Yes.” Elizabeth answers with annoyance, and then she tells William all that occurred.
Darcy is furious with Mrs. Denny. “She is a spoiled…brat; she is not a mature woman, at all. Well, I am glad you disinvited her because I do not want anyone that will upset you to be present. She sounds to be an envious, jealous, disrespectful child. I have to say, Lizzy – she is not bright, at all. How can anyone not learn from their mistakes? It is almost as if she is provoking you deliberately.”
Elizabeth sighs heavily and with irritation she says, “She is ignorant and stupidly unaware too. Oh, just forget about her aggravating ways, darling. I do not want to think about it anymore.”
“That is right; do not think about her anymore. She is losing out on a wonderful sister, and she is too ab
surd even know it. She is the other person that I will not tolerate in any of our homes. I do not want that type of a person around us or our family.”
“I know; I can no longer tolerate her either. I truly want to help her, but her mistakes pile on each other so high that she cannot or does not want to get out of it for fear of admitting that she was wrong – I think. I do not know what it is with her. Does she expect not to be reprimanded when she makes the humongous mistakes that she has made? I would not have continued my lecture had she just shown some sign that she is learning from her mistakes or is willing to fix her mistakes but she does not. She does not and probably will not ever admit that she was even wrong. I cannot tolerate her anymore.” Elizabeth is exasperated with everything that is Lydia.
“We know what we need to do already, so I do not want you distressed over this subject again, alright?”
“Alright, darling.”
“Lizzy, I already promised Georgie that I will dine with her this evening; would you like to join us,” asks Darcy.
“I think you should spend some time with Georgie since she will be spending the next month with Lord and Lady Matlock before returning to Pemberley. I do not want her to feel neglected and upset now that I am joining your family.” Elizabeth states understandingly.
“That is very thoughtful of you, Lizzy. However, I do not think she will be upset; she adores you. She likes your company, and she knows how happy you make me. How can she be upset at that?” Darcy reasons.
“I adore her too, but it has been only her and you for a long time. I do not want her to feel less important or anything like that, especially now that you have me.”
“She will not, Lizzy. I know from what she says and how she talks that she cannot wait to have you join our family. I cannot wait for you to join me as Mrs. Darcy.” Darcy kisses her lips quickly.
Elizabeth smiles shyly but gratifyingly before saying. “I cannot wait to be your wife forever.”
“Oh, Lizzy; I love you more than you will ever fathom.” Darcy claims unreservedly.
“Just as I love you.” Elizabeth answers most joyously with her bright smile.
“Oh, I forgot to give William my jewelry sets that I will not be wearing to take back to Darcy House. Well, I will just ask Aunt to keep them for me until I can come for them.” Elizabeth tells Jane as they sit in their shared chamber after dinner.
Mary and Kitty join their two elder sisters, and they chat about the dresses that they will be wearing to the wedding tomorrow. Kitty looks over at Elizabeth’s jewelry boxes and asks to look at them.
“Yes, you may.” Elizabeth answers pleasantly. She is happy to see that the remaining sisters are kind and loving with each other the way sisters should be.
Kitty gleefully brings all four boxes to the bed where they all are sitting on. “You are so lucky, Lizzy. William is so generous and thoughtful of you. Kitty opens the newest box with the wedding jewels. “Oh my, Lord! Look how absolutely beautiful they are, Mary. They are the most beautiful jewels I have ever seen, Lizzy!
“Yes I agree; I was astonished when William gave them to me. William had these made for me. He said that he wanted for me to have my very own wedding jewels that belong solely to me.” Elizabeth reveals proudly. Her love for him gushes forward.
“That is the sweetest and the most thoughtful thing, Lizzy.” Kitty merrily declares.
“William is very generous, Lizzy. You are very fortunate to have such a husband, but I also think he is fortunate to have you.” Mary articulates kindheartedly.
“Thank you, for your kind words, Mary. I am blessed to have William for all that he is, not just because of these jewels. I cannot think of a better man than him. I am so happy to have him in my life forever; I am beyond ecstatic. One day you, Kitty and Jane will also have someone with whom you will love and share your future.”
“I want someone just like William. He is very handsome.” Kitty giggles gaily with her exclamation. “But maybe my William should talk a little bit more.” Kitty giggles again. “Do you and William talk a lot or is he quiet like that all the time, Lizzy?”
“William is the perfect gentleman for me, Kitty. We speak about everything, but he is also very private, thus he will not prattle on about everything under the sun to people that he does not know well. He is a true gentleman.” Elizabeth states with immense pride.
Kitty listens with awe and admiration.
All the sisters giggle, and then Elizabeth looks at Mary and Kitty as she imparts her opinions. “I want to say that I see little changes for the better in both you and Kitty. I truly feel that if you are willing to learn to improve yourselves for your own betterment, then others will also see that and value it. First, you have to be comfortable with who you are. For example, Mary, I know you would rather read Fordyce’s sermons over anything else and there is nothing wrong with that. However, if you know about other subjects, then, you will draw others towards you. There is nothing wrong with pursuing other subjects that are just as practical as sermons. I do not think that God wants anyone to be ignorant of other life subjects and only read sermons all day. Of course, I am not asking you to read about making ships or about current political ideas – unless you want to, that is. However, subjects that could be helpful to your family or for your own future would be worth learning. You do not have to give up reading your sermons altogether, but maybe read other things too so you can converse with others when you are faced with them. You will look knowledgeable and that is received well by all.”
“I am not suggesting you pretend to be someone else, but when people can relate to you then it makes them feel more comfortable to be with you and to share things with you. People will be more considerate of you if you are sincerely considerate of them. If you make yourself interesting then people will be interested. Again, I am not telling you to be disingenuous; I am just saying to be appealing and well mannered. People see what you present to them. For example, if they see you reading sermons all the time and they hear you lecture others righteously all the time, then anyone that wants to just have some fun talking about fashion or about museums may not want to approach you. There is a time and a place for all things. Does that make sense, Mary? I am sharing with you; I am not lecturing you. I just have a different perspective on things, and I want to help my sisters be the best that they can be. That is all.” Elizabeth says most sincerely. She would like to see all her sisters have good husbands like William.
Mary nods her head then says kindly, “It does make sense, Lizzy; thank you for caring enough about us when you have your own troubles.”
Elizabeth affirms, “Mary, I will always help when I can. I have been after you to put down your sermons, but I guess that you were not ready to do so back then. Hopefully, you will consider other things too, now.”
“I see your perspective, and they make complete sense. I will pursue what will make me happy, well rounded, and more helpful to my family.” Mary responds warmheartedly and sincerely.
“Maybe you can help Meryton’s Reverend’s wife with church activities and ask if you can read some passages from the bible to the children and explain it to them in a way that they will understand. Something like that or if you want to help Papa, then you can go with him when he calls on his tenants monthly. That way you can learn about the tenants and maybe help the women with the more feminine subjects that would be uncomfortable for Papa. You know Mama does not want to tend to those things.” Elizabeth volunteers her ideas that would be suitable for Mary to start her education or transformation.
“Those are good ideas, Lizzy. I will consider them and explore them when we are back at home.” Mary announces appreciatively. Yes, she has to do these things for herself; she can no longer hide.
“I know Papa will welcome your company. He likes to discuss many different subjects, so if you read something and have questions, then you can always seek his advice or just confer with him.” Elizabeth informs Mary of her experiences.
“Yes, that sounds nice.
” Mary agrees; she has never thought of discussing things with her Father because they were never close, but perhaps they can try, now.
“You have all good ideas, Lizzy. I completely agree with all that you have said. Your intelligence, your perspective, and your upbringing by Papa have given you a unique viewpoint and outlook on things. It is obvious that many people admire you for it. I am very proud of you.” Jane expresses kindheartedly.
“Thank you, Jane, but I just did what was natural to me. However, I do have to admit that Mama not caring for me left me more time with Papa and more time for me to learn more from books. It was very hurtful, but I was fortunate that Papa cared for me.” Elizabeth admits. She is not as hurt anymore when she acknowledges it out loud nowadays because William devotedly loves her; however, it is still disappointing and not understandable as to how a mother could act the way her Mother acts.
Then Jane turns to Mary and Kitty to say, “Mary, Kitty, with Lizzy being away from Longbourn I will help you in any way I can. I am sorry that we have to come to this point, but it is all eye-opening and in some ways, we will be better for it.”
Elizabeth interjects, “I know that if you and Kitty express real interest in helping Papa in some way, then he will be only too happy to let you help him. He will teach you if you ask.” Elizabeth discloses honestly. “Jane, you will be staying here for a while longer, so I think Mary and Kitty should consider talking with Papa about helping him as soon as they get home. Why sit around and wait, right? I leave it up to you and Kitty to decide what you want to do because in the end only you can truly help yourselves.”
“Awww, Jane you will not be coming back with us?” Kitty asks sadly.
“Mr. Morgan is courting Jane, Kitty. Jane has to stay here for now.” Mary kindly reminds Kitty.
“That is true, but I also feel that I need to be away from Mama for a little while because we have had a couple of very serious talks, and she is no longer happy with me. I have come to see things differently, and Mama does not like it. I am not saying anything bad about Mama; I am simply telling you what has happened. Therefore, I will stay here for a while, but you two can write to me any time. I am certain Papa will allow it.”