by Lane Cossett
Mr. Darcy inwardly smiled. He could not imagine that Caroline Bingley was pleased at the thought of her brother getting married. Her place would be usurped by Miss Bennet after the wedding and she would lose her status running her brother’s home.
“Caroline, Louisa.”
Darcy was relieved to see Bingley emerging from an archway at the side of the house.
“I had not expected to see you so early.”
“I hope that we are welcome, Charles.” There was a slight bitterness to Caroline Bingley’s voice.
“Caroline, this is your home,” said her brother calmly.
“But for how much longer?” asked Miss Bingley, confirming Darcy’s thoughts that she was not happy with her brother’s impending marriage.
“You know you are always welcome.” Charles Bingley led them into the house where the housekeeper was waiting to greet them and a footman to remove their outdoor clothing.
“I think I need to rest.” Mrs Hurst sighed dramatically. “I do so dislike travelling. The roads around here are abysmal, don’t you think so, Mr. Darcy?”
“I have found them no worse than anywhere else,” said Darcy.
“I do wish you would stop talking, Mrs Hurst. Travelling is thirsty work,” moaned Mr. Hurst.
“You know where the drinks are” Mr. Bingley’s tone was not quite as affable as normal.
His brother- in-law nodded and disappeared in the direction of the small drawing room.
Mrs. Hurst’s cheeks were tinged with pink and exuding herself she followed after her husband.
Caroline Bingley stayed where she was, her eyes on Mr. Darcy,
“Would you like to join us, Mr. Darcy?”
“Thank you, no… I have letters to write.”
“But surely they can wait,” said Caroline Bingley, standing uncomfortably close to him. Darcy took a step away from her.
Charles Bingley thankfully intervened. “Caroline, Darcy and I have business to discuss.”
Her face fell. “Charles, I do think it is unfair of you always talking about business. You must not monopolise Mr. Darcy. I wish to hear all the news about Georgiana.”
“Later,” said Mr. Bingley. “Come, Darcy.”
Darcy followed his friend. Caroline Bingley was still standing in the hallway clearly annoyed that they were not to join her for a drink. Bingley led him to the library and shut the door behind them and turned the key.
It seemed he knew his sister well. Darcy was sure if she could find an excuse, Caroline Bingley would try and join them.
Bingley walked over to the drinks and glasses which were standing on the table. “What news, Darcy?”
Darcy thankfully sat down. He felt stiff after his walk and was still feeling sore from having fallen off his horse when he had foolishly cantered away. “I saw Miss Bennet, thanks to you.”
“I played only a small part,” said Bingley. “I worried that she had not understood what I said but I should not have doubted Miss Elizabeth. She is a resourceful woman.”
“Well, she came, my friend.”
Bingley looked embarrassed. “I would not wish to pry, Darcy, but did you agree you still wanted to get married?”
Darcy smiled at his friend’s tentative manner. “We agreed to wait for each other. I don’t know how long that will be, but for now I must be patient.”
Bingley looked relieved. “I have been trying to think about a reason for Mr. Bennet’s refusal, but I cannot think of one.”
“Nor can I,” said Darcy, “But I know staying here will not aid my thoughts.”
“Darcy, are you thinking of leaving?”
“Yes. It may be cowardly, Bingley, but I need to get away from here. Being so close to Miss Elizabeth Bennet is too painful.”
Bingley sipped on his drink. “But you will return for the wedding, will you not?”
Darcy had been thinking about that. He was pleased for his friend that he would soon be wed , but to attend a wedding where Miss Elizabeth Bennet would be present was too much to ask.
“I think it would be better if I did not attend. You do understand, do you not?”
Bingley shook his head. “Darcy, I understand, but I want you here. You are to be my groomsman.”
“You could ask your brother-in-law,” suggested Darcy mildly.
Bingley gave a disgusted snort. “He is a wastrel and you know it. I have no wish to have him standing at my side. If it cannot be you then I shall postpone the wedding.”
Darcy wrestled with his conscience. To be so close to Miss Elizabeth Bennet and not be able to talk to her would require a strong will. He was unsure he would be able to do it.
“Darcy, come back, please.”
Darcy could see Bingley was almost holding his breath waiting for his answer. Bingley had always been a faithful friend. He could not spoil his friend’s plans. Despite the pain of not being allowed to marry Elizabeth Bennet, he ought to take his place as Bingley’s groomsman.
“I will return,” he said quietly.
Bingley smiled broadly. “In the meanwhile I will keep alert. I may hear something at Longbourn. Are you going back to Pemberley?”
Darcy nodded and silently finished his drink. He had many matters he’d been neglecting.
“I thought you might have gone to London.”
“London?” Darcy could not understand why Bingley would suggest it.
“Do the Bennets not have relatives in London? I thought …”
Darcy’s head felt as if it was spinning. He was not thinking clearly. He did not know why he had not thought of the Gardiners immediately.
Miss Bennet’s aunt and uncle were unlike other members of the family. Mr. Gardiner was a well-respected and successful businessman and his pretty wife an excellent hostess. He was sure they would welcome him if he called. Perhaps they would be able to tell him why Mr. Bennet was against him marrying his second daughter.
He smiled gratefully at his friend. He would have to delay his return to Pemberley a while longer. “I must leave for London at once.”
14
“I am not happy with the neck of the dress. No, it will not do at all.” Mrs. Bennet cast a critical eye over her eldest daughter’s wedding dress. “I do not think it is quite straight.”
Mrs. Sanderson, who had worked very hard on the dress, sniffed with disapproval. “The neckline is straight, Mrs. Bennet. My work is the best to be had.”
Mrs. Bennet ignored her staring hard at the neckline and then she stepped forward and before anyone could stop her, she had a hold of the neckline and gave it a vicious tug. Mrs. Sanderson screeched in indignation and even Jane said, “Oh, mama,” while Elizabeth found it difficult not to laugh at the stupefied faces of Kitty and Mrs. Sanderson’s assistant.
“Now if you could try again, Mrs. Sanderson, I think the neckline would be perfect,” said Mrs. Bennet.
“I liked the neckline,” ventured Jane quietly.
Mrs. Bennet snapped at her. “Do not be foolish, Jane. Would you like to marry Mr. Bingley in a dress with a neckline that does not work? What would he think?”
Elizabeth tried to intervene.“Mother, I am sure Mr. Bingley will be more interested in Jane than the dress.”
Mrs. Bennet gave her a withering look. “Elizabeth, it seems to me you have no idea about the foibles of men.”
Elizabeth opened her mouth to argue, but Jane who looked as if she was on the verge of tears over her torn dress, shook her head and she decided to remain silent.
Poor Mrs. Sanderson did not say a word and she pinned the torn neckline until Mrs. Bennet was satisfied with it.
“You are so lucky, Jane,” said Kitty, who was busy watching.“I wish I was marrying a man such as Mr. Bingley. Mama, when will it be my turn?”
“I do not know, Kitty.” Mrs. Bennet’s tone was pensive. “Jane has done well indeed. Five thousand a year. She will be very comfortable and dear Mr. Bingley is such a nice man. Naturally if Lizzy had done her duty, she too would have been settled.”
/> Elizabeth bit her lip. She was not in the habit of feeling sorry for herself, but it was very difficult when her mother continually referred back to Mr. Collins and her turning down his proposal. It saddened her that her mother could not understand why she had not married Mr. Collins. The man was a fool.
It was not long before Mrs. Sanderson had finished pinning the neckline and also the hem of the dress which had been trailing on the floor. When she had finished, she got to her feet, a strained expression on her face. “I hope you are satisfied with it now, Mrs. Bennet.”
Mrs. Bennet ran a critical eye over it. “Yes, I do believe that is much better.”
Mrs. Sanderson could barely contain her annoyance. “I will be back in three days, Mrs. Bennet, with the dress.”
Mrs Bennet started to huff. “Three? Oh, no, Mrs. Sanderson. Three days is too long. Two days would be much better. Indeed I would like it back tomorrow. Jane, tomorrow would be better, would it not? Your Aunt Phillips will be here and she can see the dress.”
“Mother, you must give Mrs. Sanderson time. I am sure she has other work to do,” said Elizabeth.
Mrs. Bennet’s face creased with irritation. “The dress was due to arrive tomorrow.”
“But now there are alterations to make.” Elizabeth was trying to help Mrs. Sanderson, who’s neck was creeping with red.
“Elizabeth, will you stop arguing with me?” Mrs. Bennet’s brown curls shook and her chin was wobbling.
Mary, suddenly looking up from the book she was reading. “I think there may be times when it is not unreasonable to adjust the time for completion of a gown particularly when it has to be altered with changes that will enhance the final dress. To remain calm in such circumstances can only be of benefit to us all.”
Mrs. Bennet glared at her middle daughter. “Oh, do be quiet, Mary. This has nothing to do with you.”
Mary, who was quite accustomed to being told to be quiet, returned to her book, though Elizabeth could see a small smile on her lips.
Mrs. Bennet continued to complain about the delivery of the dress. “I am not happy with three days,” she said to no one in particular. “I do not see why it cannot be tomorrow.”
Mrs. Sanderson’s assistant started to pack away the pins and scissors while the seamstress herself helped Jane out of the dress and carefully wrapped it in a white sheet. “The dress will be delivered in three days, Mrs. Bennet,” she said firmly. “Unless you would prefer that someone else completed the work.”
Mrs. Bennet started to stutter. “In…indeed I would not. There is no one better than you, Mrs. Sanderson. I would not want you to think I am not satisfied with your work,” she said quickly.
Mrs. Sanderson’s lips were drawn into a thin smile. “The thought did not pass my mind, Mrs. Bennet.”
Elizabeth noticed the smile did not meet the seamstress’s eyes and she surmised Mrs. Sanderson had not forgiven her mother. She must have spent many hours already making the dress and now there would be many more to repair the torn neckline.
When everything was packed away, Mrs. Sanderson bid them good day in a stiff voice.
Mrs. Bennet, who was now sitting down with her eyes closed, waved them away without speaking. Elizabeth glanced at Jane who was trying not to frown. She knew her sister was as embarrassed as she was by their mother’s lack of manners.
“Thank you, Mrs. Sanderson. I am so grateful for all your work,” said Jane.
The seamstress looked a little mollified. “You will make a beautiful bride, Miss Bennet.”
Jane’s cheeks were red. She had never been good at accepting compliments even though she received many for her beauty.
Elizabeth saved her from any more awkwardness and showed the two women out. She shut the door firmly behind her and led them to the front door.
“We will see you in three days,” she said carefully.
Mrs. Sanderson nodded. “Good afternoon, Miss Elizabeth, and thank you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Sanderson.”
The two women left with the assistant carrying the dress and the wicker basket with the tools of their work. Elizabeth stood watching until they disappeared through the archway which led them down the lane towards Meryton.
She only hoped Mrs. Sanderson was not so upset by having to do the work again that she would stop coming to Longbourn. She had always served the family well, but even someone as patient as Mrs Sanderson might have her limits. It was too bad that her mother thought she knew best. Elizabeth herself had thought the neckline had looked quite perfect on Jane.
Elizabeth closed the front door and for a moment leaned against it. Straight ahead she could see the closed door to her father’s study. They had barely seen him for the past few days. He had always spent a great deal of time by himself, but he seemed more secluded than ever. She had thought about trying to go and speak to him once more about Mr. Darcy but decided against it. She did not want to risk her father hardening his attitude towards Mr. Darcy or herself.
She was a little hurt that she had not heard from Mrs. Gardiner. Her aunt normally wrote by return when she sent a letter. She could only guess Mrs. Gardiner was busy. She hoped she would have the opportunity to speak to both of them when they arrived for Jane’s wedding. She was eager to know what they thought of the situation regarding Mr. Darcy. She had never imagined how difficult it would be to not speak or see him. She’d told her Mr. Darcy that she would wait, but she prayed they would not be parted for too long. The thought it might be months or even years was unbearable.
A noise of something being dropped broke her reverie. Trying to push all thoughts of Mr. Darcy aside, she t returned to the parlour.
Mrs. Bennet was still complaining. “There is much to do for the wedding. No one understands how much there is for me to do. Your clothes … the food.”
Kitty immediately seized upon what she had said. “Mama, may I have a new bonnet?” she asked hopefully.
“No Kitty,” snapped Mrs. Bennet. “You have more than one bonnet already.”
Kitty’s face fell. A new bonnet always brought her such happiness.
Jane, the peacemaker, quickly reassured her that one of the bonnets she already had would look very nice. “Kitty, perhaps we could go into Meryton and find some new ribbon to trim it,” she suggested.
Kitty beamed with pleasure. “When can we go?”
“Mama, would you mind if we went to Meryton tomorrow?” asked Jane.
“Tomorrow?” Kitty once again looked disappointed.
Jane smiled at her sister’s impatience. “Tomorrow Kitty. We cannot go today. We are to have tea with Miss Bingley this afternoon.”
“I don’t think I like Miss Bingley,” muttered Kitty.
Nor do I, thought Elizabeth.
A pained expression crossed Jane’s face. “Kitty, I do not like to hear you talk in this way. Miss Bingley will soon be my sister and I hope she will be as dear to me as you are.”
“Miss Bingley is such an elegant lady,” said Mrs. Bennet. “Jane, do you think she will talk about the wedding breakfast?”
“I do not know, mama. I know she will be very particular about the arrangements and I am so grateful to her for the trouble she is going to. It leaves you and Papa with more time for our visitors.”
Elizabeth admired once again the ease with which Jane was able to appease their mother when she grew agitated.
Mrs. Bennet smiled affectionately at her eldest daughter. “You have always been a blessing to me, Jane, from the first day you were born.”
Jane accepted the compliment with a faint smile. Elizabeth felt sorry for her eldest sister. Now that Lydia was married to Mr. Wickham and no longer living in Hertfordshire, Jane was definitely the favourite daughter. It was a position that Lydia had always relished but Jane, who wanted all her sisters to be of equal importance, was uncomfortable at being favoured so often.
As Mrs. Bennet continued to talk regardless of whether her daughters were listening, Jane suddenly whispered to Elizabeth. “Lizzy, c
an I talk to you, before we go to Netherfield?”
Elizabeth saw a look of worry in her sister’s eyes and nodded.
15
Mrs. Bennet made it very difficult for them to slip away. With nothing else to do, she wanted her daughters with her. Even when they were working at their embroidery, she liked to chatter all the time. Elizabeth and Jane both found it very wearing and Mary preferred to read, so it was mainly left to Kitty to satisfy their mother’s need to gossip.
At last they had to prepare for their visit to Netherfield and Elizabeth changed her dress and then slipped along to Jane’s room where Sarah was pinning Jane’s hair.
“Would you leave us, please?” asked Jane.
Sarah immediately put down the pin in her hand and left the room.
“What is it, Jane?” asked Elizabeth.
Jane got up from her seat. She did not immediately say anything but started to pace up and down the room clenching her hands together.
“Jane?”
Jane sighed deeply. “I’m sorry, Lizzy. I keep wondering how I will manage as mistress of Netherfield.”
Elizabeth sat down on the window seat. “Oh, Jane. Why would you worry about such a thing? You will manage very well, I know you will.”
“Do you, Lizzy? How do you know?” Jane looked pensive. “Mr. Bingley is such a good man and I do not want to disgrace him. He is putting a great deal of trust in me to run Netherfield and his home in London.”
Elizabeth was puzzled why her sister was suddenly worried. “Jane, there will be people to help you. Mr. Bingley’s housekeeper and Mr. Bingley himself.”
Jane shook her head. “I am not sure it is enough.”
“And Miss Bingley.” Elizabeth did not like Miss Bingley, but she was certain the older woman would have a great deal of advice to give Jane about how to run the houses. “And you have knowledge from what you have seen and heard.”
Jane still did not look happy, but she had stopped pacing and sat down next to Elizabeth. “I would not wish to be critical of our parents, Lizzy, but we have not always had the best example of a happy houshold.”