by Lane Cossett
The guests who had followed them out of the church stood watching them with pleasure. Elizabeth and Kitty stood by their parents. Mrs. Bennet was beaming with pride and hanging onto her husband’s arm. “Mr. Bennet, are we not blessed? Our daughter has made an advantageous marriage.”
Mr. Bennet smiled in a vague way. “Yes, indeed. They are so very similar I believe they will have a happy marriage and if they do not, there is five thousand a year which should make it a great deal easier. If they are still not happy he can always send her back.”
“Mr. Bennet,” Mrs. Bennet spluttered with rage. “Send her back. What nonsense. How can you suggest such a thing?”
“Mother, I think father was joking,” said Elizabeth.
“On our daughter’s wedding day?” asked Mrs. Bennet indignantly.
“What better day, my dear?” Mr. Bennet grinned at his second daughter before looking down at his wife. “Now let us go and speak to the happy couple and smile, my dear. You would not want anyone to think you were unhappy.”
Kitty giggled as her parents went to speak to the new Mr. and Mrs. Bingley. “Father is awful sometimes, is he not?”
Elizabeth said nothing. She was finding it increasingly difficult to be in the presence of her father. She had not tried to talk to him again about Mr. Darcy and yet it irked her that he was acting as if nothing had happened. Even catching a glimpse of Mr. Darcy in the church had been painful. It hurt her that her father had so little thought for her feelings. He didn’t seem to care her heart was breaking.
“Come on, Lizzy, I think Mr. Bingley is going to be throwing the coins,” said Kitty excitedly.
Elizabeth could see Mr. Bingley had stood up and was holding a coin purse. People were gathered around the carriage waiting for him to throw them. Suddenly people were crying out with joy as he threw coins into the air and soon people were scrabbling to pick one up. Elizabeth stayed where she was, trying to stem the tears that were threatening to fall down her cheeks.
24
Elizabeth did not like Caroline Bingley, but she had to admit Miss Bingley had gone to a great deal of trouble to ensure everyone enjoyed the wedding feast. The large dining room table at Netherfield was covered in plates and dishes of delicious-looking food. Elizabeth did not believe she had ever seen such a spread. There were cold meats, eggs, a selection of cheeses, fresh rolls, jams and preserves, plates of fruit and two beautiful pineapples at either end of the long table. But it was the wedding cake as the centrepiece with its four layers surrounded by fresh flowers that had everyone gasping with admiration
As well as the scrumptious food, there was a group of musicians who played while they ate, which was a relief to all except perhaps for Mary Bennet who had still harboured a hope that she would be called upon to entertain everyone.
Elizabeth spent much of the meal sitting next to Lady Lucas, talking to her about her daughter, Charlotte Collins, who was now in Kent.
“I do hope to go and visit Charlotte next spring. I had hoped she could come and stay here, but I understand that Mr. Collins has many responsibilities and finds it difficult to get away,” said Lady Lucas.
“Lady Catherine certainly demands a great deal of his time,” said Elizabeth as she took some ham from the plate Lady Lucas was offering her.
“I am pleased that Charlotte is so settled.” Lady Lucas lowered her voice. “Mr. Collins was not necessarily the man we would have chosen for Charlotte, but he is a good husband and she is happy. I hope you will be next, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth inwardly winced. Now that Jane was married, the pressure on her to find a suitable suitor was going to increase. Why, oh why, was her father so against Mr. Darcy? The question had continued to rattle around her head and yet she had found no answer to it. “I hope so too,” she said quietly.
“He’s very handsome, isn’t he?” said Lady Lucas coyly.
Elizabeth had no idea what her ladyship was talking about.
Lady Lucas lowered her voice. “Mr. Darcy. He is very handsome, even more so than Mr. Bingley.”
“Yes… he is,” stuttered Elizabeth, wishing she was sitting somewhere else.
“And he would make someone a perfect husband, don’t you think?”
Lady Lucas had her eyes firmly fixed on her face and Elizabeth was praying the warmth she felt in her cheeks was not showing as a red blush. “I am afraid I really don’t know him well enough to say. All I know is that he is a good friend of Mr. Bingley’s.”
Lady Lucas looked disappointed that she had imparted no gossip but to Elizabeth’s relief she changed the subject and asked how long the Gardiners were staying at Longbourn. No more was said about weddings and it was not long before Elizabeth turned to talk to Mr. Hurst, who was seated on her left. He made little effort to converse with her, but she didn’t mind. At least she knew he was not interested enough to ask any questions of her, and when he had finished eating large quantities of food and some ale, she suddenly realised he had fallen asleep.
When everyone had had their fill and the footmen cleared away plates, many of the guests changed seats to converse with others they’d had no chance to speak to. Elizabeth had just gotten to her feet when Miss Bingley stopped her. “Miss Eliza. How well you look today.”
“And you,” said Elizabeth, thinking how striking the older woman looked in her purple satin dress.
“I wanted to speak to you,” said Miss Bingley, looking quickly around.
Elizabeth was immediately on her guard. “What is it?”
“I heard a strange rumour about you and Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth’s heart was beginning to thump harder. “I am not sure I know what you are talking about.”
The smile slipped from Miss Bingley’s face. “Miss Eliza, you must not take me for a fool. Your sister has been clever enough to catch a wealthy man and I believe you hoped to do the same.”
“My sister loves your brother,” hissed Elizabeth.
Miss Bingley looked vaguely around at the other guests. “Yes, dear Jane. I wonder how she will manage knowing that she was not his first choice.”
Elizabeth wanted to tear herself away. Caroline Bingley was a nasty woman. It was clear the feelings she had for Jane were not kind ones. “The past does not matter,” she said. “Now if you will excuse me.”
Miss Bingley caught her arm. Elizabeth was shocked. The grip was surprisingly sharp. Miss Bingley suddenly let her go. “You may have a yearning to marry Mr. Darcy, but he is not so foolish to marry you. He has his dalliances, but he always goes back to what is familiar.”
Elizabeth’s mind was puzzled. Was Miss Bingley suggesting that she was an old love of Mr. Darcy’s? She did not believe it. He had never shown any indication that he even liked her.
Miss Bingley’s dark eyes booted into hers.“You are very young, Miss Bennet. Mr. Darcy needs a woman who knows a great deal more about the world. He might have thought about marrying you but he has come to his senses. He was only telling my brother how relieved he was that your father said no to his proposal.”
Every word that came out of her mouth hurt. Elizabeth felt as if she was going to be sick. “I must talk to my sister,” she said as firmly as she could manage.
Miss Bingley’s tone suddenly changed. “Do. I am so glad that you and I have had a chance to talk to each other.” Elizabeth was speechless as Miss Bingley left her alone.
25
Mr. Darcy was counting the moment when the wedding feast would be over, and he could leave. The ring of Mrs. Bennet’s screeching voice even over the sound of the musicians was very trying. He didn’t think he had ever met anyone who was more indiscreet than Mrs. Bennet. She was so proud of her eldest daughter marrying a man of fortune, she could not stop boasting about it and was now telling Mrs. Gardiner that there would be plenty of opportunity for her remaining daughters to find new husbands.
Mr. Darcy looked down the table to where Elizabeth Bennet was sitting speaking to Mrs. Hurst. He quickly looked away. It had been almost unbearable
to see her in the church. Their eyes had met for a split second but then they had looked away and his heart had ached for her. He was at a loss to know what to do. He was still disappointed that Mr. Gardiner had declined to help him. However he tried to rack his brain, he could not come up with a reason why Mr. Bennet was so against him proposing to Miss Bennet.
“Mr. Darcy. How lovely.”
The back of his neck started to tingle as Miss Bingley sat in the chair which had recently been vacated by Mrs. Gardiner. “You must be finding this all very trying.”
Mr. Darcy resisted the urge to move his chair away from her. Caroline Bingley was disturbingly close to him and he could see a thick layer of powder covering her face. At a distance with her height, she had a presence that some found attractive, but close up he could observe the slight upturn of her mouth and the almost permanent look of disdain on her face. He was revolted by her.
“Not at all, Miss Bingley. It is a splendid occasion.”
She smiled in a smug manner. “I’m glad you think so. Naturally the arrangements had to be made here at Netherfield. You could not trust that woman to arrange anything.”
He was no more fond of Mrs. Bennet than Caroline Bingley was but he was not about to share his views of Mrs. Bennet with her. He did not trust Bingley’s sister.
“Naturally she is hoping now that she has found one suitable husband for her daughter, we will find her others. Jane Bennet is a sweet girl, but as for the others…” Caroline Bingley paused dramatically.
Darcy was curious to know what she was about to say, but Caroline Bingley gave a coy smile. “I will say no more, Mr. Darcy. I know how fond of Miss Elizabeth Bennet you are.”
Darcy inwardly cringed. He tried to concentrate on the sound of the musicians who were still failing to drown out the whine of Mrs. Bennet. He looked across at Mr. Bennet, who as usual was ignoring his wife and was speaking to Mr. Hurst who had just woken up. He could not imagine that the two had anything in common to talk about.
“You seem to have difficulty in taking your eyes off Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” remarked Miss Bingley.
The words stung. “You are mistaken, Miss Bingley. I was looking at the picture above the fireplace. It is similar to one that I have at Pemberley.”
He should have felt guilty about telling such a blatant lie, but he did not want Caroline Bingley believing he had some affection for Elizabeth Bennet.
Her eyes narrowed for a moment. “If that’s what you want to say, Mr. Darcy, but I had heard that you wanted to propose to her and her father refused.”
“Where did you hear that?” asked Mr. Darcy furiously.
Caroline Bingley laughed and under the cover of the table put a hand on his thigh. Darcy froze. “Now do not get cross. I thought dear Jane told me. Perhaps I was mistaken. Naturally I must be. I do not think you would want to marry a woman who seemed so enamoured with George Wickham and who was nearly married to that dreadful Mr. Collins. I’m afraid Miss Elizabeth Bennet has none of the class of her sister.”
Caroline Bingley increased the pressure to his leg and she was now rubbing it up and down. Mr. Darcy reached down and caught her wrist. He did not want to hurt her, but he did not want her touching him.
Miss Bingley cooed at him. “Oh, Mr. Darcy. A man with strength. You and I would be a great match for each other.”
Darcy was speechless. He had never liked Caroline Bingley, but her behaviour was outrageous.
“Mr. Darcy, it is time you married. I have always been very fond of Georgiana and I am sure she would be delighted to have me as a sister.”
Mr. Darcy was beginning to believe Caroline Bingley had taken leave of her senses. He pushed her hand away and glared at her. “Madam, you presume too much. I have no intention of marrying and certainly not to anyone who displays such a lack of manners.”
Darcy pushed back his chair. “If you would excuse me.”
He had kept his voice low, but the scraping of his chair had attracted some attention. As angry as he felt he forced a smile onto his face. As quickly as he could, he left the room.
He crossed the hall and a footman held open the door for him.
“Darcy!”
He did not realise that Charles Bingley had followed him. He stopped. “Where are you going?” asked his friend.
“I am sorry, Bingley, but I was in need of some fresh air. Forgive me. I will take a turn around the gardens and then I will come back inside. Go back. You must not neglect your wife or your guests.”
“I left Mrs. Bingley talking to her mother,” grimaced Bingley. “No one will miss me.”
The two friends walked down the steps together. Darcy’s mind was working quickly. He hoped Bingley had not noticed his conversation with his sister. He could not tell his friend what had passed between them.
“In truth, Darcy, I will be relieved when everyone has gone. I look forward to having Netherfield to ourselves.”
“But you still have your sisters and Mr. Hurst.”
“Louisa and Mr. Hurst are leaving tomorrow and although I have yet to talk to Caroline, I think she should go to London. I think her presence makes Mrs. Bingley nervous.”
Darcy said nothing. He did not think Miss Bingley would like to be banished.
They were about to cross the drive into the formal gardens when they noticed someone on a horse riding up the drive. They both stopped as the rider drew near. He stopped almost in front of them, jumping down from his horse and reaching into his bag.
“I have an express for a Mr. Darcy,” he said.
“I am he.” Darcy took it from the man. A feeling of dread wrapped around his heart. It was from Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Georgiana in an accident. Come home at once.
He was glad his coachman and carriage were expecting to leave today. He handed the express to Bingley. “I’m sorry, Bingley, to spoil your wedding day but I must make preparations to leave at once.”
Bingley gazed at him anxiously.“Naturally you must leave. Is there anything I can do?”
Darcy shook his head. “Go back to your guests. Do not make a fuss. I will leave as soon as everything is ready.”
Bingley nodded, and they returned to the house.
26
Everyone was tired after the wedding and breakfast was not held until nearly midday the following morning. Elizabeth, who rose before anyone else, sat in her room with weak sunshine filtering through the windows and wrote a letter to her friend Charlotte Collins.
It was a beautiful day, though there was a slight chill in the air. Jane was quite serene and showed no nerves. Everyone praised her dress and you could see she was very happy to have left the church as Mrs. Bingley.
Elizabeth paused for a moment. She did not add that she had looked at Jane sitting next to Mr. Bingley on several occasions at the wedding feast and although Jane had been smiling a great deal, Elizabeth was sure she had seen a faint shadow of worry in her sister’s eyes. What it meant, she could not be certain. They had made up after Jane had accused her of being jealous and although there had been no signs of tension between them, Elizabeth did not feel as close to her sister as she had done in the past and that caused her much sadness.
Miss Bingley made the arrangements for the wedding feast and the food was quite delicious. Cook also surpassed herself with a wedding cake which is taller than any I have ever seen. There were some musicians and much to Kitty’s delight we had the opportunity to dance before the happy couple left for their honeymoon. I am so glad that when they return they are settling at Netherfield.
Jane had made her promise she would call at Netherfield as soon as they had returned from their honeymoon and she would, but Elizabeth could not help worrying that there would be greater distance between them.
Elizabeth finished the letter by asking Charlotte about the people she was helping with in the parish. She deliberately refrained from asking about her husband’s patron, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Elizabeth disliked her intensely. There was a time when s
he had thought Mr. Darcy shared many of the characteristics of his aunt, but she had been wrong. Lady Catherine was devoid of any compassion, even towards her immediate family. Mr. Darcy, as she had found out, was one of the most generous people she had ever met.
* * *
Mrs. Bennet looked tired at breakfast, but she still couldn’t help boasting about the wedding, which she said had been a triumph.
“Mrs. Gardiner, I don’t think there could ever been a more beautiful bride than my dear Jane.”
“She did look very beautiful,” agreed Mrs. Gardiner.
“I knew I was right about the neckline,” said Mrs. Bennet as she nibbled on a roll. “I thought Miss Bingley looked very ill. I did not think that purple suited her at all. Did you, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth said nothing. She was thinking of Mr. Darcy. She was shocked to think he might have told Miss Bingley about his proposal. He had known her for many years, but it was still surprising that he might have confided in her.
“Lizzy! Are you listening to me?”
Elizabeth jumped. “I am sorry, mother. What did you say?”
“Miss Bingley’s dress. I thought she looked very ill.”
Elizabeth was not going to fall into the trap of criticising Miss Bingley. “I thought she looked striking as always.”
Mrs. Bennet sniffed. “Well, I didn’t think so. I am sure she must have bought that dress in London. Not suitable for Hertfordshire at all.”
“I thought the Bingleys put on a wonderful wedding feast,” said Mr. Gardiner, trying to distract his sister.
“Indeed they did,” agreed Mr. Bennet, looking up from his paper. “I am grateful for the money they saved us.”
“Mr. Bennet. How can you say that? Do you not realise there were still many expenses for the wedding? Guests and dresses. The lace on Jane’s dress. You have no idea how much it cost.”