Suddenly Elizabeth

by Anne Louise

  “Yes, Father, but he and Miss Darcy will join Mr. Bingley at Netherfield in time for the assembly.”

  “I see, so Lizzy, this Mr. Darcy must be your good friend as well, is he not?”

  “Yes, Papa, and I like him very much.”

  “Will you please tell me more about the man?”

  Elizabeth carefully retold her story and awaited her father’s reply.

  “I never expected this but here we are. My two eldest daughters are in danger of falling in love with two rich gentlemen and all hell will break loose when their mother learns the truth. The time to tell her is after you have met the man and his friends at Netherfield.”

  “All will be well, Papa.”

  “No, Lizzy, we must have a plan. Jane, I think it is best that you continue to practice that walk. It is a long way to Netherfield and you need to gradually build up your stamina to be able to cover such a distance. Also, I will attend the dance and meet the two gentlemen and help your mother cope after she sees that her two eldest daughters have secured the interest of the two gentlemen.”

  “Then you approve that we should both visit Mr. Bingley, once he moves in?”

  “Yes, but you must visit in the early morning. This way your mother will not learn about your friends right away. Later, after your friend and his sister arrives, you may chaperone each other during your visits.”

  “Yes, after you talk with him you must tell your mother everything and do be truthful. It will be good for her to know you have met these men. You should know by now that your mother lives vicariously through you children.”

  After that talk Jane and Elizabeth started off on their walk.

  “See Jane, that was not so bad and Papa will keep these things to himself. Do you feel better now?”

  “I do feel much better but all this talk of Mr. Bingley has me wanting to see him more than ever and I can imagine that you feel the same way about his friend.”

  “Yes, I do feel that way. I am glad we spoke with Papa. He is right that we must not tell mama about the men until they arrive. This charade cannot continue until the night of the dance or father’s words about all hell will break loose will surely come true.”

  The eldest Bennet sisters continued to be excited about Mr. Bingley’s arrival. He was expected to arrive on Thursday, the day before Michaelmas. The sisters had not walked in the direction of Netherfield that morning but did mention to their mother that they would walk later that day to see if the new man had arrived. This pleased their mother but it also fed her anxiety. As they approached the house they saw Mr. Bungled come outside and speak with some of the servants before he saw Jane and waved to her.

  He immediately walked over to greet her and bowed as Jane curtseyed. “Miss Bennett, I am so pleased to see you here this fine afternoon.”

  “Miss Elizabeth, I did not see you at first.” He bowed as Elizabeth dropped him a curtsey. “I am very glad you both came. I do hope you are both well and your family too?”

  “Yes, we are all well,” replied Jane. “We thought that you might be here in the afternoon. How is everything going?”

  “All is well. I have brought some things with me from my home in town but the major furnishings are included with the lease. Basically I am starting with the staff that worked here earlier, at least those that remain in the area.

  “And what about the servants,” asked Lizzy?

  “Yes, I have hired a new housekeeper and a new cook and so those important things will be attended to immediately. If you had been here over the last few days you would have noticed the servants scurrying about bringing in fresh produce and other things needed to properly run the house.”

  “We have not been here, Mr. Bingley,” replied Jane.

  “I hope you have brought your dancing shoes with you.”

  “Yes, Miss Bennet, I have brought those shoes and a lot of my clothes and will be properly attired for the Meryton assembly. It is early, of course, but I will ask you now Miss Bennett for the first two dances.”

  Elizabeth looked on as Jane smiled broadly and replied to his question.

  “Thank you for asking me, Mr. Bingley. I happily agree to dance the first two dances but you should know that I will not be very popular with the other ladies who might want to lay a claim on you?”

  “That is fine with me, but there will be many men also jealous to see me dancing with you, Miss Bennet.”

  “But surely there will be other men at the dance, and women too.”

  “Yes, I know for a fact that our father plans to attend,” said Elizabeth. “Speaking of that, has Mr. Darcy told you when he and Georgiana will arrive?”

  “There is sad news on that front, Miss Elizabeth. Five days ago Mr. Darcy’s cousin passed. His brother, Colonel Fitzwilliam, was at his side for the last three days and was the last person to see him. Darcy arrived just minutes after the death as did his Aunt Catherine and his cousin, Anne.”

  “Mr. Bingley, I do not recall him mentioning that he has a cousin.”

  “Oh, yes, to hear his aunt, Darcy and Anne have been engaged for many years.”

  Mr. Bingley continued to talk but after such words Elizabeth heard no other words that he said. Her heart had been pierced and she felt a tightness in her chest and felt as if she was living a nightmare. She attempted to hurry through their talk, for now her knees were wobbly, and all she wanted was to return to Longbourn as soon as she could. So Darcy is to be married! Why did he not tell me? I have been a fool.

  Shock and bewilderment became the normal and Mr. Bingley continued to talk about Colonel Fitzwilliam’s brother. “Anne was quite moved by the experience and Darcy comforted her. He has made his lawyers available to help the family navigate through all the paperwork and Colonel Fitzwilliam is supposed to meet with the general staff to formally resign his commission.”

  “But he loves the army, replied Elizabeth.”

  “Miss Elizabeth, our friend is the second son of The Earl of Matlock. With his brother now dead, Colonel Fitzwilliam is now Viscount.”

  “I did not know any of this, replied Elizabeth.”

  “Mr. Darcy does not boast of such things. I dare say he has not mentioned much about his home in Derbyshire except to say a home exists. It is his first love and he calls the great estate, Pemberley. He told me that he hopes to invite you to visit the place along with Georgiana, but the visit may have to wait until spring.”

  Does Mr. Bingley actually believe that Anne de Bough would allow such a visit? I know what will happen. Mr. Darcy and Anne will marry and I shall never see him again unless Jane marries his friend.

  “So Mr. Darcy’s uncle is an earl?”

  “Yes, Mr. Darcy’s mother and Colonel Fitzwilliam’s father are siblings, along with his aunt, Lady Catherine.”

  “Do you expect Colonel Fitzwilliam will be here for the dance?”

  “Honestly, I am not sure but I invited him and I hope he comes.”

  Bingley’s words upset Elizabeth though she tried to hide her disappointment.

  “Mr. Bingley, I know this is all new for you, but Lizzy and I would like to help you in any way we can. We can help you sort out what you have and what you need and identify those things that have to be attended to now or can wait for later. Please let us do this for you? It will save you a lot of trouble later and it is something that women seem to be better at than men.”

  After hearing the news that Darcy was engaged to his cousin, Elizabeth was not in any mood to offer assistance to their new friend but went along with Jane’s plan in spite of her new feelings.

  “That is very generous of you both. I am certain that you have more experience in these matters. If you wish to do this, even for a small list, I will be happy to have your help.”

  “Very well, it will take a couple of days to complete the task so Lizzy and I will return at the same time in two days and will have a list that you can peruse.”

  “Thank you for your help.”

  “I see that you are being called
for, Mr. Bingley, so we will leave now.”

  With those words the sisters began their walk back and Elizabeth did her best to hide her feelings and emotions. She was frankly surprised that Jane had not spoken about Darcy’s engagement to his cousin.

  “We must help him, Lizzy. He knows nothing about running a home in the country. Let us speak with mother and father too and pick their brains and make a list of things he needs to consider. It will be fun.”

  “Look at it this way, it will give mother a chance to shine,” replied Elizabeth.

  Once they arrived home they spoke with their mother. “Well, Jane, tell me you met the man and that he is handsome and friendly and rich and that he thinks you are the most beautiful woman in Hertfordshire.”

  “Mother, his name is Charles Bingley. and he is about twenty-five years old. I would say he is near six feet in height and of average weight. He has a most pleasant smile and a pleasing countenance and his voice is manly and his eyes are a bright blue. There is no man near here who dresses as well as him and he looks strong and manly.”

  “This is wonderful, Jane. It is good you got to meet him. I am certain that he is favored wherever he goes.”

  “He did ask me for the first two dances at the assembly and I agreed. I do not know if he is rich but I imagine he must be because he told me he also owns a home in town.”

  “Bravo, Jane, I always knew you would marry well. You were not made so beautiful for nothing.”

  “Mother, please let it rest, I have just met the man and there is something that I need to ask you.”

  After explaining that she and Elizabeth offered to help the man organize things, Mrs. Bennet took over with an excitement they had rarely seen and soon had papers and index cards and ledgers that she would use. The woman stayed up past midnight making up lists of things he needed and why and suggestions and remedies and contacts and who to buy from and who to avoid and the lists went on an on.

  That night Elizabeth again had trouble sleeping. It had been a taxing day for her and she was particularly upset when she learned that Mr. Darcy’s cousin had died. She was initially pained to learn that Mr. Darcy and Georgiana might not arrive at Netherfield in time for the dance, but now that seemed to matter little. Learning that he and Anne were engaged broke her heart and she was troubled deeply. Her heart was also troubled by the realization that she had not given her mother the credit she deserved. Both she and Jane now realized that their mother was a wealth of knowledge regarding managing Longbourn and had nearly everything managed down to the last detail. Elizabeth had never noticed this side of her mother but now she appreciated that she could put her hands on whatever she needed. Her mother knew who to talk to and where they lived and when something was needed she knew where to get it. Even as Elizabeth was trying to sleep, she knew her mother was working on the checkoff list that they would later give to Mr. Bingley.

  Elizabeth was a bundle of emotions and fretted over Mr. Darcy. The longer she was apart from him the more she missed him and her dreams of him were becoming more erotic. She was eighteen and her body was already experiencing womanly urges and sensual emotions and stirrings that were new to her. Though she was innocent, in her dreams she was a young wife, loving her husband as best she could. Finally she prayed for self control and for her family and mostly for her mother who was still working at this late hour. She also prayed for the Darcys and Colonel Fitzwilliam and his family and she prayed for God to make Fitzwilliam Darcy love her.

  Their mother impressed them greatly and both sisters had nearly teared up earlier when they realized just how organized their mother was. As they walked off to Netherfield that morning, they turned around to see her waving back at them and both wiped tears from their cheeks.

  PART IV

  Back in town, Darcy and Georgiana and others had attended their cousin’s funeral. The family had a private graveside service and following that the Fitzwilliams hosted a small gathering at their home.

  As others were beginning to depart, Darcy looked on and could see that Richard Fitzwilliam had a forlorn look, as if he wished to escape. Darcy approached him when just the two of them were alone. “Well, Darcy, it seems as if I have kept you from the delightful Miss Bennets. I hereby grant you your freedom to go to Hertfordshire and propose to her.”

  “I do not know about proposing, but I do intend to visit with Bingley and meet the Bennet family. Bingley has already invited you. Look, cousin, why not return with Georgiana and me? You need to get away and take in a change of scenery and see Bingley’s new home. They are having a dance in the village and Elizabeth has told me of some ladies that you might be interested in meeting.”

  Both men watched as Lord Matlock approached. He had overheard their conversation.

  “Yes, Darcy, you must take him with you. Lord knows, my boy needs a change in scenery.”

  “Darcy, I am almost twenty-eight and my father still calls me boy. Let us leave for Hertfordshire.”

  Two days later the three cousins left early and arrived at Netherfield at just past noon. When they came inside, Darcy did not see Elizabeth or Jane as they were in another room with the housekeeper. Bingley soon joined his guests and welcomed them as the servants were sent to the coach to bring the travel chests to the respective rooms.

  Elizabeth and Jane were not informed that Darcy and the others had arrived and that the newest guests were already resting in their rooms. Bingley wanted their arrival to be a surprise for the sisters. Whilst Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam remained in their rooms, Darcy returned downstairs early. He now watched as Elizabeth approached him as he stepped from the stairs. She could feel his eyes on her and soon saw him smile, causing her to blush crimson. Oh, what is the matter with me? He looks at me and I go all to pieces. I must get myself together.

  She immediately thought of her dreams and wondered if by some chance that he knew of them, though she knew that would not happen in this universe. When Darcy continued to stare at her and smile, she decided to speak with him and learn the truth about his engagement to his cousin. Elizabeth was not a person to shy from a challenge and so she approached him. No other person was nearby as she curtseyed as he bowed.

  “I am glad you have come, Mr. Darcy. We have much to talk about.”

  “After discussing pleasantries, Elizabeth told him that it was about time that he reported for duty.”

  “And what duties have you assigned to me, Miss Elizabeth?”

  “Mr. Darcy, I would rather speak with you in private, if you will honor me with a few moments of your time.”

  “That will not be a problem and I doubt we will be missed, but perhaps you might suggest a location as you have explored the place and I have not.”

  “Yes, there is a little garden off the back of the house and it offers some privacy.”

  “Then I am happy to join you, but you seem mad at me. Are you taking me out to the woodshed for some nefarious reason, Miss Bennet?”

  Soon they had arrived at the site she had chosen for them to speak.

  “This place should work, Mr. Darcy. Why did you not tell me about your engagement to your cousin, Anne de Bourgh?”

  Darcy’s face turned white and he slapped his fist into his open hand.

  “Who told you of this, because it is not true?”

  “Judging from your reaction, it appears that it must be true. If it were not true, you would not be so emotional.”

  “I am emotional because nearly all my thoughts have been of you since you left town, and now, when I hoped you would be happy to see me, you mention something that is not true. Very well, I shall tell you my story and you may interrupt as often as you wish, but I am not now nor have I ever been engaged to my cousin.”

  Darcy told the full story and did say that he and Anne had agreed many years ago that they did not wish to marry, but neither of them ever confronted her mother to put an end to such foolishness.

  “Then you are to blame, not your cousin. And are you still certain she does not secretl
y love you?”

  “I am certain, and she never did love me nor did I love her. We last spoke of this a few months ago when I visited her and my aunt last Easter at Rosings. My cousin and I had agreed to tell her mother these things but I left suddenly due to urgent business in town. Now for the source of this lie, can you not tell me who said these things?”

  “I think not, Mr. Darcy. If there is no truth to such an engagement, we should let sleeping dogs lie.”

  “I will discover who is behind this.”

  “And shall I warn that person what you are all about?”

  “No, Miss Bennet, I do not want to spend my energy about such a trivial matter as a rumor. I will soon write to my aunt and settle the matter. No person in the family other than Aunt Catherine believes that Anne and I will wed. A good friend of mine once told me she would only marry if she was convinced that she was deeply in love. I feel the same as her.”