by Anne Louise
“But tell me more about the two friends.”
“Yes, mother, we intend to do that momentarily but we would like for father to join us and we would like to talk to you both in the library away from our sisters.”
“I hate it when you talk this way and I am afraid this must be very serious. That must be the reason you want such a discussion in private, is it not?”
“No, mama, it is just better that we tell our story to both of you while you are together in the same room. You must not fret because we do not bring bad news at all. We rather think you will be pleased after we have told you and father these things.”
Next the sisters and their mother entered the library. Elizabeth could already see that Jane was getting nervous and so she decided speak for both of them, but her father spoke first.
“Well, well, I suppose you have a good reason for this visit? I do hope you are not intending to gang up on me for the odds are surely against me if you are.”
Lizzy laughed. “No Papa, that is not on our minds but Jane and I wanted to speak with you both concerning our visit with the Gardiners and our visit at Netherfield earlier this day.”
Elizabeth took the lead and opened the discussions and pretty much followed the script that Mr. Bingley and his friend had described. She carefully went through the entire history of meeting Mr. Darcy and of her recovery from her ankle injury and meeting Miss Darcy and Jane’s arrival and their visit to Darcy House and their first seeing Mr. Bingley. Her father knew these things but not her mother.
“You should both know it was surprise enough the day I met Mr. Darcy, but to later meet his best friend that night and learn that he was the very man who would rent Netherfield, was a big surprise and it all felt surreal. Just like yourselves, we did not know who was to rent the place and Mr. Bingley never told Mr. Darcy. Indeed, Mr. Darcy did not expect his friend would show up that evening because he had been out of town.”
“That must have been a great surprise. And what was your first reaction when you met the man, Jane?”
“Mother, like Lizzy, I also thought it was surreal and he is such a pleasant man and I liked him right away. He is the most amicable man I have ever met and is quite handsome and we seem to have become good friends. That evening we also met Mr. Darcy’s cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and learnt that his brother was very sick. Today we saw the colonel and learnt that his brother had died not a week ago. Colonel Fitzwilliam is the second son but now he will inherit his father’s estate, and with his older brother’s passing, he is the new viscount.”
“Wait, Lizzy, that makes Colonel Fitzwilliam’s father an earl.”
“You are right, Papa. He is the Earl of Matlock and he is the brother of Mr. Darcy’s mother.”
“There is more, Papa. Our Uncle Gardiner is friends with the man.”
“He has never mentioned this to me.”
“Papa, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy wish to meet you and mama and I invited them to come later tomorrow morning. Please do not be angry as I should have checked with you first but felt like I had to commit. Since Jane and I both like them we thought a meeting with them and us would be wise. Mama, they also want to meet you and Jane and I told them both that you are quite pretty.”
“Yes, Fanny, you are pretty. How else would you have such handsome children?”
He watched as his wife tried to contain a few errant tears as they trickled down her face, and so he took his handkerchief and gently dried his wife’s tears.
“Fanny, I am proud to show you off when the young men come tomorrow. It just may be that things will soon change around Longbourn.”
“Now girls, do not toy with your father and me. Are these two men the answer to your prayers?”
“Come now, Fanny, there is only one way to respond to your question.”
“These two men may be the answer to your prayers just as our girls will be the answer to their prayers.”
“You will like our friends, Mama, and you too Papa. We think they are the best of men.”
As the sisters left the library, Mr. Bennet asked his wife to remain.
“That was a good talk, Fanny. We now know the identity of the man and if we are asked about him and his friends, we know the truth. I am certain the story of how she and Mr. Darcy first met will be discussed in different ways, but I am confident that these two men admire our daughters.”
“Mr. Bennet, I have been thinking about the dance. You know that I get excited about such things but I will behave and be dignified at the dance. Jane and Lizzy have not said their true feelings but perhaps they are keeping them to themselves and hoping I will not embarrass them. As for feelings toward the men, I believe Jane may be in love with the man and Lizzy is on the brink and I will not do anything to spoil their chances.”
****
Later that evening after the sisters were returned to Longbourn, the household was mostly asleep and the sisters prepared for bed and brushed each other’s hair, just as they had always done. Elizabeth was happy and Jane was convinced that it was because Darcy had returned. “Lizzy, I felt you may have been injured when Mr. Bingley told you about the supposed engagement between Mr. Darcy and his cousin. You did not have much to say and I wondered if you heard all that he said because he then went on to explain that Mr. Darcy and his cousin’s engagement was a fairy tale invented by Mr. Darcy’s aunt.”
“You are correct, Jane, for I asked Mr. Darcy and he told me the same thing. I guess I was so shocked to hear those words that I believed them. After hearing the same thing from him, I feel like things are normal again and I can still hope he cares for me. Either way, Jane, I am deliriously happy that he has come.”
“Thank you, Lizzy, for taking the lead in speaking to father and mother. I did not want to show him my emotion, but I really hope the meeting on the morrow will go well. And even if it does, we still have to worry about how mother will react at the dance.”
“Papa will talk to her and calm her. Remember, he will attend this dance so he can keep her in line. I believe mama will act very differently when she meets our friends and also at the dance.”
“It is very wise of the men to want to visit us. Just that visit alone will set us apart from our neighbors and mama will not need to announce it for the gentlemen will spend the majority of their time with us.”
“Have you decided what you will wear?”
“Yes, Lizzy, I will wear the best dress I own, the one our uncle gave me last year. I like it very much and imagine you will wear the one he gave you.”
“Tis true what you say, Jane, for we have no dresses more beautiful. I cannot wait to see Mr. Darcy all put together and the same with his friend. And Charlotte was certainly enjoying herself. Darcy’s cousin has a good way about him and I think he likes our friend.”
****
Back at Netherfield Georgiana had already retired for the night but the three friends sipped brandy and discussed the young women.
“Well, Bingley, I must thank you again for allowing me to join you and the others here. I just wanted to get away from town after all the commotion surrounding my brother’s death and my leaving the army.”
“You are very welcome, my friend. It is good that you have joined us.”
“I do not feel so sorry for you, Richard. Already you have discovered a young woman who compliments you. Now that I think on it, you have always had a way with women. It is much the same with our friend Charles.”
“You are wrong, Darcy. I do enjoy the chase but I have never been good at choosing any young woman to be my companion in life. It is true that I have never been in love, and so all those times I only deceived myself. You have been the most successful, Darcy, and you did not even have to go out of your way. It was like Miss Elizabeth fell out of the clear blue sky.”
Darcy chuckled and took a longer sip of the amber liquid. He caught the light from the fire in his crystal glass and saw the sparkle and thought about those fine eyes and wondered what Elizabeth was doing at that moment. “B
ingley, you must save that remark for your angel, Miss Bennet. Miss Elizabeth’s appearance was after she severely sprained her ankle.”
“Yes, Darcy, but her coming into your life was heaven sent, was it not?”
“Yes, Bingley, she was heaven sent. Even considering all the hours of lost sleep and worrying about her and trying to figure out all this romance stuff, I still am most happy that I have met her. I will never forget my surprise at meeting Miss Elizabeth that day in the park. She was in much pain but was afraid to ride on Sampson, but there was simply no way around it as I had to get her to the Gardiner’s house and get the doctor to examine her.”
“Even so, you likely have won her heart. How does that sit with you, Darcy?”
“It is truly scary, but I am bewitched. Miss Elizabeth completely unsettles me and is so different from any other female of my acquaintance.”
Darcy next ran his hands through his hair. “I am much looking forward to the dance and know she will be a graceful dancer. At least her ankle is much stronger. She is very intelligent and has an excellent memory. You saw her talk about American history and other things. But she is an expert on the classics and the great works of Shakespeare and of the great thinkers and scientists. And you have heard her voice. That is my last thought before I sleep, to wish to hear her sing with her melodic voice. That day at the park I saw her skipping and heard her singing. She was so innocent and I was drawn to her in a way I have never felt before. Unfortunately my horse became spooked and she stumbled and fell.”
“So cousin, what was it like to ride with her?”
“It all happened so quickly but I liked the feeling of her in my arms and I wanted to protect her. I have enjoyed the time I have spent with her.”
****
Bingley and his friend rode to Netherfield the next morning. Kitty was the first to see them approach the house and alerted the others and next Mrs. Hill announced the gentlemen had arrived. Elizabeth and Jane next greeted their friends and introduced them to their parents. Kitty and Mary and Lydia were upstairs and Mr. Bennet suddenly was amused in watching his two eldest daughters staring at the gentlemen seated near them. Darcy next asked if Elizabeth had told them of how they met and if Jane had done the same. Mr. Bennet replied that they had told them these things.
“Your Lizzy is very special to me and to my sister. I never would have believed that morning when I went out for an early ride that fate would visit me, but your daughter’s stumble brought her into my life. She has told me about her family and I feel that I already know you. Mrs. Bennet, both of your daughters favor you with your good looks. What say you, Charles?”
“Yes, I say you are correct, my friend. I too wished to meet you both after meeting your daughters. I was on my way to Hertfordshire to inspect the property on the very day that Miss Elizabeth sprained her ankle. Usually I would have asked my friend to join me and give me advice on the estate but this day I visited alone. Had your daughter not gone for her morning walk, Darcy might never have met her.”
“But you might have rented Netherfield anyway and then you might have met them at the very dance next Saturday.”
“Yes, Mr. Bennet, you are correct in what you say, and I would still have rented the place, but knowing that the two jewels of the county are less than three miles away, pleases me greatly. Mrs. Bennet, thank you for providing those lists and helpful information that your daughters gave us yesterday. Our new housekeeper and I both appreciate your kindness.”
The discussions continued for over an hour and the participants grew more comfortable in the other’s presence. The remaining sisters next returned downstairs and were introduced and Elizabeth told them of Miss Darcy. The sisters all said they wanted to meet her.
“I am certain we can make that happen, can we not, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Yes, we can, Mr. Darcy. Papa, would you allow the others to visit at Netherfield this day? I know Miss Darcy would enjoy meeting all my sisters.”
Her remaining sisters were eager for the visit and the father soon replied they could visit. Mr. Bennet then suggested that one of the men could leave his horse at Longbourn and take his carriage and after the visit could return with the sisters and then ride back.
Mr. Bingley then agreed to take the carriage and said the sisters could join them for a light lunch.
“Mr. Bingley, we do look forward to seeing both you gentlemen at the dance next Saturday,” replied Mrs. Bennet. “We are your closest neighbor so I must tell you that we are here to help you should you need it.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Bennet.”
The men next thanked the Bennet parents as the three youngest sisters soon had their bonnets and joined the others out front as the carriage was brought around.
Darcy rode ahead of the others and all observed that he was an excellent rider, but Elizabeth now knew him to be an excellent kisser and wished that his friend had taken his horse and that Darcy and her could have sat together in the driver’s seat.
They soon arrived and Georgiana came outside to meet the others. Darcy and Bingley assisted the sisters from the carriage and now he watched as Georgiana hugged the youngest Bennet sisters and they all left together to run into the big house.
“It was good to finally meet your family, Miss Elizabeth, and to see Georgiana interact with the three youngest.”
“Yes, I believe all went well. My parents seem to like you both.”
“And I like them too.”
Next Mr. Bingley and Jane went inside leaving Darcy and Elizabeth alone. “Miss Bennet, have you inspected the little wilderness that we visited earlier and might they still be usable?”
“No, Mr. Darcy, they cannot be used except in an emergency or when I have not seen you for several days. I believe we should continue our lessons after the dance. I will tell you that your kiss made for a very erotic dream that night.”
“You will have to tell me about it one day, will you not?”
“No, sir, a lady should never discuss such things.”
****
The days leading up to dance saw Darcy and Elizabeth meet most days for early morning walks and during the afternoon Jane and Elizabeth would visit at Netherfield. Not to be outdone, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Charlotte Lucas met each day and he was often invited to Lucas Lodge to meet her family. All of these meetings and walks did not go unnoticed by the affected families and Sir William Lucas, Charlotte’s father, and her mother were hoping their oldest daughter had finally met a man she might marry.
Georgiana and the three youngest Bennet girls met daily and took long walks into the little village of Meryton or visited at Longbourn or Netherfield. Through all of this, Mrs. Bennet never became over excited and was the picture of calm and her two eldest wondered what had caused such a transformation.
Mr. Bennet and his wife had several talks regarding the upcoming dance and she had thus far made good on setting a good example for her family. She remained intent not to embarrass her family and so she refrained from visiting many of her friends ahead of the dance and promised herself that she would not gloat. By now Mrs. Bennet was certain that many of her neighbors already knew that the Bennet girls had met their friends in town, but Mrs. Bennet resolved to tell as little as possible of how her eldest daughters met the gentlemen.
****
The day of the dance was a beautiful day with mild temperatures and a little breeze as Elizabeth came downstairs and spoke to her father.
“Good morning, Lizzy, I see you are ready for your walk. Do not walk too far as you must save some energy for the dance this evening and not exercise your ankle too much.”
“Papa, my ankle is well and you can be assured that I will be careful.”
“Then come and have some toast and coffee with me before you go out.”
“No, Papa, I am to meet with Mr. Darcy at the footbridge and I am already running late. Please do not tell mama.”
“I will keep your secrets, Lizzy, and I appreciate your honesty, but you should not walk w
ithout a chaperone with that man. What would people say at the dance if they saw you with the man this morning? You know what people believe about rich men having their way with innocent girls?”
“I shall know how to respond in any event. For now, I would say he is assisting me in my walking and these are the doctor’s orders.”
Mr. Bennet sighed as she grabbed a few bites of toast and jam and took a little coffee before heading outside. After all these years, he had never convinced her of the danger of her morning walks. Now, for some unexplained reason, he was oddly comforted knowing she would be protected by the very man who likely intended to take her from Longbourn. Now he watched her and heard her singing an old tune as she left. He had never liked her going out on walks by herself but this had been her practice since she was thirteen and he always knew where she would walk and for this day he had reason to believe she would be safe. In an emergency she could defend herself and knew where to kick a man and he knew his Lizzy to be a fast runner.