Mrs. Bingley’s Sister (The Austen Novels)

Chapter 38

February 1820

Netherfield Park

Hertfordshire

Elizabeth was dressed in mourning. Her father had finally passed away, and the burial was carried out just the day before. She had cried much these last few weeks, and she expected to cry still. But, she reasoned between crying spells, at least she had gotten to be at his bedside the moment he passed. At least she had gotten to have conversation with him until he was too weak to speak anymore.

Elizabeth was surprised when she received a letter from Mrs. Llewellyn. Her stomach churned. Darcy must be engaged. Elizabeth took a deep breath and opened the letter.

Miss Bennet,

I would like to ask that you call me Georgiana. I apologize that we did not have an opportunity to be on such terms at the house party, but I feel you are such a good friend to me, almost like a sister, and I want to continue our acquaintance. I hope you do not mind this.

Firstly, I am writing to say how very sorry I am to hear about your father. William says you were very close with the man and thus, very much like your father. He says your sense of humor and love of books seems to have come from your father's endearment. I am so very sorry for your loss. I was much younger when I lost my own father, but no matter the age, losing one's parent is a difficult affair. My heart is with you.

I have other news, though hardly important. As you know, Miss Llewellyn had stayed at Faringwell Abbey to recuperate after her horrifying fall. She has done just that. But the surprise lies here: she is engaged to be married! But not to my brother, which, as you know, I had been hoping for—no, she is betrothed to none other than Mr. Swann. They had apparently become endeared to one another through books and poetry while she was recovering. Fear not for my own disappointment, though. I am actually quite happy about the match, and now that I have learned from William that he harbored no strong affection on his side, it is just as well. Mr. Swann seems a very good man, and my dear sister is very happy. It was unexpected, but it is not disagreeable. My only cause to repine is that my dear brother is still without a wife. I do wish he would allow himself to fall in love, I daresay.

I shall end my letter and ask after the Bingley children. They were so lively. Dudley and little Georgie both miss playing with the Bingleys, and I have news on that score: I am feeling queasy, my courses have stopped, and I am so dreadfully tired all the time, but I am sure, assisting your sister four times already, you are quite familiar with such complaints as these: we are expecting another babe, I am sure of it. Is this not happy news? Mr. Llewellyn hopes for another boy, but I am more fond of having a little girl this time. I would love for Georgie to have a precious sister—particularly a sister who might trek three miles just to nurse her, do you not agree? I jest, but I am also serious, in that I very much admire the love between you and Mrs. Bingley. I could only hope for such a bond between my own two daughters, if God blesses us with another girl, that is.

I shall keep you and your family in my prayers at this time. I hope to see you again in the future. If you are ever in Nottinghamshire, please know you and your family are always welcome to stay with us at Graingerfield.

Yours,

Georgiana

Elizabeth nearly dropped the letter at the part about Miss Llewellyn's engagement. Not engaged to Darcy, but to Mr. Swann instead?

She couldn't breathe. She had been in mourning not only for the loss of her father, but the loss of Darcy as well. Elizabeth had anticipated never seeing the man ever again after he married. Now, she didn't know what to think. She reread the part about what Darcy said about her father; it touched her soul to see that he understood what her father meant to her. She felt tears building up in her eyes, realizing just how much she loved Darcy—

Just then, Jane appeared with a letter, her expression discomposed and upset, and she sat down wearily. Elizabeth was alarmed and immediately went to sit by Jane's side.

"Jane, what is it?"

"Read it—"

Elizabeth took the letter from her sister and saw it was from Lydia.

Jane,

I am writing to inform you that my dear husband Wickham is dead. Now I shall speak more plainly and say the man, whom I have grown to have less and less love for over these past many years, died at the gambling table, by his own willful foolishness. Many a year we evaded bad men he has owed money, and this time it seems fate caught up with him. I am sorry if this letter is shocking, or my attitude unladylike. It is just the truth of the matter, I have been so miserable married to this man. I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders, now that I am a widow, if I am to speak plainly. (Haven't I always shocked my sisters? This should be no true surprise to you, nor Lizzy, whom I am sure you'll have read this correspondence)

However, I have little to live on here, therefore I am coming to Hertfordshire. I have heard about Papa's sickness from Mary and am hoping to come and see him. I shall be at Longbourn, though if Papa passes, I know not what I shall do. I have my five children with me, the youngest still a babe, having been born in November.

Anyway, please know I shall be arriving within a fortnight of this letter being received. Write to me at ---- Inn, because I do plan to stay there on the way, so I should receive your message.

Lydia

"Five children, Lizzy! Mama is being moved out of Longbourn too—the Collinses have already arrived to take the estate—" Jane had started to say as Elizabeth ended the letter. She looked up, Jane went on: "I know it seems uncomfortable, but I feel it is only reasonable she come here to Netherfield instead. Mr. Bingley already purchased the lease on Haddington House for Mama, but it is too small. It will not suffice Lydia and her five children. I know you must despise me for saying it, but I feel that she must come here—we have rooms, we have Nan, we have—"

"Jane, calm down," Elizabeth cut in, and when Jane went silent she said, " You are the mistress of this estate. What you say goes. I agree with you—there would be no room for Lydia to live with Mama, nor our other sisters. Let her come here."

Jane looked relieved. "You are not angry?"

Elizabeth stammered and let out an absurd laugh. "Why would I be angry?"

Jane shrugged and shook her head. "I just assumed you'd not want any reminder of Wickham here under this roof—"

"Oh, Wickham is dead. I do not hold Lydia accountable for Wickham's bad deeds. Besides, I should like to meet my five nieces and nephews, do you not as well? The children will probably enjoy having their cousins here to play with, do you not think?"

This relaxed her sister, and they soon were speculating on what all Lydia must have endured at the hands of such a man.

"I do hate to think of her suffering," Jane said sadly. "She was so vivacious and full of life."

"Indeed," Elizabeth agreed, "I am curious to know her demeanor now, if she has aged from hardship of circumstance."

So Jane penned a quick reply, after discussing it with Bingley for a moment (who raised an eyebrow, but could never refuse his dear Jane), and it was sent off to the specified inn, sending Lydia the unfortunate news of Mr. Bennet's death and the directions to come directly to Netherfield.

"She always loved Netherfield," Elizabeth said, "I'm sure she will be happy to stay here instead of Longbourn."

"She may be very sad about Papa, though."

"Yes, that is true. She may have been a fool, but she loved both our parents, in her own silly way."

It was then Elizabeth was reminded of Georgiana's letter, and she read it aloud. Jane was surprised as well.

"Bingley and I both thought Darcy had an attachment to the lady," she said in astonishment.

"As did I," Elizabeth admitted. "But I am glad to know he was not jilted."

Jane looked at Elizabeth for a moment, but did not say anything. Elizabeth saw the look, but, still unsure of her own feelings regarding the matter, did not pursue its meaning.

She set pen to parchment to compose a reply to Georgiana, and she sought to conceal her own elation to the news that Darcy had apparently never been in love with Miss Llewellyn, after all.