Chapter 12
A Man Prefers to be Home
After the ball, their brother Gardiner, Bennet, and Fanny headed to their carriage.
Once within, they knew it would be a long wait before their coach made its way to the front of the estate.
Gardiner took the seat opposite them, and Bennet could see that the man intended to ignore Fanny’s imploring that they all go to London.
“You can write to them in your effort to make reparations, but you must understand why they are not willing to stay at Longbourn. They fear they will be the next to have your ire directed at them,” Gardiner said, having no patience for his sister’s antics.
“At the end of the year, and if letters are written with more consideration on both sides, you may enjoy some of the holiday season with your younger daughters. I do, of course, require that you put in writing permission for my taking guardianship of your three youngest, Bennet.”
Before Bennet could express that he saw no need for such measures, his wife spoke again.
“I will come with you. It must be I who directs my daughter in her trousseau. She will not know what warehouses to visit.”
“Elizabeth asked my wife to assist her. You have visited warehouses but once in your life. Given these last few weeks, it should come as no surprise that neither Elizabeth nor Darcy wishes you to attend her now.”
“Neither sought my blessing,” Bennet groused.
“With her being of age, Lizzy can decide to marry him without anyone’s blessing. Still, she has mine.”
“Lizzy is of age,” Bennet repeated, swallowing again and again with each new comprehension of how grave an error he and his wife had made.
“And she is angry with you both for threatening to marry one of her sisters to Mr. Collins. Treat Mary with every kindness, or I fear you will know what it means to face the unrelenting anger of five ladies who love one another as sisters ought. Mary is the younger sister of two, so she will have their protection. And she, older sister of the other two, knows their devotion. She will not lie when they ask how she fares. And they will. Near daily, I expect.”
“I must attend Lizzy’s wedding.”
“You will not, Fanny. That was Elizabeth’s decree. Darcy maintains the stance of you both contacting her through him for the foreseeable future,” Gardiner explained.
“Lizzy will want her sisters to be present,” Bennet said, looking out the window to see the progress the carriage made toward the front of the house where the rest of his family stood.
“Of course she does.”
“They cannot refuse my attending their wedding vows, can they, Thomas?” Mrs. Bennet gasped, her indignation coming to the fore.
“Come, Fanny. Your propensity for outbursts means you would humiliate them and yourself before peers, one of whom is Darcy’s uncle.
Elizabeth has no intention of allowing you another opportunity to destroy her happiness,” Gardiner said, taking no care with how the truth may have been imparted more gently.
“The entail—”
“You were assured after Elizabeth was born of your having a place with me, so I am finished with hearing that travesty of an excuse.” Gardiner opened the door to the carriage and jumped out, shutting it without assisting any of their daughters inside.
“What have we done, Thomas?” Mrs. Bennet looked at her husband.
“We made a grievous error, my dear. One that will be far more difficult to overcome than I suspected,” Bennet said with the same solemnity used when making his entreaty to Elizabeth. “Why did you never tell me of your brother’s assurances?”
“I had hoped it would compel at least one of our daughters to make certain I stayed at Longbourn, which has long been my home,” Mrs. Bennet said, lifting her chin in preparation to argue.
“You may have gone too far, but I claim some pride in your wish to stay in the home I provided you. I believe we have much to consider together, my dear girl.” Mr. Bennet took his wife’s hand.
“Why cannot all go back to the way it was? We must demand our right to attend the wedding once we are home. I will have this, at least. I insist you see it done, Mr. Bennet.”
Bennet was relieved when Kitty came down the steps of Netherfield Park and approached the carriage. She opened the door while denying a footman’s intent to assist her inside, proving she had no such intention.
“Mary chooses to stay at Longbourn. We will miss her very much. She awaits you in the drawing room. Assure her we will write her often, for Mary is very dear to us all,” Kitty said with an air of grace he had never before seen in her—one very similar to that of her eldest sister.
“Come, Kitty. Gather your sisters, for it is time to depart,” Bennet said, intending to keep his daughters at home until Elizabeth wed her Mr. Darcy.
“They have no intention of returning to Longbourn. Nor do I. Take care of Mary. If we hear otherwise, we will not forgive it,” Kitty said, issuing the warning with far more fortitude than either of her parents ever afforded her.
“They have no intention?” Bennet saw Jane, Elizabeth, and Lydia standing with their aunt. It was when he studied their impassive expressions that he began to understand the totality of the situation.
“You have agreed that our uncle can assume guardianship privileges on behalf of Mary, Lydia, and me. All of us thank you,” Kitty said, then closed the door.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet stared out the window. Mr. Darcy’s hand rested on Elizabeth’s shoulder, and Elizabeth laced her fingers with his. Around them were Jane, Lydia, and the space Kitty had left for her to come forward, proving she was expected to return. And Mr. Bingley stood behind Jane.
Kitty, once again with them, stood between Elizabeth and Jane. Mr. Bennet’s stomach dropped when he saw Elizabeth standing as their nexus, the one they had all closed around in support.
The message could not have been better expressed, even were it spoken. Only then, in witnessing the connection between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, did he consider that neither their words nor the kiss betrayed hesitancy.
He never once thought to ask Elizabeth if her resistance stemmed from her heart being otherwise engaged. He would like to believe he would have acted differently had he known of her attachment, but, in being honest with himself, knew it for an uncertainty.
It was in this moment that Bennet learned humiliation. After saying it would all work for the best, he now understood his mistake. His arrogance was proven in his belief that it would work out only in the best way for him.
Darcy Retires for the Night
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner occupied adjoining rooms with Miss Bennet and Elizabeth.
Georgiana was giddy over Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia being at Netherfield.
It would be the first night she had others in her room when she slept, and they would soon be her sisters.
When Darcy entered his, he could hear their laughter through the walls.
“You know how to smile, sir?” Carpe’s knowing look made Darcy chuckle.
“For your insolence, I am certain I will fire you tomorrow and send you back to war. In seriousness, you have my thanks for your assistance at Longbourn, Captain.”
“It is good you have chosen Miss Elizabeth, sir. Colonel Fitzwilliam will be gratified to know you have found the single woman in all the realm who is worthy of being your wife and sister to Miss Darcy.”
“You must have been excellent at covert missions if my cousin sent you to watch out for me.”
“Know how to take care of myself. The Quality could use a little training in independence,” Carpe said, watching Darcy struggle to untie his cravat.
“I find I like being pampered. You mind, Carpe?” Darcy chuckled when the man pulled the end that had been tucked up, loosening the whole thing in one tug. “Convenient.”
“You will accept the care of her sisters, Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia, sir? During their goodbyes, Miss Mary told Miss Bennet a Charlotte might spend time at Longbourn with her. It was news Miss Bennet did not expect.”
“Ladies who are on the shelf can be considered burdens. I do not wonder if Miss Mary hopes to save their friend from this. I have seen Lucas Lodge, just over half the size of Longbourn. And my Elizabeth will tell you there were times during these last weeks Longbourn felt far too small.”
“I can well understand that. It is often how a lady is forced to become a companion.”
“I again thank you. Your aid to Elizabeth and her family is a debt I will see paid, once you are in a position to make your own way, Carpe. Now take yourself off to bed.”
“Glad to. I am off to dream of a land full of fairies and camellias in search of the lady I am to be bewitched by.”
“Go toward the sound of the rushing water on the other side of the darkened glade. They are always by the stream,” Darcy advised.
“That is the first time you have resembled my commander. Colonel Fitzwilliam will be glad to know I saw it,” Carpe said, exiting the room.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are Home at Last
When Mr. and Mrs. Bennet found Mary in the drawing room, they asked question after question with no allowance for answers. Mary settled in a chair with a glass of sherry until the barrage was over.
“Thank you for asking how I think we might go forward,” Mary said, standing to take her mother a glass of sherry and her father two fingers of whiskey.
“Go forward?” Mrs. Bennet spoke when it was apparent her husband would not.
“Yes. Father, you shall instruct me on how to run this estate each day in Elizabeth’s stead. We must every day consider what Mother will use when she is residing wherever it is her brother places her after your death.”
“I have no objection.” Mr. Bennet said.
Mary saw her father observing her the same way he did when something unexpected was revealed to him.
“And I am correct in thinking you want your daughters restored to you, Mother?”