Chapter 10 #3
Almost a fortnight had passed since Elizabeth returned home.
The newly wedded Wickhams visited Longbourn briefly on their way to his new regiment, but the meeting went as expected: great excitement from Lydia, Kitty, and Mrs. Bennet, indifference from Mr. Bennet, and reserved politeness from Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary.
As for the people of Meryton, whether their congratulations and good wishes were genuine or not was difficult to say.
The joy of reunion with her mother and sisters, the relief of knowing Lydia’s situation was resolved somewhat satisfactorily, and the comfort of having Jane’s company made that time a happy one for Elizabeth.
She told her eldest sister everything that had happened in London, including her upsetting visit to Mr. Darcy’s house —a scene that had Jane in tears.
And not without distress, the two sisters discussed the unfairness of the unanimous prejudice against Mr. Darcy and the injustice of the general appreciation for Mr. Wickham; neither hesitated to assume the largest part of guilt for their mistake.
Mr. Bennet’s admiration for Mr. Darcy made him mention the latter’s name frequently, but Mrs. Bennet could only remember his refusal to dance with Lizzy, his pride, and his arrogant manners. She refused to believe that Mr. Wickham would not have married Lydia of his own will.
Elizabeth resumed her habit of taking long strolls, sheltered from the warmth under the shade of the trees.
Her thoughts often returned to London —to her relatives, to Georgiana and Lady Hardwick, and not rarely, to Darcy.
She found herself thinking of him more than she did after she returned from Kent —and in a different way.
Besides her gratitude towards him, she tried to find answers to questions about his behaviour, explanations for the gestures she never would have expected from him, and speculations about his future intentions.
Small things would bring back recollections of him, and with no little distress, she realised he was vividly and constantly present in her mind.
She hoped it would pass the moment her life returned to its usual rhythm, but she feared things would never be the same.
Elizabeth was content to see that at least Jane looked more serene and less grieved than she had been a couple of months before.
Even Mrs. Bennet spoke less about Mr. Bingley —apparently resigned to their betrayal by the master of Netherfield.
Elizabeth’s relative peace was disturbed one day on receipt of two letters: one from Georgiana —which Elizabeth opened with joy and excitement —and the other from Mrs. Gardiner, part of their regular correspondence.
She first opened her aunt’s note and was astonished to read —among the usual information about the family —that Mr. Gardiner had been invited to have a drink with Mr. Darcy one day.
What could be the meaning of this? Once Lydia’s marriage was accomplished, was Mr. Darcy still desirous of her uncle’s presence?
Was he still seeking the company of someone who was in trade and lived near Cheapside?
Surely, he could not have any interest in extending their acquaintance.
Was it possible that Mr. Darcy’s interest in Mr. Gardiner was amiable and genuine?
Elizabeth took the letter from Miss Darcy with equal eagerness and anxiety.
While reading, she found that the Darcys had not left Town yet and would remain for another couple of weeks because the countess had difficulty bearing the warm weather.
Georgiana had written purposely to inform her about the family’s plans, and Elizabeth wondered whether Mr. Darcy had any knowledge of it.
Had he given his consent for a regular correspondence? Should she write Georgiana in return?
She scolded herself for her childish reaction. Had she lost her reason? Why would she set her mind upon Mr. Darcy and judge even the smallest happenstance from his perspective?
Elizabeth shared her doubts with Jane, who listened to her with calm but could offer no clear opinion or answer to Elizabeth’s inquiries.
The following day, however, it was Jane’s turn to suffer the turmoil of a most unexpected report —shared by Mrs. Bennet and loud enough to be heard from Meryton.
“Oh, my dear Mr. Bennet —you cannot guess what I heard! Girls, where are you? Jane, Lizzy —come here! I understand that the housekeeper at Netherfield has received orders to prepare for the arrival of her master. Mr. Bingley is coming to shoot here in the country for a few weeks. What do you think?”
Elizabeth cast a glance at Jane, who turned completely pale; she had no time to speak a single word as Mrs. Bennet continued.
“Well, I for one do not care much about it. He is nothing to us, and I am sure I never want to see him again. But he may come if he wishes; it is his estate after all.”
None of the girls spoke much on the subject and Mr. Bennet even less. As she watched her sister carefully, Elizabeth could not stop wondering about the sudden return of Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy’s possible connection to it.
She knew the former had been away from London, and most likely, he had returned in the middle of the summer.
Had he spoken with Mr. Darcy? Elizabeth wavered as to the greater probability of Mr. Bingley’s coming there with his friend’s permission or being bold enough to come without it.
Whether he was still partial to Jane or not, Elizabeth did not even dare consider.
“Mr. Bennet, you will visit him as soon as he arrives,” Mrs. Bennet instructed her husband.
He barely lifted his eyes from his book.
“I shall do no such a thing; it cost me a lot of time and effort to visit him last autumn as you promised me he would marry one of our girls. Did he? Not at all. Just look at Mr. Wickham —he married one of my daughters without my taking the trouble of even greeting him or speaking to him. I think I like my present son-in-law better than my ex-future to-be one,” Mr. Bennet responded with sharp mockery to Mrs. Bennet’s complete distress.
When the noise finally ended and they were alone, Jane said, “Lizzy, I know I appeared distressed, but do not imagine it is from any silly cause. I do assure you that the news does not affect me with either pleasure or pain.”
“I am glad to hear that, dearest,” Elizabeth replied, her voice even less convincing than Jane’s was.
Elizabeth could easily perceive that her sister’s spirits were affected by the surprising news. She was more disturbed and less calm than ever before. And with each passing hour, Jane’s distress seemed to increase.
∞∞∞
The next day, a soft breeze cooled the summer weather, and while the rest of the family retired for an afternoon’s rest, Elizabeth took Jane for a walk. Arm in arm, they enjoyed the fresh air, sharing thoughts and concerns, when the sound of a horse startled them.
They barely had time to turn around before seeing Mr. Bingley pull harshly on the reins of his horse, which halted inches from them.
He dismounted and stepped hesitantly, his eyes searching them, while Jane tightened her grip on Elizabeth’s arm and began to breathe strangely.
“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth! What a surprise to meet you here! A very pleasant one, I assure you. I did not expect to see you so soon,” he mumbled while Elizabeth smiled, put her hand on Jane’s to comfort her, and curtseyed to the gentleman.
“Mr. Bingley, we are happy to see you too. We heard of your arrival, so it was not quite a surprise, but we did not expect to see you on your horse just now.”
“Well, I lacked the patience to stay in the carriage for so long in such warm weather. My sisters are in the carriage…they will arrive in an hour or so…excuse me, are you in good health? Your sisters, your parents?”
He spoke to Elizabeth, but he tried to steal a glimpse at Jane, whose colour changed from moment to moment. Elizabeth smiled again, her doubts about both the gentleman and the lady suddenly disappearing.
“Well, I am not a rider, so I cannot understand that, but since you have arrived earlier, perhaps you would like some drinks and refreshments? The journey from London is a short but not an easy one.”
Bingley’s face brightened, and he could not conceal a large grin.
“Thank you; you are very considerate. I would like that very much, but I do not want to intrude. I would not want to bother your parents or sisters…”
“They will all be happy to see you again, I assure you,” Elizabeth replied.
Jane only nodded, her cheeks and neck flushed, her eyes meeting Bingley’s only for an instant. The gentleman’s face soon matched Jane’s.
“Please allow me to accompany you on your way home. This is indeed a most pleasant surprise.”
Bingley’s arrival turned Longbourn into a cacophony of voices and cries, which were unsuccessfully suppressed. Mrs. Bennet was beyond herself with excitement while Mr. Bennet took the trouble to leave his library and greet the gentleman.
Drinks and refreshments were served, and when everybody eventually reached a state of relative calm, Mrs. Bennet inquired:
“Sir, may I ask why you have been away for so long and what fortunate occurrence finally brought you back? You were very much missed, and it was a pity to see Netherfield abandoned.”
He appeared embarrassed, and he was saved by the glass of wine from which he gulped greedily.
“I thank you, madam, you are very kind. I also missed all my friends from Hertfordshire. It was a hasty decision to resign from Netherfield last winter —one that I intend to remedy.”
“I am glad to hear that,” Mrs. Bennet answered with unconcealed contentment.
“Have you been in Town all this time?”