Chapter 12 #3
“Darcy, you are finally here! Miss Darcy, Lady Hardwick!” Bingley shouted his joyous greetings from afar as he rushed towards them, holding Jane’s hand tightly.
He bowed to the ladies and shook his friend’s hand.
“Welcome! I can hardly believe you are all three here! Such a wonderful surprise!”
“We decided to stop at Longbourn on our way to Netherfield because we suspected we would find you here,” Darcy said then bent his head towards Jane.
“Miss Bennet —it is a great pleasure to see you again. Please allow me to convey my most sincere congratulations for your upcoming wedding. I believe no one could make my friend happier, and it will be an honour to stand by his side during his oaths to you.”
“You are very kind, Mr. Darcy. We are delighted to have you here. No moment would be happy for Charles without your presence,” Jane replied warmly, offering her hand to Darcy, who kissed it politely.
Everyone in attendance understood that the small exchange meant much more than a mere polite greeting.
“Miss Darcy, Lady Hardwick, please allow me to introduce my betrothed to you,” Bingley said proudly.
Georgiana curtseyed elegantly, and the countess smiled.
“Miss Bennet, you are even more beautiful than I was told,” Lady Hardwick said.
“It is an honour and a pleasure to meet you both,” Jane responded, her large smile proving the sincerity of her words. “Would you like to come inside for a few minutes? Perhaps for some refreshments and drinks? You must be exhausted from the road.”
“Or would you rather go to Netherfield and settle yourself first?” Bingley offered.
“It is your decision, ladies,” Darcy addressed his companions.
Georgiana hesitated a moment then glanced at her aunt.
“Well, the last part of the journey is always the most difficult, so tea would be most welcome,” Lady Hardwick finally voiced her acceptance.
Her response was met cheerfully by the Bennet sisters, and the group walked towards Longbourn’s main gate while Bingley directed the other two carriages towards Netherfield.
“We must hurry to inform the others of your arrival,” Bingley announced, hastening his steps and still holding Jane’s hand.
Elizabeth took Georgiana’s arm while Darcy, pleased with the friendly and protective gesture, offered his support to Lady Hardwick.
“I am very happy to see you,” Elizabeth repeated to Georgiana.
“And so am I,” the girl answered.
“Was the journey tiresome?”
“No, not at all. It is always a pleasure to travel with my brother and my aunt. And it is a short distance compared to the journey to Pemberley. We will need three days on the road.”
“Yes, I imagined as much…but I am sure the beauty of Pemberley is worth the effort.”
“Indeed it is. But you have a lovely place here too. Oh, and Miss Bennet is so beautiful and so lovely! My brother said she was.”
“Thank you, Miss Darcy. And yes, Jane is very beautiful, but she also has the most generous heart and most admirable character. I am sure you will get along very well while you stay at Netherfield. The moment we met in London, you reminded me of her. I believe that is why I grew attached to you so quickly.”
“You are very kind; I do not deserve the comparison. But it is admirable the way you speak of your sister. I confess, I would like to have a sister too…”
“Well, you will have the chance to experience that since I have four, and I will gladly share them with you.” Elizabeth laughed.
Darcy and Lady Hardwick looked at each other, then at the two young women walking in front of them, arm in arm. Their amazement was great; within minutes, Georgiana was chatting in a lively manner with Elizabeth, completely changed by the presence of her new friend.
Neither their care, their love, their concern, nor their support had done as much for the girl’s spirits as had the reunion with Elizabeth Bennet, and Darcy could not decide whether he should be content or concerned, witnessing once more the influence of Elizabeth Bennet over the life of a Darcy.
As they approached the door, all four stopped at the despair-filled voice resounding through the open windows.
“Mr. Bingley, what do you mean Mr. Darcy is here? Now?! With the countess?!”
“Yes, Mrs. Bennet. And with Miss Darcy,” Bingley answered candidly.
“And with Miss Darcy? But…but…but…surely, they cannot come in…why did I not know sooner? Look at this house…this is a mess…and I have nothing prepared except cold meat and some cheese and some soup and some fruits. And some biscuits…and neither of us is dressed properly to receive such guests. And Lizzy! She must look really wild! Oh, dear Lord, this will be the death of me…”
Bingley attempted to calm his future mother-in-law.
“Mrs. Bennet, I beg you not to trouble yourself. You do not have to offer them anything. We are prepared at Netherfield, and they will only stay for a few minutes to greet you.”
From outside, Lady Hardwick laughed behind her hand as she could anticipate the answer to such an unwise statement.
“Not offer anything?” Mrs. Bennet cried. “Let them leave my house without any hospitality? Mr. Bingley, I have not been so offended in a long while!”
“But ma’am…”
“Do not say another word, sir! If Jane were already married, she would now be in danger of becoming a widow!”
Both Darcy and the countess tried to suppress their laughter while Jane’s voice sounded upset and appalled.
“Mama, how can you even say such a monstrous thing? Please calm yourself. We will prepare a tray of refreshments and some drinks in a moment. You may go and change if you wish. I will take care of our guests.”
“Go and change? How could I be so disrespectful to our guests? I am not going anywhere!”
“Mrs. Bennet, enough of this before we all look ridiculous to our guests,” the master of the house declared sternly.
“I am sure you will be a dutiful hostess as always. I am going to welcome Mr. Darcy now, and I trust we will find enough food and drinks to entertain our guests. Nobody has ever left Longbourn either starved or thirsty.”
Elizabeth coloured with embarrassment, and Georgiana became disconcerted, but Darcy and the countess could barely hide their amusement.
The door finally opened and they stepped in, greeted enthusiastically by Mr. Bennet, whose arm was tightly held by his wife.
Behind them, Bingley wore a huge grin, Miss Bennet an enchanting smile, and Kitty and Mary confused expressions.
Darcy bowed politely and attempted to warm his countenance as he considered he had never visited Longbourn before.
“Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, I am delighted to see you again. We apologise for disturbing you with our impromptu arrival.”
“Nonsense, nonsense,” Mr. Bennet said. “We are happy to see you. Do come in.”