Chapter 22
Sometimes.
It was a word he considered often over the next days, twisting and turning it to see whether he could rightly find hope in it. It was not never, and he decided that was something to be glad about.
“Darcy, did you receive a letter from Jolly?” Lydia came into his study as she always did—not often but occasionally—without knocking, without ceremony, loudly, and brazenly. Still, he had come to enjoy it in some ways. It made him feel truly her brother.
“I did. Your father is not cooperative?”
Lydia sighed and tossed herself into a chair. “My father has likely not yet read his letter.”
“I cannot give permission for your engagement. I am not your guardian and have no legal claim for you even though you have lived with me these many months.”
“Pray, say you will go to Hertfordshire,” Lydia urged. “We shall all go to persuade my father to accept Jolly’s suit. When Mama hears that Papa has disregarded the request of a wealthy gentleman…”
“It is an excellent notion,” said Darcy, although he did not much anticipate a meeting with his in-laws. “Elizabeth should see them, and Jane and Bingley are nearly mad to reunite with her. I have had many letters urging a visit, as Jane is not yet able to travel.”
He and Elizabeth had decided together to spend time at Pemberley prior to seeing the rest of the Bennets, though in retrospect, Darcy was unsure it had been the best idea.
Perhaps Elizabeth might have been happier had she spent time with her beloved Jane.
With two such small children, it was difficult for the Bingleys to come to them, but he knew it weighed heavily on both of their hearts that they had not yet seen Elizabeth.
In any case, it seemed the time was upon them.
“Speak to your sister,” said Darcy. “But I should think it would suit her well.”
It did suit Elizabeth very well indeed; so well that she made haste that their travel could commence within the week. Georgiana did not accompany them, electing to remain at Pemberley with Mrs Annesley.
When the Darcy carriage entered the drive to Netherfield, Elizabeth could immediately see her sister and Bingley awaiting them.
Jane was already crying as the carriage door was opened and very nearly pulled Elizabeth out of the conveyance.
Elizabeth also began to cry, happy tears of reunion and thanksgiving, as the two sisters embraced with Bennet squeezed between them.
He looked with terror upon his newfound aunt, who was alternately kissing his and his mother’s cheeks.
Bingley stood by awkwardly, greeting the others as he awaited his opportunity to greet Elizabeth.
When it was his turn, he bowed over her hand. “You look very well, Lizzy,” he said kindly but with concern in his eyes. “I greatly anticipate renewing our acquaintance.”
After much joyful expression and weeping and the children had been exclaimed and cooed over, the happy party went into the house. Darcy and Elizabeth went to their chambers to quickly refresh themselves, then returned to the drawing room to join Jane and Bingley.
After about an hour, Bingley asked Darcy into his study as he wished to show him something. Darcy followed him, suspecting correctly that Bingley wished to give the ladies time alone.
Bingley gestured for Darcy to have a seat in his most comfortable chair, then went to the sideboard and retrieved a particular bottle.
He handed it to Darcy, smiling sheepishly.
“The brandy we drank the night you finally had permission to marry Elizabeth. You particularly enjoyed it, though whether it was the taste of it or your happiness that made it so enjoyable, I do not know. Uncle Gardiner assisted me in finding another bottle. I wanted to give you something to mark this occasion of all of us reunited again.”
“Bingley, that is not necessary. You and Jane have been very good to me already.”
“I am in eager anticipation for our future together.” Bingley smiled enigmatically—or rather, enigmatically for him. “I do have happy news…”
Darcy raised his eyebrows. “Another child? Are you attempting some sort of record?”
Bingley laughed. “No, no, my dear Jane is busy enough with the two we already have! My news concerns Netherfield. We have given it up.”
“Given it up?” Darcy exclaimed in surprise. “I thought you were settled here.”
“At first, yes, it was good to be here, particularly with Lizzy gone and the Bennets facing such difficulty… I was glad to be here to keep Jane among her family circle.” Bingley swirled the liquid in his glass.
“But then…well, Mrs Bennet does require a great deal of attention from us. We dine there or they are here three or four times a week, and if we should seek to entertain other families without inviting them as well, then everyone is angry with us. She gives Jane quite a lot of advice about the children, and she even dismissed the nurse.”
“Dismissed your nurse! What did you do?” Darcy was astonished.
“Well…Nicholls had already recommended her termination, and we had planned to do it ourselves anyway.” Bingley shrugged with helpless amiability.
“Jane was increasing with Thomas at the time and felt quite ill, so I am sure Mrs Bennet thought she was helping her. Jane only felt that she wished to manage her own household.”
Darcy rolled his eyes at Bingley’s astonishing ability to explain away such an affront. “I assumed you had purchased Netherfield.”
“No, I merely extended the lease for an additional year after the first had ended. By then, we knew we intended to leave, but the timing was poor as Jane was then increasing. We were fortunate that the owners would extend the lease again, though we did tell them that should a purchaser be found, we would give way. Well, a purchaser has been found, and he would like to take possession by Christmas.”
“So will you look for another estate?”
Bingley’s face split open into a wide grin that immediately brought Darcy back to earlier, happier times. “I already have. I signed the documents just yesterday.”
“Another lease?”
“No, indeed—purchased. I am at last a landed gentleman.”
“My heartiest congratulations. So, where is your estate located?”
“Ohh…” Bingley drew out the word tauntingly. “Derbyshire, in fact.”
“Derbyshire! Splendid!” Darcy felt a spring of hope burst within him. Jane and Bingley would be close by. Surely that would add to Elizabeth’s joy. “How far from Pemberley?”
“About fifteen miles.” Bingley could not stop his beaming grin. “It is called Hopton Hall.”
“I know it well! A very easy distance! Nothing at all!”
Bingley became serious. “It has long been my dream, Darcy, to see our young ones playing on the lawns together and enjoy time with you and Lizzy. When I received your express saying Lizzy was found, it seemed fated. I am eager to start living my dream, as is Jane.”
“Will Jane tell Elizabeth?”
“Yes, she will. We shall take possession in November once all the arrangements are made. We want to be settled before the bad weather arrives.”
Darcy offered, “Stay at Pemberley if you need, and of course, if you require my assistance in any way, say the word.”
“I believe the only assistance I might require is for you to tell Mrs Bennet for me. I cannot think that conversation will be happy.”
“Perhaps they will be satisfied to know of the felicity Jane and Elizabeth will have to be in such proximity.”
Bingley rolled his eyes. “Let us hope for it, though I think it unlikely.”
Back in the drawing room, Jane rang for tea.
Elizabeth’s eyes drank her in, this new Jane who was her sister yet now a wife and a mother.
There was a more mature air to her that Elizabeth thought becoming.
Her gown, though only for morning, was very fine and flattering.
Elizabeth mentioned how much she admired it.
“Yes, it is cut very well—it has to be to hide all the lumps and bumps that come with birthing two children in such quick succession.”
“Oh Jane, you are as lovely as ever, and if a few lumps and bumps are the price of such beautiful children, then so be it.” With a smile, Elizabeth accepted her tea. “I cannot tell you how much I have missed you.”
Jane’s eyes filled with tears. “You cannot imagine how I have missed you. Oh, your letters have kept me from madness, but it was not enough, not nearly enough. I needed to see you to believe you were truly home and well.”
Elizabeth looked down, her smile fading.
“And you and Darcy…you have forgiven him? Is everything well?”
Elizabeth was silent for a moment. “The matter is not so easy as that. I am determined, though, to have a happy home for Bennet.”
Jane said knowingly, “As well as anyone else who might come along.”
Elizabeth could say nothing to that, and after a moment, Jane moved on to news of the neighbourhood and their family.
She had already related most of it in her letters, but it was such a pleasure to hear her voice and see her face that Elizabeth hardly cared.
The happiest news of all, however, was to hear of the Bingley’s impending move to Derbyshire.
Elizabeth and her sister were yet embracing with delight when their menfolk joined them.
“What is this?” Bingley cried. “Still? I should have thought you would be finished by now.”
“Silly man,” Jane said. “No, I just told Lizzy our news.”
“You will not mind having us for neighbours?” Bingley asked. “I shall warn you now, I expect a ball to be held in my honour.”
“Gladly,” said Darcy. “We shall hold ten balls if you wish.”
They had been summoned to a family dinner at Longbourn. Bennet accompanied them although the Bingley children remained at home—his grandparents had been too long ignorant of the boy and wished to see him.