Chapter 31
IMMINENT GUEST
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
Happy was the day that Mrs. Fanny Bennet welcomed her eldest daughter, Jane, and her son-in-law to Longbourn.
Happier still, had been the news that her son-in-law had let the neighboring estate: Netherfield Park.
In her estimation, Jane’s hasty marriage to Mr. Bingley was better than the prospect of Jane marrying Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Pemberley’s new master.
Far better to have a daughter so well settled as well as in such convenient proximity.
Indeed, she was certain to be the envy of all her neighbors and friends who would likely never set foot in Derbyshire.
Hardly a day had passed by that she did not call on her eldest daughter, along with her single daughters.
Her second eldest, Elizabeth, practically lived at Netherfield for all intents and purposes.
The scheme was in keeping with Elizabeth’s original promise to her sister to come and live with her once she was married.
The only difference was that Jane had settled much closer to Longbourn than anyone had intended.
That, and she had married Mr. Bingley instead of Mr. Darcy.
On one particular day, Jane found Elizabeth in the garden. “These flowers are beautiful,” she said, in reference to the colorful bouquet Elizabeth had gathered.
“Indeed. I was admiring them from my apartment window, and I thought I might bring some of outdoors’ beauty inside.”
“I am certain Mrs. Kyle would have arranged a proper bouquet for you,” Jane replied, referring to the housekeeper.
“No doubt, but I am sure I shall enjoy them more knowing the arrangement is the fruit of my own labor.”
“I recall gathering flowers was always one of your favorite pastimes.”
“One of yours too, if I recall correctly, when we resided at Longbourn.”
“Oh, Lizzy, I confess a part of me will always be of Longbourn,” Jane said wistfully.
“Yes, but surely you would not trade being mistress of all this for anything in the world,” Elizabeth replied as she admired all the surrounding beauty.
“Do you recall how often we admired Netherfield Park from afar when we were young girls?”
“Oh, yes, and all the while imagining what it would be like living here one day in this glorious castle with our own charming prince.” Elizabeth pulled one of the prettiest flowers from her bouquet and handed it to her sister.
“It seems dreams do come true, and in this case, I can think of no one more deserving than you, dearest Jane.”
Accepting Elizabeth’s kind gesture, Jane smiled and said, “Pray allow me to thank you again and again for agreeing to come and live with me.”
Elizabeth recalled her promise to stay with her sister in Derbyshire when it was widely hoped that Jane might one day be the mistress of Pemberley.
The thought set off a wave of nostalgia that Elizabeth was wont to suppress.
The manner of her own departure from there always made her sad, especially when she remembered the tender regard she had felt, if only for a moment, toward its new master, Fitzwilliam Darcy.
No, it was more than a moment, she silently considered. I am sure I was half in love with Mr. Darcy—that is before I gleaned his true character by way of his appalling letter.
Still, his hurtful words cut like a knife: “I am ashamed of what I once felt and cannot help but rejoice in having been spared the inferiority of such connections as yours. I congratulate myself on being spared of relations whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own.”
At length, her sister’s soft voice interrupted her musing. “Lizzy, have you heard a word I have said?”
“I am sorry, Jane. I am afraid, for a moment, my mind was miles and miles away. What were you saying?”
“Simply that I did not want to mention anything before for fear that you might worry needlessly.”
“Jane?”
“Oh, you need not fear that what I have to say is so serious as that. It is just that there is soon to be an addition to our party.”
“Pray you are not speaking of the Bingley sisters, for if that is the case, I shall be compelled to take my leave of Netherfield for the duration of their anticipated stay. You know how much your new sisters and I detest each other.”
“No—no, it is not Caroline or Louisa. Even though I would not be surprised to receive them once they learn of our imminent guest.”
“That sounds mysterious. Who is it?”
“It is Mr. Darcy.”
“Mr. Darcy?” she cried.
“Oh, Lizzy, you know that Charles and I called on Mr. Darcy at Pemberley to offer our condolences on the loss of his father. Admittedly, the situation was tense at first, but by the time we took our leave, any wounds were healed.”
Elizabeth, having been taken by surprise said, “But—”
She did not dare utter the words she wanted to say.
Not to Jane, who thought as highly as ever of the gentleman, having been welcomed into his home after what many in society might deem her heartless betrayal.
Now, Elizabeth rejoiced at what her sister had done—how she had escaped the hurtful fate he had intended for her all along.
Those telling words that lent a true insight into his character echoed in her mind again: “I congratulate myself on being spared of relations whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own.”
Oh! That despicable man, she silently declared.
“Charles was just as surprised upon receiving Mr. Darcy’s letter as was I.
Granted he did write to Mr. Darcy asking him to visit when he felt the timing was right because Charles wishes for his friend’s advice on estate management concerns, he certainly never expected Mr. Darcy would accept the invitation so soon. ”
“When exactly is Mr. Darcy expected to arrive?”
“He arrives the day after tomorrow.”
“In two days!”
“Lizzy, I know not how matters were between the two of you when you left Pemberley, but I suspect there was some sort of misunderstanding. I know you do not like to talk about it, and I will understand completely if you would rather not be here at Netherfield when he comes.”
“Did Mr. Darcy say he comes specifically because of Charles’ invitation?”
“Actually, I suspect his reasoning has to do with attending affairs of a more personal nature.”
“Why? What did he say?”
“It is more a matter of what he did not say.”