Chapter 19
The next three days held continuous drama for the Wilson household.
Lydia waited at the window almost constantly, certain that Wickham would return to marry her.
She accepted no explanations and dismissed any information about her intended that could affect her image of him.
To her, he was the most handsome, brave, and charming man that ever lived, and she knew he would come back to her.
When he did not, her despair was inconsolable.
She cried and wailed, blamed the others, and complained about being a victim of her family’s unfair treatment.
None of her sisters could temper her; instead, though she refused to speak to them, she continually cried out to lament and to accuse them of intentionally preventing her marrying before Jane.
Mr Bingley heard the news—privately passed to him by Jane—with astonishment and abhorrence. He assured his intended that he would take responsibility for the family’s well-being and promised to protect all his new sisters. Jane’s gratitude almost matched her love, as her beautiful smile disclosed.
Mr Bennet did not feel well enough to abandon his room, so he spent most of his time reading. He only admitted the company of his male relatives and Elizabeth.
He was ashamed of taking so little interest in Lydia’s behaviour that such a shameful event could occur. He continually wondered what would have happened if Darcy had not seen them and Lydia had succeeded in eloping with a man who was no better than the worst thief.
None of them knew exactly what happened among the four men in the library. Wilson would only say that Wickham demanded payment and impertinently admitted his scheme for deceiving Lydia. The rest was not revealed, nor did it need to be since the final result was the same.
Therefore, despite arguments, cries, and opposition, Mr Bennet returned home with his youngest daughters a week before the ball. Mr Wilson sent several servants in a second carriage to ensure their protection, and they arrived safely at Longbourn.
Once at their destination, Lydia hoped to have her mother’s support and to lament together over the loss of Mr Wickham. But she had to face another great disappointment.
Mrs Bennet and Mrs Philips related the terrible news of Mr Wickham’s shameful escape, the debts he incurred with many in Meryton, and his attempts to seduce all the shop owners’ daughters. The man who was once their favourite had now become their worst enemy.
But Wickham was immediately put aside and forgotten by dinner time as Mrs Bennet’s preferred—and only—subjects of interest were Jane’s marriage to Mr Bingley and details of Mr Wilson’s exquisite house on Park Lane.
Mr Bennet happily retired to the solitude of his book room but lamented somewhat the lack of Darcy’s elegant, rich library.
∞∞∞
The painful experience of Lydia’s elopement was slowly put aside in the Wilson house after the Bennets’ departure.
The entire household prepared for the ball, and Mr Wilson was rarely at home.
Mr Bingley called every day, but since he was considered part of the family, no one except Jane paid him much attention.
Mr Wilson checked on the progress of the arrangements every day.
Mrs Gardiner, Elizabeth, and Jane were in charge of the guests’ acceptances, the food, and the decorations.
Mr Wilson provided unlimited funds to complete their tasks, requesting only that he be “pleased, even astonished” by the final result.
The ladies’ ball gowns were another matter Mr Wilson insisted upon overseeing.
He told the modiste that “if a single lady at the ball should look more elegant and charming” than his relatives, he would be very dissatisfied.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, indicating that the diligent woman should ignore that statement, but between the niece and the master who paid her bills, the modiste chose to please the latter.
Jewels and several pairs of shoes were ordered and dismissed by the master until Mrs Gardiner lost her patience and banished him from the room.
Three days before the ball, Mr Bingley called as usual; Darcy accompanied him. Since the night of the elopement, Darcy had come only once, to take his farewell of Mr Bennet.
This time he came before noon, spent a little time with Mr Gardiner and Mr Wilson, then he and Bingley invited both Miss Bennets to join them for a walk in the park.
Elizabeth was surprised and delighted as she knew they would certainly have the chance to talk.
She had been less distressed since Wickham never returned to marry Lydia.
But since the night of Wickham’s shameful behaviour, she had worried about Darcy’s opinion and his future intentions.
Now he came with the clear intention of speaking to her.
“I cannot believe we shall be married in less than a month,” Bingley said, caressing Jane’s hand on his arm.
“Indeed, it is like a dream from which I am still afraid I shall waken,” Jane admitted.
“Nothing is more real, my dear. Netherfield is now open, and the servants are busy preparing for our arrival. Everything will be ready when we return to Hertfordshire next week.”
“Netherfield is so beautiful in the summer. You have not had the chance to see it yet,” Jane said.
“Actually, I have. Darcy and I saw it last July before I decided to take it. It was the best decision of my life, but I must admit Darcy was the one to recognize the value of the estate and encourage me to take it.”
“Then I must thank Mr Darcy for bringing you within three miles of us,” Jane replied with a shy smile.
Darcy bowed slightly, glancing at Elizabeth. He was the one who took Bingley away too, but Miss Bennet either did not know or had chosen to forget that fact.
“So, Darcy, are you coming with us to Hertfordshire?”
“I am not sure yet, Bingley. But I promised you I would be by your side on your wedding day, and nothing will stop me from keeping my word. You know my aunt and cousin Anne are in Town, and I cannot leave before they return to Rosings. Besides, I have several things to finish before I return to Pemberley. But I expect to see you there soon. I hope your plans have not changed,” Darcy said.
He stole a look at Elizabeth, and her face coloured. “We shall absolutely come to Derbyshire, then to the Lakes, and return through Derbyshire again. My aunt and Mr Wilson wish to stay in Lambton as much as possible. I can imagine how much they miss their childhood town.”
“Pemberley is beautiful and has a wonderful lake, streams, and woods, and the park is just fabulous,” Bingley declared.
“I really wonder why you need to go to the Lakes when we can stay at Pemberley and enjoy our time. If there were no war, I would have taken Jane to France, Italy, and Spain for our honeymoon. But since we cannot, Pemberley is the next place I would like to be.”
“I thank you for your praise, my friend. I hope Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth will enjoy it as much as we do. I shall be happy to fish with Mr Gardiner and Mr Wilson, and the ladies will surely find several ways of entertaining themselves. Georgiana will be delighted to meet you, I am sure.”
“Louisa and Caroline will come too,” Bingley said reluctantly.
Darcy smiled mischievously. “I am aware of that. I am sure we shall all get along quite well.” He turned to Elizabeth. “I really hope that Mr Bennet might visit us someday, if not this summer. He is most welcome anytime.”
She startled and looked at him in wonder. “Thank you, sir, you are very generous. I am not sure my father will travel again so soon, but he would be honoured by your invitation. And he might accept it when you least expect, especially if you tell him about the library,” she teased.
“I am counting on it, Miss Elizabeth.”
They continued their walk as well as their conversation. Gradually, Bingley and Jane, arm in arm, moved several steps further while Elizabeth and Darcy remained a little behind.
The park was crowded, and the paths, bordered by rows of flowers, carried a charming scent. A few minutes passed before Darcy began to speak.
“Miss Bennet, I am glad we have the chance to speak privately. To be honest, this was the main purpose of my visit today. For several days now, I have wanted to approach you about a rather delicate matter.”
They walked side by side, their arms almost touching as they moved.
A chill coursed through her. “A delicate matter? What would that be, sir?” Surely, he would not propose if he started that way, and certainly not in the middle of the park. Or would he?
“Miss Bennet, Lady Catherine has finally accepted Wilson’s invitation to the ball,” he said hesitantly.
“Has she?”
“Yes. To our mutual surprise, it was Anne who insisted upon attending. It was quite unexpected; she usually loathes such parties. I believe this will only be the second ball she has attended in London.”
“I am truly happy to hear that she wishes to come. And honoured,” Elizabeth replied sincerely.
“I believe that is what convinced my aunt to attend. There is…something different about Anne lately. She expresses her wishes and opinions more decidedly. She has grown in strength and determination. Both Richard and I are pleased to witness her improvement.”
“That is wonderful news indeed. And what have the doctors said about her health?”
“They are still uncertain, but she seems to feel better than I have seen her in the last years. And that is what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Miss de Bourgh’s health?” Elizabeth inquired, puzzled.
“No…her presence at the ball.”
“Oh…is there a problem?”
“Yes…not really… In order to convince Lady Catherine to attend the ball with Anne, Richard and I promised to take care of her and make her feel comfortable. Anne will not dance; she has never danced in public. So Richard and I decided to take turns; while one of us dances, the other will stay with Anne.”