Chapter 24
Elizabeth’s disposition remained far from normal in the next days. But her low spirits were masked by Jane’s complete felicity. If the former Miss Bennet had been happy at the prospect of her marriage, the new Mrs Bingley was glowing, and people wondered which of the two spouses was smiling more.
“Dear Lizzy, if I could dare tell you how blissful my life is, you would be surprised,” Jane confessed as they walked in Netherfield’s garden.
Elizabeth smiled. “I am happy to see you so happy, dearest.”
“‘Happy’ is a poor word, I assure you. Everything we spoke of and wished for in marriage is insignificant compared to the joy I live with every day. And every night,” whispered Mrs Bingley, flustered.
Elizabeth laughed, and her own cheeks coloured too. “I believe I can imagine what you mean, Jane.”
“Dear Lizzy, the only thing I wish and pray for is to see you equally happy, to find your match, and to discover the same felicity in marriage.”
“We cannot both be so fortunate, dearest. And since I am neither as kind nor as beautiful as you, I cannot hope for the same fortune,” Elizabeth replied in jest.
“Of course you can, and I trust your hope will soon be replaced with certainty—perhaps even next month.”
“Jane, let us not assume more than can be. It would be dangerous for our sanity,” Elizabeth continued to joke.
“As you wish. I just hope neither of you allows pride and prejudice to harm your acquaintance again. Enough is enough,” Mrs Bingley said with surprising determination and mocking severity.
“By the way, I look forward to seeing Pemberley. Charles speaks of it with such delight that his eagerness is contagious.”
Elizabeth said nothing.
“Mr Darcy told Charles that he has prepared an apartment in the west wing for us. Charles said he has never stayed in that part of the manor, but Mr Darcy wanted to assure our privacy,” she said, blushing.
Again, Elizabeth said nothing.
“He is very considerate, Lizzy. I believe he thinks of the treatment he would prefer if he were newly wedded.”
“He is considerate, indeed,” Elizabeth admitted.
Jane took her hand.” Lizzy, why did he leave in such haste? Did you argue again?”
Elizabeth startled at such a daring question.
“Forgive me for asking. But Charles and I speak of the two of you frequently. I did not tell him about the proposal, but your mutual affection is apparent. Charles said his felicity would be complete if he saw you and Mr Darcy married.”
Elizabeth wiped a tear and forced a laugh. “Mr Bingley should learn to build his felicity without Mr Darcy—especially now that he is married.”
Jane glanced at her. “Do not worry; I assure you that Charles is perfectly happy even without Mr Darcy. Nevertheless, he wishes to see him—and you—equally happy,” Jane said daringly, and Elizabeth stared at her in disbelief.
“Upon my word, marriage has changed you in only a few days, Mrs Bingley,” Elizabeth said, and Jane raised her eyebrow in silent challenge.
“I wonder whether Miss Bingley or Mrs Hurst bothers you as they used to,” Elizabeth inquired mockingly.
“Hardly,” Mrs Bingley responded with a self-confidence that allowed no contradiction and made Elizabeth laugh again.
∞∞∞
May ended, and summer achieved its full due.
For Elizabeth, the days passed too slowly.
There was little room in her mind for anything but Darcy and his opinion of her.
She had been harsh with him during their short encounter on the Bingleys’ wedding day, but he had been unfair to her too.
And it was his fault that the misunderstanding persisted between them.
He should not have left. He should have stayed long enough to discuss and to clarify any doubts.
His suspicions were groundless, and they only proved that he might not think as highly of her as he pretended.
She also admitted that she did not choose her words carefully. But she had been too surprised by his accusations, by his hasty departure, and by his somewhat distant attitude. She barely had time to gather herself and respond properly.
Perhaps when they next met, they might remedy their ill-advised conversation.
But the next opportunity to talk seemed so far away that she felt discouraged.
Consequently, as Jane was now in her own home, Elizabeth spent much of the time alone with her thoughts, self-blame, and concerns—based chiefly on her own speculations.
Darcy maintained a regular correspondence with Bingley but also wrote once to her father and uncle.
In all his letters, Darcy expressed his eagerness to receive them.
What should she understand from that? He doubted her honesty and her feelings but welcomed her to his home?
Did he recognize his flaws and regret his statements?
Or was he just being polite for the sake of his friend?
And what about Mr Wilson? They all planned to travel together to Lambton. Would Darcy welcome his father’s old friend to Pemberley, or would he hold a grudge?
So many questions and worries with so few answers gave her little ease, and she could do nothing but wait and see what the future would hold.
∞∞∞
By the middle of June, preparations for the trip north were the main concern at Netherfield as well as at Longbourn.
“We shall stay in London a week as Mr Gardiner and Mr Wilson still have business to conclude,” Bingley explained to the Bennets.
“It will be a good opportunity for Jane to become accustomed to our town house and the staff. She visited it briefly before the wedding, but now it is time for her to take her proper place and make any changes to her liking.”
“I am sure I shall not need to change anything,” Jane replied. “But I am happy to spend time in London. You have such a beautiful house, Charles.”
“We have a beautiful house, my darling. And it is waiting for its mistress to make it a home,” he said, kissing his wife’s hand.
Lydia rolled her eyes in exasperation while Mrs Bennet was both proud and joyful to witness such devotion from Jane’s handsome, wealthy husband.
“I wrote to Darcy about the schedule. In fact, Jane wrote the letter as my handwriting is a mess,” Bingley continued. “So we should arrive in Derbyshire the last week of June. And from there, we shall see what travelling plans will suit us best.”
“So, you will stay at Pemberley? All of you?” Mrs Bennet asked.
“Yes. I mean, if Mr and Mrs Gardiner and Mr Wilson accept the invitation. Darcy intends to host us all, but he was afraid to ruin their plans.”
“What plans?” Mrs Bennet burst out. “My sister Gardiner confessed she has never had a chance to see Pemberley except from afar. Surely, she will not forgo such an occasion! Who knows whether Mr Darcy will invite ever them again?”
“Mama, we shall do what is best for everyone,” Elizabeth said. “Let us not forget that Mr Wilson’s first interest is to reconnect with his relatives. And surely Aunt Madeline would like the same. Therefore, they might have other engagements.”
“Well, let them do what they like. You should stay at Pemberley with your sister and new brother,” Mrs Bennet concluded.
“Perhaps you should go with them to be sure the arrangements are to your liking,” Mr Bennet encouraged his wife in jest.
She, however, took the suggestion in earnest. “No indeed. My nerves would not allow such a journey. But surely nobody would ignore an invitation from Mr Darcy!”
“Do not worry, Mama. I am sure we shall have a lovely journey,” Jane said soothingly.
Several more days passed after that conversation, and from Meryton more news arrived.
Mr and Mrs Collins, who were visiting Charlotte’s family, brought the exciting news of their expecting an heir.
Mrs Bennet took the opportunity to host a dinner for the Lucases and Collinses, as well as for Mr and Mrs Bingley before their departure.
She prepared the event with extra care to prove herself worthy as Mr Bingley’s mother-in-law.
Mr Collins behaved with his usual condescension while Lady Lucas seemed more restrained and somewhat conceited. Elizabeth smiled to herself, wondering whether Lady Catherine’s arrogance was contagious.
“My dear cousins, allow me to congratulate you on your long-expected wedding. I hope Mr and Mrs Bingley will share the same felicity in marriage that Charlotte and I have. Lady Catherine herself said that this marriage is very advantageous for your entire family.”
Elizabeth struggled to remain calm at such an offensive remark, but her patience failed her. “I hope Lady Catherine had a safe journey to Kent from Town. Did she enjoy her time in London? We were pleased that she attended Mr Wilson’s ball.”
“How nice of you to inquire, my dear cousin. In fact, her ladyship regretted leaving Rosings at all. She declared the Season had changed for the worse recently. As for the ball, she was rather displeased with it. She said she never should have accepted the invitation,” Mr Collins responded primly.
“I wonder why? Mr Wilson received much praise for the ball. The Duke of York, as well as the Countess of Jersey and Countess of Sefton, highly approved of it,” Elizabeth continued.
“Surely, Lady Catherine’s opinion cannot weigh more than a duke and two countesses,” Mrs Bennet ended the debate. “She might not be accustomed to balls of the latest fashion in London since she spends most of her time in Kent.”
“Miss de Bourgh seemed to enjoy her time nevertheless,” Bingley interjected.
“Yes,” Mr Collins quickly responded, “Lady Catherine is sure a certain event will finally take place as it should have many years ago.”
“What event?” Lydia asked.
“The long-awaited wedding between Mr Darcy and Miss de Bourgh. There can be no better match than one between these two remarkable young people, both blessed with so many fine qualities,” Mr Collins replied.