Chapter Thirty-four
Dinner the next day turned into a celebration of two engagements.
Lady Lucas insisted on hosting everyone from Longbourn and Netherfield to fete the happy couples.
Sir William was in his element. He loved nothing better than entertaining.
Charlotte and Mamie were glowing with happiness.
John was as quiet as ever, but it was obvious he was happy.
Mr. Bennet usually had a sardonic grin on his face, but today it was quite different. The smile was genuine.
Beth was happy for her friend John and for Mamie, both.
She was also a little sad. She’d gained a new friend in Charlotte, who would return with them to Virginia, but she’d lose Mamie.
Mamie who had been like a mother to her.
Mamie who had been her best friend and staunchest supporter.
How was she going to write Ethan about this?
His best friend will marry without him there to witness, and Mamie, who had raised them both was not to return.
“So, when will the weddings be?” Georgiana asked quietly.
“I do not know, and I don’t know what I’ll do with myself. My companion will stay in Hertfordshire. John will want a honeymoon….”
“Well, you will come back to Pemberley with us of course! Your brother does not want you to sail home until spring, and John and Charlotte will sail home with you next year. Why not have your cousins return with us, so that the new Mr. and Mrs. Bennet can settle in alone? We will have a grand time!”
Darcy and Lizzy had walked over to them while Gigi enthused about her plan. “That sounds like a wonderful idea sister. What do you think Miss Elizabeth?”
“That does sound like a very good plan! Mamie will not want us all here as she is settling in, and it will be awkward for Jane. She has been mistress of Longbourn for years now. Mrs. Greaves can come along as our chaperone. Yes, I think that is a capitol idea!”
Darcy was smiling at Lizzy fondly and thinking about her walking the halls of his home. Would she fall in love with it and want to stay? Would she fall in love with him? He had begun having tender feelings for her already. Having her in his home over winter would be very telling.
“I have an announcement to make!” Bingley stood and tapped on the side of his glass.
“As you know, we will have a ball on the twenty sixth of November, and it will now be in honor of our engaged couples! Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Russell, and Mr. Smith and Miss Lucas!” Everyone cheered and Bingley had the satisfaction of being the center of attention again.
He bounded over to where Miss Beth Darcy was standing with her family, “And Miss Darcy, might I have the honor of opening the ball with you?”
“You are my host Mr. Bingley, of course I will open the ball with you.” Although she still had concerns about what she had seen on his face some days ago, and what Caroline had said.
She had decided not to discuss it with William, and to just be watchful.
Bingley had finally given up on chasing Jane since he had gotten no encouragement at all.
He excused himself to speak with the other guests.
Darcy stared after him pensively. “Charles has been behaving strangely. His words say one thing, but his eyes are saying another.”
Miss Bingley had joined their group. “I have noticed.”
“Have you? You also are quite different than I have ever known you.”
“You can thank Beth for that. I think she is the first person who has ever told me the absolute truth, regardless of my feelings.”
Darcy smirked, “She is good at being blunt, is she not? Her brother’s letter warned me.”
“I will not blush or say I’m sorry. Those colors were awful on you, and you were looking for your happiness in all the wrong places. And you Will, you need someone to tell you when you’re being an idiot. Find a wife that will tell you so and you will be a very happy man!”
Darcy could not help his eyes straying to Elizabeth Bennet. It was Beth’s turn to smirk.
~~~~~
The next morning the couples got together and decided their wedding dates.
Mrs. Russell and Mr. Bennet would marry by license on December first. Charlotte and John would also marry by license on the thirtieth of November.
Lady Lucas was frantic that she would not have time to plan a proper wedding breakfast, but the Bennet girls and Beth promised to help.
Thomas and Mamie did not want a fuss, so they would marry quietly with just family, and have a small breakfast at Longbourn.
The girls would go stay at Netherfield for one night and then leave for Pemberley the next day.
They would stop at the Rosemont estate for three days.
Theo wanted to check on his tenants and wanted Jane to see where he lived.
He had made it fairly plain he was courting her, but he had not asked her yet.
He planned to do so at the ball and speak to Mr. Bennet before they left to go north.
Jane was of age, but he would do things properly.
He had spent too much of his life doing everything just as he pleased and hang propriety and decorum.
He had told her a great deal of his past and she had not turned him away yet.
Someday soon, he would have to tell her about his daughter.
Theo prayed she would not turn away from him when she found out.