Chapter 21
The week following Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s engagement to Mr Darcy was one of the most eventful ever known in Meryton.
Despite the gentleman being absent, his actions caused consequences.
Two days after his departure, Longbourn was visited by Dr Morton, Mr Darcy’s physician from London.
He examined Mr Bennet — whose state had slightly improved but remained worrisome — and remained three more days for further examinations.
Despite his intention to stay at Netherfield, he was invited to remain at Longbourn for convenience.
Mr Bennet’s health was eventually declared satisfactory, but precautions were required, and medicine was sent for that it was recommended he take for several months.
As one gentleman arrived, Mr Wickham — the entire town’s favourite — left the regiment. He informed everyone who wished to listen to him that he had been offered a new, more advantageous commission, which would provide him with a better situation in life.
Nobody knew the truth in regard to this sudden departure except for Elizabeth and her father, who only disclosed it to Jane.
Elizabeth’s resentment towards Mr Wickham was so strong that she could not see him nor speak of him again.
As soon as Mr Wickham left, some reports about his actions arose.
People spoke of debts, deceptions, and seductions of at least two shop girls.
Such news only made Elizabeth angrier with herself for her foolishness that could have had regrettable consequences, and despite the fortunate outcome, she needed more time to forgive herself.
Some people regretted him, but many were relieved to see him gone.
Mr Denny, who had recommended the man to the regiment, was scarcely seen in public at all after the ball.
One day, the two officers who, in addition to Mr Wickham, had caused such a disturbance came to Longbourn with Colonel Forster and had a private meeting with Mr Bennet in his library.
Of the ladies, only Elizabeth was present.
The men expressed their apologies, which Elizabeth and her father acknowledged with little interest.
Although some rumours were still circulating in Meryton, any suspicions over the relationship between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy were washed away.
Caught up as she was in these life-changing events, Elizabeth almost forgot about her friend Charlotte Lucas and her engagement.
She felt disappointed that Charlotte had settled for so little, but in light of her own unexpected decision, she dared not say much.
She even felt sorry for Charlotte, as her engagement passed almost unnoticed in Meryton, and every time Lady Lucas mentioned it, Mrs Bennet reminded her that Elizabeth was marrying the nephew of the patroness of Charlotte’s future husband.
For the first time ever, Mrs Bennet had something — her future son-in-law — which was far better than Sir William’s title and presentation at St James’s, and she made the best of it.
The next day, after Dr Morton’s departure, Mr Bennet received a letter from Mr Darcy. Inside it was the settlement for Elizabeth and news of the licence.
Please study the settlement and present me with any changes or additions you deem appropriate.
I would also kindly ask Miss Elizabeth to consider how she would like to spend Christmas.
I know your family have always been together at such a time, and I do not want to deprive her of that joy.
My sister and I have spent the winter in London in the last few years, but I am willing to do my best and accommodate Miss Elizabeth’s wishes for the occasion.
I shall have all my affairs completed and shall return to Hertfordshire with Bingley in five days’ time. Due to the bad weather and short notice, of my relatives, only the admiral and my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam will join me.
My sister has expressed her delight and eagerness to welcome Miss Elizabeth into the family as well as her joy to have a sister.
There were several other things in the letter, but Elizabeth was not interested in them.
“Upon my word, Lizzy, I wonder if this settlement is real or a mistake.”
“Why, Papa?”
They were alone in the library, as Mr Bennet was reluctant to involve the rest of his family in matters regarding Mr Darcy.
“According to this, you will have more pin money in a month than you and all your sisters had together in a year. There are also some descriptions of the jewels you will receive, some legal matters in the case of Mr Darcy’s sudden death—”
“Papa, what are you saying?”
“My dear, rich people put all these eventualities in writing. As I said, there is also a promise that Mr Darcy will allow you to use his means to support your family in any way you find appropriate. So, you can buy us another house if you want. And more books for me. I shall send him our acceptance immediately before he changes his mind.”
“Papa, please be serious. This is all exceedingly generous of Mr Darcy. Perhaps too generous, so please do not mention the extent of it to Mama or Lydia and Kitty. I cannot bear more discussions about Mr Darcy’s wealth.”
“My dear, I have no intention of sharing such details with anyone except my brother Gardiner. You must not worry in that regard.”
“Thank you. I am a little worried that I shall have to marry in seven days. But it might be for the best. The sooner the wedding takes place, the sooner all this will be done, and hopefully, there will finally be a little peace at Longbourn.”
“My dear, there has been no peace at Longbourn since the day Kitty was born and your mother’s nerves became delicate. In regard to the wedding, the letter says you may postpone it if you have doubts or if you want to stay at home until January. Mr Darcy has allowed you the liberty to decide.”
“Mr Darcy is all kindness, but I have decided. We shall have the wedding on the suggested date. I shall inform Mama.”
“My dear, and what about Christmas? If you return to London, you will be alone there.”
“I must consider it carefully. But since the wedding will be so close to Christmas, it is too late for any special arrangements. I must be with my husband, and he cannot leave his sister alone, nor can she travel. So, I only have one choice. It is part of my responsibility, and since Mr Darcy has showed such consideration for my family, I shall show the same for his.”
As she spoke, Elizabeth felt more and more at ease. She had made her decision, and her immediate future was clear, so there was not much room for worry, at least until the wedding.
In his letter, she observed that Mr Darcy had mentioned nothing about the rest of his family, which led Elizabeth to conclude that the news of their engagement had not been met with joy.
Of that — and probably many other issues — she had enough reasons for concern but would not have to deal with them for the time being.
The details of his return and the wedding day stirred new feelings inside Elizabeth.
She realised she missed him and that she was waiting for his return with eagerness but also some reluctance.
In seven days, she would become his wife and would be beholden to him.
In seven days, there would be no Miss Lizzy Bennet, only Mrs Elizabeth Darcy.
Her thoughts also turned to Jane, who would be overjoyed to hear that Mr Bingley would return too. There was no mention of his sisters, so it was still a mystery where he would spend Christmas. But his decision to return so soon proved that he wished to be in Hertfordshire, hopefully close to Jane.
The news of the wedding date threw Mrs Bennet and the entirety of Longbourn into further chaos, just as Elizabeth had feared. Her mother started to cry and whine, incapable of being calmed or consoled.
“Seven days from today? A wedding? You have no clothes! You cannot go into Mr Darcy’s house looking like a beggar!”
“Mama, I shall write to Aunt Gardiner and ask her to purchase me a few things and send them to me. Or perhaps she will come for the wedding and bring them with her.”
“But your aunt does not know what you need! And I must prepare a meal for the guests! Hill cannot do that alone! I need to hire some more help! Maybe my sister’s cook and a maid… We have no proper clothes either! This is not to be borne! You must postpone it for at least a fortnight!”
“Mama, Mr Darcy suggested the date. I believe he has some business that requires his presence in town, so it cannot be delayed. Besides, he is to bring his cousin, who is Lord Matlock’s son, and the admiral. I cannot ask them to change their plans, can I?”
The answer disconcerted Mrs Bennet and silenced her momentarily.
“No, you cannot. These important people cannot waste their time like the rest of us. Then go and write to your aunt! Tell her to purchase everything that a newly wedded woman needs! And two gowns, the best she can find, for the wedding day. And tell her to come here quickly, as I need her!”
“Very well, Mama.”
“And when will Mr Darcy return?”
“Two days prior to the wedding, Mama. Mr Bingley will also travel with them.”
“Mr Bingley! Did you hear that, Jane? Dear Lord, what a blessing! If Mr Darcy, who is richer and more important than Mr Bingley, is marrying Lizzy, who is not as pretty as Jane, I am sure Mr Bingley will propose to Jane too!”
“Mama, we do not know—” Jane tried to temper her, but Mrs Bennet pushed her away.
“Do not get in my way, Jane! I have much to do! Kitty, Lydia, go and deliver this note to my sister Phillips. She must come and help me!”
Throughout that day and those that followed, Mrs Bennet found no rest. She dismissed any advice or suggestion, claiming that nobody in Meryton had ever married such an illustrious man, so nobody could know what was best to be done.
She only trusted her sister Phillips, who was the only person who listened to her and approved of her every decision.