Chapter 32
Miss Bingley was furious, but at whom was still to be determined.
Her brother had always been whimsical, making decisions on the spur of the moment but this was peculiar even for him.
Granted he had been angry at them when they had all departed Pemberley, but to lease out Netherfield without sending them a word was preposterous.
The Bingleys did not own a townhouse yet and the Hurst House had been closed for the past six months and would not be able to receive them on such short notice.
Mrs. Nicholls had allowed them to stay till she got word back from Mr. Darcy, but it was an affront to Caroline’s self-importance, being a burden on an unsuspecting household.
She was pacing in her chambers trying to think of all possible places for Charles to visit when her lady’s maid entered.
“Evans, did you learn anything from the talk downstairs?” Miss Bingley immediately asked. The maid had been her trusted accomplice in getting all the gossip since she had entered society and was well compensated for her efforts.
“Not directly, no one knows what exactly happened but there is a lot of speculation.”
“Anything about the Bennets?” Miss Bingley questioned as she sat on the stool in front of the mirror. Evans started to undo her mistress' hair as she continued with her tale.
“Mr. Bingley was courting Miss Bennet and did get engaged, but it seems the lady withdrew from the engagement after a few weeks. It happened days after Mr. Darcy’s departure.” She then took a brush and started to gently comb her mistress’s hair as she spoke.
“Mr. Darcy’s departure is itself a cause of a lot of gossip.
It seems he left late in the night and without much notice.
He did go to Longbourn and took Mr. Bennet’s leave though the hour was late.
The next morning Mr. Bingley was found in his study sleeping on the couch in a deeply inebriated state.
The whole study had looked as though a brawl had taken place but the servants who saw Mr. Darcy leaving and Mr. Bingley the next day assured everyone that there was no sign of violence on either gentleman. ”
“Did my foolish brother quarrel with Mr. Darcy? I still do not understand why he would transfer the lease if they had quarrelled?” Miss Bingley spoke as she selected her nightgown.
“Nobody knows. They all think that Mr. Bingley did not want to remain after Miss Bennet left Hertfordshire for London, and Mr. Darcy will need a place for his family when they arrive for his wedding to Miss Elizabeth.”
“So, it is confirmed that the wedding is to happen here and not in London?”
“Oh yes, Mrs. Nicholls received an express from Mr. Darcy to expect his arrival a fortnight hence. He will be accompanied by several family members including the Earl and Countess of Matlock.”
“Thank you, Evans, I think it is prudent for me to send a letter of congratulations to Miss Elizabeth.” Miss Bingley dismissed her maid.
Darcy was having his breakfast when the express from Netherfield’s housekeeper arrived.
The news of Miss Bingley’s arrival at the estate surprised Darcy for he had expected Bingley to at least have informed his family of his whereabouts.
Deciding to discuss the matter with Elizabeth, he pocketed the letter and made his way to Matlock House.
Elizabeth was as surprised by the news as Darcy and agreed with him that it would be uncharitable to ask Miss Bingley and the Hursts to leave immediately. Darcy was of a mind to allow them to stay till his arrival in Hertfordshire.
“That would give them enough time to open the Hurst House in town,” he told Elizabeth as they walked through Hyde Park.
“That is one solution. But I think there is no harm in inviting them to stay till the wedding festivities. They were after all our neighbours, and Mr. Bingley has been generous in offering his lease.”
“You are magnanimous, for I am sure they would never have been so accommodating if the situation was reversed.” Darcy responded, surprised.
“If the situation was reversed and Miss Bingley was marrying you, I am sure she would want every one of her acquaintances to be a witness to her glory.” Elizabeth spoke with a bemused expression causing Darcy to shudder.
The rest of the week passed in a flurry of preparations for Darcy and Elizabeth.
Neither gave any thought to Miss Bingley except for a brief period when Elizabeth received a letter from the lady congratulating her on the match.
Her contentment with her upcoming marriage had made her gracious in her response and Elizabeth expressed her pleasure in having Miss Bingley attend the wedding.
Darcy had already sent an invitation to the Hursts which had been graciously accepted.
Elizabeth hoped that with the Bingley sisters attending her wedding there may be a possibility of a reconciliation between Mr. Bingley and Jane.
While Jane may have broken the engagement Elizabeth knew her sister well enough to understand that she still loved Bingley.
Elizabeth, with the Gardiners and Darcy, arrived in Hertfordshire two weeks before the wedding.
The rest of Darcy’s family were to arrive two days before the actual wedding and then stay at Netherfield for a week after.
Lady Matlock and Lady Margaret had both been very busy with planning and introducing Elizabeth in town and hence had decided to have some time relaxing at Netherfield.
Mrs. Ashcombe had declared that Elizabeth was the most delightful creature and expressed her desire to scrutinise her other sisters to select her future daughter, to her son's eternal embarrassment. The Colonel and the Viscount were to accompany Darcy but had been delayed due to a sartorial emergency with Darcy’s waistcoat.
The Colonel had declared it his solemn duty as groomsman to deal with the problem.
The Viscount had countered that an army man could have no sense of fashion and would be lost without his expertise.
Thus, now they were to arrive only after the most perfect waistcoat in the history of English grooms was ready.
Mrs. Bennet had been beside herself with excitement at the idea of gaining such a rich and handsome son.
She could be heard saying multiple times during the day that it was her quick thinking in sending Lizzy to London that the wedding was happening now, or Elizabeth would still be pining.
Her daughters decided that spending their energy on curbing some of her outrageous plans for the wedding was more important than refreshing her memory.
Kitty and Lydia had taken over the decoration of the church while Jane had been working with the cook to finalize the menu for the wedding breakfast. She had observed Lady Matlock’s table with a keen interest and was determined not to embarrass her sister in front of Mr. Darcy’s exalted relations.
Mary was helping Elizabeth sort through her things and pack what she planned to take with her.
Mr. Bennet could be found in the parlour with his daughters more than in his study and while he did not say much, everyone understood that Lizzy’s departure would be the hardest on him.
Then there were the morning visits and evening soirees for it seemed that each of the four and twenty families of the neighbourhood were curious about the match.
Mrs. Gardiner had taken up the mantle of the hostess at Netherfield, for the Gardiners were residing there.
Darcy had been uncomfortable staying alone with the Hursts and Miss Bingley for he feared Caroline’s reaction to his engagement.
He need not have worried; the lady was a model of politeness and propriety and even sought out Jane and Elizabeth whenever in company.
“It is not such a surprise for she would hardly wish to be at odds with the future Mistress of Pemberley.” Elizabeth had commented when Darcy had brought the matter up.
“Does it not bother you?” He responded as he followed her through the Longbourn fields.
“Why should it? She is neither the first nor the last to try and curry favour where she can. I find that I cannot begrudge her the connection to Pemberley when I have gained the devotion of its master,” she replied with a slight laugh, causing Darcy to pull her for a quick kiss.
Her charming manner never failed to delight him.
It was now only a couple of days to the wedding and Elizabeth had wanted to take her leave of Longbourn’s tenants and also to introduce her future husband to them.
It was to her delight that Darcy had seemed to enjoy the excursion and had none of the reserve that encumbered him in society.
She understood that with these simple folks Mr. Darcy was much more comfortable as he was not expected to perform for them.
Her heart brimmed with love for this complicated man.