Chapter 5 #2
“My mother warned me that my intense looks might have been interpreted thusly. It is good that we understand one another now. Misunderstandings and baseless assumptions could have led to superfluous heartache for both of us.”
“There is much I would like to say and ask, but I am afraid that we have already come awfully close to the line Andrew drew between us. Soon, Will, soon we will be free to tell one another what is in our hearts,” Elizabeth promised softly.
Although the words had not been said or the declarations made, both felt the love that radiated from the other.
There were no remaining doubts about if they would be together for the rest of their lives—it was just a question of when.
At least Will would have the pleasure of the two dances at the upcoming ball.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Kitty Bennet had pouted when she was informed that she would not be allowed to attend the Twelfth Night Ball.
At thirteen, she felt very grown-up, but her mother sat her down and explained that she would not be allowed to attend balls and dances in Meryton until she was sixteen and that it would be a further two years before she would be out in London society.
After her mother’s patient explanation, Kitty’s attitude had changed for the better, and she had both Mariah Lucas and Cara Long with her for company as they too were not allowed to attend the ball.
The three would help look after the family's younger children while James, Tom, Alex, and John Lucas would overnight at Lucas Lodge.
At least they had the children, and they had a rousing game of hide and seek planned for them, which they had all loved to play with Jane.
Now that Jane was gone, it was time to turn the tide and for them to follow her example so that the same memories they cherished would be passed forward.
As William Bennet readied himself for the ball, he could not believe how fortune had shone on him earlier that day. Had it only been a few short hours ago when the trajectory of his life had shifted on its axis?
William had been invited to meet with Uncle George in his and his Aunt Anne’s sitting room. “Please sit,” Uncle George indicated an armchair.
“How may I be of assistance, Uncle George?” William asked as he took his seat.
“You graduate from the School of Divinity at Cambridge in April, do you not William?” George Darcy had asked, and William allowed that it was so.
“I have spoken to your father, who informed me how proud he is of your achievements during your studies and that you have been at or near the top of your class consistently. When do you plan to take orders? I know some wait after they complete their studies as they take a grand tour.”
“It is my intention to take orders immediately after graduation. Father offered me a grand tour, but I decided that I would like to start doing God’s work as soon as I am able.” He offered his decision, which he felt was right for him.
“That is what I thought your answer would be. I know that you have spoken to Mr Pierce about a curacy under him here. Have you made a commitment to him yet?” Mr Darcy asked easily.
“We have spoken about it, but an offer was not made nor accepted. To what do these questions tend, Uncle George?” William asked, curious about the line of questioning which he could not determine a point to.
“The current rector, Mr Ignatius Perkins, has notified me that after almost forty years of holding the three livings in my gift, Pemberley, Lambton, and Kympton, that he desires to retire by the end of this year. If you are interested, I would like to offer you a curacy to learn under Mr Perkins so that you will be able to take over the three livings when he retires.” George was amused at how round William’s eyes had grown during his explanation and could not quite bite back his smile.
“It is definitely something that I would be interested in, Uncle George, but I do not want to usurp one who had been promised the position. Will told me that his friend Patrick Elliot is a curate at the Lambton church and is in line to receive the livings.” William schooled himself to hide the disappointment of not being able to accept.
“I would never make the offer if that were still the fact, regardless of how much I like and respect you. Mr Elliot was the second son of a baronet from Shropshire. Just this week, I received a note from him that he needs to resign his curacy with immediate effect. His brother was killed in a riding accident, so he is required to return to his family’s estate as he is now his father’s heir.
He had already departed by the time the express reached me.
I asked if you had an agreement with Mr Pierce, as if you had, I would not have made you the offer.
“That you would have been willing to step away from such a lucrative group of livings speaks well of your honesty and honour. Besides, I am sure that my niece will not object to having one of her brothers but ten miles distant from Snowhaven,” Uncle George had paused.
“You do not have to give me an answer now. Talk to your family, for it could be that you do not want to be so far from the rest of the Bennets; however, I would appreciate your answer as soon as you make a decision.”
“It is an easy decision for me, Uncle George. We have discussed the possibility that my profession may lead me some distance from Longbourn, and both Father and Mother have told me that they will support me regardless of where I choose to serve God’s children.
That is a long-winded way of telling you that I gladly accept your offer.
You have my undying gratitude for considering me for the position.
” The two had stood, and William had shaken Uncle George’s hand vigorously before leaving to seek out his parents.
As his valet put the finishing touches to his outfit for the ball, William thought about how, when he had found his parents and told them about the position that he would fill after taking his orders, there had been nothing but unstinting support for his decision, and a wide grin as his father made mention of having yet another reason to be close to the Pemberley library, and, of course, his second daughter.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The new Mr I have to check!” Richard said almost petulantly.
“I love you too, Itch,” Elizabeth said as her rich laughter rang out.
It was a sound that the man who loved her and who dancing just a little further down the same line so treasured the hearing that he lit up when it rang out.
If Miss Goulding had any doubts that his affections were engaged, his reaction to his cousin’s laugh was enough to convince her that he was being kind toward herself, but no hopes should be placed on him.
For both Elizabeth and Will, it was a most enjoyable ball.
As they went through the dance steps for the supper set, their eyes were locked one on the other, but for the moments, they were separated by the dance, and when then they seemed to be looking for each other all the time.
They did not talk during the dance; neither felt the need as they knew what it was all leading to, and the anticipation was there, but the peace which the knowledge brought was most welcome.
As the last bars of the music played, the dancers all applauded the musicians for their stellar playing thus far.
Will led Elizabeth to a table where her four brothers sat with their partners.
Once she was comfortably seated, he made plates for the both of them.
During the meal, when not eating, the two talked softly to one another.
Andrew watched as his cousin was being so solicitous toward his baby sister, realizing as he flitted through the memories of their lives that he always was, had always been there for her, and was always thus.
Marie had only danced the supper set with Andrew as she was feeling fatigued.
She saw the scowl on her husband’s face and understood that it was not one of disapproval of Will but of knowing that his sister would soon be under the protection of another.
She distracted her husband with talk of their impending second child, slyly winking at Lizzy, who hid her laugh behind a napkin, and then refocused on her own partner.
It seemed there was a whole other side she had her first glimpse of in which the women of their family worked together.
How fun this would be, and she needed all the help she could get if she were going to get that first kiss soon!
When the first dance of the final set commenced, both Elizabeth and Will acknowledged its significance. The next time they danced, Elizabeth would be out in society, and not long after, she would have an official suitor, and luckily, she knew who it would be and that she wanted no others.
As Elaine, Tammy, and Anne Darcy sat watching the final dance, Elaine leaned to her sister-in-law. “I believe that we will enjoy sharing a daughter when your son and my daughter finally get to the point.”
“If they had their way, it would be sooner rather than later,” Tammy opined as she watched Elizabeth and Will elegantly execute the steps of the dance.
“I believe that they are the only two that would suit one another,” Anne said, agreeing with them, for her son and Elizabeth were lost in each other’s eyes. She wondered if they would even hear the music ending without applause to bring back their focus to their surroundings.
There were few who saw them that night that had any doubt that their futures were tightly intertwined. Neither Will nor Elizabeth, had they known, would have cared who knew, as their hearts were overflowing with love, one for the other.