Chapter Fifteen
The next day
"Lizzy, where did you pack your blue muslin? The one with the embroidered trim?"
Mrs Bennet's voice carried up the stairs, shrill with the particular anxiety that had possessed her since dawn.
Elizabeth looked up from the trunk she was attempting to organise—an impossible task, given that her mother kept adding items she deemed essential for the mistress of Pemberley—and suppressed a sigh.
"In the smaller trunk, Mama. With the other day dresses."
"Are you certain? I cannot find it. And you must have it, Lizzy. What will the servants at Pemberley think if you arrive without adequate clothing? Mr Darcy is accustomed to a certain standard—"
"I am certain the servants will survive the shock of my wardrobe," she called back, then immediately regretted the sharpness of her tone. Her mother meant well, even if her fussing had reached intolerable levels.
Tomorrow she would leave Longbourn for Pemberley and begin her new life as Mrs Darcy.
The thought induced a curious mixture of trepidation and relief.
Trepidation at the unknown that awaited her—a grand estate, a household of servants, a husband she was only beginning to know.
Relief at escaping the constant scrutiny and commentary that had plagued her since the engagement was announced.
Jane appeared in the doorway, her serene presence a balm to Elizabeth's frayed nerves. "Mama is in quite a state. She has rearranged the drawing room three times already this morning."
"Only three times? We are fortunate indeed." She gestured at the chaos surrounding her. "I cannot imagine why she believes I require six bonnets for a journey to Derbyshire. One would think I were embarking on a grand tour rather than simply relocating to my husband's estate."
The word still felt strange on her tongue. Husband. As though speaking it aloud might make the reality more comprehensible.
"She wishes you to make a good impression," Jane said, settling onto the edge of the bed. "You are now mistress of one of the finest estates in England. It is natural she should want you properly equipped for such a position."
"I suppose." Elizabeth abandoned her packing and sat beside her sister. "But I suspect no number of bonnets will adequately prepare me for what awaits."
They sat in companionable silence for a moment before Jane spoke again, her voice soft. "Are you frightened?"
"Terrified," she admitted. "I am not entirely certain of what. Mr Darcy has been perfectly courteous. More than courteous, actually. But we are strangers bound together by unfair circumstances instead of naturally building a bond. How does one build a marriage on such a foundation?"
"Many marriages begin with less. After a few more days of being around each other, I'm certain you and Mr Darcy will find common ground. Similar interests, maybe. Or a peculiar way of thinking. That will certainly improve the relationship you both share.”
Before Elizabeth could respond, Mrs Bennet's voice rang out again from below. "Girls! Mr Bennet wishes to speak with us all in the drawing room. Come down at once!"
They descended to find the family already assembling.
Mr Bennet stood near the window as he observed his wife directing the servants in yet another rearrangement of the furniture.
Lydia and Kitty occupied the sofa, whispering behind their hands.
Even Mary had abandoned her musical interests to join them.
"Ah, there you are," Mr Bennet said as Elizabeth and Jane entered. "I thought we should have a family discussion before Lizzy departs tomorrow. There are a few matters to address."
"What sort of matters, Papa?" Elizabeth asked.
"Practical ones, mostly. Your mother has been so occupied with packing and arrangements that we have neglected to discuss some important points.
" He picked up a note from the side table.
"I received this from Mr Darcy this morning.
He writes to confirm the departure time and to assure us that every comfort has been arranged for your journey. "
"How considerate of him," Mrs Bennet said with satisfaction. "Though I still maintain it is odd that he declined our invitation to spend the night here at Longbourn. I had arranged such a lovely room for him—our best bedchamber, freshly aired and with new linens."
"Yes, well," Mr Bennet said dryly, "I can understand his preference for Netherfield.
As a man who has lost a considerable portion of his memory, Mr Darcy relies heavily on familiar surroundings for comfort and stability.
Spending the night in an unfamiliar location might prove distressing to him, particularly on the eve of such a significant journey. "
"I suppose that makes sense," Mrs Bennet conceded, but she still looked disappointed. "However, it still seems peculiar."
"Mr Darcy has promised to call later this afternoon," Jane interjected smoothly, redirecting the conversation. "I am certain he is eager to ensure all arrangements for tomorrow are in order."
"Indeed." Mr Bennet said with a wry smile. "And Mr Bingley has promised to visit later this week to make a formal request regarding Jane's hand in marriage. It is a shame you will miss that occasion, Lizzy. I suspect it would provide considerable entertainment."
Jane's cheeks coloured prettily, and Elizabeth felt a wave of pleasure cut through her own anxiety. "Jane! I am so very happy for you both."
"Thank you, Lizzy." Jane's eyes shone with barely suppressed joy. "I shall miss you dreadfully. It will not be the same without you here."
"You won't be sad for long," Mary interjected from her position near the pianoforte. "You'll see Elizabeth again at your wedding. Assuming Mr Bingley proposes this week, as Papa suggests, the wedding could take place within a few months. That is hardly any time at all."
"A few months!" Mrs Bennet pressed a hand to her bosom. "Two weddings in one year! Oh, I shall be quite overwhelmed with preparations. The expense alone—but no, I must not complain. Two daughters so advantageously married! Who could have predicted such fortune?"
"Can we visit Pemberley, Lizzy?" Lydia burst out suddenly, unable to contain herself any longer. "After you are settled? Kitty and I have been discussing it, and we are quite dying to see such a grand estate."
"And to meet the gentlemen in the village nearby," Kitty added with a giggle, having gotten over her earlier heartbreak. "Are there handsome gentlemen near Pemberley, Lizzy? As there are in Meryton?"
Elizabeth could not help but smile at their enthusiasm, even as she wondered whether Pemberley would survive an invasion by her younger sisters. "Yes, you may visit. But you must promise to behave with proper decorum. I will not have you embarrassing me before the entire county of Derbyshire."
"We shall be perfect angels," Lydia declared, even though the mischievous glint in her eye suggested otherwise.
The morning passed in a flurry of activity.
More neighbours arrived to pay farewell visits—Charlotte's younger sisters, Mrs Phillips, Mrs Long, accompanied by several of her gossip-hungry acquaintances.
Each visitor offered congratulations and advice, most of it unsolicited and unhelpful.
Elizabeth smiled and nodded and accepted their well-wishes with as much grace as she could muster, all the while counting the hours until she could escape to the relative peace of Pemberley.
It was nearly noon when Cassandra Rochford arrived.
Elizabeth spotted her friend—former friend, perhaps, given their previous argument—as soon as she entered the drawing room.
Cassandra wore a gown of pale yellow that complemented her fair colouring, and her expression was schooled into polite neutrality.
But Elizabeth had known her long enough to recognise the tension in her shoulders, the tightness around her mouth that betrayed suppressed emotion.
Cassandra made the requisite greetings to Mrs Bennet and the assembled company before making her way to Elizabeth's side. "Might I have a word with you? Privately?"
Elizabeth's stomach tightened with apprehension, but she nodded and led Cassandra to the relative privacy of the entrance hall. Once they were alone, Cassandra's composure cracked.
"I suppose I should offer congratulations," she said, her voice tight. "You have achieved quite the coup. From country nobody to mistress of Pemberley. You must be very pleased with yourself."
"Cassandra—"
"Do not 'Cassandra' me." Her friend's eyes glittered with barely suppressed tears and fury. "You knew I was courting Mr Darcy. You helped me write the very letters that secured his interest. And yet somehow, you managed to ensnare him for yourself."
"I never meant for this to happen," Elizabeth protested. "We were merely speaking that night at Netherfield. Mr Darcy was not in the best of moods, and I decided to reassure him. Mrs Long discovered us and made a huge ruckus.”
Cassandra's laugh held no humour. "And you seized the opportunity. Do not pretend innocence with me, Elizabeth. You always were too clever by half, always reading those books and thinking yourself superior to the rest of us. You saw your chance and took it."
"That is not what happened! I did not scheme to trap Mr Darcy. The situation was thrust upon us both through unfortunate circumstances. Please believe me."
"What I believe is that you are a conniving, deceitful creature who betrayed her friend for personal gain.
" Cassandra's voice shook. "Do you know what else I believe?
That you knew exactly what you were doing when you helped me with those letters.
You were learning what he valued, what he responded to, so you could present yourself as the perfect match when the opportunity arose. "
Elizabeth stared at her, shocked by the venom in her tone. "Cassandra, that is absurd."
"Is it? Then explain to me why Mr Darcy looked at you with such warmth while he could barely remember my name. Explain why he chose to marry you instead of honouring the courtship we had been conducting."
“I understand you are hurt and angry, but—"
"Hurt? Angry? You have ruined everything, Elizabeth.
Everything. Mr Darcy was supposed to be mine.
I erred by turning my attentions to Mr Harrington, believing I could secure him instead.
Do you know what I learned yesterday? He has just become engaged to another lady.
Miss Dorothy Windham, a woman with half my breeding and a quarter of my fortune. "
She drew a shuddering breath, her composure fracturing further. "This is the second time a gentleman has chosen to marry a woman I consider far beneath me. First Mr Darcy marries you, and now Mr Harrington chooses Miss Windham. What am I to think except that you have somehow poisoned my prospects?"
"I have done no such thing," Elizabeth replied firmly, although she felt a stab of sympathy despite Cassandra's accusations.
"Your difficulties with Mr Harrington have nothing to do with me. And as I’ve said before, the marriage between Mr Darcy and me was not planned or desired by either of us.
We were forced into it by obligation and the fear of scandal. "
"How convenient for you that the obligation resulted in one of the finest matches in England." Cassandra's lip curled. "I am certain you shall find a way to bear such hardship."
"Cassandra—"
"No." She stepped back, her expression hardening into something cold and distant.
"I came to congratulate you, as duty demanded.
I have done so. But do not expect friendship from me, Elizabeth Bennet—or should I say, Mrs Darcy.
You will find that I am not so easily cast aside.
You will pay for your scheming. That is a promise. "
Cassandra turned and swept back into the drawing room, leaving Elizabeth standing alone in the entrance hall with her heart pounding and her thoughts in turmoil.
She had hoped Cassandra would understand the impossible position the scandal had created.
She had not anticipated such vitriol, such naked hostility and threats.
Cassandra had declared her disinterest in Mr Darcy and spoken of pursuing someone else instead.
Why then did she believe Elizabeth had schemed to take him away from her?
She pressed a hand to her temple, where a headache was beginning to pulse. This was certainly not the time to consider all of those questions. There were more belongings to pack, and her mother would not let her hear the end of it if she missed anything.
"Lizzy?" Jane's voice came from the drawing room doorway. "Are you well? You look pale."
"I am fine." Elizabeth straightened, forcing a smile. "Merely overwhelmed by all the farewells."
Jane studied her with the penetrating gaze of one who had known her all her life. "What did Miss Rochford say to you?"
"Nothing of consequence." The lie tasted bitter, but Elizabeth could not bring herself to burden Jane with the full truth. Not now, when her sister was so happy, when her own future with Mr Bingley stretched bright before her. "She merely wished to offer her congratulations."
Jane's expression suggested she did not entirely believe this, but she didn't press further. "Mama’s asking for you.”
Elizabeth drew a deep breath, pushing aside her distress over the confrontation with Cassandra. Tomorrow she would leave Longbourn and begin her new life at Pemberley. She felt plenty of sympathy for her friend and truly hoped more positive outcomes would surface for her.
For now, she had a husband waiting, a future to step into, and a fragile hope that somehow, despite everything, it might all work out.