Chapter 7
Longbourn’s drawing room soon became animated. With rested nerves, Mrs Bennet continued to blame the weather and to express her hope that the gentlemen did not catch cold.
Darcy put her at ease. “We thank you for your concern, ma’am, but I assure you, we are well.”
“Indeed, we wanted to come earlier, but we waited for the rain to stop,” Bingley said, happily seated next to his betrothed. “I must say—I have been spoiled by having dinner at Longbourn, and I truly missed it last night.”
“How kind of you to say that, Mr Bingley! Oh, I can hardly wait for the day when Netherfield and Longbourn will practically be one large home,” Mrs Bennet uttered.
Mr Bennet disagreed. “I hope the houses remain as they are—two, and separated by a distance of three miles. Mr Bingley and Jane deserve some privacy once they are married, and it is my secret hope that we shall see them less than we do now, at least for a while.”
Jane blushed, and Bingley laughed awkwardly.
“But I confess I shall miss these days,” Mr Bennet admitted. “In a house with six ladies, male company is something I appreciate and rarely receive.”
“I shall be happy to keep you company anytime, Mr Bennet,” Bingley hurried to reply, and Mr Bennet laughed.
“You will likely not remember that promise after you are married, Bingley, but it was a nice thought.”
“You will not have six ladies anymore,” Mrs Bennet interjected with some distress. “My dear Lydia is already gone, and soon Jane will leave us too. How can a daughter’s happiness bring so much pain to a mother? My eldest and my youngest daughters will always have a special place in my heart.”
Jane smiled. “Mama, I shall be nearby; you will not have time to miss me.”
“And I thank God for that, my dear. Poor Lydia is so far away—in another part of the country! I shall see her so rarely. She cannot even come to her sister’s ball—so unfair!
She loves balls so much. Fortunately, she has enough balls and parties with the officers of the regiment, but still, one more could not have hurt.
My poor dear! And he is such a handsome, pleasant sort of man.
He might not be very wise, but he is so young.
I am sure he will remedy his mistakes. He is very well suited for Lydia; they are both so happy and like to dance. ”
Darcy took his glass and stepped toward the window. His distress was obvious, as well as the tension that suddenly fell over the room. Elizabeth struggled to find a way to change the subject before her mother had time to speak further on a matter that could bring nothing but torment.
Mr Bennet intervened abruptly, interrupting his wife’s effusions.
“Mrs Bennet, let us be grateful to the Lord and to everyone who made it possible for Lydia to marry as she wished and for Wickham to find an advantageous commission that, hopefully, will allow him to build a comfortable living. Now—regarding the ball—you will be pleased to hear that our cousin Mr Collins arrived to attend, together with his wife.”
“Why would I be pleased to hear that, my dear Mr Bennet? There are few people whose presence I enjoy less. But I shall not bother our guests by discussing a man they barely know.”
“We met Mr Collins in Kent when we visited our aunt Lady Catherine,” the colonel responded with apparent amusement.
“Well…yes…he informed us Lady Catherine is his patroness…” Mrs Bennet replied coldly. “Lizzy told me they have a comfortable house. Charlotte Lucas must be very content. She was Lizzy’s best friend. They will also inherit this house when Mr Bennet passes away.”
“We met Mrs Collins too. Mr Collins appeared to be fortunate in his choice of a wife,” the colonel continued. “Indeed, she has a very pleasant household, and I believe she offers Mr Collins good guidance.”
“Mr Collins might have been fortunate, but Charlotte was even more so. She took the first opportunity she had. Unlike Lizzy, Charlotte did not reject a man who offered her a steady home and a safe situation in life.”
“Mama!” Elizabeth cried, her face burning with shame.
She dared look at Darcy, who was still near the window, holding his glass.
His countenance showed equal distress and disbelief, and Elizabeth’s embarrassment turned into torment.
He surely imagined that her mother referred to her rejection of him.
Could he honestly believe her so thoughtless?
But could she blame him if he did after all the awkward conversations of late?
She tried to sound light and decided when she answered.
“Mama, Charlotte is my friend, and I am happy to know she has a good marriage. If I did not consider an alliance with Mr Collins appropriate for me, that does not mean he would not make a good husband for Charlotte. He is a decent, hardworking man, and I am sure he will provide the best living for his family.”
She stole a glance at Darcy, and his expression now showed astonishment. Was he relieved that his secret had not been exposed, or troubled that he and Mr Collins shared her rejected proposals?
Laughter threatened to escape her lips, and she covered them with her napkin.
“Well, perhaps Lizzy was right to reject him after all. He is a very unpleasant sort of man,” Mrs Bennet concluded.
“Mama, let us speak of something else, I beg you. You said it is not something to discuss in front of our guests,” Elizabeth begged.
“You are right, of course. I just did not want anyone to believe that Mr Collins chose Charlotte or she accepted him out of some affection. If not for your rejection—”
“Mama, please!”
“Mr and Mrs Collins seem well suited,” Darcy eventually spoke. “I hope they have a long and happy marriage.”
“As do we.” Elizabeth smiled. “Mr Darcy, have you news from Miss Darcy? Is she still in Town?”
With that, Mr Collins was momentarily forgotten.
“Yes, she is still in London. I received a letter from her yesterday. She asked me to send you her best regards and her hope to see you again soon.” Darcy’s voice softened as he spoke of his sister, and his expression warmed as he addressed Elizabeth.
“How very kind of her. I would be delighted to meet her again. I greatly enjoyed her company last summer.”
His simple words had flustered Elizabeth as she could not but wonder what Miss Darcy would say if that particular news were sent to her.
She had been genuine in her friendly manners when they met at Pemberley.
But would she accept her brother’s inclination toward someone with a less fortunate situation in life?
Would she be influenced by Lady Catherine’s strong opposition?
And what of their other relatives? Lady Catherine had clearly told Elizabeth of her intention that everyone oppose such a union and never accept her as their equal.
Even more, she threatened to turn Darcy himself into a stranger to his family.
Could such a disturbing outcome indeed occur?
Elizabeth averted her eyes from Darcy only when Bingley intervened. She missed both her parents’ curious glances and the colonel’s thoughtful expression.
“My guests will arrive a day before the ball—tomorrow,” Bingley said.
“There is…only the Millers declined. They have some unexpected family issues that interfered with their plans. But all the rest accepted. Tomorrow night we shall dine at Netherfield, and I would be happy if you could join us. I would like to introduce everyone to Jane…to Miss Bennet so she will already be acquainted with them at the ball. I believe it would be easier for her.”
Mr Bennet laughed. “Mr Bingley, I believe it is time to call your future wife by her given name, even in company. It will be less awkward for all of us. And yes, I believe you are right regarding Jane. As amusing as it might sound, I for one must decline. The notion of one large, noisy gathering is more than enough excitement for me. A second one would be too much.”
“I perfectly understand, sir.”
“I agree with Mr Bennet, my dear Mr Bingley,” Mrs Bennet unexpectedly answered.
“I shall be quite busy and probably tired before the ball. A dinner with strange people might be too tiresome for my nerves. However, Jane and Lizzy will certainly go. After all, Jane is the one who should be introduced to your guests, is she not? I hope you will not mind if we do not attend.”
“No, not at all,” Mr Bingley replied a little too hastily. “I mean—as you wish. I would not mind, of course. Mrs Gardiner, Mr Gardiner—will you join us?”
Mrs Gardiner smiled kindly. “I believe you will be busy taking care of your guests and your intended, Mr Bingley. We shall happily have dinner at Netherfield some other time.”
“I see.” Bingley appeared a little lost; he glanced around and met the adoring expression in Jane’s blue eyes. He melted, and a silly smile lit his face.
“So…Miss Bennet…I mean Jane and Miss Elizabeth will come then?” He looked for approval with obvious concern, as the memories of his unpleasant last visit were still vivid.
“Yes, we shall.” Elizabeth laughed. “And would you mind if I call you ‘Charles,’ sir? And you can address me either way. I feel we are family now.”
Bingley’s uneasiness increased along with his candid smile. “I would like that very much…very much indeed.”
“Well, now that we have established our names, shall we have a drink and some refreshments?” Mr Bennet suggested.
“If only this ugly rain would stop,” Mrs Bennet insisted.
To Elizabeth’s dismay, it was Darcy who stepped forward, took a seat by her mother, and answered.
“I can well understand your frustration, madam. If the weather were finer, we could enjoy more of Hertfordshire’s beauties.
I used to take early morning rides that were a true delight.
But I had to stop them because of the rain, and I deeply regret it. ”