Chapter 1.24
The following days passed uneventfully except for the necessary preparations for Lydia’s wedding.
Most mornings, Elizabeth called on Georgiana, and Becky often accompanied her—as the elder children had their daily lessons—and a few times, Jane came along as well.
Her gentle sister quickly developed a warm relationship with the shy Georgiana, and Jane’s kindness along with Elizabeth’s liveliness seemed to draw the girl from her shell.
Her health improved remarkably, and she was soon taking short walks in her room, supported by Elizabeth and watched closely by Mrs Annesley.
In no time, she had the courage and strength to spend a few minutes by the window and enjoy the fresh, winter air.
As she spent part of almost every day in the house, Elizabeth became involved in household routines with Mr Darcy’s encouragement.
She spent at least half an hour each day speaking with Mrs Hamilton and asking questions without interfering with the housekeeper’s duties.
It was during one of these talks that Mrs Hamilton asked her future mistress whether she would bring her own personal maid with her after the wedding.
“No, Mrs Hamilton. We are five sisters at home, so I did not have a personal maid.”
“In that case, we must employ one, Miss Elizabeth. If it is acceptable to you, I shall interview several and schedule appointments with each of them so you can choose one to your liking. It should not take more than a week.”
“Such a complicated process!” Elizabeth laughed. “I was wondering…could we not choose someone from among the staff? I imagine you interviewed them carefully before they entered service. Perhaps you could recommend one of them.”
“But…none of them is sufficiently trained and qualified to be your maid.”
“What about Molly?”
“Molly?” The housekeeper’s surprise was obvious as she searched for the proper answer.
“Yes. I must confess I have found Molly’s conduct quite satisfactory, and she seems to be intelligent and pleasant. I enjoy her company, and I am sure she could learn quickly, but I am willing to accept your advice and opinion in this matter. Is there anything wanting in Molly?”
“No…no, of course…I am pleased that you consider her capable of this position as I have trained her myself since she was very young.”
“Then, why did you hesitate before?”
“It is just…please forgive me for not mentioning this to you before, but Molly is my sister’s daughter. As her father died, Mr Darcy was kind enough to hire her two years ago. I did not dare, until now, thank you for your kindness towards her when she was unwell. My gratitude—”
“Mrs Hamilton—” Elizabeth touched her arm gently, interrupting her.
“There is no reason to speak of the matter further. I am content to know that Molly is well. And if you indeed want to thank me, talk to Molly. If she is willing to accept the position, please do everything necessary to train her for her new duties after the wedding.” Her voice was gentle but decided, not allowing any other words of gratitude to be spoken.
When Mr Darcy was informed later, he found the whole arrangement to be satisfactory. He did not know Molly well, for her duties did not entail any interaction with the master, but he was content to know that Elizabeth’s closest servant would not be a stranger.
∞∞∞
The day Lydia was to wed Mr Wickham arrived so quickly that Mrs Gardiner and her other nieces barely had sufficient time to make arrangements.
At their concerted insistence in daily letters, Mr Bennet finally agreed to allow the newly wedded couple to visit the family in Hertfordshire before they departed for the North.
Oblivious to everything around her, Lydia took the news that she would be received in her parents’ house without a thought, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
She never considered that her intended elopement could lower her reputation in the neighbours’ eyes or damage her family’s name.
Quite the contrary, she planned many visits and tea parties to invite all her acquaintances.
“Only think—it has been less than a fortnight since I went away,” she cried, “and yet so many things have happened. Good gracious!”
Her aunt rolled her eyes, Jane was distressed, and Elizabeth looked expressively at Lydia.
But she, who never heard or saw anything of which she chose to be insensible, gaily continued.
“Oh! I am so happy we shall visit Mama before we go to the North! I wonder, do the people there know about my wedding?”
“I am sure they know, Lydia—more than we would like.”
“Oh, Lizzy, you are so boring, always preaching as if you were reading a sermon. You are jealous because I am marrying sooner than you are and my betrothed is so much more charming than yours. You would like to have my Wickham marry you, I am sure of that.”
Only Mrs Gardiner’s severe censure and her demand that Lydia start packing for her trip made the latter leave the room. Lydia was convinced that she was envied by her sisters and her own aunt was unkind. The thought of her dear Wickham was the only important thing that mattered to her.
For Elizabeth, the days preceding her sister’s wedding were a time of anxiety and displeasure.
Mr Wickham was in the house more than she liked, and she was frequently shocked by his manners.
Though his words were polite, his tone and the inflection in his voice were disturbing.
If he were not to be married to her sister directly, Elizabeth would have thought he was trying to flirt with her.
He also missed no opportunity to make disparaging remarks about Mr Darcy.
He did not understand how “his dear sister Elizabeth” could possibly bear the company of such an unpleasant sort of man for the rest of her life.
Only one day before the wedding, that particular comment was spoken loudly in the Gardiners’ parlour, and it was too much for Elizabeth to bear. Though Jane, Lydia, her aunt, and even Becky were present, she could control her temper no longer.
“Mr Wickham, I am grateful for your brotherly concern, but I would suggest you direct it towards your future wife. She is the one who might find it difficult to bear married life. As for Mr Darcy—considering that he paid your debts, bought your commission, and made all the arrangements for your wedding, I am sure you must be deeply grateful to him, despite your insinuations to the contrary.”
Jane paled at her sister’s words, and Mrs Gardiner cast a reproachful glance at her niece. Elizabeth chose to ignore them. She made to leave the room, but Mr Wickham hurried to grasp her hand, bowing to kiss it.
“My dear sister, please do not leave displeased with me. I apologise for anything I might have said to offend you, though my concern and care were nothing but genuine.”
She pulled her hand from his, whispering so that the others could barely comprehend her words.
“Try to restrain yourself from calling me ‘dear sister’ and kissing my hand, sir. Neither your gestures nor your presence give me any pleasure. Now, if you will excuse me…”
She heard Lydia’s irritated voice behind her and suddenly felt Becky’s little hand take hers. Squeezing it warmly, she entered the music room with her cousin and did not emerge until Mr Wickham had left the house.
The wedding was celebrated Monday morning at St. Clement’s. They arrived at eleven o’clock to meet Mr Wickham, Mr Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Mr Bingley.
As no one seemed inclined to be Mr Wickham’s best man, Mr Bingley offered himself. Jane was to stand up with Lydia, and that alone was sufficient motivation for him.
In truth, Mr Bingley was a daily visitor at the Gardiners’ house or at Mr Darcy’s.
Although he was in Jane’s company daily, the busy days of preparation had not allowed him to secure even a few private moments with her.
He had even chosen some eloquent words to express his love and admiration and to make her the most perfect proposal—for in his eyes she was the most perfect of women.
Fate, however, seemed to be against him.
His anxiety and eagerness made him behave with unusual agitation at his own house; as Caroline did not cease her abuse of Eliza Bennet and occasionally of Jane herself, he frequently found himself quarrelling with his sister.
Only a day before the wedding, he ordered her to move to the Hursts the very next morning if she did not heartily apologise for everything she had said.
She could not believe he was speaking in earnest, so she ignored his warning and retired to her room with an offended air.
However, to her utter surprise, Mr Bingley sent her word to prepare either her excuses or her belongings by the time he returned home that evening.
Consequently, his disposition was not particularly calm when the bride and her party arrived at the church. But Jane’s bright smile and eagerness to accept his offered arm were all he needed to improve his mood and his countenance.
The ceremony was short, simple, and gave little pleasure to anyone except Lydia.
As they prepared to return to Gracechurch Street, Lydia seemed so happy and sincere in her affection for her “dear Wickham” that Elizabeth’s heart bled for her.
A deep, painful regret overwhelmed her, and she felt guilty for not trying with greater energy to convince Lydia against this marriage.
In that moment, her name, her reputation, and her own felicity seemed of little importance compared to the unhappiness and deception her youngest sister would have to bear.
She sensed Mr Darcy approaching her long before his hand gently rested on her arm, and he whispered in her ear, “You did all you could to convince her, Elizabeth. She simply refused to listen.”
Elizabeth smiled as she allowed him to show her to the carriage. “Are you a mind reader, Mr Darcy?”