CHAPTER 36 Local Gentry
“I have never seen such insolence in my life!” exclaimed Lady Catherine once they were gone. “Thankfully Bingley seems to have her well in hand.”
Elizabeth looked at Jane and saw that she was trembling.
“Here, Jane,” she said, “pray, be seated and take a sip of wine. Charles will return soon and Caroline will no longer have anything to do with us.”
Jane did as she was told while Darcy approached Diana and said, “Did you have to bait her so? Did you not realise what would happen if you did?”
“But how could I have stayed silent, Darcy? Did you not hear what she said to Elizabeth? She was implying that Elizabeth went to Hunsford just to see you.”
“Well, she could not have been more wrong, because Elizabeth did not even like me then.”
“I wish you would not say that, Darcy,” said Elizabeth, “for it distresses me to hear you spoken of in such a manner - even if the speaker is yourself.”
He grinned. “Are you protecting me from myself, then?”
“And does it bother you that I am?”
“No, not in the least. For I feel very much…liked, just now.”
“But why did you not like him in the first place, Elizabeth?” asked Georgiana.
“Oh, I can answer that, Georgie,” said Kitty. “He was rather condescending last time he was in Hertfordshire. He never spoke to anyone at the Meryton Assembly other than his own party. And he even called Lizzy merely tolerable.”
“Darcy, is that right?” asked Diana.
Darcy was about to reply when Elizabeth suddenly spoke for him. “He had some things on his mind that night and never even looked at me. Furthermore, he has already apologised more than once for it so can we please speak of something else?”
Diana was taken aback and looked at Elizabeth with new found respect. “I apologise, Elizabeth.” Then, after a pause added, “However, I noticed that you did not try to defend yourself against Miss Bingley, though you did defend Darcy against us.”
Elizabeth, who suddenly felt that her outburst was unseemly, responded in a calmer voice, “I simply like him so much more now, that I hate to be reminded of the time when I did not.”
Richard chuckled. “Dare we say that you love him?”
Elizabeth noted that Darcy’s face was turning red but could not help but say, “Yes, I do. Very much so. Furthermore, I have never known a more honourable, honest and loyal gentleman than Mr. Darcy; and I consider myself quite fortunate that it was me he chose to marry.”
She had been looking at the others while she spoke, but now took a glance at him.
“Elizabeth…” he said.
She cleared her throat and continued, “I am sorry to have embarrassed you, for I know how little you like attention…and gratitude. But my heart was full, and I simply had to speak.”
He looked thoughtfully at her, his expression softening. “Yes, I understand…perfectly. Thank you.”
She gave him a small smile then stepped back and joined Jane on the sofa.
Presently Bingley returned, assuring everyone that his sister would no longer bother them.
However, since Mrs. Bennet had become quite drained by then, they decided to take their leave.
Not long after that, Elizabeth found herself standing with Darcy at the front drive of Netherfield as the rest of her family boarded the carriage.
“Thank you for what you said to Miss Bingley earlier,” she said softly. “It must have been difficult to acknowledge Wickham in that manner.”
“You know there is no need to thank me.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. “I know.”
He assisted her into the carriage then closed the door.
But before it drove away, she leaned out and said (so that only he could hear), “Perhaps Fletcher should sleep in your rooms tonight.” He looked taken aback and she continued, “The mistress has all the keys you know…”
He laughed as understanding dawned. “Did Diana tell you about this?”
“She did.”
“Well then, I shall have Fletcher sleep in my rooms tonight.” He kissed her hand. “I shall see you in the morning, Elizabeth.”
“Until then.”
The following morning, Elizabeth sat with her family in the drawing room of Longbourn. Their mourning dresses had arrived earlier that day and they were now all dressed in black. Mrs. Bennet looked wan, but composed, and Elizabeth was proud of her mother and her new found strength.
“Do you think there will be enough food, Lizzy?” she asked absently.
“I believe so, Mamma. I have tasked Cook with making several different kinds of cakes…”
“But what is the point of any of it,” asked Kitty, “when no one ever comes? We may as well have stayed upstairs and not bothered.”
“But do you not remember?” said Mary. “Mr. Darcy shall bring his relatives. And there is also Mr. Bingley and our Aunt and Uncle Philips.”
“Yes, but…is that enough?” asked Kitty, tearfully. “It was our friends in Meryton who knew Papa.”
“I know, dear Kitty,” said Jane, coming to sit beside her. “And I feel the affront as much as you do.”
“Do you, Jane? I sometimes think that nothing ever bothers you.”
Jane smiled wistfully. “I was only trying to protect you…in the past. But I feel that you are both more mature now. So I shall allow you to see my weaknesses…as well as my doubts.”
“You are very good, Jane,” said Mrs. Bennet, again dabbing at her eyes. “I never realised how much you have contributed to the harmony of our family these past years - a task which really should have fallen upon me - and I thank you for it.”
“I did not mind, Mamma,” said Jane softly.
“But you too have changed, Fanny,” said Mr. Gardiner. “I see how composed you are despite all the trials that have recently beset you. Indeed, I have not seen you call for your salts the entire time I have been here! And I am proud of you for having developed such strength of character.”
“Why, thank you, Brother. I am trying. And it is not easy…”
Presently they were interrupted by the sounds of a carriage at their front drive.
Everyone assumed it would be Darcy and Bingley so no one bothered to look out the window.
Therefore they were surprised to see Sir William and Lady Lucas and their daughter, Maria, being shown into the drawing room by Mrs. Hill.
“Mrs. Bennet,” said Sir WIlliam with a courtly bow, “my wife and I would like to offer you our deepest condolences.
Lady Lucas took a seat beside Mrs. Bennet, while Sir William positioned himself next to Mr. Gardiner, and Maria went to sit beside Kitty and Mary.
Conversation began. They talked of Mr. Bennet and his many fine qualities.
Sir William reminisced about the books they had discussed in his friend’s library, and the games of chess they often played.
Elizabeth looked on and saw her mother’s features soften as she received sympathies from her once closest friend.
She had no doubt that the arrival of these people had somehow been brought about by Darcy.
And she wondered again to what lengths he would go to ensure her happiness and wellbeing.
Soon, other neighbours called - the Gouldings, Mrs. Long and her two nieces, their Aunt and Uncle Philips and many others.
Darcy came, of course - tall, somber and handsome - with a softening of the eyes reserved only for Elizabeth.
With him were Bingley, Georgiana, Richard, Anne and Diana.
At one point the drawing room became quite crowded, but the guests continued to speak in hushed voices, most of the local gentry in awe of the elevated guests from London.
People came and went. Food was served, the tea service refreshed.
Mrs. Bennet sat in the midst of it, pale and dignified, often weeping but occasionally smiling.
Elizabeth walked from group to group ensuring the comfort of their guests.
By late morning the final guests were announced and there was a sudden silence as they walked into the room - The Earl and Countess of Matlock and Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
People made way for them as the countess and Lady Catherine sat on either side of the grieving widow.
Mary and Kitty also remained poised, perhaps influenced by the exquisite behaviour of Georgiana Darcy.
They spoke in low voices with Maria and Mrs. Long’s nieces, occasionally asking their mother if she needed their assistance, and being referred to as genteel, well-behaved girls by Lady Matlock.
The morning passed more quickly than the previous one and, late that afternoon, Elizabeth and Darcy found themselves sitting in the garden while their mother and sisters remained in the drawing room with Jane and Bingley.
“I would like to thank you for this,” said Elizabeth, tilting her head towards the house.
Darcy smiled but said nothing.
“You know what I mean, do you not?”
“Yes, I think so.”
She was tempted to ask why he did it, but realised that she knew the answer. He would do anything for her, it seemed, because he loved her. And she was now an extension of himself.
And then as if afraid that she would thank him again, Darcy brought up a different subject.
“I know that my aunt has been able to keep Mr. Collins from coming to Longbourn, and she likely can continue to do so for some time. But eventually he will come.” She looked at Darcy and he continued, “Keeping this in mind, Bingley and I have discussed purchasing Purvis Lodge for your mother, Mary and Kitty. Bingley himself has no problem with hosting them at Netherfield for the foreseeable future. And they might also come to live with us at Pemberley if it is their wish. Nevertheless, I thought that Mrs. Bennet might prefer to have a home of her own, where she would be mistress, and continue to welcome her friends…” His voice trailed off as he looked questioningly at Elizabeth.
She smiled and took his hand. “I believe you are right, Darcy. For there is nothing so comforting, is there not, as living in the environs of your home and being able to see your friends? But is Purvis Lodge not costly? I am certain that a cottage in Meryton shall suffice - ”
“Yes, it shall suffice,” he said, interrupting, “but I would not wish for your family to live in a home that is merely sufficient. If we purchase Purvis Lodge and have it renovated, then your mother and sisters may truly feel content there…and not feel the loss of your father so keenly.”
“But that is an entire house, Darcy, which will require servants and maintenance! How can I allow you to do such a thing? Especially after - ”
“Elizabeth.”
“Yes?”
“We can afford it; we have the money. And it shall be no hardship.”
She closed her eyes and sighed.
“Think of your mother,” he said.
“But I think of you!”
He chuckled. “And I am gratified that you do.”
They fell silent. Elizabeth stood up, regarded the bed of lavender beside them and rubbed her neck. He came to stand behind her and put his arms around her waist. And she could imagine standing in the same way with him at Pemberley or Darcy House, many more times in their lives.
“Very well,” she murmured. “I thank you yet again. But would you mind speaking to my uncles? I am certain they will wish to be involved in some way.”
“Of course, Elizabeth. I shall speak to them today.”