Chapter 32
Just as her husband had predicted, not one person who attended the dinner stared at Louisa when she had been introduced to those she did not know.
“Lulu makes Papa so very happy,” Elizabeth remarked to Jane after the introductions. “He was content before, but nothing like he is now. Being in love suits our father very well.”
“I could not agree with you more,” Jane responded.
“Even had we not all liked Lulu as well as we do, seeing how much Papa loves her and her returning his love, would have made it certain we would have. After so many years without a wife, if anyone deserves the felicity he is enjoying, it is our father.”
Before they could discuss the subject any further, Jane and Elizabeth were joined by their respective suitors.
“Why did you not warn your uncle and Andrew about Lydia and her ability in chess?” Elizabeth asked with a smile after William had taken a seat.
“Richard was with them in Town and forgot to mention anything about Lydia’s prowess at the game because he thought it would be amusing to see their reactions when they played her.
When they arrived, I had not spoken to Richard about whether he had told them.
At that time, my mind was far more agreeably engaged.
I was meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a beautiful woman can bestow.
” Darcy looked into Elizabeth’s emerald-green eyes, leaving no doubt about whom he had been speaking.
Elizabeth blushed no matter how much she tried to stop herself.
Her breathing became shallow, and she felt hot all over.
Since his intemperate words at the assembly, William had made references to his finding her attractive, but nothing so pointed as he had just done.
She felt so hot that she was tempted to go outside and walk in the cold so she could cool down.
Darcy was well pleased he had affected her in that way. Since she possessed a rapier wit and did not forget anything, he was sure that she would exact her revenge when he least expected it. Then again, it was always a pleasure to be teased by the woman he loved.
Across the room, Matlock and Bennet were speaking while their wives, Aunt Hildebrand, and Anne were enjoying their own discussion.
“I understand you have experienced Lydia’s chess-playing abilities,” Bennet stated with a grin. “Do not feel too bad. Had you won, you would have been the first since the early days when she began to play,” Bennet stated with paternal pride in his youngest daughter.
“Aye, both Andrew and I were humbled. Although my son fared a little better against Lizzy but still lost. Is it little wonder seeing that some of your records still stand at Cambridge? I would wager that there will not be another who will be unbeaten for three consecutive years like you were.” Matlock looked around the room, and his eyes stopped on his younger son and nephew.
“It seems to me only a matter of time until we become related by marriage.”
“Fitzwilliam, Darcy, and Bingley are the only men who deserve my daughters. I could never part with them to men less worthy. It will be hard when they leave home, to be left with only two daughters with us, but with such a wife…” Bennet cocked his head to where his wife was sitting and speaking, “…I will never be alone. And who knows? In His infinite wisdom, He may grant us more children.”
“Before that dunderhead tried to disrupt your wedding…” Matlock related how they had tried to divert Collins, his sister’s dealings with the man, and how they had returned his money.
“I do not understand why he is so insistent that he is your heir, or your estate is his birthright. He will listen to no one on the subject.”
“How he reacts today is his responsibility, but I believe that the myth that they were cheated out of Longbourn has become Collins family lore, and the belief is an integral part of who my distant cousin is,” Bennet opined.
“What would make them believe that drivel?” Matlock enquired.
“I am not sure how it began, but I suspect the tale was instigated by my great-great uncle, William Bennet who became William Collins…” Bennet related a shortened version of the history between the Bennets and Collinses.
“And he refused to look at any proof?” Matlock queried.
Bennet allowed it was so.
“Then, your calling him a halfwit may be too generous. I am almost sorry Anne returned the money my sister purloined from him. I can only hope he is not so lost to good sense to attempt something to harm you,” Matlock stated.
“You have seen some of my small footmen-guards. They will not allow anyone to harm any of us. They are not all here; some remain at Longbourn with us,” Bennet revealed.
“I still cannot believe the temerity of that man. To think that I would ever allow him to get anywhere near one of my daughters. Perhaps, he belongs in Bedlam next to Miss Caroline Bingley and your sister.”
“It would serve him right, but if he breaks the law, he will face a trial and pay the price the judge sentences him to,” Matlock stated. “I know not if you are aware that I invest with Gardiner, as do both of my sons,” he said in order to change the subject to one more pleasant.
“Even though I invest myself, Gardiner is not loose-lipped regarding his investors, even to others who have money in his company. I am aware he has many noble clients, but I know not who they are,” Bennet responded.
“Discretion is a valued trait,” Matlock added.
At the same time, Matlock and Bennet began their discussion, and during the early stages of the conversation between the ladies, Anne de Bourgh attempted to apologise to Mrs Bennet for the actions of the former parson of Hunsford.
Anne felt it was especially important to do so after she took note of what a good woman Mrs Bennet was.
“Please, Miss de Bourgh, there is no reason for you to make amends for that in which you had no part,” Louisa insisted.
“But if my mother had not appointed a man to the living, who was wholly unsuited for the position, she would not have been able to send him here to Hertfordshire…” Anne stopped when Mrs Bennet placed a hand on her arm.
“Firstly, as you are already on familiar name terms with my stepdaughters, please call me Louisa or Lulu. Secondly, as much of an idiot as he is, do you know that Mr Collins’s coming was integral in my husband’s offering for me?
” Louisa watched as Miss de Bourgh and Lady Matlock both shook their heads while her aunt smiled widely.
“Due to being compromised…” She told a condensed version of the story.
“So because of the, what did your husband call it?” Lady Matlock asked.
“The Collins Effect, your Ladyship,” Louisa replied.
“Yes, that. Not only did your husband move past his stubbornness regarding marrying again, but he became determined that son or not, he would never allow his estate to be ruined by that odious man. Also, please call me Lady Elaine until you become reconciled to calling me just Elaine. After all, if things go as they seem to be headed…” Lady Matlock looked towards Mary and her son.
“…you will be Richard’s stepmother-in-law. ”
“And please call me Anne,” she requested.
“Thank you for that honour, Lady Elaine and Anne.” Louisa bowed her head towards the two ladies. “Yes, there were unintended consequences, but they were the repercussions of his visit none-the-less.”
For Anne de Bourgh, it was a pleasure to find out that for once, even though it had not been her intent, her mother had been of use.
Hildebrand sat back and drank in the pleasure of watching Lulu shine, as she always knew her niece would, given the opportunity.
She had to stifle a chuckle as she thought about something.
She saw the other three ladies looking at her questioningly.
“Elaine, did you not say that one of the things Lady Catherine used to harp on was the distinction of rank?”
“I did. Catherine has a huge chip on her shoulder about that. Why do you ask?” Lady Matlock enquired.
“It would be amusing if she comes across Miss Caroline at Bedlam and discovers she is the daughter of a man in trade. Although, I suppose my younger niece is Miss Bingley now.”
“My mother would be seriously displeased.” Anne smiled as she repeated the oft-used phrase Lady Catherine used to spout.
After that discussion, the subjects talked about were far lighter in nature.
Soon enough. Mr Nichols announced dinner. Bingley led Lady Matlock in as the highest-ranked woman while Matlock offered his arm to Miss Bingley as she was the hostess.
Dinner was enjoyed by all, especially as Hildebrand had planned a menu of simple dishes, and to everyone’s pleasure, there were no rich sauces or ragouts on the table.
There was a separation of the sexes but not for longer than twenty minutes. In the opinion of the newly married Bennets, it was twenty minutes too long.
Louisa and Bennet excused themselves as soon as it was polite to do so.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
On Sunday, those residing at Netherfield Park attended St Hugh’s again. Understanding it was the final few days of the honeymoon, like they had the previous week, they refused an invite to dine together after church.
As most of the congregants were Longbourn’s tenants and those who lived in Longbourn Village, there had been no need to introduce the new members of the Netherfield Park party. Hence, other than the rector, it was not known that four nobles had attended the church with them.
Also, like the previous week, Mr Pierce accepted Miss Bingley’s invitation to dine with the Bingleys, the Bennet sisters, and the rest of the party present at the estate.