Chapter Seventeen #2
Elinor scowled and shook her head. “I cannot believe it. Though I grieved the loss of my childhood home when we left the place in August, this feels so final. We shall never go home again.” She drew in a deep breath and dabbed her tears once more, resolving to make herself more agreeable company than a weeping ninny.
She would certainly not speak of the other distressing news she had heard, pertaining to Edward.
“I am remiss in congratulating you, Colonel. But – forgive me for asking – is it not strange that you should resign your commission so soon after taking over the regiment? Colonel Forster departed for Hampshire but a month ago.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam gazed at her with sadness in his eyes.
“It seems that position is singularly blessed, Miss Dashwood, for a second colonel of the regiment to suddenly come into some property – perhaps my replacement will also fare so fortuitously. Alas, it may be better not to speak of it, at such a time.”
“But you will remain at Netherfield?” Elinor’s hand trembled as she poured herself another cup of tea, but she would not dwell on why it might pain her if he should go away.
“For as long as my company is agreeable,” he said warmly. “My sister insists I remain; Bingley is getting on well enough without my advice, meager as it is, but I shall not deny I find the society in Meryton superior to any I have ever known.”
Elinor chuckled ruefully at him. “Family squabbles in the village square, treacherous officers, dinner parties full of discord and disaster – oh yes, I am sure the amusement is too great to forgo.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam grinned at her. “In some respects, quite irresistible. Amidst the myriad inducements to remain in the area, there is one I cherish above all others. Though I may be obliged to spend a few days in London in pursuit of a certain treacherous soldier who has escaped his gaolers, I should prefer to remain in Meryton for as long as you do, Miss Dashwood.”
As a breathy gasp escaped Elinor’s lips, her attention was caught by more lively noise from across the room; Marianne’s vexation was spent, for she and her companions now shared a burst of indecorous hilarity.
Elinor smiled, preferring to ponder Marianne’s high spirits rather than the colonel’s remarks.
Returning his smile, Elinor said, “My uncle tells me I am a beacon of sanity and good sense, among a multitude of absurdities.”
“Anyone can see you both hold a great affection for your relations’ idiosyncrasies.
In turn, I have come to feel a considerable esteem for your own style of unshakable affability.
As a frequent participant in the mischief of my own family, I have long been disposed to seek the company of those who can bear it all with such composure. ”
Elinor willed herself to hold his tender gaze.
How strange it was to her, that she could be so affected by the handsome aspect of his countenance when he smiled.
It had not been a month since last she met with Edward, and but a half hour ago she had been weeping over his betrayal.
She could hardly repine that Edward had honored his engagement to Lucy in the face of his family’s displeasure, when her own treacherous heart beat faster at the colonel’s compliments. It was all too confusing.
Mrs. Bennet bustled into the room with her two youngest daughters, fairly dragging Mrs. Dashwood along with them.
As if summoned by the colonel’s mention of their raucous antics, they instantly filled the room with exclamations of delight in meeting with their visitors.
Elinor let out a gentle sigh of relief that they had all recovered from their various complaints and could enjoy the company of their neighbors.
The colonel moved closer to Elinor. “I hope I am not too bold in declaring how splendidly you stand out, even amidst such a lively family, Miss Dashwood. Where they speak their minds frankly, your serenity belies a considerable depth of feeling. Whenever your sisters and cousins make merry, there is such a look of joy about you, a private revelry I find most fascinating.”
A blush warmed her face, and Elinor smiled at Colonel Fitzwilliam once more, tears welling in her eyes for an entirely different reason. “Thank you, sir.” But she could say no more before her aunt was demanding the colonel’s notice for Kitty and Lydia.
***
Marianne screwed up her face as her cousins filled the parlor with their nonsensical noise. She had behaved herself very well, praising all of Mr. Bingley’s accomplishments at Netherfield with perfect civility before diverting him and Lady Rebecca with her half-brother’s shocking scandal.
Though they were full of shock and censure for John’s careless gambling, Marianne’s companions did not echo her conviction that whoever had gained the deed to her childhood home could not possibly deserve it.
Instead they turned the subject to a happier one, for Mr. Bingley wished to host a party at Netherfield.
Lady Rebecca had just enlisted Marianne’s assistance in the planning of it when Mrs. Bennet joined their conversation.
The two friends shared an irreverent grin at Mrs. Bennet’s lengthy exultations of approval, and when she began to encourage Mr. Bingley to dazzle her daughters with his scheme, Lady Rebecca and Marianne promptly abandoned him to the outpouring of feminine enthusiasm.
They linked their arms together as they made a small circuit of the room, and their steps slowed as they neared the pianoforte, where Mary remained, uninterested in the visitors.
“Your cousin’s playing has improved,” Lady Rebecca said. “But I daresay the music is a convenient cover for whatever you wish to confide in me; I can see that you mean to do so. Tell me, have you heard anything further of Mr. Willoughby or Mr. Ferrars?”
“Both, unfortunately,” Marianne grumbled. “I hardly know where to begin, but I have been furious all morning!”
“You and your sister look as though you have been weeping.”
“Indeed – though mine were tears of anger. I already wished to strangle my coxcomb half-brother, and then – I thought I should run mad after reading Jane’s letter!”
Lady Rebecca looked about the room, first at her brother and then at Mr. Bingley; both gentlemen were beset by Lydia, Kitty, and Mrs. Bennet’s cloying, while Elinor sat with her mother, whispering intently.
Assured of their privacy, Lady Rebecca fixed her with a look of fascination. “Tell me everything, dear Marianne.”
Though Marianne still meant to honor her promise that she would not speculate about Elinor and the colonel, she saw no need to refrain from the recitation of facts, particularly when they outraged her so intensely.
“Mrs. Jennings wrote that Edward’s engagement to Lucy has been made public – my cousin Lizzy announced it at dinner to punish him for paying his addresses to my cousin Jane, and there was quite an ordeal. ”
“Of course she did – excellent! I daresay it was just as deserved as her other strictures in defense of her sister and cousins. Oh, I do hope Darcy marries Miss Elizabeth, for she shall make him behave like a normal person! But I trust she tore Mr. Ferrars to strips.”
Marianne narrowed her eyes at Lady Rebecca. “I am sure I have only ever called him Edward when I speak of him.”
An evil laugh rumbled in Lady Rebecca’s throat.
“We have had a letter from Phillip, who was present for the occasion – he was actually seated directly across the dinner table when Miss Elizabeth spilled the wine, so to speak. I should like to see you both in action at the same dinner party, what a menace you should make!”
“Then I suppose you know Edward actually defended Lucy, though at least his mother and sister gave her the tongue-lashing she deserves! I hardly know what shall become of poor Edward.”
“Poor Edward,” Lady Rebecca scoffed. “Phillip says the man is constantly pestering Miss Bennet, for his mother wishes him to court her – or rather, to court her fortune. What sort of potato-brained popinjay would think to woo a lady after making love to her cousin? I can hardly fathom your family holding such regard for an unprincipled imbecile.”
Marianne laughed, though it was bittersweet. “He was kind to us in our grief, which is more than I can say of his sister and her husband, my odious half-brother. I believe I am put off by the entire male sex, perhaps forever.”
“What have you heard of Mr. Willoughby, then?”
“I have only heard his praises sung,” Marianne said in a huff of exasperation. “Jane finds him perfectly charming, which I think is very disloyal of her.”
“That is shocking – especially when she has been so unforgiving of Charles.”
“I had not thought of that, but you are perfectly right. Bah! Elinor has Jane’s letter, or I should show you her unfeeling comments. But I have had another letter from him.”
Lady Rebecca smirked. “May I?” When Marianne handed it over, still neatly folded and unread, her friend tore it in half and then moved to toss it into the fire. Marianne watched it burn with a swell of vengeful satisfaction.
“Let us be done with so much grief and vexation,” Lady Rebecca declared. “Come, your aunt may believe Charles to be her daughters’ rightful property, but I daresay he is in want of rescue. Besides, you have promised to help us plan a very grand fete, and I am ready to begin directly.”
***
The following day, Elinor and Marianne were invited to Netherfield. Lady Rebecca sent her carriage, along with a note explaining that Mr. Bingley was occupied in estate matters, and she was in want of company as she planned an extravagant party at Netherfield.