Chapter 12 #3
She questioned somewhat her closing, but she thought it a measure of goodwill and decided to leave it. Before she posted it, she went to her father in the parlor and asked if he would like to add a note to her letter.
“No, I sent Mr. Darcy a letter two days ago. I am not so forlorn for correspondence that I already feel the need to write again.”
Elizabeth smiled and sat next to him on the settee. “Father, has Mr. Darcy spoken to you about the wedding trip?”
“Yes, he has. He wishes to take you to The Lakes; he remembered you’d mentioned wanting to see them.”
“Yes, that part I know and it is very kind of him.” She ignored the very pointed look her father was giving her. “I was wondering who is to accompany us? Did you discuss it?”
At this Mr. Bennet lost his teasing smile and looked grave for a moment.
“We did. I asked him if his own sister would perform the job or one of your own. He said he would rather you go just the two of you,” her brows raised to her hairline, “and I said we could discuss it later. Shall I take it from your expression that you do not favor the idea of a month long tête–à–tête?”
She chose her words carefully. “I have done as you asked and tried to see Mr. Darcy through new eyes, and I admit that he is a great deal more amiable than I would have thought, at least in his letters, but I am not comfortable with spending such prolonged time in each other’s sole company, with nothing to keep us occupied.
” Mr. Bennet raised his brows and Elizabeth felt herself blushing to the roots of her hair.
“I mean, no estate business or calls to make. We will be quite at our leisure and I fear the proximity will do more harm than good.”
“You may be correct, though of course there is no way to know for certain. It is possible the lack of other companions will force you to converse in ways and on topics you might otherwise not, creating a greater closeness significantly sooner than would otherwise be expected. And of course it is entirely possible that you will meet some of Mr. Darcy’s acquaintance whilst there; he does have a much broader circle than we do.
And you can always make friends anywhere. ”
Elizabeth nodded. “True, but is it not also likely the added intimacy will prove overwhelming and lead to a heightened sense of anxiety, making it difficult to become truly friends and leave us on edge and snapping at each other? We barely know one another!”
“True, all true, but we cannot know for certain. If you could, who would you like to accompany you? A sister usually does the job, and you have plenty to choose from, though I’m sure your mother would perform the service if you asked.” He laughed aloud at the look on his daughter’s face.
“I would prefer to take Jane. If anyone could provide comfort and sensible advice during this time, it is she, but I do not know if it is a wise idea.”
He nodded. “In what way, exactly?”
“In every way! Jane is having such a lovely time here at the shore, I would hate to pull her away.”
“Would she not have a lovely time at The Lakes?”
“And she was getting along so well with Mr. Parker and had seen Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth continued.
“As it stands, she will be back in London the week of the wedding. Who knows what will happen then? What if Mr. Bingley renews his courtship and aunt and uncle invite her to stay again, or he decides to follow her here? Margate is a much easier distance.”
“Do we even know if either gentleman will be in town? Mr. Parker is likely to be there, due to his business, but do you know Mr. Bingley’s plans?”
Her shoulders slumped. “No.”
“Is Mr. Bingley not Mr. Darcy’s closest friend? Might endearing your sister to her new brother reap greater rewards in that quarter?”
“I suppose it could. So you believe Jane should accompany me?”
“No! Of course not!”
Elizabeth looked surprised at his vehement response, then smiled when she saw the gleam in his eyes.
“Who will I converse with if my two eldest abandon me to run away to The Lakes?”
Elizabeth laughed aloud. “Oh, Father! We would never abandon you. Mr. Darcy said I could have the family to visit in the autumn, or perhaps over Christmas. What do you think of that? Jane and I could go to The Lakes, then on to Pemberley. In October, you could all join us there?” She grew excited at the prospect and he almost couldn’t resist her broad smile.
“I do not know, child. I must speak to your mother. We will have already been from home quite some time. I will need to wait until after the harvest.” Mr. Bennet was not insensible to the benefits to be reaped from spending a month or more at his wealthy son-in-law’s home.
The money they would save on food alone would be impressive, not to mention the reduced staff.
“Please come, father, at least for a little while. I will be so far from home and everything will be so new.”
Her voice was small and Mr. Bennet felt deeply for his daughter.
She would be facing so many new challenges, and all because he had asked her to, because he had failed to plan appropriately and allow his daughter to marry a man she cared for, or at least one with whom she was comfortable.
Her distress was a sharp point in his otherwise happy manner and he readily agreed.
“Of course, my dear. We will come to you in your new home. Your papa will not abandon you.” He looked at her seriously for a moment and furrowed his brow. “I know you will rise to the occasion, no matter the situation. I have the utmost faith in you.”
Her smile was a little wobbly as she thanked him and reached to give him a hug before saying she needed to see the sea one more time before sundown and practically ran down to the beach in an effort to forget the tumult of her present life.