Chapter 16 #2
Mr Bennet stood apart from his neighbours, making little attempt to join the conversation, while Jane remained beside her mother, listening in silence.
Once or twice, Darcy thought she attempted to redirect her mother’s remarks, without much success; and, for his own part, he soon returned his attention to the conversations around him.
Glancing about, he saw at some distance that the Gardiners had already begun escorting the younger girls towards Longbourn, including Georgiana and Mrs Annesley.
Though he had wished to speak with his sister, he was grateful that she would be spared the press of congratulations and speculation that would surely come his way.
Many of those who had spoken to him before the service now approached again to offer their felicitations, detaining them at every step.
“Mr Darcy—how very unexpected to see you in Meryton?—”
“Miss Elizabeth—a wedding on Wednesday? How very sudden, but it is a most delightful?—”
“A most fortunate match, indeed—particularly given… recent events concerning Miss Lydia—though I dare say it cannot have been so very serious?—”
Darcy felt Elizabeth’s hand rest more firmly upon his arm as he bowed where required and offered what civility was necessary, although he did not permit himself to be detained long by any one party.
It appeared that no one was aware of Lydia’s near ruin, nor was anyone overly surprised to learn that she had behaved in some improper manner at Brighton, prompting her father to return her to the schoolroom.
“I had heard something of her behaviour in Brighton—nothing of consequence, I trust?—”
“Miss Lydia ought to have remained in the schoolroom, and perhaps Miss Kitty as well?—”
“Mrs Bennet must be quite relieved to have matters so happily settled, particularly with her second daughter marrying so well?—”
“Whatever Miss Lydia may have done, it cannot have been so very bad, for Mr Darcy would not attach himself where there was true scandal?—”
There was even some quiet speculation that it had not been Mr Bennet, but Mrs Bennet, who had insisted upon Lydia’s return to the schoolroom; and, of course, a general certainty prevailed that there could be no real scandal if Mr Darcy was to marry Miss Elizabeth.
Darcy and Elizabeth were both relieved by what they heard, and before long, they were free to begin their walk back towards Longbourn.
Mr and Mrs Bennet followed behind, Mr Bennet having at last collected his wife with a dry, pointed remark: “Well, Mrs Bennet, if you have heard quite enough of our neighbours discussing our affairs, it is time we returned home.”
It did not take long for the younger couple to outpace the elder, and they soon fell into conversation between themselves.
“That went far better than I expected,” Elizabeth said, her tone light with relief.
“The certainty that you would not marry me had Lydia done anything truly scandalous was of great assistance. I believe that, had you not been there, I should have been subjected to far more questions—but your mention that we had met in April, before meeting again at Pemberley, seemed to satisfy most of their curiosity.”
“Your rector scolded me,” Darcy said, with studied indifference.
“What?” Elizabeth asked, turning quickly to him, having missed that exchange.
“He recalled my behaviour last autumn, and expressed the hope that I had since made myself worthy of you,” Darcy replied.
“Your acceptance, and your apparent satisfaction in the match, seem to have reassured him as to our future felicity; though I suspect he has not yet said all that he intends, and may reserve the remainder for our meeting tomorrow.”
Elizabeth looked up at him, her brows quirked up in amusement, and Darcy, glancing behind to ensure they were unobserved, bent to press a light kiss to her lips. She gave a soft gasp, feigning outrage, even as she leant more fully into his side.
“You should know that Caroline Bingley wrote to Jane after leaving Pemberley,” she said after several moments had passed and Longbourn was nearly in view.
Darcy stopped short in the middle of the lane. “And what did she have to say?” he demanded.
“Oh, that I had caused some scandal which required you to close Pemberley,” Elizabeth replied airily, waving her hand in dismissal.
“That you were furious with me, and that the Bingleys had intended to return to Netherfield immediately after leaving, or some such nonsense. She went so far as to suggest that, although she had formerly been inclined to view a match between her brother and Jane with favour, she could no longer do so, given your supposed disapprobation of our family.”
They remained where they stood for several minutes.
“I must write to Bingley. Miss Bingley has made far too free with my name, and appears to have assumed a degree of knowledge of my affairs which I have never granted her. As you now know, there is no agreement between my friend and my sister, and of course, the events she described never took place. I do not know what Bingley told her about why I left Pemberley; I only told him that urgent affairs required my immediate attention and that I was obliged to depart without delay.”
“I supposed as much,” Elizabeth said. “It was obvious she was displeased with my presence at Pemberley during her visit, for she made it plain that we were unwelcome and that she felt she was entitled to your full attention. She did not like that I attempted to befriend Georgiana and had a greater degree of success than she did, since your sister always appeared unsettled in her company.”
This made Darcy scowl, but he heard the Bennets behind them, and started their walk towards the house.
“We will discuss this further at another time, and perhaps Miss Bennet will let me see either or both letters. I would like to ensure that when I write Bingley, I am fully aware of exactly what his sister has written.”