Chapter 2.7
In the middle of March, Darcy and Elizabeth prepared to travel to Hertfordshire for the wedding of Miss Bennet to Mr Bingley.
The week before their departure, they mostly spent time at home. As he intended, Darcy hired a painter to have Elizabeth’s portrait drawn and also one of them as a couple. That kept all their mornings busy, but it brought them great enjoyment.
During the afternoons, Elizabeth finished the shopping for Jane, and Darcy encouraged her to purchase some gifts for the rest of the family. During their last day in Town, they visited the Matlocks and took their farewell of Georgiana, promising to convey her warmest wishes to Jane and Bingley.
Darcy suggested the Gardiners travel with them in their largest carriage.
The Gardiner boys were old enough to realise that the time spent in preparing a wedding in a crowded house like Longbourn meant nothing but boredom, strict rules, and severe restrictions, so they happily agreed to remain in Town with their governess, Mrs Burton.
The eldest girl, Margaret, held the opposite view: she was happy to see her elder cousins again and to be part of all the preparations, and she showed great interest in everything regarding new gowns, lace, and bonnets.
As for the youngest child, it was unthinkable that Becky would be allowed any distance from her mother’s keen supervision.
Therefore, on a cold early morning, a party formed of two carriages headed toward Longbourn.
In the smaller one there were two footmen, Molly and Miles.
Inside the larger one the Gardiners sat on one bench, and Darcy and Elizabeth on the other.
Young Margaret Gardiner, impeccably dressed and exceedingly polite, sat between her parents while Becky sneaked next to Elizabeth, who quickly wrapped her in a warm blanket.
“Lizzy, why have you not come to see me for so long?”
“I am very sorry, sweetie. We were extremely busy.”
“But did not you not miss seeing my lovely face?” the girl asked in earnest, and Elizabeth laughed, kissing her cheeks.
“Of course I did, my dearest. I promise to spend more time with you while we are at Longbourn.”
“May I sleep with you? I always sleep with you when I am at Longbourn.”
“Well, I…” Elizabeth glanced at her husband then at her aunt, uncertain how to answer.
“Becky, Lizzy and Mr Darcy will stay at Netherfield, and we will stay at Longbourn.”
“But why?”
“Because this is what they decided, young lady! Let us change the subject,” her mother intervened.
“But you promised that you will spend more time with me! I can see you will spend time with Mr Darcy; I know it.”
“Dearest, married people must spend time together. Just like your mama and papa. And you will sleep with Margaret in my old room. Would you like that?”
“Yes, I suppose…” The girl pulled an upset face to show her displeasure.
“Becky, when we return to London, I will ask your mother to allow you and Margaret to visit us. You will spend plenty of time with Elizabeth and with Georgiana,” Darcy attempted in consolation.
“Oh, really? I like Miss Georgiana very much. She is as beautiful as a fairy. Even my brothers think so. Will Lady Ellen come too? I like Lady Ellen. Mama, can we go, please? Oh, but can we still go to Pemberley?”
The storm of questions was difficult to handle, and Becky became increasingly animated while the others could do little else except laugh and allow themselves to be caught up in her game.
“Lizzy, since you and Mr Darcy are like mama and papa, will you have children too?”
“I hope so. Will you enjoy playing with them?”
“I am not sure. But will you love them more than you love me?”
“I will love them very much—just as I love all four of you.”
“Will you have girls or boys?”
“I am not sure. It will be God’s will.”
“I hope God will give you girls. They are much better than boys. Boys are mean and loud,” she said as she climbed into Darcy’s arms, covered in the blanket.
“I doubt any girl or boy is louder than you, young lady,” Mrs Gardiner said. “And please come stay with us, dear. You are bothering Mr Darcy.”
Darcy signed with a gesture that it was no trouble while the girl continued.
“Yes but I am not mean, and I never push anyone. I am very cute. I heard when Mrs Burton told you that, Mama.”
Mrs Gardiner rolled her eyes in exasperation.
“No matter whether you have girls or boys, I hope you will not make the same mistake of spoiling them excessively as we did with a certain child of ours.”
“She speaks about me, you know,” Becky whispered to Darcy and then continued as if telling him a secret. “I am already spoiled, so you can do it again if you want,” she said in complete seriousness.
“I will consider your invitation,” Darcy replied with great amusement.
“Lizzy spoils me, too, because I am so pretty, and she loves me. Do you think I am pretty?”
“Indeed, you are the prettiest, funniest, sweetest girl I have met in a very long time.”
“What about Margaret?”
“She is a beautiful, elegant, and very proper young miss.”
“You know, you are very good at making compliments, Mr Darcy. I think you got it from me.”
“I think you may be right, my dear.”
“My Aunt Bennet will be very happy to see you. She is very fond of you. She speaks of you all the time. She said it was a miracle that you married Lizzy. Are you a wizard?”
“No…not at all.”
Elizabeth glanced at her husband with worry, and Mrs Gardiner was ready to intervene again. Darcy could hardly restrain his laughter.
“Good—here is the Inn where we will stop for refreshments,” Mr Gardiner said and ended the conversation with great relief.
After a brief break of hot tea and biscuits, the party continued their journey. Happily, Becky was rather tired, and she slept in Elizabeth’s arms until they reached their destination.
∞∞∞
Mrs Bennet’s excitement at seeing them was beyond words. In truth, she was more enchanted by Darcy’s presence than by anyone else’s, and he was the first one to notice it.
Bingley was also present, overwhelming them with his joy while Jane’s tearful eyes proved her happiness at seeing her sister again.
Mr Bennet quickly embraced his favourite daughter, and Elizabeth could see the emotion on his face. Then he invited the gentlemen to his library for a glass of brandy, and they happily accepted.
The first two hours were a pandemonium. Elizabeth offered her sisters and her mother their gifts then showed Jane what she purchased as a wedding present. Jane was beside herself with gratitude and blushed violently at seeing the exquisite nightgowns.
Mrs Bennet asked every five minutes how life was in London, Kitty was in awe to hear about the balls and jewels, and Mary forgot to breathe when Elizabeth described their impressive collection of books.
It was late in the afternoon, and since everybody was tired after the journey, Elizabeth and Darcy, together with Bingley, prepared to remove to Netherfield.
Before that, the eldest sisters barely succeeded in securing a few private minutes, hiding in Jane’s bedchamber.
“Oh, Lizzy, I am so glad you are here! I cannot bear so much happiness. It is too much. And we changed the date of the wedding—Charles proposed to do it. I am so pleased! And the gowns you bought for me—please thank Mr Darcy on my part. Lizzy, I am so happy!”
“I can see you are, dearest.” Elizabeth embraced her tearfully. “I think it was an excellent idea to move up the wedding date. I am certain you will be even happier after the wedding.” Elizabeth smiled, and Jane blushed again.
“I know I shall be. I just hope to be the wife Charles deserves. He is the best of men.
“I have no doubt that you will be perfect for each other,” Elizabeth replied while she silently considered that Charles Bingley might be the best of some men but surely could not compete with her husband.
“Oh, Lizzy, I am so grateful that you are here. I missed you so much, my dear. You look beautiful! It is obvious how happy you are!”
“I am, indeed, more than I ever dreamt. And so will you be. Now I have to leave. We shall see each other again tomorrow. I am very sorry to exchange your lovely company for Caroline and Louisa’s, but I have no choice.
Longbourn is very crowded, and we will be more at peace at Netherfield.
Besides, Mr Bingley seems to have missed William’s company. ”
“Yes, he did. And I agree that it would be much better for you to stay at Netherfield. Dearest Lizzy, please remember that Caroline and Louisa are Charles’s sisters. I know they are not the kindest persons, but I beg you to be patient with them—for my sake and his.”
“I promise I shall try.”
“I really cannot understand why you are leaving before dinner,” Mrs Bennet wondered with distress as they prepared to depart. “You will be very much missed. Hill prepared some special dishes for you, Mr Darcy.”
“I am deeply sorry to refuse you, madam, but we are tired after the journey and certainly not properly dressed for dinner. I could not accept your invitation without wearing attire that would do justice to your excellent dishes and company,” Darcy answered with a bow, and Elizabeth could hardly conceal her laughter while Mr Bennet raised his eyebrow in surprise at such a speech.
“Oh…I see…of course, you must be tired. It is very kind of you, sir. Oh, but do not worry about your attire, you could very well wear only a potato sack or no clothes at all and would still be the most handsome gentleman in several counties.”
Everybody remained speechless and with eyes wide open at that statement, so Mrs Bennet continued soothingly.
“Do not be upset, Mr Bingley, you are very handsome too, only not quite as much as Mr Darcy.”
Mr Bingley was not upset but tried to see whether Jane shared the same opinion. Pleased with his betrothed’s adoring smile, he silently agreed with Mrs Bennet; he always knew that he could not compare with his elder friend, and not even attempted to.
On their way toward Netherfield, Bingley rode while the Darcys followed in their carriage.