Chapter 24
The last days of August found Elizabeth travelling from London to Longbourn, in a large, elegant carriage, together with Jane, Bingley and Cece.
After the dinner party, Elizabeth had asked Bingley not to force the invitation upon the Darcys, but to wait for them to decide freely whether they would accept it. And they did—Darcy and Georgiana were expected at Netherfield after he had completed some unfinished business in London.
Mr. Hoskins—Lady Sedgewick’s solicitor—was also invited to join Elizabeth on her journey, since he was responsible for the past and future finances of the Sedgewick trust.
However, as Elizabeth intended to spend some time with her family first, Mr. Hoskins was due to arrive in a week.
Jane and Bingley were chatting joyfully with Cece; Elizabeth looked out of the window, absently. She was happy but anxious to be at Longbourn again, and she wondered if Lady Barrington—the woman who carried with her a heavy burden of sorrow—would find peace in Lizzy Bennet’s home.
“Elizabeth, you should stay at Netherfield with us,” Bingley said.
“Since Caroline and Louisa are not there, we have so many spare rooms. You may choose one to your liking—it cannot compare with your present apartment, but I dare say it will be comfortable enough. We may go to Longbourn as often as you wish and I will leave my carriage at the disposal of your family, so they can join us at any time.”
“You are very kind, Charles, but I will stay in my old room. I want to be at home for a while. I have missed my family very dearly. The size of the chamber is my least concern.”
She could not say it out loud, but she hoped that in the comfort of her old bed, she would finally find the rest she had lost on the day when she accepted Lord Barrington’s marriage proposal.
“I understand that, Elizabeth. Besides, we will meet every day. Longbourn is very close. I remember when you walked three miles in the mud to take care of Jane.”
“Walking three miles?” Cece asked candidly.
Bingley laughed. “Yes. Jane came to Netherfield on horseback and was caught in the rain. She fell ill and Elizabeth hurried to take care of her. She is not much of a rider, so she walked. She arrived with her petticoat covered in mud and my sisters were sooo appalled. But I remember Darcy taking her side—which was quite unexpected. He had always been so fond of a proper appearance,” Bingley laughed.
“I am amazed how many peculiar stories you have that involve Mr. Darcy,” Cece replied with amusement.
“Oh, it was quite diverting,” Bingley continued. “He and Elizabeth absolutely hated each other. They argued all the time. And my sisters always supported Darcy, of course. But Elizabeth stood up against everybody with much bravery.”
“Bravery is too strong a word, brother. And Mr. Darcy and I did not hate each other. Not really,” she jested.
The conversation continued in the same manner until familiar sights captured their attention. The carriage drove along beloved paths and Elizabeth’s heart pounded with pure joy as she approached the house. She was coming home.
The carriage passed through Meryton and several people stared at it.
Jane and Bingley showed their faces at the window, but Elizabeth remained hidden behind the curtains.
She hoped she could avoid any visitors, at least for a few days, and enjoy the family reunion in privacy.
However, her hopes were shattered when the carriage reached Longbourn.
Mrs. Bennet burst from the house, followed by Aunt Phillips, Mrs. Long, Lady Lucas and Sir William.
“Lady Barrington! My Lizzy is Lady Barrington! Oh, look at you, such elegant mourning gowns! And what a carriage! Sir William, is it as large as Lady Catherine’s?
I am sure it is even bigger! My Lizzy has a property in Kent too, I heard!
One of many! Just like Lady Catherine, but more!
And here are Mr. and Mrs. Bingley! And your clever black friend—look how pretty she is!
One would not believe such a pretty lady could be so intelligent, would they? Come in, come in!”
Elizabeth embraced her mother and greeted the others warmly, while she glanced at Cece. Her friend appeared diverted by the reception. Jane, however, was red with embarrassment.
“Mama, where is Papa?”
“He is in the library, as usual. Come in, hurry!”
“Lizzy!” Lydia, Kitty and Mary cried, throwing their arms about her.
“Lizzy, look at you! Are you a countess now? You look so fashionable and rich! Did you bring us presents?” Lydia jumped around.
While Jane performed the introductions, Elizabeth excused herself and ran to her father.
She found him in an armchair, thinner and paler than usual, holding a book that slipped from his hand as she entered.
He did not stand up; Elizabeth knelt and held him tight in a long, silent and meaningful embrace.
“My darling Lizzy. My dear child,” Mr. Bennet kept whispering, caressing her hair.
“I am here, Papa...”
“I feared I would never see you again...I knew something was wrong...I knew from that evening at dinner...if only I could...I was such a poor father, that you had to ruin your life in exchange for my negligence. I failed to take proper care of my family, and when I intended to, I was too weak and incapable...Your uncle wrote to me...I feel like I hurt you with my own hands...I would have given my life for you, but my life was worthless...”
“Papa, please stop! Stop now!” Elizabeth interjected.
“Your self reproof is unfair and useless. You are a loving, caring father and all you need to do for us is to take care of yourself! We need to have you with us for as long as possible. Please do not cry, Papa...You mean the world to me...please do not cry...”
They did cry together, tightly embraced, for a long while. From the drawing-room, loud voices, peals of laughter and cries of joy could be heard.
When the tears had washed away the grief and eventually dried, Mr. Bennet kissed his daughter’s hands repeatedly, then caressed her face.
“Black is unbecoming on you, my Lizzy. Throw it away!”
“I will, Papa. Soon. But I must wear it for six months.”
“Why must you? My Lizzy would not care about such rules, especially for a worthless man!”
“I am not wearing it for him, Papa, but because of what I need to accomplish. There is so much and so many people depending on Lady Barrington, that Lizzy must step back and obey.”
“Tell me, my dear. I wish to know everything.”
“I will tell you everything you want to know, Papa, except for my marriage. Of that, there is nothing to discuss. All is buried in the past.”
“I know enough. Your uncle wrote to me...”
“Then you already know too much...”
“Brother Gardiner claims that Mr. Darcy was the one who saved you. Mr. Darcy? He, of all people?”
“He did save me, Papa, although Charles and my uncle risked their lives for me too. But Mr. Darcy saved me in more ways than one. Yes, he of all people.”
“This is astonishing, considering how much you hated each other.”
“He never hated me, Papa. He confessed to me as much. I did hate him though, as I was blinded by prejudice. I was so ready to believe the worst of him that I trusted the falsehoods related to me by a man that I barely knew. All Mr. Wickham’s accusations against Mr. Darcy were false.”
“I never cared for Wickham’s fabrications, but neither did I care about Darcy. I do not remember exchanging a single word with the man. He obviously did not think much of me or our family either. So I cannot but wonder why he put so much effort into helping you?”
“Because Charles is his best friend and asked for his assistance. And because he is the best of men, Papa. And his sister is a kind and sweet young lady. Just like Jane.”
“Is she? How lovely!” Mr. Bennet noticed his daughter’s attempt to change the subject, so he ceased enquiring about Darcy. “I hear you have a black friend, who is scarily clever. Apparently, this is how Bingley describes her. And very proficient at the pianoforte at the same time?”
Elizabeth laughed, tearfully. “Uncle Gardiner’s reports seem accurate and very detailed. Yes, Cece is here too. You will adore her, Papa.”
“I am sure I will. Now let us join the others. Give me your arm—my knees are weaker than you remember. If there is one good thing to come out of all this painful misery, it is to be able to call you ‘Lady Barrington’ in front of Sir William and Mr. Collins. You cannot imagine how my spirits improved after your uncle wrote to me that you have an estate in Kent, too. Do you think you are richer than Lady Catherine? It would be good for my health to give Mr. Collins such news.”
“Papa...! I missed you so much! So very much!”
“You are home now, my dear girl,” the gentleman said, kissing her hand again and wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, just as they entered the deafening din of the drawing-room together.
“Lizzy, come here, my dear!” Mrs. Bennet called her.
“We were just talking about you! I know Lord Barrington—Lord have mercy on his soul—was not a nice man, but he was an earl and his aunt was a countess! You were lucky that he married you and you became a lady and now you are a young and rich widow! It was a fortunate happenstance!”
Elizabeth helped her father sit, then she turned to her mother and their guests, all talking joyfully and amicably.
“No, it was not fortunate, Mama,” she replied in a low and grave voice.
“It was a terrible decision that I married a horrible man. My only palliation is that from that nightmare arose the opportunity to meet some wonderful people—Lady Sedgewick, Miss Cecilia and several others. And it comforts me to know that now I am in the position to be able to help others. I am kindly asking you to never mention Lord Barrington’s name again. ”
A heavy silence and dumbfounded gazes followed her harsh statement. She bore everything stoically for a few long moments, then asked Lady Lucas if she had news from Charlotte.