Chapter 2
" CHARLES BINGLEY!" Mrs. Bennett screamed when they arrived for their weekly family night dinner."I can't believe that our Janie went out with a famous author. Isn't it marvelous that he is here in our small town of all places! Oh can you just imagine how famous our town will be? Now that he is dating our oldest daughter " Mrs. Karen Bennet was in her 50s and a stay at home mom. This may have been the reason she spent all her time and energy into her daughters relationships. She had been married somewhat happily to their father Harry Bennet for almost 30 years.
"Mom, we didn't go out we just met at a bar once. It's not a big deal." Janie was blushing from embarrassment as her mother continued.
"It's a mothers business to know who my future son in law is going to be. And Mr. Bingley is the perfect choice if I had to pick one. I want to make sure he fits in the family and that your younger sisters wont scare him off."
Eliza and Janie weren't the only Bennet sisters. They were followed in age by Lydia who was a free-spirit, rebellious and still "finding herself". Basically this meant still living at home and hopping from job to job. The next sister was Mary who was the academic and she was commuting to the local college for a Philosophy degree and planned to get her masters. Mary was a little shy and socially awkward. This made many outside interactions besides her family members to be very stressful. They loved her regardless. The youngest at 18 was Kat who had just graduated high school last spring and was taking a gap year to learn who she was. So basically to meet boys and hang at the local movie theater. They each had their own personality and understanding of the world. But their father would call them silly. His favorite of his girls was always Eliza. They were kindred spirits and like two peas in a pod. Eliza's mom, who admittedly loved her children, didn't understand her like her father did.
As they continued to talk Mr. Bennet came into the dining room.
"And oh Harry darling why don't you visit this charming boy, Charles Bingley and see if he will join us for dinner next sunday"
"Should I also bring him pictures of our girls and give him the pick of his potential wife? Harry rolled his eyes as his eccentric wife.
"Oh how you taunt me! I believe he needs to be introduced properly to the family and it's your job as town mayor of longbourn to welcome him to our wonderful home" Karen loved playing the Mayor card to get what she wanted. But her husband liked to tease her also.
"And why can you not go see him?"
"Without being introduced as the mayor's wife of course not! Oh what you are doing to my nerves!"
"Well myself and your nerves have been great friends these last 30 years, I think I can handle them a little longer."
Mrs. Bennet huffed and the girls hoped this was the last that they would hear about Mr. Bingley. It was not.
Mr Bennet ended up running into Charles the very next day at Sprinkles, the local bakery. They exchanged pleasantries and Mr. Bennet invited him and his friends to dinner that following sunday night. With no mention of us daughters singledom or his wife's crazy ideas. However, Mr. Bennet purposely waited until the last minute to tell his wife about the dinner.
"What?! We are having three extra guests for dinner and you gave me one day to prepare! Oh Mr. Bennet!" She was so very excited and ran to the store. Janie had gotten Charles number from the first night they met so she was able to warn Eliza and the others about the impending dinner. Eliza was curious if the infamous Mr. William Darcy would be attending the dinner.
"He wasnt that bad Eliza, he was just nervous about being in a new place" Her sister insisted, but Eliza wouldn't budge on her opinion
"You are just saying that because Charles has been flirt-texting you all week"
"No he has not! We have been simply texting and getting to know each other that's it!"
Charles had been texting the whole week and their relationship was developing from a first attraction to an honest flirtation. Eliza and Janie arrived that sunday surprised to see every possible side dish you could image and three choices of entree. Their mother wanted to make no mistakes with this dinner. That wasn't going to be possible. Charles was indeed accompanied by his friend from the previous night, as he was his business associate and another stunning young lady.
"that's his sister Caroline" janie softly told Eliza as they entered.
Caroline Bingley was the image of elegency, she had on a black curvy dress that showed off her figure without being too slutty. Her brother sported a light blue button up shirt while his counterpart had a jacket and tie.
"Welcome to our home!" Mrs. Bennet hurried to greet the guests and offered them wine and appetizers.
"Mom is acting like we are the kennedys of longbourn" whispered Eliza to Janie. They laughed. "i would hate to burst her bubble and tell her we are way out of their league"
"Oh don't say that Eliza! Charles is very charming and down-to earth and I'm sure his sister is just as sweet."
"And what about Darcy" She said in a mocking tone on his nickname.
"Give him a chance please Eliza"
Eliza was wearing a dark blue short tee shirt dress with converse and her hair down in brunette waves. While her sister was the opposite with a light pink floral dress and her blonde hair pinned back. Everyone was introduced and proceeded to the dining room. Mr. Bennet took the head of the table and everyone else followed from there. Eliza found the last seat which was across from Darcy and reluctantly sat down.
"Hello miss bennet" he nodded as she sat down.
"Hello William" Eliza flashed a fake smile across to her arrogant dinner guest.
"Again call me darcy, all my friends call me that"
"I thought that no one was decent enough in this town to be your friend" she snapped back with a rather harsh tone. He thought a moment and replied.
"I wont deny that this small town is nothing compared to New York and where I was raised, but you have a lovely home" He smiled at Mrs. Bennet as he ate her homemade mashed potatoes that she took hours to make. Mrs. Bennet was having a panic attack all day to prepare for this dinner.
Eliza rolled her eyes at this. Of course this guy was a rich snob that hated small towns and was putting on the charm for her mother.
"With a silver spoon in your mouth no doubt" Eliza said under her breath but unfortunately loud enough for her mother to hear.
"Eliza Beth Bennet please be kind to our guest!"
Lydia blurted out. "So you are a millionare then right?" to Charles.
"Not exactly" he answered.
"But you must have quite a bit of money!"
Eliza was mortified and tried to ask Lydia about her new top to diatract her.
Caroline was next to Darcy was talking with him about their summer homes in the Hamptons. Just when Eliza thought she got out of the painful conversation Caroline asked her,
"So where does your family summer Elizabeth?"
"Actually it's just Eliza and we don't "summer" anywhere. Our little town is close enough to the ocean where we can normally drive down there in about 30 minutes"
"Oh wow, no summer homes." Caroline laughed "I agree Darcy this is a small town" As she looked at him she put her hand on top of his. Eliza recognized Caroline marking her territory and thought how aburb this girl was being. She could have William Darcy all to herself. They were perfectly fit for each other.
The dinner continued uneventfully and everyone had a great time. Especially Janie and Charles who had not stopped talking all night but his new novel and her career path in the business world. Eliza was glad when the night was over but her mother had to get in one last word.
"I look forward to seeing you all again very soon. Especially Charles if you are dating our daughter" Janie turned bright red and Charles nodded and shook their fathers hand as him and his companions left. How embarassing for Janie and also more reasons for William Darcy to dislike their family. Overall the dinner was awkward for Eliza but amazing in Mrs. Bennet's eyes. Her beloved oldest daughter was hitting it off with the famous writer Charles Bingley and her other daughter was talking with Mr. Billionaire Publishing House Owner. She was over the moon and Eliza was seething.
X Thanks for reading this chapter! Please post any thoughts or recommendations. (I will be posted every Sunday Night from now on as I'm finally going to be done with classes!)
