Until the morning Denny and Wickham arrived at Longbourne, Elizabeth had scarcely thought much about her friend from the regiment. So much was happening around her that even reading in her father's study was a distraction. Dressed in a deep blue gown, Elizabeth kept a black scarf draped across her shoulders as a symbol of her mourning. She walked quietly through the courtyard, a seemingly speechless George Wickham at her side. Finally, Elizabeth spoke.
"We missed you at Netherfield, Mr. Wickham," she offered a slight smile to him, "Although I cannot say I blame your absence."
"Yes, I feared a confrontation which may have spoiled the evening for many. Perhaps I may claim the honor of a dance with you at the next ball." He smirked as he spoke, "That is, of course, if your fiancé will relinquish your attentions long enough."
Elizabeth laughed just a little. "I will do my best to persuade him."
Lydia and Kitty laughed as they watched a bowl bounce across the garden. Denny looked embarrassed.
"Is it true that you will travel into Kent this next fortnight? Your sister Mary had much to say on the subject." When Lizzie's scarf slipped slightly, Wickham was quick to her aid, pulling it up to her shoulder again.
Lizzie smiled, "Mary often has much to say in matters of morality. Yes, thank you, I will travel to Kent. Mr. Collins' patroness, Lady Catharine has insisted upon meeting me. My Aunt Gardiner has volunteered to make the trip with me."
"Do you look forward to the trip?" The pair settled to a seat on a bench near a hedge.
"I cannot honestly say I much anticipate meeting Lady Catharine, but I welcome an escape from Hertfordshire." She folded her hands in her lap with a smile, "I believe London is quite diverting this time of year, and we intend to stay a couple of days there."
"It is. I remember spending my spring-times in London as a boy," Wickham's gaze wandered towards the giggling girls across the lawn. "Lydia says you will buy your wedding clothes in London. She looks forward to being a bridesmaid."
"No doubt Lydia will make a bigger fuss over her position in the wedding than even I."
"Are you not an anxious bride?" He well knew the answer. Elizabeth's disdain for Mr. Collins had been evident prior to her father's death.
Her lips parted, but Elizabeth found herself unable to answer for a moment. "I feel the death of my father has overwhelmed any pre-nuptial excitement I may have felt." It was not quite a lie, yet not wholly the truth.
The sound of hooves upon a gravel path caused Lydia to gasp loudly. "My, we are quite the popular ones, are we not?" She and Kitty took off towards the front of the house, leaving bowls behind with a befuddled Lieutenant Denny.
"Your sisters seem healed from the recent tragedy," Wickham offered, "It is nice to hear them in such good spirits."
Elizabeth knew her sisters loved their father, but she was unsure that his death had affected them much at all. The girls were young, and most certainly preoccupied with the regiment being in Meryton. Taking a breath, she nodded carefully. "They are most easily distracted. Your presence, as well as Mr. Denny's has improved their spirits greatly."
Lydia sulked her way back into the yard. She picked up her bowl and sighed. "It was just Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. How dull those gentlemen are. I do not know what Jane sees in Mr. Bingley."
It was amazing how quickly Mr. Wickham stood. "Denny, we should take our leave. We were to have tea with Mrs. Foster this afternoon."
As if the arrival of boring company and a scolding look from her sister Elizabeth was not enough, now Lydia's entertainment was leaving. She let out a low whine. "But we've only just started our game! We cannot finish with two."
"Lydia," Elizabeth warned, standing as Mr. Wickham bowed a quick farewell to the women and hurried towards the front of the house.
"Wickham, do come back soon!" Lydia shouted after them, then continued pouting. Kitty had a forlorn expression as well. Elizabeth shook her head and walked into the house. She knew Jane and Mary would be the only company for Bingley and Darcy.
Upon entering the house and removing her bonnet, Lizzie was met with the stale-sounding piano chimes of Mary's playing. She sighed and headed towards the parlor. She was almost amused to see the pained expression upon Jane's face as she uncomfortably allowed her younger sister to exhibit what she considered to be a "talent". Her features relaxed into an embarrassed smile, however, when Lizzie appeared in the doorway. Mary finished her concerto just as everyone else noticed Elizabeth's appearance. Bingley and Darcy politely applauded for only a moment before both men stood.
"Miss Elizabeth! How delightful it is to see you." Mr. Bingley bowed to her with a bright grin. Mr. Darcy mimicked the movement with a stiff posture.
Mary shuffled through her book to find another song, and Lizzie rose from her curtsy only in time to notice it.
"Mary, I heard Lydia and Kitty saying they needed another player for their game of Bowls. You should join them." She moved carefully to the couch occupied by Jane and had a seat next to her older sister.
"Join them? Why, games are so idle and useless." Mary scoffed, pushing her glasses up on her beaky nose. "Time would better be spent studying great sermons or practicing a genuine talent."
It surprised everyone with Mr. Darcy spoke up, "On the contrary, Miss Mary."
Elizabeth was most shocked, her jaw actually falling open for a split second as she looked to him. He rarely spoke without provocation.
"Games are useful for sharpening one's mind with a keen intellect and strategic planning. I believe truly accomplished women should aspire to learn such games."
Mary gave pause before she closed her songbook. She stood slowly and bowed to the party in the parlor before heading out towards the back, undoubtedly making her younger sisters miserable.
Lizzie could not help but smirk as Mary left. She turned to the two men. "What brings you to Longbourne this afternoon? We were quite surprised to see you."
"A great desire to check on our friends," Mr. Bingley spoke with a jovial smile. "We came to give our best wishes to your poor mother, however we hear she is unable to take company."
"Yes, she has not been well since our father's death. We thank you, however, for your kind inquiry." Lizzie grinned. She loved Mr. Bingley as a brother, and hoped to rightfully do so in the future. He was as kind a fellow as she had ever met, and she took great pride in knowing a man such as he.
"We were just being entertained by your sister Mary's talent and your sister Jane's delightful conversation."
Out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth could see Jane's cheeks and ears flushing crimson from the attention from Mr. Bingley. She knew her sister's desires when it came to the gentleman. It was most of the reason why she had accepted Mr. Collins' proposal. Elizabeth's own spirits sunk slightly at the thought of her intended.
"How are the plans coming for your wedding, Miss Elizabeth?" Mr. Darcy spoke up again.
"Very well, thank you. Mr. Collins has returned to Hunsford to prepare his own affairs." She folded her hands in her lap, allowing her shawl to fall around her forearms. "The invitations should leave the house within the next week."
Darcy's hand gripped the arm of his chair more tightly, his knuckles white with tension. No one noticed, but the chair did creak under the strain. His heart pounded from the moment she entered the room, and sank when she confirmed the continuation of plans for the wedding.
"Lizzie travels into Kent next week to visit Lady Catharine, Mr. Collins' patroness. I have heard she is your Aunt, Mr. Darcy. Is that correct?" Jane offered as a conversation point.
"She is," he answered curtly, nodding.
Bingley could sense the way his friend tensed. He sat up a little taller. "We wish you a very merry journey, Miss Elizabeth."
"Thank you, Mr. Bingley." Lizzie smiled softly, fiddling a little with her shawl. "Would either of you care for tea?"
Jane smiled, hoping Bingley would stay a while and have tea with them.
"I am afraid we must take our leave soon. Darcy and I make for London shortly. We are to spend some time there, while the season begins." Bingley's voice was filled with regret. Darcy took this as a cue to stand and bow to the two ladies.
"Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. Thank you for your cordial hospitality."
Lizzie stood, and Jane followed on much weaker knees. "Thank you for coming. Enjoy London, and we look forward to seeing you again soon."
Darcy marked Elizabeth's words and nodded before leaving the room, followed by a lingeringly quiet Mr. Bingley.
Once they were gone, Lizzie turned to a pale-looking Jane. "Jane, what is it that troubles you?"
"They plan to spend the season in London. I shall not see him." Her voice was small.
"Oh Jane," Elizabeth said, taking her sister's hand. "He loves you. He will always return to your side, without a doubt."