Hellooooooo. Here is the next chapter of my story. A bit pointless, but maybe some of you will like it. Sorry, no Darcy/Elizabeth action in this one. Maybe next chapter!
I received so many kind reviews for this story already! Responses are at the bottom, and please, please, PLEASE keep them coming! They mean so much to me! Even if it is "good job", please drop me a line. If you don't like something, or see some problems, let me know! Constructive criticism is appreciated!
And now that I've probably put you off the story with my begging... Here we go!
All of Meryton was abuzz with the news. Nothing else was talked about that Sunday after the marriage banns were posted on the church door.
"Have you heard? Miss Bennet is engaged!"
"No! To whom?"
Of course, they were not talking about Miss Jane Bennet. Why, she could almost already be called "Mrs. Bingley." When the announcement had been made that Miss Jane Bennet of Longbourn was soon to become Mr. Charles Bingley's wife, there were wise nods all around. This match had been expected for months. True, some worthy dowagers with unmarried daughters had been hoping against hope, but really no one had expected anything else. In fact, the only question asked was: "What took them so long?"
It had come as quite a shock to all of Meryton that Mr. Bingley had suddenly left nearly a year before, at a time when all were expecting the announcement of his engagement to Miss Jane. He had seemed so fond of her! And she, certainly, had not been pushing him away. True, she was quiet, but then Miss Jane was quiet in all things. Everyone had to admit that she was a perfect lady, even her rivals in love.
It was the posting beneath this that caused the stir in Meryton. Indeed, all who read it were forced to rub their eyes or clean their glasses in order to be sure they were not seeing things. It did not disappear from the door after these hasty responses and the town accepted the shocking announcement, immediately determining it as the newest topic of conversation. For the second eldest Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, was also to be married.
To Mr. Darcy of Pemberly!
Mr. Darcy! Proud, cold, scornful, rich, handsome, never-look-twice-at-any-lady, Mr. Darcy!
"I declare, I have no idea how she caught him!" was heard throughout houses everywhere as ladies sat down to tea that afternoon, among the rustling of skirts as women seated themselves, the clink of china as tea was poured and plates passed around, and the general noise of a ladies' gathering.
"Nor how she could accept him!" Sage heads nodded their response, a few loose hairs fluttering, maybe a feather or two hear or there bobbing. It had become the accepted view of Meryton that Mr. Darcy, although rich, was indeed the most disagreeable fellow one could ever meet. After this conclusion, almost every mother in town had declared that neither she nor her daughter would set a cap for such a man.
"Miss Elizabeth has always been so headstrong and willful! I, for one, could never see her marrying a man simply for his money!" one worthy mother remarked.
"Indeed, Mama," a young woman responded. "I often heard her remark that she would never marry except for love and fully expected to die an old maid as a result!"
"Then maybe they are in love!" her younger sister sighed, already weaving fanciful webs about the couple and their unlikely love.
"No, indeed!" the mother responded sharply. "Why, have you ever seen him pay special attention to Miss Elizabeth?"
"No."
"Have you ever heard him speak especially highly of her or appear to prefer her over others?"
"No-oo."
"Has his face ever lit up when she enters a room?"
"No, Mama," came the final meek reply.
"There!" exclaimed the lady. "He has never shown any preference for Miss Elizabeth, so I cannot imagine what brought this on!"
"Especially after…" here, voices lowered and a woman who had until now been silent whispered to her fellow tea-mates, "the scandal."
There were many sad shakings of heads after this, every woman knowing exactly what was being referred to.
"I always said that girl was too flighty," remarked one.
"Aye, so did I," another agreed. "In fact, I forbade my daughter to associate with her!"
"I knew she would come to a bad end, running around with all those officers. And look what happened! She ran off with one and brought shame down upon her entire family!"
"She never did care much for her family's honor in the first place," said the woman who had broached the topic.
"Takes after her mother," the hostess sniffed. "Always so loud and poking her nose into other's affairs!"
"I felt so bad for the girls afterwards," said her daughter. "Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth have always tried to uphold the honor and have always behaved well in situations." Every woman there had to agree with the girl, and heads, hairs, and feathers all nodded again in unison.
"In fact, I feared that they would ever make a good match after that! They had never had the best chances to begin with, and Mr. Bingley had left…" the mother continued.
"Well, even a fool can see Mr. Bingley has always been besotted with Jane. It is no wonder they are engaged! I doubt he would care if there were fifteen such scandals and fifteen such mothers to go with it!" This remark was greeted with many chuckles as the biscuits and tea were passed around again.
"But Mr. Darcy!"
"I fear Mr. Darcy must remain an enigma," the hostess finally declared. "More tea, Ingrid?"
But we must leave the village of Meryton, however much we are fond of the little town, for this news did not affect only that small region of the country. It spread, as all news does, quickly, until it reached even the most gorgeous rooms of Town, where it caused no small amount of talk.
"Have you heard? Mr. Darcy of Pemberly is to marry!"
"Why, I had no idea he was even in Town!"
"He isn't! Apparently, he is to marry some country girl from some village… Markton, Maryville, or something or other."
Many a lady shook her head over such a dreadful match, causing her feathers, more grand than their Meryton counterparts, to wave in dismissal as well.
"I can't imagine he would marry so much beneath him! A country girl! Why, we may as well call her a peasant," was often heard from these frowning mouths.
"Oh yes. And remember! He pointedly ignored that duchess, although I can't remember her name right now."
"Of course you can't my dear," came a wry reply, "because he has ignored and scorned more than one! I always thought his standards seemed impossibly high and he had decided to be a bachelor."
"Well, I can't see him finding his ideal in a peasant girl. I doubt she is accomplished at all!"
The news of the impending marriage did not only affect strangers. The families of the couples were soon informed as well. On Elizabeth Bennet's side, the Gardiners were very happy for their niece. They smiled indulgently at each other across the room that evening, as Mrs. Gardiner read the letter from her niece out loud. They had known since Pemberly that the two were perfect for each other. It had just taken the young folks a little bit longer.
Georgiana Darcy was exceedingly pleased upon receiving the news that she was to finally have the sister she had dreamed of. She had loved Miss Bennet for her brother's sake even before meeting her, and had only become fonder of Elizabeth upon meeting her. She could imagine no one else making her brother happy and no other person she would rather look up to. Enclosed within the letter was an invitation to visit Netherfield as soon as possibly and she wasted no time in packing for the trip and ordering a carriage to be prepared. She made sure to pack plenty of music, especially some duets, which she hoped to play with her new sister.
This rapture, however, was not shared by Fitzwilliam's aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings. Her displeasure was voiced to as many as who would care to listen, but it most often was heard by her meek daughter, Anne, and Mr. Collins. The former simply sniffed delicately and sat quiet, used to her mother's dominating rants while the latter poured out consolations and agreed with his mistress whenever he could get a word in.
"How dare he defy me!" she would rant. "Has he forgotten what is owed to his family? What is owed to me?"
"No one could ever forget-" Mr. Collins began obsequiously.
"And the impertinence of Miss Bennet! I have never met a woman so rude in all my life! I did not much like her while she was here. So headstrong! And she has only become worse!"
"I did warn my cousin..."
"I cannot imagine how Georgiana will fare in that polluted household! I must send for her immediately before any damage is done because of that creature!"
When Mr. Collins returned home from these afternoon visits, he often confided in his wife the details and Lady Catherine's great displeasure over such an unfortunate turn of events. Charlotte Collins, neé Lucas, would simply nod her head and indulge her husband's flow of words that had been stemmed while in her Ladyship's dominating presence. But secretly, in her heart, Charlotte rejoiced for her friend. She had sensed the attachment while the gentlemen had stayed during Lizzy's visit with Sir William and Mariah, and her heart was gladdened that her friend had not allowed anything to stand in her way and had received everything she had deserved.
If it were possible, there was someone even more displeased than Lady Catherine. This lady was more than displeased: this lady was furious. In fact, her rage was so great, that words, which usually flowed frequently from her mouth, were insufficient to express her hatred of the match.
Oh yes, Miss Caroline Bingley was greatly displeased indeed.
Okay... definitely not my favorite chapter ever written... but it's out there now! And I sorta wanted to do this approach... It was just harder than I thought... especially the transitions.
Next chapter: As promised, Caroline Bingley throws a vase!
Words of love to my reviewers! Let's have a big round of applause for them!
Micheped: I'm very glad you love this. This wasn't very soon, but oh well.
xXx-english rose-xXx: Well, I'm eternally grateful that you took my advice. Thanks so much. I hope you end up liking this one as much as you liked Reactions. I'll try to make a good ending! Any suggestions?
Missusmesser: Thanks! I hope you aren't in the loony bin by now... just kidding
Mrs. Dom Masbolle: Oh, good. I worked hard on Mr. Bennet cause I thought he was an interesting character in the book. Glad you liked it!
Mara look-a-like: Thanks. Here's your more!
LastStar: Define "soon"... I hope this was soon enough! I'm happy you love it!
Elisgrey: Thank you! It means a lot that you think it has potential!
Pyschodelic-Pixie: I worship Darcy... but I'm afraid you can't take him home yet. Tell you what: when I'm done with the story, I'll let you borrow him. I'm glad somebody liked the blue thing. Oh yes, ESPECIALLY good for Lizzy and Darcy... I've always seen Mr. Bennet as the indulging type... Caroline vs. vase next chapter!
Audrey Batle: Updated! Thanks so much!
Tink664: I welcome the love. It helps me write!
Shariena: I like how you did that with the a lot thing... and I love doing the three little periods just like that.
Nicoley117: Soon enough? Maybe? I hope?
Kath the Dreamer: blushes shucks... I'm glad you liked Reactions. Oh don't worry... you more than compensated... I'm seriously overwhelmed. Don't hurt yourself! I love Rosings Repository by the way. It's beautiful. I'm a sucker for fluffy Darcy/Lizzy fics too... big time.
Dolphindreamer: Thanks so much! It really helps for me to know what people liked. I sorta wanted to show how people still aren't realizing how deep Darcy is and how trustworthy he is. I'm really glad you liked it. Hope I didn't disappoint with this chapter.
Arica, Princess of Rivendell: I tried soon... It really isn't in my vocab that much... I'm a bit of a slowpoke.
Princesslizzy1312: Thanks so much! I-zzz... yes master... yes master... you are the truth... must write... must update...zzz... huh? blink you're pretty good! No, no, no. You aren't weird, you're special! Just like me! grin .v
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Percyismine