"A true friend stabs you in the front." - Oscar Wilde

Chapter 14

Easter morning dawned bright and clear. Longbourn was bustling as all of the ladies adorned their finest church clothes to attend services at the chapel in Meryton. Elizabeth was wearing one of her favorite new gowns. Her generosity was so great on this holiest of days that she even allowed Lydia and Kitty to wear two of her nicer bonnets after they begged her.

The Bennet family was invited to dine at Netherfield following church this morning. Mrs. Bennet could not contain her excitement. She insisted that the girls be ready so that they might arrive early to church. She required additional time to ensure that the entire neighborhood knew that the Bennet's would dine at Netherfield with her dear son-in-law and his wealthy friend.

As Elizabeth entered the chapel, a feeling of peace fell upon her. Ignoring the embarrassing gloating of her mother, she strolled among the pews and greeted neighbors with a smile. As she reached her seat, Elizabeth felt a shiver flow down her back and glanced up straight into the eyes of Mr. Darcy. He was standing at the entrance of the chapel with an odd expression upon his face as he stared back at her. Elizabeth smiled in acknowledgment and he responded in kind before both of their attention was drawn to Mrs. Bennet's exclamation.

"Ah! There you are, Mrs. Bingley!"

Mrs. Bennet rushed to embrace her daughter and greet the Darcy's while slyly glancing around to confirm that her friends witnessed the display.

Elizabeth could not decide whether to laugh or cry in embarrassment at her mother's show. Her father certainly did not waver as she could hear his chuckling from where she stood.

Looking back upon the party that just arrived, Elizabeth was stunned to find that Miss Bingley was on Charles' arm doing a poor job at disguising how pleased she was to see Mrs. Bennet again. Before she could move to greet the party, they walked towards her to take their seats for the morning services.

Elizabeth slid to the end of the family pew to allow room for Mary, Kitty, Lydia, her mother and finally her father. Georgiana took a seat in front of Elizabeth and the friends shared a smile before Mr. Darcy sat next to his sister. Miss Bingley followed Mr. Darcy with a triumphant smile upon her face before Jane and Charles completed the row.

Easter service began and Elizabeth lost herself in the words of the priest. When it was time for the congregation to sing, Elizabeth could not help but notice how well Mr. Darcy sang. His face was turned so that he could share a hymnal with Georgiana. More than once, Elizabeth found herself stealing glances at the strong profile of the gentleman and his pleasing voice. At one point, his eyes found hers before she quickly looked back to the book that she shared with Mary.

Soon, services concluded and they filed out of the church and into the carriages bound for Netherfield. Once they were gathered in the drawing room to await their meal, Mrs. Bennet addressed Miss Bingley.

"What a wonderful surprise, Miss Bingley! We were sorry that you did not return with Jane and Charles last week."

"Thank you, Mrs. Bennet. Although London is quite diverting, I found myself longing to spend the holiday with my new sister. Louisa could not begrudge me for reconsidering Charles' invitation to join them in Hertfordshire."

Mrs. Bennet beamed at the compliment to Jane while Jane thanked Caroline.

"Yes, it has been such a wonderful week, full of surprises. What a delight is has been to meet Mr. and Miss Darcy. You know that they surprised Elizabeth too. Elizabeth has certainly found a great friend in such a sweet young lady." Mrs. Bennet said while smiling indulgently at Georgiana who was seated next to Elizabeth.

"Yes, I was quite surprised to hear that the Darcy's had journeyed to Netherfield. My brother failed to mention their change in plans." Caroline said with a forced smile towards Charles.

Elizabeth thought that she heard a snort from the direction of the windows…particularly the area where the silent Mr. Darcy was located.

"Oh Eliza! I must speak to you of the most dreadful news." Caroline exclaimed.

Elizabeth immediately became suspicious when she realized that Caroline appeared almost gleeful while claiming the news was dreadful. Caroline's comment drew the attention of the room.

"I am afraid that we must rally around dear Amelia Waldegrave for she has lost both her father and brother!" Caroline continued.

Elizabeth and Georgiana both gasped.

"Whatever do you mean, Caroline?" Charles asked urgently as Mr. Darcy walked closer to the group with a furrowed brow.

Caroline practically preened with the attention focused on her.

"It is quite shocking. There was an awful accident and both the Earl and his son were lost when their carriage fell into the Thames! All of London is abuzz with the news."

"How horrible!" Charles exclaimed while Mr. Darcy nodded in agreement.

"Oh, Elizabeth...poor Amelia!" Georgiana said. Elizabeth put her arm around her friend at the same time that a large hand was placed on Georgiana's shoulder. Elizabeth looked up to see Mr. Darcy casting a worried glance to Georgiana and then to her.

"I knew that you would especially feel the lost, Eliza."

Elizabeth turned back with a confused expression to Caroline. Then she recalled Caroline's teasing while they were in London. Her face paled and her hand flew to her chest when she asked, "Was it Colonel Waldegrave who died?"

With a satisfied smile, Caroline responded, "No, it was not the Colonel, Eliza; although, I knew that would be your greatest concern."

Elizabeth exhaled the breath that she did not know she was holding.

"However, I fear that you will suffer a disappointment for now Colonel Waldegrave is the new Earl!"

Elizabeth had been so focused on Caroline that she failed to notice that Mrs. Bennet was intently listening.

Glancing between Caroline and Elizabeth, she asked, "Why would Lizzy suffer a disappointment upon hearing such news, Miss Bingley? She has told me of her friendship with Miss Waldegrave and my heart goes out to that poor girl; however, I am not aware of any connection that Lizzy may have with this Colonel?"

Elizabeth immediately looked to Caroline with warning in her eyes. Alas, it was for naught.

"Oh, dear! Did Eliza not inform you that she made quite the impression on the new Earl during her time in London? I was certain that she would have boasted of all of their dances. Shame on you, Lizzy, for keeping your poor mother in the dark of a prospective suitor."

Caroline smiled even in the face of Elizabeth's murderous expression. Mrs. Bennet turned to her daughter and only muttered, "No, she did not share such news with me."

Elizabeth attempted to placate her mother.

"Momma, Miss Bingley is quite exaggerating. Miss Waldegrave and I are friends and her brother was merely being polite."

Mrs. Bennet only nodded; however, Elizabeth saw with dismay that her mother glanced suspiciously towards the wealthy gentleman standing behind them.