Chapter Twenty One: A Bennett Invasion
Amidst all the excitement of having a full house and the on going courtship that was occurring right under their noses, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy were thrown into one last moment of panic and anticipation. Their house was nearly bursting at the seams with the people who had arrived. They had still been able to keep the secret thus far, about the pregnancy, but it would not be long before Mrs. Bennett arrived, and the peace would be broken. Elizabeth knew that it was her mother's passion and duty to find husbands for her daughters. She also knew that Mrs. Bennett was ready to take on the next duty of motherhood. Her new crusade was to insist that Elizabeth and Jane start their own families, for it was a truth universally acknowledged that once a mother has married her daughters the next of her duties was to encourage procreation. Jane knew only too well the extent of Mrs. Bennett's desire for her daughters to bear children, and to bring boys into the world, to keep their fortunes and prospects well enacted.
One morning, earlier then most, Jane and Elizabeth stole away into the garden before the rest of the house stirred for they had not been able to be together with so many visitors present at Pemberly.
"Today is the day which brings our mother to us," Elizabeth said as she walked along side her sister.
"Are you quite ready for her attacks and her praise?" Jane asked, "I love momma very dearly, but she has become a completely different creature with you and I married and away from her home. She had less time to relay to us the get duties that we must undertake now. Are you quite sure you are ready for this."
"I believe that I am. I know how momma behaves, but I am a little worried about my husband. Most of all, I am afraid for poor, dear, Georgiana," Elizabeth laughed, "How are they going to react to her doting and duties?"
"The poor girl, she had been without a mother for most of her life and now to know ours," Jane sighed, "it will be too much for her."
"I am hoping to alleviate the stress of it all, and hope that she directs most of her energy on me," Elizabeth said.
"That is very noble of you, but must I remind you that Lydia is present." Jane said, "She had always been a particular favorite of our dear momma."
"Of course, but she had yet to bare children and so I fear that as the married daughters we are all to fall prey to her assaults," Elizabeth said.
"And poor Kitty and Mary will have to hear all of her assumptions on the eligible, rich, gentlemen that they should be marrying," Jane laughed.
"Well, then the situation of Mary and Captain Coplin may be pushed to be concluded," Elizabeth smiled, "for I believe it quite settled except for an interview with our dear papa."
"I am so happy, even though no proposal has been made, as of yet." Jane said, "He is a good man and quite perfect for Mary."
"I agree with you my dearest Jane," Elizabeth smiled.
"Perhaps that will take all of the stress off of everyone else," Jane said, "for as soon as momma notices the attachment of the young gentleman you know very well that she will not leave Mary to her self."
"Poor Mary." Elizabeth laughed, "She will be the favorite for the first time in her life, and sadly Mary has never desired to be a favorite of our dear momma's."
"If only there was something that we could do," Jane said.
"Well, there is one thing but I am afraid it may throw the whole party into a very different state of mind," Elizabeth said.
"What is it?" Jane asked as she stopped and looked her sister in the eyes.
"As of this moment it is a very great secret and only myself, my husband and Georgiana know, I have not even told our other sisters," Elizabeth said, "but I want your opinion on when you think I should tell everyone."
"Can it be," Jane asked as smile crossing her face, "is there to be a blessing on the Darcy family."
"There is," Elizabeth smile, "but it is a great secret."
"Oh Lizzy!" Jane cried, tears in her eyes, "How happy everyone will be."
"Yes, and how overwhelming momma will be," Elizabeth laughed.
"But you must tell her," Jane said.
"I know," Elizabeth said, "but when should I?"
"Truly, you will not be able to keep it a secret for much longer." Jane said.
"Will you be able to keep this secret," Elizabeth asked.
"I will, as long as you solicit me to keep it, but know that I will struggle," Jane smiled.
"I will make the news known soon," Elizabeth sighed, "perhaps when everyone leaves."
"Oh Lizzy, you must allow everyone to share in your joy," Jane pleaded.
"Then I will speak with Mr. Darcy and we will decide on when," Elizabeth said, "for now, let us continue on in this peaceful way and prepare for the invasion that is to come," she added with a laugh.
The sisters fell into the same familiar conversation that they had enjoyed during their youth. Jane had remained as calm and as serene as she had ever been. Her beauty had not waned with her marriage; in fact, she looked even more beautiful with the happiness that had accompanied her into the county of her sister's joy. It was not hard for Jane to fall in love with the beauty of the county and the wonders of Elizabeth's newfound fortune. She noticed, however, the change that had come over Elizabeth. The signs of her pregnancy had not yet taken over her character, but the calmness and the joy that Elizabeth could feel was flowing from her in every direction. It made happiness the ruling component for everyone that came to live in the great house.
As the morning meal was served on the day of the Bennetts arrival, the conversation and the gathered assembly was quite subdued, all but Lydia held their tongues and did not want to cause any disturbance to anyone else as they all knew of the coming arrival.
Lydia, on the contrary, was vocal and assuming as the hours passed extremely slowly for her. The seating for their morning meal had placed her terribly near to Lady Catherine. Although Lady Catherine had been fairly subdued since the interview with Mr. Darcy, she was becoming quite disturbed by Lydia's loudness and need for propriety.
"You are quite a loud sort of child." Lady Catherine said across the table to Lydia as she sipped her tea properly.
"And you know not of how the modern world is changing," Lydia said with a shrug, "women are loud now. I am not child, for I am married and know the ways of married life."
"I assure you, young lady, that I am quite aware of the changes in our world and the lack of propriety that young women seem to be exuding," Lady Catherine stated, "perhaps you are not aware but I am exceedingly rich and much in society. I doubt very much that, with a common military husband, you can really know anything about society, or at least hot proper, modern, society. I believe that you have more then likely lost much of your propriety from being married to such a common man and being away from the society and teaching that you should have been more conscious of."
"What are you trying to say?" Lydia asked as she sighed heavily and looked annoyingly at Lady Catherine.
"That you are quite a vile young lady and perhaps a turn to a religious order may be the only thing that may save you from yourself," Lady Catherine said.
"You do not know me," Lydia said angrily, "nor would I want you too. I'd prefer the society of my common husband to your condescension."
"Why am I not surprised?" Lady Catherine huffed, "I am not at all in fear of loosing your society. I do not plan to continue any sort of acquaintance with you."
"Neither am I." Lydia said, "Do I need you? No, I assure you I do not."
"But you need the society of your sisters and they are apt to one day see the error in you, even though you are their sister, and I dare say they will stop assisting you and so will their husbands. You do not care to know the extent of your poverty but some day you will," Lady Catherine said, "and then you will wish that you were proper and had payed a little more attention to the ways of proper, modern, society as I have warned."
"I doubt that very much." Lydia said, "As my sisters know I am a cheerful and entertaining woman, and they take my example in many things. They will never turn their back on me, and once my momma has arrived here today, I am sure she will put you in your place, Lady Catherine Du Bourgh."
Lady Catherine looked around her at the table and Mary and Kitty stated struck with horror at the way Lydia was speaking to the Lady that was among them.
"I believe you are quite mistaken," Mary said.
"I do not care what you think, Mary, for you are plain, and boring, and you have always been this way and shall always remain this way," Lydia said, "I am not surprised that you cherish Lady Catherine condescension."
"You should hold you tongue, Lydia," Kitty said from beside her.
"And when have I ever listened to you, Kitty?" Lydia laughed, "You know nothing of the world, for you have only followed people through it, and I have been in it."
Elizabeth sighed as she listened to the argument that accompanied the first meal of the day. She had not been able to calm Lydia or put any ideas of an, altered, behaviour into her mind. She was as wild and demanding as she had always been. With the coming of Mrs. Bennett, Elizabeth knew that Lydia would be encouraged to her behavior, and that Lady Catherine and Mrs. Bennett would clash in some way. Perhaps, if she was lucky, Mrs. Bennett would be too shocked and awed by the grandeur of the estate, and the company that they were keeping, to be overly vocal about her favorite and most controversial daughter.
When the time finally arrived, and the carriage that Mr. Darcy had sent to Meryton appeared in the lane, Darcy and Elizabeth were swift to bring it to the attention of all the party. The arrival of the final members of their society meant the completion of the family group, for the Gardeners could not make it this summer.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardener had been invited, along with all of their children, but Mr. Gardener was detained. Even though Mr. Darcy had sent word that he would gladly send his entourage to the Gardeners for Mrs. Gardener and her children, they were reluctant and decided that it would be best to wait for a time when the whole family could make the journey.
The guests were settled into the music room to await the introductions and Darcy and Elizabeth moved out into the entrance hall to greet Mr. and Mrs. Bennett as the carriage unveiled them.
Mr. Bennett was the vocal member of the party as the house opened up to him. The appearance of his most beloved daughter brought them together once more.
"My dearest Lizzy," he said and kissed her hand, "how long it has been and how much I have desired your company. I see that you are well situated and the joy of your situation is apparent in your every look. So I cannot say anything more that may give you pain. I am very pleased to see you so happy."
"Oh papa," Elizabeth said, "I have missed you exceedingly and I hope that you enjoy your stay here."
"My library is at your disposal sir," Darcy smiled as he shook hands with Mr. Bennett.
"I look forward to perusing it, dear boy, and I am very interested in everything else that there is to be praised at Pemberly," Mr. Bennett smiled.
"Then I assure you, sir, that I will do all in my power, and you shall have all that you desire, while here," Darcy laughed.
"Good lad," Mr. Bennett chuckled, "my dear, I believe I shall like your husband most of all those that have come into my acquaintance," he said to Elizabeth.
"Well I am happy to hear that, papa, for he is quite my favorite husband as well." Elizabeth laughed, "Although Mr. Bingley is quite a good sort of man, and he holds a very close second place."
"Yes, Mr. Bingley is all smiles and compliments," Mr. Bennett said contemplatively, "but he chose Jane over you, my Lizzy, and so he cannot be among my favorites."
Darcy chuckled at the compliments of Mr. Bennett and then the parties turned toward the unusually silent and truly awe stricken Mrs. Bennett.
"Momma, I do hope your journey was comfortable," Elizabeth said as she stepped forward and embraced her mother.
"Oh my dearest Lizzy, it was unlike anything I had experienced before." Mrs. Bennett said, "I was completely shocked by the elegance of the equipage, but it is nothing to this place. Mr. Darcy, I must apologies to you for all of the ignorance I showed to you in Hertfordshire. I could not have known of your station, or that you were as very rich as this. I am quite appalled by my behaviour, and I beg your forgiveness." she added as Mr. Darcy kissed her hand.
"My dear Madame, all is forgotten, and I hope that you will be at ease here." Darcy said.
"Such kindness," Mrs. Bennett said still struck by awe.
"I believe that you will be pleasantly surprised with all that we have planned for you," Mr. Darcy said to both Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, "and we have a large party that is very interested in making your acquaintance."
"The largess of the party is nothing to the grandeur of this place," Mrs. Bennett said as she looked around, "I am quite shocked."
"And this is only the entrance hall, momma," Lizzy laughed, "there is much, much more to see."
"Oh my dear," Mrs. Bennett said as she fanned herself with her handkerchief, "I believe I am far to overwhelmed at this moment to be able to handle anything else."
"Then let us make all arrangements for your comfort, Madame." Darcy said as he took his mother in law's arm, "I will show you to your room, and you will be able to rest before the introductions are made."
"Such kindness," Mrs. Bennett said again as she walked with Mr. Darcy, "for the master of such a place to show such kindness and gentlemanly behaviour to an old momma such as myself. I am exceedingly honored sir."
"Do not make yourself uneasy Madame; for I owe you quite a debt," Mr. Darcy said, "you have given to me the most precious of gifts." He said as he looked back at Elizabeth.
"Yes, Lizzy, he is quite my favorite son in law," Mr. Bennett smiled as he walked along with Elizabeth.
Elizabeth could not help but laugh. She had never seen her mother so shocked and so composed as she was in this moment. Mr. Darcy was showing her such kindness and interest that it made Mrs. Bennett quite forgot the initial introductions of the young man to her acquaintance, in Hertfordshire. Elizabeth believed that for the most part, her mother would be exceptionally well behaved in the presence of such wealth and she wondered if any of this submission would rub off on Lydia. It was yet to be seen how the coming of Mrs. Bennett would affect Lydia's wildness, but for this moment Elizabeth hoped that things would indeed work out for the better. She was at that time and space; very content with her life, her guests and the family she had left behind. Walking with her father now brought to her memory all the wonderful time that they had shared, and she realized just how much she had missed him. She also realized that there was something in her mother, when calmness was present, that she had also missed. She had spent over twenty years in her parents house and then to be away from them was quite a step, but now she realized that there would always be a deep connection with these people and she saw that her beloved husband was ready to have such a connection form as well. Perhaps Pemberly would work its magic on Mrs. Bennett too.