I hope I do not dissappoint with this chapter, but I really needed to move things along.
Much to the dismay of Mrs. Bennet, it was decided that the wedding would take place in the third week of January; nearly six weeks away. It was said that it would be unseemly to plan a wedding for the same week as their neighbor, Miss Lucas. While Mrs. Bennet didn't seem to care that Jane would outshine Miss Lucas, as Mrs. Bennet never did anything halfway, the Bennet sisters did think their friend deserved every attention that should be afforded her on her most special day. Even if they thought the groom was beneath her notice.
Over the course of the next two weeks, several changes took place. The first was very pleasant for the two middle sisters.
"You want us to come and stay with you?" Kitty squealed. She had never traveled far from Longbourn before, nor had she ever had a friend who did not live within walking distance, so going to stay with someone had never really crossed her mind.
"Yes!" Georgiana squealed in return. "I knew the time would come that we had to leave, and the thought of not being able to see you until who knows when was unbearable. My aunt and I do not care for sport, and no other ladies ever attend, so when my uncle plans his gathering every year, we have made it our tradition to spend the month at Pemberley together. I would so love to show you Pemberley!"
"We will have to talk with our father, but I do not think he will mind," Mary answered, pragmatically. This was not something to ask their mother.
Indeed, Mr. Bennet thought it was a good idea, for, unbeknownst to his daughters, at the time of their departure, Lydia would be going to school. This would take place shortly after Jane married and the fewer people they had around for his wife to give a performance to, the better. He quite liked the idea of a house where only he, his wife, and his favorite daughter dwelled . He greatly feared that his wife would try to take Kitty under her wing in replacement for Lydia, and he had come to prefer how his fourth daughter was. He had long come to terms with the fact that he had largely been unfair to his middle children, and if a stay with a friend further North could rectify it in any way, he would see that it was done.
Mr. Bennet had managed to corner the Colonel and inform him that he would take his offer. Lydia was very nearly out of control, and if her age was a boon, it would be that it was perhaps not too late for her to form better habits. With all of his daughters gone, besides his Elizabeth, perhaps he could set a new normal for he and his wife, as well. If not, well, Jane was married and she could do her duty for her mother as so many other daughters have done before her.
For the two eldest daughters of the house, the time was bittersweet. Jane and Elizabeth were spending as much time together as they could, only sometimes accompanied by their younger sisters. Jane was in pure euphoria thinking about her future with a man she loved, and Lizzy was happy for her, however, they both realized their time together would change. When Jane had suggested that Lizzy could some to stay with her, the idea was quickly put away; the last thing Lizzy wanted to do was interrupt her beloved sister's happiness with her new husband. Even Caroline Bingley was to stay with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst for a time. Still, Lizzy was coming to terms with her upcoming future without the daily presence of Jane.
Mrs. Bennet was undoubtedly the happiest person in all of Hertfordshire, if not the entire country. Her eldest, most beautiful daughter would be marrying the most eligible man of their acquaintance; she purposely excluded certain persons from her equations. Being the envy of every mother she knew felt like her just desserts. They talked about her inability to provide an heir for Longbourn, this she knew for her faithful servants had told her the gossip from the servants of the neighboring estates, but she now saw her destiny as being the mother of those who would further other houses, and that was just as good in her humble opinion. Afterall, would she not be the grandmother to the heir of Netherfield; Mr. Bingley's having not purchased the estate not withstanding? This was her vindication! The look of dissatisfaction on Lady Lucas's face now that she couldn't shove her eldest daughter's good fortune was marvelous!
Miss Lydia Bennet was both the happiest and angriest in all of her life! Mary and Kitty were to go an stay at a fancy estate in Derbyshire, and she could not understand why she should not go. Though, once the fact was made known that there would be no gentlemen present, her ire lessened a bit. Happier, though, was the fact that her eldest sister was getting married, and although she had thought it would be quite the joke if she had married first, there would now be no one to outshine her as the prettiest girl in the neighborhood; or, indeed, the whole country! What's more, she was positive that she could easily convince Jane that Mr. Bingley should take them to Town for the Season! A Season in Town! Could there be anything better? She had loved her redcoats, but since her father had caused them to be distant, the officers had begun to find other favorites, and Lydia Bennet was not a forgiving person. If they thought she would pine away after them, they were wrong. No, she had seen them look at Mr. Bingley and his company in envy over their fashion and wealth, so she would find someone even better than him to salt their wounds. They would rue the day they tried to replace Lydia Bennet!
The day that Mr. Darcy took his sister back to Town to celebrate Christmas with the Earl and Countess, with the Colonel of course, was very sad indeed. However, they were to return for the wedding, and it would be then that Mary and Kitty would begin their journey to Derbyshire, and in the company of the Countess herself! Mrs. Bennet had happily spread that tidbit of information, though she lamented that the Countess would not be present for her eldest's ceremony and wedding breakfast. The Countess of Matlock would be coming in the afternoon, after Jane and Mr. Bingley left to go for their wedding trip, to retrieve all of her charges.
By the time her brother and his wife arrived for Christmas, few could stand to be in the presence of Mrs. Bennet; even her favorite daughters. Lydia had become most proficient of all her sisters at doing so, in fact. Having new people to convey all of her happiness on was a great relief to the household, and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were happy to sit and listen, even though they had received several letters informing them of all the news. The Gardiners were the best sort of people, happy constitutions and easy-going attitudes, and if their enduring Mrs. Bennet's raptures gave their nieces even the smallest amount of peace, they were willing to stand in their place.
Among the citizens of Hertfordshire, both Miss Lucas and Miss Bennet were celebrated for their good fortune, especially behind closed doors. While many mothers had hoped to catch Mr. Bingley for their own daughters or female relatives, no one could be upset that it was the very sweet Jane Bennet who caught his eye, for no one could truly dislike her who had known her their whole life. As for Miss Lucas, it had long been accepted that she would never marry and would therefore be a burden to her family, so the news that she would marry the heir of Longbourn was met with surprise and glee. That Mrs. Bennet would be displaced by a young woman she had disparaged so often was delicious.
As for the two young women themselves, they were exceedingly happy for the other. Charlotte was genuinely happy that Jane had found her future with a man she truly cared for and would treat her well, and Jane, while knowing Lizzy did not approve, understood and celebrated her neighbor's own good fortune. No two ladies had ever gotten along so well, who were to marry so close together. Neither boasted about the trimmings and trappings of their weddings; neither did they try and outdo the other with the foods to be served at their breakfasts. When Lady Lucas brought up Charlotte's bouquet, Jane cut off her mother by stated how happy she was that Charlotte would have her favorite blooms. When Mrs. Bennet crowed over a blue satin gown they had made for Jane's trousseau, Charlotte exclaimed over the perfect choice of color.
The New Year came and went, and soon it was time for Miss Charlotte Lucas to join Mr. William Collins in holy matrimony. Everyone would agree, though some did so reluctantly, that the wedding was perfectly suited for Miss Lucas. Her dress was well fitted and in a style that suited her best, the flowers that decorated the church and dinning room brightened the atmosphere delightfully, and the smile on her face was truly radiant. Out of everyone, it was she herself that thought she was unlikely to ever marry. Though it occurred to her that she might come to regret her decision, in that moment, she thought only of her triumph. She would be the mistress of her own home! That was a blessing she never thought she would see.
The following week, when talk of Charlotte Lucas's wedding had begun to wane, Miss Jane Bennet took center stage. Never to be outdone, Mrs. Bennet made sure it was quite the production. Having scrutinized the wedding the week before, she had made sure that her daughter's wedding would have what the other lacked, and take away what hadn't been well received. Through all of the adjustments, however, she was unaware that her three middle daughters went behind her making sure everything remained tasteful and complementary to their dear Jane. Indeed, when the day arrived, few would disagree that it was every young woman's fantasy; from the clothes, to the décor, to the shy smiles the bride and groom kept shooting to each other. If Mrs. Bennet didn't remember making a certain adjustment, she was still careful to take credit for it.
By the time Mr. and Mrs. Bingley took their leave, the day was heralded as a success. Even Mr. Bennet, looking at his middle children, agreed that it was all very well done. As the carriage turned out of the drive and out of sight, however, the Master of Longbourn had a feeling of change sweep over him, and he wasn't so sure he was happy about it.