Chapter 9 Through to the Other Side
Christmas was upon them, it was time to adorn Longbourn with as much greenery as possible to welcome the festive season. Mr and Mrs Gardiner had arrived from town with their brood of children, even Mr and Mrs Darcy had emerged from Purvis Lodge. Shamefaced, yet nauseatingly happy.
Jane was making the kissing bow and called for her aunt to bring the mistletoe. She wanted to inquire after the Dashwood sisters but did not know how to bring it into the conversation without raising her perceptive aunt's suspicion. She needed not to fret as her aunt volunteered a lot of information with no questions asked.
"Can you believe it? Mrs Jennings came by your uncle's warehouse a week ago, she was looking for some sprigged muslin. I happened to be present because I had just delivered some victuals for your uncle. That man will be the death of me, he works so hard he forgets to eat. Well, I digress, right, Mrs Jennings... Do you remember the Dashwood sisters?"
Jane nodded but dared not speak lest she come on too interested.
"After the ball, they were supposed to go home, to Barton Cottage but Miss Marianne, the youngest one, was caught in the rain at Mr Palmerston's estate and became dreadfully ill. It was a good thing Colonel Brandon was escorting them because he had to ride out in the middle of the night to fetch her mother. The doctor had not left them with much hope she would survive the night.
By some miracle, she pulled through and her mother was able to bring her home but Mrs Jennings is worried the old cottage has too much draft and a leaky roof have left it damp and mouldy. Miss Marianne has yet to recover her health and spirit, she remains low on both accounts. Mrs Jennings has begged her to come to London, offering her house but Mrs Dashwood is concerned that the journey would be too much for her. Thank heaven for Colonel Brandon who has stayed by their side and provided wood and nourishing gifts to the Dashwood widow. It is a shame that stepson of hers have the gall to leave her in such dire straits. It is unseemly and does not speak well of him nor his wife. The Ferrars was always a lofty lot but Mrs Dashwood is one of their own. Imagine me leaving your mother to starve in the hedgerows, I could not live with myself if you girls were not provided for. They are his half-sisters for crying out loud."
"How absolutely horrible!"
"Yes, well, it is a good thing they have such good friends in Mrs Jennings, the Palmerstons and Colonel Brandon. The latter has dedicated more than his wood and produces, he is set on bringing Marianne back to health. He read to her and kept her company. She reminds me a little bit of Lizzy, I cannot imagine she relishes in being idle. Our dear Lizzy certainly does not. You were always a good patient, Jane, but I remember once Lizzy caught a cold whilst visiting us in London. She put the entire house upended with her aversion towards taking her tonic and constantly tried to escape her bed rest."
"I can well imagine," Jane smiled and stole a furtive glance at the freshly minted Mrs Darcy. She was Mr Darcy's responsibility now and a much safer subject to dwell on as opposed to the Colonel and his solicitousness towards Miss Marianne. Christopher had a big heart and a sense of duty and honour few could match with the exception, perhaps, of Mr Darcy. He seemed to be made from the same sturdy stock yet Lizzy had chosen him over all else. Not that suitors were queuing at their door exactly but Elizabeth had once spurned his offer only to grow madly in love with him in the next moment.
At the current juncture, she could hardly take her eyes off him and sported constantly blooming cheeks. Mr Darcy did not mind the attention and looked smugger than ever, straighter than ever, yet more relaxed.
XxX
The Netherfield residents came by in the evening, singing carols at their door. It was supposed to be a romantic gesture gone somewhat awry with Mr Bingley being the only one actually singing. He had a lovely voice though and Jane was charmed.
Mr Bennet washed his hands and lit the yule log. A game of charades followed as Mr Bingley seemed reluctant to leave. Christmas day would be spent in separate households and Mr Bingley felt the deficiency of his courtship keenly. He would have supposed it had made more progress by now...
Impulsive as he was, he flung out a suggestion.
"We should all travel to town and find a grand ball to attend on twelfth night. What do you say, Mrs Bennet?"
Mrs Gardiner had related the disturbing news about Miss Marianne Dashwood, he had no concerns they might run into Colonel Brandon. Miss Marianne was a beautiful, sweet girl, he thought the Colonel could not help but fall in love with her if he had not already. No man paid such solicitous attention towards a young lady if he had no ulterior motive.
"Oh yes! A trip to town would set me up nicely," Mrs Bennet exclaimed. "Mr Bennet, do you not think Mr Bingley has come up with the most marvellous idea?"
Mr Bennet looked like he had just eaten a bucket load of lemons, he was about to retort with a longer a tirade of the drawbacks of town when his newest son spoke up.
"There is no need to insinuate ourselves into a ball. We could all gather at Darcy House. I am sure Elizabeth would like to practice her hosting skills on friends and family before she takes on the beau monde."
He looked so imploringly at Lizzy that she melted and acquiesced. Purvis Lodge had been rather disappointing although it had by no means put a damper on their honeymoon, she knew he would be more comfortable in his own home. Jane's and Mr Bingley's courtship seemed to have stagnated into awkwardness and tension. A change of scenery may do them good, Mr Bingley taking charge might be even better. She smiled beatifically at her husband.
"Wherever you go, I will follow." Elizabeth smiled saucily at her husband, she was too joyful to conceal her happiness.
"To think I believed you to be one of my sensible daughters. I am inclined to send you back to Purvis Lodge before you make any more sappy remarks in my parlour."
"Dear Papa, I urge you to follow my example. Darcy House has an excellent library..."
"Ah, you are correct, as always and still possess some sense. I will be your obedient puppy and follow as well."
Mr Bennet grinned at Mr Darcy. His immediate response to Mr Bingley's scheme had been a flat out denial but if he could wiggle an invitation to Darcy House out of his son, his attitude towards the scheme perked up.
"I would be honoured if you would bring your family to town and reside with us at Darcy house."
Mr Bingley exuberance almost bubbled over but he held himself in check until the suggestion had been agreed upon.
XxX
On new year's day, the Netherfield party and the Longbourn residents travelled to town. Mr and Mrs Darcy had left a few days prior. The official reason was to prepare Darcy House for an onslaught of guests which was part of the truth. It would have been more plausible had the newly wedded couple managed to stay more than a few minutes apart addressing their butler and the housekeeper.
The Bennets arrived at Darcy House but the Gardiners preferred to stay in the comforts of their own home. Mr Bingley and his family stayed in their own home, a few houses down the square.
Jane had a conundrum to sort out, soon, very soon she needed to make a decision. It was not acceptable to keep a respectable man in ignorance towards whom would be his future wife.
The Colonel was long gone, he may or may not be courting the beautiful Dashwood sister, it did not matter. She had left him with no hope, no sentiments expressed when she had visited with her father on the faithful morning after the Middleton Ball. There had been precious little time to do so as the Colonel was on the verge of leaving with the Dashwood sisters and the Palmerstons. She did not know if he planned to return to town any time soon, he had mentioned he thought it unlikely. The season held little sway over him and he may no longer be in need of a wife. She did not expect to meet the Colonel but she needed a private moment with Mr Bingley. With Elizabeth's marriage to Mr Darcy, she could have served as a loving aunt to the children that most certainly was to come out of that passionate union. It had not escaped her, the longing looks and the clandestine touches exchanged between her new brother and most beloved sister. Socializing appeared as pure torture, not her own words but Lizzy's in a moment of shocking frankness.
Elizabeth might once have settled for the fate of doting aunt but Jane longed to hold her own child to her breast and she was grateful that Elizabeth had not suffered the fate of a spinster. Lizzy might believe she could have settled for less but Jane knew better. Even her vivacious sister or perhaps particularly her lively sister would not have been happy once she understood what she was wanting. Jane knew, even before witnessing her sister's delirious happiness, the unparalleled joy of love.
A quick word with Elizabeth and a private meeting was arranged in a parlour at Darcy House with none of the other residents the wiser if you did not count Mr Darcy but he was practically an extension of her sister. Elizabeth trusted her explicitly and had not arranged for a maid as a chaperone but remained in the adjoining room with the door ajar. She thought these kinds of conversations would be better kept out of earshot of the servants. With her own courtship still fresh in her mind, she thought it could do little harm.
Mr Bingley was late, Jane fought valiantly against wrinkling her skirts and was drying her sweaty palms on a kerchief when he strode into the room with his hair in disarray.
"I beg your pardon, Darcy. I was detained on the streets by Mrs Jennings. You will not believe what has happened with the Dashwood..."
He looked frantically about the room. It was clear he had expected Mr Darcy but Jane was the sole occupant of the library. It left him looking most perplexed.
"Please, have a seat, Mr Bingley. You were saying?"
Despite the important matter needed to be discussed, she could not help but settle her curiosity first.
"I encountered Mrs Jennings on the way over, you know she is not easily thwarted when she sets her mind to something and she shares generously of her wisdom."
Jane chuckled, it was eloquently put if not the entire truth.
"You would not believe what has trespassed at Barton Cottage lately. Miss Dashwood is to be married and you will never guess who?"
"I will not attempt it then." Jane's heart raced but it had no reason to, her rational mind reminded her.
"Miss Dashwood is engaged to be married to none other than Mr Ferrars."
Your sister must be so disappointed, Jane thought wryly.
"Mr Robert Ferrars?" Mr Edward Ferrars was already engaged to Miss Lucy Steel so the question was redundant.
"No!" Mr Bingley's eyes were twinkling in mirth. "It seems that Miss Lucy Steel's affection had transferred from Mr Edward Ferrars to Mr Robert Ferrars, they eloped a fortnight ago. Edward lost little time in proposing to Elinor. They are to be married as soon as the banns have been read. When I heard, I could not help but accept Mrs Jennings invitation and have a cup of tea with her. The Dashwood sisters had finally agreed with her and come to town with their mother and youngest sister to shop for Miss Dashwood's trousseau. Miss Marianne's health has been practically restored since coming to town."
Battling with misgivings Jane toned out Mr Bingley.
One engagement had the potential to spur another. No, she would not go there, she should pay attention to the gentleman sitting in front of her.
"Mrs Jennings was certain the draft at Barton Cottage was the culprit in her late recovery or perhaps it was that nasal reading voice..."
"I beg your pardon?"
"I am sorry, Jane, I keep blabbering on when you had something to relate. Please excuse my boorish behaviour."
"Certainly, Mr Bingley. I do not know how to express it so bare with me. You must know it was never my intention to hurt your feelings, yet you were injured."
"That was hardly your fault, Jane. You are not responsible for the actions of others."
"Still, I could have put you out of your misery by speaking up, yet I did not. I cannot help but feel that I should have but I have needed this time to sort my own thoughts, I am not impulsive in these matters. I have recently come ta a decision, Mr Bingley. I am dreadfully sorry, Mr Bingley, but I cannot marry you."
Mr Bingley blinked and remained silent. Jane gave him time to process her words.
"Thank you for your honesty, Miss Bennet," he finally uttered. Mr Bingley bowed and left the room. Not long after she heard the thud of the entrance door. He had left...
"You may come in, Lizzy. Mr Bingley has left," Jane called out.
Elizabeth rushed through the door but halted in front of her indecisively. She must have expected her sister to be dissolved in tears but Jane was as serene as ever. Her heart filled with relief rather than pain. She had made the right decision, she was comfortable for the first time in weeks.
Mr Darcy strode in next, looking frantically between the sisters. As she suspected, Lizzy had not been alone in the adjoining study. Her swollen lips were not the only tell-tale sign. She smiled at the matching, dishevelled couple.
"Please, do not let me interrupt your estate affairs. I will go and find mama. I will let her down as softly as possible but it might be prudent to expect some form of uproar."
Jane left the stunned couple who immediately sought comfort in each other's embrace. There was nothing they could not tackle ensconced in each other's arms.
"I am so sorry," Elizabeth whispered.
"You are blameless, dearest. I have come to the conclusion that you cannot know the heart of another person, I will be satisfied henceforth with the knowledge of only two peoples hearts. Yours and my own, it will have to suffice."