Friends, I hope you enjoy this latest addition. Just a note – I am experimenting with the idea of having Mrs. Bennet pass away sometime during the girl's youth. I now she appears in the story before now and I would have to go back . You'll see she doesn't appear in this chapter – because I haven't yet decided her fate and didn't want to have edit her out of another chapter. So, we'll see. I am still deciding on some things to do with the family's past that will come into play. Once I sort that out I will determine what to do with our dear Mrs. B – anyway that is a little behind the scenes and why she doesn't appear in the scene here where she maybe otherwise would.
Chapter 28
Over the course of the morning and afternoon it became apparent that Miss Bingley had learned her lesson. Prior to their departure Elizabeth was never again left alone with Mr. Darcy. Her commitment was absolute, but fortunately for her, was not called upon for long as the Bennet sisters deemed Jane ready to depart for home shortly after noon. Though Jane would have liked to spend more time in Mr. Bingley's company she would not impose on her neighbors when her health allowed her to return to Longbourn.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Bingley," Jane said as her sisters attended her outside to their awaiting carriage. "My apologies that we had to trespass on your kindness for so long."
Now that the Bennets were mere moments away from departing Miss Bingley was her most gracious self.
"Think nothing of it," she replied with a smile. "It allowed us all a chance to get to know one another and I for one am grateful for that. I look forward to many more occasions when the ladies of Netherfield may host those of Longbourn."
"You are too kind, Miss Bingley," Jane said sincerely, before turning to that lady's brother with a bright smile, which was returned in equal measure. No words were exchanged, but this should not be understood to mean that nothing was communicated. After a reminder from his sister to do so, Mr. Bingley handed Miss Bennet and then Miss Mary into the carriage. Before he could perform the same office for Miss Elizabeth Mr. Darcy stepped forward.
"Miss Elizabeth, I shall miss our conversations." His back was to the others. While his voice was devoid of emotion Darcy's eyes were soft and held the smile that his lips refused to show.
"I am sorry to hear that, Mr. Darcy," she answered, then lowering her voice she added, "though I am sure you will not lack for companions." With a glance at Miss Bingley, she climbed into the carriage on a laugh. When she slid into the window seat, she saw Mr. Darcy looking at her shaking his head, Miss Bingley, having already attached herself to his arm was, by all appearances, chattering away quite happily.
The Bennet ladies were welcomed home enthusiastically by their father, Mr. Collins and their sisters. Jane was duly fussed over by Hill and Kitty who insisted she retire to her room despite her protests of being all but recovered. The family spent the remainder of the day quietly at home together. Mr. Collins delighted in Elizabeth's company and as she attempted to enjoy his she was reminded of all the ways her cousin could make himself agreeable when he chose.
The next morning the entire family went to services together. Charlotte Lucas greeted them afterward with a congratulations to Jane on her recovery.
"I am so happy to see you well."
"Thank you, Charlotte," Jane replied with a bright smile.
"It is a pleasure to see you once again, Miss Lucas," Mr. Collins said from Elizabeth's side, a post he had not left since the family arrived for services an hour earlier. At points this vigilance proved trying. While his singing voice was not terrible, Elizabeth could have done without his constant commentary on their vicar's sermon. Elizabeth always found Mr. Cawley's words inspiring and even took notes when something in particular struck her. This practice was made all the more difficult when her seatmate could not let more than a minute or two go without some observation, criticism or analysis.
They exchanged pleasantries as Mr. Collins inquired after the Lucas family, who were not at service that morning. When Miss Lucas asked after Lady Catherine and Miss De Bourgh, as was only polite, Mr. Collins's answer was as long as it was enthusiastic. Though Elizabeth was alert, looking for an opportunity to escape a conversation which included information she was familiar with and platitudes she had heard ad nauseum, every time she turned to remove herself Mr. Collins would pose a question to her or look at her for confirmation of something. And that is how Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley found her, Charlotte and Mr. Collins still speaking, of Rosings and her ladyship, long after the service had ended and most of the other families had left for home.
"Mr. Collins," Miss Bingley said in greeting, "it is good to see you again. Miss Lucas, Miss Eliza."
What followed was more of the same, except Mr. Collins had an accomplice. The praise for Lady Catherine was not quite as verbose and fervent as it had been when he first came to Longbourn, but it was close. Miss Bingley seemed quite eager to keep that gentleman talking about her ladyship, Rosings Park and most especially his readiness to bring home a bride to his parsonage, whose grounds, he was happy to share, bordered his humble garden and which could be seen from that very place through a break in the trees. Were it not for the prospect of one day having to call Mr. Collins husband and become mistress of the very place they were discussing Elizabeth might have found his enthusiasm endearing and the whole situation amusing. Were it not for Mr. Darcy's discerning gaze, Miss Bingley's condescending one and Charlotte's sympathetic squeeze of her arm Elizabeth might have been able to find a witty way to redirect the conversation. As it was, she found herself unusually silent and wishing one of her sisters would notice her distress and come tell her she was needed elsewhere.
Elizabeth's wish was granted. Mary came to claim her sister, insisting she was needed to help see Jane home as the rest of the family had already left while Jane had stayed to speak with Mr. Bingley and the Hursts.
"Of course, Mary. I will join you presently." Elizabeth turned to the group and excused herself quickly, lest her cousin decide his duty to her exceeded his duty to finish his tale of her ladyship's goodness.
Mary and Elizabeth joined the others and in observing her sister's happiness Elizabeth forgot her own troubles for a time. Jane and Bingley were so clearly enamored of one another it was a delight, for anyone who loved them, to simply be part of a mundane conversation with them. Watching Mrs. Hurst's small smile as she silently looked between Jane and Mr. Bingley Elizabeth thought perhaps she had misunderstood the eldest Bingley. After letting the conversation go on for some time Mary and Elizabeth exchanged a look and, after waiting for the right moment, made to interrupt the very amiable dialogue.
"Jane, I believe we must leave for home," Elizabeth said. "We do not want to exhaust you on your first day out of doors and amongst company."
"Of course," Bingley agreed, quickly. "Please forgive me for not considering your health in my eagerness to . . . I apologize for keeping you. Allow us to see you home in our carriage."
Elizabeth and Mary once again exchanged a look. This time it was one of amusement and it was all each of them could do not to laugh out loud at this obvious display of concern and affection.
"Mr. Bingley, please, we meant no criticism," Mary assured him. "Jane is generally able to let us know when she requires rest, but when the company is particularly good, she occasionally requires a reminder."
While a blushing Jane attempted to decline the offer of the carriage her sisters urged her to accept, though they declared themselves equal to the walk – not wanting to overcrowd Mr. Bingley's conveyance. By this time Miss Bingley, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins had joined them.
"It is no trouble for Darcy and I to walk," Bingley insisted.
"That is not necessary, Mr. Bingley," Elizabeth answered, eager to secure Jane more time with him. "Mary and I are quite used to the short distance.
"And truthfully, Elizabeth is not quite herself until she has traveled a few miles on foot," Mary said with a smile. "We are grateful for your willingness to see Jane home."
The entire party moved toward the Bingley carriage and, beginning with the Bingley sisters, they said their goodbyes and alighted. After Mr. Hurst settled beside his wife, Darcy offered the final open seat to Mr. Collins.
"You would be doing me a favour, sir," he assured the gentleman. "I am inclined to walk, and this will provide me the perfect excuse."
Faced with the prospect of being of service to Mr. Darcy and avoiding a two mile walk Mr. Collins happily complied. Not everyone inside the carriage was pleased with the final occupant but as the door closed behind him and Bingley tapped on the roof to signal their readiness to travel – off they went in the direction of Longbourn. Mr. Darcy turned to the remaining Bennet sisters.
"Shall we?"
The path admitted three and so they walked together and enjoyed a conversation about a variety of topics such as is possible between those who know each other well and those eager to know each other better. Elizabeth and Mary pointed out several places along the way that led to favorite vistas or local sites that they enjoyed.
"Though we all enjoy the many lovely paths and trails all around us and have traversed them and been rewarded with the best views and even ruins our county has to offer, it is Elizabeth who would be able to best direct you to the ones most worthy of your limited time," Mary said as they discussed local places for the Netherfield party to visit.
"You are reputed to be an excellent walker," Mr. Darcy said, turning to Elizabeth. "Has this turned you into a noted tour guide as well?"
"It simply means that I have, likely, encountered most of what our little piece of England has to offer because I am always walking about. I have stumbled upon views and sites that have perhaps gone undiscovered for some time and I do delight in sharing them. Though I confess of late I have found myself less able to walk for pure enjoyment."
"Because your tasks at Longbourn prevent you?" He asked.
"At times, but it is more that I cannot seem to walk without leaving the mindset of mistress of Longbourn behind. When I notice the slope of the land it brings to mind drainage or I find myself wondering, when I see a stone wall, if I have adequately inspected all of Longbourn's recently. The sounds of my favorite brooks bring to mind irrigation and the site of animals, consideration of their utility and use of resources."
Mr. Darcy nodded, seemingly in understanding. No one commented when he continued with them toward Longbourn when they reached the crossroads which required a divergent path to travel to Netherfield. A little less than an hour later they arrived at the Bennet's home to find the Bingley carriage in the drive and the party in the drawing room with the youngest ladies of the house.
"Caroline insisted we wait for you," Bingley told Darcy as the newcomers entered. "She was sure you would escort the ladies home and did not want you to have to walk all the way to Netherfield after what she imagined would be a taxing walk from church."
"How thoughtful," Elizabeth said, looking at Mr. Darcy with laughter in her eyes, turning back to Miss Bingley she added, "Mr. Darcy did seem to tire significantly during the latter half of our sojourn, even going so far as to threaten withdrawing his arm, which I of course was pretending to require for support."
"Mr. Darcy, I must apologize for my part in necessitating your journey . . ."
"Miss Elizabeth is only teasing, Mr. Collins," Darcy said in an attempt to reassure the suddenly nervous gentleman. "I enjoyed the walk quite thoroughly and can promise you that it was only the company, well the company apart from Miss Mary, that could be described as taxing."
"How very ungentlemanly," Miss Elizabeth declared as she prepared two cups of tea. Mr. Collins looked entirely uncertain about what to do with this exchange, but seeing that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth seemed perfectly content, smiling at one another as they spoke, he chose not to inquire further.
After she handed him his teacup Mr. Darcy followed Elizabeth to a sofa on the far end of the room and the two took seats together, one pretending not to and one really not noticing that Miss Bingley has risen upon their entry, clearly ready to leave. This seemed a satisfactory arrangement to nearly everyone else. Mrs. Hurst was speaking of fashion to Kitty and Lydia who were eager listeners, peppering her with questions about all of the latest London trends. Mr. Hurst had found a very comfortable chair and footstool which allowed him to slip into a comfortable sleep after he had enjoyed several delicious cakes. Of course, Jane and Bingley could not have been more delighted to continue in one another's company, but they did not require solitude and invited Mary to join them. Mr. Collins seemed uncertain as to what to do with himself and though his preference might have been to sit by Elizabeth there was no seat near her that served this purpose and so he chose to remain where he was, beside Miss Bingley. Though the rest of the groupings appeared quite satisfactory theirs was perhaps less so, to both parties.