Author's note: thank you everyone for the kind and helpful comments!
Chapter 22
Jane leaned back against the luxurious velvet lining in the private carriage Oakley had insisted she take to return to Hertfordshire. There are definitely benefits to marrying into wealth, she thought privately. This mode of transportation was much preferred to the mail coach with naught but a surly maid and cramped passengers for companionship.
As the carriage approached Longbourn, she thought back on all that occurred over her last few weeks in London. She was being courted, and by a viscount, no less! Her emotions ranged from happiness at the stability, nervousness about telling her mother, and a bit of smug pride at finally returning from a Season and not be required to endure her mother's laments over her single state.
The night after Jane accepted Oakley's courtship, she could not sleep. Jane had many concerns: will he treat me well? Am I merely a mother figure? Could I grow to love him? Am I prepared to enter a sphere so above my own?
Those nerves had granted her a previously unknown empathy for her mother. How Mamma must have suffered all these years, with five daughters, a neighborhood with very few single men, an entailed estate, and no heir or money saved. They truly would have been at the mercy of a man none of them knew until the last year.
Fortunately for Jane, her concerns had been eased somewhat in the following days as her uncle received responses to the inquiries he made about Oakley. Oakley did not spend time going to gambling hells or prostitute dens. Rumors were that he gave up his last mistress upon his first marriage, being a firm believer in the idea that the vows of matrimony were made before God Himself.
If Jane suffered any more reservations after reading those reports, they were swept away by the efforts Lord Oakley made to introduce her to his family . His father was very reserved, suffering from disappointment about Jane's lack of dowry. Upon seeing her beauty and gentle nature, however, his stern demeanor eased somewhat.
Oakley's mother, Lady Matlock, had been welcoming and gracious. She had seen first-hand the suffering her son experienced at the hands of his first wife, and she was delighted that he had found a match that appeared to be all that was good and kind.
Jane was surprised to discover that Oakley's three sons had come to London with him, as she had anticipated someone of his rank would keep his children in the country. The boys were somewhat shy at first, but Jane's gentle smile and soothing voice quickly brough out their unique and individual personalities.
Even more relieving to Jane was how well Oakley interacted with his children. They were completely at ease with their father – no signs of fear that so often are present in a child who has been disciplined severely by an adult. He also knew much about their likes and dislikes, and playtime was a clear continuation of a campaign with toy soldiers that they had obviously been waging for quite a while.
A soft smile crossed Jane's face at the memory of Oakley, a viscount and heir to an earldom, lying on the floor with his three boys, moving toy soldiers around. The lack of formality and complete ease with which he engaged with his children did more to further his suit with Jane than his rescue from Mr. Cartwright.
Jane frowned slightly as her thoughts turned towards the former steward. He had tried calling twice at Gracechurch Street; both times a burly footman had informed him that Jane was not at home to him. After that, it appeared he had given up and moved on easier prey. Jane hoped that perhaps the circumstances would compel him to think on his behavior and change his ways.
The carriage turned onto the drive to Longbourn, and the change in pavement started Jane from her thoughts. She looked out the carriage window to see Lizzy, Kitty, and Mary exiting the house to welcome her home. A smile quickly replaced her frown, and she moved to the edge of the bench in anticipation of exiting the carriage to embrace her sisters.
Lizzy flew into her sister's arms, hugging her tightly. Mary and Kitty soon followed, exclaiming how delighted the were to see their eldest sister and inquiring after her journey. Laughing, Jane said, "Allow me to at least enter the home before you pepper me with questions!"
The three girls joined Jane's laughter, and they followed her up the stairs into her bedroom. "Jane, you've hardly written since you went away," Lizzy demanded as soon as the door closed. "Was our aunt really so ill that you could not take the time to send a proper letter?"
Jane blushed, and Lizzy's eyes widened. "Jane," she gasped, "was your lack of writing due to a suitor?"
Kitty's jaw dropped as Mary's eyes widened in surprised. "But you never said a word!" cried Kitty.
Jane's blush deepened. "So much has happened, and I could not contain it all in a letter. I had to tell you in person."
Mary looked suspiciously at Lizzy. "How did you know it was a suitor?" she asked.
Lizzy raised her eyebrows and said, "Did none of you notice how fine the carriage was that brought Jane home? Uncle Gardiner's business is successful, but not enough to afford a chaise and four. The only other explanation was that Jane had acquired a suitor of some fortune."
Kitty's mouth fell open even further as Mary turned her gaze to Jane. "Well, Jane?" Mary demanded in an uncharacteristically impatient voice.
"All right, but you mustn't tell Mamma until he comes to speak with Papa," Jane said hesitantly.
Her sisters swore themselves to secrecy and Jane half-whispered, "He is a viscount."
Kitty let out a loud squeal, quickly hushed by her sisters. "I can see Mamma now," Lizzy said gaily, "My Jane could not be so beautiful for nothing!"
"How did you meet him? How did he ask you? Is he handsome?" Kitty blurted out.
"You'll never find out unless you mind your tongue and allow her to speak!" Lizzy chastised, though her tone was softened by a broad smile.
The girls fell into giggles, but quickly silenced themselves in order to listen to Jane's explanation. Jane spent the next half hour describing the series of events that led to her encounter with the Viscount and their subsequent meetings. She glossed over the parts about Mr. Cartwright and simply explained that a former suitor would not leave her alone. At Lizzy's sharp glance, she shook her head gently. She would explain everything later when it was just the two of them.
Finally, their curiosity sated, Lizzy asked, "So when shall we meet this paragon of manhood?"
Jane blushed and replied, "He will be coming in less than a fortnight. He is, coincidentally, cousins to some of the residents at Netherfield and will therefore be residing there for the duration of his stay."
Lizzy's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Jane, is he the brother of Colonel Fitzwilliam? The heir who has several sons already?"
At Jane's nod, Lizzy continued, "Are you prepared to be a mother as soon as you are a wife?"
Jane nodded. "I have spent much time in thought over the last weeks in an attempt to answer that question for myself. I believe so. The boys are very well-behaved, and their father has a wonderfully close relationship with them. He takes an active interest in their education, as well as their character."
"Do you love him, Jane?" Lizzy asked, her eyes fixed on her elder sister's face.
Jane hesitated. "Love him? No, I do not believe so. I confess I like him. I greatly esteem him, and I believe that love can and will grow."
"Then why did you accept?" Lizzy cried in disbelief.
"Because it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage will ever be made. No, Lizzy," Jane held up her hand as Lizzy opened her mouth to object. "I am rapidly becoming an old maid. I have no dowry, and I would like to be settled. I am confident in Viscount Oakley's character, and I believe I have a better chance at happiness with him than any other man I have thus far met."
Lizzy was silent for a few minutes, then nodded in acquiescence. "Then I am happy for you, Jane."
"It is only a courtship, Lizzy," Jane pointed out gently. "I am still coming to know him."
Lizzy nodded pensively. The four sisters continued in conversation until they were called down to dinner. At the conclusion of their meal, they spent the remainder of the day in the parlor with their mother and Mr. Collins, who had been spending much of his time with the local rector. Mary had encouraged that relationship, as the man was known throughout Meryton for his kind words of wisdom and gentle style of preaching.
After the girls bed one another good night, Lizzy followed Jane into her bedroom. "Now, Jane," she said firmly, "what have you not told me?"
Jane related the entirety of her encounter with Mr. Cartwright, and Lizzy's face grew increasingly grim as the tale continued. "Fortunately," Jane concluded, "I am well protected."
"I begin to see why you accepted Lord Oakley," Lizzy replied. "When compared to the fickleness of Mr. Bingley and the cruelty of Mr. Cartwright, it is easy to which is the best man."
"I had not considered it that way," Jane said thoughtfully, "but I believe you are correct."
The girls sat silently for a few minutes, then Lizzy said, "I wonder if Mr. Darcy is acquainted with Mr. Cartwright. After all, they both own estates in Derbyshire."
"Derbyshire is a large county," Jane pointed out.
"And Mr. Darcy isn't likely to socialize much with his neighbors!" Lizzy said, laughing. "Mr. Darcy seems to be a good sort of man; I cannot imagine him in close confidence with a scoundrel."
Jane looked surprised. "I thought you did not like Mr. Darcy?"
"I believe he improves on further acquaintance." Lizzy then told Jane of her walks with Mr. Darcy and his apology for his behavior.
Jane nodded in acceptance. "This certainly does put a different perspective on Mr. Bingley's abandonment. To be so young, the both of them, struggling to make their way through society. I had not realized how young Mr. Bingley was at that time." Jane was quiet for a moment, then said, "I begin to see that although I enjoyed Mr. Bingley's company very much, especially compared to Mr. Cartwright, whom I had just escaped, I did not know him well at all. Heavens, I did not even know that he had not completed his schooling!"
The two sisters continued discussing the matter for a few minutes, then finally Lizzy said, "Perhaps we had best retire for the night. After all, Lydia comes tomorrow, and we will need to be well-rested to deal with her."
"Oh, Lord," Jane said with a Kitty-like groan.
Laughing, Lizzy returned to her rooms, and the two girls quickly fell asleep.
Late the next morning, the four sisters were in the parlor with their mother when Lydia was announced. "Mrs. Forster," Hill said as Lydia swept into the room, smartly dressed in the latest fashion.
"My dearest sisters!" Lydia exclaimed, sweeping around the room and embracing each one. "And my dearest Mamma!"
Mary and Lizzy exchanged surprised looks; it was uncommon for Lydia to show so much affection to the two of them. Kitty was accustomed to it, as was Jane for she was the kindest and more likely to share something that Lydia wanted.
Lydia took her seat and said, "I say, I have never been so happy to see Longbourn again! And here you are, all the same as when I left! I daresay not much changes when you are unmarried, but there have been a great many changes in my life since I went away with my dear Forster!"
It was not to be supposed that time would give Lydia that embarrassment from which she had been so wholly free at first. Her ease and good spirits increased. She longed to see Mrs. Phillips, the Lucases, and all their other neighbours, and to hear herself called "Mrs. Forster" by each of them. In this, she was encouraged by Mrs. Bennet. The two began to make plans for the calls they would make.
Lydia giggled as she told her mother, "We overtook William Goulding in his curricle, so I was determined he should know I had returned with my husband, and so I let down the side-glass next to him, and took off my glove, and let my hand just rest upon the window frame, so that he might see the ring, and then I bowed and smiled like anything."
Lizzy and Mary again exchanged looks during this exchange; it was clear that Lydia was her same self. Although that may be for the best, Lizzy thought privately, for if she were much altered, I would be concerned about how her husband was treating her.
Once Lydia and Mrs. Bennet had finished their plans for their calls, Lydia turned to her sisters and exclaimed, "Oh, let us walk into Meryton! The entire militia has arrived with us, and there are so many officers! I can introduce you to each one, and I dare say I shall get husbands for them before the winter is over."
"I thank you for my share of the favor," said Elizabeth; "but I do not particularly like your way of getting husbands."
Lydia stared blankly at her sister for a minute, then said, "La, Lizzy, how droll you are!"
Her enthusiasm for introducing her elder sisters to the officers inspired their mother to encourage all the girls to walk to Meryton with their youngest sister. Sighing in resignation, the girls changed their shoes, put on their bonnets, and headed towards Meryton. Lizzy, running slightly behind, caught up to the group in time to hear Lydia say to her eldest sister, "Ah! Jane, I take your place now, and you must go lower, because I am a married woman."
Mary, Lizzy, and Jane walked together, doing their best to ignore Lydia's effusions to Kitty as she recounted everything she had done during their time apart. For all of Kitty's improvements over the years, with Lydia's return, she was as giddy as a child. The two youngest giggled and gossiped all the way into Meryton.
"Denny!" shouted Lydia, waving her arm, as they entered they entered the village.
A young man in regimentals turned at the sound of his name. He and his friends, all dressed in red save one, approached the Bennet sisters. "Mrs. Forster," said the one who answered to Denny, bowing in greeting.
"Sisters, these officers are part of my husband's regiment," Lydia said, pointing to each one as she said their names. "Denny, Saunderson, Pratt, Carter, and…. Oh, I don't know you…"
Lydia faltered upon pointing at the only member of the group who was not in uniform.
"Ah, allow me to introduce my friend, Mr. Wickham," Denny said. "Wickham has just signed up to join our regiment. We are on our way now to collect his uniform."
Greetings were exchanged all around, and the group fell into easy conversation. The introduction was followed up on Wickham's side by a happy readiness of conversation—a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming; his appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address.
The whole party were still standing and talking together very agreeably, when the sound of horses drew their notice, and Darcy and Bingley were seen riding down the street. On distinguishing the ladies of the group, the two gentlemen came directly towards them, and began the usual civilities. Bingley was the principal spokesman, and he greeted all of the women warmly, including Jane.
"We were just on our way to town to fetch a few things Mrs. Bingley required for our guest," Bingley explained.
Mr. Darcy corroborated Mr. Bingley's words with a bow, and was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth, when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the Mr. Wickham.
Elizabeth happened to see the countenance of both as they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat—a salutation which Mr. Darcy just deigned to return. What could be the meaning of it? It was impossible to imagine; it was impossible not to long to know.
At Mr. Darcy's sudden hiss upon seeing Wickham, Bingley turned to see what had discomposed his friend. Upon spying Wickham, Bingley's face went red with rage. He gave a curt bow to the ladies, gave another angry look at Wickham, then rode away with Darcy close behind.
Lizzy continuously glanced towards Wickham, curiosity brimming inside of her. She had never seen Mr. Bingley upset before, not even when a footman had tripped and spilled a plate of hot soup on his lap at dinner at Netherfield. What could this mean? she wondered.
The officers walked with the young ladies to the door of Mr. Phillip's house, and then made their bows, in spite of Lydia's pressing entreaties that they should come in, and even in spite of Mrs. Phillips's throwing up the parlor window and loudly seconding the invitation. They did accept the invitation to a card party the following evening, however.
After an uneventful visit with Mrs. Phillips, the Bennet girls began to walk home. Along the way, Elizabeth related to Jane and Mary what she had seen pass between the three gentlemen; but though Jane would have defended either or both, had they appeared to be in the wrong, she could no more explain such behavior than her sister.
"Perhaps we shall learn more upon further acquaintance," Mary suggested, and all agreed it was a good idea.
