AN: We are nearing the end of the story. I must warn you all that although where this is going, I haven't written the last chapter. I'm telling you this because I may be late in posting the ending next week. The good news is that this week's chapters will be on schedule. Please be patient with me. My surgery did slow me down.
A huge thank you to all of you who commented on the last chapter. It was of my favorites to write. On to Longbourn.
Chapter 14
Upon the arrival of her husband back at Longbourn,, Mrs. Bennet excitedly exclaimed her perceived ill use. Mr. Bennet shut himself in his library as often as possible for the first few days, until his conscience pricked him. Knowing his wife would be unhappy at first at having been deprived of planning a wedding for her two eldest daughters, he did not wish to inform her of the event as yet, so he decided to give her some warning of the guests' arrival.
When Mr. Bennet found his wife alone in her favourite parlour, Mrs. Bennet saw him and began her tirade once more. "I do not understand why you refuse to explain your latest trip to London after so shortly returning from there. You have no compassion for my sufferings. I have always thought you disliked Town, but now you have gone two times in less than a two-month."
As she paused for dramatic effect, Mr. Bennet spoke. "If you will be so kind as to give me your attention, I shall give you a bit of news. I will not give you the identity of the parties involved, but I will tell you that we are to expect to have guests for dinner at least once within a fortnight."
"Guests for dinner, and I am not to know who they are!" she screeched loud enough to bring Mrs. Hill rushing into the room.
"Is something the matter?" Hill looked worriedly about the room.
Hurrying to speak, Mr. Bennet stopped his wife from repeating her complaints to a new audience. "There is nothing that a bit of refreshment would not cure. Please bring some tea and my wife's favourite biscuits. I believe Cook baked some this morning."
"Yes, sir," Hill agreed and left the room.
"Mrs. Bennet, if you wish to hear what else I have to say, you will refrain from your usual histrionics." His tone held a firmness seldom heard by his wife.
With a brief pout and a huff, Mrs. Bennet flopped into her chair with her arms crossed in silence.
"Very good, my dear." Bennet smiled and sat next to her on the sofa. "I am able to tell you one of the reasons my brother Phillips and I ventured to London so soon after my return from said place was to visit with the new owners of Netherfield. Since it has sat vacant for so long, they wish to inspect it. Phillips was tasked with arranging for Mrs. Nichols to engage enough staff to meet their needs. As their nearest neighbour, I have extended the invitation for them to dine with us soon after they arrive. I will leave the time and date up to you after you meet them."
"I still do not understand why I am to be kept in the dark about the identity of these visitors," Mrs. Bennet exclaimed in aggrieved tones.
"It was their desire that I wait until just before they arrive to inform you of their names. I will not go against their express wishes."
A knock on the door announced Hill's return with refreshments. Mrs. Bennet prepared the tea and served herself and her husband. Once she had taken a few sips and eaten a biscuit, she returned her attention to Mr. Bennet.
"You seem to delight in vexing me at every turn. How am I to know what to serve these strangers? It is not fair to me or to our cook," she whinged in her habitual manner.
"As I have often told our younger daughters, life is not fair. Once you meet them you will be able to ascertain what to do." He smiled at the drama he knew would arise when he told her.
His wife finished her tea and biscuits in angry silence before leaving the room without another word.
The two weeks passed too quickly for the newlyweds. Each couple wished for more time alone. However, knowing they must first visit Meryton before true privacy could again be accomplished, they readied for the half day's journey.
After leaving Georgiana at Matlock House just after sunrise, the two couples made their way to Netherfield.
Elizabeth remarked that it was a good thing that Netherfield was on the other side of the village from Longbourn, or else the element of surprise would be lost. Mr. Bennet had been asked not to inform his wife of their marriages. Perhaps it seemed cruel, but their father put up with a great deal after Lydia's marriage was made known. By waiting until they arrived home, the sisters would be able to take on the burden of Mrs. Bennet's nerves.
When they arrived at Netherfield, Mrs. Nichols greeted them at the door. "Welcome to Netherfield, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy and Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam. Your rooms have been prepared. Maids are carrying hot water to your chambers as we speak. I did not know if you wished for baths at this time. If any of you wish to bathe, there is plenty of hot water ready."
As mistress of the house, Jane spoke. "Thank you, Mrs. Nichols, but baths can wait until this evening. We will merely change out of our travelling clothes and refresh ourselves before we leave for Longbourn."
The group made short work of changing and were on the road to Longbourn quickly.
Jane gripped her husband's hand as she glanced nervously out the window. "I pray that Mama is not too upset."
"Do not fret, Jane," Elizabeth soothed, her eyes sparkling in anticipation of the coming encounter. "She will be overjoyed once she understands who our husbands are. I think her raptures will be more difficult to manage than her censures."
Looking across the carriage at her brother-in-law, Elizabeth explained, "My mother is high strung. Her greatest fear has been the poverty that awaits our family at my father's passing. I believe that she will be beyond happy to know her fears are put to rest."
Jane turned to her husband and said, "I hope you and my new brother will be patient with Mama's effusions."
Grinning down at his wife, Richard squeezed her hand. "Worry not, my love, we have met the offensive Mr. Collins. I am positive that the effusions of your mother are nothing to his. Besides, you have encountered the worst of our relations in my aunt Catherine. Darcy. I will be quite at ease."
"It is very fortunate that we have Netherfield to retreat to if need be," Darcy quipped, which made everyone laugh and Jane relax.
Sensing some nervousness in his wife despite her words, Darcy laid his hand over hers and whispered softly, "No matter what happens, we will be fine."
Elizabeth relaxed and laid her hand on her husband's.
Jane smiled at her sister. "We will not be alone in facing Mama's nerves or raptures either."
Covering her mouth when a short laugh escaped, Elizabeth reached across to squeeze Jane's hand. "Of course, I am not alone. I am very happy that I am not."
Sitting in the front window seat, Kitty sighed and put down the book she had been reading to stare out the window. She missed her younger sister, but the days following Lydia's visit had been much freer from conflict. Mary had spent some time with Kitty without her usual moralizing. It is likely that having a beau has improved her disposition, Kitty pondered thoughtfully.
A second later, she saw a carriage turn into the drive. As it drew closer, Kitty realized that it was not one of their neighbour's vehicles. There was a crest on the door which she could not make out. Nevertheless, she could tell by the elegance that it belonged to a person of wealth and consequence.
"Mama, a fine carriage is coming up the drive!" Kitty exclaimed eagerly. "Who could it be?"
Mrs. Bennet hastened to join her daughter at the window. "I do not recognize the crest or the livery."
Turning to her husband who had been reading his paper, Mrs. Bennet said, "Could it be Jane and Elizabeth? We must go quickly to greet them."
"No my dear, there is no need for that," he replied as he patted the sofa next to him. "Come sit beside me and wait for Hill to answer the door."
Reluctantly his wife obeyed, but she did not relax as she kept eyes on the door and listened carefully so as to hear what was being said.
When the door opened, Jane and Elizabeth entered, each on the arm of a gentleman. Hill did not announce them but turned back and closed the door.
"Jane, Lizzy!" Mrs. Bennet cried out as she stood. "What do you mean to come here without allowing Hill to announce your guests? I know Mr. Darcy, but, Jane, who is this man you are hanging on to in such a familiar manner? I do hope you did not travel with these men without a chaperone."
"Mrs. Bennet, please allow me to make introductions," Mr. Bennet interrupted his wife before she could utter another question.
He moved to stand between the two couples. He kissed Jane's cheek and then Elizabeth's. Next, he gestured to his left and said, "I would like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Richard Fitzwilliam." Turning to his right, he continued, "And Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Welcome to Longbourn."
Mrs. Bennet stood open-mouthed without speaking for several seconds before she uttered, "Married?" before she fainted.
With the help of the gentlemen, Mr. Bennet brought his wife to the sofa and called for her salts.
When Hill arrived with the small vial, Jane took it. "Papa, would you please take the gentlemen and my younger sisters into the back parlour? Lizzy and I will take care of Mama."
Mr. Bennet nodded and taking Kitty and Mary each by the hand, he led the way out of the room. Darcy and Fitzwilliam followed after glancing back at their wives.
Kneeling next to her mother, Jane waved the smelling salts under Mrs. Bennet's nose. Very soon, her mother roused and pushed the vial away.
Mrs. Bennet blinked a few times before she focused upon Jane. With a wail, she sat. "How could you do this to me? How could you also marry without your mother?"
After sitting beside her mother, Jane glanced at Elizabeth. Her sister nodded for her to explain, knowing that Jane was more adept at calming her mother. "Mama, please allow me to explain." She waited until her mother closed her mouth before continuing, "A plot was uncovered, planned by Lady Catherine to force Lizzy to marry Mr. Collins and to force Mr. Darcy to marry his cousin. Father's cousin is a dishonest man and a forger who would do whatever his patroness wanted.
"The earl of Matlock, my husband's father, insisted that we be married as soon as possible, so as to foil the scheme and to keep as much of the plot from becoming fuel for the gossip mill."
"You are married to an earl's son?" Mrs. Bennet squeaked out.
"Yes, and Mr. Darcy is the earl's nephew." Elizabeth added quietly.
"Bless me!" their mother cried, pulling her handkerchief from her sleeve and fanning herself with it. "My girls have married into the nobility."
"I hope that you can understand why we had to do this." Jane patted her mother's hand.
"Oh yes! I do understand. That nasty little man tried to keep Lizzy from a much better man. I am certain the earl was correct in what he did."
Jane and Elizabeth sat quietly as their mother pondered what they told her. Knowing her as they did, there would be more questions soon.
They were not surprised when she did not ask more about the scheme. Instead, she stood, paced the room, and exclaimed, "I am not prepared for guests of their status. What am I to do? I will be a laughing stock if my friends hear that I was not ready for such fine sons-in-law."
"It shall be fine, Mama," Jane answered. "My husband and I are the new owners of Netherfield."
"You own Netherfield?" Mrs. Bennet stopped her pacing and sat down heavily in the chair nearest to her. "How wonderful! It will be lovely to help you redecorate. And a ball! You must give a ball. Oh, I will go distracted. Three daughters married and one living at Netherfield."
Frowning, Jane knew her next words would burst her mother's rapturous bubble, but it needed to be said. "We are not here to take up residence, Mama. We are here to see that the house is ready for leasing or sale. When I was ill last year, I noticed a few things that needed to be repaired. My husband and I will oversee the needed work. We hope to travel north once it is seen to."
"But you must have a ball," Mrs. Bennet objected. "It is the least you can do since I was not allowed to be at your wedding."
Jane shook her head and said with determination, "We have neither the time, nor the money to plan a ball, especially with the work that needs to be done on the house. However, we would like to host a dinner for our friends here in Hertfordshire. We plan to invite the earl and his family as well, once the repairs are finished. Since we did not have a wedding breakfast here, this will be a way for our Meryton friends to meet my husband's family and to celebrate our nuptials."
"A dinner with the earl and countess in attendance?" A smile of jubilation suffused Mrs. Bennet's countenance.
"Yes, Mama," Jane agreed. "And I would like you to help me with the planning." She held up her hand as Mrs. Bennet opened her mouth. "I will oversee all of the plans and will have the final say. If you cannot agree to this, Lizzy and I will do the work ourselves."
Her mother searched first Jane's face and then Elizabeth's and seeing the determination on both of her daughter's countenances; she sighed and acquiesced, however reluctantly.
Jane stood and walked to her mother and kissed her cheek. After which, she said, "We should join the others. I wish for you to become acquainted with my husband."
Frustration and accomplishment fought with each other for dominion during the following week. Mrs. Bennet was the source of most of the aggravation as she constantly arrived at Netherfield, bringing another outlandish plan for the dinner while disrupting the work to ready the house. Also, she insisted that a ball was absolutely the thing to cap off the evening of the dinner.
Finally having enough of these interruptions, Jane and Richard sat her mother down.
"I do not see why you brought me into the library." Mrs. Bennet objected. "I was perfectly comfortable in the parlour."
"I doubt you would have been so for long if I had explained myself in front of the rest of the family." Jane paused and glanced at her husband who nodded his encouragement. "As you know, I had already approved the final menu and guest list two days ago. There is no more need for you to come to Netherfield every day. Your presence interrupts our workers. Mr. Fitzwilliam and I wish all of the cleaning and packing to be done before the dinner."
"Oh Jane dear, you know I can help you with that as well. I am certain the maids you hired are stretching out the work. They think the more time they take the more money they will receive." Her mother's smirk showed she thought she had made a valid point.
With a slight shake of his head, Richard replied, "All of the workers will be paid an agreed upon sum. And if they get the work finished sooner, they are to receive a bonus."
Mrs. Bennet opened her mouth to object, but Jane spoke first. "No, Mother, there will be no argument. Please stay home for the next week unless you receive an invitation from us. We will try to visit Longbourn at least every other day, and I am certain Lizzy and Mr. Darcy will see you just as often."
Her mother's expected wailing began, but Jane and Richard left the room without responding. The matron did not even notice they were gone until minutes later, a footman came to the door and announced that her carriage was awaiting her.
"I cannot believe I am treated in such a way by my own daughter," Mrs. Bennet mumbled as she followed the footman to the carriage. "Where has my sweet and compliant daughter gone? How ungrateful!"
"Mr. Bennet will hear of this as soon as I arrive home!" she declared aloud once she was inside the vehicle but was heard by no one.
By the time Mrs. Bennet arrived at Longbourn, she was in a fury. She stormed into the house demanding of Hill to know where her husband was.
"He is in his book room."
Hasting to Longbourn's library, Mrs. Bennet entered without knocking. "Mr. Bennet, you must do something about your eldest daughter's insolence!"
"I do not have the pleasure of understanding you," her husband answered as he marked his place in the book he was reading.
"Jane and that husband of hers have banned me from coming to Netherfield. All I have ever done is to wish to assist her. Ungrateful girl!" she proclaimed as she paced in front of his desk.
"Please sit down and calm yourself," he commanded firmly. "You are making me dizzy."
Reluctantly, his wife did as he asked. "It is awful to think that my compliant Jane is now so mean to me, her mother. It is not to be born."
"What reason did Jane give for asking you to leave?"
"She said I was interrupted her duties and that she did not need my help with the dinner arrangements." She sniffed with derision. "What does she know about planning a dinner party for an earl and countess?"
"Mrs. Bennet, let me see if I comprehend what happened," her husband said evenly. "Jane is busy with her efforts to make the house ready for let or sale. Also, after this week of planning for the dinner next week, she doe not require your assistance any longer in that quarter."
"I suppose it is so, if you put it that way," she agreed unwillingly.
"My dear, Jane is no long a girl who needs your constant guidance," he said softly. "She is a grown, married woman. You will abide by her wishes."
She harrumphed, left the room, and slammed the door.
Mr. Bennet sighed, realizing his wife did not accept his words. He shrugged and returned to his book.
As the Netherfield attics had been cleared of their contents and completely cleaned of all dust and debris, the next two days without Mrs. Bennet's presence found the first and second floors had their turn. As the overseer of everything done in the house, Jane chose the items that were to stay and those to be packed for their new home or sold. Those that were not staying at Netherfield were sent to the newly cleaned and repaired barn.
Richard supervised the packing and inventorying of the items.
"Those chairs are to be taken with us, so they go on this side of the barn," he ordered the two footmen before him.
"Yes, sir." They complied quickly.
Checking his pocket watch, Richard said, "Once those are packed, you may go for your midday meal. Be back in one hour."
Striding quickly toward the house, Richard met Darcy leaving the stable. "Did you enjoy your ride?"
"It was not exactly that kind of ride," Darcy said before chuckling. "Your wife sent me out to the farthest tenant farms. Apparently you have fallen behind on your duties."
Grinning in response, his cousin clapped him on the back. "My wife would have made a good general. You should have seen her with our mother-in-law the day before yesterday. Jane may be gentle, but she has a spine of iron when she needs it."
"I heard the wailing, but I was surprised that it did not last long."
"That is because we did not allow her to stay long enough."
Darcy smirked and said, "I must remember that tactic. It might be useful at a later date."
Upon entering the dining room, the men found their wives taking their places at the table.
"I am happy you could join us, William and Richard," Elizabeth teased. "Jane and I thought to eat without you, as preparing Netherfield is hungry business."
Darcy leaned down to kiss his wife's cheek. "It is good luck for us, or you might not have left anything for two ravenous men."
After laughing at his remark, the gathered party began to eat. The discussion centred upon the progress they had made and what was left to accomplish.
"There is still some yet to be done on the ground floor," Jane said, smiling at her husband. "After your family's stay is over, it should not take more than a day or so to tidy the rooms that they will be using. The furniture in the remaining rooms is already covered in Holland cloths."
"I hope it will not take us too long to find a tenant or a buyer for this place," Richard chimed in. "I am eager to find a place of our own."
Darcy opened his mouth to comment when the butler announced. "Viscount Evans."
Richard leapt to his feet and greeted his brother with a bear hug. "Langley, what are you doing here?"
Grinning, Langley Fitzwilliam answered, "I had thought I had been invited to visit."
"I was not expecting you to arrive for three more days," Richard said as if it was obvious.
His elder brother looked at his sister-in-law sheepishly. "I do apologise if I am intruding, but the Trentworths came back from Bath earlier than I had expected. I have wearied of Town, and I hoped to have a few extra days in Hertfordshire before our parents arrived."
"Of course, you are welcome," Jane exclaimed. Signalling to a footman to bring another place setting, she insisted that Langley join them.
"Thank you very much," he said, bowing to her. "Might I be allowed to refresh myself first?"
Ringing for the butler, Richard instructed the servant to escort his brother to a guest room. "Make sure there is hot water as well."
"It is on its way as we speak, sir," the butler explained. "My lord, if you would follow me."