On the following Sunday, the banns were called for Wickham and Mary for the first time. The pair accepted the congratulations with decorum, despite the titters of a few matrons in the background. Miss Bingley heard the whispers, of this Elizabeth had no doubts, for she seemed rather more self-satisfied than already was her wont.
Elizabeth noted with interest that two more people had been added to the Netherfield party, a man in regimentals and a young woman, likely Lydia's age or a bit older. The young woman was tall and had a strong stature, rather like Mr. Darcy but lighter in colouring. The man was significantly shorter than Mr. Darcy, although similar in figure and colour. He was not particularly handsome, or at least not as compared to Mr. Darcy, but he looked well. When Elizabeth's younger sisters spotted the red coat in the crowd before the service, they immediately began to whisper and guess who it might be.
"Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam and Miss Georgiana Darcy, Darcy's cousin and sister. I told him to invite them to the wedding," Wickham whispered to Elizabeth. Elizabeth nodded her thanks, as her curiosity had been peaked but the well-wishers surrounded her family to an extent that she had no hope of visiting with the Darcys.
As they rode in the carriage home, Elizabeth looked out the window at the passing landscape. She wished she might have walked home, but her mother had forbidden it. As Elizabeth had no wish to ruin her best dress, she did not argue her point with her mother. Walking out might wait until she could wear something older and less fine.
During Elizabeth's musings, she missed much of the conversation that swirled about her. It was not until her mother cried out that she was brought back to the goings-on inside the carriage.
"We simply must have more than one dessert," said Mrs. Bennet, "And I will not have you say we may do well enough with one. Sarah will simply have to walk to Meryton in the morning for apples."
Elizabeth remained silent, unsure of the cause of the uproar.
"Mrs. Bennet," said her father, "I am certain we need not put the maid out in such a way. I am sure that one variety of dessert is well enough for a picnic."
"We are having a picnic?" asked Elizabeth.
"Have you not been attending at all, Lizzy? Yes. Mr. Wickham, the entire Netherfield party, the Lucases, and the Gouldings are coming to Longbourn tomorrow for a picnic. We have plenty of cold meats, cheeses, breads, fruits, vegetables, and lemon tarts, but we do not have any pies! Your father claims that is enough, but I cannot claim to keep a good table without serving pie at a picnic!" Her mother responded.
"I would counter that a picnic is not at your dining table, so it bears no reflection on your ability to keep a good table," said Mr. Bennet.
"Will Cook not make her ginger biscuits?" asked Kitty.
"Your mother is under the impression that ginger biscuits do not count as a true dessert," said Mr. Bennet.
This discussion continued until they reached Longbourn. Upon their arrival, Mrs. Bennet went into the kitchens immediately. The noise of her argument with the cook was heard by all the others throughout the house. Finally, some blackberry jam was located, which might be used in a second variety of tart. This mollified Mrs. Bennet enough to leave the servants to their work.
"I simply must have more of this delightful blackberry tart. It is delicious, Mrs. Bennet," Mr. Goulding said, serving himself another helping. Mr Wickham caught Mary's eye as he barely contained his mirth. She shared his humour, hiding her grin behind her fan.
"I feel that I have missed a grand joke," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, glancing between Mary and Mr. Wickham.
"I shall explain later," Wickham replied.
"You certainly shall not!" Elizabeth cried, before reddening when she realized her indecorum.
"Now we simply must know," Colonel Fitzwilliam said with a laugh. Mrs. Bennet appeared confused at the exchange but thanked Mr. Goulding graciously for the compliment. Mary was thankful that her mother seemed intimidated by having the son of an earl at her picnic, which caused her to act significantly more decorously than was her usual manner. Mary turned to Miss Darcy, trying to think of something that may allow for a change in topic.
"Miss Darcy, your brother informed me that you play the pianoforte very well. I also play, although likely not as well as you. Have you any favourite composers?"
"I have recently purchased some of Mr. Handel's concertos and have enjoyed playing them very well. I greatly enjoy Beethoven and Moore as well, but I have not recently gained any new music from them, so Handel has the advantage of novelty." Miss Darcy explained.
"Dear Georgiana, you are so very talented at the pianoforte, I do believe that it does not matter what you play. You play well, no matter the composer or the style," interjected Miss Bingley.
"Thank you, Miss Bingley," said Georgiana, looking down and blushing.
"You are so very accomplished. Why, last time we were at Darcy House, I was admiring a painting and when I asked Charles who the artist was, he proclaimed that it was none other than dear Georgiana! You are so very talented, my dear friend," continued Miss Bingley
"It is amazing to me," said Mr. Bingley, "how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished as they all are."
"All young ladies accomplished! My dear Charles, what do you mean?"
"Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint, cover screens, and net purses. I scarcely know anyone who cannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished."
"Surely there must be more to being accomplished than netting a purse or painting a screen," replied Coronel Fitzwilliam.
"Certainly," continued Miss Bingley, "I cannot claim more than a half dozen such women in my acquaintance. No one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half-deserved."
"I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any," replied Elizabeth.
"Are you so severe upon your own sex as to doubt the possibility of all this?"
"I never saw such a woman. I never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe united."
Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley both cried out against the injustice of her implied doubt and were both protesting that they knew many women who answered this description, until the good Coronel drew the women's attention to a bee hovering around their bonnets, which were adorned with large silk blooms.
"Oh my! I shall surely be stung!" shrieked Miss Bingley, attempting to maim the insect with her fan.
"Remain still!" hissed Miss Lydia, "Else you will enrage the insect and it will seek to defend itself."
"I must kill the dreadful thing! It is on my bonnet!"
"It sees the flowers. It means you no harm, or it did, until you began to wield your fan against it," added Miss Grace Goulding. Her betrothed, Mr. John Lucas, chuckled at the scene before him.
"I will take Miss Bingley indoors," said Elizabeth, leading her to the house as Miss Bingley still waved her fan about. Mrs and Mr Hurst followed closely behind.
"Well!" said Lady Lucas as the others struggled to contain their mirth. The youngest two Miss Bennets did not completely succeed, but none could fault their amusement.
"Even if you may not meet Miss Bingley's definition of accomplished, I would much rather have a wife that knows not to aggravate a bee than one that can net a purse," Mr Wickham murmured to Mary. She smiled back at him, unsure of how to respond but thankful for his words.
A mere half-hour later, Elizabeth returned to the picnic, announcing that the Hursts and Miss Bingley felt that they had taken too much sun and had decided to return home, sending their thanks to their hosts. This news caused several more chuckles, but also some sadness as Mr Bingley felt it his duty to return home with his sisters.
At this point, the guests began to divide themselves into groups. Many of the fathers and uncles made their way to the library to share some cigars and port. The matrons sat in the shade with the infants, supervising the young children who jumped ropes and played with hoops and sticks.
With so many young people present, Mr. Wickham suggested that a game of Rounders might be diverting for those too old to be amused with a hoop and stick. Mr. Wickham proclaimed himself a team captain, while challenging Mr. Darcy to face him.
"Mr. Darcy did often best me in university at Rounders, but I shall not let him do so now. I shall not be frightened by his height any longer," said Mr. Wickham.
Teams were chosen and Elizabeth found herself on Mr. Darcy's team along with Mr. John Lucas, Charlotte Lucas, Lydia, the younger Mr. Goulding, and Miss Eloise Goulding. Wickham selected Mary, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Kitty, Jane, Miss Grace Goulding, Mr. Henry Lucas, and Maria Lucas. With the teams selected and both captains satisfied that the teams were evenly matched, the posts were placed, and the batting square was drawn in the dirt.
"You are to play?" Georgiana asked Elizabeth, "and your sisters also?"
"Certainly," said Elizabeth, "I do not play well for I have not had the opportunity to do so often, but I do enjoy the exercise."
"I never considered playing," said Georgiana.
"If you would wish to, I am certain no one would mind overly much if the teams were uneven by one," said Elizabeth. Several of the others, including both Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy, agreed with her. Georgiana was not convinced, saying she should not do so unless one of the players tired and wished her to take their place. She sat near the trees with the matrons and children, watching the game progress.
Mr. Wickham's team batted first, scoring 6 rounders in the first inning. Other than a small display of temper from Kitty when she was caught out, Elizabeth was pleased. Her family was showing themselves to advantage, much to her surprise. She could not hear what her mother said, so she hoped Miss Darcy was not being subjected to anything unpleasant. The young girl's face had not shown any discomfort. Therefore, Elizabeth assumed all was well.
Elizabeth batted second after Lydia when it was her team's turn. Lydia made it only to the first post with her hit. Elizabeth, uncertain of herself and her skill, swung at a ball that was much too high. She should not have, for she was later told it would not have been a good ball, yet her bat connected with the ball and went far beyond what she expected. She stood stunned for a moment before running. She had to yell to Lydia to run as well, but the ball was far enough away for it not to matter. Lydia and Lizzy both scored rounders. Mr. Darcy praised Elizabeth as she went to sit beside her sister. Elizabeth blushed, not knowing what to say in return. The rest of her team batted, but they remained behind Mr. Wickham's team as they scored only four rounders.
Between innings, the players took refreshments to revitalise their spirits. Georgiana remained isolated from the others, focusing her attention on little Miss Beth Lucas instead of joining the others. Elizabeth, seeing this, went to sit beside Georgiana.
"She is very sweet," said Georgiana as the young Miss Lucas played with the ribbons Charlotte had given her.
"She is," said Elizabeth, helping the toddler free the yellow ribbon from the others, for she seemed to not be able to complete the task herself. The child gratefully put the end of the ribbon in her mouth, salivating an unseemly amount.
"I always wished for younger siblings, but my mother died when I was very young. Some of my cousins have children, but they live so far away," said Georgiana.
"I am certain the Miss Lucases will share Beth with you whenever you wish," said Elizabeth.
"Is she named for you?" asked Georgiana.
"Certainly not, for her name is Annabeth, but we call her Beth."
"I apologise," said Miss Darcy with a blush, "I had not considered that Beth might be a shortened version of other names. I have only known people named Elizabeth that have gone by Beth."
"You have done nothing wrong, Miss Darcy," exclaimed Elizabeth, "You need not be embarrassed. It is a reasonable assumption, as the Lucases and my family are so close. However, Annabeth is the name of Lady Lucas's sister, so it is for she who Beth is named."
The other players had finished their refreshments, and again Elizabeth attempted to prevail upon Georgiana to play.
"I could not," said Georgiana.
"You would certainly do me a favour it you would," said Elizabeth, certain that the girl only demurred due to inexperience, "I fear I may have twisted my ankle on a patch of rough ground while I was running, so I do not know if I should play the second inning."
"Miss Elizabeth, if you are not well enough to play, I shall sit out so the numbers are again even," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, who seemed to know what Elizabeth was about.
With the idea that her not playing would inconvenience her cousin, Georgiana then accepted a spot near the third post on the field. Elizabeth was gratified, for she looked to enjoy playing very much. As her brother was on her team, Georgiana had much guidance as to the sport's rules. Further, Elizabeth did not have to concern herself with what her mother might say, for all of the Netherfield party were either returned to their estate or far enough away that only a shout would reach them. At the end of the game, Mr. Wickham's team won by much, scoring ten rounders in total while Mr. Darcy's team only managed six.
When the players joined the others in the shade, Elizabeth found Mr. Darcy before her.
"I thank you for your kindness to my sister. I fear she would not have played otherwise," said Mr. Darcy.
"It is nothing," said she, "except now I must pretend a turned ankle."
"Shall I call a servant to fetch ice from the icehouse?" asked Mr. Darcy.
"Nay, you need not. I believe Miss Darcy will not challenge me on the pretense so long as I do not go running about. Suspicion is not in her nature, I think."
Mary sat next to her betrothed, watching her sister and Mr. Darcy interact. Mary leaned toward Mr. Wickham and whispered, "Will you not play matchmaker with me?"
He laughed and looked up, "'tis a pity, for it does not look like rain." Mary laughed at his jest, hitting his arm.
"You are dreadful," said Mary, her colour high.
"You wound me, Miss Mary," said Mr. Wickham, an over-done hurt expression on his face. She dared not laugh, for she did not know if he hid real hurt behind his humour. She was relieved, therefore, when he lifted her hand and brought it to his lips. "I will not meddle where it is not wanted, my dear. Still, I see no harm in encouraging them to be in each other's company and speaking well of each to the other," he said.
"You may be correct, Wickham," said Mary, "We should not meddle, but simply put them together as much as possible."
"Your friend and my sister seem to get on rather well together," Elizabeth whispered to Mr. Darcy, watching the pair flirt together.
"It does appear so," answered Mr. Darcy, "I am glad for it, as I was rather concerned when I learned how the engagement came about. While I understand there was no other option, I was saddened by the thought of my friend in a marriage without affection, but it does not appear that I need to worry about such a circumstance."
"I am glad for it as well. Mary has undergone significant changes since the compromise. It may seem odd watching her now, but if it had happened to anyone else, she would have moralized and lectured about how women must guard their reputations. I believe being in the situation herself has shown her that no amount of adherence to rules can protect one from every circumstance," Elizabeth told Darcy, "And since she knows they are to marry, I believe she feels freer to open up to him, flirt a little, and not hide herself. She never would have acted thus, or even considered flirting before last week."
"Have you considered she might have sought to be seen as pious to set herself apart from the rest of her sisters?" asked Mr. Darcy.
"What do you mean?" asked Elizabeth.
"There are five of you," said Mr. Darcy, "and with her in the middle, she may have felt she was not noticed as much. I often felt that way, with Wickham and Colonel Fitzwilliam about me at all times as a child. I faded into the background. That is, until my father died. Then my fortune suddenly made everyone notice me."
"Sir, have you considered that it may have something to do with your reaching your current height at the same time that you gained your fortune?" teased Elizabeth, "I cannot imagine someone failing to see you in a crowd."
Darcy smiled and told Elizabeth that she may be correct. Their conversation was soon turned by the presence of Sir William Lucas who was eager to tell Mr. Darcy about the speech that had earned him his knighthood. Elizabeth only listened, having heard the tale many times before, and considered what Mr. Darcy had said about Mary. Perhaps the attention Mary was receiving from Mr. Wickham was what she had needed from the beginning.