The following week was one of weddings. Mr. Collins was to wed Miss Lucas on the Tuesday. Mr. Bingley was to wed Miss Bennet on the Wednesday. Colonel Fitzwilliam was to wed Miss de Bough on the Friday. It was arranged thusly so that Mr. Collins and Miss Lucas, soon to be Mrs. Collins, could attend all three events.
Mr. Collins was to officiate the wedding of Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss de Bourgh, although it still made him uneasy. With the intelligence he had gained from his betrothed, but no proof, his loyalty to Lady Catherine had been shaken. Combined with the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam - for the Colonel was to give up his commission upon his marriage - would be the new master and mistress of Rosings as Anne would take up her proper role, he had agreed.
Mr. Darcy was pleased with the week of weddings as well. He would dance with his beloved at each of the two former wedding breakfasts, which quite made up for the fact that he was to be forced to part from Elizabeth for three days in order to attend the latter.
Kitty was quite out of sorts, for Lord Barlow- being closely acquainted with Mr. Bingley- was to attend Jane and Bingley's wedding. She had not seen him since London and had quite resolved to think of him no more, but to meet him as an indifferent acquaintance. After all, a viscount was not likely to offer for her, even now that she would have a reasonable dowry. Her sisters noticed her distress, but did not wish to vex her by speaking of it. Only Lydia was fool enough to comment on her sister's change in temper, which earned her a sharp rebuke.
"You are no fun anymore," whined Lydia in response.
"I simply do not wish to embarrass myself any longer by flirting with officers and making myself look a fool. Think of your reputation, Lydia. Do you not want to marry a man of some consequence?" said Kitty, softening towards her sister who she had not spent more than a few minutes at a time with since their return from London.
"Not if he is to be a bore like Mr. Darcy!" said Lydia.
"Lydia!" exclaimed Jane, "Mr. Darcy is not a bore. He is a kind and good man."
"He is a rich man. That is the only reason why Lizzy likes him. She isn't in love with him, you know!"
"They are courting so they might come to know each other better. It is quite appropriate that she does not love him yet. They have been courting but a fortnight," said Jane.
"I wish Denny had a fortune like Mr. Darcy," said Lydia, "then I might marry him and be the envy of all my sisters."
"If Mr. Denny had a fortune, he would not be in the militia," said Kitty, emphasising the address so her sister would know that addressing a man so wholly unconnected with their family informally was not done.
Lydia had nothing to say to this, so she only went up the stairs to change the ribbons on the gown she was to wear to Jane's wedding.
"Jane," asked Mary on the Monday of that week, "Has Mama or Aunt Gardiner spoken to you of what will happen in the marriage bed?"
"Yes," said Jane quietly, her face aflame.
"I will not embarrass you by repeating any particulars," said Mary, "nor do I think my husband would appreciate it if I did so. I will only say that you will be much better served by listening to our aunt. In my experience, she has the right of it."
"Truly?" asked Jane, for she was very frightened by what her mother had told her. Her mother had been having a fit of nerves before she had spoken to Jane and had therefore gone into much greater detail than she had for Mary's talk.
"Yes," said Mary.
"It is not terribly painful?" asked Jane.
"Of course not," said Mary, "else there would be many fewer children in the world than there are. It hurts a little the first time, but not after that. Only like a pinch. It is not dreadful at all. Do not let Mama scare you."
As both sisters were quite embarrassed by the conversation, they spoke of other matters pertaining to the wedding until Mr. Wickham returned from his employment. Jane departed then, leaving her sister to the companionship of her husband. Jane had much to do. Most of her things had been sent to Netherfield Park, but her clothing yet remained. She had yet to decide which gown she was to wear to see Miss Lucas married, although her own wedding gown had been long decided.
"Are you well?" asked Darcy of Elizabeth. His beloved watched her friend hug her relations and wish them farewell. She had already done so that morning and had no wish to prolong their goodbyes.
"I am," said she, "It is only that everything is changing so very rapidly."
"If I may be so bold as to say so, should all go to plan, you will see your friend at Rosings when we visit my cousins."
"It is not just that, although I worry greatly for Charlotte. I do not know how she can marry a man that she does not respect."
"He is not a bad man," said Mr. Darcy, "Cousin Anne says he is not very intelligent, but he is a good man and is not vicious."
"That is some consolation. I do hope she shall find happiness."
"May I suppose that your sister's marriage has more to do with your disquiet than that of your friend?" asked Darcy.
"I know Mr. Bingley loves my sister. I am much more convinced that they shall be happy. I have little doubt of it, in fact," said Elizabeth. She considered her words before continuing, "I suppose it is all just very different. Soon my friends and sisters and I shall all be wed and have lives and children much apart from each other. It is difficult when one has grown up with one to consider not being always with them."
"Perhaps," said Mr. Darcy, "but you have not always been at Longbourn. I know it must be difficult, but we shall often see Bingley in town. Perhaps we might even convince him to take up an estate in Derbyshire."
"Is he not fixed at Netherfield?" asked Elizabeth.
"For the moment," said Darcy, "but he intends someday to purchase, and I do not think Netherfield is the right estate for him. A bride can be settled too near her family."
"Indeed," said Elizabeth, "I had to convince Jane that they must go to Bingley's townhouse, lest Mama disrupt their honeymoon."
"Is any of your uncertainty due to me?" asked Darcy, not letting her change the subject.
"Not precisely," said Elizabeth.
"What do you mean?" asked Darcy.
"It is nothing you have done or said, so do not worry yourself, Darcy," said Elizabeth, "I am simply trying to sort out my own feelings. I know not where friendship ends and other emotions begin."
"Have you other emotions for me?" asked Darcy.
"I do, but I know not exactly what to call them yet."
"I will be satisfied with that," said Darcy, "For now it is enough to know you are not indifferent to me."
"I do not think I have been indifferent to you since you first told me of your feelings, Darcy. How could one be indifferent to such a declaration?"
"I am gladdened by your saying so," said Darcy.
Soon after that, the Longbourn party took their leave. Darcy, having been able to dance only once with Elizabeth, was slightly disappointed. Yet, her confession of having feelings for him - even though she did not yet know what to make of them- gave him a joy such that he had never felt.
"Miss Catherine," called a man's voice. Kitty turned and saw a rider dismounting and coming towards her. When the man came nearer, she identified him.
"Lord Barlow," said Kitty, dropping into a curtsey.
"I am on my way to Netherfield, but when I saw you, I thought I would stop and greet you," said Lord Barlow, fiddling with his signet ring as he always did when he was nervous.
"That is very kind of you, your lordship," said Kitty.
"Were you about to walk or were you returning?" asked Lord Barlow.
"I was about to walk. Since the winter has been so mild, I have taken advantage of that fact to find some quiet amongst the busyness of the wedding preparations," said Kitty.
"Might I accompany you?" said Lord Barlow.
"Indeed, you might," said Kitty, gesturing to the path.
"I will give my horse over to one of the lads and return shortly, if you do not mind waiting a moment," said Lord Barlow.
At Kitty's nod, he did so, returning a few minutes later. He offered her his arm and they walked in silence for some time.
"I am glad to hear all is well now with your cousin," said Kitty.
"Indeed. It is a relief. She was quite shaken by it, but she seems to be changed by her experience. She is not satisfied to let things be done for her constantly any longer."
"What do you mean?" asked Kitty.
"It is the little things that one might have a servant do, but it is more trouble to call for one than to do it oneself. For instance, she is still of delicate health, so she takes cold easily. She was in the breakfast parlour and had forgotten to take her shawl when she moved to the front sitting room. Instead of asking the maid, she fetched it herself."
"I suppose that Longbourn has never had enough servants to suppose I might draw one away from their work to go fetch a shawl from another room," said Kitty.
"Rosings has always had twice the servants that it needs. It is quite odd to dine when there are more footmen attending the guests than there are guests themselves."
Kitty raised her eyebrows at this.
"I suppose if there are only two diners," she said, "that would not be so unusual."
"I speak of when there is a dinner. There might be ten people dining and fourteen servants."
"But why?" asked Kitty, "We have three footmen in total for our entire estate and one also works in the stables on days when we do not have guests to dine."
"It is because Lady Catherine wishes everyone to know that she is rich enough to afford to have so many servants about."
"Will some of the servants be let go now that your brother will be master? I do so hate to think of them losing their livelihood."
"They will not be let go," said Lord Barlow, "at least not many. Some were very loyal to Lady Catherine. If they cannot switch loyalties with the change in command, he will have to let them go. With references, in most cases. Some of the footmen will be given the option to work on the home farm and helping to improve the land that has been neglected under my aunt's management. You see, while my aunt had many indoor servants, she had not enough for out-of-doors. At least, not enough beyond the gardens."
"What of the maids? Were there many maids that will now be let go?"
"I do not know what my brother intends to do for the maids," said Lord Barlow, "For I doubt they will wish to work the land. I will ask him when next I write him, for I do not intend to talk business when I attend his wedding."
"Of course," said Kitty.
"Would you be so kind as to reserve two sets for me at the wedding breakfast, if your card is not yet full?" asked Lord Barlow.
"I would. I have the fourth and fifth sets claimed by Mr. Darcy and the nineth and tenth by Mr. Bingley, but other than that, you may choose as you wish," said Kitty.
"May I be so bold as to claim the first two sets?"
"You may," said Kitty with a blush.
"Miss Catherine," said Lord Barlow, "Would you be opposed, that is, would you be opposed to my calling upon you?"
"I would not be opposed to it, but how is such a thing to be managed? Are you not to return to Matlock or Town after your brother's wedding?"
"I am for town," agreed Lord Barlow, "But I need not leave immediately. Bingley is to depart for Town with his bride and he has given leave to Darcy to remain with his sister at Netherfield so Darcy can continue court your sister. I asked for a similar arrangement."
Lord Barlow blushed, as did Kitty. Neither could look at the other.
"I hoped, perhaps, when I return to town that you might visit your aunt and uncle? I do not wish to assume, but I esteem you very highly and I thought you might return my regard."
"I do, sir," said Kitty.
"It is most improper of me," said Lord Barlow, "But may I ask the nature of your esteem?"
"I do not understand your inquiry, sir," said Kitty.
"Would you be happy to consider me as a suiter?" asked Lord Barlow.
"I would, sir," said Kitty, her face aflame.
"I'm very glad to hear it, Miss Catherine," said Lord Barlow with a smile.
"Would your family not be displeased with you? Your father opposed Darcy courting Lizzy. I cannot imagine he would like me any better than my sister."
"I have two thousand a year in my own right. My father may cut me off, but I will not suffer overly much for it. I would be quite happy having only the small estate that I inherited from my mother's family if he wishes to be churlish. After my father's death, he cannot prevent the title and lands from passing to me."
"You would give up so much?" asked Kitty softly. She did not know what to say. She had never thought to inspire such devotion in a man, much less a lord.
"I would. I find myself quite in love with you. I had not meant to speak of it yet, for I have not been able to work out if your feelings match mine. I thought only to call on you, but I find I am at your disposal"
"You may ask any question that you wish, sir," said Kitty in a whisper, reaching a hand up to touch Lord Barlow's face. He took hold of it and kissed her wrist.
"Then I would ask you to be my wife," said Lord Barlow.
"I will," said Kitty.