Gentlemen and Gentlewomen
A Pride and Prejudice fanfiction by Mara Eva
Chapter 2: After the Wedding
Not much is to be said about the wedding of Jane Bennett to Charles Bingley and Elizabeth Bennett to Fitzwilliam Darcy, for all weddings are alike, or similar to an extreme, and the betrothal of the eldest Bennett daughters was no exception on any part. Family and friends attended, no interruptions occurred. The wedding garments were nothing to the extraordinary, in neither attractiveness nor hideousness. Leaving from the church, each of the couples ascended into an open carriage and drove away towards Netherfield.
Upon arriving, each gentleman assisted his new wife from the carriage and escorted her inside, with eagerness, as one displayed by saying: "Hurry my dear, so that may be inside before the arrival of your mother," as all of the relations were to meet for a large dinner party. He soon realized the offended expression on his wife's face and added urgently, "You must change, and there is no wine poured for your mother and no brandy from the cellar for your father." Elizabeth, though often embarrassed by the behavior of her mother and younger sisters, did indeed love all of them very much, and was hurt when insulted, even indirectly. She knew her husband meant when he made the first statement but was cheered by his attempt to fix his mistake. For she could not ask too much at once, or none at all, but was instead encouraged by Darcy's efforts to be kind to her mother, so she was resolved to be even more than civil to Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.
Upon entering the lower level sitting room, Elizabeth noted how cordially Mr. Bingley's servants welcomed Jane, and were much ready to adapt to this new mistress who had been proclaimed as having the sweetest disposition. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, Kitty, Mary, Charlotte, Mr. Collins, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Sir and Lady Lucas, Miss Bingley, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner arrived one, or two, or indeed perhaps four, at a time.
Lizzy also noticed how cordially Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst greeted Jane, and that they were barely civil to herself, or even less than that, as one cannot determine where one crosses the line of civility. The lack of warmness from Bingley's sisters did not overly offend her, for they were to reside in Hertfordshire, and she would be mistress of the most beautiful estate in Derbyshire. That happy thought, however, brought most unpleasant ideas to her head—for where the Bingleys were located, that would be where Jane was, since she was now a Bingley. Dear sweet Jane, so far from herself! She would be very lonely, with the exception of Georgiana, who would not join them for two weeks more. Oh, the letters Lizzy must write to her sister—they would need to be lengthy and frequent to even partially heal the breach that was to be created between them. Speaking of sisters, Jane had two new ones now, and Lizzy had inherited one—which of the former Bennetts received the better end is easy to discern. Lizzy was well aware that she and Georgiana would be close, for thought Lizzy was apt to announce her pert opinions, and Georgiana merely listened and said little, they were both well accomplished, modest, and lacking in silliness. Lizzy was able to declare that what she wished, and even if she was aware that she was wrong, Georgiana would listen in earnest. Arguments of course occurred—and the amount of Jane in Lizzy was soon discovered, for both protested that the other was quite better accomplished than herself, which amused Darcy greatly.
But our story runs away from itself, for newlyweds and their guests are now sitting to eat dinner. Mr. Darcy, in an attempt to make the greater impression on Jane's new sisters, held the seat at the head of the table until Mrs. Bingley sat down in her proper place. Mrs. Darcy sat to the right of her sister, and Mr. Darcy sat beside her, making his excuses to Mr. Bingley. To Darcy's astonishment, but also satisfaction, Mrs. Bennett sat to the left of her new son, and Mr. Bennett seated himself to her left. But to paraphrase Mr. Bennett—enough of their seatings! If they had any compassion for me, they would not have sat down at all.
"Oh, Mr. Bingley! It is really so fortunate that you will be near-by. Why, I shall be able to see my Jane quite often indeed! Oh, you have made a fortunate alliance. Look at her! I do believe that I never saw her more beautiful than at the ceremony this afternoon—but there, I say that everyday, though I do truly believe it Mr. Bingley. It is such a pity dear Mr. Darcy has to live so far away! I shalt not see my Lizzy very often; you must invite them to Netherfield quite often, or I shall be very broken-hearted. Mr. Bennett will be as well, will you not my dear?"
"Quite upset, indeed!" he humored his wife. Mr. Bingley heard little of his mother-in-law's discourse, for his eyes met with those of Mrs. Bingley, whose smile was brighter than ever, in this most happy moment. In such a gaze they were locked, until Mrs. Bennett addressed her son-in-law again.
"When do you leave for town, Mr. Bingley? I believe that Jane said the two of you would depart on the morrow, but that is indeed too soon!"
"I'm afraid madam, that you were quite well informed of the date of our departure. Tomorrow around noon, we shall head for London—Darcy has permitted us use of his house"
"How kind of him"
"Yes, Mrs. Bingley and I are indebted to him immensely. As I was saying, we are to spend the winter there, and return early in the spring. Other than that, our plans do not extend farther than two weeks from today."
"Two weeks, hmm, well no doubt within one of those, your plans for the entirety of your stay shall be determined!" Mr. Bennett ventured to give Bingley some relief from
"I've no doubt it shall occur that way, and it will be Mrs. Bingley who will drag me back to Netherfield"
At the other end of the table, all the ladies were grasping for Jane's attention. Miss Bingley was trying to familiarize Jane with the servants, and Mrs. Hurst was advising her on her clothes now. Mr. Darcy inquired after her and her husband's plans in London, though he well knew what they were. Lizzy, knowing Jane's disposition, did not try to divert her sister's attention, but instead traded seats with her husband and became further acquainted with Miss Darcy.
And so the night passed, and on the next day, Mr. and Mrs. Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Darcy set out in their carriages, leaving behind them a crowd of waving handkerchiefs.
