Chapter Twenty
Eden stood stoically as Lizzie and the Colonel's carriage departed. She was now waiting impatiently on Lydia and Mr. Wickham to leave as well. She was anxious to have her life back in order without her youngest sister's presence or rather the lack of her presence.
Mrs. Bennet, on the other hand, was close to tears with the thought of Lydia's parting.
"Write to me often, my dear!" she begged.
"Married women never have much time for writing, Mama," Lydia said. "My sisters may write to me! They'll have nothing else to do." She smiled smugly at Kitty, who turned away with a huff. Wickham smiled at Eden, and she stared back at him until he walked away.
Pulling out a handkerchief, Mrs. Bennet dabbed at her eyes as the carriage pulled down the drive, Lydia waving gaily.
"Oh, there is nothing as bad as parting with one's children!" she told Eden, throwing her arms around her daughter. "One seems so forlorn without them." Eden patted her back, then offered they go inside and drink a glass of sherry, which Mrs. Bennet agreed to eagerly.
The next day found the Bennet women out shopping. Mrs. Hill, their housekeeper, went into the butchers' shop while the rest waited outside. She came rushing back out.
"Did you hear the news, madam? Mr. Bingley is returning to Netherfield."
A stunned silence fell over everyone, and Eden turned her gaze to Jane. Her demure sister dropped her eyes to the ground.
"Mr. Bingley?" Mrs. Bennet questioned. Mrs. Hill nodded.
"Mrs. Nichols is ordering a haunch of pork, for she expects him tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed.
"Mama," Eden murmured. Mrs. Bennet stiffened.
"Not that I care about it. Mr. Bingley is nothing to us, and I'm sure I never want to see him again. No, we shall not mention a word about it… Is it quite certain he is coming?"
"Yes, madam. I believe he is alone; his sister remains in town."
"Hmmm. Why he thinks we should be interested, I have no idea. Come along, girls."
She led them to the dress shop and Jane stood outside with Eden. She gave Eden a soft, almost sad look. Eden went to speak, but Jane shook her head.
"It's all right, Eden. I'm just glad that he comes alone, because then we shall see less of him. Not that I'm afraid of myself, but I dread other people's remarks."
"Oh, Jane, what if… oh, what if he has come for you? What will you say?"
The eldest Bennet sister laughed quietly. But there was no amusement behind the sound.
"Eden, if he has come for me, then you know what I will say." Jane left Eden standing outside the shop, going in to join their family. Eden stood outside for a moment longer, sending a quiet plead to God that Jane's heart would not be broken again.
Not a full week later, Mr. Bingley was spotted coming up the broad towards their house. All the women had been gathered in the sitting room, doing various activities. Kitty was the one to spot him.
"He is here!" she shouted. "He's out the door! Mr. Bingley!"
"Oh, my goodness!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. "Everybody, behave naturally!"
Jane, however, did the exact opposite of Mrs. Bennet's words, freezing on the spot. Eden carefully maneuvered her sister to sit on the chaise with her, placing a patch of needlework on Jane's lab. Jane smiled at her, grateful yet nervous.
"You're going to be fine," Eden whispered, opening her book.
"Look! There's someone with him," Kitty cried. "Mr. what's-his-name. The pompous one from before."
"Mr. Darcy indeed?" Mrs. Bennet asked. "The very insolence of it. What does he think coming here?"
At the mention of Mr. Darcy's name, a slight fluttering began in Eden's chest. Her eyes lifted up from her book, meeting Jane's before dropping back down.
"Mary!" Mrs. Bennet shouted. Her daughter at the pianoforte, who had not been paying attention to the commotion, snapped her head up to stare at her mother. "Stop that racket and sit down. Find yourself some work… Oh, Lord, Eden, I shall have a seizure, I'm sure I shall."
"Mama, no need for dramatics."
They went quiet as the door opened and Mrs. Hill showed both men into the room. Eden did not look up from her book right away, not until Mrs. Bennet stood to greet them. Her head lifted, eyes meeting Mr. Darcy, who had a strained look on his face. It was clearly a bit much for him to take the needless chatter of Mrs. Bennet's tongue.
"How very glad we are to see you, Mr. Bingley! There are a great many changes since you went away. Miss Lucas is married and settled. And two of my own daughters too; you will have seen it in the papers, I am sure. The second was not put in as it ought to be, though. Very short, nothing about her family."
Mr. Bingley smiled, "I did hear of it, and offer my congratulations."
Eden decided then and there that Mr. Bingley was a saint. No one could be that kind and attentive to her mother unless having been raised by or with her. However, as much Mr. Bingley was a saint, Eden knew Mr. Darcy would not be able to handle additional conversation with Mrs. Bennet.
"Do you hope to stay long in the country, Mr. Bingley?" she asked.
She could practically feel Mr. Darcy's relief from across the room.
"Just a few weeks," Mr. Bingley said. "For the shooting."
"When you have killed all your own birds, Mr. Bingley, I beg you will come here and shoot as many as you please," Mrs. Bennet said. He thanked her, but she continued. "Mr. Bennet will be vastly happy to oblige you and will save all the best of the birds for you."
"Excellent."
There was an awkward lull in the conversation and Eden turned her attention to Mr. Darcy.
"Are you well, Mr. Darcy?" He nodded sharply.
"Quite well, thank you."
"I hope the weather stays fine, for your sport."
"I return to town tomorrow."
Before Eden could ask him why he would be leaving so quick, Mrs. Bennet spoke about Jane and how well she looked. Mr. Bingley agreed before clearing his throat.
"Well, I must be going, I suppose. It was very pleasant to see you all again. Eden, Miss Jane."
The poor man practically bolted out the door with Mrs. Bennet calling out after him.
"You must come again. For when you were in town last winter, you promised to take a family dinner with us. I have not forgotten, you see. At least three courses."
She grew quiet when the two men left and a few moments later Kitty started to laugh hysterically. Eden looked to Jane, both of them horrified by the awkward visit.
"Well, I'm glad that's over," Jane told Eden. "We can now meet as indifferent acquaintances."
"Oh, yes?" Eden laughed quietly.
"You cannot think me so weak as to be in danger now."
"I think you are in great danger of making him as much in love with you as ever."
"I'm sorry, though, that he came with Mr. Darcy." Shaking her head, Eden shushed Jane.
"Don't say that."
"Why ever not?"
"Because, Jane, I have been so blind."
"What do you mean?"
"I—"
"It's him! He's back!" Kitty exclaimed, interrupting Eden. "He's come again."
Everyone bustled to resume their actives from minutes ago. Then Mr. Bingley walked into the room once more.
"I know this is all very untoward, but I would like to request the privilege of speaking to Miss Jane."
Everyone stared at him, and he took a deep breath before continuing.
"A-alone?" Mrs. Bennet stood from her chair.
"Everyone to the kitchen. Immediately. Except you, Jane, of course. Oh, Mr. Bingley. It is so good to see you again so soon." She ushered everyone out, Eden squeezing Jane's hand lightly as she left.
All rights belong to Universal Pictures for use of their material!
