Chapter 14
Violet was a little tired but did not want to interrupt the lively conversation between Elizabeth and Georgiana. She had a feeling that Miss Darcy did not have the chance to interact with young ladies like Elizabeth.
Mrs. Dalton knew the Darcys were a very distinguished and wealthy family from Derbyshire. In Lambton, they were known to be generous and considerate with servants and tenants; for that, they were respected by all.
That is why Violet assumed that most of the people who approached that shy girl probably did it out of some interest. She had noticed how the Bingley sisters treated her with feigned appreciation and overwhelmed her with superfluous praises that did not express real or deep feelings. So she understood why Georgiana Darcy was so comfortable conversing with the lovely Elizabeth Bennet.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bingley, Richard, and William were returning from a walk through the stables and talking animatedly on the other side of the garden. Both William and Richard were surprised when they saw the precarious state of the stable that housed the animals.
It seemed that for years no one had made any repairs or invested money to maintain the building, and it was in dire need of renovation, or it would just fall apart. Although neither William nor Richard said anything, they both wondered how Mr. Bingley could have leased a property in such a state.
"I am so sorry about the state of the stable, but it was one of the things Holt should have taken care of," Mr. Bingley explained apologetically.
"Bingley, I suggest you take action on this matter as soon as possible," William replied worriedly. "The stable is essential for caring for your animals, especially the horses."
"Dalton is right, Bingley. I do not know anything about the management or maintenance of an estate, but I guess things are not going very well around here. Therefore, when you travel to London, I suggest you talk to my uncle Darcy because he can help you to understand better what you need to do to keep everything in order," added Richard.
"But I am leaving on my honeymoon in three more days, and I promised my angel that we would spend a whole month at the beach. Dalton, could you please take care of this matter for me? I know I have asked you many favors, but you are the only person I can trust now. Also, I suppose you want to be near Lizzy, so you can spend time with her and help me." Mr. Bingley asked for the favor as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He and William would soon be family, and he assumed his future brother-in-law should help him.
"My solicitor told me that the new steward would arrive next week, so you can inform him what you have done, and he can take control of everything."
"I shall see what I can do, Bingley, but I cannot promise anything because, after your wedding, I should travel to London. I have a lot of unfinished business there." William didn't mind helping if he could, but he didn't know how many more days he would spend there. But I know that I will travel every week to spend two or three days with Elizabeth."
"Bingley, why do not you ask Hurst to take care of everything?" asked Richard curiously.
"After my wedding, my sisters and brother-in-law will return to London, and I am unsure if they want to live here in Hertfordshire. They do not like this place very much…." Mr. Bingley tried to explain, even more embarrassed.
When they reached the stairs to the side entrance door, the men met the ladies returning from their walk in the garden. Mr. Bingley was delighted because it allowed him to change the subject and discuss less complicated matters.
"What a pleasure to meet you here. It is almost time for luncheon, and that will allow us to accompany the ladies to the dining room. Besides, I guess my angel must be in the drawing room with my sisters," said Mr. Bingley cheerfully.
Colonel Fitzwilliam greeted Violet warmly, and she introduced him to her future daughter-in-law. In addition, Georgiana told her cousin that she had invited Elizabeth to tea when she was in London and that they had arranged to go shopping together because Elizabeth did not know anyone in the city. Richard saw his darling cousin so excited that he knew Miss Elizabeth must be just as friendly and welcoming as Mrs. Dalton.
As expected, between two people with an open personality and good humor, an amusing conversation immediately ensued between Richard and Elizabeth. They chatted animatedly for several minutes.
"I imagine, Miss Elizabeth, that you must know all these areas very well," Richard commented.
"Yes, Colonel, I have lived here all my life and love to walk, so I have strolled around here many times. My father's estate adjoins Netherfield," Elizabeth explained.
"I grew up in the north, but my mother has never liked country life, so we spent large parts of the year in London. But I must admit that I like life surrounded by nature. I imagine you will miss all this when you live in the city."
"A little, I suppose, but there are very nice parks in London and other luxuries that will keep me busy," Elizabeth replied. While talking to the colonel, Elizabeth noticed that William was quiet and curiously watched them.
As soon as they entered the house, Mr. Bingley searched for Jane, and then they all went to the dining room. Mr. Bingley was sure his sisters would find some excuse not to share with his guests, but unfortunately, they sat at the table to demonstrate how much they hated everyone.
Mr. Wickham also joined the group, but like William, he kept quiet, albeit for other reasons. He was paying attention to the conversation, hoping to find out what everyone's plans were and to see if he might have a chance to get closer to Georgiana. He did not want to miss the opportunity to entice that silly girl and make her believe he was helpless in love with her. That was the only solution for his precarious financial situation.
Unfortunately, Caroline ruined everyone's lunch with her disparaging and pompous comments. "Eliza, I hear you said that living in the city can be exciting, but I warn you, it is not for everyone. The theater, the opera, the balls, and other activities are mostly reserved for people of very different social classes than the one you will belong to when you marry Mr. Dalton."
"Miss Bingley, I am a person who adapts to everything. So I do not need to go to a private box to enjoy the theater and the opera. And I do not think anyone will ask me what social class I belong to walk through the parks or enter the museums," Elizabeth said smiling.
Georgiana and Richard loved Elizabeth's response because, without being rude, she put Caroline in her place. "Miss Bennet, as Dalton is my partner when I am in London, we shall have the chance to see each other, and I promise I shall invite you to either my parents' or my Uncle George's box. That way, you can enjoy the opera and have a privileged view of the stage," Richard said, winking at Georgiana.
"Oh, Mr. Darcy is so generous that he has no problem relating to all kinds of people, Eliza. But only some people in high society are as tolerant as him, or as we are, so I recommend that you be very careful and refrain from assuming everyone will want to relate with people like you."
"Excuse me, Miss Bingley, but could you explain what you mean when you call my betrothed people like you," William asked, annoyed.
Caroline had not expected such a direct question because she was not used to being confronted by anyone, but she had no problem answering defiantly and haughtily. "I mean that Eliza will be a tradesman's wife."
"You are a tradesman's daughter, and for as long as I have known you, you have done nothing more than say that you belong to the upper class and rub shoulders with the aristocracy of London society," William replied firmly.
At that time, no one dared to say anything because everyone was almost paralyzed listening to the discussion. Violet was proud of her son for defending her betrothed from the unfair attacks of that horrible woman.
Elizabeth felt that she could not love her beloved William more because no one had protected her like that before. On the contrary, she was the one who should always defend her mother and sisters.
Wickham was happy to see a fight between these two people he disliked so much, while Richard and Georgiana thought Caroline deserved what William told her for being poisonous. While Louisa, Charles, and Mr. Hurst did not dare say anything for fear that Caroline would get even more furious.
"My family is no longer in business, Mr. Dalton, so you cannot compare us to you and your family, who are still actively in business. That is what I meant when I advised Eliza. In any case, I did it with the best intentions," Caroline explained with contempt. She was furious and wanted to slap that insolent man. She felt that she hated him almost irrationally because she was afraid to admit that deep down, she admired him. He was not only the most irresistibly handsome man she knew but also intelligent, honorable, and firmly defended the woman he loved.
"I appreciate your good intentions, Miss Bingley. But if to advise my future wife, you need to make her believe that she is somehow inferior to others, I think it is better that you desist from doing so in the future. Miss Elizabeth and I are not interested in sharing a second of our time with arrogant and empty people. Furthermore, my betrothed is a gentleman's daughter and is socially superior to you, whether or not you like to hear it and admit it," William concluded and continued eating.
"Did you see how beautiful the reception hall is turning out? I'm sure the wedding breakfast will be unforgettable, right my dear Jane?" said Mr. Bingley to break the tense moment.
"Of course, dear Charles," Jane replied, a little flustered. Jane was disturbed and hurt.
Since she and Charles had become engaged, Caroline had made all kinds of nasty and offensive comments, and Mr. Bingley had never defended her as forcefully and vehemently as Mr. Dalton had with Elizabeth. Because of that, she felt anger towards her sister and future brother-in-law because, as Caroline had told her, they suffered from a nasty superiority complex and wanted to show they were better than everyone else.
After that, the guests concentrated on eating and commenting about topics that would not generate controversy. Charles was outraged with Caroline because she had once again caused unnecessary discord. Every day her sister behaved worse, and Mr. Bingley did not know how much longer he would put up with her. Apparently, Aunt Henrietta was right about everything she had always told him.
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After lunch, Elizabeth invited William for a walk. After all, she realized he needed to leave the house because she saw him distraught.
For his part, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana stayed with Violet to prevent the vipers from attacking her. In addition, Richard wanted to arrange a future visit by Georgiana to the Dalton home because her cousin needed close friends he could trust. It had not escaped him how Wickham hovered like a hawk in search of his prey around Georgiana, and he knew that the long periods he and his parents spent away from London left her exposed to that scoundrel.
Elizabeth told William that she wished to walk the path that led to the northern part of Netherfield, where it adjoined Longbourn. After walking almost half a mile, barely speaking, Elizabeth finally decided to ask a question.
"William, what is wrong with you? Do not tell me you are like this because of Miss Bingley. You were already very quiet before she started making ridiculous comments. Is something wrong with your business?"
William felt a bit embarrassed but decided to be honest and apologize. "I am sorry for my mood and how I reacted to that harpy's insults. I know she did it to provoke you and should have ignored her, but I could not tolerate how she disrespected you... but also...
"What happened, William?" Elizabeth asked, concerned.
"I do not know, I guess I felt insecure seeing you talking so friendly to Fitzwilliam… he is the son of an Earl, and I am just an orphan… Elizabeth, I…"
"William, are you jealous of Colonel Fitzwilliam?"
"No… well, maybe… I do not know. Elizabeth, I love you so much that sometimes I feel like I don't deserve you, and I am so afraid of losing you..."
"My love, do not say that. I love you, and I will always love you…." Elizabeth could not finish speaking because William took her in his arms and kissed her. They hugged and kissed for several minutes. They had never kissed so passionately, and William knew he should not continue because he did not want to expose Elizabeth to malicious rumors if someone saw them.
"I am sorry, Elizabeth, but we cannot keep kissing like this. But please, my love. Promise me that we will get married soon so we can always be together."
"Yes, I also want to be with you and be your wife. How about we get married at the end of this month? We already have my father's authorization," Elizabeth said with a beautiful smile full of happiness.
"And I can buy a license tomorrow," added William, just as pleased.
"Then there is no reason to delay our wedding, my love."
William offered his arm to Elizabeth, and they started returning to Netherfield. But Elizabeth asked him to deviate a bit from the main path because she wanted to show him a place that had been very special during her childhood.
"Now it is cold, and it looks bleak, but I promise you that in the summer months, this river is magnificent, and this is the place where John Lucas taught his older sister and me to fish," said Elizabeth.
William got very nervous but did not want Elizabeth to notice, so he pretended to pay attention to her words as best he could. However, the truth was that he did not understand anything she said because he only listened to the sound of the river.
"On this stone, we sat to wait for hours until a fish…."
While Elizabeth was explaining, she climbed up the big stone next to the river. She lost her balance but could not move because William took her in his arms and repeated many words that did not make much sense as he hugged and kissed her on the forehead and cheeks.
"Never go near that river again; it's dangerous... No, I cannot do anything; it is dark and cold... Mrs. Wic... the river has a lot of water... Elizabeth, my Elizabeth, please do not go near this or any other river, never… did you understand me? NEVER."
"William, what is wrong with you?" Elizabeth asked, distressed to see the man she loved so distressed.
She took his arm and led him to the path as she spoke affectionately. William finally managed to calm down and explained to Elizabeth that when he was a child, he had once nearly drowned in a river, and that's why he was afraid of water in general.
But Elizabeth suspected the story was more complex than he wanted to tell her. She noticed he was a little embarrassed and did not want to question him anymore to forget the incident.
"I'm sorry, my dear; I do not know what happened to me. I promise you I shall not act so impulsively again. Please, believe me, It will not happen again."
"William, let's forget what happened and discuss our upcoming wedding instead."
"It seems to me an excellent idea, my dear Elizabeth." William kissed the cheek of his betrothed and preferred not to talk about that unpleasant incident anymore,
Finally, when they reached Netherfield, Elizabeth and Violet returned to Longbourn, and Jane stayed with Mr. Bingley to arrange the last details of the wedding.
William was exhausted, so he went to his room and slept for almost two hours. His dreams were plagued with nightmares about that night he spent in that river clinging to a tree branch. But when he woke up, he was confused and did not understand why his nightmares were getting more and more confusing.
"Mrs. Wickham? Why does that woman of my dreams have that man's name?
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Mr. Hill entered his master's study to serve him tea. He knew Mr. Bennet liked to have some tea after spending many hours reading.
"Mr. Hill, can you tell Lizzy to come to my study?" Mr. Bennet wanted his daughter to help him with some items and play chess with her.
"I am sorry, sir, but Miss Lizzy is not here."
Mr. Bennet checked the time on his pocket watch and asked curiously, "Do you know where my daughter is?"
"I believe she is in Netherfield visiting Mr. Dalton. She and Mrs. Dalton left before noon for Mr. Bingley's estate."
"I see."
Mr. Hill put the tea tray on the table and withdrew. But Mr. Bennet could not continue reading because he got a little worried. Lately, he hardly saw Elizabeth and realized that his daughter barely spent time with him anymore.
"If this Dalton loves my daughter that much, he will have to be very patient and wait for her. I am not willing to lose my dear Lizzy so soon."
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Thanks to everyone who leaves supportive comments and enthusiastically follows the story. I love reading your thoughts about the plot because it keeps me motivated, and the views counter is still broken :(
I want to remind you that this is a long story divided into three parts, and we are just in the first. William's love life will be resolved in this part of the story.
In the next chapter, Jane's wedding!
Saludos,
Yo