Hello again! I'm here with the fifth chapter :)
I'd like to thank everyone for their lovely reviews, they make my writing better and give me courage, so thank you for your support :)
Thanks to the anonymous reviewers: Trini (haha, I'm glad to feed your insomnia, even though I hope you're getting enough rest. I don't think Mrs. Bennet is that bad, but I would probably tune her out half of the time if she were my mother and just nod my head and pretend to agree :)) As for Darcy's wife, she will make an appearance later and you shall find out more then :) thank you and I'm happy you're enjoying it!), Guest (thanks! I'm glad you like the mixture of canon and non-canon, it's quite fun to write :) ), Lazy-lurker (thanks, I'm glad I took you by surprise! I hope you like this chapter as well), Daniella (thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far), Queenofthetower (haha, I'm enjoying your guessing immensely. What I can tell you is that it won't be easy for Darcy and Elizabeth and he will stay married for quite a while. And you're in luck, fast update :) ).
As always, please share your thoughts and enjoy!
- 5 -
The day of Mr. Bingley's departure came at last. Since he had made a full recovery, he refused any help offered to climb down the stairs and join the family in the drawing room for one last time.
They had some moments alone with him before his sister could fetch him, and though Mrs. Bennet was nearly in tears, the rest of the Bennets were cheerful and obliging.
Elizabeth had a pretext now to analyze Jane and Bingley in public.
No longer sequestered in a private chamber, the secret lovers were bound to give something away of their shared understanding.
Much to her dismay, they did not. Or rather, Mr. Bingley didn't.
Jane was flushed with pleasure to be sitting next to him and, though of a shy and quiet nature, was obviously very comfortable with his presence and spoke freely. In all manners, she seemed only a good friend, but to a sister's trained eye, she betrayed herself perfectly.
Bingley, however, did not appear as charmed with his companion. He was very amiable and talkative and, in fact, did not seem much altered, but he would not look Jane in the eye as often as Elizabeth would have wanted him to. Nor did he seem affected by their proximity. There was something rather distant in his conduct, although she could not pinpoint what it was. In all manners, he seemed drawn to Jane, but to her keen eye, he betrayed a certain reluctance.
She supposed it was the departure that was making him act awkwardly.
The very first thing Mr. Bingley set his sights on was a Ball at Netherfield, an idea which had filled his head long before his illness.
Kitty and Lydia greatly condoned this prospect.
"Oh, Mr. Bingley, you absolutely must! Netherfield Park must have a glorious ball room!"
"It does indeed, and it would be a shame to waste it. You shall name the date! And I shall inopportune every single one of you with a dance."
"I demand two, Mr. Bingley!"
"Lydia!"
"Then you shall have two, Miss Bennet. Any other requests?" Mr. Bingley joked good-humouredly.
"If it would not inconvenience you, Sir," Mary began formally, "I would like to play a piece at the Ball."
"Ah, yes, Miss Bennet, we have had the pleasure of listening to you at Sir William's."
"Unfortunately, you only heard dancing jigs because I was forced to play such nonsense. Now I shall play serious music."
Kitty and Lydia guffawed and choked on their tea. Mary sent them a withering glare and Elizabeth chided them under her breath, but it was Jane who restored peace when she suggested that all the ladies of Hertfordshire should try their hand at the pianoforte during the intervals when the dancing couples were resting.
"It would make their parents very happy as well. The neighbourhood delights in such artistic events," she argued.
"Excellent idea, Miss Bennet. You and my sister seem to be cut out for these matronly affairs, for Caroline is also quite ingenious at such schemes."
Jane smiled graciously. "I thank you kindly."
Elizabeth, however, found it strange that he should compare Jane to Miss Bingley. It was particularly odd since "matronly" was never an adjective a young woman wished to evoke.
Her ruminations were cut short by Mrs. Hill walking in to announce Miss Bingley.
Bingley's excitement was tempered somewhat by the presence of his sister and Elizabeth thought he also looked a little relieved. She had a sneaking suspicion he was the kind of man who made many promises and tried many things, but never settled or committed to anything. Such a character was not dislikeable, but could become fickle, if left unchecked.
He was on the threshold, ready to walk to the carriage where Miss Bingley was waiting with a rather impatient expression on her face, when he turned suddenly to Mr. Bennet, shook his hand, and said, "Of course, you must all dine at Netherfield Park very soon, as my guests! Please, I would hear nothing less after being treated with such kindness by everyone! I shall write very soon!"
As they watched him go, Elizabeth had another suspicion; that he would not write at all.
The Bennets did not have time to think of Mr. Bingley's subsequent silence, because the expected cousin, Mr. Collins, descended upon Longbourn punctually and took up their full attention.
All the girls, safe for Mary, were disappointed to find their cousin was a bore. He was an excessively obsequious clergyman whose gait and conversation betrayed an arrogance which was well-concealed behind parochial humility. Men of his station were usually wont to be either naive or mercenary. In his case, Mr. Collins was both.
His first misstep was bringing up the estate himself and promising the girls they won't be left unprotected when Longbourn eventually passed on to him.
"I am prepared to offer my cousins my full solicitude and admiration. And let it be known I will never allow anyone but a Bennet to be mistress of this house."
Elizabeth found the implication rather demeaning since it put them in the position of choosing matrimony to Mr. Collins, or living on their anually allotted sum. which was very meagre, but she made allowances for him, because no one in his position could escape the embarrassment of noblesse oblige.
It was plain, however, that Mr. Collins insulted in other ways. He expressed delight that the estate was so well-maintained, despite pecuniary difficulties. To which, Mr. Bennet replied a subtle, but uncordial, "We thank you, Sir, for your concern, but we managed just as well in your absence, and we certainly will in your presence."
He was bent on showing the Bennets he was better off in all matters, and that he was doing them a favour by condescending to be there.
"You will find my manners much improved, cousin," he told Mr. Bennet at dinner, "for I have been for some time under the tutelage of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, my most esteemed patroness. And she has refined me in ways that are quite obvious."
Lydia later swore she had heard the name before, but could not, for the life of her, remember. The whole family was made to hear several accounts of Lady Catherine's greatness and nobility and every item in the Bennet household was compared to and eclipsed by the delights that Rosings estate could offer.
"If he is so much enamoured with that place, why doesn't he return to it?" was Elizabeth's conclusion whenever she was alone with Jane.
But Mr. Collins meant to stay at least two weeks. Now, whenever Kitty and Lydia made for town, the eldest sisters joined them, if only to escape the dreaded cousin's presence.
It was on such a proposed excursion that Mr. Collins decided to join them one Tuesday. No polite entreaties that the weather would be ill and the streets muddy could persuade him to stay at home.
"And leave four young ladies unattended in town? I would be betraying my profession if I let such a thing happen."
Despite his sisters' united protests that there was no need for a personal call, Bingley had decided that he would visit the Bennets himself and dispatch an invitation to the Netherfield Ball.
"I owe them at least this civility, Caroline. It is bad enough we have yet to invite them to dine with us."
"Oh, very well. I shall join you, for I can't fathom you going alone. Perhaps I can convince Darcy to come with me, for I know I shall need the company."
Bingley wished to stop at Meryton first and call on the physician who had consulted him before Mr. Dewing could arrive from London. Caroline found this perfectly ridiculous as well, but she took some comfort in the notion that Darcy would not allow them to go alone in town. He knew very well Bingley's all too generous character and he usually stepped in to curb his friend's impulses, especially those concerning money.
The party set out in a carriage and arrived in Meryton just when the market was at its busiest. Crowds of people were walking about in the street. They stopped in front of the physician's house. Caroline wrinkled her nose and heaved a great sigh, as if the burden of having to step out into the world was too much for her. She took out her handkerchief and pressed it to her mouth, but a strong gust of wind wrenched it out of her reach. She cried out, and though Bingley made to catch it, it flew past him into the street, where it was sure to be trampled on by passers-by.
Luckily, two red coats were standing nearby and jumped to assist them.
The first one Bingley recognized quickly.
"Mr. Denny! What a surprise to find you here!"
"Mr. Bingley, Sir, it's a pleasure, Miss Bingley, Mr. Darcy," the man greeted them cheerfully, raising his hat.
The second officer was the one who had managed to catch the troublesome handkerchief. He was eyeing Caroline, in particular, with a very shrewd gaze.
Caroline felt herself flush, but the man quickly bowed and holding out his hand, spoke in a very solicitous voice, "Please, Madam, I believe this belongs to you."
He was uncommonly handsome and far more distinguished in attire than Mr. Denny.
Darcy himself eyed the newcomer with curiosity.
"Oh, please let me introduce my friend, Mr. Wickham, one of the regiment's most esteemed officers and soon to be made Captain."
"You paint me in such fine colours only because you owe me money, Denny. I may not be able to do justice to such an exquisite portrait, but I thank you for your words. I am delighted to make your acquaintance Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley, Mr. Darcy," Wickham replied, tipping his hat and gently coaxing Miss Bingley into offering her hand to be kissed.
Darcy noticed she was downright blushing and he would have found it rather amusing, were it not for the fact that she was the one who always criticized young ladies for looking at red coats.
Mr. Wickham proved to be an audacious, if not intelligent spirit, for he immediately began to inquire into their visit to town and made some witty remarks upon the society of Meryton, remarks which were neither contemptible nor cynical. He expressed the right amount of criticism ("a Meryton native tends to forget his town does not abut the Thames, I'm afraid"), but still seemed fond and respectful of his current residence ("it is like coming back to a rather timeworn and provincial, but beloved home").
"You have been stationed here before, then?" Caroline inquired.
"Indeed, Madam, but I was commissioned with a different regiment back then. It was quite some time ago."
The conversation went on with more pleasantries, and while Darcy saw too much gallantry in Mr. Wickham, he had to admit he was preferable to most of the militia men he had met. He found himself paying attention to him, despite his general reticence.
"I believe, Sir, I was very lucky to have visited Derbyshire in my youth. I do not say this lightly, for I am not generally inclined to admire country scenes, but those I've seen in Derbyshire are near impossible to encounter anywhere else."
Darcy nodded his head, as if to confirm the qualification. "Indeed, they make quite an impression."
"I did not have the chance to see Pemberley, but I am sure it would make an impression as well."
It was at that moment that Charles exclaimed under his breath, "Miss Bennet!"
Darcy turned his head and saw what his friend was looking at. On the other side of the road, four women whom he recognized as the Bennet sisters, and a gentleman he knew not, were walking together at a moderate pace. The man was talking to them about something of great importance, but the ladies did not seem terribly interested.
Charles excused himself politely from Mr. Denny and Mr. Wickham and crossed the road quickly.
Darcy observed from afar how the eldest smiled and blushed. When he dared look in Elizabeth Bennet's direction, he was surprised to find she looked quite indignant. Her complexion was considerably paler and, if her frown was anything to go by, she was downright upset. At first he thought she was displeased that he happened to be there, but he soon realized she was not looking at him. She was looking at Mr. Wickham. But the officer seemed just as surprised as he that Miss Bennet was exhibiting such a dislike. He only smiled uneasily and tipped his hat in the ladies' direction. Elizabeth quickly turned away and hid her face.
Darcy found the exchange curious, but did not press Mr. Wickham for an explanation, considering it would only be right if the man himself brought it up.
What could possibly inspire such a reaction? he wondered, taken aback.
"Why, I was just coming over to your house, Miss Bennet, to invite you all to the Netherfield Ball!"
Kitty and Lydia nearly squealed with joy.
"Oh, Mr. Bingley, you've kept your promise! How delightful! Don't forget you also mean to dance with all of us!"
"I could never forget such a pleasant appointment."
Elizabeth was smiling weakly, attempting to act as amiably as her sisters, but it was plain to see she bore the meeting ill and her eyes kept darting to the other side of the road.
Jane was squeezing her hand under their cloaks.
"May we present our cousin, Mr Collins?"
Mr. Collins quickly monopolized the conversation and gave Elizabeth a pretext to remain silent. She was not sure what she could presently say. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest. She knew Wickham was staring at her. And she also knew Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley were paying attention.
Oh, what a nightmare!
To her shock, she saw Wickham smile benignly, as if he did not understand the reason for her sullenness and she was overcome with an anger that only found expression through a rather scornful frown. But before her face could betray more, she turned away, resolving not to make a spectacle of herself.
"Shall I find you ladies at home when we call in the afternoon?" Bingley inquired genially.
"Naturally, Sir, I will make sure they are not late," Mr. Collins answered proudly for them.
Polite goodbyes were made, Lydia threw in another brazen remark about "buying ribbons for your Ball, Mr. Bingley!" and soon he was walking back to his own party. Elizabeth was relieved. She let out a breath she did not know she was holding.
"I suggest we do not tarry and make for our aunt, Mr. Collins," she said, impatient to leave the premises and not have to bear Wickham's presence a moment longer.
"She will be expecting us and she must be worried," Jane confirmed.
The two sisters walked holding hands all the way to Aunt Philips'.
"Are you quite all right, Lizzy? It was a shock for me too, you know. I never thought he would return here. I confess I don't know what to think."
"It's quite simple, Jane. Enough time has passed that he does not feel it makes a difference. Besides, he's in no danger. No one suspects him of anything but gallantry," Elizabeth replied in a cool voice. If there was any trembling in her voice, her sister could not hear it. Elizabeth had now a better command of her feelings and she only seemed vaguely irritated. But her heart was a different matter. It was still beating wildly, as if any moment now, Wickham might reappear round the corner.
Worst of all, Mr. Darcy had been there to witness everything.
"Are you coming, my dear cousins?" Mr. Collins asked, noticing Jane and Elizabeth had lingered behind.
"Of course, Mr. Collins," they both replied with a weary sigh.
Wickham's return was certainly going to be discussed at length at home.