Word that another large carriage had come through Meryton on the way to Netherfield Park soon circulated through the environs of the village of Meryton and added great excitement to the already heady good cheer following the assembly. Mrs. Bennet was sure that there would be more eligible bachelors residing at Netherfield and her ecstasy knew no bounds. Her dearest Jane was sure to be married by Christmas for Mr. Bingley had danced with her twice and she was sure that her eldest daughter could not be so beautiful for nothing. She would have so much pin-money, so many jewels and carriages. To think she would have a daughter ensconced as the Mistress of Netherfield was something she had always dreamt of and now all her dreams were coming true.
As for her second daughter, she had given up on her. She was destined to be an old maid for there was no talking to her. She refused any of her mother's good advice on how to capture the heart of a man. Lizzie's recalcitrance grieved her sorely but she could not waste any more time on her when she still had Kitty to consider. Kitty was now in her seventeenth year and ready for marriage. It grieved her no end that Peter Postlewaite had not invited her dear Kitty to dance and she was going to have to think hard on how to accomplish that feat before the next assembly. An estate in Nottinghamshire worth six thousand a year! Ooh! How good that sounded. That wealth would be wasted on Charlotte Lucas. Kitty added her approbation with a giggle followed by a coughing spasm which forced her to quit the room and join Jane out in the garden for some fresh air.
Mrs. Bennet continued rambling on about her expectations while Elizabeth suffered in silence until unable to contain herself she allowed a heavy sigh to escape at this utter nonsense. The sound resulted in an angry glare from her mother. "Just you wait, Miss Lizzy. When you end up an old maid you will regret these days when I worked so hard for your happiness. You act as though I enjoy spending all my waking hours thinking of the futures of all my daughters. Do you think I enjoy spending so much money on your fine clothes? Have you ever given a thought to my future? When I was your age I had so many dreams. I would have a son and when he was old enough, he would take over the running of Longbourn. And then do you know what your father and I planned? Of course you don't. Not one of you asked me what my dreams were. Did you think I wanted to spend the rest of my life in this small village...did you think your father wanted to bury himself here? On our wedding trip we visited Florence and Rome and the following year when I was carrying Jane we spent a week in Paris. Except for a few trips to Town we've both had to settle for this existence. You just might show a little gratitude for what I'm trying to do for you."
Elizabeth sat frozen in her chair staring at her mother in shock. What dreams was she talking about? Elizabeth cast her mind back over the past and could not recall her mother ever voicing displeasure with her life as the Mistress of Longbourn. She'd always assumed that her mother was perfectly satisfied with her situation except for having five daughters who had no dowries.
Mrs. Bennet eyed her daughter with some amusement. "What's the matter, Lizzie? Have you nothing to say? You are always so glib. Always have an answer for everything. Did you really think I had no dreams of my own? Had no disappointments in life? Did you think that at the age of two and forty I was perfectly happy to spend the next twenty years here at Longbourn dining with the same dull people year after year? Playing whist...a game I detest...three nights a week. Watching your father grow more bored and discontented, longing for his own half-forgotten dreams?"
"But, Mother, why didn't you ever say anything? I had no idea you were so unhappy."
"What good would that have done? Oh, I prattled enough in the early years. You and Jane went to sleep listening to my daydreams. Then Mary was born, then Kitty and finally Lydia. Five confinements and only five daughters to show for it. Where was the son we so longed for? He was to take over the running of Longbourn when he reached his majority and then your father and I would return to Europe and enjoy our old age basking in the sun."
Elizabeth didn't recognize the woman sitting across the table from her. Not once had she ever spoken of the past with such longing and bitterness. Worse still, she had not shed a tear nor mentioned her nerves during her brief recitation though her hands were trembling as she buttered another sweet roll.
"There was a tiny villa near a lake and I never forgot it's beauty. For years I dreamed of returning someday and buying that villa and living happily ever after. She laughed without mirth, "wasted dreams, wasted time, wasted life. Not what I want for my girls."
Elizabeth felt a sharp stab of remorse. "You should have said something."
"You should have asked."
"Yes. I should have asked. I'm so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?"
"Of course I can. That's something else mothers do. Now go and take one of your longs walks and leave me to myself. My head is bursting with all this talk."
Lizzie did as she was told and headed for Mt. Oakham knowing there was no chance of meeting with Darcy for he was surely busy with Lady Catherine and Georgie. Besides, he was the last man on earth she wanted to see at the moment. She felt thoroughly ashamed of herself as well she might. She had always prided herself on her acumen in judging who a person was and quick to empathize yet she had failed her own mother. As her father's favorite she had never received the knowledge that a husband could take liberties with a wife which a child should never do. His open teasing of his wife had set the pattern which Lizzie had cheerfully worn never giving a thought to how ungrateful a child she was. She thought she was so clever to regard her mother as the silliest woman in England. Now she had to wonder just who held the title in the Bennet household. Her mortification grew as she suddenly realized just how selfish she had been acting by withholding the truth of her understanding with Darcy. By the time she reached her favorite tree she was so full of self-recrimination that she didn't at first see Darcy leaning against her favorite tree.
"Elizabeth," he cried. "What is it?"
She ran towards him and threw her arms around his neck, "Mr. Darcy! I did not expect to see you before tomorrow. Must you always come upon me when I look my worst?"
"I suppose if we are to be married I won't be able to help it," he laughed. He embraced her, holding her tight. "What is it?"
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with. I've just realized that I'm not a very good daughter. I've deprived my mother of the best news she could ever have. She will finally be getting rid of a most ungrateful child."
"Her loss and my gain." Darcy kissed her gently, "does this mean I have permission to speak with your father?"
"Yes, my love, you do. I've been so selfish in wanting to keep our news to ourselves for a few days. I so hated the thought of all the fuss that would start as soon as my mother knew. The countless visitors offering congratulations while my mother crowed about the catch I had made was too awful to contemplate. All the romance would have flown out the window and I do so love a good romance."
"Oh, Lizzie," he sighed. "For years Richard and I made sport of our aunt for our own amusement when all she wanted was her daughter's happiness. Perhaps your mother and my aunt are more alike than either of us could have guessed."
"Heaven forfend!" she cried, laughing despite herself.
Darcy laughed with her, delighted that he had been able to lift her spirits. "But seriously, what brought all this on?"
"Nothing out of the norm. She was making wedding plans for Jane, plotting a marriage between Kitty and Mr. Postlewaite and naturally I made a remark that was not to her liking. You can imagine the rest." When he remained silent she pulled away to look into his face. "Are you listening to me?"
"I always listen to you, my love. But I must confess that the thought of your sister and Peter sent my brain into a spin. But don't worry, sweetheart, I'll come to my senses at any moment."
His smile was so sweet she stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek, "before I forget, allow me to tell you how much I admire and love you." Her sweet declaration elicited a deep and gentle kiss which declared his love more than words could ever do. When he finally released her mouth she held him tight feeling the urgency of his need for her, "when will you speak to my father?"
"First thing in the morning."
"Good. That will give me time to warn him."
Darcy threw his head back and laughed hardily at her choice of words, "warn him, my love? Surely I'm not in the same class as your cousin, the dreadful deacon. I would prefer you to inform him of an impending visit from a very respectable young man."
The rest of their limited time together was spent in whispers and murmurs and soft kisses of longing. She knew he had to get back to Netherfield to attend his aunt and sister but the hours ahead loomed so desolate for her, it took all her strength of character to finally pull away from him. She brushed away a tear, "I miss you already, but you must go. I'll be perfectly all right. Besides, I want to spend some more time with my mother. I must warn...that is to say, inform her, of the impending visit of Lady Catherine on the morrow. My ears will be exhausted by the time my head hits the pillow tonight." With one last kiss she turned and hurried back to Longbourn.
Later that evening...
Lady Catherine had not been herself for several weeks and at times felt unnerved at the changes that had been wrought to her way of living and thinking. As a child she was taught what was right and given good principles but very early in her childhood she realized that it was a man's world and woman mere chattels at the complete mercy of their fathers, brothers and even their sons, particularly if they were not in possession of extreme beauty. Women of the plainer variety could not expect to play more than a very small part in life's drama, for it was expected that she would end up a mousy little creature, unmarried, sullen, and finding solace in the darkest corner of a room. However, Lady Catherine Fitzwilliam was made of sterner stuff and surprised everyone by becoming a leading light in London society by pure force of her personality. She allowed nothing to get in her way and never looked back so never realized that for all her accomplishments she never attained the one thing that most people desire above all else. Though complacency , contentment and pride were her constant companions, happiness and Lady Catherine were strangers. She was so used to thinking meanly of those beneath her station that she was hard-pressed to allow for the differences of character and thus this latest penchant for making allowances for the bizarre behavior of her fellow creatures had alarmed her. It was left to her sister-in-law and her daughter, Anne, to explain that happiness was the cause of this disquiet and she should accept it and not question it. After this information Lady Catherine experienced a week of introspection and for a further hour or two felt a deep regret for having missed one of life's pleasures but quickly determined that regret for the past was simply a further waste of her time. If the empathy for her fellow creatures was part of happiness then so be it. It didn't hurt and actually felt rather pleasant. She thought it might become a habit. It was in this frame of mind that Lady Catherine surveyed the table at her first dinner at Netherfield. She was determined to be pleased and refrain from muttering any acerbic remarks about her fellow guests. This was proving to be a difficult task as their deportment left much to be desired.
Anne and Richard were ignoring the excellent gazpacho as well as their fellow guests in favor of whispering sweet nothings at each other and exchanging secret smiles which bordered on the indelicate. That a well brought up daughter of hers might indulge in such unseemly behavior was not to be endured. However, in her new-found state of happiness Lady Catherine decided that endure it she must, for this breach of conduct was preferable to ignoring each other as they were slated to share their bed as well as their lives.
At the other end of the table the sweet-faced Charles Bingley had yet to taste his soup but instead continued to stir it with a perplexed look on his face as if he had never seen such a thing. Versions of gazpacho were a common summer treat so she was sure he knew what is was yet he persisted in his examination. The continuous scraping of his spoon against the bottom of his bowl was getting on her nerves but she restrained herself from remarking on his behavior as it might appear improper for a guest to chastise her host for making too much noise at the dinner table. Retaining happiness under all circumstances was proving to be not without it's difficulties but she was willing to try.
As for Darcy, he sat with a spoonful of soup half-way to his mouth seemingly at a loss as to what he was supposed to do next. She suspected that he had been nibbling on something more uncommon than tomato soup and had lost his appetite for plebeian food. For a fleeting moment she felt a wave of sadness wash over her remembering how much she had wanted to see that look on his face when he regarded her daughter, Anne. But it was not to be. Anne had chosen a different path and so had he. There was no doubt in her mind that it had all worked out for the best. Anne was deliriously happy and from the dreamy expression on Darcy's face, so was he. For the first time in his life he was in love and apparently he was finding it rough going. Well, Miss Elizabeth was an uncommon young lady who would keep him on his toes and it really was rather sweet to see the uptight Master of Pemberley acting like a schoolboy deep in the throes of first love. She had no doubt that they were well-suited for each other and she was content.
Peter Postlewaite was also ignoring his soup while earnestly examining the ceiling in deep contemplation. Lady Catherine sincerely hoped that he wasn't searching for flaws as it would not do to have the ceiling collapse on them before completion of dinner. Georgiana had twice nearly emptied a spoonful of soup into her lap. No wonder! She couldn't keep her eyes off the young man. And why not? Next to Darcy, Lady Catherine could not remember ever seeing a more handsome gentleman. If his dark hair and blue eyes could make the heart of an old crone like herself go a-twitter, she could imagine what it was doing to a young, unworldly sixteen year old. Her dear niece was growing up. There would not be too many tomorrows before Georgie would be searching for her own true love.
The Hursts were the only diners who knew what to do with the soup and did so while ignoring the rest of the guests. A strange couple, the Hursts. They seemed to have nothing to say yet she had seen their eyes exchange several silent messages the content of which Lady Catherine could not decipher. Louisa Hurst was more like her brother in looks and had a gentle demeanor which to Lady Catherine seemed to hold just a touch of sadness. Her husband, on the other hand, was sharp-eyed with a glint in his eyes that bespoke of humor though she had noticed that the occasional look he threw at his sister-in-law held no amusement at all.
As for her hostess, Lady Catherine was finding it extremely difficult to make sensible conversation with a woman dressed like a very large animated ostrich, however she found Caroline Bingley to be one of the most fascinating creatures she had ever beheld and certainly of more interest than the rest of the diners who were no fun at all.
Caroline was again garbed in a peculiar shade of orange with matching plumes while Lady Catherine had chosen a summer dress of light blue silk showing her innate good taste as well as understated elegance. The contrast in their style of dress was telling but Caroline Bingley seemed unaware of her own lack of tastes as she continued to speak in her new modulated voice. "I fear you're in for a culture shock, your Ladyship, and will not find this country to your liking though I assure you I will do everything in my power to amuse you."
"I assure you that I can amuse myself, Miss Bingley. But might I ask what there is about Hertfordshire that you find not to your liking?"
"They have no style of dress and no manners. One of the natives actually had the timidity to ask me where I found my plumes. I think you'll find the citizens in Hertfordshire to be nothing but barbarians."
"Indeed? How unfortunate for you. I can assure you that none of my family or indeed any of my close friends would ever consider asking you where you had found those plumes." Lady Catherine took a long drink of excellent Merlot to steady her voice. "But you surprise me Miss Bingley. If you find the natives so barbaric I wonder you continue to remain in residence. Surely your sister could host for your brother. I can hardly imagine what could hold your interest in a land so distasteful to you."
Caroline lowered her voice with a quick glance at the Hursts, "I fear, your Ladyship, "that my sister does not see the danger my brother finds himself in." Lady Catherine responded with a lift of a brow signaling her hostess to continue, which she did. "Charles is the dearest brother a sister could wish for, but I fear he is too naive for his own good. He's become enamored with a young woman whose family is a disgrace. I could tell you more but the dinner table is not the place."
"This does sound ominous, and I take it you plan to put an end to this infatuation?"
"Indeed I do! My brother is meant for better things than that particular family"
"Surely her father is not in trade, Miss Bingley, for there is nothing more odious than a woman who aspires to raise her position by marrying into a higher station."
Hurst finally broke his silence, "appalling thought, your Ladyship, but you would be surprised at what lengths some women will go to achieve their goals in life."
Lady Catherine eyed Hurst in genuine amusement, "I beg to differ...at least on one point...at my age, nothing surprises me." She turned to Caroline, "but I fear I interrupted you, Miss Bingley. Do tell me why you so disapprove of this young lady?"
Before Caroline could formulate an answer a sound at the end of the table got their attention and Lady Catherine turned and stared into the face of a not so affable Charles Bingley who had dropped his spoon to stare at his sister. The warning glare he favored Caroline with was ignored with a shrug, however it was enough to turn the direction of her conversation towards the rest of the inhabitants of Hertfordshire. "What I witnessed at an assembly the other night was enough to convince me that there is no refinement to be found in all of Hertfordshire."
Lady Catherine regarded her hostess with amusement, "surely you exaggerate, Miss Bingley. "
"Indeed I do not, Lady Catherine. Their dancing bordered on impropriety and the music was more noise than not."
"Oh, dear. How trying for you."
"Oh, you have no idea. I stood it for less than an hour before I fled in disgust at the vulgarity of it all."
"Perhaps it's something in the water."
"Pardon?"
"Just recently I met a young woman who hails from this part of the country. A pretty little thing if I recall though decided in her opinions. How shocked I was to discover that she couldn't tell the difference between Mozart and Beethoven. Could it be that the water has somehow become contaminated and makes the natives of Hertfordshire opinionated, ignorant and tone deaf?"
Caroline's affected smile dimmed somewhat, "yes, perhaps," she allowed, as Anne suddenly began to cough. Richard affected to bring some relief to Anne by patting her back though it seemed to her Ladyship that the contact was more of a tender massage. Peter took his eyes off the ceiling and pressed a glass of water into Georgie's hand as she too had suffered a sudden spate of coughing.
Lady Catherine was sorely disappointed. She had hoped to have some fun with Caroline Bingley but that woman was proving to be too easy a mark for irony. She now turned her attention to her nephew, Darcy. "I do hope you curb your intake of water, Nephew. I have it on good authority that the water in Hertfordshire makes you stupid and there's enough of that going around."
"Lady Catherine, I must protest," cried Caroline. "I said nothing about the water."
Darcy , who had been listening to this exchange, threw a dry look at his aunt but otherwise remained silent. It was left to Peter to reply. "I beg to differ with your authority, Lady Catherine. If there is something in the water I believe it's something more magical than stupidity. As a matter of fact, it may not be the water but the air. From the moment our carriage entered Hertfordshire I found my spirits lifting and knowing beyond reason that my life was about to change for the better. Since my arrival I've felt a wonderful sense of peace and hope. Yes, I'm sure it isn't the water, but the air. Colonel Fitzwilliam! I'm sure you have something intelligent to say on the subject. Would you like to share?"
"Indeed I would," Richard responded with a grin, still rubbing Anne's back though she was no longer coughing. "It's neither the water nor the air. Water conforms too much to it's surroundings so leaves little for imagination or change, and nothing dulls the senses more than a person who will not admit that life is but a brief sojourn and we must be willing to change if we are to survive. As for air, it's too inconstant...I personally have heard some of the most outrageous ideas come straight out of thin air. No! It's the fresh smell of the earth and the trees and wild flowers that abound in this shire." He dared a sly glance at Caroline, "there is no whisper of musk here in the country." He ignored the icy glare from his hostess and turned to Darcy, "I'm sure you have a relevant quote, Cousin."
"I suppose you expect something of fire from me," Darcy replied, "but I prefer to continue your theme, "When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy, and the dimpling stream runs laughing by; when the air does laugh with our merry wit, and the green hill laughs with the noise of it."
"Ah, Byron," Richard smiled.
Darcy nodded and turned to Bingley, "but we have yet to hear from our host. Tell us, Charles, what is it about Hertfordshire that makes you so inattentive to your guests. You sit there stirring your soup with a dreamy expression on your face, your mind miles away...at least three miles away."
"Forgive me, Darcy, but I must decline. I'd rather hear from my sister. I'd be most interested in hearing why she insists on remaining at Netherfield when she would much prefer to be in town or at least in another country further north. She must know by now that there is nothing here for her and no expectations beyond the company of barbarians. Perhaps you would be good enough to tell us why you stay, Caroline, when you find every moment here a misery?"
Despite what Caroline thought of servants, most of them were blessedly not hard of hearing though being well-trained, they pretended to be so. When several eyes turned to Miss Caroline Bingley awaiting her reply to her brother's request the servants retained their stoic expressions. It was left to a few fortunate ones who were placed directly behind their master to witness their hated mistress's complexion turn an alarming plum which later was described downstairs as clashing horrifically with the shocking orange of her gown.
"You're all talking nonsense," she snapped.
"I don't think so," her brother snapped back. "Except for a brief hour at the assembly you have not stirred from this house. You have declined every invitation from our new neighbors. You have not even ventured into Meryton. You have nothing kind to say about anything or anyone yet you won't even take the time to meet with them. You surely must need some new fashion gazettes by now so I'm really at a loss to understand why you are still here. Why don't you enlighten us all."
Caroline's face had now blanched white, "Louisa! Say something! Tell our brother what kind of a fool he is. Tell him."
Louisa Hurst signaled for a third glass of wine, "you're on your own, Carrie. You tell him."
"Louisa!"
Louisa took a dainty sip of wine before addressing her brother. "Charles, I'd be delighted to play hostess for you. Perhaps you would like to invite the Bennets for dinner in the next few days. Then, of course, the Lucas's were most kind to us at the assembly. How does that sound?" The smile Bingley offered his eldest sister was all the answer Louisa needed. "Good! I'll begin preparations first thing in the morning." When Caroline threw her napkin down and left the room hurriedly, Louisa remained sitting and made no attempt to follow.
"What a pleasant dinner this has been so far, Mr. Bingley," Lady Catherine offered. "There's nothing like intelligent conversation to aid digestion."
Anne stifled a laugh behind her napkin while Georgie was shaking so hard she finally did manage to spill a spoonful of soup on her lap. Mortified, and full of apologies she fled the room just as the table shuddered slightly with the reverberation of a door slamming high above their heads.
At Longbourn the following afternoon,
Lady Catherine sat in fascination with Mrs. Frances Bennet. Anne had warned her that according to Elizabeth her mother was probably the silliest woman in England, but Lady Catherine had not yet decided whether this silliness came naturally or was the result of living with the knowledge that she had not done well by her daughters. Darcy had also warned her that Mrs. Bennet had a propensity of talking too much about nothing at all. These descriptions were not obvious during the first ten minutes of her visit for Mrs. Bennet had been struck dumb as Lady Catherine and Darcy made their entrance into her drawing room. Embarrassed by her mother's odd behavior but determined not to show it, Elizabeth took care of the civilities which she did despite the tumult of her heart beating so rapidly.
After Darcy's visit to her father, Elizabeth was now officially engaged to marry Lady Catherine's nephew though neither her mother nor her ladyship knew of these developments. There was no doubt of her mother's reaction once she was informed, but what Lady Catherine would think was another matter entirely. Darcy had assured her that nothing in the world could keep him from taking her back to Pemberley as his bride. However, if that august lady disapproved she wasn't sure what the outcome might be. The thought of entering marriage despite the disapprobation of his family would be a poor start to their marital bliss.
Elizabeth had only told her mother of the impending visit by Mr. Darcy and his aunt Lady Catherine. She had impressed upon it as simply a gracious gesture and not to make anything of it. Mrs. Bennet had taken the news placidly and for once did not let her imagination soar which in itself was a novelty. Elizabeth was at a loss to understand what was going through her mother's mind.
Both guests made a concentrated effort to put the Mistress of Longbourn at ease but it was left to Lady Catherine to succeed beyond her wildest dreams. The tea had hardly been served before Mrs. Bennet finally found her voice and took her seat next to Lady Catherine and began to recite her litany of complaints. There apparently were only two bright spots in her life; Mary's marriage to a respectable cleric and Lydia's marriage to a soldier who would go far in his career. This sudden turn-about was more the woman Lady Catherine had been warned about. That a woman unknown to her would so freely discuss the hardships of finding acceptable husbands for her five daughters was quite remarkable especially on such short acquaintance.
Lady Catherine chose not to comment on Lydia's marriage, the less said the better. She chose instead to concentrate on Mary whom she assured her mother was quite well and would receive the finest attention during her confinement.
Twice she allowed her attention to wander to Elizabeth who sat with head bowed, her hands fidgeting in her lap clearly uneasy with her mother's constant prattle. However it was Darcy who gained more of her attention. He stood somewhat behind Elizabeth with his hand resting lightly on the back of her chair for all the world like her protector. Darcy had not as yet taken her into any of his plans concerning his future, at least in so many words, however, his actions were speaking louder than any words could do. Lady Catherine turned back to Mrs. Bennet wondering if she had any idea that her Elizabeth had won the heart of such a distinguished man.
Almost reading her mind, Mrs. Bennet now turned her attention to her second daughter. She leaned close to her new friend, "I'm really at my wit's end about Elizabeth. She refuses to listen to any of my advice."
Lady Catherine kept a straight face with difficulty, "what kind of advice?"
"She must be married or her life will be disastrous. But she is so stubborn. Did you know that she turned down Mr. Collins as being too stupid and repulsive? And she sneered at Mr. Wickham whom she dared to say was too charming to be true. She swears she will go unmarried rather than marrying without love. Have you ever heard such nonsense?"
"Only recently," Lady Catherine replied remembering her own sentiments a few weeks earlier. Once more she glanced at Darcy hoping he hadn't heard Mrs. Bennet, but he was more concerned for Elizabeth. From her vantage point she could see that his finger was now touching her shoulder lightly. She looked back at Mrs. Bennet who was completely oblivious to the scene taking place in her drawing room. Lady Catherine was hard-pressed not to laugh. Here was Mrs. Bennet complaining bitterly that her daughter Elizabeth would never catch a husband, while the Master of Pemberley couldn't keep his hands off her daughter who was lying back with her eyes closed, a sweet smile playing on her lips.
With great determination she restrained her desire to throw back her head and laugh out loud. She found herself taking a vicarious pleasure in seeing her adored nephew so enamored with the independent Elizabeth Bennet. She remembered the evening that Elizabeth walked into her drawing room. Not in a million years could she have imagined that their lives were about to change in such a drastic way. Darcy would fall in love, Anne would have the nerve to finally speak of the love she felt for Richard, and she herself would finally leave the confines of Rosing's Park to embark on a new life full of change and laughter. Life really had a way of creeping up on the unwary.
On the carriage ride back to Netherfield, Lady Catherine remained silent while Darcy fidgeted waiting for his aunt to say something...anything about their visit but she remained steadfastly silent staring out the window at the passing landscape. He allowed the silence to continue until they reached the outskirts of Meryton before his nerves exploded. "Well? Aren't you going to say anything? What do you think?"
Startled, Lady Catherine turned a blank look on him, "about what?"
Darcy lost complete patience, "no games, I beg of you, Aunt."
"Forgive me, Nephew, but I believe it's up to you to say something. Mrs. Bennet noticed nothing to cause her alarm or interest, but I certainly did.
Darcy had the grace to look embarrassed, "Elizabeth needed my comfort."
"Is that what you call it?"
"We are to be married."
"I should hope so. Have you spoken to her father?"
"This morning."
"And her mother?"
Hesitantly, he tried to explain why Mrs. Bennet was still in the dark. "We wanted to keep our happiness between ourselves for a few days knowing how her mother would react. You don't know her, Aunt. She can get quite hysterical when she's pleased."
"Elizabeth or her mother?"
Darcy sighed in exasperation, "Aunt, do I have your approval?"
"Do you need my approval?"
"No. But I'd like to have it all the same."
"Then you have it."
"Really?"
Lady Catherine relented with a smile, "yes Nephew. Really." The smile of unmitigated joy on Darcy's face moved Lady Catherine deeply. "Your uncle will want to talk to you but I see no difficulty there. Richard and Anne as well as Georgie have painted Miss Elizabeth in glowing colors. And I too have assuaged his fears that you might have fallen for her arts and allurements. But I must say, that you will have a most peculiar mother-in law."
"I did warn you."
"Yes, you did. But there was something odd about her. Something I recognized but can't recall. Something in her manner...oh well, it doesn't matter. You're marrying her daughter and she is a very sensible young lady. I wish you all the best, William. I think you will be a very happy man. See that she remains a very happy woman."
Back at Longbourn,
"They were very nice people," Mrs. Bennet said to Elizabeth as they both watched the carriage make it's way down the road from Longbourn on the way back to Netherfield.
"I'm glad to hear it, Mother, for I have some news I have to impart to you."
"Who were those people?"
Elizabeth frowned in confusion, "those people? That was Mr. Darcy and his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh"
"Oh yes. Help me up the stairs, will you dear. I'm feeling tired now. I think I want to lie down for a while."
Elizabeth took her mother's arm and they walked slowly up the stairs, "I think my news will raise your spirits."
"Have you heard from Lydia?"
Elizabeth's steps faltered, "Lydia? No, Mother. It's about me."
"I think you should wear your lilac gown when they come to dinner tomorrow night. It looks so becoming to you."
Elizabeth settled her mother on the bed and covered her with the comforter, "would you like some tea?"
"No, I just want to rest. It's been a long day."
It was not yet three o'clock and Elizabeth stared at her mother in confusion before sitting down on the edge of the bed and taking her hand. "Mother, are you unwell?"
"I'm very tired."
Now seriously concerned, "I think I should call the apothecary."
"I want my Lydia. Call her, will you please. Tell her I need her."
Elizabeth left the room in a panic and ran downstairs screaming for Mrs. Hill. That lady appeared and took in Elizabeth's appearance, "your mother?" she cried.
Elizabeth nodded, "find my father! Tell him to come quickly!"
It took a full ten endless minutes for Mr. Bennet to be located and make his way up the stairs to his wife's quarters. By then Elizabeth was standing at the window looking down into the garden where Jane and Kitty sat quietly talking, blissfully unaware of what was taking place in the room above. Behind her she heard her father imploring his wife to awaken. Over and over he demanded her to awaken but she would wake no more. Elizabeth turned from the window at the sound of his sobs. The sound was terrible to hear and she thought her heart would break.