Chapter 4 : The Families Meet, At Last.
First and foremost, I would like to extend my most heartfelt apologies to those that have been so gracious enough to read and comment on my story. Since I posted last, my life was turned upside down for quite sometime by an event that literally wiped me out. As a result, writing was the last thing I could do. Needless to say, it is a very weak apology but I make it all the same. I have mapped out the next several chapters of my piece and hope to update once a week at least. Thanks for hanging in there with me.
Lady Nikka
ATTN: I do not own Pride and Prejudice or any of Jane Austen's brilliant characters, though some that appear are of my own making.
Chapter 4: The Families Meet
The two weeks since Darcy's return to Hertfordshire had transpired much more quickly than either he or Elizabeth could have imagined. Mrs. Bennett occupied much of Elizabeth's time speaking to her of nothing but ribbons and lace and lamenting that her dark looks were nothing to the ethereal looks of her elder sister. Elizabeth merely rolled her eyes and made faces at her sister that nearly forced poor Jane into losing her countenance, while dear sweet Jane blushed at her mother's harsh remarks against Elizabeth's beauty trying gently as ever to curb them.
The fortnight preceding the arrival of the Darcy and Bingley families was highly orchestrated by Mrs. Bennett with the primary intention of boasting to all in the neighborhood of her daughter's good fortune. Dinners and teas, numerous trips into the shops were made, sometimes multiple times a day for the newest idea. Mrs. Bennett was not to be outdone in any aspect. All would remember her triumph, for hers it was to be the mother of three daughters married in less than one year. Her head danced with notions that all would seek out her advice in marrying off their daughters, but she would not divulge any of her secrets until her last two daughters would marry, if only her very rich soon to be son in laws would introduce more of their rich friends into their company.
Mr. Bennett spent the days summoning Elizabeth to his study, and sometimes Jane as well to give the girls a bit of reprieve from their mother's excessive attention to detail. Together they would sit and read, whilst more often then not, he would play cards or debate his dearest Elizabeth. He missed her already, though even he could detect the note of sadness in his favorite child with her fiancée was not near.
Finally, it was the day for all the families to meet. Both Bennett girls were understandably nervous and agitated at the meeting that lied ahead. Elizabeth was very sensible of the fact that her mother was the stuff of nightmares when she was allowed to ramble on about her good fortune and wit. Blushing as they were announced at Netherfield, Elizabeth could only remember that her father has promised to keep her mother in check and hasten her visiting to an end if she became too unruly.
As the Bennetts entered the drawing room at Netherfield, Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat. Instantly, her eyes sought out Darcy's and his smile warmed her sole. At once he was at her side taking her arm and leading her over to wear the Colonel sat with several people Elizabeth could only assume to be his parents and siblings. Mrs. Bennett had the good sense to wander closer to the Bingley family and give Elizabeth a chance to express her character to her fiancee's family.
The Colonel was first to his feet, a bright smiling beaming at Elizabeth that she could not help but return.
"And here father," he began jovially. "Here is the little minx who cast me off and broke my poor heart in favor of my dour cousin and his immense fortune!" And with that he gave Elizabeth a playful wink as she gasped and blushed, whilst Darcy stood rigid, his hand tightening on Elizabeth's arm as he fixed his cousin with a glare that would have caused any lesser man to quake.
Elizabeth's eyes danced with a hesitant humor and she blushed, though she was not exactly sure why. The finely dressed woman standing behind the Earl gasped while the older gentleman merely laughed and exlclaimed, "You my boy are a liar!"
"Upon my word father," the Colonel said exasperated. "Surely you must believe the luck of your poor and depraved youngest son!"
"Aye," Earl Fitzwilliam began, "Depraved you are indeed to think such a creature would ever hold interest in such a reprobate as you."
The Colonel merely held his hands to his chest acted wounded, Elizabeth finally allowed a laugh to escape her lips, while Darcy's lip twitched a bit betraying his own amusement. The Earl's wife stepped forward swatting her son and husband the arm as she passed them.
"Miss Bennett, you must excuse the men in my family," she glanced sidelong at her son and husband, "They do take quite some time to become accustomed to."
At this comment, Elizabeth's smile widened and Darcy blushed. The reactions did not go unnoticed. The party begin to find some ease with each other and soon fell into easy conversation. The Fitzwilliams, thought Elizabeth, were the most wonderful people on earth. Neither the Earl or his wife lacked any sense of highly dignified, yet unassuming attitudes. Each possessed a sharp wit, and a clear sense of understanding completely a match born of affection. In short, Elizabeth was relieved that the other half of her beloved's family was not nearly as opposed to her marriage as Lady Catherine. In fact, it seemed quite the opposite.
The evening soon drew to an end and the Bennett's were readying to take their leave. The colonel seized the opportunity to further vex his cousin by taking Elizabeth's arm and leading her out. At his cousin's reproachful look he flashed a wicked smile, " Oh come now Darce, once you are married I shan't be able to have a moment alone with Miss Elizabeth without asking your permission."
Darcy merely snorted at his cousin's joke. "On the contrary, once I am married you may speak with Elizabeth all you like. For you cannot say anything to her that will scare her away, for I shall have her caught by then." He winked playfully at Elizabeth who smiled up at him as he gave a look of nonchanlance to his cousin.
"Can't you boys every play nice? Honestly, you're both well over five and twenty," the earl's wife explained.
Both had the good sense to blush. In that moment, Elizabeth thought they both looked absolutely adorable and like scolded children.
As Colonel Fitzwilliam proceeded with Elizabeth to her family's waiting carriage, his father laid his hand on Darcy's arm causing him to stop and look at his uncle.
"Do not Fitzwilliam Darcy," he began with conviction. "Do not for one moment think that you have made a mistake in your choice. After seeing you two together, there is no doubt it my mind that she was made for you. I hope the ravings of my sister have not deafened you."
Much touched by his uncle's affection, Darcy hardly knew what to say. " My aunt is –"
"She is a fool Darcy. And the only one of your family who is not happy by this union." He paused to smile at his wife.
"Oh certainly Darcy, she will be the only one to keep you in line." His aunt flashed him a beautiful smile before she walked past them to say her goodbyes to the Bennetts.
