So this chapter contains the point of view of many different characters. It should be relatively easy to maneuver since the characters name is mentioned at the start of each point of view. I hope you enjoy!
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Chapter 14
By morning the news of Jane Bennet's engagement to one Charles Bingley, was the talk of the town. The Bennet house was in raptures, all the girls fussing over what was to be the wedding of the year. All except Elizabeth, though she was very happy for her older sister and her happiness, this morning she was spending time with her dear children. She sat on the sofa with them, William on her right, Sophia on her left playing with her mother's curls, as Elizabeth read to them from a book of nursery rhymes.
Elizabeth was learning to consider the blessings that came from her marriage, her young children were her everything.
Jane Bennet was glowing as only a bride to be could do. She had an ethereal essence about her more so than ever before, and all because the man she loved the most in this world had asked her to become his wife.
While Jane's emotions were always well kept, few could ever read her, except her sister Elizabeth, the emotions across her face today were those of a well-loved woman, as they started to make plans for the wedding.
Charles' proposal had taken her by surprise. He later told her that the freedom, and power he had exerted of Caroline that afternoon, had given him the confidence to propose. And she was happy to accept. Though no matter how upset she was at Miss Bingley, she was upset to see her go. In her naiveté, she had a hard time understanding the evilness of her character.
The groom himself hadn't stopped smiling since he and Darcy had arrived this morning at Longbourn, and as such wanted to give his Angel the wedding of her dreams.
The night before, after a talk with her father, he was granted permission. They discussed her dowry, which was settled upon her after her sister had married the Duke. Charles Bingley wanted no part of it though, for he could provide his angel with all she needed, and actually ended up settling a sum on his angel to her father.
The wedding was set for seven weeks from now, and a lot had to be done.
Darcy had found his way to the sitting room just in time to hear Elizabeth finish her the story. He could hear the young boy snore softly, and concealed a chuckle as he watched Sophia interact with her mother as if she were not talking gibberish, and Elizabeth, the good mother that she was, as she held her sleeping son, knew every word Sophia as trying to say to her.
Darcy's mind wandered, he pictured them, years down the road, sitting in the sitting room at Pemberley, Sophia and William were there, a little older, and there was a new crop of young ones. Another toddler, and an infant. Darcy smiled. Elizabeth, ever the patient mother, in the middle of the chaos that he had grown to adore.
He wondered what their children might look like. Would they look like her beautiful children now? Probably not, their kinship would be quite different. He would not mind though if they shared some of the same physical traits. If, when they had children, he would want William and Sophia to be close to them as if they were all a part of the same family. He already considered them his own. Though as much as he wished, William was his own father's heir, he would've gladly passed on all he had to William, had he not such a legacy already, at the young age of only nineteen months. He could bestow it upon Sophia, but she too had a legacy of her own. He was sure more would be known of hers as soon as Elizabeth had heard the will.
As much as he wished those two dear children were his own, they were not. He sighed and leaned against the doorway, and watched the children, and the woman he loved dearly.
Mr. Bennet, was a weary old man, though he would tell you he was quite young in fact, but no matter that he was tired, he was in dire need of the company of his favorite daughter and grandchildren, so he set out to find them. Imagine his surprise as he made his way to the sitting room, and found Darcy leaning against the door frame, looking into the room, as he heard Elizabeth and his granddaughter's constant, happy chatter.
Well now this is new, he thought with glee. For he had come to know Mr. Darcy as a very good man, even good enough for his favorite daughter. Shaking his head he decided to leave the occupants alone in peace. But don't think he would not give Mr. Darcy grief about this later.
Now to find a safe place, where he would not be intruded upon to discuss flowers, and lace, pastries. Scratch that.
He very much liked pastries.
Elizabeth was not unaware of Mr. Darcy's presence, and in fact could feel his intense stare upon her and her children, but she was enjoying this time with her precious blessings, that she could not be bothered. He was not harming anyone by standing there, so if he wanted to watch let him watch.
Though she really could barely understand a word her daughter said, she acted as though she did, and that was good enough for Sophia. William had long since become heavy in her arms, though she did not mind. He would not be able to do this for much longer, the demands of society would take her away from her children, and her children away from their childhood. Much too soon, her greatest gifts would be required to be miniature adults, and though she would not like it, she would not be able to control it. This was the world they lived in, the society they were a part of, and she could do nothing to deny the inevitable. She would embrace them until the commitment of duty was a necessity.
And even then she would embrace them still.