Early posting today as I wil be out for the rest of the day - we're getting Mr Bennet worked up for an explosion in the next chapter... So this is a little angsty, but hopefully not too much.
Chapter Eight
About an hour after Mr Bennet had sent Elizabeth to her room in disgrace, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy called at Longbourn to take their leave as both gentlemen were returning to London. Darcy was disappointed not to see Miss Elizabeth in the room when they were announced, but, having decided against pursuing the lady despite never having enjoyed a set at a ball as much as the one she granted him the previous night, he could not, would not ask about her whereabouts.
Wishing for a few private moments with Miss Bennet before leaving for town, Mr Bingley suggested a walk in the gardens and soon after the two gentlemen were stepping out with Miss Bennet and Miss Mary. The ladies led them rapidly far enough from the house to avoid being heard by anyone inside, especially Mr Bennet. Darcy and Bingley noticed Miss Mary's distress; her older sister was holding the girl's hand despite clearly wishing for time with Bingley.
Darcy attempted to help his friend, for their time in Longbourn was limited. "Miss Mary, would you like to sit on one of the benches? Is there anything my friend or I could do for your relief?"
The younger girl looked at Jane, who nodded once. "I apologise, sirs," Jane gently squeezed Mary's hand, "I am worried for our sister, Elizabeth," Mary continued, with so much emotion in her voice that the gentlemen forgot the slight impropriety of her address. "Lizzy is well, but our father is attempting to force her into matrimony with his heir, Mr Collins." She looked straight at Mr Darcy. "Sir, I was nearby yesterday when our cousin was introduced to you, and unless I am mistaken in my understanding, I believe his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a relative of yours. You must see how impossible such a marriage would be."
Darcy nodded in confirmation as Mary continued. "Mr Collins is currently at Lucas Lodge, where we hope he has proposed to Miss Lucas. If he is delayed, I fear our father will still attempt to force a marriage with Lizzy; Mr Collins courted her before redirecting his attentions to a more welcoming prospect and Mr Bennet will insist his honour is engaged. Our cousin is not as clever as Papa but Mr Collins is honourable and more diffident that first appears; he may be persuaded to do what is presented to him as a duty, and then the happiness of three worthy people will be destroyed. If our father fails to achieve the desired engagement, after making a public spectacle of Mr Collins' ill-advised aborted courtship of Lizzy, our reputation will suffer from having a sister jilted in the worst manner. Either way, Lizzy will get blamed even though she has not done anything wrong, and her life will be more difficult. She is not of age, we are powerless. Even now, Mr Bennet has ordered Mr and Mrs Hill to inform him if we go near her room, so we cannot even comfort her. I see no good outcome from this." Her courage exhausted, Mary burst into tears and Miss Bennet held her tight.
Darcy was touched by the shy girl's strong feelings; Miss Mary had more depth than he had suspected and he momentarily wished he could introduce her to his sister. The thought of the beautiful, witty and bright Miss Elizabeth being subjected to his aunt's condescension was making him sick, though he would not allow himself to think too much on that matter.
He replied in the gentle voice normally reserved for Georgiana. "Miss Mary, I believe a visit to Sir William and Lady Lucas is in order; as Mr Bingley's highest-ranking neighbour indeed the gentleman deserves a polite leave-taking. And as a nephew to Mr Collins' patroness, I cannot do any less than offer my heartfelt congratulations on his engagement and assure him he has chosen wisely." He smiled at the young girl when she looked up. "Nothing could be more natural than my offering advice to the future groom about writing to my aunt directly to announce his engagement in Hunsford parish, which would bind him to Miss Lucas completely. I am certain Sir William, being accustomed to dealing with the Ton, will happily inform the whole neighbourhood that I assured the young bride-to-be of her welcome at Rosings Park, for Lady Catherine will certainly bestow her favours on such a worthy Mrs Collins. Perhaps while my friend and I are so occupied, Miss Bennet and yourself will give your missing sister my best wishes for her health and happiness."
"You would do that for my Lizzy?" She whispered.
"You must know how your sister helped me restore a semblance of reputation in Hertfordshire after my behaviour first alienated most of your neighbours. I believe you all helped in her endeavours there. Is this not the least I could do to repay some of your kindness?"
Before the gentlemen could make their way to Lucas Lodge, Bingley managed some private conversation with Jane, still within sight of his friend and his lady's sister, but far enough not to be overheard. Left to entertain the middle Bennet daughter, Darcy remembered her charming performance the previous evening and turned the conversation towards music, a topic he could canvass quite happily thanks to his passionate younger sister.
Later that afternoon, after a surprisingly cheerful and pleasant stop at Lucas Lodge, the two gentlemen were on their way to London in Darcy's carriage with Bingley's horse tied to it for his return in a few days; the Hursts could use the Bingley carriage for their visits around Meryton while he was sorting his affairs.
"I proposed, Darcy, I just could not help myself, I blurted a proposal out as soon as Miss Mary and you were out of earshot." Bingley had a look on his face his friend could not read or recognise.
"And? You did not go to Mr Bennet, so I assume Miss Bennet asked for more time." Darcy was curious, and more than a little concerned for his friend's heart if the lady had declined his offer.
"She accepted, Darce, Jane said yes." Bingley accepted his friend's congratulations with a dazed look on his face.
"I still cannot believe my luck, she loves me. My Jane loves me. She asked me to wait until my return to talk to her father, who would most likely refuse me." Bingley frowned.
"Why do you think he would refuse you? You may have origins in trade, but you are perfectly suitable as a match for a woman in Miss Bennet's position, and your lady agrees," Darcy asked.
"I think there is something seriously wrong with the man, you know; Jane told me more about his behaviour after asking me to delay announcing our engagement. He does not care about his daughters' happiness, only his comfort matters. Jane is certain that he would enjoy denying me, not just to upset her, but because he fears I could offer Miss Elizabeth a chance to avoid what he calls her duty; he will fight us and it is better to give as little time to plan as possible. She fears him, my brave Jane who did not hesitate to confront me at the risk of losing my love, she fears him, her own father; they all do except Miss Elizabeth perhaps. Can you believe the man; he wants his daughter not only to marry Collins but also to live in one of the empty tenant cottages on the estate so that she continues running the estate for him and never has a chance to find a more suitable husband? He does not want her to escape and end up far from home. Jane is incredibly worried for her sister, and I can understand."
Darcy was shocked. "Miss Bennet told you this?" His friend nodded. "If I had known I would have been less subtle with Collins, I could have persuaded him to return to Kent directly rather than just write. It does explain why Miss Elizabeth did not want me to talk to her father about Wickham, the amount of damage these two monsters could wreak on the sisters if they met would be terrible."
He thought for a moment. "Does Miss Elizabeth run Longbourn, then?"
"Yes, according to Jane, her sister took over the accounts when she was sixteen and by the time she was seventeen, she was organising the planting, harvest, repairs and pretty much doing all the work you would expect from a master or a good steward. She has increased the estate's income from a low point of only two thousand pounds to above the three thousand pounds per annum her grandfather regularly achieved. I am not supposed to know, and Bennet has no idea, but the sisters even have dowries, all five of them, over three thousand pounds each according to Jane; that is fifteen thousand pounds saved by my future sister, and she is only twenty years old; such a sum is simply amazing." Bingley had learned much during his time with his new betrothed, and his respect for his future sister had increased as much as his admiration for Jane's devotion to her loved ones, and his joy at being part of that select group.
Darcy was silent for a moment, pondering the discovery that the woman he admired was even more worthy than he had previously thought.
Bingley continued, not noticing his friend's distraction. "Jane is of age and does not need her father's permission to marry, I think I will purchase a common licence from the Bishop in St Albans before I return to Netherfield, and we will marry whether or not Mr Bennet approves. Once she is my sister, I will find a way to help Miss Elizabeth. She should not continue working as an unpaid steward for an uncaring father."
"Bingley, I thought Miss Bennet could be the making of you after your wedding, but I was wrong, she already has achieved more than I ever thought possible. I think you have chosen wonderfully well for yourself, my friend, and I look forward to seeing the man you are becoming at her side." Darcy said with feelings. The young malleable man he had known for years was fast becoming a stronger, yet still caring, gentleman he would always be proud to call a friend.
"I was planning on removing to Pemberley with Georgiana for the festive season, but perhaps we will remain in Town this year. If you need any support, I will be close enough, and if you decide to get married quickly, I only need a few hours' notice to attend the ceremony. I must go to my estate before my annual visit to Rosings, but the dates are not fixed. I hope you will keep me informed of the happenings in your life and in your new community, for once I made the effort of getting to know your neighbours, I found them more interesting and engaging than I expected." He did not add that obtaining news of Elizabeth was his principal concern; if only she had higher connections or a larger dowry.
Bingley snorted. "If only someone could convince Caroline of their worthiness. She remains determined to see them only as country bumpkins, well below her in society."
"What will you do with her? I do not think Miss Bennet should be subjected to her for long after your marriage, and I doubt Mrs Hurst will want to be responsible for her either, especially now that her husband has sobered up and is more attentive to her." Darcy asked.
"I do not know yet, I will give her a final chance to attempt and catch a husband, if one of my aunts agrees to accompany her to some of the events of the season in the coming few months, but if she continues to overreach, I may have no choice but to release her dowry and let her set up her own establishment." Bingley was sincerely sad, as he loved Caroline despite her unbearable pride and unrealistic ambitions.
Between the hints from his two youngest cousins and the conversation with the Netherfield gentlemen, Mr Collins had understood more of Mr Darcy's intent than that man had expected. After sending an express to Lady Catherine announcing his good luck in being accepted by the excellent Miss Lucas and a very thorough description of the lady and her family, he invited Sir William and Charlotte to join him at Longbourn to announce the engagement. Mr Bennet was angry and disappointed but with Sir William asking loudly for congratulations and Mrs Phillips, who had arrived mere minutes earlier, crowing about the news being all over Meryton he had to accept defeat.
He did not forgive Elizabeth, despite being assured Mr Collins had not offered and therefore she had not declined him. He would let her stay in her room without company for another day or two as punishment. With the four days of rain before the ball, another two solitary days indoors should break her spirit and quell the unwelcome rebellion he had witnessed. Despite knowing his daughter successfully ran his estate, Bennet never fully understood her intelligence or strength of character.
His enquiries with the Hills had confirmed that Mrs Bennet and his other daughters had not been near Elizabeth's room as per his edict and that Jane was firmly settled in Mary's small room. Had he been a little less confident about his authority and his wife's stupidity, he may have asked a few more questions and discovered that Sally, the upper maid who looked after the sisters, had delivered a letter from Miss Lydia when she tended to Miss Elizabeth's fireplace.
He paid no attention to the music Mary was playing, nor did he consider the open door to the music room that let the notes travel up to Elizabeth's room. Had he listened he may have recognised the Queen of the Night aria from Mozart's Magic Flute opera, a fast-paced piece depicting the lady's rage and desire for revenge, or the much older Die Gedanken Sind Frei, a German song which translated to Thoughts are Free, from an unknown composer; Jane had found the forgotten music sheets years before in an old trunk in the attics of the Gardiner's London home and Mary and Elizabeth had translated the lyrics together. Elizabeth knew these pieces well, indeed she recognised all the music Mary selected over the next two days, and was highly entertained by her sister's choices for her pleasure during her enforced confinement.
The second Bennet daughter was finally allowed out of her room two days later, on the last day of Mr Collins' visit. Alerted by a stable boy hurriedly dispatched to Lucas Lodge by Mrs Bennet, Sir William, Lady Lucas and Miss Lucas were announced soon after breakfast, putting an end to Bennet's snide attacks on his second daughter and her mother.
"My dear Miss Eliza," Lady Lucas started as soon as the usual polite greetings had been exchanged, "you were too poorly to rejoice with us earlier, but I hope you have heard of Charlotte's good fortune, for our daughter is engaged now."
"Indeed I have, Lady Lucas. My dearest Charlotte," Elizabeth took her friend's hands in hers, "let me wish you all the happiness in the world. You will be sorely missed in Hertfordshire, as you know full well, but I believe Kent is a beautiful county, and my cousin's descriptions of Rosings Park and Hunsford paint such a happy picture, I am glad you will be so happily situated. It is not so far away as to prevent a frequent exchange of letters."
Jane joined her sister. "When will the happy event be, Charlotte? Mr Collins has been very sly and has not shared the date with us yet. You must let us know if we can do anything for you as you prepare for this momentous day."
Charlotte and her betrothed were glowing with happiness, and her parents' pride was obvious to all, acting as a balm to the frayed nerves of the sisters; after such a trying week, genuine pleasure was the perfect remedy to restore their equanimity.
"Mr Collins will come back the first week of January and we will be wed in the church I have attended my whole life, with, I hope, my dearest friends beside me. Indeed, Eliza, you must stand up with me." Charlotte looked at her friend hopefully, knowing that her request may upset Mr Bennet but unable to resist having her closest friend attend her.
"Charlotte, I would be honoured and delighted, thank you so much for asking me." Hugging the future bride, Elizabeth was pleased to realise she genuinely meant the words. Her opinion of her cousin had improved to such an extent, that with the delight of the Lucas family at the planned wedding, it was more than enough to fully reconcile her with Charlotte's future far from Hertfordshire. "I insist on repeating Jane's offer if I am to be your attendant, dearest. You must let us know all we can do to assist your preparations."
The conversation continued happily with wedding plans and helpful suggestions for Charlotte's trousseau for another hour. Mrs Bennet participated little to keep up the appearance of being less happy with the match than her daughters, and Mr Bennet did not speak at all.
After the departure of their guests, Bennet stood up, glaring at Elizabeth and retired to his book room without saying a word to anyone.
Mrs Bennet sighed. "Good, this is very good. But we must go to Meryton post haste, girls, for we have much work to do if we want to get our share of Charlotte's linen ready to be presented to her as a gift for Christmas. Mr Collins, you must not say a word, for she does love a good surprise, the dear girl."
"I have no skill or patience for sewing linen, so I will trim a cap for her," Lydia said with a grin, "a nice white cap with chocolate-coloured ribbons as that will suit her very well. Something darker than her ball gown but in the same warm autumnal tones. And Kitty, if we find wool matching the ribbons I buy, maybe you can make her a warm shawl she can wear in Kent, as your knitting is the best in our whole family. Oh Lord, to think she will be a married woman; we will need to call her Mrs Collins, how droll that sounds." Elizabeth looked at her youngest sisters with affection, while Mr Collins smiled gratefully.
The parson could not trust himself to speak with his emotions running so high; he genuinely cared about Miss Lucas; interestingly, he was well on his way to being in love with the young lady, although he did not recognise the feeling, having never loved before. He wanted his bride to be joyful, and content in her choice despite the distance that would separate her from her family and friends; presents from his dear cousins would be a wonderful addition to their cosy little home and would help Charlotte settle in Kent more easily. Perhaps he could suggest to Charlotte that she invite Miss Elizabeth for Easter, so she could judge for herself whether her beloved friend had been accepted in Hunsford as well as she hoped. As his cousin seemed to enjoy walking, the paths around Rosings would be a nice treat, a small way to thank her for her generosity in sacrificing her comfort for his and Charlotte's happiness.