Chapter 23
"Brother, can I talk to you?" Georgiana asked.
"Georgiana, what are you doing up so early? Of course, we can talk, come in, sit down," said Mr. Darcy. He was a little tense, waiting for breakfast so he could go to Longbourn and help in any way possible.
For her part, Georgiana had not slept well thinking about everything Caroline had told her. So, he decided that it was better to clarify everything with her brother.
"How can I help you, dear sister? I suspect it must be something important since you woke up so early."
"Yes, William. I would like to ask you some questions about your first visit to this place. What happened between Mr. Bingley and Lizzy's sister? Caroline told me something, but I would like to hear your side of the story."
"I understand, and I promise to tell you the whole truth. But first, I would like you to know that I am aware that my behavior was atrocious and that I have done everything possible to correct my errors."
Mr. Darcy took his sister's hand and told her everything that had happened since he arrived in Hertfordshire and how he had treated the people of Meryton.
"I am so glad you realized your behavior was inappropriate, William. You always taught me that you had to treat everyone with respect. But how does all this relate to Mr. Bingley and Lady Norton?"
"Georgie, I was convinced that Miss Jane Bennet was not the woman for Bingley, and I advised him to forget her. But those who objected most vehemently were Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley. They wanted a woman with a good dowry and better connections as their brother's wife." Mr. Darcy told his sister everything that had happened and how he had hidden Mr. Bennet's death from his friend.
"William, you behaved horribly toward Mr. Bingley."
"I know, dear, and I apologized to him. But Bingley has acknowledged that his lack of courage and determination led him to lose the affection of Miss Bennet, today Lady Norton."
"William, did you know that when Mr. Bingley left here, many commented about Jane and how Mr. Bingley abandoned her."
"No, I only learned that information very recently. Bingley spent a lot of time with her, and it was logical that this would cause rumors and speculation."
"William, you spend much time with Lizzy… I do not want people to say horrible things about her."
"Georgiana, there are other things you should know that I should tell you." Mr. Darcy caressed his sister's face and told her his whole story with Elizabeth. "Dear sister, I love Miss Bennet and intend to win her affection and not harm her."
"William, that is wonderful… But how could you say those horrible things to her? William, if Lizzy decides to give you a second chance, I swear I shall not allow… You will have to respect her, or you will lose my respect," Georgiana said emphatically.
"Do not worry, dear; I promise that if she gives me a second chance, I will treat her like a queen," said Mr. Darcy, winking at his sister.
Georgiana hugged her brother and kissed him on the cheek. She was happy thinking that her dear friend could one day be her sister. "I cannot wait for you to get married, and I want lots of nieces and nephews…"
"Georgie, I do not want you to get your hopes up. I am doing everything I can, but…"
"Do not worry, William. Once Lizzy sees the good and wonderful man you are, she will fall in love with you. Plus, she will have the best sister-in-law in the world and a beautiful house where everyone loves and respects her."
Mr. Darcy was pleased to see his sister so happy, although he was not so sure that Elizabeth would one day come to love him and agree to spend the rest of her days with him.
As soon as Mr. Bingley got up, they went to have breakfast with him so they could go to Longbourn. While they ate, Mr. Bingley told them what he planned to do during the day.
Unfortunately, just before they finished breakfast, Caroline appeared in the dining room, and Mr. Darcy and Georgiana had no choice but to stay at the table for a few more minutes. When everyone was finally finished, Georgiana went to her room to prepare for Longbourn. While Mr. Darcy waited in the drawing room for his sister, Caroline approached him.
"Mr Darcy, are you planning to spend the day in Longbourn? Charles told me that they had to leave the house today. You do not know how sad it makes me to think of Eliza, her mother, and her poor sisters."
"Yes, today we shall escort the Bennet family to their new home. Fortunately, Lord and Lady Norton are accompanying their family. I understand they will spend the summer at the Norton estate, so I am sure they will be very well."
"I am glad to hear that," Caroline said, not very happy. "Mr Darcy, I imagine you and Georgiana will travel to Pemberley soon. I do not think it's right for you to stay here any longer... You know how people are; rumors can spread, and you may be forced to..."
"What rumors?" Mr. Darcy asked very seriously.
"The same rumors affected the Bennets when Charles spent much time with Jane."
"Ah, those rumors. Georgiana told me about your conversation. Miss Bingley, I do not know how to say this in a way that does not sound so harsh... If my behavior causes any rumors, I want you to know that I shall be delighted to assume any obligation society demands. I intend to court Miss Bennet and win her affection, and for that, I need to spend time with her, do you not think?"
Caroline was so shocked by what she heard that she could not say anything for several seconds. "Mr. Darcy, I see that your opinion of Eliza and her family has improved greatly. Is it because Jane is now a Baroness?"
"No, I have admired Miss Bennet for a long time… Well, Miss Bingley, I do not wish to speak further on this subject. Now, if you will excuse me, I shall look for my sister so we can leave for Longbourn."
As soon as Mr. Darcy left the room, Caroline could not hold back her anger and frustration. She grabbed the newspaper on the table and threw it onto the fireplace.
"Caroline, do not vent your frustration at my newspaper; I have not finished reading it yet."
"Charles, I want to leave this place tomorrow. I cannot stand spending another day here."
"I see you realized that Darcy will never propose to you. Caroline, it is time for you to start seriously thinking about what you want to do with your life. You have spent the last four years chasing a man who was never interested in you."
"I suppose you must be happy to see me defeated. But do not claim victory because I shall marry someone with more money and consequences than Mr. Darcy. My future husband will have a title and…"
"Caroline, I do not like hearing you talk like that. If you do not change your attitude, you will never be happy."
"I am not like you, Charles. I do not settle for nothing. I want to be recognized and admired, and even if you do not like it, I know I shall be one day an important lady."
Caroline left the room, and Mr. Bingley thought his sister did not want to see reality. Perhaps life would teach her to value what was important. At the moment, he had many plans to put his life back together, and he did not have time to deal with his sister's troubles.
P&P
"Doctor, is my mother alright?" Elizabeth asked. She had been impatiently waiting outside her mother's room.
"Do not worry, Miss Bennet. Everything is fine with your mother. Now, she wishes to speak to her brother-in-law, Mr. Phillips. Can you ask him to come?"
Elizabeth was a little confused. She would have expected her mother to want to talk to Jane but never to Uncle Phillips. But she did what the doctor asked and went in search of her uncle.
While Mr. Phillips spoke with Mrs. Bennet, the doctor reassured the family without giving them details of what was happening. She was the one who should share the news with the family.
After a few minutes, Uncle Phillips returned to the drawing room thoughtfully. "Girls, Fanny wants to talk to you and is waiting for you in her room. I need to go to my office to review some documents, Andrew. Can you come with me?"
"Of course, uncle." Andrew thought something was happening, and Mr. Phillips wanted to talk to him privately, away from Mr. King's inquisitive gaze.
"I shall go check the gardens and orchards. My client is very interested in knowing the condition of those places in the house. He is an excellent agriculturalist, and thanks to the advice of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, he has managed to ensure that his home garden produces not only varied types of crops but also excellent quality. If you had the opportunity to see the size of the carrots that garden produces, along with delicious…"
"I am sorry, Mr. King, but we must leave immediately," Andrew said. Otherwise, that man would have continued talking for hours.
Once all her daughters were sitting around her bed, Mrs. Bennet explained what was happening. "My dear girls, I do not want you to worry because I am not ill… I am with child."
The five sisters remained silent, looked at each other, and finally, with joyful laughter, hugged their mother for several minutes until Lydia asked a question, which, although inappropriate, aroused the curiosity of all the sisters.
"Mama, how are you with child if our father…?
"Daughters, your father and I were estranged for a long time, but before he died, we talked a lot…" Mrs. Bennet began to cry, and once she calmed down, she continued. "In the last days of his life, Thomas and I managed to rebuild our relationship, and this child is the result of that."
"Mama, you do not have to be sad. We shall help you with everything you need," Jane said.
"I know, my dear girl."
"Mama, if that baby you are expecting is a boy, can we stay here in our house?" Mary asked.
"I had not thought of that, Mary," Elizabeth added, bewildered.
"It would be wonderful not to leave our house," Kitty said.
"And to laugh in Mr. Collins' face," Lydia added.
The five sisters began to talk and speculate about everything that could happen with the child's birth. Everyone was happy, and what should have been a somber day turned into great happiness.
"Daughters, I would like to ask you a favor and ask you to help me with this matter. Every time I was expecting one of you, there were months of great anguish, dreaming that one of you would be the desired male who could inherit your father. I still remember the disappointment I felt every time they told me that a girl had been born. I do not want to feel that way with this child. It is a blessing my husband gave me before leaving, and I want to feel happy when, after being born, my child is placed in my arms. God gave me five wonderful daughters, and if he sends me a sixth, my life will be even happier than it already is. With the money your father left us, we bought a house in Meryton, and thanks to the help of my dear Andrew and my brother Gardiner, we will never want for anything."
"You are right, Mama. We shall love the baby no matter what," Elizabeth said.
"If it is a girl, it will be so amusing to make her clothes, now that I have learned," Kitty said.
"And I shall make her the prettiest hairstyles," Lydia said.
"And I shall teach her to play the piano. Aunt Amanda said that after a few lessons, I should be able to play very well," Mary added.
"Lidya, you will no longer be the youngest daughter," Kitty said.
"True, but I still am, and you are not!" Lydia replied angrily.
"It makes me so happy to have you all with me. Daughters, I want you to understand that as long as we are together, we shall always be well," Mrs. Bennet said, smiling. "Come here and let me hug you."
All her daughters lay in bed around their mother while she stroked their hair. They jested, laughed, and conjectured about what the future baby would be like. They all agreed that the future member of the Bennet family would be the most beloved child in all of England.
P&P
Lady Catherine descended from her luxurious carriage and looked contemptuously around her. Without a doubt, that property belonged to a gentleman without much money and no importance. If the circumstances were not so pressing, she would never have deigned to set foot in a place like that.
"My dear Lady Catherine, you do not know what an honor I feel that you have accompanied me at this significant moment in which I shall take possession of my inheritance…" Mr. Collins could not finish speaking because nothing he had to say mattered to his beloved patron.
"Anne, I do not want you to stay in the carriage. I want Darcy to see you so he remembers that while he is here playing protector of helpless women, he abandons his betrothed."
When Mr. Collins told Lady Catherine that her nephew was at Longbourn helping the Bennet family, she immediately sensed something else was behind it. She believed it had to do with Elizabeth Bennet. That woman, pretending to be Georgiana's friend, had surely cajoled her nephew, seeking to force a possible union between them. But she would not allow it and would end that situation once and for all.
As Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins walked briskly toward the house's entrance, Anne had an idea.
"Mother, I am a little pale…"
"Anne, because of your noble origin, you will always look pale…"
"Mother, I am pale because I am dizzy. You know that carriage trips are not good for me due to my delicate complexion. I need to get some air... I do not want Darcy to see me like this, so worn."
Lady Catherine looked at Anne as thin and pale as ever and could not help but compare her to Elizabeth Bennet. "Well, stay here for a few minutes, but as soon as you feel better, I want you inside that house."
"Yes, mother."
Anne was furious with the idiot Collins for always bringing gossip to her mother. She would have preferred staying with Charlotte at Lucas Lodge, but her mother demanded she accompany her. She hoped that Lady Catherine would forget about her presence as soon as she started arguing with the people of the Bennet family.
Unlike her mother, Anne thought Longbourn was a lovely place. The garden was small but looked well-kept, and the orchard near the back of the house seemed to have various types of crops. Anne was going to sit on a bench under a tree when she saw a man doing something. Then, she became curious and wanted to see what was happening.
"Excuse me, sir, but what are you doing?" Anne asked in a very soft voice.
Mr. King was focused on measuring the size of the carrots. That way, he could inform his friend and client if that garden was properly cultivated. Suddenly, he heard a very soft voice, and when he turned around, among the rays of light, he saw the face of a woman so pale and delicate that she looked like an angel.
"Good morning, my respected lady; allow me to introduce myself… I am Clarence King, solicitor of the new owner of this estate."
"Good morning, Mr. King. I am Miss Anne. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine, my dear Miss Anne. I feel very honored that you took the trouble to walk here to greet me. I imagine that a young lady like you must have many things to do; I have always known that ladies, after breakfast, prepare to organize their activities for the rest of the day. You know, Miss? I have always wondered why ladies enjoy having tea and chatting with other ladies so much when there are so many other things they could do, for example…"
Anne could not believe what she saw and heard. That man talked so much about so many things simultaneously that it was difficult to know what he was saying. But she thought he was the most amusing gentleman she had ever met and wanted to keep talking to him.
"Mr. King, you still have not told me what you were doing…"
"You are right, my dear Lady. I was measuring the carrots. The new owner of this estate is a prominent agriculturalist and is very interested in ensuring that everything in this place meets the appropriate quality standards. Do you know that cucumbers can measure..."
Anne listened to Mr. King, fascinated. That curious man was like an improved version of Mr. Collins because he was much more handsome, and when he spoke, he did so with humility and not with presumption.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Mr. Collins impatiently waited for someone to receive them. The sisters were in Mrs. Bennet's room when they were told that Mr. Collins and a lady had arrived.
"That man did not wait for a prudent hour to come and demand his rights," Mrs. Bennet said. "Jane, Lizzy, your Uncle Phillips was to his office to look for some documents and to ask the magistrate to come. Do everything you can to distract those people until he arrives."
"Do not worry, mother, I shall distract with Mr. Collins," Jane said.
"You three stay here with Mama," Elizabeth said.
"We shall stay with Mama and the babe," Lydia said, kissing her mother's belly, making everyone laugh.
Jane and Elizabeth took a deep breath. They knew it would be difficult to endure Mr. Collins's authoritarian and condescending outbursts.
When Elizabeth entered the room, Lady Catherine was ready to attack her and tell her everything she had thought during the hours of travel. But when she saw Jane, she had no choice but to control herself.
"Good morning, Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine," Jane and Elizabeth said. They looked at each other with surprise because they understood why the lady was there.
"Good morning, cousins. I imagine you know that today is the big day and that I have come to take possession of my property. In a few more hours, my beloved wife and her family will be here. Lady Lucas wants to inspect the house and advise my dear Charlotte on decorating it to our liking, which is very different from yours. We are now landowners, and you only have a small house in Meryton, which my mother-in-law says is very pretty but modest." Mr. Collins was enjoying every single thing he said. He spoke directly to Elizabeth because he assumed she must be very sorry for rejecting him.
"At least they will have a place to live. Many other women are left on the streets in this same situation. Without a doubt, your mother is a very irresponsible woman. Five daughters and nothing to offer them?" Lady Catherine added, also looking at Elizabeth.
"I thank you very much for your thoughtful words and well wishes," Jane said. She did not want to argue with such unpleasant people.
"Mr. Collins, my uncle Phillips should be arriving, and Mr. King should be checking the back of the house. Why do you not sit down, and I shall pour you a cup of tea," Elizabeth said, trying to be friendly. She wanted to keep Mr. Collins distracted.
"Cousin Jane, I am very sorry that Mr. Phillips is not here, but I want to take possession of my estate now."
"Besides, you, Miss Bennet, should be ashamed. You cannot offer us tea while pretending to be the hostess. I hope you understand that this is not your house and that we are not your guests," Lady Catherine replied furiously.
"Mr. Collins, please do not forget that I am now Lady Norton. Lady Catherine, it seems very inconsiderate of you to respond in such a thoughtless manner to my sister when she is trying to help." Jane was very nervous. She always avoided confrontations but would not allow them to humiliate Elizabeth.
"Do not worry, Lady Catherine. I shall not offer you anything again if that helps," Elizabeth said. She felt angry but also amused by the absurd situation.
But Lady Catherine was furious. She would not permit a nouveau riche to tell her how to behave. "Who do you think you are, Jane Bennet? You think that because you managed to catch a man with a title and fortune with perhaps some filthy antics, I shall forget that you are nothing more than a poor, starving woman without a home. And you, Elizabeth Bennet, do you think that you can do the same with my nephew because this woman managed to catch Lord Norton? I know the women of your ilk very well, and I shall never, listen to me carefully, I shall never allow you to entrap my nephew Darcy. He is engaged to my daughter and will marry her."
Andrew and Mr. Phillips were fortunate because they found the documents they needed and managed to speak to the magistrate. Mr. Walker would come to Longbourn in another hour to resolve the matter and reach an agreement.
When Mr. Darcy and Georgiana arrived at Longbourn, he was concerned when he saw his aunt's carriage. Although he could not imagine why she was there, he assumed it was not for a good reason. When they got out of the carriage, they met Andrew and Mr. Phillips; after greeting them, they entered the house.
Unfortunately for everyone, Lady Catherine's cries and insults could be heard from the hall, and Andrew ran to see what was happening.
"Lady Catherine, how dare you speak that way to my wife and sister-in-law? I demand that you apologize immediately, or I will be forced to seek another form of reparation," Andrew shouted angrily.
"I have never apologized, and I shall never do. I always tell the truth…" Lady Catherine responded defiantly.
"As soon as I get to London, I shall speak to Lord Matlock. He has asked my favor in voting on some laws; I shall tell him I cannot support a family incapable of respecting mine."
"Lady Catherine, if you do not apologize, you will lose my uncle's and my support," said Mr. Darcy, entering the room.
Lady Catherine continued to look defiantly at everyone around her, although deep down, she was scared. She could not face a Baron and his political power, her brother's contempt, and she could not lose her nephew's financial support.
Jane took her husband's arm, and Andrew offered his other arm to Elizabeth. Then he said, "We await your apology, Lady Catherine."
P&P
Many thanks to everyone who follows the story with enthusiasm and leaves supportive comments. We're almost at the end 😀
This story has 25 chapters, so we are nearing the final. Please remember to check the site for updates. Once I have completed it, I will leave it for a couple of days and then remove it.
Next chapter, first part of the final :)
Saludos,
Yo