Chapter 11
After the wedding, Mr. Darcy headed back to Derbyshire to retrieve his sister from Lockwood and go home to Pemberley. Meanwhile, Bennet headed for Longbourn.
For the entire four-hour-journey, Bennet attempted to gather his courage, but he never quite succeeded. He did not know how his wife would react to the news that their daughter was married but could not come home. He had sent an express when he found Lydia, stating that he had managed to arrange a marriage, but he had sent no further information.
Even more than that, however, he could not predict how his wife would take the news that she was now a duchess.
By the time he arrived at his familiar home, the one he had spent his entire life at, he still did not feel as though he was strong enough to face what was to come. But he knew it must be faced. His family must be told.
Once he had cleaned off the dust of the road, he gathered his wife and two daughters in his study with the door closed. He did not wish any of the servants to hear him.
“Lydia is married,” he said. “Even now, she is on her way to Newcastle where Mr. Wickham’s new regiment is currently stationed.”
“Mr. Bennet! How could you?” cried Mrs. Bennet. “She should have come home where she can greet all her friends andneighbors as a married woman. Now, I will never see my dear Lydia again.”
Bennet sighed. He expected this. It didn’t make it any easier, but at least it was no surprise. “There were many, many reasons I didn’t invite the couple back here, but the most salient is that we will not be here much longer. I have decided to take you all with me when I return to Derbyshire.”
Kitty practically jumped for joy at the prospect. She had never been anywhere except for a single brief visit to her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, in London. Mary’s and Mrs. Bennet’s reactions were almost identical confusion.
“I don’t understand,” said Mrs. Bennet. “I thought you were home to stay. You despise traveling.”
“You are correct,” he said. “I don’t like traveling at all. Yet, it is necessary for me to return to Derbyshire, and I would like to take you all with me.”
“Can you tell me how long we will be gone?” asked his wife. “I will need to make arrangements with Hill for the house to be looked after.”
“It will be at least some weeks,” said Bennet. “Give your instructions as if we will be gone for a month.” Saying this felt bitter in his mouth. He knew it might be years before they returned, if they ever did. For the first time, Bennet fervently wished he had not inherited so much responsibility. Yes, it was pleasant to be able to provide so well for his family, but to do so he was forced to give up almost everything else.
Mary seemed to notice his displeasure, but she only asked, “When will we be leaving?”
“The morning after tomorrow,” he replied. “Pack all of your clothing and any little projects you might be working on.”
Mary nodded while Kitty jumped up from her chair. “Thank you, Papa, for taking us with you,” she said as she kissed his cheek. Then she dashed out the door. Mrs. Bennet wasn’t far behind as she began mumbling to herself everything she needed to take care of before they could leave.
When only Mary was left, she said, “Papa, you have left something out of your explanation. I am glad Lydia is safely married, though I am not overly fond of my new brother, but there is no reason for us all to go to Derbyshire simply to visit an old friend of yours.”
“I will tell you everything once we are on the road,” said Bennet.
“You do not wish Mama to tell the neighborhood,” said Mary. “It must be something dreadful, indeed, if it is so secret.”
Bennet looked at his middle daughter. She was as plain as ever. Her sallow complexion was made even worse by a spot on her chin and another on her cheek. The glasses, which she wore nearly constantly, hid her eyes so well that Bennet had forgotten what she looked like without them.
She watched him carefully as he studied her. It came home to him that Mary, now nineteen years old, was completely grown up. Not only that, but she was notoriously discreet, sometimes too much so. She hardly ever said anything that wasn’t a quote from somewhere. He had always assumed that this meant she didn’t have any original thoughts, but perhaps it was only that she was unwilling to share her own thoughts.
“Very well, Mary,” he said. “I will tell you, but only if you solemnly promise not to breathe a word of this to anyone, not even your mother. Can you do that?”
“Of course,” she replied.
Beginning with his recently discovered connection to the Duke of Derbyshire, Bennet explained the situation. When he reached the point of telling her that he was now the duke, her eyes grew wide, but she still said nothing. He continued explaining all that had happened since he left a few weeks ago.
When he was done, Mary continued to stare at him without saying a word. He decided to prompt her to speak by asking, “What are your thoughts?”
“May I ask some clarifying questions?” she said. When he nodded, she continued. “You are the Duke of Derbyshire.” He nodded. “Mama is the Duchess of Derbyshire.” He nodded. “Jane is your heir and has the courtesy title of Marchioness Northdale.” He nodded. “And I am now Lady Mary, the daughter of a duke.” He nodded.
Mary burst out laughing. It was not happy laughter but rather hysterical in nature. As he watched her, he was reminded of what Darcy had said about Elizabeth’s response to his proposal. Though it was unnerving to watch such a display, it was far better than hysterical tears or exclamations of joy over how rich they were.
When she finally stopped, Bennet saw tears in his daughter’s eyes. She said, “Papa, I am sorry. I know I will be a failure and a disappointment in our new life. I can barely be Mary Bennet of Longbourn. I am absolutely not suited to be a duke’s daughter. I can only apologize upfront.”
Bennet got up from his chair and pulled Mary out of her seat, giving her a big hug. At first she felt stiff as if she was not used to being hugged, but after a moment she relaxed and laid her head on his shoulder.
