“It is definitely something that I would be interested in, Uncle George, but I do not want to usurp one who had been promised the position. Will told me that his friend Patrick Elliot is a curate at the Lambton church and is in line to receive the livings.” William schooled himself to hide the disappointment of not being able to accept.
“I would never make the offer if that were still the fact, regardless of how much I like and respect you. Mr Elliot was the second son of a baronet from Shropshire. Just this week, I received a note from him that he needs to resign his curacy with immediate effect. His brother was killed in a riding accident, so he is required to return to his family’s estate as he is now his father’s heir. He had already departed by the time the express reached me. I asked if you had an agreement with Mr Pierce, as if you had, I would not have made you the offer.
“That you would have been willing to step away from such a lucrative group of livings speaks well of your honesty and honour. Besides, I am sure that my niece will not object to having one of her brothers but ten miles distant from Snowhaven,” Uncle George had paused.“You do not have to give me an answer now. Talk to your family, for it could be that you do not want to be so far from the rest of the Bennets; however, I would appreciate your answer as soon as you make a decision.”
“It is an easy decision for me, Uncle George. We have discussed the possibility that my profession may lead me some distance from Longbourn, and both Father and Mother have told me that they will support me regardless of where I choose to serve God’s children. That is a long-winded way of telling you that I gladly accept your offer. You have my undying gratitude for considering me for the position.” The two had stood, and William had shaken Uncle George’s hand vigorously before leaving to seek out his parents.
As his valet put the finishing touches to his outfit for the ball, William thought about how, when he had found his parents and told them about the position that he would fill after taking his orders, there had been nothing but unstinting support for his decision, and a wide grin as his father made mention of having yet another reason to be close to the Pemberley library, and, of course, his second daughter.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The new Mr & Mrs Bingley had returned from Ramsgate the day before the ball and had not yet had time to visit any of their friends and family not living at Netherfield, so the ball was ideal for them. When they walked in, Mrs Cheryl Long had to check herself not to squeal like a schoolgirl. Her daughter and son-in-law looked most happy as they crossed the dance floor to greet the Long family.
Both of her parents enfolded her in hugs, and Bingley dutifully kissed his mother-in-law on the cheek and shook Mr Long’s hand. Seeing how happy their daughter looked, neither parents doubted that she had a felicitous marriage so far.
Soon after greeting her parents, Mandy Bingley was surrounded by her friends from the neighbourhood. The circle including Jane Rhys-Davies, Franny Phillips, and Charlotte Pierce. Her husband was greeted boisterously by his friends, not least of all was Richard Fitzwilliam, who made not a few off-colour jokes at his friend’s newlywed expense.
Elizabeth opened the ball with Richard while Will did the honours with one of the neighbourhood ladies, Miss Goulding, who beamed at being so singled out.“Itch, when we return to Town two days hence, I would like to talk to you,” Elizabeth told her brother as they returned to their positions after circling other dancers.
“You know that I can deny you nothing, Lizzy,” Richard gave her a half bow as he executed the flawless steps of the dance.“Am I correct that you have tender feelings for that reprobate of a younger cousin of mine?” He surprised his sister with his question.
“I do not believe that this is the time or place for that question, brother!” Elizabeth evaded, her answer in her expressive eyes as she looked up at him.
“That must mean yes,” Richard teased.“He is like a brother to me, but if he ever hurts you…”
“He never would,” Elizabeth cut her brother off.“You know him too well to suspect it of him.”
“You are my baby sister; I have to check!” Richard said almost petulantly.
“I love you too, Itch,” Elizabeth said as her rich laughter rang out. It was a sound that the man who loved her and who dancing just a little further down the same line so treasured the hearing that he lit up when it rang out. If Miss Goulding had any doubts that his affections were engaged, his reaction to his cousin’s laugh was enough to convince her that he was being kind toward herself, but no hopes should be placed on him.
For both Elizabeth and Will, it was a most enjoyable ball. As they went through the dance steps for the supper set, their eyes were locked one on the other, but for the moments, they were separated by the dance, and when then they seemed to be looking for each other all the time. They did not talk during the dance; neither felt the need as they knew what it was all leading to, and the anticipation was there, but the peace which the knowledge brought was most welcome.
As the last bars of the music played, the dancers all applauded the musicians for their stellar playing thus far. Will led Elizabeth to a table where her four brothers sat with their partners. Once she was comfortably seated, he made plates for the both of them. During the meal, when not eating, the two talked softly to one another.
Andrew watched as his cousin was being so solicitous toward his baby sister, realizing as he flitted through the memories of their lives that he always was, had always been there for her, and was always thus.
Marie had only danced the supper set with Andrew as she was feeling fatigued. She saw the scowl on her husband’s face and understood that it was not one of disapproval of Will but of knowing that his sister would soon be under the protection of another. She distracted her husband with talk of their impending second child, slyly winking at Lizzy, who hid her laugh behind a napkin, and then refocused on her own partner. It seemed there was a whole other side she had her first glimpse of in which the women of their family worked together. How fun this would be, and she needed all the help she could get if she were going to get that first kiss soon!
When the first dance of the final set commenced, both Elizabeth and Will acknowledged its significance. The next time they danced, Elizabeth would be out in society, and not long after, she would have an official suitor, and luckily, she knew who it would be and that she wanted no others.
As Elaine, Tammy, and Anne Darcy sat watching the final dance, Elaine leaned to her sister-in-law.“I believe that we will enjoy sharing a daughter when your son and my daughter finally get to the point.”
“If they had their way, it would be sooner rather than later,” Tammy opined as she watched Elizabeth and Will elegantly execute the steps of the dance.
“I believe that they are the only two that would suit one another,” Anne said, agreeing with them, for her son and Elizabeth were lost in each other’s eyes. She wondered if they would even hear the music ending without applause to bring back their focus to their surroundings.
There were few who saw them that night that had any doubt that their futures were tightly intertwined. Neither Will nor Elizabeth, had they known, would have cared who knew, as their hearts were overflowing with love, one for the other.
Chapter6
“I appreciate your coming to see me today, Itch,” Elizabeth welcomed her brother into her sitting room. She had asked Mrs Annesley to give them some time while she talked to her brother, so her companion was knitting in a comfortable armchair in Lady Elizabeth's bedchamber.
“As I told you, Sprite, your wish is my command,” he gave her a deep bow with a flourish of his bicorn. He kissed Elizabeth’s cheeks then sat next to her on the settee.“What is it that we need to discuss, Lizzy? Do I need to take that scoundrel Will to task for you?” he grinned.
“No, Richard, this has nothing to do with Will.” As soon as she used his full name, Richard knew that this was a more serious conversation.
“Go to it, Sprite,” he invited, his tension increasing for fear that she worried someone again intended her harm.
