“She struggles to see the world realistically, it would seem,” Darcy replied. “You would do well to remember that and try to help her overcome it. This situation with Miss Lydia only emphasises that need.”
Bingley’s head dropped to his chest. “I know, Darcy. However, at the moment, I am uncertain of how to force her to see the reality of it. And we are to marry in mere days, and I hesitate to do anything that would ruin this time for her.”
“I do understand, Bingley, but at some point, she is going to have to face reality sooner or later,” Darcy told him. He watched the younger man for a few minutes before changing the topicto another difficult one. “What does Mrs. Bennet know or think about Elizabeth?”
“She keeps above stairs, so I have not seen her since Lydia returned. Before that, I am not certain Mrs. Bennet was even aware Elizabeth was away from home,” Bingley said. “Mr. Bennet has forbidden Jane from telling her, so, of course, she will not, and I am not comfortable broaching the subject with him.”
Darcy scowled at the lack of care demonstrated by both of his in-laws toward Elizabeth. “Hopefully, Mrs. Gardiner will have the opportunity to have some serious conversations with them while in the house. Wickham and his rumours have largely been dealt with; the debts have been paid, and the two girls he ruined will soon marry from nearby villages. The blackguard is awaiting his court-martial, and given the nature of his crimes, he will most likely be hanged or face a firing squad. While I do not relish this end for him, he has gone beyond propriety or even decency. In Meryton alone, there will be three bastards born to him from a stay of six months or so. I have little hope of his ever being redeemed at this point.”
Bingley nodded his agreement, and they both turned as they heard a knock on the door. His housekeeper was at the door, informing them that the ladies were all gathered in the parlour for tea, including Miss Bennet, and they were awaiting the gentlemen. Both stood to exit the room and quickly joined them.
The conversation over tea focused primarily on the upcoming wedding and avoided the issues at the Bennet home. Elizabeth knew that Jane would not bring it up and chose to wait for Mrs. Gardiner’s impressions about what was happening in that house. Jane even avoided the topic of Elizabeth’s wedding, muchto Elizabeth’s consternation, but she did her best to hide the hurt she felt at the slight.
After they had taken tea, Jane, along with Mrs. Gardiner, departed for Longbourn. Before they left, Mr. Darcy pulled Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner aside to share with them what he and Bingley had discussed, as well as his idea of sending Mrs. Bennet and Lydia to Scotland if Lydia indeed was with child. Both hoped it would not be true but were grateful that something could be done if it proved true. As they departed, Mrs. Gardiner reiterated her promise to visit or send a note once she had spoken with Mr. Bennet and planned to see what she could do about Mrs. Bennet and Lydia.
Dinner was a quiet affair, and Elizabeth left Darcy and Bingley to speak privately after a tepid attempt at conversation following the meal. The two men gathered in the billiards room for a time, although the conversation was difficult between them. Finally, Darcy excused himself to retire, and Bingley followed.
The couple gathered in one of the bedrooms in the suite assigned to them and snuggled in bed to discuss the day. Elizabeth confessed her hurt that Jane would ignore all the difficult things and had not even asked about Elizabeth’s wedding, even as they discussed Jane’s in detail. Nor would Jane mention how things were at Longbourn, always putting it off and saying that it would all be well.
As Elizabeth cried in his arms, he pulled her more tightly to him and told her over and over again how much he loved her. “It will be well, my darling girl. We will hear from Mrs. Gardiner how things truly are, and, love, if you decide it is too much, we can return to London,” he said, rubbing her hair and back, trying to soothe her.
She looked at him and, kissed him passionately and left all thoughts of Jane and Longbourn behind.
The following day was uneventful as Elizabeth met with the housekeeper about the wedding breakfast that would be hosted there on Tuesday morning. Elizabeth felt unsettled and uncertain about staying but felt compelled to complete the tasks necessary to ensure that Jane’s breakfast went off without a hitch.
The gentleman rode around the estate, with Darcy answering several questions for Bingley. Bingley had not paid attention last fall to Darcy’s instructions, so he found that he still needed much help. However, Darcy would soon need to return to Pemberley, so his friend took advantage of his presence to ask as many questions as possible. Others could, and likely would, need to be addressed in letters, but Bingley decided to address the most pressing needs in person.
This activity kept them busy through luncheon, and when they rode back to the house, they saw a carriage in front that neither recognised. Dismounting, they quickly headed into the house to see what was happening.
Entering the side door, they heard the unmistakable voice of Mrs. Bennet, who sounded most displeased.
“How dare you come here to ruin Jane’s wedding, you, … you trollop,” the lady screamed. “Why are you in Hertfordshire, an unmarried lady staying unchaperoned with two men, doing nothing but shaming your family? You shameless hussy! You …”
“Madam,” Darcy’s raised voice cut through her shrill voice. “You will not address my wife in such a way ever again.”
“Wife?” Mrs. Bennet scoffed. “You would never marry such a disobedient, disrespectful girl. She is no doubt your mistress, and when you tire of her, you will abandon her as you did those girls in Meryton, as you did with your friend Mr. Wickham and probably many others.”
“Silence yourself, woman! You do not know of what you speak!” Darcy stated. “I am legally wed to Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy; she is my wife, and I love her. I would never set her aside, nor will I ever tire of her.
“And if you had stirred from your rooms at all in the last weeks or applied whatever sense you might have to the rumours, you would have learned that Wickham has once again used my name deliberately to ruin my reputation in this town and that since I learned of his infamy, I have settled the debts he ran up in my name, and have arranged to settle the girls he has ruined, although I understand your youngest daughter is also expecting yet another of Wickham’s bastards. He is the rake, the cheat, the profligate, not I, and as I understand it, he will see justice soon enough.”
Mrs. Bennet, who lacked the wit to understand most of what Mr. Darcy said, captured only his observation about Lydia’s situation. His words on that subject only served to anger her further.
“He would not have deserted her or the militia without your lack of compassion in refusing your father’s behest,” she claimed. “It is your fault Lydia is ruined.” She burst into sobs as she spoke these words.
The two Darcys and Bingley stared at her until they heard a door slam down the hall. All four people turned to look at the entryand saw Mrs. Gardiner rush into the room, followed closely by Mr. Bennet.
“What in God’s name are you doing in Meryton, Elizabeth?” he demanded as he entered. “And you, Mrs. Bennet, you were expressly forbidden from coming here.”
“I heard Lizzy was here, living as Mr. Darcy’s mistress,” Mrs. Bennet said shrilly. “I wanted her to know what I thought of her shamelessness.”
“You heard wrong,” Mr. Darcy inserted. Both Bennets glared at him.
“Mrs. Bennet, go home!” Mr. Bennet commanded his wife. “Mrs. Gardiner, if you would please escort her to Longbourn and, once there, sedate her perhaps.” This last was said in his characteristic sardonic tone.
Mrs. Gardiner led her sister by marriage outside and helped her into the carriage to take her home. She exchanged glances with Elizabeth before she departed, letting her know without words she would return as soon as she could.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Mr. Bennet began again. “Now, Elizabeth, whatever are you doing here? You knew your coming would create a fuss, and you knew we would refuse to see you. So why have you come?”
