Mrs Bennet clapped her hands in excitement, and Elizabeth silently groaned. She had no patience for, or desire to deal with, anything of a romantic nature that day, and doubted she would until she had the opportunity for quiet reflection to order her thoughts. However, she knew her duty and smiled and giggled along with her sisters.
The day was got through as well as she was able. Her thoughts often drifted south to wherehewas, a situation not helped by the many callers they received that day. The usual chatter about the ball was almost entirely superseded by the hasty departure of the party from Netherfield. Jane suffered each time Mrs Bennet assured her audience that Mr Bingley would be back before they knew it, and it was that which likely encouraged her sister to share Miss Bingley’s letter with their mother. Elizabeth quietly explained its contents to the rest of the family while Jane was in private conversation with Mrs Bennet, begging them not to dwell on the subject in deference to Jane’s injured spirits.
Elizabeth was better able to behave in a cheerful manner at dinner. She alone knew it was an act, and she had no intention of enlightening even Jane. While Mrs Bennet managed not to mention Mr Bingley once during the meal, it was not so in the drawing room afterwards.
“It is very strange. I shall always say he used my daughter very ill. After all the hospitality we offered him. Not only us, but the entire neighbourhood! Here we were, thinking him and that sister of his everything respectable and amiable. I knew he was too good to be true. No one truly estimable appears so perfectly pleasant.”
Watching her father, Elizabeth saw him roll his eyes at that piece of absurdity. She wanted to follow suit, but if she was seen, her penalty would be rather more severe than his.
Mrs Bennet continued to lament. “I know you rather liked that friend of his, and I know no evil of him. He was kind to Lizzy, talking about books and what have you with her. I do not approve of his selection of wife, however. Miss Bingley was downright cruel in her letter to my poor Jane. Letter. It does not deserve the name.” She scoffed.
“I must agree with you, Mrs Bennet, for although I did not read the letter, and do not have a parent’s right to feel insulted on my child’s behalf, what my dear cousin Lizzy told us is enough to conclude it was positively shocking,” William said.
Mrs Bennet turned to him, her countenance overcome with smiles at—for today at least—her favourite. She reached across to where he sat beside Elizabeth and patted his hand. “We were very fortunate the day you entered our lives. I knowyouare not treacherous, unlike some others. Well, we must put them out of our minds.”
“Or at least out of our conversation, if you please.” Mr Bennet rubbed his temples.
Mrs Bennet adjusted her Spanish shawl. “Let us think of happier things, such as the wedding. If that does not bring us cheer, I do not know what will. We have such a short time in which to see to all the arrangements. The banns will be read starting this Sunday, which means the wedding can be the week before Christmas. Then the two of you can be on your way to your new home in time for William to start his duties on St Stephen’s Day.”
Her mother continued talking about the event, proposing days to go shopping, flower possibilities, and what they might have at the breakfast. Elizabeth listened with one ear, making appropriate noises or short responses when they were called for, while allowing herself to slip into a sense of wistfulness as she dreamt of what might have been.
But it is not to be. I shall accept the life I was given and find what joy I can in it. I was not made to be unhappy, and I shall not let present circumstances overcome me.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN
It was wonderful to be back in town! Even better, to Caroline’s way of thinking, was that she would never have to return to Netherfield. It pained her to remember how hopeful she felt in September. The scheme had been simple and certain of success. A few weeks of observing what a capable mistress she was, being always together without the distractions of London, and Mr Darcy would propose. Instead, he became fascinated with Eliza Bennet!
It was best not to remember how ridiculous her brother had been about Jane Bennet. Every hour, Caroline thanked God they were away from Meryton. All three of them would soon forget about the Bennets. Indeed, within three days of their return, Bingley’s usual good mood was almost completely restored.
She was agreeably occupied for the next week and a half, so much so that she hardly noticed Mr Darcy’s absence from their lives. There was shopping to do, friends to see, and she spent long hours with Louisa, acquainting her with everything that had happened and commiserating with her about her husband and his family. They had to be careful that Mr Hurst did not discover their meetings, since he had forbidden them. Once Caroline realised how much time had passed since their last meeting with Mr Darcy, she suggested her brother encourage him to call or to dine with them.
“I suppose it has been a while since we last saw him. I shall send Darcy a note or something along those lines. Do not worry. I shall get him here, one way or another,” Bingley said.
Two days later, Mr Darcy was sitting across from her, sipping tea and ignoring the gingerbread she had pressed him to accept. Usually, he was handsome and looked exactly like the highborn gentleman he was, and every time she saw him, she thought how proud she would be to call him husband. Yet, today she was not pleased with his appearance. He was still good-looking, to be sure, but Caroline had been a keen observer of Mr Darcy for three years, and she could easily read the signs that he was not himself.
Surely he is not still pining for Elizabeth Bennet?
“I meant to call today or tomorrow. I have been very busy and assumed you would be occupied with family matters. How are Mr and Mrs Hurst?” Darcy said.
“They are well, as always.” Bingley’s tone was too dismissive, and she saw the moment he recalled they had used Louisa as an excuse to flee Hertfordshire.
Hastily, Caroline said, “Fortunately. We were able to help with… Well, all that matters is that our sister is healthy and happy, and we are very glad to be together again. You know how important family is to us.”
It was true that she loved her brother and sister, but her words were entirely for Mr Darcy’s benefit. He was attached to his family to an almost disgusting degree, always professing to prefer their company to anyone else’s, and she wanted him to understand that once they were married, she was prepared to love them. If that were not possible, she would love being able to call the earl and countess her dearest relations, and that was almost the same thing.
How her father would have savoured knowing his daughter was married to the grandson of an earl! Her thoughts wandered to what her wedding would be like. She had intended to be married before the end of the year, but she supposed a spring wedding would do just as well. They would go to Brighton for a month afterwards, then return to town for the Season. Indeed, this was the much better plan. If they had married in December, Mr Darcy would want to go to Pemberley, and she would be trapped there for weeks.
In her daydreaming, Caroline missed part of the conversation. She heard mention of Christmas, and realised Mr Darcy was talking about his imminent departure.
“There is nothing to keep me in town, now that I have concluded everything I needed to do. I might have left several days ago, but I particularly needed to consult my father’s old solicitor, and he was away. My family is all in Worcestershire, and I am anxious to see my sister.”
“Christmas is still a fortnight away. We had hoped to spend more time with you before you went to Romsley Hall,” Caroline said.
Mr Darcy only made a soft noise in reply, which she supposed was his way of acknowledging her words without actually having to make an excuse for neglecting them. She felt her chest begin to warm, and struggled to calm herself before it crept into her face and betrayed her annoyance.
“I leave in two days. I shall stop in Meryton along the way, should you have any messages you would like me to deliver,” Mr Darcy said.
“Meryton?” Bingley’s eyes were wide, and he looked as discomposed as she felt.
