Page 100 of Bitterness of Spirit

“I wonder whether Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst bothers you as they used to,” Elizabeth inquired mockingly.

“Hardly,” Mrs. Bingley responded with a self-confidence that allowed no contradiction and made Elizabeth laugh again.

***

May ended, and summer achieved its full rights.

For Elizabeth, the days passed too slowly. There was little room in her mind for anything but Darcy and his opinion of her. She had been harsh with him during their short encounter on the Bingleys’ wedding day, but he had been unfair to her too. And it was his fault that the misunderstanding persisted between them. He should not have left. He should have stayed long enough to discuss and to clarify any doubts. His suspicions were groundless, and they only proved that he might not think as highly of her as he pretended.

She also admitted that she did not choose her words carefully enough. But she had been too surprised by his accusations, by his hasty departure, and by his somewhat distant attitude. She barely had time to gather herself and respond properly.

Perhaps when they next met, they might remedy their ill-advised conversation. But the next opportunity to talk seemed so far away that she felt discouraged. Consequently, as Jane was now in her own home, Elizabeth spent much of the time alone with her thoughts, self-blame, and concerns—based chiefly on her own speculations.

Darcy maintained a regular correspondence with Bingley but also wrote once to her father and uncle. In all his letters, Darcy expressed his eagerness to receive them. What should she understand from that? He doubted her honesty and her feelings but welcomed her in his home? Did he recognize his flaws and regret his statements? Or was he just being polite for the sake of his friend?

And what about Mr. Wilson? They all planned to travel together to Lambton. Would Darcy welcome his father’s old friend to Pemberley, or would he hold a grudge?

So many questions and worries with so few answers gave her little ease, and she could do nothing but wait and see what the future would hold.

By the middle of June, preparations for the trip north were the main concern at Netherfield as well as at Longbourn.

“We shall stay in London a week as Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Wilson still have some business to complete,” Bingley explained to the Bennets. “It will be a good opportunity for Jane to become accustomed to our house and the staff. She visited it briefly before the wedding, but now it is time for her to take her proper place and make any changes, to her liking.”

“I am sure I shall not need to change anything,” Jane replied. “But I am happy to spend time in London. You have such a beautiful house, Charles.”

“We have a beautiful house, my darling. And it is waiting for its mistress to make it a home,” he said, kissing his wife’s hand.

Lydia rolled her eyes in exasperation while Mrs. Bennet was both proud and joyful to witness such devotion from Jane’s handsome, wealthy husband.

“I wrote to Darcy about the schedule. In fact, Jane wrote the letter as my handwriting is a mess,” Bingley continued. “So we should arrive in Derbyshire in the last week of June. And from there, we shall see what travelling plans will suit us best.”

“So, you will stay at Pemberley? All of you?” Mrs. Bennet asked.

“Yes. I mean, if Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and Mr. Wilson accept the invitation. Darcy intends to host us all, but he was afraid to ruin their plans.”

“What plans?” Mrs. Bennet burst out. “My sister Gardiner confessed she has never had a chance to see Pemberley except from afar. Surely, she will not forgo such an occasion! Who knows when and if Mr. Darcy will invite them again?”

“Mama, we shall do what is best for everyone,” Elizabeth said. “Let us not forget that Mr. Wilson’s first interest is to reconnect with his relatives. And surely Aunt Madeline would like the same. Therefore, they might have other engagements.”

“Well, let them do what they like. You should stay at Pemberley with your sister and new brother,” Mrs. Bennet concluded.

“Perhaps you should go with them, to be sure the arrangements are to your liking,” Mr. Bennet encouraged his wife in jest.

She, however, took the suggestion in earnest. “No indeed. My nerves would not allow such a journey. But surely nobody would ignore an invitation from Mr. Darcy!”

“Do not worry, Mama. I am sure we shall have a lovely journey,” Jane said soothingly.

Several more days passed after that conversation, and from Meryton more news arrived.

Mr. and Mrs. Collins, who were visiting Charlotte’s family, brought the exciting news of their expecting an heir. Mrs. Bennet took the opportunity to host a dinner for the Lucases and Collinses, as well as for Mr. and Mrs. Bingley before their departure. She prepared the event with extra care to prove worthy of Mr. Bingley’s mother-in-law.

Mr. Collins behaved with his usual condescension while Lady Lucas seemed more restrained and somewhat conceited. Elizabeth smiled to herself, wondering whether Lady Catherine’s arrogance was contagious.

“My dear cousins, allow me to congratulate you on your long-expected wedding. I hope Mr. and Mrs. Bingley will share the same felicity in marriage as Charlotte and I. Lady Catherine herself said that this marriage is very advantageous for your entire family.”

Elizabeth struggled to remain calm at such an offensive remark, but her patience failed her. “I hope Lady Catherine had a safe journey to Kent from Town. Did she enjoy her time in London? We were pleased that she attended Mr. Wilson’s ball.”

“How nice of you to inquire, my dear cousin. In fact, her ladyship regretted leaving Rosings at all. She declared the Season had changed for the worse recently. As for the ball, she was rather displeased with it. She said she never should have accepted the invitation,” Mr. Collins responded primly.