Elizabeth’s own reflections were scarcely more charitable. Three of those nearest and dearest, who had once shown her love and acceptance, had now turned their backs. It proved how little people might be trusted, and how changeable, how painful love could be.
Mrs. Gardiner sighed. “Then I expect that your mother will tell me all about it when we go up to Longbourn for your wedding, my dear. And I will probably hear of it every Christmas from now until eternity.”
The day after Mr. Bingley’s proposal, an express arrived at Longbourn.
Mr. Bennet was happy. “Well, well, Jane is to be married. And of all men, it is Mr. Bingley who has made the offer, and she has accepted him.”
Mrs. Bennet was beside herself. “Married! Jane is to be married to Mr. Bingley? The very man who abandoned her? Oh, heavens. But Mr. Bennet, can that man be trusted with our dear Jane?” She held her handkerchief to her eyes, then added, “But if he can be trusted not to abandon her again, then she will be mistress of Netherfield! Oh, I shall go distracted with joy!”
Kitty immediately began calculating what new gowns might be required for such an important event, and she rushed up to the schoolroom to tell Lydia all about it.
Mr. Bennet, folding the letter with deliberate calm, looked at his wife. “Yes, Jane is to be married. She deserves every happiness, for she is a sensible girl, though I cannot say as much for her mother at this moment.”
“Mr. Bennet, you are heartless!” cried his wife, half-laughing, half-weeping. “Do you not comprehend what this means for our family? Five thousand a year, and Jane settled for life! What neighbors they shall be! Lady Lucas will die of envy. With Mary having secured Mr. Collins, and Jane about to have Mr. Bingley, and all within a few short months of each other, I have no more to wish for.”
Chapter 25: Jane and Elizabeth Return to Longbourn
Mr. Bingley and his family traveled to Longbourn, and Jane was permitted to accompany them. His carriage had barely pulled up to the front entrance when Mrs. Bennet ran out of the house, and as soon as her daughter alighted, she seized Jane in a fervent embrace.
“My sweetest child! My dearest girl! Mistress of Netherfield at last! Oh, how I shall hold my head up before Lady Lucas!”
Mr. Bingley dismounted and watched his future mother-in-law’s effusions with good humor. When she turned to him, he said, “Thank you, madam. I count myself the most fortunate of men to be received into Jane’s family.” Elizabeth alighted, and as far as she could tell, he seemed to believe every word he said. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst were pleasant and unruffled, but Miss Bingley stared at Mrs. Bennet, then turned and sneered at Elizabeth, lifting her nose in disdain. Elizabeth caught her father’s eye and grimaced.
Mr. Bennet grinned at his second daughter, then took his wife firmly by the arm.
“Come, Mrs. Bennet, we must not keep our guests standing upon the threshold.”
Once inside, he directed Hill: “Bring tea.” Then, with a gesture toward the drawing-room, he invited the visitors to enter. Turning to his wife, he said evenly, “Mrs. Bennet, pray step into my study with me for a moment. We shall return presently.”
In the study, Mr. Bennet closed the door and faced his wife. “My dear, you must restrain yourself, or you will frighten Bingley away once again. Elizabeth wrote that Miss Bingley contrived to separate him from us before, and she gave your vulgarity as the reason. Do you wish this marriage to take place, or do you not?”
Mrs. Bennet was instantly contrite. “I will not speak another word, Mr. Bennet. Never let it be said that I came between my daughter and a respectable, wealthy husband.”
“Very well. I shall lead the conversation. You will remain silent or, if you cannot, you may retire upstairs. I shall excuse you by saying you have developed a headache.”
“No, Mr. Bennet, I can be silent. You shall see that I can.”
In the drawing room, Elizabeth, sitting a little apart, was grateful. Jane was truly happy. Whatever trials had preceded this day were forgotten.
The neighbors arrived and offered their felicitations and well wishes. Lady Lucas also called, but Charlotte did not. She approached Jane with a smile that appeared forced, and the lady was vexed. “So, Jane dear, it is to be you who reigns at Netherfield. A fine thing indeed. Charlotte sends her congratulations also. Pray excuse her for not attending you. She has the headache.”
After only ten minutes, Lady Lucas stood. “Well, Jane, I wish you the best.” She turned to leave, but Mrs. Bennet followed her out. “Jane is blessed beyond compare. You know Mr. Bingley has five thousand a year, and to be the mistress of Netherfield is a fine thing. My daughter is most fortunate.”
Lady Lucas bristled with vexation, and Elizabeth felt her entire head flame with embarrassment.
The angry woman smiled tightly at her hostess and then spat out, “Indeed, Frances. Jane is fortunate. Most men must listen to their elders and show prudence in their choice of wife, regardless of beauty or even a longstanding affection measured in years.”
Mrs. Bennet’s smile froze on her face, and Elizabeth wished she could creep out of the room, then out of the house, and run to Oakham Mount to hide herself among the oaks. Lady Lucas, from her own mouth, had admitted that she was responsible for Alexander’s abandonment. Elizabeth’s affection for the Lucas family had been constant, but it was Lady Lucas she cherished as a true mother. To think that maternal love withdrawn was a grief she doubted she should ever recover.
Mrs. Bennet flushed, catching at once the hidden barb. “Prudent, yes, but not blind. My Jane’s beauty and goodness are qualities that no fortune could eclipse. It is her heart he values most. That is why she will be mistress of Netherfield, while others,” her voice faltered but a moment, “must continue to wait.”
Elizabeth winced inwardly. Her mother’s reference to Charlotte’s unmarried state was all too plain, and Lady Lucas stiffened. The air between the two matrons bristled with long-held grievances. Mrs. Bennet still smarted that Alexander had abandoned Elizabeth for Mary King and her fortune, and Lady Lucas was unwilling to forgive that Jane had secured Mr. Bingley while her own daughter remained a spinster.
Mr. Bennet, who had been watching the exchange from the hall, interposed with a dry remark that caused his wife to recall his reproaches and her own promise to behave with greater decorum. Lady Lucas was handed up to her carriage, and the conflict was shelved for another day.
That evening, when Elizabeth stopped in Jane’s room to say good night, Jane opened her heart. “Lizzy, I am so happy, but I wish that Miss Bingley might soon marry, so that we need not live beneath the same roof with her. She will be insupportable when I become mistress of her brother’s heart and of her home. I shall try to meet her with kindness, and if she cannot love me, I shall at least hope to win her respect.”
Elizabeth shook her head affectionately. “You are ever too good, Jane. I’m afraid she will never value you as you deserve. But promise me that you will lean on me, should she trouble you. We have always shared every joy and every trial, and I would not have you bear a single slight alone.”
