“Mama, please, you must try to remain calm,” Jane finally said with concern, handing her yet another handkerchief. “We have several hours of travel and it will not do if you become ill before we reach Longbourn.”
“I simply cannot help it. There is so much uncertainty. I only pray this unfortunate situation with Lizzy will not discourage Mr. Barton from pursuing our Mary. We must pay him every attention and hope that he does not cry off, for I shall never forgive myself should he not continue his courtship.”
“Mama,” Lydia boldly said, “It is all so unfair. If only Eliza had not taken it upon herself to push Lizzy and had helped me instead, I might have been engaged by now and none of this horrid business with Mr. Darcy would have happened.”
“Yes, but, Lydia, it did,” Jane quietly interjected. “A compromise is not something to be taken lightly, and had you succeeded with Colonel Forester, it would have been equally as bad for our family. Do you not remember Uncle Gardiner emphatically saying this situation has tainted our reputations and all of us must bear the consequences?”
“But that….”
Mrs. Bennet let out a wail, interrupting Lydia’s protest. “Oh please, please, no more talk of consequences. My poor nerves cannot take much more.”
“Mama,” continued Lydia, attempting to mollify her mother and paying little heed to Jane’s warning. “Before we left the ball, Colonel Forster said he would see all of us when we returned to Meryton. I should think he and Captain Denny will call this week.”
“Perhaps, but that does not mean the good colonel or any of the other officers will ask for a courtship while we are in such disgrace. Why, even Mr. Bingley did not give our dear Jane any indication that he would continue to pursue her. If only…” she choked out, unable to hold back her tears.
Elizabeth was grateful that she was seated by the window where she would not have to respond every time her mother’s distress got the best of her. As it was, with five women in the carriage, there was little room for Elizabeth to stretch out her foot and it had begun to throb. She feared that by the time they reached Longbourn, she would not be able to descend the steps without assistance from at least one footman.
Looking through the glass, Elizabeth tried to distract herself with the familiar sights of the countryside as they moved alongthe well-travelled road to Meryton. It was good to be away from the foul air of the city and the rain which had prevailed on the previous day had stopped long before the women began their journey.
The day was fairly pleasant, though perhaps a bit humid with so much moisture evaporating from the damp ground. Still, the sun was out, and by the time they reached Longbourn the grounds should be dry. Everything was in bloom now, and the fields had been long planted. It would be a welcomed reprieve to spend some time out of doors in the garden, even though her injury might limit how much she could actually walk.
Journeying on, Elizabeth found herself speculating about her uncle’s afternoon meeting with Lady Catherine. Mr. Gardiner was a strong-willed man who would not cater to the matron’s abrasive demeanour. He had insisted that he would not make a decision without a direct communication from Mr. Darcy.
In thinking of Lady Catherine, Elizabeth could not help but wonder what her daughter, Anne, was like. Could she have been a strong-willed woman like her mother? Was she a good helpmate to her husband and had she participated in the intellectual pursuits that many of the woman in Lady Gwendolyn’s circle did? Oddly, William had spoken very little of his deceased wife during any of their intimate discussions. Suspecting it was too painful, she could not blame him for not mentioning a loved one who was no longer alive.
At least William had told her a little about his daughter and his sister. It had given Elizabeth great pleasure to listen to him, for on those occasions his exacting demeanour quickly fell away. There was tenderness in his expression and kindness in his voice, and the love he had for his little girl and sister touched her beyond all measure.
Several hours later, the Bennet women arrived at Longbourn a bit tired but happy to be home. At that time, Mary had beenreading to Mr. Bennet in his study. On hearing the carriage in the drive, she looked out of the window, surprised to see that her mother and all of her sisters had returned from Town without warning. Alerting her father and assisting him from his chair, the two moved into the parlour where they sat awaiting the entrance of their family. Minutes later, all of the women quickly joined them, eager to see how Mr. Bennet was faring.
“Papa!” his daughters cried, crowding around where he sat and expressing their delight at seeing him out in the parlour.
“My dears, it is good to have you home again. I received your uncle’s express detailing what happened at the ball, but he gave no indication you would be returning today. Well, it is of no matter.” He chuckled. “I dare say this house has been far too quiet, has it not, Mary?”
“Yes, Papa.” Mary quickly gave her mother a kiss then turned to hug Jane and Elizabeth, whom she had not seen in months.
Before any more conversation could take place, Mrs. Bennet pleaded, “Mary, do let us sit. Our journey from Town was very tiring, and I should like to discuss a few things before we go up to change.”
“Yes, Mama. I shall ring for tea.”
“Never mind about that. First we must talk.” Mrs. Bennet took out her handkerchief and began to wring it as she sat in her favourite chair and continued. “Pray, do put my mind at ease and tell me that Mr. Barton has not cried off due to Lizzy’s misfortune. I have been so worried, and you know not what I have suffered with my poor nerves.”
“Mama,” Mary responded shyly, a slight smile upon her lips. “Mr. Barton has not cried off.”
“Thank heaven for that,” wailed Mrs. Bennet. “I do not know how we should have endured it if he had done so.”
Mary stole a quick look at her father before saying, “Mama, you are not to worry. Mr. Barton has officially asked Papa for myhand.” She demurely held out her hand for her mother to see the ring which had once belonged to her intended’s grandmother. “Papa has given his blessing and we are engaged.”
All at once the volume increased with everyone talking and congratulating Mary on her engagement. Unable to control her emotions, Mrs. Bennet began to cry without restraint. “Jane, Jane, please, my salts. My heart is a-flutter.” As soon as she was more at ease, she turned to Mary saying, “My dear child, you have made us all so very happy. I insist, do tell us how it came about.”
Mary’s face flushed with the request, for she had seldom been the centre of attention. Still slightly embarrassed, she graciously related what had taken place. “Mama, the day after you left for Town we had invited Mr. Barton for dinner. Afterwards, he requested an audience with Papa and it was then he asked for permission to marry me.”
“I knew it would be just so,” sighed Mrs. Bennet. “But why did you not write and tell us, Mr. Bennet?”
“I had intended to….”
Interrupting her husband, Mrs. Bennet suddenly looked back at Mary and asked with trepidation, “My dear, does Mr. Barton know of our troubles?”
“Yes, Mama. The news of what happened at the ball reached us on Saturday, even before Uncle Gardiner’s express came. Mr. Barton was here again for dinner that evening and was very kind. Even without Uncle’s explanation, Mr. Barton insisted he would remain faithful despite our troubles.”
