Neither Bennet parent raised an objection, so the date was set. The banns would begin being called on Sunday upcoming. A note was sent to Hattie Phillips and Sarah Lucas announcing the engagement, thereby ensuring the rest of their neighbours would be aware within the hour. Once Lady Lucas informed her husband, it would only make the news travel that much faster.
By dinner that evening, any of the mothers who had hoped Mr. Bingley had thrown over Jane Bennet and was once more available had had their paper thin hopes crushed.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As seven was a little too many people even for the luxurious Darcy travelling coach, especially when four of the number were rather large men, two conveyances pulled into the drive at Longbourn the following morning.
The Darcys and Fitzwilliams were in the lead equipage while Bingley and the Hursts rode in the second carriage.
As the guests were expected, there had been no need for Fanny to enlist one of her daughters to peer out of the window when the sounds of arriving vehicles were heard.
Once everyone had alighted, or in the case of the three ladies, handed out, the seven arriving callers made for the front door which Hill was holding open for them. Both of Longbourn’s footmen were on hand to assist the guests with their outerwear.
With all the cards in hand, Hill led the group to the drawing room and announced them to the waiting Bennets.
Mary saw her fiancé was about to begin his effusions about the honour of being in the company of four of Lady Catherine’s family when she placed her hand on his upper arm. That simple action broke through the haze of his wonder. Hence, William Bennet retained his seat and said nothing after he had greeted them calmly.
The relationship between the two Fitzwilliams was cleared up for Elizabeth when Lady Tiffany was introduced as the Colonel’s younger sister. The Colonel was a little shorter than his handsome cousin and not as good-looking. He had sandy blond hair and piercing blue eyes. He was not at all bad looking, just not on par with his taller cousin.
Lady Tiffany had auburn hair and the same blue eyes. Miss Darcy had golden blond hair with very similar eyes to her brother, both in colour and shape.
“Miss Bennet and all the Bennets, I want to apologise for my less than stellar behaviour when you first met me. Miss Bennet, allow me to wish you happy with my brother and welcome you to the family,” Mrs. Hurst stated sincerely.
“First, let me say since we will be sisters, please call me Jane,” Jane began to reply.
“As long as you address me as Louisa,” Mrs. Hurst reciprocated. “I think the two of you will be very happy together…Jane.”
“I would like to add my best wishes for a felicitous future,” Darcy intoned.
He did not miss the way Miss Elizabeth was looking at him as if she was trying to solve a puzzle. He hoped he would have a chance to speak to her as he intended to admit his almost mistake to her and explain how he was able to correct his course before he made it.
Bingley sat down and handed his fiancée a copy of theTimes of Londonwhich had been delivered that morning. He pointed out the engagement announcement which pleased Jane greatly. She handed the paper opened to the relevant page to her parents. Bennet had the paper in his study but had not had a chance to read it yet. Anyone who had not heard the news disseminated via the ‘gossip-three’ in Meryton, would know as more and more of the locals began to read their daily edition of the London papers.
Tiffany and Giana sat themselves on either side of Elizabeth. The older cousin began the conversation, and it took Elizabeth no time at all to determine Miss Darcy was the exact opposite of how the dastard had characterised her. If anything, she was a little shy, but she was not proud and did not think herself above her company.
She was not aware why the two younger girls were so keen to know her, but Elizabeth had no resistance to becoming better acquainted with them so she soon found herself in a lively debate with the two intelligent young ladies.
Soon enough Elizabeth stood to join Jane with the serving of tea. She was replaced by Kitty and Lydia who seemed keen to speak to the cousins. Mary soon joined them. She and Miss Darcy spoke of music while Lady Tiffany and the two youngest Bennets spoke of art, specifically drawing and painting.
As she walked to where the tea service had been left, she felt Mr. Darcy’s eyes following her. Her theory he was looking at her to find fault had long been discarded, but she knew not what the looks actually portended.
Elizabeth happened to look towards where the Colonel was sitting, and she was able to see his eyes crinkled in a smile. His amusement seemed to be the behaviour of his cousin who was still watching her intently. She decided it was time to make a sketch of Mr. Darcy’s character again.
The party from Netherfield Park remained for an hour. Before their departure, Mrs. Hurst extended an invitation for the Bennets to call on the morrow so Jane could have a tour of the house from the perspective of the future mistress.
Any Bennets who did not join them earlier in the day were invited to join the rest for a family dinner.
Chapter 31
“Are you just going to stare at Miss Elizabeth when you are in her company or will you actually talk to her and state your intentions?” Richard enquired after returning to Netherfield Park.
The men were sitting around the dining room table enjoying their drinks after the meal. From the strains of music permeating the air, they could tell that one of the ladies had begun to play the pianoforte.
“It has not escaped me I need to speak to her, but what if she is not interested in getting to know the true me?” Darcy responded.
“Then William, it is not meant to be.” Richard held up his hand to stem the protest forming on his cousin’s lips. “You have a choice: either speak and know one way or the other or torture yourself with not knowing.” Richard paused to allow his words to sink into his cousin’s consciousness. “I must tell you though, from what I observed the lady is not indifferent to you.”
Darcy looked at Hurst. “I agree with Fitzwilliam. She was looking at you almost as much as you looked at her,” Hurst opined.
