On Saturday, everyone met at Matlock House for a pre-play meal. They would all return to the same house for supper after the performance. It would also be the first time members of polite society would see Viscount Hilldale, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Fitzwilliam Darcy pay attention to a lady notrelated to them.
While those seated in the Matlock and Darcy boxes had their eyes on the stage, the vast majority of the attendees had their lorgnettes focused on the occupants of the two aforementioned boxes. During the intervals between acts, many tried to glean information about who the three ladies were. They cared not who the beautiful lady with thenouveau richeCharles Bingley was. However, the less information the gossips of theTonwere able to discover about the other three, the more determined they became to learn about the ladies.
By the time the play ended, those who made coin from writing gossip columns were entirely dissatisfied; they had found out nothing about the three unknowns.
It had been noted the Duke and Duchess of Bedford had called during one of the intermissions and they had requested to be introduced. During the next, the Earl and Countess of Jersey had been welcomed into the Matlock box. The problem was the aforementioned nobles would never gossip and one did not approach these leaders of society with impertinent questions and remain unscathed.
On Sunday, the Gardiners, the three Bennet sisters, and Charlotte attended the local church and then spent the rest of the day together.
Come Monday morning, a convoy of coaches arrived at 23 Gracechurch Street so the four ladies who needed to leave London, would be conveyed back to Meryton, along with those in the equipages to escort them.
With each mile which passed bringing them closer to Longbourn and her father, Elizabeth became quieter and more contemplative.
Chapter 31
“Lizzy, you are not alone,” Jane said as the Bingley coach turned into Longbourn’s drive. “You know you may come to us for assistance at any time, if and when, you need it.” Mary nodded her agreement vigorously. “For your security, I spoke to Charles, and if our father banishes you, you are to come straight to Netherfield Park.”
The conveyances had made a stop at Netherfield Park first where the ladies from Longbourn and Lucas Lodge had enjoyed an hour with their friends, or in the case of one her fiancé and two others, their suitors. Elizabeth had spent her time with Louisa, Becca, and Gigi. Charlotte had then been dropped off at Lucas Lodge before the three sisters were conveyed on to their estate.
“Thank you, Jane. I am supposed to be here to be of support to you before the wedding, not the other way around,” Elizabeth objected but felt a deep gratitude that her sisters were so reassuring when, for the first time she could remember, she was not very sure of herself. At least Jane would not have long to wait to see Charles as he would be arriving in about an hour to see her father to have the finalised version of the settlement signed.
“We are sisters, and we will make sure Papa does not pull you back into his web,” Mary insisted firmly. Her growing confidence since meeting Andrew was clearly evident.
As it was a cold day, there was no surprise that none of their family members were waiting for them in the drive. A Bingley footman had the step in place and the door open verysoon after the carriage came to a halt. Hill was ready with an open front door for the three Miss Bennets so they did not need to remain in the cold air for longer than was absolutely necessary. He assisted them in removing their outerwear.
“Are our mother and youngest sisters in the drawing room?” Jane asked for the three. Hill nodded his head.
“Jane and Mary, you are come back…” Fanny halted her welcome as she noted her second daughter, who she had not expected to see until her brother and sister arrived from London a few days before the wedding. “Lizzy, you are most welcome too, but I thought…”
“All is well, Mama,” Elizabeth assured her mother. “I will come and see you in your chambers later.” Fanny nodded.
In the meanwhile, Kitty and Lydia looked like they were going to burst after they greeted their older sisters. They very much wanted to ask if they had been brought anything from London, but Mama had told them not to mention anything until it was spoken of by their sisters.
“Yes, Kitty and Lydia, we have some gifts for you,” Jane shared. The two aforementioned girls clapped their hands over their mouth as squeals began to form. “Our trunks should be up in our chambers, so as soon as we have greeted Papa, we will go and unpack. We will bring the presents for you two and Mama down to the drawing room, and then we can discuss the time in London.”
The two youngest Bennets clapped their hands and then returned to work on their samplers. Their older sisters were greatly impressed. They had never seen Lydia pick up a needle and thread before, unless it was to remake a bonnet.
Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary nodded to one another and made for their father’s study. Jane made sure Lizzy was ready to face their father and then she knocked. Elizabeth was standing between her older and next younger sister, and each one held one of her hands.
“Come,” Bennet called out from within. He hardly lifted his head from the book he was reading when he heard the sounds of more than one entering his domain. He assumed it was Jane and Mary returning from London and stopping to make their obligatory greeting to him. “Welcome back Jane and Mary, close the door on your way out.”
“I am here too,” Elizabeth said. How had she ever thought the man sitting behind the desk was worthy of her respect? There was a glass of port close to his left hand, and he had been so dismissive of her sisters, who had been away from home for a sennight.
Bennet’s head snapped up. He needed to see if he had in fact heard Lizzy’s voice. He had! At last, the doldrums were over! Lizzy had come back to entertain him and assist him in making sport of her mother and sisters. “You remain Lizzy, your sisters may go,” Bennet grinned thinking things would get back to normal now.
“I am unable to now, I am afraid. I came home sooner than I anticipated to assist Jane in preparing for her wedding. You have my apologies, but I will have no time for anything else,” Elizabeth stated.
He knew he could order her to remain with him, but at the same time Bennet was well aware how stubborn Lizzy could be. If he attempted to force her, she would sit and say nothing. It had occurred once or twice over the years. If she were missish, it would be annoying and not at all entertaining. Bennet did the only thing he could do; he waved his second daughter away with the other two.
Not a word of welcome was said, and no mention that he was now well aware what Jane and Lizzy had told him about their sister’s imminent ruin, had been nothing but the truth.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
At dinner, Lizzy treated her mother with respect and did not join in the two times Mr Bennet tried to make sport of hiswife and daughters. They did not react at all, nor did his second daughter join in, not even in the smallest measure.
The fiancé had brought the final draft of the settlement for his signature, which Bennet had done as it took very little effort to sign his name. He had attempted to make fun of Bingley, but just like had occurred at dinner, Bingley had not taken the bait. The tradesman’s son had wanted to leave a copy of the documents with Bennet, but he had instructed the annoyingly calm man to drop the copy off at Phillips’s office in Meryton.
If Lizzy had been her normal self, Bennet would have joined his family in the drawing room subsequent to the meal, but he would deprive them of his company now. They did not deserve his attentions, besides, there was no sport to be had.
