“Much as I expected,” Elizabeth replied. “It was well you approached him at the wedding breakfast prior to myspeakingto him.” She paused and again addressed her future brother. “If someone who happens to love her, and has patience with her, decides to teach her to ride, I am sure Mary will overcome her aversion to riding atop a horse.”
“Then you must teach Mary, Brother,” Lady Rebecca commanded. She looked to her other brother. “Does Charlotte ride, Rich?”
“Yes, I believe she does.” The Colonel looked to his fiancée’s friend to confirm or correct what he asserted. She nodded. “According to Lizzy, I have the right of it.”
“Richard, are you calling at Lucas Lodge after you break your fast?” Darcy enquired.
“I am, why do you ask?” the Colonel averred.
“Unless Miss Elizabeth, sorry, I mean MissBennetobjects, I thought we would accompany her and call at Longbourn,” Darcy explained.
“By no means do I object, however, in my opinion it would be far more comfortable if my sisters and I call on you all at Netherfield Park. The climate in the house will be far lessfrosty,” Elizabeth suggested.
Darcy was only getting used to the fact the woman he loved seemed to welcome his company. He was asking himself if it was too soon to request a courtship when Richard’s words broke the pattern of his thoughts. It excited him to see Miss Bennet watching him shyly from the other side of the fence as her horse danced back and forth at her run being interrupted.
“Andy, have you and Mary decided on a date yet?” the Colonel queried.
“We intend to discuss that subject today,” Lord Hilldaleresponded. “Why do you ask?”
“Charlotte and I have selected the fifteenth day of January, what say you to us marrying the ladies we love in a joint ceremony?” the Colonel suggested.
As she listened to the conversation, she realised with the brothers’ marriages, Charlotte would be a sister to all of the Bennet daughters. For so long she had felt like another sister to Jane and herself, and now she would be indeed.
“It will be up to Mary. If she has no objection, then I will also agree,” Lord Hilldale decided.
“If Mary assents, the decision regarding which church to marry from will need to be made,” Elizabeth interjected. “We worship at the Longbourn village church and the Lucases attend St Alfred’s in Meryton.”
“Should we send a coach to collect those who will come to Netherfield Park at eleven?” Andrew enquired. “Rich, would it spoil some grand cosmic plan if Charlotte comes to us as well? That way we will have both ladies present to make a decision, and mayhap her mother will want to accompany her?”
“A carriage will be welcome as we will not have to ask Mr Bennet to use his. Mama will be with us,” Elizabeth stated. “Richard, I suggest you have Maria come as well. She is of an age with Becca, Gigi, and my youngest sisters.”
Farewells and expressions of joy at seeing one another in a few short hours were given and received. Elizabeth headed back towards the stables while the riding party on the other side of the fence did the same at their estate. Richard planned to send a note to Charlotte as soon as he arrived at the manor house. He was almost sure she would not object to the change in plans, but he would not assume that.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
At some point after he had broken his fast, Bennet could not understand why things were so quiet, so he rang for Hill.When he asked about the lack of noise, Hill explained a coach had arrived to collect the Mistress and her daughters a half hour earlier.
Bennet cared not they had gone, only that he had not been able to refuse them the use of the horses for the carriage.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
At Netherfield Park they were a merry group, which included Sir William who was with the men while the ladies made decisions about the weddings to come.
Louisa Hurst was more than happy to be included in the planning like a true sister. On the subject of a joint wedding, Mary agreed to it and the date with alacrity, as did Fanny. St Alfred’s was chosen. It was a far larger church than the one at Longbourn. With the locals as well as all of the friends and family of the Fitzwilliams, the latter church simply would not accommodate everyone who would attend. In addition, although not as important, the former church sat a mile closer to Netherfield Park where, like after Jane’s wedding, the celebratory meal would be held.
Once the men rejoined the ladies, Andrew sat off to the side with Mary. “Lizzy told me why you do not ride,allof the reasons for it,” he said so only she would hear. “If you will allow me, I would like to teach you in a way which will assist you to overcome your fear of horses.”
At first Mary wanted to refuse, but then she thought of how much she loved, respected, and more importantly, trusted Andrew. “I will be happy to have you teach me to ride,” she agreed.
“If it is not too soon, what say you we begin the next time you visit this estate?” The Viscount was aware there was a very docile mare in the stables; one which would be perfect to teach someone like Mary, who had had a bad experience previously.
“I am in your hands, Andrew. Whenever you are readyto teach me, I will be willing to learn.” Mary beamed up at her fiancé with all the love she felt for the wonderful man.
Darcy and Elizabeth gravitated one to the other and spent the time in close conversation, after the men returned to the drawing room. Fanny smiled as she watched her second daughter with Mr Darcy. ‘Your father is not going to be well pleased. If it does not already, your heart will soon belong to Mr Darcy,’ Fanny told herself silently as she turned to look at her other daughters. Mary was lost in conversation with Andrew while the group of younger girls were enjoying one another’s company. It seemed Maria Lucas was a welcome addition to the group.
It was after dinner when the Bennets were conveyed back to Longbourn.
Chapter 33
