No one can continue in such a fashion for long, for venting such feelings must take a toll on the aggrieved, and in time, Mrs. Bennet allowed Jane to distract her with some matter of the breakfast they had already decided. Soon, Mrs. Bennet was speaking of the event she hoped would remain in the memories of her neighbors as her greatest triumph, allowing Elizabeth and Charlotte to engage in a little quiet conversation.
“Your mother is indefatigable, Lizzy.”
Risking a glance at her mother, Elizabeth turned back to Charlotte and said: “I shall not say you are incorrect. If Mrs. Darcy did not have such a deft touch with her, I might fear for my very sanity!”
“Just remember, my dear, that your mother wants you to have a special day. That thought will sustain you when tempers flare.”
Privately, Elizabeth thought her mother’s insistence was as much for the aforementioned desire to amaze the neighborhood with the fineness of her arrangements for her first daughter’s wedding. Not wishing to sound like an ungrateful daughter, however, she avoided that subject in favor of other topics. For a time, they spoke agreeably of matters of little consequence common to long acquaintances.
“Well, Lizzy,” said Charlotte after a time of this, “you appear in the best of spirits, eager to meet your destiny. I cannot be happier for you, for I know you have always wished for this.”
Charlotte rarely allowed herself to wallow in maudlin wishes or self-pity for the uncertainty of her situation. It was, Elizabeth knew, not the best, for as a young woman of seven and twenty and possessing little dowry, Charlotte was almost on the shelf, destined to become that most despised of all women—a spinster. Elizabeth understood the way the world worked, but she had always lamented it, for her friend was an excellent woman who would make any man a creditable wife. Yet she languished in Hertfordshire where single men were scarce, and all were competing for those who had some fortune to their name.
In some ways, however, Elizabeth knew she lacked true understanding of Charlotte’s predicament. That she would marry Mr. Darcy had been a matter of certainty for Elizabeth since the time she had entered local society. Though she could remember her mother’s fears for the future, she had never considered it. Mrs. Bennet had calmed, knowing that Mr. Darcy found Elizabeth agreeable and wished to have her for a wife. Elizabeth was fortunate, and she would never forget the uncertainty she had never had to face, even if she did not understand it.
“Do not concern yourself, Charlotte,” said Elizabeth, patting her friend’s hand with affection. “When William and I go to London for the season, we shall invite you to go with us. I shall play the matchmaker and ensure some man sees you for the gem you are and makes you an offer.”
“Thank you, Lizzy,” said Charlotte. “I believe I shall hold you to that promise.”
At that moment, the Netherfield party entered, receiving the enthusiastic greetings of all present. Charlotte rose at the same time, with a smile and a gentle comment that she should depart. Before she could retreat, however, Mrs. Darcy approached them with a warm smile.
“Miss Lucas,” said she, her affection clear as she grasped each of their hands. “How lovely it is to see you this morning. I had no notion you were interested in the arrangements for Elizabeth’s wedding.”
Charlotte grinned and shot a look at Elizabeth. “Trust me, Mrs. Darcy—had I known you would arrive to discuss such matters, I would have chosen the better part of valor and stayed at home.”
“Aye, perhaps that might have been for the best. Yet, with your sensible nature, I suspect your assistance would be invaluable to my future daughter.” Mrs. Darcy glanced at Mrs. Bennet, who was greeting William with all the manic affection of a future mother, afraid the groom would call off the whole affair at the last moment. “Why, I declare you may have some success in taming even a mother’s concern and bringing harmony to all.”
“Then it is fortunate you have no need of that,” replied Charlotte, “for I have every confidence that you are more than capable of filling the role.”
With that, Charlotte went away after exchanging a few more words, leaving Elizabeth in Mrs. Darcy’s company. SeeingWilliam still in proximity to Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Darcy leaned in close.
“How are you, Lizzy?”
“I am well, but I will be grateful when this is all over.”
“You are not alone, my dear. When your nuptials are in the past, your mother will need to arrange Jane’s, or I am no judge of the matter at all.” As she had suggested, Mr. Bingley was by Jane’s side, speaking with animation, much as he had every other time he had been in her company. “You and I will only be involved peripherally, though I cannot but suppose you will wish to step in and save Jane’s sensibilities.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Jane is much more patient than I am, and much more adept at turning my mother’s attention. I have no fear for my sister.”
“Then let us go to it,” said Mrs. Darcy.
In the end, Elizabeth’s future mother-in-law resolved the differences in a fashion both elegant and satisfying to all. The compromise on the contentious issue of the flowers she accomplished so Elizabeth was satisfied with what they decided, and Mrs. Bennet felt she had carried her point; her mother’s self-satisfied smile in her direction proved that supposition without the possibility for error. With that matter resolved, they made quick work of the few points that remained with tolerable ease. Then, Mrs. Darcy, dear that she was, distracted Mrs. Bennet to allow Elizabeth a few precious moments with her beau before he needed to depart.
“Well, Elizabeth?” asked he, catching hold of her hand and holding it as if he never meant to let go. “Can you believe we shall be married within the next fortnight?”
“It hardly seems real,” replied Elizabeth. Then she laughed and said: “Then again, had you not dragged your feet, I was prepared to accept you even two years ago.”
“Then perhaps I should have judged better. You are not unhappy, I think, with how matters have proceeded.”
“Had I been blessed with a more rational mother, I might have been happier. On the whole, however, I believe I have little cause for complaint.”
“I am pleased to hear it,” replied William.
They spent the rest of their time together in this attitude, speaking about rational subjects, reminiscing about their past, and sharing their hopes for the future. That they had discussed such subjects at length did nothing to make their discussion any less treasured or interesting. For two such people in love, even the most banal of topics must be of the greatest consequence, knowing their love was shared, the greatest gift either could receive.
At length, the Darcys rose to depart with Mr. Bingley, and the Bennets saw them to the door and their carriage. Elizabeth watched as the carriage disappeared through the gates and beyond the village on the road back to Meryton and then Netherfield in the distance, sighing and entering the house with the rest of her family.
“I declare, Lizzy,” said Mrs. Bennet as the ladies settled back into the parlor, “you are fortunate to have attracted that gentleman, for he is the finest of my acquaintance.”
