Later that evening the sisters congregated in their sitting room where Jane and Elizabeth badgered Mary for the details of the unusual proposal.
‘Mary, you are the last person I would have expected to be so forward. What possessed you to kiss the Colonel… and in full view of all of us?’ Elizabeth asked.
Mary blushed furiously at being reminded of her improper behaviour. Now that the excitement was over and she had had a chance to calm down and think about her actions, she agreed with her sister’s assessment. She tried to explain in the hope to clarify the situation in her own mind as well.
‘I believe when the Colonel and I first met he was looking to marry an heiress with whom he could get on well. You know, one of the better society matches… with an eye to fortune but in the hope of finding a wife he could like and whose company he would enjoy.’
‘I thought that he had found such a match and more with you, and although you do not give much away, I felt that you were interested in him as well,’ Jane said when Mary hesitated.
‘You are almost right.’ Mary blushed but ploughed on. ‘I fell head over ears in love with him… right from the start.’
‘You devious creature. You never let on. Why did you not confide in us?’ cried Elizabeth chagrined that she had not noticed the depth of her sister’s interest.
‘Because I did not even admit it to myself. I am not as beautiful as you, Jane, nor as clever as you, Lizzy.’ Mary said with a slight grimace. ‘I did not believe that Richard could be interested in me. At least not as anything other than a friend.’
‘You were guarding your heart,’ Jane stated as Elizabeth nodded. ‘What changed your mind?’
Mary sighed. ‘Lately, he had started to withdraw and earlier today I could not bear it any longer and I asked him why.’
Suddenly her whole mien changed. She sat up straighter and fairly glowed as she said, ‘Would you believe that wonderful, silly man was trying to do the honourable thing and wanted to clear the field for a man who was not interested in my fortune but only in myself because he had fallen in love with me.’
She shrugged. ‘Well… once I knew he loved me, I could not let him get away. So… I kissed him,’ Mary finished her story as she hugged herself with a happy smile, remembering the delightful sensation of Richard’s arms about her as he returned her kiss. ‘You know the rest.’
‘That was most improper and brazen of you,’ said Jane with a stern expression before she broke into a smile, mirroring her sister as she embraced Mary. ‘I am so very happy for you.’
Elizabeth, not to be left out, joined her sisters in their embrace. ‘I believe that you and your Colonel are very well matched. As a soldier, he should appreciate a woman who is not afraid to charge in and capture her objective.’ She could not suppress a giggle at her pun, although her sisters rolled their eyes.
~T~
Mrs Phillips arrived at Longbourn in a highly excited state.
‘Sister, my husband just informed me that Netherfield will be occupied again before Christmas by no less a personage than a duchess,’ Mrs Phillips exclaimed as soon as she entered the room.
Mrs Bennet beamed. ‘Is it the Duchess of Barrington perchance?’
‘Indeed. But how did you know?’
‘Because Jane is engaged to her son,’ Mrs Bennet cried. For weeks she had not only remained quiet, but claimed the engagement notice in the papers must be a misprint, as she did not wish to start a rumour about Jane’s good fortune in case the gentleman changed his mind and chose someone from his own sphere. It would have been too humiliating to have boasted about such a match only to have it come to nought. But if the duchess and presumably her son were to take up residence at Netherfield, they must indeed be serious, and it was therefore safe to speak up.
‘I wonder if they will get married while they are here?’ asked Mrs Phillips.
‘I am certain that is how it must be. Jane would not wish to get married anywhere else. I shall have such a busy time arranging the wedding. It shall be the grandest wedding Meryton has ever seen. It is such an honour to have a duchess attend my daughter’s wedding,’ cried Mrs Bennet full of exuberance.
The following day, Mrs Bennet received a letter which had been delayed in the post confirming her hopes and informing her of the identity of the other guests.
~T~
32Longbourn
The weather turned wet and blustery and was so utterly miserable that even Elizabeth could not be tempted to go outside for her walks, preventing the ladies and their suitors from private conversations.
As soon as the skies cleared long enough for the roads to dry out to make them passable, a convoy set off from London to Meryton. The duchess conveyed not only her son but also Jane and Elizabeth. The Gardiners shared their carriage with Mary and Richard, while Darcy was accompanied by Georgiana and her companion, Mrs Annesley. Another coach transported the Gardiner children and their nurse, while three more carriages carrying their staff and luggage followed.
Darcy was apprehensive about his reception at Meryton since his last visit had been less than a roaring success. He hoped that since Elizabeth had forgiven him, the rest of the town would as well.
When they stopped about halfway to their destination to rest the horses, the duchess, who had noticed the somewhat envious glances Elizabeth gave her sister and Deveril, suggested that Georgiana might appreciate Lizzy’s company. Georgiana was enthusiastic about the change and Darcy even more so.
~T~
