The next day, Longbourn had callers. With the house still in mourning, visitors were few and so the younger girls were very excited when Mrs. Mildred Bingley called with her nephew.
“I wish to present my aunt to you all,” Bingley said cheerfully. His eyes roamed the room and Elizabeth saw how disappointed he looked when he realized Jane was not present.
“Yes, we would have called some time ago, but my arrival was delayed by several months.” Mrs. Bingley smiled a warm, genuine smile.
Elizabeth examined the lady. She was dressed fashionably and had the same cheerful disposition her nephew possessed. Standing a head over Elizabeth, Mrs. Bingley’s stature did nothing to intimidate. Miss Bingley had often used her superior height in an attempt to make Elizabeth feel small, but this lady did nothing of the sort.
Introductions complete, Mrs. Bingley sat with Elizabeth and her husband. Darcy struck up a conversation with her, leaving Elizabeth to speak with Bingley.
“I was under the impression that Mrs. Collins was in residence.” Bingley shifted nervously, tugging at his cravat.
“My sister is engaged with estate matters at the moment.” Indeed, Jane was sequestered with Mr. Brown in the study, while Sally was standing by for propriety. Her sister eagerly learned everything that the steward taught, absorbing the information to pass on to her son. Henry often stayed with his mother in a little cradle in the study, a constant reminder why she toiled away instead of spending time in leisurely pursuits.
“And Mrs. Bennet? I had hoped to introduce my aunt. They are of an age…” Bingley trailed off awkwardly.
“My mother is indisposed, Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth said kindly. He looked disappointed, and she sought to reassure him. “We will inform her of your visit, and I am certain she will be well when you come again.”And hopefully I can convince Jane to be present next time. He cannot court her, but that does not mean she cannot be in his company.
The rest of the call went well, and the Bingleys departed with a promise to come again in a few days.
Mrs. Bennet joined them for dinner and took her seat in the mistress’s chair. Jane did not acknowledge the slight, instead choosing to take her father’s position at the head of the table. Elizabeth silently cheered her sister for her actions as she took her old seat to the right of her father’s chair. Her husband sat next to her, surreptitiously placing a hand on her knee beneath the table.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bingley called today,” Kitty told their mother.
Mrs. Bennet shrieked. “He hasmarried? When did Mr. Bingley marry? To whom?”
“You mistake me, Mama,” Kitty hurried to add, but Mrs. Bennet would not be put off.
“You should have married him, Jane! Then I would still be mistress of Longbourn! And now that you are a widow with achild, he will not want you! Why would he? You have grown cruel and unfeeling, and I am ashamed of you. No, it would be better if he married Lydia. She is an obliging child, though she is not a son. Even Kitty or Mary would do, foryoudo not deserve him.”
“Mrs. Bingley is his aunt, Mother.” Mary’s firm, mild voice carried over their mother’s nonsensical wails, effectively silencing her.
“Oh. Well, that is good, then. Lydia, next time he visits, you must do your best to secure him.”
Lydia glanced nervously at Jane, whose lips were pinched in displeasure. The pain in her eyes was there for all to see, and Elizabeth’s heart went out to her sister.
“I do not think he would suit me, Mama,” Lydia mumbled.
“Suit you? Whatever doesthatmean? People do not need to suit to marry. Look at Mr. Darcy and that ungrateful girl. Two such opposites of temperament there never was and yet they are married! You will do as I say.”
“Madam, this talk is hardly appropriate. Cease your disparagements of my wife and your daughters! Show a little decorum. You are still in mourning, as are your daughters. Matrimony is not a proper topic for the dinner table in these circumstances.” Mr. Darcy’s intervention silenced the whole room, including Mrs. Bennet, who stared at him agape. Elizabeth wondered for a moment if her mother did not speak because she did not know how to respond, or if she fell silent because Mr. Darcy intimidated her.No matter. Either way she stopped her incessant insistences.
Mrs. Bennet did not speak for the rest of the meal, eyeing Mr. Darcy warily throughout. She did not join them in the parlor, choosing instead to go to bed. Nobody repined her absence.
“I promise, I have no interest in Mr. Bingley,” Lydia assured Jane after the meal.
“It makes no difference to me if you do, dear.” Jane patted Lydia’s hand.
Elizabeth wished to call out her sister’s lack of honesty, but said nothing, sharing a look with her husband instead. Darcy simply shrugged and returned to his book.
“But you are widowed now. Why not marry Mr. Bingley? Surely, he called to seeyouand not anyone else.” Lydia’s genuine curiosity prompted Elizabeth to continue listening to the conversation despite not being a part of it.
“If he did, then it is highly improper. I am in mourning for my husband and for my father. It would be wrong for me to be courted before that period of time is over.” Jane shook her head and rocked her son. Mrs. Moore had brought Henry down after the meal and each Bennet sister had taken their turn holding him until the little master of Longbourn cried out to be returned to his mother.
“Have you given up on him then?” Lydia asked. “I do not think you should. If Lizzy and Mr. Darcy can form an alliance, why not you and Mr. Bingley?”
“The circumstances are not the same.”
“But—”
