“She does this, of course,” added Lydia frankly, “because my beauty was lost rather sooner than expected, and she wishes that I love myself for those qualities I yet possess.”
“I hope you have taken her advice to heart, Miss Lydia,” said he. “As well as your good character, your cheerful temper will always recommend you to those with the wit to see your value.”
Mary cast him a grateful look, to which he responded with a smile that made her blush. For her own part, the youngest Bennet smiled and agreed, “Idohave a cheerful temper, do I not?”
* * *
A few days later, it became acceptable for the Bennet girls to put off their blacks and don the lighter colours of half-mourning. There had been some discussion among them about it, for none of them wished to be disrespectful to the memory of their mother by being too eager, but neither were any of them were very fond of wearing black all day, every day. In the end they agreed they should wear their blacks to church on Sundays for a few weeks longer, that solemn day being most suited to the additional remembrance.
One sunny morning, therefore, Mr Bennet was greeted by the sight of his daughters trooping down the stairs in some of the lavender and grey dresses, trimmed heavily in black, upon which they had so diligently stitched for much of the last month. He would wear his own blacks for a six-month complete, and an armband until a year had passed.
To be so garbed cheered them, and the bright yellow daffodils which Kitty had stitched onto the length of wide lavender ribbon that now cinched the waist of Lydia’s grey dress were much admired by everyone in the family.
That afternoon, true to Mr Bennet’s early prediction, Mr Bingley—who, he could only presume, had received some prior intelligence of his daughter’s plans—arrived alone at Longbourn and requested the honour of a private audience with Jane. With bright eyes and muffled giggles, the other sisters hurried from the parlour, and Mr Bennet paused only to wordlessly shake the young man’s hand before retreating to his study to await his own interview.
* * *
Hardly had the book-room door closed behind him before Elizabeth, Kitty, Mary, and Lydia regained the parlour. Jane could have no reserves from her dear sisters, instantly embracing them all as best she could. Their congratulations were given with a sincerity, a warmth, a delight, which words could but poorly express, and Jane acknowledged with the liveliest emotion that she was the happiest creature in the world.
“’Tis too much!” she added, “by far too much. I do not deserve it. Oh! Why is not everybody as happy?”
“No one else deserves it as you do,” cried Elizabeth, relishing the joy and laughter filling Longbourn.
Jane would not be allowed to stay only with her sisters, for Mr Bingley’s interview with Mr Bennet was short and to the purpose, and the younger gentleman had not been teasedverymuch by the elder, so they soon joined the ladies.
Mr Bingley was invited to stay for dinner, and after sending a note to Netherfield considered himself quite fixed at Longbourn for the rest of the day. If Elizabeth wished Mr Darcy might join them, she did not express it aloud, for it was an occasion of no common delight to them all. Jane’s happiness gratified all who loved her, while Mr Bingley’s addition to the family could not fail to please. Still, the company of his friend—her friend—in smiles and laughter would have been a more than welcome sight.
Mr Bingley remained with them until the moon was high in the sky, taking his leave with regret and every promise of calling again on the morrow. As they entered the room they had shared from childhood, Jane turned to her and said, “Oh, Lizzy, if only Mama could have been here. How happy she would have been! Is it wrong to be so happy myself, so soon after her death?”
“If it were, surely society would decree that you might not receive a proposal in half-mourning, either. There is no cause for guilt. This is exactly what Mama wanted! You must know that if she could speak with you now, she would tell you that on no account should you let anything interfere with Mr Bingley’s felicity!” She paused. “And your own, of course.”
Jane laughed. “You are right. I do believe that is exactly how she would advise me.”
* * *
Immediately upon his return to Netherfield, Bingley conveyed the news of his success to his sister and Darcy, who greeted it with pleasure but little surprise. Both listened indulgently as he extolled the virtues of his betrothed and delight in both her and the relations he stood to gain by their union.
When Mrs Hurst retired and they were left to themselves, Darcy turned to his old friend and said, “Bingley, I most sincerely congratulate you. I have no doubt that you and Miss Bennet shall be very happy together.”
“Would that I could see you so happy! If we could but find such a lady for you!” Bingley exclaimed, clearly having lost not one whit of excitement in the many hours following his proposal.
Darcy smiled slightly. “I have not entirely lost hope that I may find similar happiness.”
“My younger sister, I am sure, remains ready to save you from a life of loneliness,” Bingley replied with a smirk.
“Forgive me, my friend, but I would rather remain a bachelor.”
Bingley chuckled. “I would have been concerned had you made any other reply. Your forbearance with her for my sake all these years has not gone unnoticed, or unappreciated.” He sipped again at his brandy, his expression becoming reflective. “As disappointed as I am with Caroline, I must say that I cannot repine that my bride will not be required to endure her. I think she would not have easily ceded her place as mistress of my home.”
“Miss Bennet’s obliging nature might have made it difficult for her to establish herself, if there were such conflict,” Darcy answered carefully, not wishing to openly deprecate Miss Bingley again so soon after his impolitic jest, though he could not disagree with his friend’s conjecture.
“True,” said Bingley, then shook his head slightly and grinned. “But why am I allowing thoughts of what might have been to intrude upon this happy day? I shall not! Allow me, if you will, old friend, to relate to you an idea I have had for our wedding trip.”
At Darcy’s encouraging nod, Bingley launched into an excited narrative full of exclamations and broad gestures. The discussion of this plan and the attendant practicalities occupied them both late into the night, providing Darcy with a welcome distraction from the increasingly urgent need to secure another Bennet sister for himself.
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
“My dear Caroline,whatever is the matter?”
