“As to meeting Mary, I will send an express to Miss Bingley—Bingley’s aunt who is his hostess—and ask if she has room for some guests. It is a good sized house and I do not believe she will refuse, but I will not assume,” Fitzwilliam said.
“We have nothing holding us in London now,” Lady Matlock chirped.
“Write the note, Richard,” Matlock suggested. “I will have it sent with a Matlock courier, so we will have a reply in short order.
Within minutes, Fitzwilliam had the missive ready, and soon, it was on its way.
Chapter 31
Not long after the residents of Matlock House broke their fast—Fitzwilliam had joined them for the meal so Darcy’s servants would not need to put themselves out—an affirmative reply was received from Miss Bingley inviting any who wanted to come to Hertfordshire to be hosted at Netherfield Park. She stated that there were more than enough suites available.
Lady Matlock sent a note to Hilldale House on Portman Square to inform Andrew and Marie of the invitation. Soon, the man returned with a message that Lord and Lady Hilldale would join them. It was decided to depart in two hours.
“In all of the excitement, I forgot to mention that by the time we arrive at Netherfield Park later today, William may be courting my Mary’s next older sister,” Fitzwilliam shared. He did not miss the looks of surprise on his family’s faces. “He is very lucky he apologised right away for his intemperate words at the local assembly. I get the idea that Miss Elizabeth can be rather stubborn if she so chuses.”
“It is fortunate that Lady Catherine is already a resident of Bedlam,” Anne observed wryly. “Had she not already lost her mind, hearing that William is courting any woman who is not me would have pushed her over the edge.”
There were no words of disagreement to Anne’s statement.
As soon as the meal was complete, the residents of the house went to verify that their packing was proceeding anon.Fitzwilliam went back to Darcy House to gather the few items of clothing he had brought with him. He would ride in one of the coaches and allow Invictus to be led behind the last carriage in the convoy.
As far as he was concerned, they could not arrive at Netherfield Park soon enough for him to see Mary again. Being away, even for only two days, had proved one thing to him. He loved Mary! His every free moment had been spent thinking about what she was doing and wondering if she missed him as much as he missed her. Not seeing her every day made his heart ache which only confirmed that she was essential to his future felicity.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As they neared the completion of the first sennight since their wedding, the only thing Bennet regretted was not meeting Lulu some years sooner. He stopped himself as he remembered his illogical determination not to marry again.
Had he met her before, he would possibly not have been open to loving this magnificent woman, without the effect Collins had had on him. He supposed that in His wisdom, God had allowed them to meet when it was the right time. Who was he, Thomas Henry Bennet, to question His plan?
Bennet was sitting in his study making sure there were no urgent issues he needed to address. It was the first day since his wedding he had done so. No matter how much he enjoyed spending time in Lulu’s exclusive company, especially in their shared bed, he would not be one to sit between two stools where one falls to the ground.[4]Thankfully, he had a very understanding wife who was using the time to meet with Mrs Hill and Cook.
Bennet saw an epistle from Phillips in the pile and opened it and began to read.
30 October 1811
17 Main Street
Meryton
Bennet and Mrs Bennet:
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I inform you that my dearest Charlotte, with the Grace of God, gifted me with a daughter in the early afternoon today.
We have named her Sarah Harriet after her maternal grandmother and my late wife, Hattie.
I have much for which to be thankful as both mother and daughter are seemingly well and happy. Little Lawrence, who, as you know, will be 2 in 4 days, was as pleased as a toddler could be that he had a sibling.
A note was sent to Netherfield Park to inform your daughters that they have another cousin.
My friend, I suspect we will see you when your fortnight honeymoon is complete. As I understand your desire to have some time alone, please do not call before then. Enjoy your time together.
Phillips
Bennet was pleased for his former brother-in-law and planned to share the news with his wife as soon as he saw her again.
Louisa had received a note from Aunt Hildebrand which she knew would interest Thomas. Hence, she made her way to the study where her husband was busy with any essential business to which he needed to attend. Even though Thomas had given her leave to enter his study without knocking when she needed to, she still gave a single knock before opening the door. She felt warm all over when she saw the pleasurereflected in Thomas’s face on seeing her.
“Lulu! You must be a soothsayer! I was just thinking how I wanted to share this news,” Bennet held up the note, “with you.”
