“Now boys, be nice,” Lady Elaine admonished before the ribbing got out of hand. “Speaking seriously, we have a problem in Kent. We have heard the tired old lie Lady Catherine has repeated many times; you know she will see the announcement of your betrothal. When will it appear?”
“Gardiner sent it by courier to London after we spoke, so I believe it will be in the broadsheets on the morrow, or the following day at the latest,” Darcy shared.
“If Catherine reads the announcement, she will have a tantrum of which any young child would be proud,” Lord Matlock opined. “If I know my officious sister, she will set off directly to make her sentiments known.”
“She does not read the papers,” Richard informed them. “She stopped some years ago when she stated there was nothing in them matching her way of thinking. My aunt delegates that duty to the parson’s wife, to read the papers and inform her if there is anything of note within.”
“In that case, we will be able to tell how genuine Mrs. Collins’s reformation is by whether or not Catherine and her tantrum arrive on the Gardiners’ doorstep,” Lady Elaine stated.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The two betrothed couples met in the smaller drawing room, opposite the main one. “The first thing I will suggest to our mothers is that the ball celebrates both betrothals,” Charlotte opened.
“Somehow, I doubt there will be any resistance to your suggestion,” Elizabeth supposed.
“Are you two planning a long or short betrothal?” Richard asked.
Elizabeth and Darcy looked at each other and said, in unison: “Short.”
“If you are wary of gossip about the speed of your marriage, then ignore the suggestion I am to make,” Charlotte told the other couple. “Eliza, I know you always dreamed of marrying in a double ceremony with your former older sister. I am not your sister by blood, but if you would like to…”
Elizabeth raised her hand. “Charlotte, you are as much a sister to me as one born of the same parents. If William does not object to marrying in less than three weeks, I do not.”
“You know I would marry you today, if we were allowed to,” Darcy enthused. “You will hear no objection from me. Just knowing I will not have to wait long to gain you as my wife fulfils my heart’s desire.”
“In that case, we should talk to our mothers at dinner tonight,” Charlotte stated. “My suggestion is you make sure your parents approve, Eliza. If they do not, talking to my mother will be unnecessary.”
“If they agree, I will contact my solicitors to apply for a special licence on my behalf. Am I correct that the banns have already been called for you two?” Darcy asked.
It was confirmed the banns had been called. All four met with the Gardiners in the study. It took a little convincing and cajoling, but they granted their permission in the end. Although the Gardiners would miss seeing Lizzy every day, they were certain they would see her often once she and Darcy married.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Mary and Kitty had seen Lydia in Meryton since they had gone to live in their respective new homes. But their youngest sister had not seen Elizabeth since the day of Mrs. Bennet’s intrusion when the Gardiners moved in.
Until Elizabeth pulled her into a hug, Lydia had been quite hesitant. “Lizzy, I am so very sorry for the way I used to behave towards you,” Lydia stated contritely.
“You were under Mrs. Bennet’s influence and you were behaving in the way she taught you,” Elizabeth told a relieved-looking Lydia. “You know my philosophy to remember the past only as that remembrance gives you pleasure, do you not?” Lydia nodded. “I choose not to dwell on the pain of the past. My life is better than I could have imagined and I have never been happier. From the reports I have heard, you are doing so much better, Lyddie.”
It was then Lydia noticed how Mr. Darcy stood next to her older sister in a protective manner. “Lizzy, do you have some news to share?” Lydia asked quietly.
“I do, but Father, Uncle Edward, will make the announcement at dinner. I remember your impatience, but this evening you will have to wait for a little while,” Elizabeth stated playfully.
“You changed your family name, as I have,” Lydia stated more than asked.
“You have the right of it. For me it was as soon as I arrived at Gracechurch Street. I could not imagine bearing the name of parents who had shown me such cruelty,” Elizabeth clarified.
“In my case, it was when I realised everything that Mrs. Bennet had taught me was wrong. A mother is supposed to teach her daughter the right things, is she not?” Lydia asked.
Mary, standing just behind the two, interjected, “I understand both of your reasons for changing your names. Kitty and I discussed our family name and we decided we would leave ours as it is, in spite of the neglectful way we were treated. For us, it is not to recognise the Bennets as our parents, but to show we survived. Our life with the Gardiners has been so much better than it was at Longbourn. They are our family in every way and a name will not change that.”
“Mama Phillips told me Mrs. Bennet had been captured and is on her way to Bedlam,” Lydia relayed. “I should feel sorrow for her, but I feel nothing.”
“Rejoice in this—all of us Bennet sisters survived and none of us, even Jane it seems, retain the influence of that woman inside of us,” Elizabeth told the three younger girls.
Lydia was given a brief synopsis of what had been revealed regarding the changes in Jane. Elizabeth stated she would reserve judgement until she saw Mrs. Collins for herself. The Lucases arrived shortly thereafter and everyone went into dinner.
When Gardiner stood and made his announcement, no one expressed surprise. Unless one were blind, there was no way to miss the loving looks passing between Elizabeth and Darcy. No mention was made of a wedding date.
