“Imagine it. We both suffered without knowing that the other was equally unhappy. How easily all that misery might have ended had we met in London. He did not say so directly, but his sisters never informed him that I was in town. However, that belongs to the past. They are to become my sisters now, and I must maintain a cordial relationship with them.”
Elizabeth merely nodded. Her forgiving sister was already prepared to love the whole world again. Mr Bingley had made his choice, and it seemed unlikely that his sisters would continue to oppose Jane. Lost as he appeared to be, she was certain he now knew how to defend his own happiness. There was a steadiness in his eyes whenever he looked at Jane, another reason to approve of the marriage. No one would stand between them again or persuade him to change his mind.
“Tomorrow we shall visit the vicar, and he intends to send a message to the rector of his parish first thing in the morning. The banns will be read from this Sunday in both parishes.”
Unable to restrain her happiness, Jane began to dance about the spacious, bright room overlooking the rose garden.
“We shall not go to live in London with his sisters!” she declared. Once more, Elizabeth felt they had already discussed that subject and many others besides. “I adore Uncle Thomas, who made it possible for us to have Netherfield.”
She spoke and danced, then sat upon the sofa only to spring to her feet again and return to Elizabeth, who lay upon the bed. “I shall need a new wardrobe.”
On and on she unfolded her plans whilst Elizabeth merely smiled or nodded at this joyful overflow of happiness. It no longer mattered what Jane said; every word spoke only of happiness. After more than an hour of conversation, Jane sat down beside her sister and said, “Who would have thought that Mr Bingley would come with Mr Darcy? I hope you can endure his presence.”
“Yes, my dear, I find it a pleasure to have him here.”
“What are you saying, Elizabeth Bennet?” Jane seemed at last to descend from her cloud. “You do not like him.”
“My dear, since Kent, I have formed a different opinion.”
It was not entirely true. More than once, she had told her family that the gentleman still annoyed her. Yet Jane could remember nothing beyond that morning when Mr Bingley had asked her to become his wife. The months of sadness and disappointment, the unkindness of others, even her tears, no longer mattered. Only the future existed now.
Elizabeth was inclined to think that perhaps it was the better way. Mr Darcy had repaired most of his wrongs. He had accompanied his friend back to Hertfordshire and had openly supported his choice. When he met her family again, he had been courteous and respectful. The change was genuine, and she could see that he liked at least the male members of the Bennet family. As for her mother, she had to admit that Mrs Bennetwas not always easy to endure. Her nerves and indiscretions had embarrassed them more than once. Yet she was their mother, and they loved her dearly.
But unlike Jane, who wished only for a peaceful life at Netherfield, Elizabeth longed to go to London. She wished to meet the Duchess of Beauford and learn the entire story that connected that lady to her uncle.
Chapter 14
Lately, every dinner had taken place at Netherfield. The spacious, elegant dining room made Mrs Bennet like Longbourn less and less.
“And it is such a pleasure to invite our friends without being crowded.”
Mrs Bennet adored showing off her new home, and everybody agreed that she had reason to be proud. It was a grand house with high ceilings and a ballroom considered one of the most beautiful in the county.
If they had not entirely moved, it was because of Mr Bennet, who found a new reason each day to postpone his installation at Netherfield. However, that afternoon, just before dinner, Mrs Bennet informed him that she intended to move the next day and bring the girls with her.
“You will be left alone at Longbourn, Mr Bennet,” she threatened, though her voice lacked its usual vigour. She felt genuinely sorry for her husband, still attached to their old house.
“I will come, Mrs Bennet,” he promised. However, the prospect of remaining alone for a few days and merely joining them for meals at Netherfield was not disagreeable to him.
“We need to prepare the place for the wedding,” she said with such pride that her husband smiled.
“My dear, you could prepare breakfast for fifty people within a day.”
“Do not exaggerate, Mr Bennet!” she replied, though satisfaction was plainly written upon her face. “This is our first wedding, and I wish it to be memorable for our family and friends.”
∞∞∞
“Do you think, Mrs Bennet, that we can marry in three weeks?” Bingley asked as soon as dinner began, and everybody around the table smiled at his eagerness.
Mrs Bennet hesitated for a few moments to emphasise the difficulty of the undertaking. Mr Bingley watched her with tremendous expectation, while her family knew perfectly well that she could prepare a wedding for the very next day if necessary.
“Well, Mr Bingley, it can be done. It is not easy to prepare such an event in so short a time, but I understand that it is what both of you desire.” She turned towards Jane, who shone beside her betrothed, more beautiful than ever. Only a few weeks earlier, such happiness would have appeared impossible, and Mrs Bennet’s grateful glance turned instinctively towards Uncle Thomas.
“Thank you, sir!” she murmured.
The older man looked at her with deep affection. When he had resolved to return to England, he had never imagined finding such a family. They were a blessing beyond anything he had expected, and throughout his life, he had always found his greatest satisfaction in bringing happiness to those around him.
“And as soon as the wedding festivities are over, the happy couple will leave for their honeymoon while we—”
