Until then, Mrs Bennet had been the one who held the family together and laid the foundations of their new life. That afternoon, however, despair overcame even her, and Elizabeth cast aside her own fear and grief and assumed that role almost naturally.
She seized Kitty’s hand so tightly that it hurt, for tears were ready to run down her sister’s face, and whispered to her and Jane,
“Do not cry, do exactly as I say, and everything will be well.”
Taking advantage of the fact that Sir William was speaking with Mr Phillips, she looked towards her mother andaunt, certain they would understand, and then turned to Sir William with a pleasant smile.
“It is an excellent decision, Sir William. Mama had also been discussing the matter with Aunt Phillips that the young people ought to begin their married life at Longbourn.”
Sir William looked at her in surprise. It became obvious to everyone in the room that he knew little and had perhaps expected to learn more from their reaction.
Then, Kitty smiled as well.
“After all, it is probably better this way. I wish to have my wedding breakfast at Longbourn.”
“It is only natural that her wedding should follow mine,” added Jane with a smile. “I am the elder sister.”
Mr Bingley immediately approved, as he agreed with everything his fiancée wanted.
“Besides, it will be five months since Papa left us, and Kitty deserves a somewhat more elegant wedding,” said Elizabeth. “Your decision gives us time to go to London and prepare her trousseau and, naturally, a wedding gown. Mrs Cooper, my aunt’s sister from Derbyshire, has just arrived and will assist us in that pleasant task. Mr Darcy and Miss Darcy are in London as well, and I am certain we shall enjoy excellent company for a month. Mrs Cooper is engaged to the second son of the Earl of Matlock.”
This torrent of words, so unlike Elizabeth, had precisely the desired effect.
Elizabeth’s message was clear: they were expected to appear pleased with the decision and not to suggest that they understood its true cause. No questions were to be asked. There was no reason for delay beyond the desire to arrange a finer wedding and allow the young couple to begin their married life properly at Longbourn.
Sir William departed, looking puzzled, whilst James regained some of his normal colour. He dared not accompany his father home, and Sir William offered no objection.
He immediately led Kitty outside, but Elizabeth felt certain that her sister perfectly understood the safe way to behave with her betrothed. James, too, must know nothing beyond what they had said. Secrets ought not to exist between those about to marry. Yet, in that instance, they were trying to save the marriage itself, and old rules might reasonably be suspended.
“I shall take her to London with me,” said Elizabeth, “and everything I mentioned shall be accomplished.”
“And if the marriage does not take place?” asked Jane anxiously.
“Then I assure you that the trousseau will be put to use very quickly indeed. In London, Kitty will find a charming husband. At present, she is determined to marry, and in good company, she will forget everything about Meryton.”
“But she loves Mr Lucas,” protested Bingley, perhaps remembering that he himself had once been prevented from marrying the woman he loved.
“If he loves her, he will marry her with or without Sir William,” declared Mrs Bennet in a martial tone, looking gratefully towards Elizabeth, who had rescued the situation.
“We know nothing about Lydia,” added Mr Phillips, and his words sounded like an order. “At most, we know that she is in London. Anything beyond that is merely gossip without substance.”
They all looked at one another somewhat more calmly, and when Jane asked with a trace of mischief,
“And what of my trousseau?”
Mr Bingley immediately hurried to her side, took her hand, and kissed it.
“My lady shall have everything she desires.”
Kitty returned a little later in far better spirits and informed them at dinner that James had departed in despair because he was convinced that in the household of Lord Matlock, she would find someone far more interesting than himself.
“Excellent,” said Elizabeth. “That is precisely what he ought to tell his mother, for he would never dare say such a thing to Sir William. Lady Lucas is another matter entirely. She has always had a weakness for her eldest son, and she also knows that he will never find anyone better than Kitty in Meryton. Before long, she will be connected to Mr Bingley and received into the household of an earl.”
Chapter 35
The journey to London was the best solution for preventing Kitty from tormenting herself over every piece of news that might arrive from the Lucas family or from Meryton. Jane was protected by Mr Bingley, without whom she scarcely left the house. No one would have dared make an unkind remark in his presence. Mary, together with the ladies, was instructed to answer every question or insinuation with a look of surprise and a single reply: “Lydia is in London, where her sisters have also gone to prepare Kitty’s trousseau.”
The composure they were determined to maintain, however, served little purpose in the carriage that carried them towards London two days after that fateful afternoon. Kitty wept throughout the journey. Elizabeth tried to comfort her, though without repeating the one assurance Kitty longed to hear again and again, namely that her wedding would still take place.
