Page 42 of A Different Impression

“I believe it is in everyone’s best interest if you depart from Longbourn today instead of staying the fortnight you had intended. Had you allowed me the privilege of responding to your request to visit, I would have informed you that now was a poor time for your visit. I will have your belongings packed and a carriage prepared to take you to the posting inn in Meryton. If you hurry, you may still catch the afternoon coach to London.”

Mr Bennet rang for the housekeeper, who sent one servant to pack Mr Collins’s belongings and another to summon a carriage. Within half of an hour, the rector was on his way, loudly complaining of the “mistreatment” he had received and threatening to remove every Bennet from Longbourn as soon as the estate became his.

Once Mr Collins had gone, Darcy’s relief was tempered by concern over what the man might report upon reaching Kent. With Elizabeth beside him in Mr Bennet’s study, he wrote two letters: one informing his uncle of the day’s events and another formally notifying Lady Catherine of his engagement.

Both letters were sent by express, and Darcy was confident they would reach their destinations well before Mr Collins arrived at Rosings. With that threat addressed, only one difficult task remained: informing Mrs Bennet that her least favourite daughter was to marry Mr Darcy in little more than a fortnight.

CHAPTER 18

An Unwelcome Discovery

The morning after Mr Collins departed, Mr Bennet instructed his wife’s maid to wake her early so that they might speak before the rest of the household arose. Sometime amid the chaos of the previous day, the companion Mr Gardiner had engaged had arrived at Longbourn. Mr Bennet intended that Mrs Higgins should assist not only his younger daughters but also his wife.

It was some time after Mr Bennet expected her when Mrs Bennet finally entered his study. She looked thoroughly disgruntled, which did not surprise him. Nevertheless, he intended to explain clearly how matters would proceed.

“Mrs Bennet,” Mr Bennet began, “we have had several conversations regarding the changes that must be made in this household. As you are aware, the companion who is to assist you and our younger daughters arrived yesterday afternoon. Mrs Higgins will help you, Mary, and Kitty gain a better understanding of the rules of propriety that govern our lives. For the next fortnight, however, she will primarily be assisting you.”

Mrs Bennet frowned at him, but Mr Bennet continued before she could interrupt.

“Just before Lizzy and Kitty went to London, Mr Darcy proposed to Lizzy. They will be married in a fortnight, two days after the ball at Netherfield. The ball is being given largely in their honour, although that is not its stated purpose. Tomorrow, Miss Bingley, Mr Bingley’s aunt, will call upon you to discuss the ball and what assistance may be needed from our family.”

For several moments, Mrs Bennet merely stared at him. Then her eyes widened.

“Lizzy will wed Mr Darcy in a fortnight? Mr Bennet, that is impossible! We cannot possibly arrange a wedding suitable for a man of his stature in so little time,” she cried, fluttering her handkerchief before her face. “No, it cannot be done. And why should Lizzy marry before Jane? Mr Bingley has called as often as Mr Darcy. Besides, Lizzy was to marry John Lucas.”

“Enough, Mrs Bennet,” Mr Bennet said calmly but decisively. “At present, Mr Darcy is the only man who has proposed to any of our daughters, and I will not tell Elizabeth that she must wait for an event that may or may not occur. Yes, Mr Bingley has called frequently, but he has not spoken to me regarding his intentions towards Jane. We therefore have no certainty that he intends to propose.”

He paused and fixed his wife with a sharp look.

“As we have previously discussed, Mr Lucas has likewise said nothing to me of any intention to marry Elizabeth. You will recall that it is a father’s responsibility to approve his daughters’ suitors—not their mother’s privilege to choose those suitors without consulting anyone else.”

Mr Bennet allowed the silence to stretch between them. When his wife finally lowered her gaze, in what he hoped was at least a temporary acceptance of his authority, he continued.

“As matters now stand, if you wish to be involved in planning the wedding, you will listen to me. Otherwise, Jane and Elizabeth are entirely prepared to make the arrangements themselves. Elizabeth and Mr Darcy both desire a small, simple ceremony followed by a wedding breakfast. They do not wish to wait several months over fripperies and other such nonsense. They have discussed what they want for their wedding day, and that is the wedding they shall have. Do you understand?”

Mrs Bennet lifted her chin and pressed her handkerchief to her bosom.

“No, I do not, sir. It is a mother’s right to plan her daughter’s wedding. It does not matter what Lizzy wants.”

“It matters very much, because it is her wedding. Mr Darcy is in complete agreement, and they will marry on the date I have told you. He wishes to return to his estate before winter makes travelling there too difficult.”

Mrs Bennet opened her mouth to protest, but Mr Bennet raised one hand, forestalling her.

“If you do not wish to assist them in planning the wedding they desire, you may return to your rooms and continue your lessons in comportment. Until you learn to correct your behaviour, you will not be in the company of your friends and neighbours. If you cannot do so, I shall find somewhere else for you to live, where you will no longer be able to influence our daughters.”

His wife sank into the chair opposite his desk, clutching her handkerchief tightly in both hands. Mr Bennet took no pleasure in frightening her, but gentler warnings had made little impression and it was time he took a hard line.

“I have lived with you for more than twenty years and done little to correct your behaviour. Now that I recognise my error, I mean to remedy it.”

Mrs Bennet stared at him, her earlier indignation giving way to something more apprehensive. Mr Bennet allowed his words to settle before continuing.

“You may continue to behave as you always have and face the consequences, or you may attempt to conduct yourself as a gentlewoman. If you wish to join the family at breakfast this morning, and then later sit with Lizzy and her intended to discuss their wedding, you may do so.”

At the first hint of renewed excitement in his wife’s expression, Mr Bennet leant forward.

“There will, however, be no mention of his wealth, carriages, pin money, or clothing. When Lizzy went to London last week, she shopped with Mrs Gardiner and Mr Darcy’s sister, and her trousseau has already been ordered.”

“How could she have ordered her trousseau without me? She does not know the best warehouses!” Mrs Bennet cried.