Chapter 22
Three
months later.
The excitement Elizabeth felt about
returning home built up gradually with every mile the carriage rolled towards
Meryton. Of course, she was happy with the prospect of seeing her beloved ones
again, but at the same time she felt a little apprehensive about the reunion.
The dislike some members of her family had for Darcy was not foreign to her,
neither was her husband’s opinion of her relatives. Certainly, some
things had changed radically since her wedding day and the recent understanding
between her and her husband, particularly the one reached thank to their
frequent colloquies, had cleared many preconceptions Elizabeth had elaborated
about Darcy’s supposed disapprobation of the Bennet clan, yet her fears
could not be helped. Her mother was still her mother, Kitty and Mary were still
Kitty and Mary and, above all, Darcy was still Darcy. If they all behaved like
their most unpleasant selves and did not repress certain very annoying traits,
their visit could end in a disaster.
“Let’s see how
they behave”, Elizabeth
thought with a glance at her husband, who was observing the landscape from his
seat next to her, in that serious, sedate manner of his. Albeit she had learned
to understand his true nature and now she could see beyond his natural reserve,
she knew that those who were not acquainted with the peculiarities of his
temper could mistake his aloofness for improper pride or hauteur. She had been
one of them, and this unintelligence had brought them great pain. Their
marriage, especially the connubial felicity they had acquired, had done wonders
to improve his temper --he was indeed much livelier than before—yet Elizabeth knew that Darcy
would never be as merry as Charles Bingley or a charmer like other young men
she had previously met. She only hoped that her family did not resent him for
that.
“I have instructed the
coachman this morning to head directly to Longbourn,” Darcy commented a
moment later. “We are to spend the day with your family and depart for
Netherfield after dinner. I have already sent word to your father, they should
be expecting us.”
Elizabeth was delighted
–yet a little mystified-- with this change of plans. “Indeed! I
thought we were going directly to Netherfield and then attend dinner at
Longbourn!”
“I know how much you
long to see them. I saw no purpose in delaying the reunion.”
Truly, Darcy was the very best
of men. Elizabeth
could not let this perfect example of thoughtfulness pass without reward. She
moved closer to him and bestowed a noisy kiss on his cheek, a gesture that the
exceedingly pleased husband received with a satisfied grin. From her seat
facing the couple’s, Miss Darcy smiled bashfully at their interaction.
She was becoming used to seeing them act so affectionately with each other and
could not help but wonder if one day she could be just as happy in marriage.
Not much ensued before they
crossed Longbourn’s gate. One by one, alerted of the entrance of the
Darcy carriage, the Bennets came out to greet the former Miss Elizabeth and her
illustrious husband and sister.
“My dear Lizzy!”
Mrs. Bennet cried as she embraced her second eldest. “I am so happy to
see you!” Then, addressing her son-in-law with great pomposity, she
added, “and you Mr. Darcy, what a pleasure to see you again. You must
forgive us, for we are greatly unprepared to receive you. Mr. Bennet did not
inform me of your change of plans until a while ago and I have not had time to
prepare your favourite dish, but I am sure Hill’s roast will do well,
even if it’s not as elaborated as the meals you are used to taking at
Pemberley!” Darcy opened his mouth to say that all the trouble was
unnecessary, but Mrs. Bennet, in her excitement, proceeded with her
uninterrupted prattle. “Oh! Where are my manners! Miss Darcy!” here
the mistress of Longbourn made a quick courtesy, “I am so delighted to
meet you at last! Come into the house, you must be tired! This is a most
unpleasant summer with so much rain, good for the crops but bad for our
spirits, we practically cannot leave the house …”
Mrs. Bennet would not shut her
mouth and as they entered the house, Elizabeth
threw an apologetic glance in Darcy’s direction, deeply mortified to see
him exposed to the obsequious affability of her mother. He bore it, however,
with admirable calmness.
Elizabeth’s amazement
at her husband conduct did not cease during the day as he continued surprising
her with his constant endeavours at civility. While not one to overflow with
mirth, Darcy was the epitome of good breeding and amiability, so much that he
even listened to Mary’s exceedingly poor performance at the piano forte
without displaying any signs of dislike –which would have been
deserved—and not once did she see him frown with displeasure or shrug his
shoulders in his usual manner when a situation was not of his liking. If it
occurred, he was considerate enough to do it out of everyone’s sight.
After tea, the newcomers were
directed to the upper rooms so they could rest and change before dinner. The
Bingley party was also expected later in the evening as Mrs. Bennet had planned
a great feast to lavish her sons-in-law with the excellence they deserved.
As they waited for the arrival
of the other guests, Mr. Bennet, desirous to separate himself from the
ladies’ incessant chat about wedding preparations and Pemberley’s
grandeurs, called Darcy to his library to have some sensible conversation with
the only other male resident in the house. At least, while Darcy had never been
an effusive conversationalist, he was certainly more intelligent and educated
than Bingley and able to provide him with more interesting and entertaining
subjects that would not be exclusively about lace, food, sports or Jane’s
angelic disposition.
“Well, Mr. Darcy,”
Mr. Bennet began as he poured his son-in-law a glass of port. “I have a
confession to make, and consequently, an apology to you is in order. When you
first became engaged to my daughter I was afraid that your marriage of duty
would result … hmm … not in the best way. I was truly concerned
about my daughter’s felicity as I thought that despite the regard you
claimed to profess for her at the time, you would not be able to live in
harmony with her, that she would never achieve a tolerable level of happiness
as your wife. But I was wrong. As a parent, I could have not wished a better
life for a child of mine. You certainly started on the wrong foot yet you
managed to revert a very unpromising beginning and turn it into a happy
marriage. Elizabeth
is glowing with happiness right now, and so are you, as I can see. My sincere
apologies then, Sir. I should have had more faith in you. And after what you
have done on Lydia’s
behalf, I do not think that there is nothing you can’t accomplish when
you set your mind on it.”
Darcy smiled with pride, but
also with certain discomfort. He had been raised with good principles, educated
to always do what he thought best, and he did not think that the praise he was
receiving from his father-in-law, though perhaps deserved, was at all
necessary.
“I thank you, Sir, but
there is no reason to apologize. My past conduct to your family and your
daughter has been far from irreproachable and you had every right to believe me
unworthy of her.”
“Son,” Mr. Bennet
said sincerely. “If there is one word that cannot be connected to your
person is unworthiness. I could not have parted with her to any one less
worthy.”
Darcy bowed his head in
acceptance of the compliment and quickly addressed another subject that he had
been eager to discuss with his father-in-law. “May I ask you a question,
Sir?”
“Of course.”
“Why did you inform Elizabeth of my injured
hand?”
“My Lizzy is a curious
creature, is she not?” Mr. Bennet smiled mischievously. “I did not
inform her; I only inquired about how you were recovering from your unfortunate
accident. I hope you are not offended.”
Judging by his austere look, Darcy seemed to
be precisely that. “I had made up my mind not to inform her of my
participation in the affair yet the intelligence with which you provided her in
mentioning my injured hand excited a confession that I had not intended to
make.”
“I apologize for my
intervention. It was not my intention to be meddlesome. I sincerely hope I did
not force you two into an argument.”
Quite the contrary,”
Darcy muttered quietly before sipping his port, a thin smile curbing his lips.
Mr. Bennet’s eyebrows arched up.
Hill knocked the door at that
moment, announcing the arrival of the Netherfield party.
“Come, young man, finish
your drink.” Mr. Bennet urged his son-in-law. “You shall need
it.”
“I beg your
pardon?”
“When you have to face a
room full of the silliest women in England every day like myself, you will
understand.”
Darcy choked on his drink.
“Darcy! It is so good to
see you!” Bingley shook his friend’s hand with his usual enthusiasm
as they met in the hall.
“Bingley,” Darcy
smiled back. “Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thank you! I am the
happiest of men,” Bingley beamed with joy. “I cannot believe that
in only a few days Jane will finally be my wife.”
Darcy turned then to greet the
rest of the party with a formal bow. “Miss Bingley, Mrs. and Mr.
Hurst.”
“Mr. Darcy, it has been
so long. We were desolate without your company this winter. Were we not,
Louisa?” Miss Bingley dropped a courtesy.
“Quite so, Mr.
Darcy,” replied Mrs. Hurst. “Congratulations on your
marriage.”
“Thank you,” Darcy
bowed his head.
“I say, Sir, your news
reached us so unexpectedly that we could hardly believe it when we heard of
it,” Miss Bingley held Darcy’s arm as they walked towards the
drawing room where the ladies were sitting. “I must confess it was a
little bit of a shock for all of us. We knew of your admiration for Miss
Eliza’s fine eyes, although we never imagined than such an uneven
alliance would result from it.”
However
little Mr. Darcy might have liked such an address, he contented himself with
coolly replying, “I cannot imagine why.”
“Well, Sir,” she
sneered, disregarding the fact that critiquing the wife was not the best method
of recommending herself to the husband. “You cannot deny that her
connections are not what one would say ‘suitable’ for a man of your
stature. This must be a great sacrifice from your part, but of course you are a
true gentleman, and I dare say the finest one. You tolerate her unfortunate
relations with great equanimity.”
“If I do not object to
them, then they should be nothing to you.” Darcy disengaged himself from
her hold. “Allow me to remind you that they’ll soon become your relatives, too, Miss Bingley, so in
the meanwhile, I would appreciate if you spoke of my family with more consideration. Now if you would excuse me, I
must join my wife.”
The ladies welcomed
Mr Bingley’s party and after the usual formalities were exchanged, they
all then moved to the dining room to enjoy the delicacies that Mrs.
Bennet’s cook had prepared for her dignified guests. If Elizabeth still
had any reservations regarding her husband’s behaviour towards her
relatives, that night Darcy showed her that he had indeed changed. He was civil
and polite, entering into conversation with an easiness that was unusual in him
and showed incredible patience when faced with her mother’s occasionally
silly remarks.
While her husband
was the model of decorum during supper, another person at the table became the
source of Elizabeth’s uneasiness. Contrary to what she had imagined, it
was not her own mother that inspired this reaction. Mrs Bennet had been, in her
own way, uncommonly agreeable all through the evening. Rather it was Miss
Bingley the one tempting the limit of her patience.
Albeit Caroline
paid Elizabeth every possible civility --she would never offend her in front of
the others-- Elizabeth felt there was false amiability in her tone. She did not
believe this because she wished it; it was founded in the marked difference in
her manner of address when speaking to the Darcys by birth than to the ones by
marriage. It was quite obvious now that Miss Bingley’s dislike of her had
been originated in jealousy and Elizabeth could not help feeling how unwelcome
her marriage to Darcy must be to her. Fundamentally, it had ruined her chances
for social escalating.
Despite Miss
Bingley’s attempts to irritate Elizabeth, dinner passed uneventfully. It
was in fact, a very pleasant event. Once they were done, the gentlemen remained
at the dining table for cigars and port while the ladies removed themselves to
the drawing-room for coffee. There Elizabeth would receive another, if not
greater, tax on her forbearance from Miss Bingley’s part.
“Mrs.
Bennet,” Caroline began, not one in the habit of brooking disappointment.
“You must be proud. Three daughters married in so little time. It is
indeed a most extraordinary accomplishment.”
“Indeed!
It is delightful thing, to be sure, to have three daughters so well
married,” replied enthusiastically Mrs. Bennet. “First Lizzy, then
my dear Lydia and now Jane has become my new source of joy.”
“I can
imagine,” Miss Bingley proceeded with exaggerated
politeness. “Pray, tell, how Mrs. Wickham is doing? It must be very hard for her,
being so young, to be settled so far away from her family.”
In the
gentlemen’s presence Caroline would not dare to mention Wickham, but away
from her brother’s and Darcy’s censoring stares, she would not
waste the chance to abuse her hostess’s stupidity by bringing up a
subject that she knew would please the mother but that surely would distress
the other members of the family that were still mortified by Lydia’s
shameful behaviour.
“Oh, my dear
child!” The mistress of the house bit the hook and replied with forlorn
eyes, oblivious to the malice behind Miss Bingley’s inquiry. “It is
so very hard to have been deprived of the dear girl in such a way. She is gone
to Newcastle, wherever that is, and they are to stay there I do not know how
long. Mr Wickham’s regiment is there. I suppose you have heard his being
gone into the regulars. Thank Heaven he still has friends that are willing to
provide for him!”
The effect that
Miss Bingley’s remark produced in the rest of the party was the desired
one. While Mrs. Bennet lamented the loss of her favourite daughter, Georgiana
paled, embarrassed for both her sister and herself, Jane shifted in her seat
with discomfort and Elizabeth, though apparently collected, was barely
containing her vexation at Miss Bingley’s ill-intended choice of subject.
Kitty and Mary would not dare to open their mouths, neither too eager to
discuss the elopement that had caused the family so much distress. Even Mrs.
Hurst, who had been backing all her sister’s comments with encouraging
gestures, wisely chose not to support her in this one, aware of the indelicacy
of bringing such an unpleasant topic to what was supposed to be a night of
celebration.
Even without the
endorsement of the others, Miss Bingley, unrelenting in her pursue of annoying
and discrediting the new Mrs. Darcy, continued to vent her frustration against
her for stealing the man and the position to which she had aspired for so many
years.
“My dear
Eliza,” Miss Bingley stirred her coffee with delicate fingers. “Tell
us about Pemberley. I am sure that it must have been very difficult for you to
become accustomed to your new position as mistress of such a grand
estate.”
There was nothing
that Elizabeth hated most than when Caroline called her ‘Eliza’.
There was something in her tone that made her think she was purposely infusing
it with contempt and she absolutely detested it. “Not at all. It is a
beautiful and very comfortable house.”
“I am sure
that you missed your family and friends very much, being married so outside
your circle,” Miss Bingley continued.
Elizabeth flashed
her a false smile. “A little, at the beginning. But my husband and sister
have made my life very enjoyable.”
“Of
course,” Caroline was all sweetness when addressing Miss Darcy.
“Dearest Georgiana. I am most certain that the company of an accomplished
young lady such as yourself has been of invaluable help for the understanding
of the new Mrs. Darcy’s duties.”
“In fact, it
was quite the opposite. I have learned so much from my sister.” Georgiana’s
eyes went from one lady to another. Mrs. Bennet, who was attentively following
the conversation, seemed increasingly vexed at Miss Bingley’s choice of
words.
“Do you still
play the piano forte every day, my dear?” Mrs. Hurst joined the
conversation in an attempt to steer the colloquy towards safer shores. Her
sister was becoming too obvious with her attack and the annoyance that this
circumstance was producing in the others was becoming noticeable.
“Almost every
day,” replied Georgiana. “Elizabeth assists me in that, too. She is
an extraordinary interpreter.”
At that point of
the conversation the door of the dining room opened and the gentlemen joined
them in the saloon. Charles sat by Jane’s side, Hurst chose a distant
chair where he could doze off, Mr Bennet was stationed near the mantelpiece
while Darcy stood behind his wife. Guided by the
imprudence of bitterness and resentment, Caroline continued, too
coiled in her own wickedness to realize that her words and attitude were
testing the patience of more than one person in the room.
“Pemberley is
a beautiful house,” she cried. “I am sure, Eliza, that a long time
will pass before you learn to manage it with the expertise it requires.
Longbourn is a lovely little place but it cannot be compared to such a
magnificent house and grounds. No previous experience could have prepared you
for the demands of such a grand estate.”
Elizabeth tensed
up, her lips pressed in a thin line. Until now she had refrained herself from
answering, but this comment had touched the limit of her tolerance. She was
about to reply when she felt her husband’s hand on her shoulder and a
gentle squeeze that told her not to enter in an argument with the other lady.
Not surprisingly, it was Mrs. Bennet who first lost her wits.
“No indeed. I
have educated my daughters very well, Miss Bingley. My Lizzy is perfectly
capable of managing even the greatest palace. I am sure she runs the place as
well as the Queen runs St James,” Mrs. Bennet declared, sounding
distinctly annoyed.
Caroline stared
with eyes wide open. Kitty snorted noisily and Bingley could not repress a
chuckle from bubbling up. Even Hurst, who everyone thought asleep, opened one
eye to check on Miss Bingley’s reaction to their hostess’s
outburst.
“Of course
she is, Madam.” Darcy squeezed her wife’s shoulder one more time.
“My wife is an excellent Mistress and Pemberley could not be in better
hands. The place has certainly blossomed since her arrival.” Elizabeth
looked up and Darcy smiled down to her. “An ability that she has
inherited from her mother, I am sure.”
Elizabeth raised an
amused eyebrow, not knowing if she should be offended by his remark or proud of
her husband’s manner of dealing with her mother and Miss Bingley.
“Mr.
Darcy!” Mrs. Bennet laughed. “You are indeed a charmer! I never
imagined you could be so obliging. I can hardly wait to visit my
daughter’s new home. Perhaps we can travel north this winter. What say
you, Mr. Bennet?”
“I think that
we should wait for Mr. Darcy’s invitation before venturing ourselves on
such a long trip, my dear,” answered Mr Bennet. “After all, you
will surely be occupied visiting your daughter settled at Netherfield.”
All eyes were on
Darcy when he replied. “I shall be honoured to receive you as our guests
this winter, Mrs. Bennet.” He looked down and showed his wife his most
engaging smile. “Christmas would be an excellent time for them to visit
us. Would you not agree, my love?
From then on,
Caroline did not speak if not directly addressed.
That night, at Netherfield,
Elizabeth was sitting at her vanity brushing her hair. Darcy joined her a
moment later, having changed into his nightclothes, and sat by her side on the
long bench, facing the opposite direction.
“You have
beautiful hair,” his fingers played with a silky curl. “I love it
when you have it loose.”
Elizabeth turned to
him. “And you are a wonderful and caring man. Thank you for your
intervention this evening. I would have strangled dear Miss Bingley had you not
interfered.”
“I noticed
that,” he chuckled, “You should not pay attention to what she
says.”
“I cannot
help it. She was extraordinarily venomous tonight, more than the usual.” She left the brush on the vanity. “Are you
certain you want my family to visit us at Christmas time?”
“Of course, I
wouldn’t have invited them if I did not want them to come. Why do you
ask?” her question surprised him.
“Well, you
know how difficult my mother can be. I would not wish to see you lose your
patience with her.”
“My love,
your family is my family now and I accept them the way they are. Even your
mother, when well guided, can be pleasant to be with.” He paused, then
said as an afterthought, “... and Pemberley is a very big house, I know
where to disappear if the occasion requires it.”
Elizabeth laughed.
“And leave me all by myself, entertaining our guests?”
Darcy held her by
the shoulders and pulled her back until she was practically lying on his lap.
“I’ll tell you what we can do: We shall invite the Bingleys along
and Charles and I would take care of your father while you and Jane entertain
your mother. Is that fair enough?”
“Bingleys?”
Elizabeth frowned. “Does that include Miss Bingley?”
“No, that
only includes Mr. and the future Mrs. Bingley. I would prefer that our first
Christmas together only includes the closest family. Unless you want to invite
the Gardiners. I would be delighted to have them there, too, if that pleases
you.”
“And my Aunt
Philips?” Elizabeth said mischievously as her fingers played with the
ties of his nightshirt.
Darcy immediately
detected her teasing and slowly moved his hand to her waist, where he knew she
was particularly ticklish. “Do you want her to come?”
“Well…”
she continued in an innocent manner, “… I want to know all the
possible hiding places Pemberley can offer and I believe this will be an
extraordinary opportunity to become acquainted with them.”
“If you wish,
I will show them to you when we return home.” He waggled his eyebrows
suggestively.
Elizabeth giggled.
“What a delightful idea. If I am acquainted with them, then I would be
able to locate you more easily and hide with you. I believe I shall invite the
Lucases along too so that way you will be forced to … NOOOOO!”
That was
provocation enough to begin his attack. Grinning devilishly, he tickled her
mercilessly and she laughed and squirmed and wrestled with him until they both
fell on the floor.
Darcy grabbed her
hands and placed them on each side of her head, holding her firmly against the
floor. “Then I shall invite Mr. Collins and Miss Bingley and lock you
with them in the music room while you sister Mary plays.”
“Mercy! I beg
you, have mercy!” Elizabeth laughed and tried to free herself.
He leaned over her.
“No Philips?” Elizabeth shook her head. “No Lucases?”
She shook it again. “Do you love me?” She smiled and nodded.
“Will you continue to tease me?” She nodded more vehemently and
Darcy grinned broadly. “That is why
I love you so much.”