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Chapter 15

Posted on 2008-11-10

Upon Jane and Elizabeth’s arrival at Farrington Park the house was oddly silent, so they assumed that the Darcys had departed that morning. They were shown to the front sitting room and were greeted by Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, and Miss Darcy.

“We are so glad that you could join us,” Miss Bingley said, sounding as if the opposite was true.

“Thank you for the invitation,” Jane replied, oblivious to Miss Bingley’s tone.

“How is your ankle?” Elizabeth asked.

“Much better, although it still pains me to walk around often.”

“It was so swollen not long after she fell that it seemed that we feared it might be broken, but thankfully it was just a sprain,” Mrs. Hurst added. Small talk continued and Elizabeth waited for an opportune time to ask Georgiana about her departure. Finally Caroline mentioned that the gentlemen were dining out, as planned, with the officers.

“I am surprised that he would be out and about the day before he travels,” Elizabeth said quietly to Georgiana.

“We are not traveling on the morrow,” her friend replied. Elizabeth gave her an odd look. “Miss Bingley?”

“Yes, Miss Darcy?”

“I wish to show Elizabeth the side garden, will you excuse us?” Georgiana asked sweetly.

Miss Bingley was incapable of refusing Miss Darcy anything, even if it meant time with Miss Elizabeth, alone. “Just be back before dinner.” The two friends gathered their outerwear and ambled outside.

“Here we may talk about it; the Bingley sisters do not know the situation—you can tell Jane later,” Georgiana said once they reached the side garden.

“I thought you were to leave this morning or tomorrow,” she began, questioningly

“That is what my brother decided for us, but as he is to talk to Colonel Forster about… him, I decided that I can stay,” Georgiana lifted her head up high.

“But what if you see… him before he leaves?” Elizabeth asked.

“I am not scared of him. I am truly over Mr. Wickham. Telling you back in October helped me realize what everyone else was trying to say: Wickham was using me for my dowry and to get back at my brother. If I see him now, I will raise my head and refuse to acknowledge him. I am fine,” Georgiana announced.

“Very well, you would know best,” Elizabeth sighed. The girls stayed outside a bit longer looking at the garden that they were in. They returned in good time, and five minutes after they had returned to the rest of the group, dinner was on the table.

Dinner passed quickly even with the number of courses provided. There was little conversation, mostly Miss Bingley flattering Georgiana or making condescending remarks to Elizabeth and Jane. After they finished eating, Miss Bingley suggested that Georgiana play on the pianoforte for the small group, an idea which Georgy rejected in favour of Elizabeth’s playing. Therefore upon the gentlemen’s return to Farrington, they were greeted by the sound of lively tunes coming from the music room. Darcy immediately recognized the playing as Miss Elizabeth’s and he stood still for a moment before he got over the shock of the delightful music. The three gentlemen joined the ladies in the music room and when the piece was done, they complemented the player. Miss Bingley replaced Elizabeth at the instrument without delay as to exhibit her skills to Mr. Darcy. Her efforts were in vain, however, because Mr. Darcy was more occupied in conversing quietly with Miss Elizabeth. From her vantage point at the pianoforte, Miss Bingley saw her brother attending the sweet Jane Bennet. ‘What can I do to keep him away from her?’ Caroline asked herself. ‘Darcy will not do anything in fear of offending Jane’s sister, and my own sister decided to traitorously ignore the problem as well.’ At that moment Caroline had an idea pop into her head and she slowly smiled. ‘Now which one is the best to invite?’ Caroline could not decide. Her idea was to invite one of her brother’s former ‘loves’ with to Farrington Park for a visit. ‘Miss Clancy? Miss Miller? Or perhaps Miss Simons. No, Miss Clancy, definitely Miss Clancy; she was by far the prettiest, the most recent, as well as the one that he was most in ‘love’ with, other than Miss Bennet, of course.’ As soon as the Bennets departed Caroline excused herself, stating that she needed to attend to correspondence.

When she finally finished composing the note this is what it said:

Dear Miss Claire Clancy,

I truly apologize for not replying to your letter for the last five months. I have been so busy traveling, and to make things even more exciting, my brother has purchased an estate! It is called Farrington Park, in Hertfordshire. I am enjoying having my own estate to be mistress of and, as of now, I am enjoying having the Darcys as guests. How have you been? I do hope that your family is in good health. Have you continued working on your drawing? I have always believed that you have true natural talent at drawing, especially at drawing nature. One of the reasons for this letter is that I wish to invite you to Hertfordshire for a week at my new estate. I believe that you would enjoy meeting our neighbours, getting to know Miss Darcy better, enjoying my company, and drawing the natural beauty that you can find in this county. My brother and I would be quite desolate if you refused us your company. If you can join me in this gorgeous county we will be expecting you in a week and a half from now. Please write back.

Yours &c.,
Caroline Bingley

Caroline finished this letter with a feeling of self satisfaction and one last loop of her ‘y’. She walked down the stairs to inform her brother that she invited one more guest to Farrington Park, Friday next. Bingley was captivated by thoughts of the lovely Jane Bennet and did not even think to inquire about who was to be the newest guest. “Yes, that is fine; the more the merrier—just inform our housekeeper,” he said before waving his sister off. Louisa noticed the odd glint in her younger sister’s eye and followed Caroline out of the room. She was too late to intercept the letter but cornered Caroline before rejoining their brother.

“Who is to be our guest?” she demanded.

“An acquaintance of mine,” Caroline replied looking down.

“Who? And why in the world would you invite an acquaintance to your brother’s estate? I know that you wish to trap Mr. Darcy, therefore you do not want any other single female within the house.”

“Trap?” Caroline scoffed, changing the subject.

“Yes, trap. Is that not what all ladies do? Trap rich gentlemen they do not love into marriage?”

“You make is sound as if I am going to trick him into marriage, or make him get caught in a compromising position.”

“No matter—we digress. Who?”

“Miss Clancy,” Caroline mumbled.

“Pardon? Did I hear you correctly? Miss Clancy? Our brother’s last ‘love’? Are you out of your mind? He is happy, Caroline; do not ruin it for him!” Louisa reprimanded.

“I am only looking out for our family’s interests.”

“No, you are not. If you were, you would be happy that our brother found true happiness. You are looking to forward your place in society so you do not have to marry the son of a rich tradesman, a position that you seem to find disdainful. Do not forget who our father was: a tradesman.” And with that, Louisa turned and went back to join their brother.

“It is too late to retract the invitation anyways,” Caroline called after her sister and added to herself, ‘not that I would.’

Louisa just shook her head in disappointment as she entered the sitting room.

The next nine days passed uneventfully. Wickham quietly departed Hertfordshire, Elizabeth and Jane visited Farrington Park twice, Georgiana visited Longbourn once, and Elizabeth and Georgiana went walking one day. Georgiana told Elizabeth that there would be a mysterious guest at Farrington Park later that week, but Miss Bingley would not tell anyone who it was. The only thing that Georgy knew was that there was a rift between the two sisters which may or may not be caused by this guest.

On the ninth day both the Longbourn and Farrington Park parties were to receive house guests in the form of Mr. Collins and Miss Clancy, respectively.

At Farrington Park, Bingley was headed out to visit Longbourn that afternoon, forgetting about both houses’ guests. Just as he left his house a carriage pulled up. Bingley paused to greet whoever was arriving at his home and remembered that his sister’s guest was arriving that day. Charles Bingley was curious about who his guest was, but not excited about his guest as he did not tend to like his sister’s friends, and he felt badly for his friend who was chased by every single one of them. Nothing could have prepared him for the sight of the person who arrived. He now knew that the other ladies that he had been interested in were just a passing fancy and what he felt for Jane Bennet was something more. When he saw Claire Clancy he could not help but feel shocked. That emotion was quickly replaced by anger at Caroline, who obviously invited Miss Clancy to distract him from Jane.

“Miss Clancy.”

The lady’s eyes widened, “Mr. Bingley.”

At that moment Georgiana, Elizabeth, and Jane walked up from Longbourn as the latter two already wished to escape their odious cousin who had arrived for his marriage. When Georgiana saw the guest, she narrowed her eyes and hissed, “Caroline!”

“Allow me to introduce you to my guest,” Bingley said, hoping that the situation would not get any worse.

After the introductions Jane asked, “How do you know the Bingleys?”

“They were visitors to my brother’s estate,” Miss Clancy said, not adding the rest of the story. Miss Clancy was similar in looks to Jane, a classical beauty, only her face was slightly less beautiful. Jane acknowledged the visitor’s beauty, politeness, and apparent wealth. Jane felt as if Mr. Bingley could love the young lady and could feel him slipping out of her grasp, yet she could not bring herself to hate the young woman. While exchanging pleasantries with the Bingley’s new guest, Jane noticed how Miss Clancy turned her body so it faced Mr. Bingley at an appealing angle. She noticed that Miss Clancy’s brightest smiles were reserved for Bingley alone. And she noticed Mr. Bingley’s positive response to all of this.

Nearing the end of their conversation, the always decorous Jane could not stand seeing this any more. Therefore, stifling a sob, she curtseyed, mustered a hasty, "Pray, excuse me," and then turned and rushed away.

'I guess it could get worse,' Bingley thought

Chapter 16

Posted on 2008-11-16

“Jane, Jane!” Elizabeth called, walking quickly after her sister.

“Is she…?” Georgiana started.

“Let me go to her—please excuse me,” Elizabeth interrupted, over her shoulder.

Bingley stared at the scene, rendered mute by Jane’s sudden flight, worried that he would make everything worse. Miss Clancy finally found her voice. “What is wrong?” she asked.

“I am not sure, Miss Clancy,” Bingley truthfully replied.

Elizabeth caught up with her sister who had collapsed under a tree with wracking sobs. “Jane, sweet Jane,” she murmured while stroking her sister’s hair. Jane just sniffled in response. “What ever is the matter?”

“She…he…” Jane sniffled.

“You think that he will fall in love with her.” Elizabeth surmised. “Is that it?” Her sister nodded.

“You know, that is impossible if you are around.”

“My running away made him think ill of me!” This declaration brought on another round of tears.

“Shh, shh,” Elizabeth soothed. Eventually Jane stopped crying and the sisters straightened out her hair, wiped off her face, and brushed off her dress.

“Now I look miserable,” Jane said lightly.

“I do not believe that is possible,” her sister reassured her. The sisters linked arms and walked back to the rest of the group. If anyone noticed that Jane’s eyes were puffy and red, no one mentioned it.

“Jane?” Georgiana asked as the sisters joined the group.

“I am well.” They stood around silently for a tad longer, then the three girls politely asked questions of Miss Clancy about inane topics. Jane still had that lingering feeling in the back of her mind that Mr. Bingley would fall in love with his pretty houseguest and felt uneasy talking to her. Bingley on the other hand, was asking himself why he had ever thought that he loved Miss Clancy, when what he felt for her was a mere trifle compared to what he felt for Jane. He was also worried about why Jane rushed away after the introduction and wanted to comfort her, but propriety dictated that he remain where he was.

“I believe that it is time for us to be heading back,” Jane announced. “It was nice meeting you, Miss Clancy.” Jane could not bring herself to hate the sweet girl who appeared to be her rival for Mr. Bingley’s attentions.

Miss Clancy nodded in reply, still confused by the eldest Miss Bennet’s manner. “Likewise.”

“Allow me to walk you back, ladies,” Bingley suggested, “or call a carriage to take you back.”

“Thank you, but we cannot accept; you have a guest to see to,” Elizabeth replied. The group exchanged bows and the Bennets turned home.

As Bingley walked the other two ladies into his own home, he continued to wonder why Jane rushed away. ‘Something must have upset her,’ he thought, ‘Did I say something wrong? No, that cannot be, I only introduced her to Miss Clancy.’ Then it struck him. ‘Jane must have thought that I am in love with Miss Clancy, or am on my way to being so. If that is what she thought then Jane must love me!’ As a grin was about to light up his face he realized something else. ‘But what if I am incorrect? What if there was a different reason for her to leave?’ he thought to himself. ‘There is only one thing to do. I must have Caroline host a ball and there I can find out Jane’s true feelings.’ His musings were interrupted as the group entered Farrington and was immediately accosted by Caroline.

“My dear Miss Clancy, how good of you to join us in this beautiful county,” Caroline exclaimed with false admiration. She had watched the scene outside unfold and was satisfied only when she saw the Bennets depart without joining the rest of the party. This arrangement kept not only Charles, but also Darcy, safe from the arts and allurements of the eldest two Bennet daughters for a day longer.

“I must own that I was most surprised when I received your missive,” Caroline’s guest replied. Truly she did not want to come at all but the lure of beautiful scenery drew her to the county. She was quite over Mr. Bingley, knowing now that what she felt for him was more like what one feels for an older brother or an old family friend. She saw how his face lit up with an expression of unparalleled joy when he saw Miss Bennet, and his eyes filled with love. Miss Clancy resolved to do everything in her power to bring the two together as well as let Miss Bennet know that she would not need to worry about competition from her.

As Miss Clancy thought this, the conversation moved on. “I was thinking that I wish to hold a ball here next week. The Gardiners held a ball at Netherfield and I thought it would be a good idea if we did likewise.” Mr. Bingley announced.

“Next week?” Caroline was disgusted by the thought of holding a ball for a bunch of country nobodies!

“Indeed! That is, if you will be able to plan it in time,” he ventured.

“Of course I can! Do you think me incompetent?” she demanded, looking quite offended.

“Of course not,” he replied. “Then it is settled?”

“Are you sure you wish to hold a ball?” Miss Bingley stalled.

“Yes. Do you not think it a good idea, Miss Clancy? Miss Darcy?”

“Indeed, a very good idea,” Miss Clancy replied.

“I enjoyed the Gardiners’ ball very much,” was all that Miss Darcy said.

“It is settled,” Miss Bingley said, grudgingly. “We shall send round the invitations by Monday.”

The next day Elizabeth and Jane decided to attend to their correspondence, a matter which was quite overdue. They both had letters from their friends in Town which excited them greatly. With gusto, the sisters opened the first of Elizabeth’s letters. It was from Eileen Eddings.

Dearest friends,

I know that Jane will read this letter along side of you, Elizabeth, so there is no reason to pretend otherwise. I have been invited to but few parties as of yet, and still fewer balls, and I shall endeavour to relive each of them with you. The first party I went to I felt quite alone as many of our Derbyshire friends were not there. I have other friends among London society, but I feel most comfortable with our little group from Derbyshire. I sang at this party and feel that I completely failed; but though many people assured me that it sounded quite lovely, I would bet that they said so just to make me feel better. The next was a card party and my partner was none other than Mr. Ashley! I am still shocked whenever I remember that we won multiple times. Why am I shocked? The reason is simple: I did not pay any attention to the games, for my focus was entirely on my partner! I enjoyed that party most thoroughly, but I do believe that my face was pink all of the night. The third that I went to was a musical. That evening flew by entirely too quickly, but that is because of my enjoyment of fast paced music, something that was of an abundance there. We are going to another party tonight and have at least a few more marked on our calendar. We have one or two operas planned as well as a few more outings. Beside all of this are the balls. As of yet I have only been to one. I danced almost the entire evening, which included the supper set with none other than the dreamy Mr. Ashley. I will write when I have more to add.

Yours &c.,
Eileen

Jane’s letter from Eileen went more in depth about each of these events and what else was planned as of yet. Diane’s letters to the sisters shared much of the same information and included this excerpt:

Dearest friends, can I not help but hope for a sister? Sadly though, my dear eldest brother never shows attentions to any of the fairer sex as he is too embarrassed. I do believe that Eileen is the first lady he has attended to. I could not think of a better wife for him or a better sister for myself. If neither of you were practically engaged yourselves, I would suggest my other two brothers, but that is neither here nor there as Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are two very fine men.

The letter went on to describe the gentleman that Diane danced with at the ball. Amy’s letter was much like Eileen’s but much less frank. She wrote of her newest dresses and what she had done so far in London. Personally, Elizabeth was satisfied that Amy was neither under her mother’s thumb nor in her sisters’ shadows anymore. According to the letter, Amy had only seen the viscount once so far in London, at the ball; and although he danced only once with her there, it was the supper set, which—according to Diane—set more than a couple of tongues wagging.

Elizabeth, at least, was thankful that Mrs. Ryder did not ruin the ball for her youngest daughter, but Elizabeth acknowledged that this was due to her ability to stay quiet in public when in came to single young gentlemen. Elizabeth was just as glad that her own mother did not see these letters as it would surely have set her off about how she should have gotten engaged to one of her friends’ brothers. After adding her letters to the daily post, Elizabeth excused herself for a walk.

That day found Miss Clancy relaxed on a blanket outside with Miss Darcy. The girls were busily engaged in drawing the countryside. Miss Clancy had been eager to paint the land and had made her escape early that morning. Her hostess had started planning the ball the previous day after settling her guest in, so Miss Clancy claimed that she did not want to interfere with this preparation. As the ladies worked in silence, two figures raced across the fields below on horses. They easily recognized the gentlemen as Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy.

“They are to Longbourn, I expect,” Georgiana said.

“Longbourn?”

“The Bennet’s village,” she explained.

“I see.” The ladies went back to their sketches. They spent the rest of the morning working on their pieces. As they stood up to leave, they heard footsteps behind them.

“Miss Clancy, Georgy!” Elizabeth exclaimed when she saw the two ladies up ahead of her.

“Elizabeth!”

“Miss Bennet.” All three ladies curtseyed. “How is your sister?”

“Better, thank you,” Elizabeth replied. She paused for a moment then continued, “I just saw Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy pass by me on their way to Longbourn perhaps you could join them.”

“I would enjoy that. What say you, Miss Darcy?”

“The servant can inform Miss Bingley that we will not be back for awhile.” Georgiana turned and told the servant the message that she wished to be relayed to her hostess and the three were on their way.

Upon entering the sitting room where Mrs. Bennet was entertaining her guests, Elizabeth noted that Mr. Collins was seated next to his intended, Mr. Bingley was seated next to Jane, and Mr. Darcy was standing near the window. Mr. Darcy looked up in anticipation when he heard the door open. After the initial greetings had been dispensed, Elizabeth and Georgiana went over to sit by the latter’s brother. Miss Clancy sat near Kitty.

Each group had its own quiet conversation, some more enlightening than others.

“I still believe that I have heard Mr. Darcy’s name before,” Mr. Collins mused to his future wife. Lady Catherine had told him once that it was very rude to forget people and that he should make a point of never doing it.

“As you do not recognize him, perhaps he has the same name as another you have known,” Mary replied, wanting to give her sister and Mr. Darcy a little more time for their own conversation before Mr. Collins realized just who Mr. Darcy was.

“Hmm, perhaps,” Mr. Collins paused to think even harder. “I know why I did not recognize him! It is because I have never seen him before. I believe that Mr. Darcy is the nephew of my patroness, the great Lady Catherine herself, and is engaged to her daughter.”

“I believe that he had mentioned something of the sort before.”

“Please excuse me, dear Mary; I must pay my respects to so great a person!” With that, Collins stood up and made his way over to the window. “I apologize profusely!” Mr. Collins began, startling Mr. Darcy from his conversation. Mr. Darcy looked at the man, confused at his approach, while Mr. Collins continued. “I do hope that you can forgive my humble self for not paying the proper respects to you, Mr. Darcy, as the nephew of my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh! And I thank you for traveling to Hertfordshire to show your favor to my intended’s modest family!”

Mr. Darcy looked down in a proud fashion. ‘Who is he to insult his own family?’ he thought.

“I know that what I have committed is a foul act, but I beg you to call upon your generous self to forgive my great offense!” Mr. Collins rambled on a while longer using the most flowery of all speeches that Mr. Darcy had ever heard.

“Indeed, sir, I understand.” Mr. Darcy finally cut off the rambling parson.

“Then I hasten to add that when I last saw her Ladyship and your cousin, they were in the best of health.”

Mr. Darcy just nodded and turned away. After staring at Mr. Darcy’s back for a minute, Mr. Collins took the broad hint and turned away from the illustrious gentleman and focused his attention on his cousin.

“My dear Cousin Elizabeth, you should be pleased that Mr. Darcy has endeavored to speak to your lowly self and has deemed your family worthy enough to pay a call on. Be thankful for the attentions that he has bestowed on you and be thankful for his sister’s attentions as well,” Mr. Collins instructed.

“Thank you, Mr. Collins, for the great wisdom that you have just imparted, but I believe my sister wishes to speak to you now.”

“Then pardon me for leaving you as I hurry back to my beloved’s side.” With that the group of three by the window where left alone.

Mrs. Bennet invited her callers to dine at Longbourn, which was accepted. A note was therefore dispatched to Farrington to inform Miss Bingley of this latest development. When dinner was served and everyone seated, Mr. Darcy had managed to sit next to Elizabeth at the end of the table furthest from Mrs. Bennet. He enjoyed himself, staying immersed in his companion’s conversation, trying to ignore the youngest two Bennets and their mother as well as their cousin. At every opportunity, Mr. Collins would compliment Lady Catherine, Anne de Bourgh, Mr. Darcy, and Miss Darcy. These extravagant compliments quickly grew wearisome for those on the receiving end of them, and the speaker was generally tuned out as soon as he opened his mouth.

The Farrington party departed not long after dinner was finished, as they had been gone for a long time. After they left Collins continued to sing their praises, an endeavour which had grown old fast. He reminded his family, Elizabeth in particular, how honoured that they should be for being so singled out.

“Lady Catherine looks upon the day when Mr. Darcy and her daughter come together in holy matrimony,” Mr. Collins confided to Elizabeth, quietly enough for her to only hear.

“Pardon?”

“They have been engaged all of their lives, their mothers planned this union in their cradles. Now Lady Catherine only waits for Mr. Darcy to formally propose to her daughter.”

Elizabeth was speechless. At first she thought that her ridiculous cousin was making up this information, but had to acknowledge that he would not make up such a thing about his patroness. ‘What does Mr. Darcy want from me, then? I had always thought him to be completely honourable.’ Then she realized it. ‘Mr. Darcy has always wanted to be my friend, only my friend. He never meant to imply that he had any interest of a romantic nature towards me’ With this, Elizabeth felt her anger abate and she resolved to stay away from Mr. Darcy for the rest of his visit to Hertfordshire and hoped that she would never meet him when visiting Derbyshire.

Chapter 17

Posted on 2008-11-23

‘Her cousin, and soon to be brother, is my aunt’s parson. Her connections are low and her relatives, the Gardiners and elder sister excluded, leave something to be desired. She has no fortune, not that my bride would need a fortune,’ Darcy mused. ‘I have more than enough for her.’ He was alone in the library at Farrington. It was the evening, past the time that he would normally retire.

Darcy stared into the fire remembering Mrs. Bennet’s indecorous displays, her shrill laughter, and incessant bragging about the chances of her daughters marrying well. He thought of her youngest sisters’ behaviour and how they flirted outright with the soldiers. They acted worse than the society ladies who threw themselves at the feet of rich gentlemen. Those ladies at least cared if they appeared ridiculous. He imagined welcoming Mrs. Bennet to his London townhouse and introducing the youngest two to London society. Darcy shuddered at the thought of the whispers behind fans about his marriage and his bride’s shocking relations. He cared not for society, but he cared enough to worry about the connections that he would be gaining and what society would say about them.

What the gossips would say about him did not matter; they had been gossiping about him ever since his first ball. He was quite used to being the subject of many a conversation, but if he was to hear gossip of a demeaning nature about Elizabeth—charming, lovely Elizabeth—that he might not be able to handle. The sadness that Elizabeth would feel hearing about the vile things society would say about her and her family would be too much for him to bear. He would never regret marrying her. The only thing that he might regret would be her family. The stain of trade would be washed over the Gardiner family even if they were now richer than some that traveled the same circles as he.

But Elizabeth loved her family. Darcy remembered overhearing her speak teasingly of her family’s weaknesses in Derbyshire. By her smile and tone of voice, all could tell that she loved her younger sisters even with their boisterous nature; loved her father even with his sarcasm and tendency to not integrate himself with the rest of the family; and loved her mother even though she had ill nerves and sometimes showed that Elizabeth was her least favorite daughter. Darcy got up to pace, wondering how Mrs. Bennet could not appreciate the great person that her second eldest daughter was.

He wished that he was not forced to either accept her connections or to not have her. He wished her connections were more distinguished and that society didn’t place such value on the rank of one’s family. He knew that his Aunt Catherine would disapprove of the match. Anne would not care, and the colonel would accept her as family, as would Leventhal. It all depended on the Earl and his wife. If they did not cast a friendly eye upon the match, the brothers would have to withdraw their support. His marriage to Elizabeth could cause a rift in the family, which was something he knew she would not like. As he mused, he stirred the fire, make the sparks dance and the flame to grow tall once again.

Elizabeth would not like it if she were to cause a rift; her marriage might raise her rank in society, but it might also break apart his family. On the other hand, Elizabeth might consider it all absurd and not want to have anything to do with someone who would look down on her marriage. In that case, Darcy would have to choose between his own family and Elizabeth. But all of this might be all for nothing and Lord and Lady Matlock might accept her. ‘I will not know until I take that chance,’ he reasoned.

Darcy ambled over to the bookshelf and took the first book that he saw on the sparse shelves. It happened to be Romeo and Juliet. He tried to read, but he could not keep his mind focused on what he was reading. Every few minutes he would find himself thinking of Elizabeth rather than Shakespeare’s story. To make things worse for himself, whenever he was pursuing to the story, he constantly found connections between this tragic love story and his own life. “Let us hope, then, that neither of us die in the end,” he said aloud.

After a half an hour of trying to read, Darcy tossed the book aside. “It is no use; I cannot seem to pay half of the attention it deserves, tonight.” Automatically Darcy’s thoughts went back to his situation and his last, constant, thoughts about it.

‘In the case that I take the chance, she would be worth the risk. Yes, she would bring me happiness that no other woman would bring me, even one with a large dowry, but she would also bring me low connections and the chance of discord in my family.’

“This is all nonsense. I am thinking of Elizabeth here, not some simpering female!” Darcy exclaimed. Muttering, he added, “She would not appreciate these thoughts about her family. Even with her low connections, the Gardiners did raise their fortune with Mr. Gardiner’s inheritance as well as lessened her connection to trade. If—no rather when—Bingley marries the eldest Miss Bennet, he would also raise her connections even if he is also bears past connections to trade.”

Back and forth Darcy reminded himself of the gains and losses in marrying Elizabeth, knowing in his heart that he wished to marry her and knowing in his mind that while her connections left something to be desired, they could be worse. He warred between reason of marrying some rich heiress who went through proper schooling and was in some way related to an earl, and emotion of marrying someone that he felt deeply for. All of this was brought to a sudden halt when he thought, ‘And what if she will not have me?’ This notion was eventually dismissed as she seemed to encourage his affections and acted as if she returned them. She had always acted as a friend to Georgiana and himself, bringing the first out of her shell and out from behind the brick wall that she had built up after the Wickham incident.

‘While she may have been treating me as a friend and a friend only—something that I highly doubt—if I decide to have her, I will court her until she will have me,’ he thought. After this was decided upon, Darcy went back to arguing with himself inside his mind about whether or not he should pursue Elizabeth. ‘It has gone too far for me not to,’ Darcy figured, ‘at this point it would almost be considered a slight.’

With that thought he realized something. ‘Whether the decision to marry her is good or bad, whether her uncles are earls or paupers, I love her. I love Elizabeth, and her connections, her family, and her background is something that I will have to accept and honour unless I wish to make the rest of my life miserable without her.’

With this final realization Darcy stood up, stretched out, and made his way up to his bedchamber.

Chapter 18

Posted on 2008-11-30

After his resolution, Darcy was not able to see Elizabeth again until the Farrington Ball. This was due to an increase in rain, trapping the neighbourhood indoors. The change in weather nearly drove Elizabeth mad as it cut her off of her daily walks as well as shut her inside Longbourn. Her cousin, who by then was her constant companion, talked ceaselessly of his patroness, her daughter, and her daughter’s fiancée. It seemed to Elizabeth that other than his own fiancée, these were the only topics that Collins could speak of, which made Darcy’s lack of feelings for her even more painful.

The day of the ball finally dawned thankfully, bright and clear. After dinner, Longbourn became frantic due to six ladies and two gentlemen getting ready for the ball. Darcy at Farrington cursed his luck that when there was a day that was finally void of rain, it was the day of the ball when the neighbourhood, and consequently the Bennets, were preparing for the ball. He was thankful at least that he would see his lady that evening. Until then he amused himself with reading in the music room while his sister and Miss Clancy practiced the pianoforte. After she found out that Miss Clancy would not take Bingley away from her friend, Georgiana became friends with Miss Clancy. In Miss Clancy she found a fellow music and art lover; and more importantly, one that did not befriend her solely to gain her brother’s attentions.

After finishing the song that she was playing, Miss Clancy leaned over to whisper in Georgiana’s ear. “I was thinking about when I met the Miss Bennets, and I believe I need your help to ensure that the eldest knows that I do not intend to set my cap at Mr. Bingley.”

Georgiana looked up startled; it appeared that her new companion could read her mind. She whispered back, “I believe that she thought that you would, which is why she left suddenly upon meeting you. If there is one thing that Jane Bennet is not, it is melodramatic.”

“I did not think that about her, but I wanted to ask you as you know her much better than I.” Miss Clancy paused and flipped through the pianoforte music. “I do not wish to seem too obvious, but I want to be sure that she understands.”

“Indeed, but even if you were not too clear, her sister Elizabeth, would most likely understand the message, even if Jane does not.”

“Then I need to say it in front of them both?”

“No, Jane will tell her the next time they speak privately; although, by all means, if you wish you may say it in front of Elizabeth as well. She would, as I mentioned earlier, find out about what you said anyways.”

“Perhaps I should say it in front of Miss Elizabeth as well, as I wish to settle this as soon as possible. I do not wish for Miss Bennet to go through the night miserable with the thought that one that she cares for may be transferring his attentions to another, namely me.”

Georgiana looked over to her brother to make sure that he was not listening to their hushed conversation. When she was satisfied, Georgiana began playing a new piece. “That might be for the best. Now, what shall you say?”

“I was hoping you might help me with that as well,” she prodded somewhat sheepishly. After a half hour of plotting, the two ladies figured out what Miss Clancy would say to the sisters that evening. “So I am to say to the Miss Bennets after introducing the topic: ‘It is always comforting to have people that you look on to like siblings. I am fortunate enough to consider Mr. Bingley one of those people, and I am sure that he feels the same way’? Is it decided?”

Georgiana replied to the affirmative and the ladies once again put their full attention into sorting the pianoforte music.

Elizabeth looked around herself and was captivated by the ballroom at Farrington. The evening looked like it would be perfect, if only Jane did not have to worry that Mr. Bingley did not care for her anymore and if only she did not have to worry about meeting up with Mr. Darcy that evening. The latter would be unavoidable as he would most likely be with his sister, and Elizabeth would wish to speak to Georgiana at least once over the course of the evening.

Jane stood next to her, looking around as well. They caught sight of Georgiana and made their way over. To Elizabeth’s relief Mr. Darcy was not with their friend. Miss Clancy, on the other hand, was.

“Elizabeth, Jane!” The friends greeted each other warmly while Miss Clancy hung back.

“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,” Miss Clancy said quietly, curtseying.

After a moment of silence, the group settled on the obvious subject, the ball. “I believe that Miss Bingley did a fine job of preparing for the ball in such a short amount of time,” Jane commented.

“Indeed. Although, I believe that Mr. Bingley encouraged her. If he had not suggested it, I do not believe that we would be at this ball,” Georgiana said, glancing significantly at Miss Clancy.

“Mr. Bingley has a cheerful personality that could encourage anyone. He is a very good friend.”

“We have found him so, in the past,” Elizabeth replied, it was her turn to glance significantly at Jane.

“Yes, very attentive,” Jane murmured.

Georgiana repressed a smile. “And very loyal, I believe. I have found myself thankful that I can count him among my friends many times.”

“You know, it is always comforting to have people that you consider to be like siblings. I am fortunate enough to consider Mr. Bingley one of those people, and I am sure that he feels the same way,” Miss Clancy said her piece and noticed the look of relief on Miss Bennet’s face and the raised eyebrow on Miss Elizabeth’s face.

At that moment the gentleman in question joined the group. He was not alone, as Mr. Darcy had also made his way over to this growing cluster. The two gentlemen requested dances from all of the ladies; Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy specifically asked Jane and Elizabeth for the first dances, respectively, and were accepted; though perhaps not as enthusiastically on the latter’s side.

There was time before the set started, so the gentlemen ambled away leaving the ladies to themselves again. Not long after they left, Georgiana and Miss Clancy also excused themselves, leaving the eldest two Bennet sisters alone.

“Did you hear, Jane? Miss Clancy only thinks of Mr. Bingley as a brother or friend! And he thinks the same for her!”

“Are you quite certain that is what she meant?”

“Jane, I am positive. One does not marry their sibling, and I am sure that Miss Clancy does not intend to marry a person she feels is a sibling to her. You love him and he loves you. Let him know your feelings tonight, and I can assure you that by the end of the year he will have proposed.”

“Even if he does feel for me what I feel for him, do you believe that he will propose by the new year? That is barely a month from now. How can you be sure that Miss Clancy meant what you thought?”

“Unless I were to walk up and ask her, I would not be sure, but she was clearly hinting that she thinks of him as a brother.”

“Very well, I shall show my feelings more clearly tonight. I just hope that you are correct and I do not injure Miss Clancy on account of me.” With this resolve the conversation was finished. The two sisters continued to circulate the room. At one point they overheard their youngest two sisters’ loud conversation.

“I say that Papa is being dull on purpose just to make us suffer,” Lydia exclaimed to her sister.

“I agree. And suffer is something that we do, ever since he imposed his new rules upon us.”

“At least he can have no qualms about us dancing with officers tonight. Not only are we accompanied by all three of the people that have to accompany us, we also have nowhere to go. Not that I understand why he is restricting us.”

“Indeed. I dare say that my dance card is already past half full with officers.”

“Mine as well.”

Lydia’s and Kitty’s voices faded away as they paraded about the ballroom in the opposite direction. Elizabeth and Jane exchanged looks, but both determined not to let their sisters effect their night.

As the first set was lining up, Darcy and Bingley collected the sisters. Elizabeth felt awkward at first wondering how to act towards her dance partner. She felt herself lapsing into her previous manner and would quiet when she remembered that Darcy was engaged. Darcy felt confused with her manner, but did not let it daunt him. The dance was over and he requested, and was granted, the last dance. When he asked her, Elizabeth wished to refuse as it pained her to dance with him when he would never return her feelings.

They separated ways, this time Elizabeth singled out Charlotte to talk to, yet another thing she had missed out on account of the rain. After being enlightened by her friend on the latest update on Mr. Darcy, Charlotte said, “Did you not say at the Assembly that you would not expect him to offer anything more than friendship to you?”

“Yes, but I had hoped… Well it is of no matter; he is engaged so it is of no consequence whether or not I hoped for being more than his friend. Jane, on the other hand, has love within her grasp, and I am happy for her for it.”

Charlotte allowed herself to be led away from the topic of Darcy and Elizabeth, but she still felt uneasy about it. Charlotte thought that the situation was not as it seemed; Darcy had certainly acted as if he was courting her friend. While she did not know him well, she felt that from what she did know of him, Darcy was an honourable gentleman and not the type to lead a lady on.

Collins came over to request the next dance from his cousin and future sister while Charlotte was asked to dance by another local. After her dance with Mr. Collins, her feet were bruised and stomped on and Elizabeth therefore sat out during the next dance. As the ball went on, Elizabeth noted that Jane and Bingley were once again acting as they did in Derbyshire. ‘He will propose soon—I guarantee it—before the year is out.’ she thought to herself. Throughout the ball Elizabeth studiously stayed away from Darcy, something that gave that gentleman much frustration. She prevailed at this until supper, where she found herself sitting near him. Elizabeth did not encourage conversation between them, but it was unavoidable in order not to appear rude. She did not want to act differently than she had before to avoid any awkward conversation about what she felt for him, but she did not want him to feel ill at ease because of her light flirting.

The second half of the ball was much like the first, and the dreaded final dance came much too quickly for Elizabeth. The Bennets were the last to leave the ball, and by a maneuvere of Mrs. Bennet, had to wait for their carriages a quarter of an hour after everybody else was gone.

It was quite late when the Longbourn party finally reached their home and the entire group went directly to their respective bedchambers. The household fell quickly into a deep sleep. Since they were so tired no one heard someone walking around and slipping out of the house two hours after they retired.

Chapter 19

Posted on 2008-12-21

“Are we to be murdered in our beds?” was the first thing that Mrs. Bennet shrieked when she woke up, about two hours after she had fallen asleep, to slight commotion. “What is going on? What is the cause of this noise and bustle?”

Hill had woken up not long after the family had retired and had gone into the kitchen for tea. On the way, she had walked into a shape that had just turned the corner. She shrieked as this had completely surprised her. Mr. Hill woke up on hearing her cry and had grabbed a hold of the person. This uproar had woken up the mistress and Mrs. Hill went directly to comfort her.

“But who is this person? I am sure that they broke in this house to kill us all! At least to make off with our valuables,” Mrs. Bennet maintained.

Hill continued to comfort her mistress, omitting the identity of the person that was up and about. Finally, a maid came in to replace Hill in her duty so the latter could speak to the master. When she reached the library, Hill saw that all of the Bennet daughters and Mr. Bennet were waiting for her.

The youngest daughter sat a bit away from the rest, with a scowl on her face and a small bag of clothing, food, and money on her lap.

“Hill, I expect that you will keep quiet about Lydia’s near departure?” Mr. Bennet asked.

“I do not know what was happening, sir, I turned the corner into the kitchen and walked into a person and nearly knocked him over. I screamed and my husband came, but other than that, I do not know what happened.”

“Then you will be told the story. But before that, I will need your promise that you will deal with the other servants in keeping them quiet. I do not wish for anyone besides those in the room at the moment and my wife to know what actually happened.” Mr. Bennet waited for his housekeeper to nod before continuing. “My youngest daughter, Miss Lydia, tried to run away.” When her father said this, Lydia’s scowl deepened, “At first she would not admit to why she was in the kitchen at that hour, but after Miss Kitty shared her part of the story, Miss Lydia had no option but to tell me. According to my second eldest, Lydia and Mr. Wickham planned to elope this morning. She was in the kitchen for food to eat while traveling. I have sent your husband to go retrieve Mr. Wickham from their meeting place. Miss Lydia has said that they planned on traveling to Gretna Green.”

As Hill thought about the information that her mater had just told her, she heard Miss Elizabeth mutter, “Stupid girl, Wickham would not have married her for nothing.”

Jane whispered in reply, “He cannot be as bad as that. He loves her, I am sure he does.”

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in reply and after a moment whispered, “I am sure he loves the fact that Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy have paid attention to us. Surely he thinks that if they were to elope he could possibly get money from one of them as well as that he could exact his revenge upon Darcy. If only Wickham knew that Mr. Darcy was not romantically inclined towards me, then he would not have tried this exploit.”

“You are just jealous that the handsome Mr. Wickham did not pay attentions to you, Elizabeth. You are stuck with the dull Mr. Darcy,” Lydia taunted.

Mary opened her mouth to sermonize upon the importance of a lady’s virtue when Elizabeth cut in, “Father, what is to be done about this all?”

“I wish to see Wickham off, whether that be in India or behind bars, I care not. As long as he is in no place to come in contact with our family again, then I am satisfied. Lydia, though, is another matter. I wish to send her to a strict school where she can learn proper etiquette.”

“Father!” Lydia was on the verge of complaining about how they talked of her as if she was not there when she heard the last part of her father’s speech, “I am sure that I would have to be sent to Bedlam within two months at such an establishment! You can not send me there! I shall talk to Mother about this.”

“Lydia, I can and I will do this. I had realized that I needed to tighten down on you, but I had not realized how much. Until you reach your school, you will not be out of your room. Kitty, it would be to your benefit to continue to follow the rules that I have recently placed on you, and to spend more time with your studies. I will not send you to a school as well, but if I need to, I will not hesitate.” As Mr. Bennet said this, Hill slipped out of the room with a curtsey and a brief click of the door. “Perhaps, after your sister is settled, you can visit her at the Parsonage.”

Kitty felt that it would be in her best interest just to nod and not draw any excess attention to herself, which is what she did. Not long after this speech, they could hear a gentleman’s voice complaining and the hushed, threatening voice of Mr. Hill. Realizing that Mrs. Bennet might need her once again, Hill gladly left the front hall to do her duties.

“Wickham,” Mr. Bennet nodded.

“Ah, Mr. Bennet,” Wickham bowed, “And your lovely daughters.” It was then that Mr. Bennet realized that his daughters had followed him to the front hall.

“I wonder at why you were out so early, and on my property.”

Wickham’s mouth opened and gaped like a fish for a moment, “I… I had just been enjoying a walk.”

“At this time? It is still night. It is no later than three.”

“I could not sleep. What are you doing up so early, might I also ask?”

“You may, but that does not say that I must answer. How well do you know my daughter?” Mr. Bennet asked, keeping the other gentleman on his toes.

“I have seen her around Meryton quite a few times.”

“And what do you think of her?”

“Sir?”

“Oh, there is no need for all of this. Lydia has told me the truth about why you are here so early.”

Wickham’s charming face quickly distorted into a snarling mask, “You child! You scheming little…”

“Watch your language around my daughters! And watch what you call them, too,” Mr. Bennet interrupted.

Wickham caught himself. He realized that there was no way he could talk himself out of this. Unless… but no, Lydia was well known around here as a flirt, but the neighbourhood knew that that was all she was, she was not wanton. The only option at that point was to turn and flee. Which he did. Almost.

“Now where do you think you are going?” Mr. Hill asked as he once again caught Mr. Wickham.

“Perhaps you would like to join me in the library, Mr. Wickham?” Mr. Bennet suggested. When his daughters turned to follow he added, “Alone.”

“We will go talk to Mama,” Jane informed her father.

“Very good. And can you have Hill escort Lydia to her room, and keep her there?”

“Yes, Papa.”

“Good girl.”

With that the group broke up into two groups. Mr. Bennet and Wickham for the library, accompanied by Mr. Hill who would guard the door and the five Bennet daughters upstairs to go talk to their mother.

On the way up, Mary realized something that they had all forgotten in the excitement of the morning. “Mr. Collins! We forgot about Mr. Collins.”

“Is he still asleep?” Kitty asked.

“I am sure he is. If he had awoken, would he not have come down?”

Lydia snorted in disdain, “I pity you, Mary, I truly do, that you are stuck with such an unbearable man for your marriage partner.”

“Lydia!” Jane and Elizabeth exclaimed together. They reached their mother’s room and knocked.

“Come in!”

After they had sent Hill off with Lydia and had seated themselves, they went to tell their mother what happened, but Mrs. Bennet beat them to talking.

“Is someone finally going to tell me what is happening? I woke up to a scream and was quite frightened. And why did you send my dear Lydia off with Hill?”

“Mama, please quiet yourself for a moment so we can explain,” Mary begged.

Before her mother could say anything more, Jane said in a soothing voice, “Lydia tried to run off today, Mama, with Mr. Wickham. They were for Gretna Green—to be married.”

At this point, Mrs. Bennet interrupted, “I see no problem in that! Well, other than I could not plan a wedding breakfast and buy her wedding clothes. Why is she not on her way?”

“We stopped her before she could leave, Mama,” Elizabeth said.

“What about poor Mr. Wickham? He is most likely still waiting for her!”

“Poor Mr. Wickham, indeed,” Elizabeth snorted.

“Elizabeth!” Jane admonished her sister and then explained what had happened. “Mama, Papa sent Mr. Hill to go fetch Mr. Wickham. When he arrived, we found out that Mr. Wickham’s intentions were not purely honourable as they had seemed. Even if they were, it would have gone against Papa’s regulations for Lydia to have met Mr. Wickham without someone else being there. Not to mention that elopement is frowned upon by most of society.

“But to think: one daughter married! So soon! And just fifteen!”

“If this elopement would have happened, Mr. Collins might have not wanted to marry me because of the impropriety shown by my sister. I am to marry a clergyman.”

“We would not want that to happen! Your marriage to Mr. Collins is important to this family’s wellbeing after your father is dead.”

“Then we must keep this near elopement quiet. No one can know of it. Not even you sister, Mama; else my fiancée might catch wind of it and then what would we do?”

“No one will hear one word about it from me,” Mrs. Bennet declared.

Not wanting to bring up something that would set off their mother again, but needing her to be informed about what was going on with their youngest sister, Kitty ventured, “Mama, right now, as a punishment for going against what Papa said, Lydia is to stay in her room for the time being. No one knows the real reason why and we will need you to help us keep it that way. As of now, we are maintaining that Lydia is too sick to be out of bed.”

“Fine, I shall help, but I do not think that my baby deserves this treatment.” Mrs. Bennet yawned, “But what shall we do for Christmas? It is less than a week away.”

The four sisters exchanged glances as they had all forgotten the holiday. Finally, Jane spoke up, “We will carry on as we had planned. Going to church on Christmas day and having a small family gathering at Longbourn. The day before the holiday the Gardiners will arrive and but two days after Christmas, Mary will marry our cousin.” She looked around to her other sisters and was satisfied with the nods she received.

With Mrs. Bennet satisfied with her newly acquired knowledge, the girls saw her off to bed so they could leave. As they were departing their mother’s room, Kitty yawned.

“Oh! I am so tired.” The clock chimed that it was four in the morning. “No wonder! We have only gotten but two hours of sleep and we had gone to a ball.”

“It feels much later, but perhaps that is because of what has happened this morning,” Elizabeth said.

“Indeed,” Jane agreed. “Perhaps, we should be off to bed as well.”

“Goodnight, then—I mean morning,” Mary said and went into her room.

“Elizabeth, since at the moment I do not wish to be around Lydia since she is so sulky, and I share a room with her, I was wondering if I could sleep in your room for now,” Kitty asked.

“That would be fine.”

“Let me go get my nightgown.” Kitty looked down at her clothing and realized that all she was garbed in was her nightgown, dressing gown, and slippers. “Now that I think about it, it is not necessary.”

The girls shared a quick chuckle, said goodnight, and went into their rooms to finally have some rest.

Chapter 20

Posted on 2008-12-28

Elizabeth awoke slightly disoriented and definitely confused. She turned and looked to her window and was surprised to see how high in the sky the sun was. She could not even remember the last time when she had slept so late. Elizabeth went to roll out of bed when she bumped into Kitty. ‘What is she doing in my bed?’ Elizabeth wondered. Then everything from earlier that morning came back to her. Lydia and Wickham’s near elopement, Papa deciding to send Lydia to a school, and Wickham being brought to Longbourn. She remembered Lydia being banished to her room, the sisters having to explain it to their mother, and finally, Kitty sleeping in her room for the rest of the night, or rather, morning.

“Good morning,” Kitty said, with a big yawn.

“More like afternoon, now.”

“I suggest that we reconvene to the breakfast room.”

“Please head down now, I will meet you there in a bit.”

Not too long later, the ladies were eating their warm muffins and other breakfast foods, when their father walked in. “Good morning, Lizzy, Kitty.” He looked haggard and worn, and had seemingly aged overnight.

“Morning, Papa,” they replied.

“‘Tis a sad business, this is.”

“How late did you stay up, Papa?” Elizabeth asked, worried for her father’s health.

“Until about an hour after you had all gone upstairs. I had Mr. Hill watch Wickham for the rest of the night. I have sent out a few men to gather information about debts that Wickham has here in Hertfordshire and have began composing letters to my solicitor to see what other debts, monetary and otherwise, Wickham has.”

“Who stayed with Lydia?” Kitty inquired.

“A few of the maids traded off every hour. Apparently Lydia did not sleep a wink, until about an hour ago, after she was bundled off to her room. She stayed up, complaining about how her Wickham abandoned her, about how her family hates her, and about how she has to go to a school soon. After hearing the maids’ accounts I had half a mind to let her marry Wickham. He deserves her.”

“Papa!”

“Yes, Lizzy, I know that I should not say things like that about my own daughters, but at the moment I am not particularly happy with Lydia. I cannot wait until I find a school that will take her.”

“Do you want Kitty, Jane, and I to write to our friends and the Gardiners about schools that they recommend?”

“Would you? That would be helpful.”

“Then we shall.”

This peaceful conversation was interrupted by Mrs. Bennet, who was heard coming down the stairs. The topic automatically settled on how her poor, dear Lydia did not deserve to go to a school, but the topic quickly ceased when Mr. Collins joined them.

“The house seems different today,” Collins remarked.

“I do not know what you mean,” replied Elizabeth.

“I believe that it is that the entire family seemed to sleep late today. Lady Catherine says that slothfulness is a sin,.” After he had stuffed more food into his mouth than was proper, Mr. Collins continued, chewing noisily, “Does anyone know where I can find my beloved Mary?”

“I believe that she is still sleeping.”

“Thank you, Cousin Catherine. Have I ever told you how fortunate you are to be named after so great a lady? Lady Catherine would agree with me that your family showed great sense when they named you after her ladyship, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Catherine is a great and powerful name. I commend you.”

Kitty and Elizabeth exchanged amused glances when their cousin started his speech. When he was finally done, Kitty replied, “I assure you, I tried the best that I could to be named after such a kind and courteous person. I am glad that you approve of my efforts.”

Elizabeth quickly excused herself and Kitty followed soon after. They went into Jane’s room where they found their eldest sister brushing her hair and told her what happened. The three sisters erupted into peals of laughter that died away as Mary joined the group.

“What was so amusing, sisters?” Mary asked.

Jane cast her eyes downward. “We were laughing at something that your fiancée said.”

“Something, I assume, that was not meant to be funny,” Mary guessed.

Jane nodded, guiltily.

“Do not feel bad, sister, I know what sort of man I am marrying. I know what kind of life I will lead after my marriage. I am not looking for love. Mama always says that I am the plainest out of us five and I believe it. Do not look at me like that, Elizabeth,” Mary sighed in frustration. “I think that my marriage to him will do me good. I have been more open since my engagement and I have realized Mr. Collins’ follies. I rarely talked to any of you before my engagement and now I talk to all of you often. I quoted Fordyce’s Sermons on end and, to tell the truth, I have not picked that book up for a long while.” Mary raised her eyes from staring at her hands in her lap where they had been drawn to as she spoke. “While the man that I am marrying is ridiculous, my engagement to him has done me a world of a difference. Be happy for me, sisters. I do not ask you to be happy about my bridegroom, but be happy that I have truly found myself and have picked myself out of the shadows that I was in before.”

The four girls fell silent, none knowing how to reply to this honest address. Finally, Elizabeth broke the silence. “Forgive us, Mary, for none of your sisters treated you as one of us until now. Forgive us for our exclusion and we will be truly happy for you. Until then, I will only feel remorse that our behaviour has caused you to become engaged to a man that you do not love.”

“I have never tried to fit in, Elizabeth; it is as much my fault as anyone’s.”

“We have never given you reason to believe that a chance for you to fit in would be welcomed. ‘Tis not your fault that you did not want to be faced with regret.”

“If you truly want my forgiveness, you have it, Elizabeth, but I never blamed you.” Mary looked at her other two sisters that were also in the room. “I never blamed any of you, but whatever small part of me that I had that was upset has forgiven you, all of you, even Lydia.”

“For that, I am glad; Lydia needs all the forgiveness that she can find, even if it is not about her troubles,” Kitty said, leaning over to give Mary a hug. For a few moments they found familial peace and happiness.

This scene was ruined upon Mrs. Bennet’s entrance when she found her daughters to be still unprepared for the day.

Not long before dinner, Jane, Kitty, and their mother were settled in the drawing room. “I still do not understand why my dear Lydia is locked in her room, she exclaimed. “She did not do anything to deserve this treatment!” Mrs. Bennet cried for what seemed like the fiftieth time that day.

“Mama, perhaps you should go over the wedding breakfast details,” Jane suggested, “remember, the wedding takes place just two days after Christmas, and that holiday is rapidly approaching. We have but a few days.”

“Where are your aunt and uncle Gardiner? How am I to be sure that my dress is in style if I cannot ask someone who knows the current London fashions?”

“They were in Bath, Mama, but they shall arrive here on the morrow,” Kitty answered.

“I am sure Aunt Gardiner can inform you after she rests tomorrow. If I remember correctly, our friends have shared that long-sleeves have been just the thing during the mini-Season this year,” Jane said.

“There you are,” Elizabeth joined her sisters and mother in the drawing room. “Mama, Mary wishes to ask you something about her wedding. Jane, Kitty, Papa wishes to see us.”

“Oh! My dear girls, when are you to marry? Mary has beaten you all in that regard and she is the plainest of you all! Perhaps the kind Mr. Bingley will propose to you soon, Jane. Perhaps Mr. Darcy will propose to you, Lizzy! I certainly hope so, for the sake of my nerves! Well, I should be going now; please appease your father and go to him quickly!” With that, Mrs. Bennet bustled out of the room.

The Bennet sisters followed their mother out of the room to make their way down to the library.

“There you are my dears,” he greeted them upon their entrance.

“Good morning, Papa,” they chorused.

“Morning it may be, but whether it be good is less certain,” he quipped in reply.

“You called for us?” Kitty reminded him.

“Yes. This morning, after breakfast, I had an interesting visitor. A man and his friend had come calling and somehow found out about our… situation. He offered to help us, and has already given me a list of schools with reputations for being strict for your youngest sister and has offered to write to them for me. His friend wished to help as well.”

“Did you accept them?” Kitty asked.

“Who is he?” Elizabeth inquired at the same time.

At the same time as her sisters, Jane said, “That is truly kind of him.”

“Indeed it is.”

“Who is he?” Kitty demanded impatiently.

“All in due time, Kitty, all in due time,” Mr. Bennet replied

Kitty had to suppress the urge to argue with her father as she knew that arguing would be something that Lydia would do. Mr. Bennet could see the struggle on his second youngest’s face.

“They are Mr.…” he started to say right as the gentlemen in question walked through the library door.

Chapter 21

Posted on 2009-01-04

The first to enter the room was Mr. Darcy, causing the Bennet ladies to expect Mr. Bingley to be the next gentleman to walk through the doorway. It was to the ladies’ great surprise when they saw Mr. Hitchcock walk in. Naturally, Kitty did not what his name was at the time, so all she saw was a handsome gentleman walk through the door. Upon closer review she found that it was a very handsome gentleman, at that.

“Kitty, may I introduce you to Mr. Hitchcock? Mr. Hitchcock, my second eldest daughter, Miss Kitty.” Mr. Bennet completed the introductions. To his daughters he said, “This is the gentleman who had first heard of our troubles.”

With that knowledge, Jane and Elizabeth shared a look. When they were in Derbyshire, Mr. Hitchcock became a good friend of theirs due to their shared friendship of Diane Ashley. They were confused as to why he was so keen on helping their family, but they figured it was due to the fact that he was a kind sort of gentleman in general. The eldest two also speculated that he might have some past connection to Mr. Wickham.

“And all of you know Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Bennet added, gesturing to the first of the two gentlemen.

“It is good to see you again, Mr. Hitchcock,” Jane said, sweetly.

“I am glad to be able to see both you and your sister again, Miss Bennet, although I wish for different circumstances,” the gentleman replied.

Mr. Darcy finally spoke up as to why his companion was there. “Mr. Hitchcock and his sister know Wickham; they have… dealt with him in the past. When I saw Wickham in town, I immediately wrote to Mr. Hitchcock who came as soon as he could; he arrived just this morning. We called as soon as we could.” The ladies looked to Mr. Darcy in confusion who in turn, looked at Mr. Hitchcock.

“My sister has a nice fortune that Wickham became aware of. That is all I will say on the subject.”

“I am so sorry to hear that,” Jane said.

“I realized his designs before anything untoward could happen. I have found it best not to dwell on what might have occurred. Nothing did, and I just leave it at that.”

The room quickly was silenced and all that the Bennet sisters could do in reply was nod. Elizabeth glanced up quickly at Darcy, only to see his head turn away. Elizabeth glanced up again to see the same thing happen. ‘Why was he looking at me?’ she wondered, ‘it is not as if he is attracted to me. Oh! I wish that he was not here, he is only making it harder for me.’ The overwhelming quiet was broken by Mr. Bennet. “We might as well get down to business. Jane, Elizabeth, Kitty, you are excused, but will you stay close at hand for when we need you again? Will everyone have a seat?” The young people followed his direction, the gentlemen room dropped into the nearest chair, and the ladies bowed out of the room.

“I have been writing to people from all over England that have had issues with Wickham before. Gaming debts, debts of honour, every last penny that he owes to these people was written down. For obvious reasons, I could not contact all that he has had run-ins with, but this is most likely the vast majority,” Mr. Darcy said, pulling out a packet of letters from his pocket. “Some of the delicate situations, for example, former near elopements and bribe money, are not in here.”

“I have been searching around as well,” Mr. Hitchcock added, “and have already given Darcy the pile of letters that I have accumulated. Shopkeepers and the such that I have spoken to have also written out, as well as told me, what he owes them.”

Mr. Bennet pulled out his own, smaller, pile of letters. “Here are a few more from the surrounding area. Most of these are from Meryton.”

“I believe that we should compile a list of creditors and how much he owes them.” Mr. Darcy suggested. “A list would be easier to read rather than a pile of letters.”

“We should get to it right away, I think,” Mr. Bennet replied. “And do you gentlemen have a list of schools for my daughter?”

“That would be the top two papers in the pile. One is from me, the other is from Darcy. He and I could write to some of the schools while you could start on the list, Mr. Bennet.”

“Let us get to work then.” The three of them worked quietly for a long while, each of them speaking in whispers. Darcy and Hitchcock finished first as they only had a few letters to write between the two of them. They compiled a list of debts of honour that Wickham owed, which took them about the same amount of time as Mr. Bennet’s list.

“Should we see if we can send him to Australia or should we put the runners on his scent?” Mr. Bennet asked as he took the letters and wrote a short note to accompany them.

“If he is in Australia, he could die of some disease. He would be gone for the rest of our lives. That is, unless one of us wishes to venture to Australia. If we send him to debtor’s prison then he can wallow in pity for a good long time, but in the end he will be released,” Hitchcock expanded.

“After he serves his sentence, Wickham will be free. Our best bet would be deporting him. There would be little chance that he could bother us again that way,” Darcy added.

“I say that we send him to Australia and be done with it,” Hitchcock said.

“How could you send him to Australia? Would you buy him a ticket to there? In that case, what would induce him to actually leave? How could we be sure that he does not come back?” Mr. Bennet asked. “We all know Mr. Wickham, and we all know that he is not the sort of man to thank us for our generosity and listen to our advice.”

“True,” Darcy said slowly, while thinking. “You know, there are two ways to get him to go that might actually work.”

“Which are…?” prompted Hitchcock.

“Well, my first idea is that we could still set him up with a meeting with a magistrate, but convince the magistrate offer him a choice between debtor’s prison and deportation to Australia. The other possibility is that we could threaten him with putting the runners on him if he does not take our ticket and kind advice.”

“While I personally would like to threaten Wickham, I think that he might want some money for his trip. If we get him deported then there is no foreseeable way that he can ever come back, and we don’t lose any money—at least to him,” Hitchcock said. The three gentlemen in the room slowly smiled.

Elizabeth, Jane, and Kitty knocked on the door and entered at their father’s command. “Where exactly is Wickham right now?” Elizabeth asked.

“Since he is staying here for the time being, I figured that he should work for his room and board. Mr. Hill is having Wickham chop wood, I believe.”

“And Mr. Hill is overseeing this, Papa?” Elizabeth asked in a frightened tone.

“Naturally.”

“Where is Wickham staying? He certainly is not staying in our home, but where on this estate is he residing at the moment?” Jane asked.

“I’m afraid as there’s ‘no room in the inn’ so to speak, I have consigned him to the stable house,” Mr. Bennet replied to the great amusement of the other two gentlemen who started to guffaw.

Elizabeth’s facial expression turned to amusement. “Perhaps, my sisters and I could go drop off the post in Meryton. The exercise would do use good, and I am sure that we all wish to talk to the Lucases.”

“We would enjoy the walk, and the letters will be sent out sooner. I think that the post was already sent today, and by the time that it is collected tomorrow, it will be too late to send out,” Kitty added.

“With the likes of Wickham about I am not sure if I should let you go without a escort,” Mr. Bennet replied, weary.

“It would not be safe,” Darcy added.

“But Papa, you said yourself that Wickham is with Mr. Hill. We saw this morning that Hill is capable of handling Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth replied, ignoring Darcy’s reply. Friends could be concerned about each other, but he held no power over her.

“I am still not sure, what if he does escape?”

“Papa?” Kitty pleaded.

“You may go, but be sure to take a gentleman with you,” Mr. Bennet excused them.

“I wish to stretch my legs. I can join them,” Hitchcock said, “besides, I have not yet seen Meryton.”

“Thank you, Papa, Mr. Hitchcock,” Jane said as they stood up to go.

As the ladies were putting on their winter pelisses, gloves, and bonnets in the front hall, Mrs. Hill scurried by. “Misses, there are letters for you. They are on the plate sitting over there.”

“Thank you Hill,” Elizabeth said as she went over to see what they had received. The busy housekeeper curtseyed and rushed up the stairs to tend to the needs of Mrs. Bennet and Lydia. “They are from our friends in London! I do wonder how they have been doing.” Elizabeth passed Jane’s letters to her.

“How about you read them on our way, Elizabeth? I do like knowing what is going on in their lives even if I have not been introduced.”

“Great idea, Kitty. Let us proceed as planned,” Elizabeth agreed.

While walking, Elizabeth and Jane read over their friends’ letters, laughing and commenting aloud to themselves about their letters, even though no one else knew what the contents of those letters was, by this time, Hitchcock dropped a bit behind the group to give them privacy with their letters, “I am not sure what news your letter contained, Elizabeth, but Amy writes to tell me that Lord Leventhal has called on her and her family quite a few times. While he has not officially asked to court her yet, she feels that he might do so in the near future. She also tells me that she believes herself in love!”

“She said much of the same in my letter, and our other friends mentioned it too. Besides that, and some witty observations of our other friends, all she wrote about were the delights of London. Mama will be sad to know that Amy did not impart any information on the latest fashions,” Elizabeth replied. “It seems, according to Diane’s letter, Amy is not the only one on the brink of courtship. Her elder brother—Diane’s, I mean—has strong feelings for Eileen, and it is only a matter of time before he gathers the courage to properly ask Eileen if he may court her.”

“I am so happy for them. They seemed so attracted to each other in Derbyshire, and both Eileen and Diane have written about Mr. Ashley and Eileen’s growing regard,” Jane sighed at this romantic situation. “I found that this was the main topic in both Eileen’s and Diane’s letters.”

“For me as well, although we must interrogate Georgy about her letters,” Elizabeth replied. Kitty just sighed with a dreamy, and slightly jealous, expression on her face. “Those were not the only two couples that I saw in these letters, though.”

“No?”

“I got the feeling that Diane and a certain Mr. Dalton have been dancing together at almost every gathering. Not to mention, they have the tendency to talk to each other at card parties,” Elizabeth replied. She looked to Kitty, almost expecting an outburst to be forthcoming about her wanting to go to London and enjoy frequent parties and balls.

“Now that you mention it, I believe this was mentioned in mine from here, as well.”

“I wish that we were in London so we could talk to them about all of this. Not to mention, we could meet this Mr. Dalton and make sure that he is good enough for our friend.”

“I wish that I was in London and could meet the other three ladies that you have all become so close to in Derbyshire,” Kitty said.

“Do you not wish that you could go to parties and balls and meet rich young gentlemen?” Elizabeth asked, teasingly.

Kitty blushed, and whispered, “well, I do, but there has been a gentleman who has caught my fancy. Not that he would be attracted to me in the least, though.”

“And who is this gentleman?” Elizabeth asked in a light voice.

“Mr. Hitchcock,” Kitty whispered.

“Who did you say?” Jane asked. “I could not hear you.”

“Mr. Hitchcock,” Kitty said once again, this time a bit louder.

“I know him well and know him to be a good, kind sort of gentleman. I believe that you two would do quite well together,” Elizabeth said, half in jest, half in all seriousness. All three took a surreptitious glance behind them at their companion.

“Lizzy, do not tease poor Kitty!” Jane exclaimed.

“You almost sound like Mama, trying to marry me off,” Kitty replied merrily, although what Elizabeth had said really meant a lot to her.

“Not to mention, I saw him looking up at you frequently when he thought no one was looking,” Elizabeth added.

“Really?” Kitty asked.

Elizabeth nodded.

“Look! There are Miss Clancy and Georgiana,” Jane said excitedly.

“And Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth added. By this point, the girls had made their way into Meryton.

“Let me drop off the post and you two can go talk to them. I will meet you in a minute,” Kitty offered.

“Thank you, Kitty,” Jane replied. The eldest two Miss Bennets and Mr. Hitchcock greeted their friends, although Jane paid less attention to Miss Clancy and Georgiana than she did to Mr. Bingley. Kitty joined the group shortly afterwards.

“Do you have any clue where Mr. Darcy went?” Bingley asked.

“I believe that he is at Longbourn,” Jane replied.

“We were just on our way there now, if you wish to accompany us,” Elizabeth suggested.

“What about the Lucases?” Kitty whispered.

“We can talk to them at church tomorrow,” Elizabeth whispered back.

The Farrington party accepted and they were on their way; Bingley and Jane walked in front and Georgiana, Elizabeth, Kitty, Miss Clancy, and Mr. Hitchcock followed in a small group, a bit behind them.

Chapter 22

Posted on 2009-01-25

Christmas dawned and with it, the first day that Lydia would be let out of her room since the Wickham fiasco. There would only be a few days more before she was sent away to her school, but Mr. Bennet had made it quite certain in his youngest's mind that she would behave until then. Hitchcock and Darcy had departed two days before with the rest of the Farrington party, making sure to not mention the business that had taken them to Longbourn so early that morning. Bingley was too kind to ask and Miss Bingley knew that it was unmentionable, and try as she might, Georgiana could not muster up the courage to inquire after it to her brother, so the business was left unknown.

The Bennet household was awake a bit earlier than normal on the fine Christmas morning in preparation as to look the best they could for the service on the day of their savior's birth. Even with this added time, they were still scurrying around at the last minute wailing about the lack of time that they had to get ready; rather, Mrs. Bennet and Lydia were doing so.

Finally the family was off with Mr. Collins and the Gardiners in tow, and not as late as Mrs. Bennet made it seem. Lydia sulked as if she had wanted to stay in her room after all, but making sure she could not be called out for misbehaviour, she followed her father's advice to the letter. This was due to the fact that she would rather not get any deeper into trouble than she already was, not knowing what her punishment would be if she did so. The Gardiners had arrived the day before and their aunt had filled Mrs. Bennet in on Bath's fashions, as they had not been to London for quite a bit of time. The four Gardiner children were still too tired from the amount of traveling that they had been through of late and still had yet to regain their spirits, causing them to not try Mrs. Bennet's nerves as most young children normally do.

Sadly, the beautiful church service flew over Mrs. Bennet's and Lydia's heads as they spent the time appraising the congregation's clothing. Mr. Collins spent his time savouring every word, insipidly nodding along, and pondering what Lady Catherine would have thought of the service. He was surprised that she had let him, nay, encouraged him to be at his fiancée's side this Christmas instead of traveling back to Kent to give the Christmas Service at her church. The four Bennet daughters, the youngest excluded, paid a great deal of attention to the service's touching message, as did their father and the Gardiners. Even the youngest Gardiners behaved commendably. After the service they talked with their fellow neighbours before excusing themselves and heading home for a quiet celebration of this important holiday.

The day after Christmas, which was also the day before Mary's wedding, the eldest four Bennet girls set out to Meryton, Lydia being once again locked in her room. In town they met up with Georgiana and Miss Claire Clancy. After the usual pleasantries, and after a short conversation about the letters that Georgiana had received from their friends in town, the Bennets received a bit of information that they were bound to hear, but had not wished for so soon.

"I am not sure if you have heard, but I was to have left Hertfordshire a week or so ago," Miss Clancy started, fumbling around with her handkerchief. At this, her companions, Georgiana excluded--she had already been through this conversation with Miss Clancy--exclaimed that they were glad that she had stayed, but wished that she would not leave soon.

"I wrote to my family, upon many people's urging, to extend my stay. I am to depart in two days," she finished.

"Please tell me that you are to come to my wedding," Mary said.

"If the rest of my house is, then I shall," was the reply.

"I know that the Bingleys, Hursts, and Darcys are all coming, but I do not know about Mr. Hitchcock, although I am sure that our father extended the invitation," Elizabeth replied.

"Then I shall, if you have enough room for me."

"I am sure that Mama will be fine with adding one more place to her table. We will inform her of it when we arrive back at home," Kitty added.

"We will miss you when you leave, Miss Clancy," Jane truthfully declared.

"I shall miss it here; I have truly enjoyed my time here, especially being able to draw the beautiful scenery, meeting your family and the Lucases. I have enjoyed talking to and getting to know all of you," Claire said, looking down at her hands which continued to fumble with the handkerchief.

With Miss Clancy's declaration, Elizabeth realized something. At the ball at Farrington Park, she and Mr. Lucas had been in company with each other just as much as she and Georgiana were. With a sly smile, Elizabeth replied, "Perhaps you will come back here, I am sure, that not only our family, but a certain somebody will miss you." No one, other than Elizabeth and Claire, could understand the second part of Elizabeth's reply.

"I am sure that he does not think of me in that way, Miss Elizabeth."

"No? Well I have to say that I have never seen him speak to any of the fairer sex as much as you. You sound vaguely like Kitty did a few days ago."

"Well I am sure that my 'certain somebody' does not like me in that sense," Kitty cut in feigning indignation. "Although, I am sure that I do not know who you meant when you hinted about Miss Clancy just now. Can you share with all who you mean?"

"Miss Kitty has a 'certain somebody' as well?" Miss Clancy and Georgiana exclaimed as one.

"Kitty, would you like to say to whom your attentions are fixed?" Elizabeth asked.

"Mr. Hitchcock," Kitty said, this time making sure she was loud enough the first time. After a few moments of light banter, Jane made the same request of Miss Clancy.

"Mr. Lucas," Miss Clancy tentatively said. This declaration caused for a more drawn out conversation on whether or not the gentleman returned the slight affection and compliments on how well they would look together. After collecting what they had come into Meryton for, the six girls headed off to Longbourn, making sure to stop by Lucas Lodge on the way. In the end, they stayed for tea, although Miss Clancy and Mr. Lucas did not contribute much to the discussion; they, for the most part, emulated alarmingly accurately, the behaviour of Kitty and Hitchcock a few days before.

After staying longer than most visitors might, the six ladies parted ways; Georgiana and Miss Clancy returned to Farrington, and the other hurried home to Longbourn.

Mary awoke for the final time a Bennet. Many a lady would be thrilled at the notion that she finally had a household to maintain and a husband to call her own. Those ladies would be thankful for the opportunity of companionship and the knowledge that they would no longer be burdens to their parents. Mary felt all of this, but mainly she could feel the thudding of her heart and a queasy feeling at the pit of her stomach at the knowledge that she would spend the rest of her days pleasing the insufferable Mr. Collins.

This only lasted for a short time, as Mary rolled off her bed and wiped her hands as if to rid herself of these thoughts. She sent a quick prayer up to heaven in repentance for these silly, last minute worries and made her way downstairs to break her fast quickly before her bridegroom came down, because of course, it was ill luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. 'And our marriage will need all the luck it can get,' Mary rationalized. While heading back up the stairs Mary wondered if Wickham had been dealt with and if not, who would watch him during her marriage.

The house was silent and peaceful, the only noise being the occasional creak or scuttle of feet caused by Mary and the servants moving about the household. Reaching her room, Mary called for the maid to attend her toilette and assist with her preparations to wed the undeserving Mr. Collins.

Not a minute after the maid arrived, Elizabeth popped her head into the doorway. "I thought that I heard you awaken," she declared, Elizabeth moved into the room to settle down on the bed. "Kitty, I believe, will awaken any time now; I left her sleeping."

"I hope that I did not awaken you."

"Oh, no, no," Elizabeth flicked her hand as if she was trying to shoo the idea away. "Do not worry about that. I normally rise at this hour. I wished to spend your final hours as one of the Bennet sisters with you," Elizabeth said, then added meekly, "If you do not mind."

Mary smiled brightly, replying, "No, I do not mind in the least. But do remember, I will still be your sister and one of the Bennet's five daughters."

"Yes, but your marriage brings you another title, one that will be thought of as often as it's previous. You shall be considered Mr. Collin's wife." At this notion, Mary sighed. This train of thought was cut off when both Kitty and Jane arrived in the room, bearing breakfast foods.

"We decided that if we shall be cooped up in this room preparing for the wedding, we might as well have edibles," Kitty offered, holding out a muffin. The girls shared the next few hours with each other, giggles, and delicious food. All were sad when Mrs. Bennet finally arrived on scene instructing them to do this and that, all in a state of frenzy.

After calming down their mother six times, repositioning Mary's veil eight - almost nine - times, and changing Jane's hair two times, the females of the Bennet family were finally packed into the carriage and on their way to the church. Lydia sat staring above the head of the person across from her, arms folded, grumpily. She had harbored a secret hope to be the first of her sisters to marry. That combined with all that had happened to her as of late caused the youngest to be in a mood far from happy on the morning of the joyous event. Mary had asked her elder two sisters to be the maids of honour and both had accepted. In truth, she had asked all but her youngest sister to be her maids of honour, but as Jane pointed out, it would be considered a snub towards Lydia.

Before Mary and her wedding ensemble entered the church, Mary pulled aside Jane and Elizabeth. "Will you come and visit me in Hunsford at Easter time? I shall ask Kitty as well during the wedding breakfast, but I want you to at least assure me that you will visit. Papa is coming for a day; I figured that you could travel with him, but stay for a longer period."

"I would love to come," Jane exclaimed softly.

"As would I," Elizabeth assured her sister. "As would Kitty, I belive."

"Thank you," Mary said, tears misting over her eyes. She shook her head and moved back to the entrance, offering her arm out to her father who stood waiting to give her away. The group entered to the sound of the music playing and all saw, unmistakably, a grinning Mr. Collins. They made their way down the aisle, stepping slowly in time. When they reached the altar, the family's clergyman began the ceremony. Mary did not pay much attention to the words being spoken; only keeping one ear perked when the minister said her name. She stood peacefully, giving Jane competition in the serene looks contest, waiting for her fate to be sealed. She could hear both Collins and her saying their vows and their "I do's" but they were all distant.

She could not remember much of the ceremony, but many people congratulated her at the breakfast afterwards for such a beautiful wedding, such an elegant gown, and for looking so lovely. One even ventured to say that love made her glow. After that point, Mary was not so sure if the wedding had been, in fact, beautiful, the gown elegant, and if she actually did look lovely.

Many times throughout the wedding breakfast--a lavish affair, but how could it not considering the fact that Mrs. Bennet had planned it--Mary would look up and see Mr. Collins's leering face and have to remind herself that they were in fact married. All too soon, in Mary's opinion--Mr. Collins's opinion was a completely different matter--the newlyweds were packed into a carriage and cheered and waved off to their long journey, fifty miles, to Kent.