By the time they arrived at Netherfield, Elizabeth was weary from their journey. Traveling months ago to Brambling Hall to live with the Bingleys had not seemed as arduous as the return trip to Hertfordshire and she thought it must be the excitement she felt at that time.
“Shall we send word to Longbourn of our arrival?” Jane asked Bingley as he helped her from the carriage.
Charles Bingley nodded and instructed the footman to send word once they were unpacked and settled.
Elizabeth stepped down from the carriage, happy to be free of the conveyance at last. Netherfield was as lovely she remembered and she left her family to walk about the garden. Jane laughed and entered Netherfield with Charles. “She is happy to be home, I believe, or perhaps only to be free of the carriage at last.”
Elizabeth wandered away from Netherfield after only half an hour in the gardens and retraced her favorite paths before finding herself in the lane outside Longbourn.
She would share the news of her life at Brambling Hall, save perhaps her tumble into the lake at Pemberley and her friendship with Lady Anne, and sit with her father in the study. Her sisters would demand to know of each and every room of Jane’s new home.
She opened the front door of Longbourn quietly and listened. Lydia and Kitty were arguing upstairs and the effort of Mary’s hands upon the pianoforte drifted from the parlor. Mrs. Bennet and Hill stood at the parlor door surprised by the sight of Elizabeth.
“Why Lizzy, you’ve come home. Where is Jane?”
Elizabeth stepped inside and closed the door. “She is at Netherfield as we only arrived an hour ago, mother. A footman should arrive soon with the news. I suppose I could have saved him the trouble though I only intended to stretch my legs in the gardens of Netherfield.”
Mrs. Bennet took her hand and led her to her father’s study. “Mr. Bennet was hopeful you would arrive today. We have happy news for you Lizzy. You shall save Longbourn for us all!”
Elizabeth’s brow creased at her mother’s words and she entered her father’s study without knocking.
Mr. Bennet rose from his chair and hurried to embrace his favorite daughter. Mrs. Bennet sighed and left them to their conversation. She would have liked to stay, but Mr. Bennet had given strict instructions he would be the one to tell Lizzy of her cousin’s offer for her hand.
Elizabeth wandered the room to be certain all was the same as before. There were books scattered about her father’s desk and his favorite port sat in its decanter at hand. The window that looked out onto the garden still allowed the sun to stream through filtered by the branches of the old tree.
How many times had she sat there in the old tree reading? She could not recall, for there had been many through the years. Her father motioned for her to sit and poured himself a small portion of port.
“Lizzy, how I have missed your conversation and company. The ladies of Longbourn have tried my patience and my study was breached by your dreadful cousin, Mr. Collins, for weeks.”
Elizabeth wondered at this news. “Why would he come to Longbourn, father? Is he not busy with his own concerns? I cannot think he was heartily welcomed here nor missed when he left.”
Mr. Bennet shook his head. “I would be surprised were he missed by anyone, Lizzy, save Mary that is. She seemed to be taken with his readings and endless speeches. Would be a wonderful thing had he asked for her hand.”
Elizabeth laughed at her father’s words. He and mother likely hoped for Mary to be promised to the man because of the entailment on Longbourn. “Would he choose a wife from amongst my sisters? He ought to do so in order to ease mother’s mind. I cannot imagine she was pleased to have him visit any more than you were.”
Mr. Bennet sipped his port and glanced away. Elizabeth read his actions as easily as she always had.
“What news is there, father? Your letter was clear regarding your wish for me to return home.”
Mr. Bennet stood and crossed the room to close the door of his study. The rustle of skirts and sound of feet moving away irritated him. “Mr. Collins refused our suggestion of Mary for his bride. It seems he has chosen you, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth blinked in confusion. Her father’s words echoed in her ears and she shook her head. “I am sorry, father, did you say Mr. Collins believes I shall be his wife?”
Mr. Bennet leaned heavily upon the closed door of his study and removed his spectacles. “Indeed Lizzy, that is his request. His patroness encouraged him to choose a wife from amongst my daughters and he was certain in his selection.”
Elizabeth sat with her hands limp in her lap. How could this be? She had never met the man, only heard stories of him from her father regarding the entailment upon Longbourn and of course the strong declarations of dislike from her mother. “Are you in agreement father? Mother has said I am to save Longbourn.”
Mr. Bennet sighed deeply and stared lovingly at his Lizzy. “I tried time and again to persuade him of Mary’s quiet and humble nature but the man would not listen, even when your mother did the same. He is under the thumb of his patroness and she would be scandalized were he to marry one of the younger girls while you remain unmarried. And he found your portrait a sight lovelier than even Jane.”
Elizabeth rose from her seat and paced about the study. “I cannot marry him father, of course you know this.”
Mr. Bennet came to stand beside her and took her hand. “It is not my wish that you marry the man. But with the entailment, I have little say in the matter. Your mother has decided your fate as is her right with her future and that of your sisters in the balance. I cannot stand against her as much as it pains me to think of you married to the man.”
Elizabeth dropped her father’s hand and hurried to the door of his study. Her mother and sisters were standing in the hallway and she pushed through them, her aim the front door of Longbourn.
Mrs. Bennet ran after her and caught hold of her arm at the end of the hallway. “What is this? You will marry Mr. Collins and save us all from the hedgerows Elizabeth Bennet!”
Lizzy twisted her arm in an effort to free herself from her mother’s grasp and fell to the floor. Tears stained her face as Mrs. Bennet stood over her.
“I will not marry him! I would rather live in the hedgerows for the rest of my life than marry a man I do not love!”
Kitty and Lydia stood beside Mrs. Bennet, their eyes as round as saucers at the sight of Elizabeth upon the floor. Mary hurried from the scene, her own tears flowing freely.
Mr. Bennet helped Elizabeth from the floor and sent Lydia and Kitty to their rooms. “Let us go into the parlor and discuss this with patience, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth refused and turned on her heel. She opened the front door and glanced over her shoulder to her parents. “I shall never marry him, never.”
Mrs. Bennet advanced upon her and Elizabeth stepped outside. “You may never return home as long as you continue your foolish behavior, Elizabeth Bennet. You alone have the means to save Longbourn for your family and you throw it away as a child in a fit of temper.”
Mrs. Bennet slammed the door and Elizabeth trembled as the weight of her mother’s words fell upon her heart.
She could not defend herself nor tell them of her love for Mr. Darcy. She hurried across the fields to seek her sister’s comfort. Jane would not want her to marry their cousin, she was certain.
Elizabeth wished they had remained at Brambling Hall. Had her father’s letter made mention of the match with Mr. Collins she would have torn it to pieces.
How was she expected to be the salvation of her family home by means of a forced marriage to a man she had never met? Her mother’s acceptance of the man’s scheme did not surprise her, but her father’s actions pierced her heart.
He knew her better than anyone, save Jane, and admitted he did not wish for her to marry the man. Yet, he would do nothing to save her from it, that much was clear.
She swiped at her tears and became angrier with each step toward Netherfield. It was not fair nor would she consider such a life for herself.
Mr. Darcy loved her, she suspected, and would seek her hand when he and Lady Anne came to Netherfield. Bingley would give his blessing and her father and mother would have nothing to say about it since she was no longer welcome at Longbourn.
Elizabeth hurried inside Netherfield and sought the company of her sister. She would pour out her heart to Jane and await the Darcy’s arrival to Netherfield.
Jane sat in the parlor, her complexion gone pale. Elizabeth hurried to her side, her worries for her own situation disappearing at the sight of her sister in distress. “Jane, are you well? Shall I send for Charles?”
Jane dabbed at her brow with her handkerchief and breathed deeply. “I am fine Lizzy; it must be all the traveling. Sit and I’ll send for tea.”
Elizabeth sat across from Jane, her eyes fixed on her dear sister’s face. She did not think for a moment Jane was tired from their journey, for they had stopped often and truly the trip had been an easy one.
After tea arrived and Jane’s color improved, Lizzy’s face fell at the recollection of her visit to Longbourn.
“Did you enjoy your walk?” Jane asked.
It was Lizzy’s turn to inspire sisterly concern and Jane hurried to her side as her tears began. “My dear, what could have happened to upset you so?”
Lizzy took her own handkerchief from her skirt pocket and lowered her head. “If only I had remained in the gardens, Jane, I suppose I might have saved myself a day’s grief. Father and Mother have declared that I must marry our cousin, Mr. Collins.” Lizzy sobbed as Jane embraced her.
“How can that be? You have not so much as met the man. He is a parson, is he not? I would think Mary would have suited him with her quiet manner.”
Elizabeth shook her head, her tears slowing as she spoke. “Father said the man refused to consider Mary on the explanation it would be scandalous for her to marry before me. And he believes I am the fairest Bennet sister.”
Jane sought to ease Elizabeth’s mind. “Perhaps they will reconsider. Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne might speak on your behalf. I cannot imagine Mr. Darcy would see you married to someone else did he know of it.”
Elizabeth twisted the handkerchief in her hands. She knew Jane spoke the truth, but she could not impose upon the Darcys to help her while they were in London. Lady Anne had finally gotten free of Pemberley and her grief was certainly eased by the presence of her family. She did not wish to lay her troubles at the Mistress of Pemberley’s feet.
“Mother has told me I must not return to Longbourn if I continue to refuse Mr. Collins and I would not wish to burden Lady Anne with the matter. She has spent many a dark day and night grieving and her time now is to be spent amongst those who would help ease her pain. Besides, I will not marry our cousin. What might he do about it?”
Lady Anne sat before her desk at Darcy House and wrote to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. As pleased as she was to be in London with her son and the Matlocks, she found herself wishing for the young woman’s company. She finished her letter and left it to dry as the sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Mr. Darcy entered the room and crossed the distance between them. “I must be out all day, mother. Perhaps we should dine with cousin Richard and his family this evening?”
Lady Anne took his hand and nodded. “I sent our acceptance by the footman earlier, for I knew you would agree.”
She turned to her desk and folded the letter. “I must have this letter to Miss Bennet posted today. I hope it finds her well and happy with her situation. I daresay her father is pleased to have her company again.”
Mr. Darcy smiled at his mother’s words. She longed for Elizabeth’s presence almost as much as he. “I imagine all is well, though I am pleased you have written to her. I hope you included my regards.”
Lady Anne stood and walked to the entry of Darcy House with her son. She handed her letter to the butler and placed a light kiss upon her son’s cheek before he left for the day.
She asked for their carriage to be brought around. She wished to stroll the shopping district and gather gifts for Jane and Elizabeth to put in her trunks for their visit to Netherfield.
Elizabeth read for several days, keeping to her room and remaining silent during meals before venturing outside once more on her routine paths. She worried at her sister’s pale complexion more than once during her sulk brought on by the disastrous return to Longbourn. Jane seemed ill at times and yet perfectly well at others.
Elizabeth came upon her in the parlor during a distressing spell and demanded the apothecary, Mr. Jones, come to Netherfield Park.
“Lizzy, tis nothing of concern. I believe I am increasing and it makes me quite ill throughout the day.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened and she sat gently beside her sister. “I could have the maid bring peppermint tea to provide relief. Aunt Madeline uses it faithfully.”
Jane nodded and Elizabeth stepped away to find a maid.
Charles Bingley entered the parlor then, his eye upon his wife. He was aware of her condition, though he would not mention it until she began the conversation. He was quite pleased if she was indeed increasing and found it more difficult each day to pretend he did not know.
Jane took his hand as he sat beside her and smiled weakly. Elizabeth returned with the maid and poured Jane’s cup herself. She nodded at Charles and watched Jane sip her tea. After the first cup, Jane relaxed and her color improved.
“The maid recommends two cups a day unless your symptoms worsen. She will have several pots ready for you if you require them.”
Charles turned to Elizabeth and smiled in his amiable manner. “What has the maid said regarding Mrs. Bingley’s health?”
Elizabeth glanced to Jane and lowered her lashes. “I believe that is a conversation best held between the two of you.” She left the parlor quickly and went through the French doors of the ballroom to stand upon the terrace.
The sun and fresh air revived her spirits and Elizabeth determined she would walk about the gardens and not set foot towards Longbourn. They had received but one letter from her father and Elizabeth refused to read it. Jane made her sit in the parlor and listen as she read and Elizabeth regretted it still.
He wished for her to come home and secure Longbourn for her mother and sisters. Jane had repeated the pleas that made up three of the four pages and sat with Elizabeth as she sobbed once more at her father’s refusal to turn her cousin away. The most alarming part was the news of her cousin’s return to Longbourn within the month.
Jane wished to throw the ball they spoke of before their return to Brambling Hall and Elizabeth found she did not care one bit for such a trivial event though it would be a benefit to her sisters, perhaps. An aid to her parents in their pursuit to have the younger girls matched as soon as they might.
Elizabeth thought of it with great anger and swore she would not help Jane in such a task. But she knew she would, for Jane was ill, not in a horrible way, but enough that it tore at Elizabeth’s heart to see her suffer so.
So it was, in the coming days, the sisters planned the summer ball for their family. Jane hoped the event might serve to mend the rift between Elizabeth and their parents or at least find the younger girls well matched.
She told Mr. Bingley of their coming babe the afternoon Elizabeth left them in the parlor. Charles was the happiest she had seen him and with his constant attention, and the peppermint tea supplied by the maid, Jane found herself well once more.
She and Elizabeth were in the ballroom the day of the ball, placing flowers and making certain all was ready. Jane commanded the footmen to place tables and chairs upon the terrace as she wished to keep the doors open during the dance. It was warm enough to have the ball without the great fireplace being pressed into service and so she and Elizabeth filled the large space with lovely bouquets and stands of flowers from the gardens and the surrounding woods.
Cook bustled upstairs and down again to be certain all was as Jane had ordered. The house fairly hummed with the work of many hands. Elizabeth paused and stepped onto the terrace, taking the letter from Lady Anne Darcy from her pocket. She had told no one of its arrival and wished to be alone so that she might read it.
Jane’s sweet voice drifted through the doors as she continued her efforts in the ballroom with the servants, guiding them here and there to be sure the room was impeccably styled.
As Elizabeth carefully opened the finely milled paper, the scent of Lady Anne’s soft perfume surrounded her in the shade of the terrace. It was as if the great woman was there beside her. She swiped at a wayward tear and read the missive slowly, savoring each word.
She and Mr. Darcy were happy in London, surrounded by family and comforted by the time spent together at Darcy House. The next lines pierced Elizabeth’s heart and she pressed the letter to her chest.
“William is attentive, as always, but something is missing from our lives. I knew the moment we arrived you ought to have accompanied us. I do hope this thought does not surprise you, Miss Bennet. You have become a favorite friend of myself and my son. Soon we shall have to leave Town or perish in our own sadness at your absence.”