First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) (21 page)

The ladies’ mouths fell agape in a most unbecoming fashion. Fortunately, Mr. Darcy was far too perturbed to notice.

“
I cannot understand what possessed her to do such a thing. If nothing else can be said of Caroline Bingley, she has always been status conscious. And now she has put me in the untenable position of marrying the greatest scoundrel it has been my misfortune to know into my very own family!”

Elizabeth’s face betrayed an insuppressible grin which lit her countenance to great advantage, catching the attention of her agitated gentleman.

“
Is there something in this to amuse you madame?” he asked in exasperation.

“
Yes indeed, Mr. Darcy, there is,” Elizabeth giggled. He frowned and she hurried to elaborate. “Based on the mad manner in which you are behaving, I feared your aunt had certainly declared herself decidedly against our marriage and had ordered you to bring a halt to the proceedings immediately! Yet instead of such horrible tidings, I receive the pleasure of your referring to our not yet mutual relations as your family.” Again she laughed, “Never before have I felt more assured of your devotion, sir! If the idea of Wickham as a relation has not caused you to flea Hertfordshire, Lady Catherine’s mere disapproval can prove no obstacle to our happiness.”

Darcy paused in his paces before breaking into a tentative smile. Elizabeth always rendered his worries trivial. He should remember in the future not to trouble her with such brooding antics as he had been accustomed to indulge. “Lady Catherine departed Netherfield this morning with every intention of being a wedding guest at Pemberley.” They beamed at each other in mutual congratulations for their triumph, but Darcy could not forget Wickham.

“
What of Georgiana?” he asked, stepping closer and whispering to her, for once completely unconcerned with the poor manners he was displaying. “How will she handle having to interact with him?” Fortunately Miss Lucas did not feel slighted.

“
He shall be a married man, remember? I am sure we can trust his bride to find the means with which to keep him in line.”

They smiled in recognition of the formidable wife Miss Bingley would make and Elizabeth deemed it time to bring Charlotte back into the conversation, “It seems we shall have a companion on our walk, which is most fortuitous, as he has just confirmed what I wished to tell you. As you have just heard, all my fears were for naught. Lady Catherine proved a delightful, if commanding lady – all that Mr. Collins claimed her to be. Her graciousness went so far as to approve of me for her illustrious nephew. Can we not be thankful for such affable condescension?”

Charlotte laughed, “Surely one lady could not have torn you two asunder! I have sensed something unique between you from your first dance at the Meryton assembly, long before either of you acknowledged an attachment!”

“
You take too much credit Charlotte! Surely you do not wish to deprive my mother of the honor of having first predicted the match?”

“
I would indeed, Eliza. I knew you were meant for each other when I first heard that Mr. Darcy had pronounced Jane the only handsome woman in the room immediately before laying eyes on you! Such contrariness is bound to be thwarted.”

The ladies laughed but Mr. Darcy looked embarrassed. “Doubtlessly I was not so very misguided!” he cried. “No, I assure you Miss Lucas, I knew that I had a very special dance partner that night.”

Elizabeth blushed and it was Darcy’s turn to laugh. The three made their way merrily back to Longbourn, Mr. Wickham and Miss Bingley temporarily behind them.

That evening, when the families gathered for dinner, it was inevitable that Miss Bingley’s absence receive comment. As discretely as possible, Mr. Bingley made known to Mr. Bennet the day’s events. The older man’s eyes grew wide as he listened to the recital. Quickly he glanced towards Darcy and Elizabeth, hoping to ascertain if this recent development had created a rift between the two. Seeing them as enrapt with each other as ever, he was able to respond, “Let me congratulate you then, sir, on your acquirement of what I understand to be a most dashing new brother.”

“
Dashing perhaps. I only hope, in his quest to cut a good figure, he doesn’t bleed Caroline dry.”

“
Your sister seems to me a strong woman. Surely she can hold her own against him.”

“
I hope you are correct sir.”

Of course, despite the quiet tone of this exchange, news of the elopement soon swarmed through the halls of Longbourn, much to Mrs. Hurst’s dismay.

“
Oh Mr. Bingley,” Kitty cried when she heard. “It is our fault! We completely forgot to say something!”

“
What do you mean Kitty,” Mr. Bennet demanded. “Please speak clearly.”

“
When we were shopping in Meryton last week – you remember, do you not Lydia? We saw Miss Bingley escorted by Mr. Wickham on the way into town. They were speaking in a manner that can only be described as intimate.”

“
Indeed I do remember,” concurred Lydia with more enthusiasm than was appropriate, considering the circumstances. “We were so full of shopping that I had entirely forgotten the incident. They did indeed seem to be on quite confidential terms.”

“
If we had told you what we had seen,” Kitty admitted sadly to Mr. Bingley, “you would perhaps have been able to stop them.”

“
Not so, Miss Kitty,” he said in the same soothing voice he had employed with Mrs. Hurst that morning. “I can assure you that it would not have made a bit of difference. Do not blame yourself. Not much can dissuade Caroline once she has set her mind on something. If this is what she wanted, she would have found a way.”

“
Mr. Bingley is quite right girls,” said Mrs. Bennet, who had much more interesting things to discuss than a marriage that did not involve one of her own daughters. She proceeded to orate on the topics in which she was concerned attended by only Mrs. Phillips, who was more than happy to listen once again to all the details of Elizabeth’s good fortune, the upcoming ball at Netherfield, and the wedding plans, content that she had heard quite enough of Miss Bingley’s exploits to be the first one to share the news with her neighbors in the morning. What a disappointment that the servants managed to spread the word first!

Chapter 23

The following Sunday Mr. Darcy relocated his place of residence from Netherfield to Longbourn. He was not happy to make the move, despite the unprecedented access to Elizabeth it would allow him, but the idea of being at Netherfield when the newlyweds arrived was by far the more abhorrent option. The elopement was the talk of the town, many an inhabitant of Meryton being happy that the haughty Miss Bingley was the subject of scandal. Mrs. Long took great satisfaction in assuring all who would listen that, Mr. Wickham being a thorough cad, his bride would surely learn to regret such an unfortunate union. Though good wishes such as these abounded in the neighborhood, they did nothing to hinder anticipation for the upcoming ball and following nuptials. Not an invitation for the former was declined; cautiously worded replies were addressed to a woman whom the draftees knew was not currently to be found at home. Mrs. Hurst dutifully opened her sister’s mail and assumed command of all the arrangements, despite her ardent desire to flee to London.

Longbourn, particularly by Darcy’s standards, was not a large home. Sometimes he wondered if even Pemberley would be large enough to comfortably hold the entire Bennet family. As it was, the noise was sometimes so deafening that Darcy could only compare it to residing in an overflowing inn. The behavior of the family had greatly improved over the months he had known them but that did nothing to alter the fact that they were, by nature, a high spirited clan. Mr. Darcy was often to be found in the library with Mr. Bennet, for whom he had developed an extraordinary sympathy, where the two men read in companionable silence. Though they spoke little, they nevertheless developed a lasting bond in this manner, as is sometimes the way with men. Yet when the time came for Mr. Collins to return to his dear Mary’s side, Mr. Darcy readily seized the opportunity to vacate the premises for London, professing the need to collect Georgiana.

Through a series of long and emotional letters, the brother and sister had decided on two things: the first, that it only made sense for Elizabeth and Georgiana to have the opportunity to establish a relationship with each other before marriage made them sisters and, secondly, that George Wickham and his new bride would have to be confronted at some point and it would be better if it did not occur in the middle of the double wedding, to which he and his bride were invited. Also invited to this auspicious event as well as the ball at Netherfield – having gained her brother’s permission to attend, as long as she only stood up with either himself or Mr. Bingley – Georgiana had a multitude of incentives to overcome her anxiety at meeting him. A reminder to herself that she was, after all, Miss Darcy of Pemberley and should not shirk from the likes of George Wickham helped to stiffen her spine. But her concerns were not just for her own discomfort. Georgiana, in her unaffected sweetness, could not help but be concerned for the fate of the former Miss Bingley, who had always been unfalteringly kind to her. What would that lady’s life be like in the hands of such a man?

So it was that early on the morning of Monday, the 16th of December, Mr. Darcy departed for London, stopping in Meryton on his way to secure the best rooms the town had to offer for himself and Georgiana to occupy upon his return. He conveniently missed Mr. Collins’ arrival by two hours.

Darcy had not stepped a foot inside Netherfield’s grounds for an entire week but this did not hinder the friends from meeting daily at Longbourn. Mr. Bingley brought news of the events occurring at the neighboring property while Mrs. Bennet hung on his every word, despite the fact that she usually had already heard it all from Mrs. Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Wickham had returned to Hertfordshire Friday past. On Sunday they made their appearance at church, looking very smug and self-satisfied. Darcy managed to avoid them on this occasion by quickly exiting the building as soon as the service was completed and returning on foot to Longbourn – an exceedingly pleasant exploit as Elizabeth had darted from the church with him. The Wickhams planned to remain at Netherfield until after the wedding, when they would remove to London to spend the season with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. Wickham had resigned his commission, so lately purchased, and was enjoying spending his new wife’s money on properly fitting out his rapidly changing wardrobe. Caroline was very pleased with the figure they cut together and looked greedily forward to hearing her new name announced at all of the year’s most elegant balls, where she would relish each instant of her bridal status. The newlyweds seemed to have every intention of becoming permanent fixtures in the Hurst’s town home. Louisa was annoyed by their presumption but, as Mr. Hurst looked forward to introducing his dashing new brother at his club, there was little she could do about it.

Georgiana entered Meryton for the first time a week after her brother’s departure. They registered at the inn, inspected their room, and left instructions for their belongings before hurrying back into the coach and proceeding to Longbourn. The siblings were giddy in their excitement: Darcy’s all pure joy and Georgiana’s tinged with nervous anticipation. To him the short ride was interminable but to her it seemed over in an instant. As they approached the house it was in even greater chaos than usual. An elegant coach was being unloaded before the door and all the residents of Longbourn had poured onto the lawn to greet their guests. Georgiana surveyed the many ladies composing the scene before her and wondered which could possibly be Elizabeth. Her eyes were instantly drawn to a statuesque beauty who had spotted the carriage and held one graceful arm aloft, pointing out her find, and looking to an awed Georgiana like every inch a Greek goddess. Suddenly her gaze was grasped by another figure emerging from behind the first, surveying the drive, and bursting into a gleeful gallop as she rushed towards them. Georgiana just had time to smile broadly before her brother stopped the carriage, leaped from the door, and hurried forward to greet Elizabeth.

As they neared each other both slowed to a more dignified pace, suddenly conscious of the many spectators to their unusual behavior. Elizabeth blushed but Darcy could only laugh in contentment, “It is an immeasurable pleasure to see you again Miss Elizabeth.” He took her hand and kissed it.

“
The pleasure is all mine, sir. I have missed you terribly.” Happily they soaked in each other’s longed for presence before remembering themselves. They proceeded to the carriage so that Mr. Darcy could help his sister alight and introduce her to her new relations.

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“
My dear Georgiana, it is my honor to present Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Miss Elizabeth, my sister Georgiana Darcy,” he said proudly.

Georgiana was horrified to feel shyness overwhelm her. After all her happy anticipation of this moment, she only managing to squeak out a meek acknowledgment in response to Elizabeth’s warm greeting. Too late she wished she had lingered at the inn and rested rather than having rushed forward into the unknown. But Elizabeth read the girl’s discomfort, just as she had her brother’s when they first met, and smoothed the path ahead. Mr. Bennet also played a part in acclimating Miss Darcy to Longbourn, keeping the remainder of the family from rushing upon the frightened girl by herding them all into the house. His favorite daughter would have all the time she required to perform her magic.