Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) (19 page)

“You are right, for nothing is to be gained sinking beneath that over which we can have no effect. We do much better to marvel at Kitty’s good fortune. That is unless …” her voice trailed off.

“What is it?”

She looked at him with wide eyes. “Unless Kitty was right all along, and marriage to Sir James proves a most disagreeable affair.”

“Elizabeth!” he cried incredulously. “You must be in jest?”

“Oh yes! Most assuredly,” she replied with a smile.

“If Sir James does lead her into rocky waters now and again, we must depend upon Kitty to weather them like the best of sailors. I think that is where she particularly is suited to him. She has natural sea legs!”

Elizabeth laughed. “If not, she had best develop them soon. Why all the nautical reference?”

“Sir James spoke of Greece as a honeymoon, and his talk has gotten into my head, quite as usual,” he confessed. “I must say I do not like it, and I sincerely hope he does not expect me to extricate them from any difficulties they might find themselves in, Turkish loyalties being known to shift about!”

“I doubt he would burden you so,” said Elizabeth coyly. “That is, of course, unless Mr. Brooks and Georgiana have already failed in a first attempt at rescue.”

Darcy’s posture shot to attention. “I will have to convince him to travel someplace safer,” he mumbled in alarm. “Do you think he could be content with Ireland?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” replied Elizabeth. “Do you know of any ancient Irish philosophers they might admire?”

He considered this seriously.

--

Elizabeth had sent a letter to Valeside before leaving town, letting her sister know she would be at her side whenever wanted; she need only ask. It was at this time that she received her reply, and it was not one to give much satisfaction:

My dear Elizabeth,

How I do appreciate your sweet overtures, but you must not trouble yourself to travel all this way. You have obligations to Miss Darcy and Kitty that must come first. I will be quite well, I assure you. I already am much improved and only troubled by some inevitable sadness, but such is to be expected. I will recover in time. Besides, how can you think of taxing yourself so as to travel here in haste? You must take care of your health, my dear Lizzy, and do no such thing. The new guest rooms are not yet ready, and I am afraid our arrival has rather impeded the workers progress. Charles thought that our presence would be motivating, but I am afraid he was mistaken.

You see I am all household cares, just as I should be upon homecoming. I will write more when stronger.

Yrs,

JB

She shared the letter with Mr. Darcy. “Do you think she does not want me there for some reason? I am very tempted to ignore her protestations and journey forth instantly, for she seems not at all herself, and her hand is quite weak.”

He shook his head. “Have you considered, my dear, that you might be the most difficult person for her to see right now?”

Her expression indicated that she had, and it was a cause of some distress. “Oh dear! Have I been insensitive? She might have feared I would take the house by storm, the way I wrote to her: declaring my determination to be by her side.” Tears welled in her eyes, “How terrible that I would only remind her of her loss!” Turning towards Darcy, she allowed herself to be folded into his arms, where she cried a great deal more. Finally composing herself, she apologized for her heightened emotions. “Everything seems to make me cry,” she complained. “I know it to be a common symptom of my condition, but it does leave me feeling so very unlike myself.”

“This is a hard time,” he consoled. “Your tears are understandable.”

She shook her head. “You do not know how very bad it has gotten! Last evening, when Mr. Collins spoke of his paternity, it was all I could do not to seek solace in my handkerchief, but my father would never have let me live such sentiments down, had I betrayed them!”

He laughed. “You should not make such confessions! I could be honor bound, as a son, to share with him your weakness. He would never forgive me were I to deny him the pleasure of such knowledge!”

“Fitzwilliam!” she scolded. “You shall do no such thing!”

“I suppose a wife’s confidence does rank above a father’s entertainment,” he acknowledged with a sigh. “I must hold me tongue.”

“Do not forget it,” she warned, and they proceeded with good humor to join the rest of the party now assembling for a walk to the Parsonage, where Mrs. Collins expected them for tea.

--

The next few days passed by in happy contentment. Any tinge of sadness only served to heighten appreciation for the current enjoyment, and when talk of engagements grew thin, Master Bennet-Collins was always on hand to enliven the company. Mr. Brooks’ arrival rendered the party most complete, and Lady Catherine boasted of their perfect number at table and cards, just as if she had so arranged it, and advocated fervently for a quadrille tournament, teams to be chosen by herself. It was with great relief that Kitty escaped such a fate, Miss de Bourgh firmly insisting upon her preference for Casino.

Sir James got to know the Collinses excessively well, quickly succeeding to a favored status in the young Master’s heart; and when the baronet was so seen to accept that family’s peculiarities in stride, Mr. Bennet was heard to remark that having thrown at him all their most trying relations, it was impossible Kitty should ever again doubt the steadfast nature of his attachment. It was the evening before the party was to break up and all guests return to London that Sir James was confronted with one last test of character. They were all peacefully enjoying their meal when a harried Mrs. Bennet burst into the room, brushing aside the scandalized butler. Her eyes swooped over the guests, quickly taking in the presence of both Sir James and her husband, the latter of whom she accosted with fevered anxiety.

“Mr. Bennet!” she demanded. “What is this I hear of Kitty rejecting Sir James? I have had the entire account from Mrs. Westingham and set forth immediately. Kitty!” she cried, turning on her daughter. “You must marry Sir James! I insist! If you do not, I never shall speak with you again!”

Though the couple was truly in love, not a person seated at that table did not consider whether Kitty should take her mother up on such a priceless offer.

--

To someone of your insight, Miss Austen, the future from here is transparently clear. As you said yourself: “Who can be in doubt of what followed?” But as you felt the need to provide some further explanation, so do I feel such an obligation to my gentle readers. The Darcys returned to London at their appointed time, of course bringing Mr. Brooks and Sir James in their wake, but also finding room in their carriage for Mrs. Bennet, who refused to be parted from her dear Lizzy, that poor sufferer being unable to hide her condition from her mother. It was to the great relief of both Mr. and Mrs. Darcy that the good lady was easily persuaded to spend the bulk of her time in purchasing wedding clothes for her daughters, the bills for which extravagance Mr. Darcy happily paid. In their private moments, both Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth could acknowledge their relief that no one had informed Mrs. Bennet of her eldest daughter’s trials. Keeping their mother’s attention from Valeside was a real service they could provide the Bingleys, and at a time where they felt so helpless to assist, it was a welcome burden.

Mr. Bennet journeyed from Rosings directly to Barsington, where he made the pleasure of Miss Beaumont’s acquaintance. That lady, upon gratefully learning from the helpful Mr. Wickham of her brother’s current whereabouts, had immediately set forth to Somerset in order to lend the young couple countenance. Mrs. Westingham, instantly perceiving that the circumstances looked far less odd with Eustacia present, welcomed her to stay indefinitely. Upon Mr. Bennet’s arrival, the four members of the present party had quite settled in for a prolonged visit, Mrs. Westingham being fond of her little entourage, and the young people enjoying her liberal chaperonage. Lydia no longer seemed in any rush to beat her sister to the altar, but upon learning from her father that her mother was content to buy wedding clothes on her behalf, she allowed herself to be removed to London. The Beaumonts soon followed, having collected their mother, much against her will, from Freningham, and soon Lydia and Mr. Beaumont were married. Many a disgruntled matron complained that they knew not what to do with their still single daughters if eligible gentlemen would insist on robbing the schoolroom for their brides, but they found solace in the firm fact that there were no more single Bennets still available, ready to disrupt yet another season’s marriage prospects. Though occasional rumor spoke of three or four more in the schoolroom, no one who had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Bennet that year would allow such falsehood to go unchallenged, for the lady’s pride in having so satisfactorily ridden herself of daughters was unforgettable. Some might pity her sons-in-law such a mother, no matter how charming their brides, but never did one of them complain publicly of her enthusiasm, and all learned to appreciate her great solicitude, even when overbearing, for she could always be counted upon when needed.

Two months following the wedding of Lydia Bennet to Hugh Beaumont, the families traveled to Cornwall for the far quieter double wedding in Tegginton’s chapel. All who attended acknowledged what a fitting manner it was for four such comrades to start their lives together, in the very place where the two gentlemen’s began. Mr. Darcy succeeded in convincing Sir James to honeymoon in Ireland, having kindled in Kitty a passion for Celtic lore, and Simon and Georgiana happily agreed to accompany them. The Darcys, Bennets, and Beaumonts saw the happy couples off before returning to their own homes. Elizabeth would remain at Pemberley throughout her confinement. Miss Lucas had agreed to a prolonged visit, her company and assistance being claimed as invaluable, while Mrs. Gardiner promised to attend her niece’s confinement, Mrs. Bennet having been claimed by Lydia as indispensable in ordering her new household, much to Miss Beaumont’s dismay.

There is little left to be said. I will not claim that they all lived happily ever after, as we both well know such notions to be errant nonsense, but it does seem safe to predict that they all lived in relative peace and harmony, the Brookses and the Strattons remaining very good friends throughout the years. The Darcys and the Bingleys both enjoyed the introduction of many children into their lives, and one can imagine what good friends these cousins grew to be. And I hope it does not offend you too much, my dear Jane, but I must do something for the Wickhams as well, if only to acknowledge their presence at Pemberley, as Caroline predicted, upon the next Twelfth Night. After all, some sorrows must be endured, but I am happy to afford Mr. Darcy a life free from any annoyance worse than that caused by a few lamentable connections.

The End