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The Wedding
Elizabeth Bennet
sat in the pew of the Meryton Church trying to understand what
was going on. There before the alter was her sister Jane, a participant
in a wedding ceremony. But not as the bride. Jane was the bridesmaid.
For her sister. For Mary. Who was getting married. To William
Collins.
What has happened?
Six weeks ago, Jane
was enjoying the attentions of Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth was enjoying
despising Mr. Darcy and both were trying to avoid Mr. Collins.
Now Mr. Bingley (with his annoying sisters and friend) was gone
from the neighborhood. Mr. Wickham, who had proved to be entertaining,
was now paying exclusive attention to Miss King. And Mary was
uniting herself for life with Mr. Collins.
What has happened?
No, no - this is wrong. It should be Jane getting married - to
Mr. Bingley. Perhaps this is a dream. Perhaps if I close my eyes
very tightly, and open them, this will all go away…
She tried. It did
not serve.
Mr. Collins was
repeating his vows. "With this ring, I thee wed. With my
body, I thee worship..."
I believe I will
be ill now…
Eventually the ceremony
was over. Elizabeth found herself alone in the church.
"Elizabeth?
Are you well?"
"I have a mind
amazed at its own discomposure, Jane. I cannot believe that Mary
has married Mr. Collins. It is just…wrong!"
"Well, it has
happened and we are all returning to Longbourn for the breakfast.
You must come along now."
Elizabeth grasped
her sister's hand. "Oh, Jane, if only we were to be going
to your wedding breakfast!"
Jane smiled a thin
smile. "Mr. Bingley is perhaps the most amicable man of
my acquaintance…but I am sure you read too much into him.
He is a very pleasant sort of person…I enjoyed his company.
That is all. Now, come along."
Elizabeth chose
not to challenge her sister and walked out of the chapel. At
the door she turned back and looked at the sanctuary one last
time. William Collins is my brother. I cannot believe it!
~~~~}+{~~~~
The new Mrs. Collins
approached her elder sisters as she prepared to leave.
"Mary, let
me congratulate you again," cried Jane as she hugged her.
"Thank you,
Jane. And you, Lizzy?"
"Of course;
all the joy in the world, my dear sister." As much as she
tried, her sentiment sounded false to her ears.
Mary was not deceived,
but she chose not to challenge Lizzy. Instead she grasped her
hands most fervently. "Please, you must promise me - both
of you - that you will visit me as soon as you may."
Elizabeth was taken
aback to see the apprehension in Mary's face. "Oh, of course
we shall! Shall we not, Jane?"
"Oh, yes."
"There - it
is settled! Write to us when you are ready."
Mary was visibly
relieved. "I shall…perhaps about Eastertide. I shall
ask Mr. Collins."
Elizabeth was almost
overcome by the fear and trepidation in Mary's countenance. "Oh,
Mary - take care! We love you so!" She embraced her trembling
sister.
Mary was in tears.
"Y…you do? Oh, I love you, too! Both of you!"
she added as Jane joined in. The three held each other until
they were interrupted by a pompous voice.
"Ah, what a
picture of sisterly felicity! Would I stand here to admire it
for the rest of my days! But, Mrs. Collins, we must be off, should
we make it to Hunsford before nightfall." To Elizabeth's
disgust, Mr. Collins was actually dancing from foot to foot,
such was his desire to leave.
Mary closed her
eyes and screwed up her courage. He is a good man, she reminded
herself. "Yes, Mr. Collins, you are right. Give me your
arm…husband."
Elizabeth blanched.
I believe I will be ill now…
The remainder of
the leave-taking took no little time, as Mrs. Bennet was in full
rapture over her now darling daughter - the first to leave Longbourn
due to entering the state of Holy Matrimony. But finally the
farewells were accomplished and the couple ascended the waiting
carriage. As it pulled out of the driveway, Mary leaned out.
"Goodbye all!
Jane - Lizzy - do not forget your promise! Goodbye!"
~~~~}+{~~~~
…we have
arrived, thanks to God's grace, to the most charming house. Hunsford
Parsonage is a very comfortable place, with well-designed rooms
and a lovely little garden. Lady Catherine de Bourgh has been
most attentive to the needs of the Parish and Mr. Collins assures
me that no expense was spared in the improvements to the house.
No detail is beneath our patroness' notice…
Elizabeth set down
Mrs. Collins' letter to gaze at her older sister, occupied with
reading a letter of her own. Mary's letter was full of information
of Hunsford and the house and the church and gardens of Rosings
Park, but there was little in it that spoke to the feelings of
the writer. Was she happy? Elizabeth could not tell; and because
of that, she was worried.
She caught Jane's
eye. "What does Miss Bingley say, Jane?"
A small sigh escaped
from her lips. "More of the same: how wonderful Town is,
how excessively they are in demand for balls and parties and
other entertainments, and how occupied Mr. Bingley is in London.
I believe she is trying to tell me that Mr. Bingley shall not
be returning to Netherfield soon - if ever."
"Oh, Jane,
surely she is mistaken…"
Jane put on a sad
smile. "It is all right, Lizzy - I am in no danger. Mr.
Bingley shall do as he pleases. I have no claim on him."
"No claim?
The attentions he paid you! Jane, if he should not return to
Netherfield I shall never forgive him!"
Jane smiled more
happily. "Tell me of Mary's letter."
"You shall
read it for yourself." She handed her the message. "She
says many things, Jane; of the house and gardens and village.
But nothing of import - nothing of her feelings."
"Lizzy,"
Jane looked up from the letter, "not everyone thinks as
you."
"That is unlikely
- for I believe my feelings to be the most natural things in
the world. You would certainly not write such a letter,
Jane."
"True,"
Jane conceded, "but I am not Mary."
"But she is
our sister - she is a Bennet. Oh, Jane - I am worried."
"In a couple
of weeks we shall be there and see for ourselves."
~~~~}+{~~~~
"En garde!"
The match continued. The foils touched tentatively before the
taller of the two gentlemen made an aggressive move forward.
The shorter participant parried and attacked, but he was easily
countered. There was a rush of movement and…
"Touché!"
called the referee. "Match!"
The taller man whipped
off his fencing mask. "Charles! What are you about, man?
Five to nil? You fight as a rank beginner."
Charles Bingley
took off his helmet. "Forgive me, Darcy, my mind is elsewhere."
Fitzwilliam Darcy
grimaced at his best friend. Since making him his sparring partner,
Bingley's skill had improved to the point of making Darcy work
for his victory. But today he had regressed badly. It was understandable,
of course, but it was painful to observe.
Poor Bingley. It
has been months. He had true feelings for the girl. If only she
returned them! Ah well, it is better that he suffers now rather
than after it is too late - trapped in a marriage of unequal
affections, especially with such relations! He then recalled
one of Jane Bingley's relations and blushed.
He needed to work
out his confused emotions, but Bingley was not up for another
match. Darcy looked about his London fencing club, but no one
would meet his eye. Few wished to be Darcy's next victim, as
he was regarded as one of the best in the club. Not Knightley,
not Brandon, certainly not Hurst. The men most widely considered
to be Darcy's equal were Richard Fitzwilliam and…
"Tilney! Are
you available for a set, sir?"
Captain Frederick
Tilney gave Darcy a lazy smile. "A moment, Darcy, and I
am your man." A couple of minutes later both men had taken
their positions on the mat. A crowd gathered to watch the cream
of the club do battle.
"Winner buys
dinner, Darcy?" asked Tilney.
"Agreed."
"En Garde!"
~~~~}+{~~~~
Mrs. Gardner was
in Elizabeth's room a month later, helping her pack. "I
understand Mary wanting her two eldest sisters to visit her new
home, but I shall be disappointed that I shall not have the opportunity
of entertaining two of my favorite nieces in London this Easter."
"Oh, Aunt,
believe me, Jane and I would wish to be with you and my uncle
in Town above all things. But Mary asked for us particularly
- in fact, she had us promise most faithfully before she and…he
left for Hunsford."
"Lizzy! He
is your brother! Surely you can say his name!"
"Must I?"
"Lizzy…!"
"Very well…Mr.
Collins. He sent us a letter, too, extolling the delights we
are sure to find at Rosings Park. Four pages it took to describe
its attractions." Elizabeth's eyes danced with mischief.
Jane entered the
room as Elizabeth was speaking. "Our new brother does go
on at length. I trust it is because of the uncommon kindness
Lady Catherine de Bourgh has bestowed on him and my sister."
Mrs. Gardner embraced
the girl. "I am sure you are right, my dear. And how are
you? I must say you look a bit pale."
Jane colored. "I
am well, Aunt. I am looking forward to seeing Mary, is all."
Mrs. Gardner was
not convinced, but she kept her opinion to herself.
~~~~}+{~~~~
Elizabeth and Jane
went to their father's library to take their leave of him. "Ah,
my dears," Mr. Bennet exclaimed as he embraced them, "I
shall not forgive you too quickly for abandoning me to the care
of your mother and two youngest sisters! I shall not here one
sensible word uttered in this house for the next six weeks!"
"Oh, Father,"
answered Jane as Elizabeth giggled. "You shall be quietly
amused, as you always are, by the exuberance of my mother and
sisters."
"Indeed, sir,"
added Elizabeth. "And when you get your fill, you shall
retreat to the sanctuary of your library."
Mr. Bennet chuckled.
"Are you looking forward to your visit to Hunsford? Mr.
Collins writes at length about the grandeur of Rosings; and Mrs.
Collins, too."
"Have you received
a letter from my sister, sir?" asked Jane.
He pulled a letter
from the pile on his desk. "Yes. It seems she has been well
received by Lady Catherine, and has developed an acquaintance
with Miss de Bourgh. She writes very complimentary of her - all
kindness and attention, even though she is in ill health."
Elizabeth frowned.
This did not sound like the lady described by Mr. Wickham. Could
Mary be deceived?
Mr. Bennet looked
at Elizabeth from the corner of his eye. "She also writes
of our friend, Mr. Wickham."
"Oh, sir? What
does she have to say?"
"Here, read
what she writes." He handed the letter to Elizabeth. She
leaned close to Jane so that they could read together.
…Mr. Wickham's
name came up as Miss de Bourgh and I discussed what acquaintances
we may have in common, knowing that I have met her cousin, Mr.
Darcy. I must say that Miss de Bourgh was very disinclined towards
the gentleman. The son of the Pemberley steward, Mr. Wickham
was raised at that family's expense and was a favorite of the
late Mr. Darcy. But there has been a falling out between him
and the current Mr. Darcy, who was once his childhood friend.
Miss de Bourgh does not know all the particulars, but she is
under the impression that Mr. Wickham has ill-used the son of
his benefactor after Mr. Darcy passed away. Some money was settled
upon the man before he left Pemberley, it seems, and Miss de
Bourgh knows nothing else, save that Mr. Wickham's name is not
to be mentioned in Lady Catherine's hearing.
As I hold Miss
de Bourgh to be a kind and well informed person, I feel I must
warn you and my sisters against Mr. Wickham's tales. Although
she will not say so, it is my opinion that she feels that that
gentleman is not to be trusted…"
Her father grinned
as his daughters looked up at him. "Well, Lizzy, what say
you to that?"
Elizabeth blustered.
"It is beyond belief! It is as if the entire of Mr. Darcy's
family is set upon blackening Mr. Wickham's name! How cruel!"
Mr. Bennet laughed.
"That was my impression too. Quite the family, are they
not?"
Jane frowned as
she considered the letter. "Perhaps there is some grave
misunderstanding between the two. Mr. Wickham is a very agreeable
person, but Mr. Darcy, while proud, is a very respectable gentleman.
I cannot see how Mr. Bingley could be friends with someone who
has treated a childhood friend with such infamy as you describe.
And I must give Miss de Bourgh some benefit of the doubt. She
would only know of these matters from Mr. Darcy's side."
Mr. Bennet shook
his head with affection at his eldest. "You may think that,
Jane, if it gives you comfort. As for myself, I will hold to
my opinion of the gentlemen in question, and their families too,
until proven otherwise."
Elizabeth concurred
with her father. "Yes, I agree with you, sir. Mary has not
been out in society as we have been, Jane. We have been to London,
while she has not. She is sure to have been overwhelmed by the
attentions paid to her by Miss de Bourgh."
"Lizzy! Do
you not trust your sister's judgment?"
How can I, when
she agreed to marry to that odious Mr. Collins? "We shall see, Jane, when we
arrive in Hunsford."
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