Chapter 32

L ady Sarah De Melville was not the only one who accompanied the newly engaged couple, but her husband joined the group travelling into Hertfordshire as well. Much to the delight of Alli and Lilly, the former was to remain with the Gardiners until her parents returned.

The Earl and Countess of Jersey had expressed unreserved approbation when their son and Jane had visited them to relate the result of Wesley's proposal. There had been no doubt in their mind that Wes had found the perfect woman for himself. Alli was no less pleased she would gain sisters, and by extension more cousins, which included Lilly.

When Jane arrived home unexpectedly, thanks to the letters she had posted to her sisters and mother, there was no great surprise as to her presence or that her suitor had accompanied her. The only surprise was the Earl and Countess of Jersey had joined the travelling party.

The latter two were not taken aback by the size of the park, manor house, or the evident prosperity, as their son had shared the size of the healthy dowry Jane would bring to the marriage. Not that it mattered to them, but it was easy to extrapolate from the fact there were three dowered daughters that the Bennets were far more wealthy than one would expect of a country squire and his family.

"I am so happy for you, Janey," Elizabeth gushed when she pulled her older sister into an all-encompassing hug.

"Wes still needs to speak to Mama and Papa to gain their blessings," Jane said next to Elizabeth's ear. "I feel like I could sprout wings and fly up to the clouds and beyond, I am so filled with joy."

As soon as greetings had been exchanged, the Bennet parents agreed to meet with Westmore in Bennet's study. It was not a long interview and consent and blessings were bestowed without any delay. By the time the three returned and Bennet called Jane to stand with them to announce her official engagement to her fiancé, there were none in the drawing room who did not know of the engagement.

That knowledge did not stop Cilla asking Hill to bring glasses of champagne so a toast could be raised to the newly engaged couple. After the toasts had been made, one by each of the fathers of the soon to-be-bride and groom, Jane moved to sit on the settee next to Mary and Richard.

"Will you two join Wes and me in the west parlour?" Jane requested.

Mary and Richard looked at one another and both nodded. Soon the two engaged couples were ensconced in the parlour. "What would you like to discuss, Janey?" Mary enquired.

"Wes and I do not desire a protracted engagement, but as you two," Jane looked from Mary to Richard, "became engaged before us, we do not want to usurp your place by marrying before you. I know that it is not just Mama's and Papa's time restriction, but the fact Aunt Elaine and Uncle Reggie will be at Hilldale. As such, April is a better time for you to marry so everyone will be able to attend. What we would like to know is if you two would agree to a double wedding?"

The other couple bent towards each other so their heads were as close together as possible. The discussion between Mary and Richard was not of a long duration. "It would be a pleasure to share the wedding day with you two," Mary announced .

"We are very appreciative you are willing to share the day with us," Westmore stated as he extended his hand to his friend, and future brother.

Richard took the proffered hand and shook vigorously while the two sisters hugged one another. "I think we need to speak to the parents who are present," Mary suggested.

"I will write to Mother," Richard informed his fiancée. "For her there will be little or no change, other than sharing the hostess duties for the ball with Lady Sarah."

With an accord reached between them, the four made their way back to the drawing room. When their decision was announced, none of the parents present raised a word in opposition. As long as their children agreed, it was all they needed as it was their day after all.

"What are we to do about a bridesmaid?" Jane realised. "If I am not mistaken, Mary you intended to ask Lizzy as I did. If that is the case, then I will defer to you."

"I was, but I am to gain another sister who is recently fifteen," Jane stated. "I am sure Alli would love to fill the role, so you are free to ask Lizzy as you intended to."

Mary smiled as she had a thought. "Do you think Henry would allow me to put a wig and gown on him, so he could be my maid of honour?" Mary asked the last with a deadpanned expression on her face.

"As much as your twin loves you, I think that would be too far beyond the pale for our Henry," Elizabeth opined as she smiled at Mary's tease. "What of you two, who will you have stand up with you?"

"If Birchington was not gallivanting over the high seas, I would have asked him. Fitzwilliam here would have been my next choice, but he will be otherwise engaged on that day," Westmore stated. "I do have other friends whom I can ask."

"Depending on when their son or daughter is born, Andrew will not leave Marie and I doubt she will be ready to travel," Richard mused. "Next would be William…Darcy." Richard did not miss Lizzy's scowl at the mention of his cousin. "He suffers from hessian-in-the-mouth disease though. Yes, he should never have dared to go to my parents and attempted to interfere. Surely if Mary and I can see it in our hearts to forgive him, so can you Lizzy."

"I suppose I may be able to do so. However, it will depend on his behaviour when I see him in Kent," Elizabeth averred. "It was wrong of me to show my disapproval. It is your wedding and it is not for me to approve or disapprove of the man who will stand up with you."

"What did Darcy do to anger Lizzy so?" Westmore enquired.

"Later," Jane responded succinctly. The last thing Jane wanted to do was to re-ignite Lizzy's anger by speaking of Mr. Darcy's offences in front of her sister.

To move away from the subject of Darcy, Westmore turned to his mother and asked if she would object if Jane asked Alli to be her maid of honour. Lady Sarah endorsed the idea wholeheartedly. It was also decided the De Melvilles would send an announcement to the papers when they returned to London.

Although the hours of daylight had begun to lengthen there were not yet enough hours of sunlight to travel back to Town in the same day. Lord and Lady Jersey would be hosted at Longbourn while Westmore would join Richard at Netherfield Park after dinner at the Bennets' estate.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Jane returned to London the next day with her maid and the De Melvilles. In a fortnight her mother and sisters would join her at the Gardiners' house to begin to shop for her trousseau. From that time onward, Lizzy and Mary would remain in London until Richard, rather than have Sir William and Mariah Lucas come to town first, would convey them to Hunsford in mid-March.

Thinking about transporting his love and Lizzy to Kent made Richard think about his parson at Hunsford. Combined with the discussion he had with his Aunt Catherine when she and Anne had been in London, and the letters he had received from the curate and others it seemed Mr. Collins had made some serious improvements. He was finally implementing the lessons taught by the Bishop's men. It was clear that his new wife was a very good influence on him.

As such, the curate would not be taking over the parish. Thankfully, one of the livings in Matlock had become vacant when the vicar retired, and with his father's approval, Richard would offer it to Mr. Travis.

As February became March the signs of the approaching spring became evident. The first crocuses were budding, also the trees which had been barren over autumn and winter started to show signs of becoming verdant once again. As had been planned, the four Bennets at Longbourn, with Mrs. Jones, departed for London on the first day of March. As all of his work was up to date, Bennet willingly joined his family.

Lizzy's birthday was to be celebrated at the Gardiners' house on Tuesday upcoming. She did not object to the change of venue, as long as they were all together. The De Melvilles had accepted an invitation to attend the birthday dinner. It was decided that the shopping would commence the day after Lizzy's birthday so that all attention would be focused on the significant day in Elizabeth's life.

On Saturday morning, the Bennet sisters called at the Hursts' home. Genuine wishes for happy were conveyed to Jane by the Bingley sisters who had seen the engagement announcement in the papers.

"How are you both doing with some distance now between yourselves and your brother?" Elizabeth enquired after the ladies had all enjoyed tea and refreshments .

"It is hard to believe I allowed my brother to manipulate me the way he did," Miss Bingley shook her head. "I always thought I was an intelligent woman."

"I would not suspect my brother would use me so ill," Mary stated emphatically. "More than that, I would not allow myself to even contemplate such a thing. Caroline, did you not believe he was looking out for your best interests, as he was supposed to do?"

"You have the right of it, Mary. There were many signs, but I did not want to see them," Caroline admitted. "Lulu tried to warn me but I would not permit myself to accept what she told me." Miss Bingley reached out and squeezed her older sister's hand. "Lulu was the one I should have turned to."

"There is no profit in reliving the past," Elizabeth insisted. "I am sorry I asked about anything regarding your brother. I think we need to adopt my mama's philosophy: only remember that which gives you pleasure. Of course we must learn from our past mistakes, but there is nothing we can do to change that which has already occurred."

Caroline acknowledged the sense in the words. "There is one thing I do need you to clarify for me. What is the preferred version of your familiar name? When we were in Hertfordshire I heard Miss Lucas as was, address you as Eliza, but most everyone else used Lizzy, and a few your full name of Elizabeth. I admit I called you Miss Eliza in a derogatory way."

Elizabeth smiled. The fact Caroline was enquiring about her preference demonstrated how much she had changed. "Charlotte and her family are the only ones I am sanguine with calling me Eliza. Either Lizzy or Elizabeth are acceptable." Elizabeth made a decision. "My majority is being celebrated with a dinner at Gardiner House on Tuesday upcoming. Would you both and Mr. Hurst be available to join us?"

Mrs. Hurst looked to her younger sister who nodded. "I know of no prior engagements so I am comfortable accepting for my husband, sister, and myself," she stated.

Before the Bennet sisters and Mrs. Jones departed, they imparted the time the Hursts and Miss Bingley should arrive.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

In early March, Darcy departed Pemberley and made the journey to Hilldale where he would join those in residence. Keeping his habit of ignoring those parts of the papers, he had not seen the notice announcing the engagement of Miss Jane Bennet to Viscount Westmore. With Anna not present, he had no one to inform him of anything she deemed important.

Much introspection had not answered all of his questions for himself. He still believed he was superior to many in society, but he had owned that there were times he displayed improper pride and, as much as he hated to admit it, some vanity as well.

He had told himself that vanity was a weakness indeed. And he, a Darcy of Pemberley, should not have such obvious weaknesses. However, he told himself that pride where there was a real superiority of mind, pride would be always under good regulation. Should he not be proud of his name, his heritage, his place in society, and his familial connections? Was that really a failing?

Ignoring the voice in his head, the same one which had told him he must apologise to Miss Elizabeth right away, he convinced himself that he would be able to control his improper pride.

These thoughts were pushed aside by the enthusiastic welcome he received from Anna. The time spent with their aunt, uncles, cousins, Lady Rose, and Lady Charity had done much, in his opinion, to restore her self-confidence. Darcy forgot these were all people with whom his sister was very familiar.

His sister gushed about how much she and Charity enjoyed playing with little Adelle, the latter's niece, when her maternal grandparents called at Hilldale to visit.

That night after dinner it was decided that, if Marie's time came prior to Darcy's planned date of departure, then he, the two young ladies, and their companions would travel south into Kent at that point. He agreed a house where a lady was labouring was not a place for young maidens. Thankfully little Adelle would remain with her nurses and other grandparents.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

On the day she turned one and twenty, Elizabeth began with a brisk walk in Hyde Park, trailed by John and Brian. She walked all along Rotten Row and from one end of the Serpentine to the other. She loved walking in the park with all of the signs of spring she could see. Within a sennight she was sure the park would be a riot of colours and Elizabeth was hopeful she would be treated to the vista before the departure to Rosings Park.

After breaking her fast with the family and her sisters' fiancés, Elizabeth went to bathe and then change as Mama wanted to take her to Harding,Howell& Company on Pall Mall in St. James. Although Elizabeth was not a great shopper, there were many interesting items to be found that were not even available in her Uncle Edward's warehouse.

Bennet and her sisters would meet her at the George and Vulture in George Yard to have their midday meal, and then Mama would take her to Gunter's so Elizabeth could placate her sweet tooth. Last before they came home, Elizabeth would be taken to Hatchard's where she could peruse the books for almost two hours before returning with Mama to Portman Square.

By the time Elizabeth returned to Gardiner House she had had an extremely enjoyable day so far. She was sent upstairs to bathe again and dress for her birthday dinner. Mama playfully cautioned her not to get lost in the new volume of Wordsworth's poems to which Elizabeth had treated herself.

An hour later she joined everyone in the drawing room. Suddenly, Elizabeth froze! Sitting on a settee looking very smug were her two brothers.

"How, when?" Elizabeth spluttered.

"By carriage and when you were out with Mama," Tommy stated with a grin very happy that he and Henry had been able to surprise Elizabeth so completely.

"You did not think we would miss your special birthday did you?" Henry asked, "Besides, I desired to meet my future brother-in-law." He looked at his eldest sister and her fiancé. "I am happy to say I approve whole heartedly."

"As do I," Tommy asserted.

"Eton is just more than twenty miles, but is Cambridge not much further?" Elizabeth questioned.

"What is sixty miles of good road?" Henry challenged. "I would travel more than that to be here with you today. Father wrote and asked for two days away from school, so both of us return to our schools on Thursday."

Not long after Elizabeth's great, and most welcome surprise, Wes's parents, the Hursts, and Caroline Bingley arrived. The latter had to remind herself that fawning over the Earl and Countess would not be appreciated. It was also the first time the Hursts and Miss Bingley saw the Bennet brothers since the brief meeting at the church near Longbourn.

For her part Lady Sarah was much impressed with the improvements she saw in Miss Caroline Bingley. In the past, the young lady had been refused vouchers for Almack's based on her and her brother's behaviour. Now with the brother nowhere to be seen and with the change in Miss Bingley's behaviour, a new application, if one was forthcoming, had every chance of being accepted. That Miss Bingley was familiar with the Bennets did not hurt her chances .

By the time Elizabeth's head finally rested on her pillows that night, she had acknowledged that this had been, by far, the best celebration of her birthday ever.