Of Permission and Providence: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Jae George

Author:Jae George [George, Jae]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2022-05-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Elizabeth, Jane, and Bingley left London only two days later with the ladies in Bingley’s carriage and the man himself on horseback. They arrived at Longbourn in time for Bingley to stay for dinner with the family. Mrs. Bennet had to hear all the details of Jane’s wedding clothes and see all that she was able to bring home, including her wedding gown. The remainder of the items would be delivered to the Gardiners’ home and transported to Longbourn when they came for the wedding.

After dinner, Elizabeth escaped to her father’s study to avoid the repetition of the sartorial narrative she had just heard over dinner. “Thank you for providing refuge, Papa. I didn’t think I could bear to hear it all again. Especially since I was there for most of the purchases,” Elizabeth laughed.

“I’m glad to have you and Jane home, my dear. As I always say, I haven’t heard a word of sense since you left.”

“Oh, Papa. You really should try to teach Kitty something sensible. I feel sure that she would be quite amenable if we could separate her from Lydia’s influence. Do you know that she is a talented artist? I think she would do well with an art master.”

“Yes, Lizzy, you have mentioned this to me before.” Elizabeth smiled but allowed the subject to drop. If only Papa would take the same interest in our younger sisters that he took with Jane and me. I guess after so many daughters and no sons, he gave up trying to take part in his children’s education.

After Charles left for Netherfield, Elizabeth remembered that she had not told him about her meeting with his sisters in London. I hope that they will not attend the wedding if they can’t be polite to Jane. He had promised Jane that he would warn them that they would not be welcome unless they could manage to be civil to all of the Bennets.

Elizabeth kissed her father’s forehead and climbed the stairs to her bedchamber. Her body was weary, but her mind refused to let go of its thoughts of Darcy and his last tender look for her. Be careful, Lizzy. You have no reason to believe that he has abandoned his pursuit of a society miss as his wife.

***

Three days before Jane’s wedding, Longbourn was a hub of activity. Mrs. Gardiner was helping Mrs. Bennet to prepare for the wedding and the wedding breakfast, while Elizabeth and Mary were helping to entertain the Gardiner’s four active children.

The eldest Gardiner offspring, ten-year-old Cassie, was torn between her interest in wedding planning and spending time with her older cousins. The two boys, Andrew at nearly nine years of age, and Richard who was six, both romped over the grounds playing with the estate’s dogs and climbing its trees. At not quite four years old, little Olivia was Elizabeth’s almost constant companion.

Thus occupied with her cousins and helping Jane prepare for her move to Netherfield, Elizabeth was surprised when Mr. Darcy arrived with Bingley for a visit to Longbourn.

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