Page 39 of Beyond Pride, Past Prejudice

Elizabeth and Mary were in a rare state of elation in the carriage that conveyed them and the Gardiners to Bath.

With Kitty presently visiting Charlotte and Lydia staying with Colonel Forster and his wife in Brighton, only the three remaining sisters had been due to embark on the journey, for the invitation had been extended to all the Miss Bennets.

Yet, a mere two days before their departure, a brief, urgent missive had arrived from Mrs Gardiner.

My earnest counsel is for Jane to refrain from leaving the county. I have heard some pleasant rumours about an eventful visit in the days ahead. There will be ample opportunities for her to visit Bath in the future.

Elizabeth’s hand had trembled, and she had nearly dropped the letter.

Hastening to the parlour where her family were assembled, for it was a rainy day, she had wordlessly handed it to Jane, the sole member of the household with a vested interest in that particular visit.

Jane had been so shocked that, for an instant, Elizabeth had regretted sharing the news with her.

Yet, in less than a quarter of an hour, amidst spirited discussion, the arrival of Mrs Phillips had added further to their elated anticipation.

Their aunt had been so agitated that she could scarcely speak, and only after drinking a glass of water she could utter, “Netherfield is preparing to receive guests!”

All eyes had turned to Jane, who had appeared on the verge of fainting, her cheeks aflame and her hand pressed to her heart as if to calm its pounding.

Yet, much to everyone’s astonishment, her silence had endured but a moment, for she had arisen from her seat and, fixing her gaze upon her mother and Mrs Phillips, spoken with vehemence.

“Should either of you dare to pronounce Mr Bingley’s name within these walls or in Meryton, or indeed anywhere else, I swear I shall never talk to you again.

You are not entitled to think of him, let alone make the slightest allusion.

You have no right to approach Netherfield without my company!

For you, that gentleman does not exist. Is that perfectly clear? ”

Laughter reverberated within the carriage as Elizabeth recounted the tale to the Gardiners, with Mary mimicking their sister to perfection.

“Imagine the shock Mama must have experienced!” Elizabeth remarked. “Jane, who had always been the most docile and amiable of her daughters, was throwing fiery glares from her eyes.”

“Do you comprehend, Mama? Do you, Aunt Phillips? He does not exist for you. A nameless spectre!” Mary added, imitating Jane’s voice and making everybody laugh until tears rolled down their cheeks.

“She forced Mama and Aunt Phillips to swear upon their lives!” Elizabeth continued the mirthful scene, which proved delightful.

“And?” enquired Mr Gardiner. “Did he arrive?”

“We do not know,” Mary responded. “When we departed there had still been no word from Netherfield. Do you not know more?” she asked their aunt, who was laughing with an air of mystery.

“No, only about twenty words in a note from Diana, and that news had come from Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

“You ladies are horrible!” Mr Gardiner declared, though his tone was so full of admiration that it contradicted his scolding words entirely.

“It does not matter whether Mr Bingley is coming merely to apologise. Any overture from him could mark the conclusion of seven months of torment. My sole regret is that I shall not witness the events,” Elizabeth said, even though deep in her soul she cared little about what might happen at Longbourn, her whole being absorbed by what could happen in Bath.

“Everyone is where they should be!” Mrs Gardiner exclaimed, looking at Elizabeth, her gaze implying much more than her words. Her uncle knew nothing about the proposal in Kent or Elizabeth’s sentiments for Mr Darcy—a deliberate choice as he was very protective of his nieces and their family.

“This friendship with Lady Oakham and the Darcys is not only pleasurable but potentially advantageous for me,” Mr Gardiner declared earnestly.

“Meeting such prominent and affluent individuals may well chart a new course for my business. I am truly grateful for the privilege of their company in Bath.”

“No, Uncle, we are the ones grateful for this delightful journey to Bath,” Mary interjected, earning affectionate glances from her family.

Having not seen her for several months, the Gardiners hardly recognised the young lady sitting beside Elizabeth.

A mixture of her two older sisters, she possessed a unique twinkle in her eyes that set her apart.

“Are you quite certain that…the entire family is coming?” Elizabeth asked, still unable to speak the name that most interested her.

“Yes, my dear. Lady Oakham shared the news that it will be their family’s reunion as well.”

Upon their arrival in Bath, they were greeted by the joyful cries of the Gardiner children, who had arrived a day earlier in the company of their nanny and other servants.

“We shall dine and rest today,” Mr Gardiner declared, and Mrs Gardiner nodded.

“Beginning tomorrow, delightful activities will occupy all our time. The first visit will be in the morning at the Pump Room above the ancient Roman baths. Then daily to drink the healing waters and see our friends .”

Mrs Gardiner cast a meaningful glance at Elizabeth, who returned it with a smile. She could not say with certainty how her visit to Bath would unfold, but she knew that, at the very least, on the following day, Mr Darcy would surely cross her path.

“I do not want to make plans,” she murmured to Mary, but in truth that was impossible.