Page 24 of Ever After End

CHAPTER 23

C onsidering the availability of many carriages, between Mrs Darlington’s own and those of the guests, the journey into the market town was comfortable for all. Their host’s library was not inferior, but it had not been significantly updated in some time, and Elizabeth could not live anywhere for two months without a subscription to the library. Miss Dutton fell in with the Bennet sisters as they were handed out of the carriages and followed by Jane’s retinue of men to the library.

“The fairy tale place is pretty and all, but I sure am glad we get to escape into the local villages every week,” said Miss Dutton companionably. “Then again, here I am somehow on my way to the library instead of seeing the elephant.”

“Is there an elephant in Glastonbury?” Mary asked in confusion, as many did when Miss Dutton fell into her slang, which was whenever she spoke.

Miss Dutton stopped and doubled over in laughter. “Not by a jugful! You’re funny, Mary! Seeing the elephant means to see all the sights of a new place, especially some of the more exciting sights… like where the gentlemen have their boxing matches.”

Miss Dutton always used everyone’s first name, even Mrs Darlington. It was no use attempting to explain that it sounded inappropriate to the ears of those she was attempting to persuade to marriage. The lady had little interest in such niceties, but she was forthright and good-natured. Elizabeth liked her, the lady was entirely authentic, though she did wonder if all American girls were so forward.

“You are unlikely to find too much excitement in our company, Miss Dutton, at least not in the observance of pugilism,” said Jane serenely.

“Pugilism?” asked Miss Dutton.

“Boxing,” Elizabeth supplied as Mr Fletcher opened the door of the library for Jane, and then in a show of unchivalrous behaviour, turned and went in behind her, apparently not thinking of holding the door for the other ladies.

“That one courts like a bull in a china shop,” observed Miss Dutton as Lord Chesley skirted around them to open the door. “Hope she won’t marry him .” They all smiled prettily and thanked Lord Chesley as he went in pursuit of Jane and Mr Fletcher, followed by Mr Pemberton and Mr Mercer.

Elizabeth made her way to the counter, followed by Mr Brentwood, as she often was. It made sense that he courted her, he seemed to be the sort who would appreciate a bookish wife. But Mr Brentwood reminded her a bit of her father. The entire reason he was still unmarried was because he preferred his bookroom to society. Elizabeth loved both, and did not wish to spend her life like her mother, accepting invitations to attend events with her daughters, while her husband stayed at home.

Elizabeth had often wondered how their parents' marriage would be different if her mother had the intelligence that her father seemed to prize in others; if Fanny Bennet had Elizabeth’s intellect for example. Would it have made much of a difference? Mr Bennet never showed himself to require much from his wife since Lydia was born, and no further children came forth. Elizabeth had no desire to marry a man like him, and learn that her husband had no use for her at all once the children came.

Mr Brentwood’s company was not unpleasant, and so Elizabeth enjoyed his conversation, which was interesting and varied. But Elizabeth had known him for less than two days before she knew she did not wish to marry him. She knew that Jane felt the same as she. Somehow, both of them just knew instinctively that the men paying them attention were not the ones they wished for a connection with, which was why neither of them had encouraged anyone yet.

Jane had rejected all of the men following her in her late night conversations with her sisters, and was slowly attempting to discourage them all from wasting their time on her, in the hopes that the other men in the group might be suitable, if she had the chance to speak with them. But her current group of admirers had yet to take the hint and move onto the other ladies.

Mary was enjoying the notice of Captain Lytton, Colonel Gordon, and Mr Elwood, though each of those men were also getting to know other ladies as well, which was understandable.

“The first two to three weeks of the house party are always rife with uncertainty,” Mrs Darlington assured them all at breakfast this morning. “I hope you did not all expect to come and be instantly struck by true love. It has been known to happen here, but rarely. Keep doing as I advised. Spend your time enjoying the estate, and you will develop affinities with others who have similar interests.”

Elizabeth obtained her subscription to the library, then accompanied the others to the haberdashery, and to browse the wares of the other merchants in the village. She and her sisters combined their funds to purchase one fine quality gift for each of their family, instead of small, inexpensive items from each of them. Miss Dutton separated from them for a little while and visited her aunt at the inn. She returned with a mysterious parcel, refusing to tell them what was inside.

“It is a surprise. I’ll show you one night when the others have retired. Don’t think I can’t hear you carrying on,” she laughed at them. “One night, I will visit you late with a treat, and we’ll wake snakes? 1 .”

“I do hope there are not any snakes in her parcel,” said Mary worriedly. “I never understand what Miss Dutton means.”

Elizabeth had heard Major Bartholomew ring the gong to warn the guests to prepare for dinner an hour before she met Jane and Mary in their shared parlour. “You look incredible, Jane, is the ice blue silk for someone special?” Elizabeth asked. She hoped there would be a man to shower her sister in jewels one day, for Jane would look even more stunning with an aquamarine pendant at her throat, Elizabeth thought.

“No, but for some reason, I had an uncommon urge to look my very best this evening,” answered Jane. “You look exceedingly well yourself, Sister.”

“Indeed, Lizzy, the salmon taffeta is perfect for your complexion. I wish I looked half so well as you tonight,” agreed Mary.

Elizabeth turned her younger sister to the mirror and rested her chin on her shoulder. “You look every bit as well as I tonight, Mary. Do not doubt yourself, you are a worthy young lady, and a very pretty one too. Your dark hair and eyes are the perfect compliment for this ivory gown, and the red ribbons make you look like Snow White from the fairy tales.”

“For tonight, I shall believe you, and pretend I am the belle of the ball!” Mary turned and hugged her sister. “Thank you Lizzy. You always know just how to make me feel better.”

The ladies made their way down stairs and entered the drawing room. They seemed to be the last present, for the rest of the party seemed to have already been introduced to Mrs Darlington’s private guests. Two gentlemen and three ladies, one very young, one perhaps Jane’s age, and one near fifty, rose as Mrs Darlington made the introductions.

“Godson, I present to you Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and Miss Mary Bennet,” their host said. “Ladies, may I introduce my godson, Mr Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire, his sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, and her friend Miss Bates of Highbury. I also introduce my godson’s friend Mr Bingley, and his sister Miss Bingley, who will be the final member of our matchmaking group.”

Elizabeth observed Jane blush in a manner in which she had never seen her sister do before as Mr Bingley bowed low over her hand, stars in his eyes as he gazed at her as if she were the sun. Men often reacted this way to Jane. Why was Jane so affected by it this time? Finally Elixzabeth realised that she was being rude, and turned back to the others and made her curtsy, smiling at the other ladies. Finally, she turned to smile a greeting at the other gentleman, and the very instant that she looked upon him she realised. Here was a man she could be prevailed upon to marry.

1 ? 19th century American slang for ‘to raise a ruckus.’