Page 16 of Missing

William awoke early and set out for Hertfordshire. He knew he must resolve all misunderstandings with Elizabeth. He bitterly regretted how he had treated her, and he understood that he must offer his apology before presuming to speak of his feelings.

As he travelled, he recalled every word Elizabeth had written in her letter, and they made him reflect upon his views of life in general.

The woman he loved felt lonely and unprotected, and he longed for her to know that, if she granted him a chance, he would treasure her all the days of his life.

He was not a gentleman by birth, but an industrious man with a prosperous business, and he knew he could provide Elizabeth with all that she might require.

Yet there was another matter that troubled him.

Since his father's death, and particularly after he had removed to London, the nightmares of the river and the mysterious woman had become more frequent.

He knew that, at some point, he must seek the truth of his origin.

For the present, however, he wished only to set that aside, to think of Elizabeth, and to dwell upon the happiness he felt whenever she was near.

'I hope it is not too late for us,' my dear Elizabeth.

◆◆◆

"Are you certain, Caroline? Do you not think Charles might dislike our meddling in his affairs?" Louisa asked anxiously.

"Do not concern yourself, Louisa. I shall explain everything to Charles and to that silly Jane when the moment comes. I do not intend to remain long in this dreadful place, surrounded by savages." Caroline had already devised her plans and would allow no one to interfere.

"Caroline, have you not considered that Charles might wish to spend time with his wife, as any newly married man would?" Mr. Hurst interjected.

"He may have his honeymoon and travel for a month if he chooses, but after that, we must return to London. I shall not miss the season merely because my brother has fallen in love with a peasant girl."

"And what if Charles should desire to settle here? Caroline, Mr. Hurst, and I shall return to London sooner or later," Louisa observed.

"I am sorry, Louisa, but I must be candid. We all depend upon Charles's fortune to sustain our way of life. That is why we must be united in this matter."

Mr. Hurst and Louisa could not contradict Caroline, for they knew she spoke the truth. Without Mr. Bingley's support, they would be compelled to reduce their expenses and alter their manner of living.

"And what do you propose, dearest sister?" asked Mr. Hurst with a sardonic smile.

"We must remain vigilant and seize every opportunity to remind Charles and Jane of how vulgar the Bennets are and how horrid this place is."

"Our brother has always delighted in fine living and the pleasures of the city. It shall not be difficult to persuade him to spend more time there," Louisa admitted.

Caroline, Louisa, and Mr. Hurst continued plotting how to remove Charles from his future wife's family and Hertfordshire.

They had no intention of relinquishing the luxuries Mr. Bingley's fortune afforded them, yet neither were they willing to endure life at Netherfield, far from the delights of London society.

◆◆◆

At Longbourn, everything was in confusion.

Jane's wedding was but four days away, and Mrs. Bennet had scarcely any control over her nerves and excitement.

Naturally, she was exceedingly pleased that her most beautiful daughter had succeeded in securing a rich, handsome, and amiable gentleman such as Mr. Bingley.

Yet at the same time, she had less and less patience with Mr. Bingley's sisters, who persisted in interfering with everything she said, did, or planned.

Elizabeth, meanwhile, was sad and melancholy. Each day, and every night before going to sleep, she wept. Though she endeavoured to persuade herself that she would soon forget him and recover her former cheerfulness, she could not deny that her heart was broken.

Jane received her warmly and declared her delight at having her back at Longbourn.

Yet she scarcely spent any time with her, being always with her future husband or his sisters.

Elizabeth longed to confide in Jane all that was happening to her, but she understood that her dear sister was occupied with preparations for her wedding and had no leisure for anything else.

Moreover, after the ceremony, Jane and Charles were to depart on their honeymoon to the seaside for several weeks; thus, it would be long before they could again spend time together as they once had.

Elizabeth was grateful for the Gardiners' presence at Longbourn, for they imparted the sense and composure the house so often lacked. Mrs. Gardiner took it upon herself to moderate Mrs. Bennet's outbursts, while Mr. Gardiner tempered Mr. Bennet's impertinence.

That evening, Mrs. Bennet invited the most influential families of the neighbourhood to a dinner in honour of Jane and Charles.

Unfortunately, while she was arranging everything, Mr. Bingley's sisters arrived to give orders and alter her plans.

Elizabeth observed with indignation how Caroline and Louisa seemed to relish taunting Mrs. Bennet.

When Elizabeth attempted to discuss with Jane the sisters' disrespectful behaviour toward their mother, Jane invariably excused them, saying that her future sisters-in-law only wished to help and always acted with the best intentions.

Elizabeth disliked this constant justification of their rudeness, but desisted, for her mother and Jane were already too nervous.

"I am sorry, Miss Bingley, but this is my house, and I have charge of the guest list. Our table is large enough to accommodate all whom I have invited," Mrs. Bennet declared firmly.

"Mrs. Bennet, you see your sister and brother-in-law almost every day. I do not think it necessary that they should always be present in this house," Caroline retorted, disliking Mrs. Philips, whom she considered every bit as vulgar as her sister Fanny.

"Oh, Miss Bingley, how can you suggest that I not invite my own sister and brother? She is a close relative of mine and the wife of one of Meryton's most prominent gentlemen."

"Do you mean to suggest that the town solicitor is somehow a person of consequence? I cannot comprehend why you declare him so important, Mrs. Bennet," Louisa added disdainfully.

"Our brother Philips is not only the town solicitor but also the magistrate, Mrs. Hurst. You must agree that this renders him a most distinguished person within this community," replied Mr. Gardiner.

With calm dignity, he ensured that Louisa and Caroline pressed Mrs. Bennet no further.

The sisters were insufferable, but he was a gentleman, and so he spoke with courtesy even to those who deserved none.

Caroline and Louisa exchanged smirks but did not dare contradict Mr. Gardiner. They knew him to be intelligent, composed, and not easily provoked.

"Dear Fanny, with these flowers Lizzy and the children gathered, shall we make some pretty table decorations for this evening?" Mrs. Gardiner suggested, to distract her sister-in-law.

"Oh, thank you, Madeline. You always have such good taste and ideas," Mrs. Bennet replied, casting a look at her daughter's future sisters-in-law.

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner then accompanied Mrs. Bennet into the dining room, ensuring she remained there until calmer and less agitated.

Lydia and Kitty could not endure Caroline and Louisa either, for they were constantly the object of their offensive remarks.

For that reason, as soon as the sisters arrived at the house, they asked Mr. Bennet's permission to visit Maria Lucas.

He readily consented, for he intended to remain in his study, engrossed in a new book on Greek history recommended by a friend, and wished for no interruptions.

Elizabeth and Mary stayed in the drawing-room, accompanying Jane and the Bingleys, though both longed for an excuse to leave.

"Lizzy, I imagine you enjoyed your stay in London. You remained several days longer than first intended," Mr. Bingley said cheerfully to his future sister-in-law.

"Yes, indeed. I engaged in many pleasant activities, and my aunt invited me to remain for some extra days. Since Jane had already returned with your sisters, my uncle did not wish me to travel alone."

"I see. But I must tell you, we missed you very much," said Mr. Bingley sincerely.

"I missed you, too, Charles," Elizabeth replied warmly.

"Charles, while I was in London, I met your friend Mr. Wickham. I do not wish to speak unfairly of him, but he behaved in a manner that made me feel very uncomfortable, and…"

"Eliza, that man is not our brother's friend. He is the son of a servant who is fortunate to have a good godfather. Neither Louisa nor I trust him," Caroline interjected sharply.

"Caroline, Wickham is my friend, and a good man. I do not like you speaking of him in such a way. Lizzy, many people speak against him because of his origin, and he often acts impulsively in self-defence, perhaps saying or doing things he should not…"

"I understand," Elizabeth replied quietly. She realised that Mr. Bingley was as blind to his friend's faults as he was to his sisters'.

Mr. Bingley was indebted to Wickham. They had met at Cambridge through Mr. Darcy, and thanks to his protection, he had survived the scorn and abuse of other students, who despised him for being the son of a tradesman.

He never perceived that Wickham acted only from self-interest, nor that his concern was insincere. Being several years older, Wickham had easily taken advantage of the young and innocent Charles. He concealed his vices so effectively that Charles never glimpsed the darker side of his friend.

"Eliza, Jane was quite saddened that her dear sister was not here to assist her with the wedding preparations," Caroline said with a smile.

"Is that true, Jane?" Elizabeth asked, taken aback.

"Yes, Lizzy, but do not be troubled. I have been so busy these days that I am happy to know you were enjoying London with aunt and uncle Gardiner," Jane replied, anxious to avoid conflict.

Mary perceived what the Bingley sisters were attempting and intervened to prevent discord. "Lizzy, could you help me find the sheet music you gave me? I wish to practise it for this evening."

"Yes, of course, Mary," Elizabeth replied.

As soon as they left the room, Caroline and Louisa resumed their criticisms, while Charles and Jane tried to reason with them, assuring them that after the wedding, there would be time enough for rest.

"Tell me, Mary, where do you think you left the sheet music?"

"I left it beside the pianoforte. I only made the excuse to leave that room, for I could not endure those women any longer," Mary admitted, somewhat ashamed. "I am sorry I lied."

"That was but a harmless lie, Mary; thank you," Elizabeth said, embracing her sister.

Mary locked herself in the music room to continue practising a new piece, while Elizabeth preferred to seek solace in the garden.

The day was sunny, and she had already walked there in the morning, gathering flowers with her little cousins. She always found harmony in nature, and at that moment, she most needed peace.

She wandered away from the garden and towards the small stream that crossed the western part of her father's estate. It was the loveliest spot at Longbourn, and the sound of the running water always calmed her spirit.

Meanwhile, William had left his carriage at the Meryton Inn, reserving a room for himself and his servants. He mounted a horse and rode to Longbourn. He had rehearsed carefully all he would say to Elizabeth, just as his mother had advised. He would first apologise, and then beg for a second chance.

When he at last beheld Longbourn, he was struck by the beauty of its surroundings and gardens, though the house itself appeared rather old and in need of repair.

Reaching the end of the path, he handed the reins to a boy and straightened his coat. But as he prepared to mount the steps of the front porch, he spied Elizabeth walking away from the garden and chose instead to follow her.

Elizabeth was walking, humming a tune, when she heard footsteps behind her. Thinking it was Luke, grown restless at home, she turned—and was startled.

"Mr. Dalton! What are you doing here?"

William gazed at her and, unable to restrain himself, exclaimed, "Miss Bennet, I have come to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."