Page 56 of The Countess and Her Sister

Mr. Darcy departed directly with Jane’s two servants, and nobody said a word of challenge when Richard retired with Lady Susan.

Jane and Elizabeth and the Gardiners chatted for another hour with the Fergusons, who, having now heard Jane’s story thrice, were ready to be captivated by Sir Edward’s famous tale of bringing the cure to England during the sweating sickness.

The hour was late when they all retired. Jane and Elizabeth stayed up a while longer, with so much to speak of in privacy, and the relief and joy they felt at their reunion made for very pleasant chatter until comfortable sleep at last won out.

***

Mr. Darcy returned in the early afternoon, and Elizabeth had the pleasure of more secret kisses in a new location with her fiancé.

He told her of all that he had accomplished since their parting the night before.

Blaeloch was now ready to receive guests, and they idled away a happy hour together talking of how they might divert themselves during their time in Scotland.

There were many scenic places within a day’s ride from Dumfries, and they could not come all the way to Scotland without enjoying its beauty.

They arranged to wed three days hence, and Mr. Ferguson was eager to accommodate them.

“But ye cannae have the wedding breakfast at Blaeloch, that’s twenty miles away.

Ye shall have it here, Margie and I would be honored to host a fine cèilidh here, with fancy decorations and fine food, that baker of Fiona’s can make ye a grand cake!

We’ll have good whiskey and wine, and dance until dusk, how d’ye like that? ”

The two betrothed couples agreed they liked it very well indeed, though Mr. Darcy again insisted on paying the man handsomely.

Mrs. Ferguson at once set about discovering what the ladies’ favorite dishes were and which flowers they favored, and recommended a dressmaker in Dumfries – a cousin of hers – who was known for quick but high-quality work.

The gentlemen were faced with a less pleasant task than hasty wedding planning.

They asked Mr. Ferguson to take them to where Fred Tilney and his accomplice were being held.

Elizabeth gave Mr. Darcy a parting kiss, sharing a look that conveyed all the heaviness of what he must undertake to bring justice to those who had wronged her sister.

Elizabeth was ponderous as she sat with Jane, Lady Susan, and her aunt in Mrs. Ferguson’s parlor and spoke of Scottish wedding traditions.

Elizabeth had agreed to marry in haste, and now realized that she had spent longer pining for Mr. Darcy and believing him out of reach than she would spend enjoying their engagement.

She was delighted by all the wedding talk, but at the same time, she was not entirely past the dreadful feelings that had haunted her journey north.

It was not a comfortable journey; Elizabeth had not slept so little and so poorly since Jane took ill more than two years earlier, nor had she since experienced such fear for her beloved sister.

It felt like a dream, that after such a suspenseful series of events – unleashing her wrath on Mrs. Bennet and speeding off into the night, while believing her sister to be in the greatest imaginable danger – she should now be taking tea with a jolly stranger and preparing to become Mr. Darcy’s bride.

She was struck by the enormity of what that meant.

They would stay awhile in Scotland – in what would become one of her homes – and when they returned to England, she would travel with Mr. Darcy and his sister to Pemberley.

She would not return to Matlock Hall, or Matlock House in London, except someday as a guest. She would never again reside under the same roof as Jane, Rebecca, Richard, their Mamma, and her darling nephew.

Elizabeth squeezed Jane’s hand, tears pricking at her eyes. Mrs. Ferguson gave an affectionate chuckle. “I know that look. Ye just realized you’re gettin’ married, and your life’s about to change forever.”

“I felt the same my first time,” Lady Susan assured her.

“You know that I certainly did,” Jane said softly.

Lady Gardiner gave them a knowing smile.

“As far as we have traveled from Matlock, I traveled the same distance from everything I knew, permanently, when I wed Sir Edward. Of course you will think fondly of all that you leave behind, especially in such a happy family. But there will be little time to grieve when you begin your new life, for your heart will be too full of all that is new and wonderful.”

“Aye,” Mrs. Ferguson agreed. “To be newly married is a happy time indeed, full of pastimes that give you a house full of babies, and there’s more in it than that.

Ye get to plannin’ out your whole life, building castles in the sky.

I knew my Ian was a man with a grand plan, and we’ll build our inn yet, mark my words, with a fine tavern where Ian can swap tales with travelers, and I’ll still be cookin’ even if I have a dozen servants. ”

Elizabeth laughed. “I have already compelled Mr. Darcy to host another costume masquerade at Pemberley, so I suppose that is a start to my grand planning.”

Jane smiled indulgently at Mrs. Ferguson. “You paint a very pretty picture of marriage. I should like to have a more favorable experience.”

“So young and bonny for a widow, and with famous relations; have ye not got gents fallin’ at your feet?”

Lady Susan gave Jane a playful nudge, and Elizabeth watched for her sister’s reaction. Jane blushed and smiled. “There is a man….”

And then, he was in the parlor with them.

Mr. Bingley and Lady Augusta rushed to Jane, the latter carrying Thomas in her arms. Rebecca hastily followed, and the Gardiner children ran to their mother, showing off the sweets that Mr. Tilney bought them in Carlisle.

Georgiana and the Bennet sisters were full of effusive chatter and eager questions, and Elizabeth was the next to be beset with tearful embraces.

When the chaos calmed, she and Jane introduced Mrs. Ferguson to the rest of their relations.

Mrs. Ferguson observed the interaction between Jane and Mr. Bingley with shrewd interest, for the couple made no secret of their attachment amidst such an emotional reunion.

They all exchanged stories of their journeys and all that had transpired, and Jane clung to Mr. Bingley’s arm through all of it, looking at him with unmasked regard and perhaps a little yearning.

Though they were occupied in playing with the children and talking of weddings, Elizabeth was eager to speak with her sister about her feelings for Mr. Bingley – and to relish what time they had left together before everything changed.

Rebecca surprised them all by declaring that she and Henry Tilney would be joining the other two couples over the anvil, and Lady Augusta affectionately teased that Richard owed Elizabeth a tremendous sum, for she had wagered that Rebecca would wed before Jane.

Mr. Tilney was happy to join the chatter about wedding preparations, and Rebecca reluctantly allowed her friends to fuss over her.

The longing stares between Jane and Mr. Bingley intensified, until he asked Jane to take some fresh air with him, and all the ladies exchanged suggestive glances.

A short time later, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Ferguson, Sir Edward, and Richard returned, and the latter was obliged to deliver Henry Tilney bad news.

Fred Tilney had escaped just before they went to question him.

He fled on a stolen horse, and they gave chase; in the pursuit Fred Tilney had been thrown from his horse. He did not survive the fall.

Henry Tilney took the news well, as if he had been resigned to his brother’s fate, whatever variety of dire it should be. He spoke with the magistrate and wrote to his father, somber and brooding.

Lady Augusta sought Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy, and Sir Edward to privately discuss Mrs. Bennet’s fate, and Elizabeth understood the reasons for sparing her family the scandal of any legal action, though it was better than the horrid woman deserved.

“Lord Colfax called just before we departed Matlock. He secured Mrs. Bennet at an unused dower house on his property, under guard. We shall have to find a more permanent accommodation when we return; he recommends Bedlam, but I worry that may damage your sisters’ prospects.”

“She must be punished,” Elizabeth hissed. “What do you suggest Mamma, Uncle?”

Mr. Darcy cleared his throat. “I have a small house in Ramsgate.”

“No,” Elizabeth said. “No, it is too good for her.”

“Lizzy,” her uncle chided. “Any proper punishment would surely lead to scandal. We must handle it quietly.”

“Ramsgate is a quiet place, most of the year,” Mr. Darcy said. “Perhaps the seaside may be too charming a prospect for the woman who has wronged you, but you must know that she will be her own punishment.”

Lady Augusta sighed. “A stranger to all her children, with little to no allowance for luxuries.”

“And she will have a companion who can sternly withstand her effusions and nonsense,” Sir Edward said. “Lady Catherine resides in Kent, at Rosings Park – they may be near, but we will allow no further communication between the two schemers.”

When this was agreed upon, their large party thanked the Fergusons for their hospitality, and continued on to Blaeloch Manor.

***

Jane enjoyed the most restful sleep of her life, the first night at Blaeloch. Thomas snuggled up to her beneath the covers, as much for her comfort as his own after their separation. The next morning, she woke with a wondrous lightness in her heart, and an eager wish to see Mr. Bingley.