Netherfield Park Quarantined (27 page)

Finally, in a huff of annoyance, Mrs Bennet followed her husband from
the parlor, where they left Elizabeth and the young men.

Once inside the study, with the door closed, Mr Bennet announced his
displeasure with his wife. “You will not treat Lizzy in such a manner. She is
not responsible for seeing her sisters are married. There is no need to rush
the matter, and our girls will meet the men they are intended to marry in their
own time. Especially Lydia. She is only now becoming acquainted with this
house, feeling comfortable enough to walk about on her own from time to
time. This is a wonderful development, and I will not have you upsetting the
situation by forcing her to Town and launching her on society when she is not
ready for it. Allow our daughters to find what is best for them, not what you
wish for them.”

“As their mother, it is my duty to assist them in finding a situation best
for them. And with Lizzy so well situated, she can put her sisters in the way of
other wealthy men.” Mrs Bennet was set on her course.

“One more word, Mrs Bennet, and you will remain in your rooms for the
next week. You will not even be able to attend Jane’s wedding. Now, have I
made myself clear?”

Pouting, Mrs Bennet crossed her arms in front of her. “Very well, Mr
Bennet. But when our daughters are spinsters, with no future for themselves,
it will be you to blame for it, not me.”

~~ ** ~~

As the family all gathered about the dining table, Darcy stood up, asking
for everyone’s attention. “I would first wish to extend my joy to the upcoming
wedding of my dearest friend to the eldest of my dear sisters. Charles, you will
soon legally be my brother, finally. You have been like a brother for so long.
You deserve the love of a wonderful lady, and Jane is your perfect match. Jane,
I cannot thank you enough for loving my friend. I expect many visits to
Pemberley by the two of you, and know that you are always welcome.”

“Secondly, my beloved wife informed me recently of another new
member of our family who will be joining us in a few months.” Darcy’s smile
nearly extended from ear to ear. Waiting a few moments for everyone to
realize what he was speaking of, Darcy continued. “Our first born will make
his or her appearance in a little more than five months.”

Jane jumped from her seat and embraced her sister. “Lizzy, oh, this is
such wonderful news.”

 

Elizabeth was laughing. “Thank you, Jane. I cannot wait until you and
Charles begin to have children as well, so they can all play together.”
“My first grandchild.” Mr Bennet stated proudly. “Which do you prefer
first, William? The heir, or a daughter?”

“Fortunately, there is no entail on Pemberley, therefore I can leave it to
whomever I wish, male or female.” Darcy replied. “Though I have to admit, I
wish for a daughter who looks just like her mother.”

“You had best learn to accept torn gowns which become quite dirty, if
you have a daughter like Lizzy.” Mrs Bennet announced. “That girl was
forever getting into mischief and exploring in the park. I swear, she was
better at climbing trees than the boys were.”

Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement. “And if I were not an old
married woman who is in the family way, I would show you my skill.”
“Heaven help me.” Darcy moaned. “I do not wish to see my wife
climbing in any trees.”

 

“But, if we have a daughter, you had best be prepared if she wishes to
climb in them.” Elizabeth teased. “It was one of my favorite pastimes.”

The remainder of the evening was spent discussing the baby, as well as
childhood antics Elizabeth had gotten herself into. Darcy could not remember
laughing so hard. Looking into his wife’s eyes, he counted himself as the
luckiest man alive.

~~ ** ~~

Mrs Bennet was determined to speak with her eldest daughter, the night
before her wedding, to impart her pearls of wisdom concerning the marriage
bed.

“You must submit to him, whenever he wishes. You must become with
child quickly. Mr Bingley will require an heir, so you must tolerate his visits to
your bed as often as he desires, until you are with child. Most men will then
leave their wives alone, turning to mistresses or those houses in Town where
men go for their carnal needs. I know you will find this all distressing, but you
must lay still, and allow him to do as he wishes. The first time he takes you,
there will be pain. And you will bleed. I can remember the pain which
coursed through me that first time. Oh, and you must remember, it is not
proper for a lady to enjoy relations. Your husband will think you wanton if
you find pleasure in the coupling. My dear Jane, how I wish for you to beget a
child quickly, so you do not have to endure his desires often.”

Mrs Bennet wiped her eyes with the handkerchief she had been
fluttering about with her hand as she spoke. Finally, seeing the terrified look
on Jane’s face, Mrs Bennet felt her daughter understood her duty, and, after
placing a gentle kiss on Jane’s forehead, she left her daughter’s room.

Fortunately, Elizabeth had not left Longbourn yet. She went to her
sister’s room, knowing what their mother would have spoken to Jane about.

“Jane, as I have heard Mamma’s lecture on marital responsibilities in
bed, and I have first-hand experience with being with my husband, I thought I
should speak with you.”

“Lizzy, Mamma has left me trembling with her words. How could there
be so many children born if women are to find no pleasure in coupling? We
are supposed to submit to our husband, lying still and allowing them to do
whatever they wish? And Mamma said there will be pain the first time. I
cannot even think of looking at Charles after what Mamma discussed.”

“Mamma does not have a love match as you and I do. Papa and Mamma
tolerate each other, but there is no love for the other. I can promise you this,
Charles will be gentle and kind with you. The first time he takes you, there
will be a moment of pain. That is when you know your virtue has been taken,
and you are truly his wife. As to Mamma’s theory of lying still and allowing
him to do as he pleases, this is completely false. For me, I wish to know my
husband as much as he wishes to know me. We are equal in that fact, as I am
sure you and Charles will be. And I am certain Mamma told you that ladies are
not to find pleasure in the marital bed, else their husbands will believe them
wanton.”

“She did say such. Do you…find…pleasure in the act?”

 

“Yes, Jane, I find a great deal of pleasure in the act of coupling. And you
should allow yourself to enjoy your relations with you husband.”
Jane bit her lower lip between her teeth. “Do you worry about William
turning to a mistress, now that you are with child?”

With a laugh, Elizabeth shook her head. “No, dearest Jane, I do not. Men
who turn to mistresses or the ladies in Town are not happy in their marriages.
My husband is pleased with our life together, he has no need to turn
elsewhere. Do not fret over such nonsense, Charles will be a faithful husband,
I am quite sure of it.”

“Thank you, Lizzy, for speaking to me. I was so frightened after Mamma
spoke.” Jane stated as she embraced her sister. “I shall remember your words
and forget what Mamma said. Now, you should be off to Netherfield. Your
husband awaits you.”

“Very well. I will see you in the morning, my dearest sister.”
“Goodnight, Lizzy.”

 

~~ ** ~~

The morning saw a flurry of excitement. Mrs Bennet was in such a state
of nerves as she saw to all the final preparations for the wedding of her eldest
and, as she claimed, her most beautiful daughter. Mrs Hill and Sarah, the maid
who assisted the Bennet sisters, arranged Jane’s hair beautifully, though Mrs
Bennet insisted on them redoing the style three times before she approved.

“Mamma, we will be late if you keep insisting my hair will not do. Lizzy
stated her approval, as have Mrs Hill and Sarah.”

“I am you mother, I know better than anyone else.” Mrs Bennet huffed.
“Very well, I will settle for this style. Oh, we must finish getting you dressed.
Your father will be impatient if we do not hurry.”

Finally, wearing a pale blue gown, Jane Bennet left her childhood
bedchambers for the last time. Soon, she would be Mrs Jane Bingley, living at
Netherfield with her husband. No matter how prepared she was for the
change in her life, Jane still felt a wave of melancholy flow over her as she
stepped into the hallway. Remembering all the late night chats with Lizzy,
sitting on the bed as they discussed their futures and the men they would fall
in love with, brought tears welling in her eyes. Elizabeth could see her sister’s
mood. She leaned close to Jane’s ear and whispered. “It is time to meet your
prince at the altar, my Janie. Your future is looking brighter than we could
ever have dreamt.”

A sweet smile grew on Jane’s lips. “Thank you, Lizzy. Let us go to the
chapel.”

 

~~ ** ~~

The day was bright and sunny, and Mrs Bennet could not have wished
for a more perfect day for the wedding of her first born daughter. The chapel
was filled with family and friends, all ready to witness the marriage of two of
the sweetest natured people in all England.

Mr Bennet escorted his daughter towards her betrothed, patting her
hand which was holding tightly to his arm. Though he was pleased for his
daughter to marry such a good man, Mr Bennet could not help but think of his
girls as they were. They would always be his little girls, sitting on his lap,
allowing him to wrap them in his embrace and scare away all the monsters
who frightened them. They would always be the little girls wanting to hear a
bedtime story, trying to sneak an extra biscuit or piece of cake, or playing with
the dolls they had been given. It was difficult to see Jane as an adult, as he
placed her hand on top of Bingley’s hand. Giving his daughter a kiss on the
cheek, Mr Bennet stepped to the nearby pew and sat down beside his wife.

Yes, his daughters were growing up. And now, his beloved Lizzy would
soon be a mother. He knew it would not be long before his younger daughters
would be finding young men to marry as well, and then he would be at
Longbourn, alone with his wife.

~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

 

Chapter 22

Jane had never been happier than the moment she was pronounced Mrs
Charles Bingley. The newlywed couple walked towards the back of the chapel,
where they signed the registry. When Jane turned to embrace her beloved
sister, she could no longer control her delight.

“Can one die from being truly happy? Oh, Lizzy, I wish everyone the joy
I feel at this moment.”

“Jane, you will feel this way for the rest of your life. Every day is a new
adventure to journey. I cannot wait to read letters from you as the years go
by. It brings me joy to see you so happily situated.”

“We will be stopping at Pemberley next month, on our way back from
our wedding trip. Can you believe, Charles is taking me to Ireland? It will be
wonderful.”

“And when you see me again, I will most likely be much larger. Perhaps
I will even waddle.”

 

Jane kissed her sister’s cheek. “I cannot wait to see you so. You are so
beautiful, and the joy of motherhood is making you even more so.”

“My dear sister, I could not agree with you more.” Darcy stated as he
welcomed the new Mrs Bingley with a kiss on her hand. “Of course I am
slightly prejudiced when it comes to my wife.”

Elizabeth embraced her new brother, welcoming him to the family. “I
hope your trip will be safe and enjoyable. We will be excited to hear about it
when you visit us at Pemberley.”

“I will guard my bride with my life. Have no fear, Elizabeth. She is a
treasure I plan to keep near for the rest of my life.” Bingley stated.
The two couples made their way outside the chapel, accepting the
greetings from their family and friends.

Soon enough, everyone had moved to Longbourn for the wedding
breakfast. No one who had ever dined at Longbourn could complain, for Mrs
Bennet always set a wonderful table. For her daughter’s wedding, Mrs Bennet
went all out with her planning.

An hour passed by, and Elizabeth was growing fatigued. She had been
standing most of the morning and, though her body was begging for rest,
Elizabeth did not wish to miss a moment of her sister’s wedding breakfast.

Darcy stayed close to her, as he could sense her fatigue. He had become
very aware of her every movement, and his concern for her was extremely
apparent. Elizabeth knew the pregnancy was going to wear their relationship
thin, but she would be patient with him as much as possible.

Finally, the newlyweds were ready to leave on their wedding trip. They
would stay the first night in London, at their townhouse. Then they would be
on their way to Ireland. After a round of farewells to each family member,
they stepped into their carriage and were off.

“Dearest, I believe it is time for you to rest.” Darcy said softly to his wife.

“William, we were leaving for Town as soon as Jane and Charles left. I
can rest in the carriage. I am certain I will find a handsome gentleman in our
carriage who is willing to allow me to rest against him.”

A smile graced Darcy’s face as he thought of other activities they could
participate in while riding in the carriage. But no, those thoughts would have
to wait.

Another round of farewells was made, this time with the Darcys
preparing to leave. Mr Bennet leaned to his daughter, whispering in her ear.
“You take care of my granddaughter.”

“Papa, it could be a grandson.” Elizabeth replied.

 

“No, I am certain you are carrying a girl. Perhaps… no, I shall not
comment.” Mr Bennet teased as the thought of his daughter carrying twins.
~~ ** ~~

Darcy found himself as exhausted as his wife. Within a mile of
Longbourn, both he and Elizabeth were sound asleep. It was not long after
that Darcy began to dream.

“Papa, Papa, I am happy you are home.” A little girl with her mother’s
dark curls came running to her father, arms held open. Darcy scooped her into
his arms and placed a kiss on her cheek.