The Houseguest A Pride and Prejudice Vagary (32 page)

Chapter
30

The next twenty-four hours flew by, and before they knew it, Jane and Elizabeth
were preparing for bed on the last night Jane would be a Bennet. Elizabeth was
brushing her sister’s hair, the two of them giggling over a childhood memory,
when Mrs. Bennet burst into the room, Mrs. Gardiner close on her heels.
Fanny was obviously frazzled, and Mrs. Gardiner led her to a chair before
taking a seat herself. Jane and Elizabeth looked at them wonderingly, curious
to know what was going on.
“Jane, I must speak to you. Lizzy, you may as well stay, too and spare me the
trouble of having to repeat this before your wedding, if you can ever find a
man to take you,” she said exasperatedly.
They looked at each other in alarm, Jane’s eyes wide as she realized what her
mother was about to tell her.
“Now girls, it’s time you learned about the duties of being a wife.” They sat
down next to each other on the bed, Jane clutching Elizabeth’s hand tightly.
Mrs. Bennet began without preamble. “On your wedding night, you should take a
bath; it will help you to relax. Put on a new nightgown - something alluring.”
Mrs. Bennet motioned with her hands while Jane closed her eyes in
embarrassment.
“Drink a glass of wine beforehand, it will help with the pain. Now, your
husband will come to your chambers and you must lie down on the bed - it’s best
to blow the candles out; the less you see, the better,” she said with such a
look of wisdom and surety in her own words, “and he will remove his trousers,
and possibly his shirt. Mr. Bingley likes you very much and you are very
attractive Jane, so he may wish to touch and kiss you before he begins.”

Jane stared
at her mother with wide eyes, desperately praying for this conversation to be
over as she clutched Elizabeth's hand even tighter. Elizabeth bit her lip to
keep her composure. 
“Now, you have never seen a man disrobed before, and if you do not want to, you
should keep your eyes closed. He will become inspired,” her hand moved upward,
“and will enter your womanhood and spill his seed. He may act as if he is in
pain, but I assure you he is not.” She rolled her eyes at her sister in law.
“Now, the first time you will feel some pain and there will be blood, but not
too much. Keep a towel by the bed to cleanse yourself. Simply lie still and let
him do as he wishes, and it will be over soon. Afterward, he will thank you and
return to his chambers to retire for the night. He may wish to sleep with you,
especially in the beginning of your marriage as it will be more convenient if
he wishes to have you more than once in a night.” 
Jane’s chin dropped as her eyes met her sister’s, both open wide in
surprise. 
More than once in a night?
How…?
 Elizabeth mentally shook herself at the idea, and then
at the disturbing realization that she had just learned something about men
from her mother.
“It is your wifely duty to bear your husband an heir. The more he lies with
you, the sooner you will become with child. Your husband will avoid your bed on
Sundays and during your courses, and of course when you are with child or ill.
Once you have given him an heir, it is alright to cut back on the amount of
time you spend together. A headache is a believable way to avoid relations.”
She nodded at them knowingly.
“Now, do you have any questions?” She looked from one to the other, like a
rabbit popping up from a hole in the ground.
Jane and Elizabeth stared at their mother with mouths open and eyes unable to
blink. Realizing Jane could not speak, Elizabeth said, “Thank you Mama, that
was most instructive.”
“Only a mother’s duty, child. Now get to bed. Mr. Bingley will not want a
red-eyed bride, now will he?” She kissed Jane on the head and left the room,
happy to have that done with.
Mrs. Gardiner quietly stood and closed the door behind her sister-in-law, then
came to sit across from Jane. “How are you, dear?”
Jane’s eyes shifted to look at her aunt, but she could not speak.
“It is not all exactly as your mother says. That is some women’s experience,
yes, but the act of love can be quite pleasant, especially when you love your
husband, as you do, dear.” She gave Jane a small smile and continued, “There
will be some pain the first time, yes, but if you are relaxed it will not be so
bad, and it does not last long. Mr. Bingley loves you very much and will be
very gentle with you. Let him guide you, trust him, and don’t be afraid to
follow your own instincts. He will not hurt you. Love is a gift, and the act of
love is very special. Do not let it be ruined by ill-founded fears.” Jane
nodded, tears of anxiety in her eyes as Elizabeth rubbed her back to comfort her. 
“Do you want to ask me any questions? I promise to be honest with you.”
Jane was silent for a moment and finally said, “Just one. What did Mama mean
when she said ‘become inspired’?” She looked at her aunt with a quizzical
expression and Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes opened wider. Elizabeth giggled and
whispered in Jane’s ear. Jane’s eyes snapped wide open and her mouth
dropped. 
“No! It cannot be! Whatever am I going to do with it?” Elizabeth couldn’t help
but laugh, and Mrs. Gardiner was equally unsuccessful in restraining herself.
Eventually Jane joined them and said through her giggles, “To think it is like
the animals in the barn! Who would have thought?” They laughed until their
sides hurt, and finally went to sleep.

~

Jane’s wedding day dawned brilliant and glorious. Jane was fretted over by her
mother, who was constantly running through the house, waving her handkerchief
and calling for her smelling salts. Finally, Jane found a minute alone with
Elizabeth.
“Lizzy, I need your help with something.”
“What is it, Jane?”
“I want you to keep Mr. Darcy and his sister away from Netherfield tonight.”
Elizabeth gave her an odd look. “Not for the whole night, but at least until
after supper, or perhaps late enough that I will be asleep.”
“Jane, what’s going on?”
“Oh, Lizzy, I shall die of shame! Everyone will know what we are doing! I
cannot have guests in the house when I am… becoming a wife! Caroline and the
Hursts are already going back to town after the wedding breakfast, so it will
only be Mr. and Miss Darcy. I cannot be the hostess on my wedding night!”
Taking Jane’s hands in her own, Elizabeth said calmly, “Do not worry Jane. I
will invite the Darcys to stay here for the afternoon. Better yet, I will ask
them to walk with me to Oakham Mount. Then we will come back here for supper
and I won’t let them return until it is late.” 
Jane’s expression relaxed. “Thank you, Lizzy!”
“Do not worry, Jane. I’m sure Charles will ask Mr. Darcy to stay away. You said
yourself that he is a very thoughtful man. And Mr. Darcy is quite conscientious
as well. I’m sure they have considered it.” Elizabeth stroked her arm gently.
“Oh dear! I feel as if my entire life is changing in an instant! I’m so glad
you will be beside me, Lizzy. I don’t know what I should do without you!”
Elizabeth gave her a wobbly smile and they walked down the stairs together.

~

At Netherfield, Darcy briskly walked into Bingley’s dressing room. “You needed
me, Bingley?”
“Ah, Darcy! I wondered if I might ask you a favor?” Darcy nodded. “After the
wedding breakfast, would you mind staying away for a bit? With my sisters gone
back to town, I don’t want Jane to feel as if she needs to play the hostess on
our wedding day.”
“Of course, Bingley, we wouldn’t wish to intrude. I’ve already thought of an
alternative. Might I borrow your gig this afternoon? I thought I might take
Georgiana for a drive.”
“Of course, of course.”
“I’m sure the Bennets will invite us for supper, so we won’t be back until
late. And our rooms are in the opposite wing – too far from the master’s suite
to hear anything,” Bingley’s face began to grow red, “so tell your bride not to
worry. We’ll go straight to our rooms – you won’t even know we’re here. And
we’ll leave first thing in the morning, so you should breakfast in bed.” He
winked at Bingley.
“Oh, not you too! Just wait – one day it will be your turn and we’ll see who’s
laughing then!”
Darcy laughed as he ducked out the door before the cuff link Bingley threw at
his head could hit him.

~

The wedding was perfect; the sun shone softly through
the stain glass windows, leaving the chapel in a haze of warm light. Jane was
beautiful, her blue eyes shining as she swept down the aisle on her father’s
arm. Bingley wore an enormous smile, balanced by the scowl on his sisters’
faces. 
Darcy stood beside him, tall and officious, disliking being in front of a
crowd. He occasionally stole a glance at Elizabeth where she stood next to
Jane, careful not to stare and draw attention to himself. Elizabeth flatly
refused to look at him. She knew if their eyes met, all would be obvious to
anyone who was watching, and since they were standing at the front of a rather
full church, the chances of being observed were high.
Afterward, they walked the short distance to Longbourn for the wedding
breakfast. Mrs. Bennet had truly outdone herself. There were trays upon trays
of elegantly presented food, endless bottles of wine, and a table filled with
prettily iced cakes and fancy pies. Jane and Bingley stood near the entrance
greeting guests as they arrived. Speeches were made, toasts were drunk, and
after a few hours, the bride and groom left for Netherfield. 
After most of the guests had gone, Darcy invited Elizabeth to drive out with
him and Georgiana. Grateful he and Mr. Bingley were giving Jane the privacy she
so desperately needed, Elizabeth happily spent the next few hours showing them
the countryside surrounding Meryton. The Darcys had supper at Longbourn, where,
thankfully, her sisters were too tired to be much bother. 
Mrs. Bennet, however, seemed to have boundless stores of energy. After more
than a month of planning, weeks of hectic fittings and consultations, and the
completion of the event itself, she still had the energy to discuss loudly how
grand her daughter would be, how Netherfield was the finest house in the
county, and how she hoped Mr. Bingley would buy it for her dear Jane. Jane had
always been so beautiful, of course she was destined to marry a rich man. Had
she not said so since she was an infant? And Mr. Bingley was so agreeable! How
fortunate that her Jane was married to such a handsome, wealthy
gentleman. 
Elizabeth tried to ignore her, attending to Georgiana, who looked quite shocked
but was holding up well, at the opposite end of the table. She stole a few
glances at Darcy, who had turned his head away from Mrs. Bennet and was deep in
conversation with Mr. Gardiner across the table from her. Elizabeth was
thankful she had some relatives of whom she could be proud and silently thanked
her mother for not arranging the seating, allowing them to choose their dinner
partners. 
After the meal, the ladies sat down in the drawing room while the men went to
Mr. Bennet’s library. Mr. Gardiner, having an uncanny knack for knowing when he
was and was not required, busied himself at the far end of the room, while Mr.
Bennet and Darcy sat near the low burning fire. 
“Mr. Bennet, I wonder if I might speak to you about something of import.”
“What could that possibly be, Mr. Darcy?”
“I wish to court your daughter, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Bennet stared at him, “and
then I wish to marry her.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyebrows shot up. “You want my Lizzy?”
Darcy answered steadily, “Yes, sir, I do.”
“And may I ask why you have taken so sudden an interest in my daughter? I was
led to believe you did not find her tempting in the least.” Bennet steepled his
hands and sat back.
Was he never to live that comment down? “I have favored your daughter for some
time, Mr. Bennet, since last autumn when I stayed at Netherfield. It is not
sudden at all, I assure you.”
Mr. Bennet looked at him amusedly. “And does she return your regard?”
“I doubt she feels as strongly as I do, but I do not believe she is indifferent
to me, either.”
“I see. Have you asked her for her hand?”
Darcy cringed slightly at the slight falsehood. “I had hoped to secure her hand
this summer, which is why I wished to ask for your consent before I traveled to
Pemberley.”
“Hmmm. You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you, Mr. Darcy? I suppose I ought
to ask you all the usual questions. I’m sure you know what they are, so why
don’t you just tell me and if any information is lacking, I shall ask.” He
waved his hand dismissively.
Mr. Bennet was enjoying toying with him, much like a barn cat with a mouse
caught by the tail. Darcy was not used to being treated in such a fashion, but
he put his indignation aside for the sake of Elizabeth.
“Well sir, I have an estate in Derbyshire, as you know. It brings in 10,000
pounds a year. I have a house in town, which your eldest daughters have
visited, that I inherited with the estate. I am the eldest son and have no
brothers; my sister Georgiana is my only living immediate family member.
Everything is owned free and clear by me. There are no mortgages on any of my
properties, and I am not fond of excessive gaming or drinking, so there is not
likely to ever be. I also have various other investments in shipping, textiles,
etc, and a few smaller estates in Wales and Scotland, which earn another 4,000
pounds on average.”
He leaned forward, elbows on knees, his voice earnest. “I will provide
generously for your daughter. She will want for nothing and will have unlimited
access to whatever she needs. I plan to settle 20,000 pounds on her when we
wed, and her allowance will be as high as she desires.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyes widened slightly, but he was determined not to be impressed.
Darcy continued, “I assure you, sir that I love you daughter very much and will
do all that is in my power to ensure her happiness.”
He looked squarely into Mr. Bennet’s eyes until the older gentleman spoke. “And
what of later? What if there is no heir? Is your property entailed upon a
cousin?” 
Ignoring his snide tone, Darcy answered him civilly. “The property of Pemberley
is entailed to the extent that it cannot be separated, but it is not entailed
away from the female line. If I were to die without an heir, Pemberley would
immediately fall to my sister Georgiana, and on to her eldest son. If we have
daughters and no sons, our eldest daughter would inherit. Elizabeth would be
well provided for in the event of my death. She may live at Pemberley as long
as she chooses, and if she so wished, the dower house is large and comfortable,
and she would have rights to it until her death. Any children we have will be
well provided for as well.”
“Again, Mr. Darcy, I must say you seem to have thought of everything. I will
not dally with you.” 
Any longer
,
thought Darcy. “Lizzy has always been a favorite of mine, and she will not be
easy to part with. But she will not accept just any man, even one as 
well-qualified
 as you, so I advise
you to make sure you know what you are about before you ask her.” He gave Darcy
a meaningful look. 
Darcy tried not to show a smirk of satisfaction. “So I have your blessing,
sir?” 
“You have my consent – IF Lizzy agrees to it. I will withhold my blessing until
I speak to my daughter. Does she know about this conversation?”
“I will discuss it with her as soon as I have the chance.”
“If I know my Lizzy, she will want to keep this quiet as long as possible, so I
shall refrain from sharing this with Mrs. Bennet until I hear from her.” Mr.
Bennet rose. “Shall we join the ladies?”