Page 35 of The Sole Love

Elizabeth sat instinctively close to her father, who was the most affected in the room by everything that had happened. Her mother and Jane were together, comforting each other, while the Gardiners sat on the couch holding hands. She felt sorry for everybody, but mostly for Jane because of the lie and scheme they had created around a horrible circumstance that had altered her sister’s life forever—without her even knowing. Elizabeth wondered whether she herself would have wanted to know the truth if she were the…victim. And she could not honestly answer. In fact, not knowing was better. And for Jane, it was the best solution. Her sister was too fragile to know the truth. She had complete confidence in people and, most of all, in their parents, and such news could throw her into overwhelming grief.

If they succeeded in keeping the truth from Jane, an enormous problem still remained. Mr Bennet did not seem ready to forgive his wife. He would not speak directly to her, and Elizabeth observed that he still looked at her with reproach—disturbing for those who knew the reason.

Elizabeth adored her father, but she could not be indifferent to her mother’s torment; she loved them both. It was a thankless situation for a daughter who had to remain impartial. She was inclined to be on her father’s side, but not in the way Mr Bennet was handling the situation. Perhaps it was too soon for the wound to heal. She hoped that time and distance from London would eventually soften his anger.

Using her imaginary illness, Mrs Bennet avoided the family gatherings as much as she could. She stayed in her room or took short walks with Jane to the nearby park.

During one such occasion, Mrs Gardiner informed her husband and Mr Bennet about the results of their visit to Darcy House.

“Mr Darcy is a fine gentleman who offered us an unexpected solution. He has invited us to Pemberley, his estate in Derbyshire.”

Silence fell upon the room. Usually, they were quiet to avoid the sole subject that tormented their minds, but this time everybody reflected on the possible journey to Pemberley.

Mr Bennet profoundly disliked all travel, preferring to stay at home in his library, away from people and noise. However, this time he was inclined to accept. He failed to imagine his new life at Longbourn, with that problem constantly between him and his wife. He wanted to find a solution for Jane. Still, he preferred not to think—yet—about his wife. He wanted space and time to reflect and decide. Visiting a faraway place could provide both—not to mention that, in such a house and among so many people, it would not be difficult to avoid her.

He observed Elizabeth then, the joy that lit her face, and for a few moments his turmoil ceased to pain him. His wise and beautiful daughter was about to find the happiness she deserved, and he was ready to help her. A stay at Pemberley could easily become a lifetime commitment for the two lovers.

“Yes,” he said, “I think it is the best solution.”

His brother-in-law nodded. For him, it was also an excellent opportunity to visit new places in Derbyshire, and he was sure that Mr Darcy was acquainted with many wealthy people in the neighbourhood.

“Then it is settled!” Elizabeth said with much enthusiasm. She had entertained some fears, knowing of her father’s dislike of new people and places, but for once, Mr Bennet seemed agreeable.

“I shall write to Mr Darcy with our acceptance,” Mr Bennet said. “We leave for Longbourn to prepare for the journey and shall depart together in a week or so.”

“I am sure it is a good plan. We shall leave London with the Darcys and travel to Longbourn to collect you all.”

Mrs Gardiner was already making arrangements. She intended to see that Elizabeth travelled with the Darcys. There could hardly be a better opportunity for the two of them to grow closer than a three-day journey.

“But we also need to take Kitty, Lydia, and Mary. We cannot leave them alone,” Mr Bennet said.

“Of course not, Papa. Mr Darcy invited even the Gardiner cousins to Pemberley.” She was proud of the man who had won her heart. Generous and kind, he finally seemed to like her family.

“Then we shall leave for Longbourn in the morning and tell Jane the news only after we arrive home.”

Again, silence engulfed the parlour. They all dearly loved Jane, and it was dreadful to lie to her constantly.

“Let us just say that, in doing it this way, we protect her from greater suffering,” Mr Bennet concluded, not without pain.

“Do you want me to come with you, Papa?” Elizabeth asked as Mr Bennet prepared to go, probably to the library.

He looked at her with love and admiration for her benevolence, while deeply regretting that she could not wholly enjoy the splendid time to come in her life. Until Jane’s problem was solved, a measure of uneasiness would remain in everything they did. However, he did not want her to suffer more than necessary. So he smiled and said, “No, my dear. We shall have all the time in the world to talk—at Pemberley.”

Chapter 15

The Bennets travelled home in uncommon silence. The women exchanged small talk on unimportant subjects, mostly whispering, as Mr Bennet appeared to sleep.

“We shall not tell the girls back home about my illness,” Mrs Bennet said to Jane. Lately, she had avoided meeting Elizabeth’s eyes or addressing her directly.

Another lie occurred to Elizabeth with disdain, but then she admitted that it was better not to involve her other sisters in any way.

“But why, Mama?” Jane asked.

Mrs Bennet caressed her hand; Jane sat next to her, while Elizabeth was on the same bench as her father.

“My dear, they do not need to know all our concerns. You and Elizabeth are already adults, and I can rely on you.”

Elizabeth could not help thinking bitterly that her mother could indeed rely on her. Like her father, she was still angry with Mrs Bennet, wondering how she would behave in the future with such an obstacle between them. Soon, she let her thoughts turn to Mr Darcy and his estate, imagining that, in the near future, she might be living there, far from her mother. And surely, time would heal the wounds. But she could not predict what would happen to her parents’ relationship. Mr Bennet was a good man with strong principles, but one of his main flaws was stubbornness. He rarely took offence, although Elizabeth remembered a few occasions when, after intense discussions with their mother, he would not speak to her for a day or so. Still a young girl when she first noticed this silence, she had never understood how such incidents ended. Did her mother say she was sorry, or did they simply continue after a while as if nothing had happened?