Page 36 of The Sole Love

“You did not tell us what the doctor said.” Jane was the only one who wanted to talk.

Mrs Bennet blushed so deeply that Elizabeth feared she would truly faint this time. “My dear, a woman who has had five children has certain problems. Let us hope that I shall be better in time.”

Mr Bennet had closed his eyes at the beginning of the journey and never moved from his place until they arrived home. At Longbourn, he smiled at his younger daughters, who greeted them in front of the house, and then shut himself in his library.

“What is wrong with Papa?” Lydia asked, and immediately Mrs Bennet put a finger to her lips, a clear sign not to speak further. Silently, she led her daughters to the parlour, finally relieved to escape the grim atmosphere of the carriage.

Only Elizabeth escaped to her bedroom. Since hearing that story, she had avoided her mother as often as she could. Perhaps she did not have the right to judge Mrs Bennet, yet she felt uncomfortable in her presence. Nor could Aunt Gardiner talk to her, although they had been close in the past. Unfortunately, such a deed would spoil any relationship. Besides, Aunt Gardiner was in London, while Elizabeth had to live in the same house as her mother and see her at any time of day or night.

Or she could say yes to Mr Darcy and return to Longbourn only to marry. Lying in bed, she forgot about her family’s problems as uncertainty filled her. His invitation to Pemberley was a sign of his intentions, but then again, everything was so complicated between them. The kisses, however, were not complicated, and she blushed at the intense emotion brought by the mere memory of his closeness. She knew he loved her and wanted her to be his wife, only to be filled with fear minutes later.

They sat at the dinner table as they always had—five siblings and their parents—but for once, Mrs Bennet did not scold the servants or her daughters, and she managed to keep a light tone when asking Kitty or Lydia how they had occupied themselves while the others were away. Jane began telling them about London and the friendly Haskett family, and Elizabeth could discern the reproach in her voice. She wanted to be near her mother, but at the same time, she deeply regretted the life she had left behind and the prospect of a glorious month near Bath.

When the Haskett name was pronounced, Elizabeth instinctively looked at her father, and indeed, Mr Bennet gestured for them to be silent. He spoke with some difficulty, as if he were tired.

“My dears, I have some good news for you. Mr Darcy, a friend of Elizabeth whom you probably remember, has invited our family and the Gardiners to spend a few weeks in Derbyshire at his estate, Pemberley.”

“Pemberley?” Lydia exclaimed with great joy. “It is a splendid place. Mr Wickham told us many things about it, but—” She looked at Elizabeth.

“But what—?” Elizabeth asked.

Jane answered angrily. “But, my dear, the place might be wonderful; however, its master is the most awful man who ever lived.”

“Jane…” Mr Bennet spoke kindly.

“Sorry, Papa, but that is the truth. He is the man who advised Mr Bingley to quit Netherfield Park…and me.”

“Jane, enough.” This time, Mr Bennet seemed angered—at least, that was how he looked. In fact, he was simply incredibly sad about a situation that risked altering his family forever. They were not a perfect family, but in the past, they had enjoyed being together and dearly loved one another. He was concerned about Jane, but he was also sorry for Elizabeth, who deserved to go to Pemberley for her own benefit and not because of her sister.

“Our visit to Pemberley is already decided,” he continued. “And I insist that you respect our host.”

“Papa, it is all right to discuss the matter and show our true feelings,” Elizabeth said. “I want you to know that Mr Darcy is far from being ‘awful.’ If you want to know the truth, our dear Mr Wickham deserves that description.”

“That is a lie!” Lydia shouted.

“No, my dear, it is the truth. Not long ago, he tried to dishonour a young lady by eloping…for her fortune. He is despicable—not Mr Darcy.”

Jane shook her head with visible anger. “But Mr Darcy used his influence to destroy another’s life.”

“Whose life?” Lydia asked.

Jane would not look at Elizabeth. “He advised Mr Bingley not to return from London.”

Elizabeth, of course, disagreed. “He may have ventured his opinion, but I do not think an adult man could be influenced by a mere suggestion in such an important matter.”

“I think when a man has a dear friend, he tends to listen to advice,” Jane riposted.

“Maybe, although he cannot be forced by mere words to act in one way or another.”

“I completely dislike this conversation, ladies,” Mr Bennet said. “We are leaving for Pemberley in a few days, and I expect you all to be ready by then. No more discussion about this subject. For once, this is my decision, and you are invited to obey.”

He put down his cutlery, asked a servant to take his meal to the library, and left without another word.

“Look what you have done with your insensitive talk,” Mrs Bennet said. “You angered your father.”

Elizabeth thought it was her mother who had angered him, not them, and she was almost under the impression that Mrs Bennet had heard her thoughts when she lowered her eyes to the plate in front of her.

“I am sorry, Jane dear…” Elizabeth whispered.