A Different Impression Rewrite

Once again, this chapter has undergone considerable revision. As I rearranged events within the story, several scenes needed to be moved or rewritten so that the action—and the characters’ development—would unfold more consistently. Although the essential events remain the same, much of the chapter has changed.

With Mr Collins dispatched, Elizabeth and Darcy can finally turn their attention towards planning their wedding. However, Mrs Bennet still does not know, and there will be an unpleasant surprise in Meryton.

I hope you enjoy today’s chapter, An Unwelcome Discovery.

The morning after Mr Collins departed, Mr Bennet instructed his wife’s maid to wake her early so that they might speak before the rest of the household arose. Sometime amid the chaos of the previous day, the companion Mr Gardiner had engaged had arrived at Longbourn. Mr Bennet intended that Mrs Higgins should assist not only his younger daughters but also his wife.

It was some time after Mr Bennet expected her when Mrs Bennet finally entered his study. She looked thoroughly disgruntled, which did not surprise him. Nevertheless, he intended to explain clearly how matters would proceed.

“Mrs Bennet,” Mr Bennet began, “we have had several conversations regarding the changes that must be made in this household. As you are aware, the companion who is to assist you and our younger daughters arrived yesterday afternoon. Mrs Higgins will help you, Mary, and Kitty gain a better understanding of the rules of propriety that govern our lives. For the next fortnight, however, she will primarily be assisting you.”

Mrs Bennet frowned at him, but Mr Bennet continued before she could interrupt.

“Just before Lizzy and Kitty went to London, Mr Darcy proposed to Lizzy. They will be married in a fortnight, two days after the ball at Netherfield. The ball is being given largely in their honour, although that is not its stated purpose. Tomorrow, Miss Bingley, Mr Bingley’s aunt, will call upon you to discuss the ball and what assistance may be needed from our family.”

For several moments, Mrs Bennet merely stared at him. Then her eyes widened.

“Lizzy will wed Mr Darcy in a fortnight? Mr Bennet, that is impossible! We cannot possibly arrange a wedding suitable for a man of his stature in so little time,” she cried, fluttering her handkerchief before her face. “No, it cannot be done. And why should Lizzy marry before Jane? Mr Bingley has called as often as Mr Darcy. Besides, Lizzy was to marry John Lucas.”

“Enough, Mrs Bennet,” Mr Bennet said calmly but decisively. “At present, Mr Darcy is the only man who has proposed to any of our daughters, and I will not tell Elizabeth that she must wait for an event that may or may not occur. Yes, Mr Bingley has called frequently, but he has not spoken to me regarding his intentions towards Jane. We therefore have no certainty that he intends to propose.”

He paused and fixed his wife with a sharp look.

“As we have previously discussed, Mr Lucas has likewise said nothing to me of any intention to marry Elizabeth. You will recall that it is a father’s responsibility to approve his daughters’ suitors—not their mother’s privilege to choose those suitors without consulting anyone else.”

Mr Bennet allowed the silence to stretch between them. When his wife finally lowered her gaze, in what he hoped was at least a temporary acceptance of his authority, he continued.

“As matters now stand, if you wish to be involved in planning the wedding, you will listen to me. Otherwise, Jane and Elizabeth are entirely prepared to make the arrangements themselves. Elizabeth and Mr Darcy both desire a small, simple ceremony followed by a wedding breakfast. They do not wish to wait several months over fripperies and other such nonsense. They have discussed what they want for their wedding day, and that is the wedding they shall have. Do you understand?”

Mrs Bennet lifted her chin and pressed her handkerchief to her bosom.

“No, I do not, sir. It is a mother’s right to plan her daughter’s wedding. It does not matter what Lizzy wants.”

“It does matter, and the bride and groom are in agreement. Neither desires a large wedding, nor do they wish to wait several months to marry. Mr Darcy wishes to return to his estate before winter makes travelling there too difficult. They will marry on the date I have told you.”

Mrs Bennet opened her mouth to protest, but Mr Bennet raised one hand, forestalling her.

“If you do not wish to assist them in planning the wedding they desire, you may return to your rooms and continue your lessons in comportment. Until you learn to correct your behaviour, you will not be in the company of your friends and neighbours. If you cannot do so, I shall find somewhere else for you to live, where you will no longer be able to influence our daughters.”

His wife sank into the chair opposite his desk, clutching her handkerchief tightly in both hands. Mr Bennet took no pleasure in frightening her, but gentler warnings had made little impression and it was time he took a hard line.

“I have lived with you for more than twenty years and done little to correct your behaviour. Now that I recognise my error, I mean to remedy it.”

Mrs Bennet stared at him, her earlier indignation giving way to something more apprehensive. Mr Bennet allowed his words to settle before continuing.

“You may continue to behave as you always have and face the consequences, or you may attempt to conduct yourself as a gentlewoman. If you wish to go join the family at breakfast this morning, and then later sit with Lizzy and her intended to discuss their wedding, you may do so.”

At the first hint of renewed excitement in his wife’s expression, Mr Bennet leant forward.

“There will, however, be no mention of his wealth, carriages, pin money, or clothing. When Lizzy went to London last week, she shopped with Mrs Gardiner and Mr Darcy’s sister, and her trousseau has already been ordered.”

“How could she have ordered her trousseau without me? She does not know the best warehouses!” Mrs Bennet cried.

She sat back and fixed Mr Bennet with an accusing look. “You have used me very ill by concealing our daughter’s betrothal and allowing her to go to London without me.”

“And how is it that Lizzy is to marry before Jane? Jane is ever so much more beautiful. She should have the wealthier suitor—”

“Mrs Bennet!” Mr Bennet’s voice rose sharply enough to silence her. “We have discussed this before, and you have just ignored every condition I placed upon your involvement. I see that you have no intention of helping your daughter plan the wedding she desires. You will return to your room, and I shall send Mrs Higgins to speak with you later this morning. Perhaps she will be able to persuade you to see sense.”

Mr Bennet pulled the bell. When Mrs Hill appeared, he instructed her to escort Mrs Bennet back to her rooms. His wife began to protest, but one look from him apparently convinced her that further argument would accomplish nothing. She rose with an injured huff and followed the housekeeper from the study.

Once the door closed behind them, Mr Bennet sank into his chair and rubbed a hand over his face. He had failed to curb his wife’s behaviour for far too many years, but this once, at least, he would not allow her folly to spoil Elizabeth’s happiness.

Elizabeth had already left Longbourn and remained unaware of the confrontation taking place in her father’s study that morning. She once again met William at the summit of Oakham Mount, accompanied as usual by Kitty, and was delighted to discover that Georgiana had ridden there with him.

While Kitty and Georgiana sat together, whispering over Kitty’s landscape, Elizabeth and William walked nearby and discussed what they desired for the ceremony and wedding breakfast. Taking advantage of the girls’ absorption in the drawing, they wandered a little farther away and exchanged one lingering kiss. By the time they rejoined the girls, the principal details had been settled.

By the time they returned to their companions, the principal details had been settled. The four soon departed for their respective homes, knowing they would all meet again at Longbourn later that morning.

When William returned to Longbourn accompanied by Georgiana and Mr Bingley, Mrs Bennet remained in her rooms. Rather than wait for her mother to appear, William suggested that they walk to the church and finalise the arrangements with the rector. The licence had already been obtained, and they now needed only to confirm their intended date and discuss the particulars of the ceremony.

Georgiana and Mr Bingley remained at Longbourn with Kitty and Jane while Elizabeth and William met with the rector. Once the couple returned, the six of them set out for Meryton together. Mary elected to stay behind with her father to discuss the book they had both been reading.

The group walked in pairs, with Kitty and Georgiana leading the way, followed by Jane and Mr Bingley, while Elizabeth and William lagged slightly behind. Their engagement was not yet widely known, although Elizabeth suspected that many in Meryton had observed their courtship and already anticipated its conclusion. She hoped that making the engagement public that morning would prevent the wedding date from taking anyone by surprise—or giving rise to speculation that something improper had forced them to marry in such haste.

Taking advantage of their slower steps, William repeated his actions on the day they had walked into Meryton following his proposal. He drew Elizabeth behind a convenient tree, sheltering them from the view of their companions, and bent to kiss her.

Their kisses were no longer hesitant. Elizabeth rose onto her toes and slipped her arms around his neck, meeting his ardour with her own. His arm tightened around her waist as the kiss deepened, drawing her against the solid warmth of his body and sending an unfamiliar heat through her. By the time they parted, both were breathless, and Elizabeth found it increasingly difficult to remember why they must stop when he kissed her in that manner.

She possessed only a vague understanding of what might follow such sensations once they were married, although her aunt had promised to enlighten her before the wedding. The thought brought fresh warmth to her cheeks.

William pressed one final kiss to her lips before guiding her back onto the path. His actions drew Elizabeth from her increasingly dangerous musings as they hurried to catch up with the others.

Upon reaching Meryton, Elizabeth and William quickly caught up with the rest of their party. Their first stop was the milliner’s shop, where they purchased ribbons for Elizabeth’s bouquet and for decorating the church. Elizabeth made certain that Mrs Harris understood their purpose. Knowing the lady’s fondness for sharing news, she had little doubt that most of Meryton would know of the engagement before the day was out.

After leaving the milliner’s, the party visited the bookshop. Elizabeth was examining a newly published volume when she heard William make a quiet sound of satisfaction. She turned to find him holding a first edition with unusual care.

“I have been searching for this particular edition for some time,” he told her with a grin. Elizabeth smiled, pleased that their excursion had yielded something that delighted him.

Apparently deciding that he should not be the only one to profit from the visit, William insisted upon purchasing a book for each of the ladies. Elizabeth protested that such generosity was unnecessary, but he merely gave her a look that suggested he had no intention of being dissuaded. Georgiana and Kitty also selected several pieces of sheet music, which he added to his purchases.

Their next stop was Mrs Hudson’s establishment, where Jane and Mary’s ball gowns were ordered. The fabrics Elizabeth had selected in London had been delivered earlier that morning. Jane was delighted with hers, and Elizabeth hoped Mary would be equally pleased with the colour chosen for her. Elizabeth had deliberately avoided the sombre shades her sister generally preferred and hoped she might also persuade Mary to arrange her hair differently for the ball.

Whilst Jane discussed the details of her gown, William lifted a pale green silk shawl from a nearby display and held it against Elizabeth’s shoulders.

“This colour was made for you,” he said.

Elizabeth glanced at herself in the mirror and immediately recognised that the shawl would complement her new ball gown. “You have not even seen my gown.”

“No, but your expression tells me that I have chosen well.”

“You have,” she admitted. “It will suit it perfectly.”

William purchased the shawl before she could offer more than a token objection. As he settled it around her shoulders, Elizabeth noticed several ladies watching them with knowing smiles. If their engagement had not already been apparent, William’s attentiveness had surely confirmed it.

They visited several other establishments, including the cobbler and the tailor. While the gentlemen were occupied in the latter, Elizabeth took the opportunity to purchase fine lawn and embroidery silks. She intended to make several handkerchiefs for William as a wedding gift and was considering decorating some of them with sweet Williams.

“Sweet Williams?” Kitty whispered, peering at the colours Elizabeth had selected.

Elizabeth gave her a warning look. “Not a word. I have not yet decided.”

Kitty’s poorly concealed smile suggested that her sister considered the matter already settled.

Elizabeth wondered whether William would truly carry a handkerchief embroidered with sweet Williams. To be safe, she decided to decorate some with the flowers and others more conventionally with his initials.

Their final stop was the small tea shop in the centre of the high street. The six of them occupied two adjoining tables, with Elizabeth, William, and Georgiana at one and Jane, Mr Bingley, and Kitty at the other. Elizabeth soon noticed curious glances and heard whispers concerning Jane and Mr Bingley. Evidently, his frequent visits to Longbourn had not escaped notice, and the absence of any announced understanding had inspired considerable speculation.

When they emerged from the tea shop, Elizabeth nearly collided with Georgiana and Kitty as the two girls stopped without warning. She heard Georgiana whisper her brother’s name, the panic in her voice unmistakable. Beside Elizabeth, William went rigid. Following their gazes, she saw a handsome young man standing with one of the militia officers.

“Wickham,” William muttered, his voice taut with anger.

He started towards the man, but Elizabeth caught his arm firmly.

“I do not mean to prevent you from acting, sir, but ought we to be worried?” she whispered. “Should we return to Longbourn at once?”

William stopped and drew a deep breath. “Georgie, come here,” he said firmly, not answering Elizabeth immediately. He placed one hand over Elizabeth’s before continuing. “There is no immediate danger, dearest—not here in public. Do you remember what I told you of my sister’s heartbreak?”

At Elizabeth’s nod, he continued. “The man standing over there is responsible for it. There is more I must tell you, but this is neither the time nor the place. Let us return to Longbourn. Georgie, Elizabeth, remain close to me until we are safely home.”

Georgiana and Elizabeth each took one of William’s arms. Without asking for an explanation, Mr Bingley offered his arms to Jane and Kitty, and the party immediately set out for Longbourn.

Once they had put some distance between themselves and Meryton, Georgiana rejoined Kitty at the front of the party. Jane and Mr Bingley followed, allowing Elizabeth and William to fall slightly behind the others.

“Elizabeth, I told you that Georgiana had suffered a heartbreak, but it was far more serious than I allowed you to understand. The man we saw is George Wickham. This summer, he pretended to love Georgiana and persuaded her to elope with him. His object was her dowry and revenge against me. I arrived before they could depart and compelled him to leave. I warned him that if he ever approached Georgiana again or attempted to injure her reputation, I would use the debts I hold against him to have him imprisoned.”

Elizabeth glanced towards Georgiana, horrified by what her young friend had endured. “Is he dangerous in other ways?”

“He is. We must speak to your father so that he can warn others to guard their daughters while the militia remains in the neighbourhood,” William replied gravely. “Wickham is not the only danger. My cousin has told me far too many stories of the harm militia units have caused in the places where they were encamped.”

Elizabeth grimaced. “I am thankful Lydia has been sent to school. She would likely have viewed the militia’s arrival as an opportunity to flirt with the officers—or worse.”

After a moment, she asked, “Did Mr Wickham see you in Meryton? If he learns of our engagement, will it encourage him to leave—or give him a reason to remain?”

“I do not know. I shall send someone to enquire of Colonel Forster whether Wickham has enlisted. If he has, I shall send an express to Richard. He will be very interested to learn where Wickham is.” William paused, his gaze settling upon Elizabeth. “Dearest, until Wickham has been dealt with, I must ask you not to walk out unless I or another trustworthy escort accompanies you. Kitty may preserve propriety, but she could do little to protect you if Wickham intended harm.”

Elizabeth reached up to caress his cheek. “We have only a fortnight remaining until we wed, William. I shall not walk out unless you or another suitable escort accompanies me, and I will forgo my usual rambles for the present.”

He brought her hand to his lips. “Thank you, dearest. I cannot imagine what I would do if something happened to you. I love you so dearly.”

“I love you as well, William,” she replied before adding with an arch smile, “I would not forgo my walks for any other reason.”

William laughed, precisely as Elizabeth had intended. Upon reaching Longbourn, she watched him go directly to her father’s study. She knew he intended to warn her father about Wickham and the dangers posed by the militia. Several minutes later, William and her father joined the others in the drawing room.

Once everyone had been served tea, William warned the ladies to be cautious around the militia officers, particularly Mr Wickham, although he carefully avoided revealing Georgiana’s history. At her father’s direction, a servant was sent to determine whether Wickham had enlisted. William prepared a letter to his cousin while they waited, and her father then returned to his study to await the servant’s report.

After the general conversation ended, those present separated into smaller groups. Elizabeth and William sat together and spoke quietly of their plans for after the wedding. They intended to spend a brief wedding trip in London before beginning the longer journey to Pemberley, where they hoped to arrive no later than the fifteenth of December. Lord and Lady Matlock would bring Georgiana and Kitty to Derbyshire by the twenty-second and remain to celebrate Christmas with them.

Across the room, Jane and Mr Bingley conversed together. Elizabeth noticed her sister looking towards her and William several times, a faint crease appearing between her brows. She wondered what occupied Jane’s thoughts and resolved to seek her out once they were alone.

Mary, Kitty, and Georgiana soon withdrew to the music room after Kitty expressed an interest in learning to play the pianoforte. Before long, the hesitant notes of a beginner’s exercise drifted into the drawing room.

Some time later, Elizabeth’s father entered and announced that Colonel Forster had confirmed Mr Wickham’s enlistment. The express to Colonel Fitzwilliam had already been dispatched.

Beside her, William immediately grew tense. He spoke further with her father about the danger Wickham might pose, but Elizabeth could see that the news had unsettled him.

“Perhaps we ought to join the girls in the music room,” she suggested, hoping the diversion might draw his thoughts away from Wickham. “I believe Kitty’s first lesson deserves an audience.”

William gave her a faint smile and offered his arm.

When they entered the music room, Elizabeth found Kitty seated at the instrument with Mary on one side and Georgiana on the other. Georgiana demonstrated the proper position of Kitty’s hands while Mary patiently explained the notes before her.

Elizabeth had noticed a considerable improvement in Mary’s playing since her sister had begun choosing less ponderous pieces and attempting to play with greater feeling. Mary had admitted that her former difficulties were partly due to her unwillingness to accept advice. Now, Elizabeth was pleased to see her listening closely whenever Georgiana offered a suggestion. Kitty was evidently not the only sister benefiting from the lesson.

The diversion proved moderately successful. William joined in the conversation and applauded Kitty’s earliest efforts, although Elizabeth noticed him growing quiet at intervals as the evening progressed. He, Georgiana, and Mr Bingley remained for dinner before finally returning to Netherfield late that evening.

Several of you have commented upon Mr Bennet’s progress—and the possibility that he may eventually fall back into some of his old habits. That unevenness is intentional. He has recognised some of his failures and is finally addressing the most urgent problems, but one determined conversation cannot undo more than twenty years of indolence and avoidance. For the moment, he remains firm with his wife, but some of the difficulties surrounding the Bennet family may not be as easily resolved as they presently appear.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Darcy’s happy morning of wedding preparations has ended with the discovery that Wickham has joined the militia in Meryton. Darcy now has Elizabeth and Georgiana to protect, and he knows far too well what Wickham is capable of doing when motivated by resentment or desperation.

What did you think of Mr Bennet’s confrontation with his wife? Do you believe Mrs Bennet is capable of changing her behaviour—or merely suppressing it when threatened with consequences? And now that Wickham has appeared in Meryton, what do you think he will do when he learns of Darcy and Elizabeth’s engagement?

— Melissa Anne 💙

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