“Welcome Bingley! It is so good to see you again! I hope you are having a wonderful day and enjoying this beautiful weather!” gushes Mrs. Bennett opening the front door. She glances over to the quiet man standing beside him and sighs replying in a flat tone “Yes and uhmmm, thanks for coming” rolling her eyes as she turns her back flopping her arms to her side heading towards the kitchen to find the cheese and cracker plate Mary put together for the invited guests.
Watching Bingley and Darcy greet their mother from Liz’s car, Jane reminds Liz “Please be friendly. I want Bingley to have a really good time while he is here. If you don’t want to talk to Darcy, I understand and I won’t make you but he is Bingley’s best friend and it would help make things a lot easier if they are both comfortable.”
Liz reluctantly agrees because she really does think her sister and Bingley seem to enjoy each other’s company. Jane and Liz walk up the sidewalk anxiously anticipating the adventures of the afternoon for different reasons.
“I looked around and you were in front of us, but you disappeared when we pulled into the driveway” remarks Bingley wondering if Jane was all right as she enters her parent’s home.
“Liz realized that she was low on gas and decided to get some so that she wouldn’t have to stop on the way home” replies Jane with a slightly irritated look at her sister standing beside her who is completely intentionally ignoring the conversation at the moment.
“I was afraid that you might have changed your mind about coming over to your parents today” replies Bingley and impulsively bluntly stating without thinking “Darcy and I decided to come so we could spend the day with you and your sister.”
Jane blushes with Kitty giggling behind her on the sofa trying out perfumed paper scents from ads of a few of her favorite fashion magazines, “Well, I’m glad that it worked out for all of us to be here”.
“Let me try that one Kitty, you’re hogging them all! You can’t wear ALL of them at the same time anyway!” argues Lydia grabbing the most recent ripped advertisement out of Kitty’s hand and applying it to her neck and wrist.
Lydia takes a deep breath to let the scent soak into her senses. “This one is beautiful! What’s the name of it? I need to get some” states Lydia glancing over at the magazine “I think “True Destiny” is the perfect perfume for me”.
“You can have it! It’s overwhelming me. What do you think of this one? It’s called “Free Breeze”” offers Kitty as she leans over to let Lydia smell her arm.
Hearing the title of Kitty’s chosen choice Liz looks over Kitty’s shoulder, “Kitty, what are you doing? I think it is time for an intervention. That is room deodorizer, 'Febreze'.”
“Oh yeah . . . you’re right” reading the information about the scent “I didn’t see that. It smelled good and I put it all over me” honestly sulks Kitty a little disappointed that she won’t be able to wear the lovely scent as a perfume.
Darcy raises his eyebrow on hearing the interchange and tries not to laugh. Liz glances up at him catching his eye and for a second silently shares in the humor of the moment.
“Dinner is ready!” Mary announces into the other room while carry a large bowl of mashed potatoes to the dining room table which has been decorated with the grey and silver floral dishware that is only used on holidays twice a year in commemoration of Bingley’s visit today. The table is adored with baby blue linen napkins and tablecloth which were earlier found neatly folded from last Easter in the bottom drawer of the china cabinet which her mother designated to use for this special homecoming.
“How did you get the napkins to do this?” impressed asks Bingley holding one up to view more closely “I haven’t seen napkins folded into swans before.”
“I learned how to do all kinds of napkin folding in my ‘Family and Consumer Science’ class in high school. We also learned about etiquette, sewing, nutrition, cooking and interior design. I can make a lily pad, turkey, crown, rose and elf shoes! If you ever need some special napkins, just ask me” offers Mary “I’m quite good.”
“I’ll have to keep that in mind. I may need your assistance some time” suggests Bingley quite astonished by Mary’s hand-crafted skill.
Liz is pleased that Bingley seems to genuinely admire Mary’s unlikely talent. She notices that Darcy has already unfolded and placed his napkin in his lap.
“So, what kind of things do you do Liz which I have yet to discover?” asks Bingley sitting across the table from her and hoping that Darcy will join in the conversation.
Before Liz can answer, Lydia jumps in “Why talk about Liz? She’s boring. I’m on the drill team at school. We have a competition coming up next week. I hope that we can at least make Regional’s this year. I think there is a possibility with the team that we could make state”.
Mrs. Bennett interrupts her, “Lydia was on the all-state team last year. She’s very graceful. She’s taken dance lessons at the School for Performing Arts at the corps since she was six.”
“Our team would have made it to state if Julia Bertram hadn’t decided to land perfectly flat on her face after falling from the top of the pyramid” snidely replies Lydia.
“I’m sure that she didn’t intend it on purpose, dear” Mr. Bennett considers “unless a large bandage across the nose is suddenly in fashion. However as a father, I am entitled not to keep up with everything only to pay for it.”
“Dad . . . I’m not sure she meant to hurt herself” explains Lydia disgusted at the memory “But she didn’t want to go to the state competition because she would have to leave her want-to-be boyfriend, Henry Crawford, for a week. He’s in college. I don’t even think he notices her!”
“Well, all girls have their reasons even if they are rather peculiar to me. I’m still not sure how the female brain works after thirty years of marriage but I do enjoy and appreciate the consequences of their creative, if bizarre, process of thinking” contemplates Mr. Bennett “Just wait, Bingley and Darcy, so many years of delightful confusion and perplexity await your future”.
“Mr. Bennett stop” tapping him on the hand “. . . it only keeps the mystery alive, dear” replies Mrs. Bennett leaning over and kissing him on the cheek while munching on a piece of gravy covered country fried steak.
“Lydia, you interrupted Liz being able to talk about herself. Liz, go ahead. I’m sure Darcy and Bingley would like to hear about what things you like to do” replies Mary mimicking the tone if not the essence of how her teacher taught in etiquette class.
“Thank you, Mary, but there isn’t a whole lot to say” replies Liz not so much out of humility but not wanting to speak at the moment.
“Go ahead Lizzie. Out of all my daughters, you usually have the most intelligent things to say rather than exploding into fits of giggles while talking nonsense about a few silly boys, or who has the most flawless hair in your class” honestly replies Mr. Bennett.
Feeling slightly uncomfortable at being put on the spot, Liz begins adjusting herself in the wooden dining room chair “I like to read and enjoy writing. Although not a great musician, I like to play the piano and horn as well as appreciate anyone who plays or sings well.”
Across the table, Darcy studies Liz while she speaks and wonders what it would be like to hear her play and if they like to listen to any of the same groups or individuals.
“See, I told you Liz was boring” replies Lydia feeling justified by her earlier verbal appraisal.
“She’s not boring, Lydia. Each of us has our own interests and passions. Life is made up of a variety of experiences and responses. It is what makes life interesting” defends Darcy smiling back at Liz while he speaks “Liz is aware of more aesthetic pursuits”.
Liz is grateful for his unanticipated defense if a little disconcerted at his kindness. She feels a certain unforeseen attraction for him at the moment.
“Even so, I can’t stand listening to her music. She likes someone named Rock something-or-other, the guy who wrote “Fur Elise” which I was forced to learn when taking piano lessons as a child, and Mozart which I watched a movie about. It was half-way interesting about his life but I can’t remember the name of it. I think there was ham in the name somewhere though. But other than that, I can’t stand the other guys” replies Lydia “I’m more into Lady Gaga and Katy Perry”.
Mary sneers at Lydia, “I think you mean “Amadeus – not ham. There was a pop song with his name in it a few years ago which is probably why you remember him at all.”
Not sure how to respond to that, Bingley looks around the room and smiles at Jane. The room is quiet for a moment as everyone concentrates on the plate before them.
“Jane, you haven’t told us about what sort-of things you like to do” requests Darcy intrigued by what else he will come to learn about the Bennett family.
“Not too much really. I like to play the piano a little and sing” explains Jane embarrassed that the conversation is now focusing on her.
“Jane likes to do a lot more than that! She writes her own songs which are quite good even though she doesn’t admit it” explains Kitty “One of my favorites sounds like something they sing on ‘Pep Band’!”
“Really? How long have you been writing music? I would like to hear some of it sometime” surprised remarks Bingley.
“I started writing at music camp when I was 11. I really enjoyed theory and playing the piano, the two kind-of went together” replies Jane unexpectedly excited to talk about one of her favorite interests.
“I’ve written a few things with my guitar. Maybe we could share some of our ideas. I would like to hear what you have written” sincerely replies Bingley feeling inspired by the opportunity.
“I would be very interested to hear what you have written too” replies Jane hoping that they will be able to spend more time together.
“So Bingley, how long do you think you will be staying in Meryton? It was fantastic to have you at Longbourn Citadel last week. Will you be able to stay for awhile?” asks Mrs. Bennett “We don’t often have young men come to visit the corps. We have lots of young ladies looking to find husbands, but there isn’t much available for them. I’m sure if you stayed around for awhile you will be able to find a wife. Of course, our Jane is always available.”
Jane is shocked and blushes at her mother’s words. She pretends to wipe imaginary crumbs off her lap to avoid looking at anyone.
Liz glares at her mother at the end of the table trying to signal her not to say too much more but with little effect.
“If you haven’t noticed yet, Jane and Liz are both single. I guess so is Mary, too. I wish they would find somebody soon. Jane is too polite and Liz too stubborn, but I know each is charming in their own way and will make excellent wives. They’re not getting any younger and I would like some grandchildren” frankly states Mrs. Bennett “and of course, Mr. Bennett would too”.
Liz soaks in the pain of her mother’s words and sighs. Jane focuses on the wooden grandfather clock in the corner and hopes that this moment will quickly pass.
“What are you and Liz doing this weekend? Are you busy?” asks Bingley.
“We don’t have any plans that I know of” replies Jane with a knee shove underneath the table from Liz who does not want to commit herself before the suggestion is made.
“Would you like to come to the cottage at Camp Hidden Lake? My family rented one of the bed-and-breakfast homes for the week-end to have a short retreat. You are more than welcome to come with us. There are eight rooms so plenty of room for everyone. Darcy will be there too, won’t you Darcy?”
“Yes, it has been planned for quite awhile. There are a lot of tings to do there and it would be nice for both of you to join us” earnestly invites Darcy hoping that there might be time to become better acquainted with Liz.
Liz can’t think of anything to say to make an excuse not to go quick enough before Jane replies “That would be wonderful! Even though I haven’t stayed there before, I’ve heard that each room is decorated with a different theme. I think that Liz and I could arrange to take Friday off from work. It’s about a six hour drive for us so we could meet you just after lunch.”
Darcy mystically smiles across the table pleased that Liz will be spending some quality time with him without the rest of her family. Oddly seeing Darcy smile back at her, Liz feels that this might not be as bad as she originally first thought.
Bingley enthusiastically continues “They have horses, swimming, fishing at the lake, miniature golfing, and even paintball. It’s going to be a great weekend!”
“I don’t know what your schedule is like, but I’m not sure that we can stay the entire weekend. I may have to be back in town on Saturday, so it would just be Friday night” suggests Liz not wanting to commit herself to much more time not knowing how visiting for such a long time with Caroline with go.
“Nonsense, Liz. You are not essential at work. They can manage without you” urges Mrs. Bennett “You and Jane need a vacation and a retreat sounds like a fantastic opportunity with such wonderful company even with Darcy there too!”
Darcy looks up wide-eyed from above his napkin wiping the edges of his mouth relieved that at least Mrs. Bennett is finding it acceptable that he will be there as well.
Bingley chuckles at Mrs. Bennett’s frankness. “Yes, Darcy is my best friend and we end up being together quite a lot! He’s really not so bad, once you get to know him better” defends Bingley patting his friend on the shoulder amused by Mrs. Bennett’s fervor.
“Yes, friends come with many different shapes and sizes. It takes a special lot to appreciate our amazing and spectacular company” remarks Mr. Bennett.
Mrs. Bennett looks at him flatly and slaps a rather large second helping of mashed potatoes on her plate.
Wanting to ease the tension in the room Jane adds, “I think that it would be lovely to spend time with everyone again even if it is only for a day. It would be nice to see your sister, Caroline, again. Thank you for inviting us. I’ll call you tomorrow to let you know if it is working out for Liz and me to come.”
“Thank you for dinner. Darcy and I really appreciate your thoughtfulness in inviting us over for the afternoon. I’m looking forward to hearing from you, Jane. Liz, hope to see you again this weekend!” Kindly states Bingley walking out the door as everyone has said good-bye.
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