Elizabeth was left only with bittersweet memories of a shortened acquaintance. Jane was recently engaged to Bingley and while Elizabeth rejoiced for her sister, she painfully realized that due to Bingley’s connection with Darcy she might be thrown into his path again. Pain seared her heart when she thought of witnessing him marry and have children. Unconsciously, tears began to fall on her face.
She could not explain it at all. She had always been sensible and yet somehow she found herself in love with a gentleman she only knew for a matter of days. What started as a vague inclination and admiration for his intellect grew into a stout love.
Recalling her words to Georgiana, which now seemed so long ago, she confessed her love for Darcy was not based at all on the excitement of his attention. She had not seen him in over a month, or heard a thing about him. She was certain she could not be further from his thoughts. With Darcy she had felt at leave to be her true self, a greater friendship she had never known. She felt cherished.
Elizabeth had tried to stop her regard from growing. She knew he could never return it and even if he did matrimony would not follow. There were too many barriers between them and on such a short acquaintance. He owed his family name much more than she could ever bring, especially now. She loved him too much to ask that sacrifice of him. Sometimes it seemed the more she attempted to end her foolish fancy the more it grew.
After a good cry alone on the peak, she resolved to think of it no more. Darcy was not to belong to her and there was nothing to be done for it. Melancholy and sadness would not change a thing. She was not some silly and ignorant girl to be so crossed in love to allow an acquaintance of mere days to affect her entire life.
Upon her return to Longbourn she noticed a grand carriage in the lane. A tall and foreboding woman elegantly dressed, and who might have once been handsome, strutted angrily towards her.
“You must be Elizabeth Bennet. They told me I could find out you outside as you scampered about the countryside like a wild hoyden!”
Elizabeth was not in a mood at all to be so insulted by a stranger. “You have me at a disadvantage for you know my name but I have yet to learn yours.”
“Such impertinence! I am Lady Catherine de Bourgh, of course! You must know I am not to be trifled with. A most alarming report reached me two days ago. I was told that your sister is to be most advantageously married and that you would soon be united with my own nephew, Mr. Darcy. I know it must be a falsehood and I insist at once upon having it universally contradicted. Has he, has my nephew, made you an offer of marriage?”
“Did you not just declare it to be impossible? I wonder at you coming at all then.” Elizabeth recognized the lady’s name as her cousin’s patroness. Clearly the Lucases had written the Collinses and some speculation about Elizabeth and Darcy had been made.
How dare they! They base this off of one well chaperoned carriage ride? The man stayed in the area for two days then left for weeks and returned only for my sister’s wedding.
“You may have drawn him in with your arts and allurements. I am nearly the closest relation he has and am entitled to know all of his dearest concerns.”
“You are certainly not entitled to know mine.”
“I am not accustomed to being treated in this manner but I will tell you plainly. This match you desire cannot take place. Mr Darcy is engaged to my daughter.”
Elizabeth felt a moment of discomfort at this information but recognized it was similar to what she was told by Wickham, who was entirely discredited. Her belief in Darcy’s honour, even if she had no reason to hope he would truly offer to marry her, prevailed.
“If he is then you can have no reason to suppose he would make me an offer.”
“The engagement is of a peculiar kind and has been arranged by their respective mothers since their infancy. Do you pay no regard to the wishes of his friends? To his tacit engagement with Miss de Bourgh?
“Are you lost to every feeling of propriety and delicacy? Have you not heard me say that from his earliest hours he was destined for his cousin?”
She testily replied. “Yes, and I had heard it before. But what is that to me? If there is no other objection to my marrying your nephew, I shall certainly not be kept from it by knowing that his mother and aunt wished him to marry Miss de Bourgh. You both did as much as you could in planning the marriage. Its completion depended on others. If Mr. Darcy is neither by honour nor inclination confined to his cousin, why is not he to make another choice? And if I am that choice, why may not I accept him?”
“Because honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest forbid it. Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned by any of us.”
“These are heavy misfortunes but the wife of Mr. Darcy must have such extraordinary sources of happiness that she could have no cause to repine.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes bulged in rage. “If you were sensible of your own good, you would not wish to quit the sphere in which you were brought up.”
“He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter, so far we are equals.”
The other woman sniffed. “True. You are a gentleman’s daughter. But who was your mother? Who are your aunts and uncles? I am not ignorant of their condition.”
“If your nephew does not object to them they can be nothing to you.”
Elizabeth’s companion seemed to have lost all patience and forthrightly demanded information. “Tell me once and for all, are you engaged to him?”
And people call me impertinent! “I am not.” The woman heaved a great sigh.
“And will you promise me to never enter into such an engagement?”
“I will make no promise of the kind. You can have nothing further to say, I will consider this interview over, madam.”
Elizabeth began walking back towards Longbourn but the lady called out after her. “I am no stranger to the particulars of your youngest sister’s marriage. I know it all; that the young man’s marrying her was a patched-up business due to compromise, at the expense of your father and uncles. And is such a girl to be my nephew’s sister? Is her husband, is the son of his late father’s steward, to be his brother? Heaven and earth! Of what are you thinking? Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?”
Although incensed and insulted Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief that Lady Catherine only knew the story explained publically about Lydia’s marriage, and that she and her informants did not know the truth of Darcy’s involvement.
Not stopping for an instant she only called back, “You have insulted me in every possible method. I must beg to return to the house, but I will never bow to your whims.”
“This is your final resolve! Very well. I shall now know how to act. Do not imagine, Miss Bennet, that your ambition will ever be gratified. I came to try you. I hoped to find you reasonable; but, depend upon it, I will carry my point.”
The woman talked on in such a manner until they reached her carriage. She turned to Elizabeth and declared, “I take no leave of you, Miss Bennet. I send no compliments to your mother. You deserve no such attention. I am most seriously displeased.”
Elizabeth turned on her heel and walked quietly into her house, ignoring her family’s demands to know of the visitor. She did not regret a word she said to Darcy’s aunt, only that she expressed herself so freely and rudely.
I very much doubt he ever wanted me in the first place but above it all I have now insulted his aunt. Oh, I am such a headstrong, foolish thing!
*****
Darcy sat in his London study having just received a letter from Bingley detailing, between blotches, his engagement to Miss Jane Bennet. He begged for Darcy to return to Netherfield with Georgiana and spend the holidays with Bingley and the Bennets. Caroline would remain in Scarborough and the Hursts would spend the holidays at the Hurst family estate. Bingley desired the company of his closest friend for the festive season.
Darcy intended to decline the invitation. He could not bear to see the look of contempt or sadnes
s in Elizabeth’s eyes. He was uncertain how to even maintain his friendship with Bingley in light of his marriage to her dearest sister. He allowed himself to become lost in the memories of Elizabeth and the Gardiner children but was jolted from his reverie due to a commotion in the hall.
The door to his study flung open, his butler nervously hovering behind Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
“It is well, Smith.” Darcy tried to reassure his servant that he knew his aunt had made his job impossible.
“Of course it is well.” Lady Catherine’s voice boomed. She settled herself in a chair and the butler quickly exited and closed the door behind him.
“Aunt, how may I be of service?”
“I have come to put an end to the most slanderous gossip. I have just come from Hertfordshire, where Miss Bennet would not satisfy my inquiries. Obstinate, headstrong girl!”
Darcy was greatly confused. “What is this gossip and how may I end it.”
“Announce your engagement to Anne immediately and all shall be rectified.”
“I shall not. There is no engagement. There never shall be an engagement. I will not ever marry Anne. You must accept this.”
“You would cast aside your duty in favour of a match with this upstart without family or fortune, whose very sister is married in a patched up affair to the son of your father’s steward?”
“That is enough, madam! The Bennet family is entirely respectable, the victims of malicious gossip. I owe my family no duty but to marry prudently and Miss Bennet would be a most wholesome match.”
“You are then resolved to have her?”
“Certainly not, she is betrothed to my best friend, Bingley. I am only resolved to act in that manner, which constitutes my happiness without reference to you or anyone else so wholly unrelated to the matter.”
“No, not Bingley’s bride! The impertinent one. There were too many for me to recall their names. But you are no better than she. The unreasonable girl would not oblige me in vowing that any engagement between you two as impossible. I know it must be so, you could never be taken in by cheap arts and allurements.”
Darcy could barely breathe. Elizabeth would not refuse me?
“Darcy, the gossip is wild with a match between you two. Anne even has a letter from Georgiana hinting at the idea. That is what set me off more than mere gossip from my parson’s family. Georgiana needs a proper model for her coming out. You cannot possibly attach yourself to the Bennet family!”
Georgiana sent a letter to Anne? Now, that is inventive! Touché, little sister!
“I am deeply offended for my friends’ sake, as well as my own, madam that you have intruded upon my private affairs and have made horribly unjust accusations at my friends. You shall not be permitted in my homes again until you can make a full apology to the Bennet family. ”
Darcy called for his butler to escort the ranting Lady Catherine from his townhouse and quickly wrote a reply to Bingley. He and Georgiana were off for Hertfordshire at first light the following morning.
*****
The late morning air was unusually warm for December as Darcy espied Elizabeth walking on the path towards Oakham Mount. His feet propelled him, his whole being acting on instinct but he let her reach the top before he quickly outstripped her so he could face her directly. At the sound of his footsteps she looked up at him. Tearstains marked her cheeks.
“Elizabeth,” he breathed her name as though it were a prayer.
Elizabeth could not believe her eyes or ears and she was angry at her traitorous heart and her mind for imagining him calling her name. Still astonishment and relief washed over her at the sight of him. She truly hoped he was real.
“Please, dearest, do not cry.” Then he took out his handkerchief and tenderly wiped all remnants of her tears away. He was gratified to see affection in her eyes and her warm, broad smile greeted him.
Laughingly Elizabeth said, “I am surprised to see you here, Mr. Darcy. I had heard you did not mean to return to Hertfordshire for quite some time.” Then she gave him an impish grin and her eyes twinkled with mischief, his heart soared. ”Whatever has happened to your obstinacy, sir?”
“As it turns out I was given new information to change my convictions.” He smiled slightly at the ease of their banter, “I had an unexpected visit from my aunt.”
“Oh, yes, I did as well.”
“Her words taught me to hope as I had scarcely allowed myself to hope before. I can never forgive myself for allowing such a villain to harm your family. Elizabeth if you were not merely espousing false opinions for a debate with my aunt, then you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.
“If you will have me, if you will give me your hand, I promise to make you happy and aspire everyday to earn your love and respect. Only you can make me the happiest of men. Marry me?”
Although Elizabeth still wondered how he could possibly offer for her due to Lydia’s marriage to Wickham, she did not doubt his constancy. She was his choice, somehow, and she knew he would never waiver from it. There was now no need to address it at the moment.
“Do not dare blame yourself for his actions! You are the most honourable man. Yes, William. I will marry you. You already have my respect and love and only you can make me the happiest of women.” Elizabeth smiled as Darcy grinned. She tenderly reached forward to touch his dimples, sighing at the contact.
“Elizabeth, I have a confession to make. I heard you speaking with Georgiana about love months ago.”
“Oh, William! We will have to add to your list of faults! You should never eavesdrop!”
Darcy smiled at her tease but persisted with his agenda. “I can think of only one thing to add to your list of understanding infatuation from love; ardent love, that is.”
“And what is that, sir?”
“Passion.” Elizabeth’s breath caught for the fraction of a second she had before Darcy showed her what it meant to be violently in love
Epilogue
Nine months later
September 21, 1812
“I believe this is my set, Mrs. Darcy.”
Mr. Darcy took his beloved’s hand and proudly led her to the dance floor. It was not the fashion for married couples to dance, but by now everyone knew to expect Mr. Darcy to dance with his wife, and always the last set.
They had been married over six months but still acted as besotted newlyweds, becoming quite the sensation of the Season. The residents of Meryton found it endearing Mr. and Mrs. Darcy insisted on being present for the Michaelmas Assembly, marking nearly one year since they met.
“You are ever so obstinate in retaining the last set on my card, sir.” Elizabeth teased.
“I am quite convinced it is my husbandly right.” Darcy grinned.
“We shall leave for Derbyshire on the morrow. Are you certain you shall not mind my cousins visiting us for several weeks?”
Despite the rumours, they had journeyed to Longbourn to celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s twenty fifth wedding anniversary and needed to return to Pemberley before Michaelmas. The Assembly merely fell on the full moon nearest to the feast day which coincided with the Darcys’ stay in the area. The Gardiners were to return with them to Pemberley while Mr. and Mrs. Bennet went on a holiday to the Buxton resort in Derbyshire. Mary and Kitty would travel to Pemberley before going on to visit the Bingleys, new residents of Baxter Hall in Cheshire and only thirty miles from Pemberley.
“How can you ask? I am only sorry Lydia is still in mourning and cannot visit as well. You know how much Georgiana misses her company. I am very surprised at how their temperaments have complimented each other but soon Lydia shall be able to finally move forward with her life.”
A brief shadow crossed his face at the remembrance of the pain Wickham inflicted on his family, which now included Elizabeth’s, before he met his fate on a Spanish battlefield in May. Lydia was to stay with her aunt and uncle Phillips while her family travelled.
Rallying his spirits he began again. “And
I shall hope your father will surprise us with a visit for I greatly enjoy our debates. But you know I find the Gardiner children delightful, Michael particularly.”
Elizabeth lowered her voice and said, “I am glad they shall be visiting. The nursery has needed a good cleaning and airing out. And it shall allow us plenty of time to decorate after they leave.”
“Elizabeth! Are you certain now?”
“Yes, love, I felt the quickening this morning.”
Darcy smiled broadly and then turned serious, “Come, we are leaving now. You need to rest.”
“William, I am perfectly capable of finishing the final set of the evening!”
“No, I insist. We will be travelling for several days and then you shall be hosting our families, you cannot overtax yourself.”
“You dare to disagree with your husband? You always were impertinent.” Darcy teased with affection.
“And you find it delightful.” Elizabeth smiled back.
“As soon as you are rested from our journey I will take you on a long walk near the lake.” Darcy smiled with a wistful expression on his face.
“You know I enjoy that walk very much, but why does such a thought enter your head at this moment?”
“Because I need to see you covered in mud as soon as possible. I fell in love with you that day in the park while you were twirling Michael in the air and the thought of you doing so with our children has given me the greatest pleasure for many months now.”
Elizabeth smiled at the sentimentality of the great man who had the courage to refute society’s prejudices and loved her so selflessly. “And if I refuse? After all, it would not be very dignified for the mistress of Pemberley to have her petticoats six inches deep in mud.”
“Have you forgotten my greatest virtue, madam? I am doubly obstinate when perfectly convicted on my decision. And the vision of you dancing in delight with our children heedless of mud and dirt is an image I am certain is most delightful. I am resolved.”
Seven Days With Mr Darcy Page 7