To his delight, she leaned her head against his shoulder a moment. “I wish I could be as certain as you are and not have any doubts, but I am not. I am just not ready to accept that ring you carry with you all the time.”
He stopped and looked at her. “How could you know about that?”
She smiled at him. “I would like to say I am psychic, but I have often noticed a little bulge in your coat where one of your pockets is. It just dawned on me the other day what it might be and that you might be one of those men who believe they should give their intended a ring to seal the engagement.”
He took out the case and opened it, showing her a gorgeous emerald ring. “You are correct, Elizabeth, giving an engagement ring is a tradition in our family. This was my Grandmother Darcy’s engagement ring, given to me by her to give to the woman I loved. It has a matching necklace.”
“Oh, Will, it is beautiful. I would be afraid to wear it.”
“I hope it would tell everyone how much I love you.”
They had fallen far behind Bingley and Jane, and suddenly saw that they were almost to the drive a Longbourn. “Will you not accept it, so I can go tell your father that we are engaged?”
“Tell him. Do you not mean you must ask him for my hand?”
“He informed me you told him of my statement that I wanted to marry you, and after some discussion with him, he blessed my campaign for your hand, but assured me the decision would be yours. I will, of course, still formally ask him and show him the settlement papers.”
Elizabeth looked at him with disbelief. “You carried not only the ring, but the settlement papers. You must have been very sure of yourself.”
“You know I was not, but I was determined to be prepared. Besides, it is not the full legal document. It is just a one-page synopsis of all I am providing. The formal document is in the safe at Netherfield.”
She smiled and shook you head. “Will I ever become accustomed to your ability to surprise me? You are wearing me down, but I still must follow my plan. I need to experience the ton and see how I am accepted. I am happy that I finally discovered what a good, caring man you are, and I may decide in the near future that I am wrong in not accepting you now. I am certain the young women of the ton would think I am crazy, but, as I told you before, the marriage I have observed most of my life has made me fear that the same might happen to me. My strong affections for you are not enough. I must be sure that we are right for each other in all aspects.”
Darcy said nothing for some time, just looked at her and tried to imagine if she could be correct. Despite how long he had known her, he had not actually been with her and conversed with her many hours. Had he somehow idealized her into a woman she was not? Was it just because he had never met such a woman as her and the difference between her and the women he knew of his social class was so great, that he had become infatuated without seriously considering the effects of any of the faults she may have? Did he truly understand her faults? Everyone had faults, and did he truly know hers?
“I can see the wheels turning in your head, wondering if my caution has merit. Please, go home and think about it, and when I say home, I mean to London or Pemberley. Give me more time, Will. And give yourself more time.”
“I will do as you ask, but it does not help that you have been calling me Will. To me, that implies you unconsciously feel a closeness to me you may be suppressing.”
“I know, just as you have often called me Elizabeth. Because of the closeness I feel toward your sister, who calls you Will, it makes me feel as if we should be calling each other by our given names when not in the company of others. However, I know it is not appropriate until our relationship is more firmly settled. I promise to call you Mr. Darcy from this point on.”
“I was not complaining. I prefer you call me Will in private conversations – just as I call you Elizabeth, because that is the way I always think of you.”
“Nevertheless, we need to be very circumspect about how we speak to one another. You may think of me as Elizabeth all you wish, but please, do not leave off the Miss when we are in company.”
As Elizabeth and Darcy walked into the sitting room, where Bingley and Jane were already seated, Bingley said, “You two certainly took your time. We have been here for five minutes. You were not very good chaperones.”
“We had some relationship problems to discuss and lost track of you and the time,” responded Darcy. “The result of our conversation is that Georgie and I will be leaving in the morning, Bingley. I left some work undone at Pemberley that I chose to leave to my steward for a while, so that I might come here and speak with you and Miss Elizabeth. I believe I have conveyed all that I needed to convey to both of you, so it is time I return to Pemberley to see that everything is completed in the manner I want.”
“Oh dear,” said Jane. “You do not seem happy about having to go, Mr. Darcy. Lizzy, may I assume you are responsible for his leaving so soon?”
“I suppose I am, but we are parting as close friends. We need time to further examine our relationship, both during the time we are apart in the coming months and when we see each other again in the coming Season, assuming Aunt Madeleine can indeed find someone to sponsor me.”
Chapter 12: From Pemberley To London
Friday morning, the Darcy carriage pulled up to the front of Longbourn and Kitty was helped into the carriage by Darcy, while her luggage was stowed in the rear. Kitty and Georgiana had bonded to the extent that they wanted more time together, therefore, it had been decided that Kitty would go to Pemberley and visit Georgiana until early-November. Darcy standardly returned to London then for two or three weeks to meet with Sir Ronald Carlson, owner of the Carlson Investment Bank, about his investments and with his solicitors about various legal matters. He would also take that opportunity to attend the Grand Tea Party given by Lord and Lady Monttard for those members of the ton who were still in London or who came to London specifically to go to that much anticipated party. The Darcys would return Kitty to Longbourn on their way to London.
When Mr. Bennet shook Darcy’s hand, he asked, “This sudden departure makes me wonder. Have you failed in your quest? Did Lizzy tell you she was not interested?”
“No, actually she told me she had much affection for me and that if she were to let her emotions rule, she would marry me. But she is worried that we do not know each other as well as we should and that we may not be compatible in the long-term.”
Mr. Bennet shook his head, looking somewhat sad. “I am sorry, Mr. Darcy. I know that her trepidations are caused by the marriage she has seen in this house. I am afraid my wife and I have not been a good example for her. Give her time, Mr. Darcy. I believe her rational side will eventually see that you and she are very different than her parents and that yours will be a good marriage.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bennet. Fortunately, I have that same belief. I am rather sure I will never find another like her; therefore, I will continue to stay constant to my quest and pray that we are both correct.”
Elizabeth was the last to say goodbye to Darcy, as she walked him to the carriage. “I hope you have a good trip, and I do truly look forward to seeing you again, whenever that is. You will be on my mind. Take good care of Kitty. I think this friendship between Georgiana and her may be a very good thing for both. Georgiana needs Kitty’s gregarious nature, and Kitty definitely needs Georgiana’s sophistication.”
“I believe you are correct about them, and, of course, you know I will think about you. Should you finally realize that we are meant for each other, please tell your father and have him contact me.”
He took her hand and kissed it, and as he did, she squeezed his, “I promise, I will, should such an epiphany occur for me.”
******
Kitty’s reaction to Pemberley was much like Elizabeth’s. She thought the view from the point near the road needed to be sketched and was assured by Georgiana they could return on horseback to that she could sketch it. When she apologized for the fact
she did not know how to ride, Georgiana assured her she would ride well by the time she left Pemberley. Unlike Elizabeth, who had some discomfort with riding, Kitty had no such problem and told Georgiana she thought that was something she greatly looked forward to doing.
Kitty was also overwhelmed by the house and when she walked with Georgiana into the room she was to have, her mouth flew open and she said, “This entire room is mine?”
“It is and here, come through this door with me.”
She followed Georgiana into a large sitting room with a big fireplace on the outside wall with windows and padded window seats on each side of the fireplace and book shelves under the seat. There were two lady’s desks, table and chairs, and sitting area in front of the fireplace, as well as two wardrobes. “This is our sitting room, and that door across the room leads to my bed chamber.”
“Are all the bedrooms arranged like this?”
“No. The master suite is like this, but larger, and there are two guest suites that are something like it, although the rooms are smaller. You are in the family section because I wanted you next to me.”
After they had settled, taken a bath, and changed for dinner, they met in their joint sitting room to talk before going down to dinner. “I did not want to ask in the coach, but a statement was made by Mr. Darcy that Lord and Lady Matlock would object to your brother marrying Lizzy, and I wondered why. I cannot imagine a better woman than Lizzy. She is the most intelligent, best educated, kindest, most personable…. I could go on and on. She is my image of what a woman should be.”
“I agree, but in high society, such things as wealth, social status in high society, and impressive lineage are equally important factors. I think Will is concerned about your mother’s acceptability also.”
Kitty nodded her head. “I can understand that, and if those things you mentioned are very important, then Lizzy is in trouble. I cannot imagine any society in which she would not be welcome, but I know nothing of high society. I suppose I would not be welcome either, because I am certainly less qualified than she is.”
“Do not worry about it Kitty. You are a gentlewoman and my friend and when you are with me, people will accept you as such. It is true you may find it difficult to find a man like my brother to marry. I never thought he would be willing to marry someone as far below us on the social scale as Lizzy, but as you say, she is incredible. He had never met anyone such as her; therefore, I can understand why he fell in love with her. I just hope his quest for her hand is successful. I think she and you will be wonderful sisters.
Downstairs, Darcy was speaking with Mrs. Reynolds, his housekeeper.
“The final rooms being renovated were completed while you were gone, Mr. Darcy, and they look very fine. Mr. Dalrymple, despite his age, still has a masterful touch. I think he tries to do his best work for you.”
“He certainly did an excellent job for my mother. I am glad he was willing to come out of retirement to do this for us. I will look at them after I look over this pile of correspondence.”
Mrs. Reynolds turned to leave and then stopped and turned back to him. “Mr. Darcy, I hope you do not think I am overstepping my bounds, but the entire staff was hoping that Miss Elizabeth might have a chance of being the next mistress. Am I being too forward in asking if such might be the case?”
“They liked her, did they?”
“Everyone who had a chance to meet her had nothing but good to say about her, and Leila prays that she will marry you and she can be her lady’s maid. She has rarely taken to someone as she did to Miss Elizabeth.”
“Mrs. Reynolds, I will be frank with you. There is nothing I would like better than to make her mistress of Pemberley, but unlike most of the women of our class, she will only marry where there is love and mutual respect. She admits she has affection for me, but she is worried our differences in wealth, status, and ancestry are too great to overcome. Her parents do not have a happy marriage, and she firmly believes that it because of their difference in class. They started out very much in love, but over time Mr. Bennet saw that his wife was not suitable as a mistress of an estate, and they have a very indifferent marriage now. Miss Elizabeth, having lived in that environment, wants to ensure that her marriage does not suffer the same fate. She is the only woman I know who would turn me down because she thought we might not be happy and that her lack of station might reflect poorly on the Darcy name.”
“She impressed me as that kind of woman, and I was worried it might be a problem. I can imagine that Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner’s status as merchants and being her close relatives would also be a mark against her, although one would not know they were not upper-class if one were not told. Please forgive my bluntness, but Miss Elizabeth is far more of a lady than Miss Bingley or Miss Hawthorne, despite their wealth. According to Mr. Vanderoot, who spoke at length with Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Elizabeth is an exceptional young woman – educated and having knowledge far beyond the norm.”
“She is that, Mrs. Reynolds. I believe it is only a matter of time before she realizes she can fit wherever she wishes. However, she feels she has to participate a Season in the ton to discover what it is like and to meet my relatives and friends to see how she is accepted.”
“I will say no more about it to the staff, Mr. Darcy, but be assured, we all wish you luck.”
As she left, Darcy walked to his chair, sat, and stared out the window at the wind blowing in the trees. He admitted that he was worried about Elizabeth participating in the ton and meeting the likes of the Dumont brothers, Sir John Witherspoon, and Harold Farrington. They were all good men of considerable wealth who might very well not care about her status. Even his closest noble friends, Vollenbrook and Weatherstone, might be willing to overlook her lack of wealth and station, although it would be hard for Vollenbrook, who would eventually become a marquess. On the other hand, maybe it was best she did meet such men. If their relationship could not survive her meeting other gentlemen of his level, perhaps it was not meant to be.
******
The courtship of Jane by Bingley did not fare well during the weeks after Darcy left. Caroline Bingley did come and despite Bingley’s vow that he would take better charge of his family, he did not check, as he should have, Caroline’s disdainful attitude and inappropriate behavior toward the Bennets. If it was not for Louisa, who, unexpectedly supported by her husband, refused to ignore Caroline’s inappropriate behavior, the situation could have been worse. She went so far as to chastise Caroline for some of her behavior, which both astounded and angered Caroline. Both Jane and Elizabeth were dismayed with Bingley’s unwillingness to assume the authority he should; therefore, when Bingley left for London at the end of September, there was no formal courtship and it was unlikely they would continue their relationship when Jane visited the Gardiners in January. Jane comprehended then how fortunate it was that she had not shown Bingley the depth of her regard before, because had they married, she believed it probably would not have been the ideal marriage she had thought it would be.
Elizabeth was also dismayed because it was another instance of her lack of discernment relative to the character of a man. She had believed that Jane and Bingley would have been a perfect pair, and she had misjudged them both. Even knowing Jane as well as she did, she had given Jane too little credit for her mental toughness and strength of character, and she had given Bingley too much credit for his ability to be a true gentleman, with all the capabilities that required. Once again, she thought of Darcy and how she had misjudged him. How could she ever have thought that Bingley was superior to him in any way? She now knew there was no doubt of his capabilities, his integrity, and his willingness to deal with difficult situations. He was a man she could trust who would never shirk his duty or leave her in doubt of his feelings. She admired him more than any man she knew, but she knew so few of his class. Was he unique or were there many of his peers that were comparable to him? Furthermore, she was still undecided: did she love him, or was it simply admiration, and if they did
marry, could they overcome their difference in station?
******
In early-November the Darcys and Kitty left Pemberley for their annual fall trip to London and on the way, they were to stop by Longbourn to drop off Kitty. However, Georgiana and Kitty convinced Darcy that Kitty should be allowed to accompany them to London, and when they reached Longbourn, it was not difficult for them to persuade Mr. and Mrs. Bennet to let Kitty remain with them. The positive effect that Georgiana was having on Kitty was obvious to Mr. Bennet, and he still believed that Darcy was the right man for Elizabeth, so he thought that having Kitty with Georgiana could only help in that relationship. As for Mrs. Bennet, Kitty had never been a priority to her, so she also did not object. The only objection came from Lydia, because Kitty would not be there to be company for her, but all the Bennets knew that Lydia’s only true objection was that she was jealous of the opportunities and fine clothes Kitty was receiving.
The Darcys and Kitty had arrived early in the afternoon, so after a quick snack, the Darcys and Kitty were to continue to London. Darcy and Elizabeth had very little time to speak to one another, but she did let him know how pleased she was that he was willing to keep Kitty with them and that she looked forward to visiting Darcy House. Darcy also had a moment to speak to Mr. Bennet and urged him to find a way for Elizabeth to attend the Monttard’s Grand Tea Party at the end of November. It would give her a good taste of the society in London, but without the fanfare that was associated with ton events during the Season. Mr. Bennet assured Darcy he would write to Mr. Gardiner and get their opinion.
The Lady of the Mount and Patience Rewarded: Two Stories of Darcy and Elizabeth Page 29