A Most Civil Proposal

by C. P. Odom

  This, at least, is easily addressed, she thought.

  “It will be much easier for my mother and sisters, as well as my Aunt and Uncle Philips, to attend in London than in Derbyshire. Beyond that, I have no preference.” She looked her uncle in the eye. “There appears to be little cause to delay the ceremony unless Mr. Darcy has reasons of his own for waiting.”

  Mr. Gardiner looked at Darcy, who shrugged. “I am willing to do whatever Elizabeth desires, whether next month or tomorrow.”

  “There is no need to be in a rush, Lizzy,” Mr. Gardiner offered gently.

  Elizabeth’s smile was brittle. “I do not think you take my point, uncle. After my father’s letter, it would be a useless exercise to go back to Longbourn. For better or worse, my home henceforth will be with Mr. Darcy, and I see no reason not to begin my life there as soon as practicable.”

  Mr. Gardiner was silent as he digested that. “I had not thought of it from that point of view, Elizabeth. But I am reluctantly forced to agree with you.” Darcy nodded in agreement.

  “I see no reason why we should not be married in a week,” she continued.

  “Are you sure that you wish to be so hasty, Elizabeth?” Darcy said in surprise. “Surely you will want a wedding gown, which will have to be made and fitted. Your mother will, I am sure, wish to be involved with the selection of that and an appropriate wardrobe.”

  Mr. Gardiner was embarrassed as he said to Elizabeth, “I would guess your father informed you that he will allow no money for wedding clothes?” She nodded, and her uncle continued, “Mr. Darcy earlier offered to fund whatever purchases are required, Lizzy.”

  Elizabeth smiled sadly at Darcy. “That was generous of you, sir, and well meant, but it is hardly necessary. We both know that most brides are married in their Sunday best, and I could certainly do the same. There will be time for any additional purchases later, and I truly do not wish to delay the ceremony. While I love both my uncle and aunt, I have no desire to be a guest in their home for months with too much time to dwell on wrongs, both real and imagined. I would much prefer to be settled in my new home as soon as possible.”

  “Then it shall be as you wish, Elizabeth,” Darcy said, understanding and sympathizing with her reasoning. “But I believe that a wedding gown can be made and fitted even within the week. Mr. Gardiner,” he said, turning to her uncle, “might your wife assist my sister in helping Elizabeth? With knowledge of the right shops, I feel sure that her gown, and possibly other items, may be acquired within the set time.”

  “Certainly, Mr. Darcy. I am sure she will be pleased to assist.”

  “Thank you. Elizabeth,” he said, turning to her, “as you are familiar with your uncle’s church, would you feel comfortable being married there?”

  “Oh, certainly. It is not a large church, but it is quite agreeable in appearance without being overly ornate. And Reverend Jackson would do very well to conduct the ceremony.”

  “Then I suggest we consider the location as settled. Might you make the arrangements, Mr. Gardiner? I assume a day or two’s delay would not be objectionable in the case of a conflict. In addition, I shall change the instructions to my solicitor and have him arrange for a special license from the Archbishop, so that we may then be married whenever suitable preparations have been made.”

  All being agreeable, Mrs. Gardiner was sent for once again and was perfectly willing to assist her niece, but she did tell her that a single week was not realistic. “I believe that two to three weeks at least would be required, Lizzy. For example, it will take at least two weeks to sew and fit a wedding gown. Many items, like bonnets and gloves, would not have to be specially fitted, but the gowns certainly would be.”

  “But could they not be delivered after the wedding took place?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Surely, my dear, but —”

  “Aunt, I am really quite determined on this. I am caught in-between now — no longer a daughter and not yet a wife. Please understand — I want to go to my home as soon as may be. Whether I am married in my Sunday best or a brand new gown is of no import to me and, I suspect, of little import to Mr. Darcy.” He nodded in agreement, squeezing her hand, which still remained clasped within his.

  “Then perhaps we can agree on next Saturday unless there is a problem with the church?” said Elizabeth, and her aunt and uncle reluctantly consented. It was also arranged that Mrs. Gardiner would accompany Elizabeth to start her shopping the next afternoon, while her uncle would see to the church and Darcy would see to the legal requirements. Darcy also issued an invitation to dine at his house on Tuesday evening, which was quickly accepted.

  After Mrs. Gardiner excused herself to return to her guests, Elizabeth and Darcy remained holding hands, sitting quietly together. Mr. Gardiner silently rose and left the room, closing the door gently behind him.

  Elizabeth did not resist as Darcy gently pulled her arm toward him. She allowed herself to be drawn so that she sat on his lap while he folded her head to his chest. She welcomed the comfort of his arms as they wrapped around her, feeling the strength as they both held and consoled her.

  “I am sorry about today, Elizabeth. I keep trying to think of something I could have said that might have changed your father’s mind, but no explanation appeared to be enough. He seemed determined to thwart me at every turn.”

  “Let us forget about it, William,” she said softly. “From what he wrote, my father already had his mind made up before you called. Just hold me for a while.”

  Darcy was well content as he held Elizabeth, his chin resting on top of her dark curls. But at the same time, he was quite frustrated since he had to struggle to keep his hands still on her back. He could feel her soft warmth beneath his fingers, and he longed to move one hand down her spine to her slim waist and the other up to her lovely, slender neck.

  You can wait, he commanded himself, in less than a week we will be married. But another part of him asked, And what then? Will you take this young bride to your marriage bed as if she desired the marriage as much as you? Will you ravish her when she does not even know what being a wife entails? Are you a beast or are you a man? Darcy did not have a good answer for those inner voices, but he could control them. He would not hurt Elizabeth. He could wait.

  He hoped.

  After several minutes of silence, Darcy informed her that he had sent an announcement of their engagement to the Times. “It should ensure that the gossip goes no further. After our engagement is published, interest will die.”

  “It is so unfair,” Elizabeth said. “What if it had not been you? What if you had not acted honourably? My reputation, indeed my life, might easily have been damaged forever!”

  Darcy nodded. “I agree; it is not fair. In affairs such as these, women are far more vulnerable than are men. A scandal that might hardly affect a man can completely destroy a young woman’s reputation. It is not fair, but it is the world we live in.”

  After a minute or so, Elizabeth had reason to think on some of what she had said today, and one part gave her pause. “William,” she ventured tentatively, “I wonder now whether I was thinking clearly when I was so forceful in recommending a mere week before our marriage. Now I am wondering whether that will cause a problem because it is so quick.”

  Darcy chuckled. “Do not worry about that, Elizabeth. I shall simply tell the truth and say that I desired to be married as quickly as possible, else I should have carried you off to Gretna Green!”

  Elizabeth giggled, though her cheeks turned red, for she knew that often the groom was most anxious to take his bride to his bed and therefore insistent on a brief period of time between receiving a girl’s acceptance and having her in the church. She knew that Darcy desired the same, for she could almost feel the rigid self-control as she sat on his lap. Though she did not want to be totally rigid in forbidding him any liberties at all, she was grateful that he did not force her to decide on where and what to limit.

  “Thank you, William,” she said softly. “I rea
lly do desire to have things settled as soon as possible. The problem with my father was simply the last straw, which, when added to all the other turmoils of our acquaintance, makes me simply want to retreat to the safety and comfort of my home. But the home that I have always known can no longer offer me what I seek. I just want to retire to the security of our own family party as soon as I can, and if you were to suggest Gretna Green again, I should not protest very much!”

  Neither of them said anything for several minutes, but eventually Elizabeth pushed herself up and got to her feet. As Darcy stood too, she suddenly rose to her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. “Thank you,” she said softly.

  “And what did I do to deserve that?” he said with a smile. “For I shall be most diligent in doing it again.”

  “That was just for being you, for being so understanding, especially considering that I once thought you lost to all consideration for others. I have still so much to learn about you.”

  “Then here is one thing you should know, Miss Bennet,” he said firmly. “The kiss you just gave me is your only free one. If you give me another, then I will definitely kiss you back.”

  “Truly, Mr. Darcy?” she said, with a gay laugh that warmed his heart.

  “Truly, Miss Bennet,” he growled at her.

  Taking his arm, she gave him that wonderful smile he had once despaired of ever seeing directed his way. “Then I shall depend upon it, sir,” she said before they opened the door to join the others.

  As they entered the sitting room, Bingley and Jane sat with Fitzwilliam and Georgiana, and all were joined in general laughter as Fitzwilliam was obviously telling a joke. As Darcy watched Bingley, laughing with the others but glancing over at Jane and delighting in her laugh, he had to turn away suddenly.

  “What now, William?” asked Elizabeth.

  He looked aside for a moment, and then shrugged. Better to be straightforward, he thought, than to allow any more misconceptions between them.

  “When I saw Bingley just now, I remembered a thought I had when I left his house on Sunday,” he said sombrely. “I wondered at that time if I could have made a worse tangle of my affairs if I had actually set out with that as my objective.”

  It seemed as if so many things brought up some difficult recollection in this increasingly complex man, and that would require some study on her part, Elizabeth thought, but she had to laugh at this particular memory. “Come, come, Mr. Darcy. This will never do! If you will not accept my philosophy to remember the past only with pleasure, then you will simply have to stop remembering anything, especially if it is going to cause you to assume such disagreeable expressions.”

  “I am so pleased to have your assistance in telling him that, Elizabeth,” said Georgiana suddenly, who had joined them in time to hear the last comment. “At times, William can be the most dour individual.”

  “I daresay,” said Elizabeth gaily, turning to the younger girl. “It will surely take the two of us together to relieve such solemn spirits!”

  Darcy winced as the two dearest persons in his life combined forces against him, but then he could not help but smile as his obvious discomfort made both of them erupt in new laughter. It could have been so very much worse, he thought in sudden contentment, as Elizabeth and Georgiana fell easily into cheerful conversation.

  Chapter 17

  Monday, April 20, 1812

  Darcy was thoughtful as he sat with his sister in the parlour the next morning after breakfast, but she was quite cheerful, anticipating the coming visit by her new friends. Prior to their shopping excursion with Mrs. Gardiner, Jane and Elizabeth were to spend the morning with her in order that Elizabeth might see the house while he met with his solicitor. Obviously, any anxieties that Georgiana had previously entertained regarding his choice of wife had been relieved, and he smiled to hear her say how much she had enjoyed the previous evening.

  “I believe that you approve of Elizabeth, dearest,” he ventured.

  “Oh, yes. She is so very nice.” She coloured slightly. “I shall try to be more talkative this morning, but it is still difficult for me.”

  Darcy chuckled. “It is not so very much easier for me. Perhaps Elizabeth will help me as much as she helps you. We are both fortunate that I will not have to guide your entry into society without her aid.”

  Georgiana’s good humour dimmed somewhat at the thought of her imminent coming out. “I am not looking toward that with any enthusiasm. I am not sure that I will be ready even a year from now.”

  He cocked an eyebrow at her. “I thought that, since you do not have to fear being guided by Miss Bingley, you would be filled with anticipation for that happy event,” he teased.

  “William, that is not funny,” Georgiana said in exasperation. “The thought of being presented at court and then having to attend all the balls and parties is rather frightening — especially the dancing.”

  “Your dancing master says that you do quite excellently. He, at least, has no fear, and I have seen you myself.”

  She looked at him anxiously. “That was different. Those were at small parties of families and friends, and you and Richard are the only partners I have had. But what . . . what if no one else wants to dance with me?”

  Darcy chuckled. “Georgie, the problem is not going to be dealing with an empty dance card but rather how to fit all the requests into a fixed number of spaces.” He sighed in relief. “At least I will not have to try to weed out the fortune hunters all by myself. I daresay that Elizabeth could spot one as he entered the room every bit as fast as I could. Yes, I am indeed fortunate.”

  “That is another thing that distresses me. How can I tell? I know I am not beautiful like Elizabeth or Miss Bennet. If someone pays attention to me, how will I ever know whether he is after me or my fortune?”

  Darcy patted her hand. “Do not talk like that, dearest, you are a lovely young woman already and will grow even more so. As for knowing a young man’s intentions, I cannot say it will be easy. Just remember to take your time, listen to your own heart, and listen to Elizabeth and me — especially Elizabeth.”

  The sound of the knocker at the front door alerted him. “And now, I believe, your visitors have arrived.”

  As they waited for Elizabeth and Jane to be shown to the parlour, Darcy laid his hand on Georgiana’s. “Georgiana,” he said earnestly, “we have not spoken of this before, but do not feel that you are being forced into coming out next year. If you would prefer to wait, speak to me. I will not force you if you have reservations.”

  Her spirits much relieved, Georgiana quickly leaned forward to kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”

  * * * * *

  Elizabeth was conscious of a rising sense of excitement mixed with anxiety as the carriage rumbled through the streets on the way to Darcy’s home. This would be her first glimpse of the house where she and William would live after they were married, and she was intensely curious.

  William. She tasted that word in her mind, wondering at the newness of it and yet also wondering at how it seemed to suit him so very well. She had thought of him as ‘Mr. Darcy’ for so long that it seemed as if it ought to feel strange to call him anything else. Yet he already seemed so very much a ‘William.’ It was all very strange how so many things that would have seemed unthinkable just weeks ago were now becoming accepted and even expected in her own mind — such as living in the house she would be visiting today, of being mistress of Mr. Darcy’s even larger estate in Derbyshire, of making her new home in those places and not returning to Longbourn except at some undefined time in the future when she would then be a visitor. Yet she was beginning to accept it, to expect it, and even to anticipate it. She felt a chill run down her spine at the intriguing thought of retiring each night to her own bedchamber where her husband might join her to claim his marital rights. She knew and accepted that such was only right and proper, but the thought of sharing her bed with another person, a man, and the mysterious things that they would do there was quite d
isconcerting.

  And also quite exciting! She could not deny it despite her ignorance, and she felt yet another tingle run up and down her spine.

  It was only a few minutes before their journey came to an end, and Elizabeth examined the exterior of the Darcys’ house closely as she and Jane stepped down from the carriage. She had half feared that she would be living in a smaller version of Rosings, but that was not the case at all. Darcy House was one of several townhouses on the square, all appearing to have been built at the same time and of the same general fashion. It was larger than her uncle’s house on Gracechurch Street, four stories in all, but not of especially elegant or ornate design. The outside was of fitted stone blocks, the windows were many and well sized. The door was made of heavy wood, carved but not elaborately so. It was impressive but not as impressive as she might have imagined.

  The large metal knocker made a deep, reverberating sound and an older man in old-fashioned, formal dress opened the door and bowed to them as they entered.

  “Good morning, ladies,” he greeted them. “You are the Miss Bennets, I presume? Miss Georgiana is awaiting you in the parlour.”

  As he led them down the hall, Elizabeth took the opportunity to glance inside several rooms. One, obviously the library, had floor to ceiling shelves heavily laden with books, while another, dominated by a massive pianoforte, appeared to be dedicated to music. From what she was able to observe in passing, she could see that they were furnished with well-made and well-finished fixtures, and oriented more towards functionality and comfort than showy decoration.

  Darcy was sitting with his sister when she and Jane were shown into the room, and both of them rose immediately. Georgiana preceded her brother, crossing to each girl to share a quick embrace and a kiss on the cheek, surprising Elizabeth with the warmth and familiarity of the greeting. Darcy waited for his sister to finish welcoming the guests, and when Elizabeth turned to him, she recognized the warmth and approval showing on his face. She could not tell, however, whether this was due to her own increased sensitivity and familiarity with him or whether he was simply expressing himself more openly in the familiar environs of his own home and family. Nonetheless, he welcomed her with a warm smile, bowing and raising her fingers to bestow the lightest of kisses on them. She smiled in return, cheered by his usual warmth and gallantry, and she could not help but wonder if this would be his normal reaction to her.