“Now, now Lizzie, we are here to speak of you, I shall deal with your sisters tomorrow after I visit with Mr. Darcy. I have already sent Ben with a note. He should be back within the hour.”
“Of course, papa.” Elizabeth agreed.
“I will speak to Mr. Darcy,” he told her again, “and I shall attempt to speak some sense into him. I am sorry that there is not much else I can do. Not without ruining the entire family.” he stated rather sadly.
Elizabeth nodded rather plaintively. At this moment, she had never felt more loved by her papa, yet she could not help but consider it a trip wasted. Mr. Darcy was not the man she thought he was before their engagement, nor after. She did not know what he was, and that frightened her.
“Go off to bed, child. I will take care of everything, you shall see.”
Elizabeth wished she could believe him.
***
His soon to be father-in-law had requested a meeting, hours before most of the inhabitants of the house were awake, and had yet to say a word. Luckily, he had already set Charles off, and had just walked back into the house when he had come face to face with a somewhat grumpy and tired Mr. Bennet. Charles had, of course, offered them the use of his study, and had told Fitzwilliam to give the man his regards. That had been the first item on the agenda, the only item of which he was aware. Mr. Bennet’s note was not particularly loquacious, and had simply requested the meeting. Fitzwilliam had an idea that perhaps he wished to question or look over the settlement, which would then mean that he would need to send out a rider to London. It could be done, and they would be able to go over them the next day. Fitzwilliam had meant to end his self-imposed exile from Longbourn and confront his fiance, as thus far she had only agreed that she should go to London to get her wedding clothes as soon as possible. He did not wish to force the matter, but believed they needed to speak as soon as possible.
They had been seated for some moments. Still Mr. Bennet had not uttered a word. He simply laid back in his chair, studying Fitzwilliam’s form intently.
“May I offer you some tea or coffee?” he asked again, as he had when they had first entered the room.
Mr. Darcy’s lip twitched. “No thank you, Mr. Darcy. I am perfectly content.” Still, he stared.
A few moments passed.
“How may I help you, Mr. Bennet?” Fitzwilliam tried again.
Mr. Bennet shifted in his chair, sitting up even straighter, and rested his arms on the sides of the chair.
“I am simply here to observe you, Mr. Darcy.”
“Observe me?” Fitzwilliam repeated, rather confused.
“Yes. I wished to ascertain what kind of a man you truly are. Are you the wealthy villain, as the town’s new favourite claims,” Mr. Bennet stated, noting the minute reaction from Mr. Darcy at the barest mention of Mr. Wickham, “the proper gentleman who came directly to my home and proposed marriage due to rumours, or are you a mass of contradictions, as my daughter believes?”
“I have not the pleasure of understanding you, sir.” Fitzwilliam spoke coolly, hardened and wary at the mention of Wickham. He could not believe that he had made a mistake in confiding to his future wife about the true nature of the man.
Mr. Bennet smiled. “You may rest easy, sir. Elizabeth said nothing about your dealings with the man; only he was not to be trusted around young ladies.” His words brought a smile to Fitzwilliam’s lips, however brief. Surely things could not be so bad between them, as Miss Elizabeth had respected his wishes and did not bandy about Georgiana’s misfortune, even to her own family. “However, that brings me to the crux of that matter.” It was Fitzwilliam’s turn to straighten, as he had never before heard that tone from the usually sarcastic man. “I had thought the best of you, despite your unfortunate first impression, due to how quickly you responded to the situation. However, yesterday I had a discussion with my daughter that ended with her sobbing over the fact that you had informed her that she would not be able to receive her family in her new home, nor would you visit.”
Fitzwilliam felt himself flush. He had not anticipated a conversation whereupon the other man had not only initiated the conversation, but also had the upper hand. He was shocked that Miss Elizabeth was still so affected by their previous conversation, but he could not help but be firm in this matter.
“I did not wish to be rude, Mr. Bennet, but I---”
“I quite understand your intentions, Mr. Darcy.” Mr. Bennet regarded him with an intelligent gaze. “You do not wish to be taken advantage of by mercenary relations. You do not wish for yourself, nor your family to be embarrassed by your wife’s uncontrollable relations, nor by her low connections. The connections,” Mr. Bennet added with a shrug, “we cannot help, and that is the fault you admitted when you proposed marriage. However, the relations…..” here his voice tapered off, as he turned his head to look out the window. “I fully admit my faults as a father. Any wit or intelligence that my daughters possess, they learnt on their own. You did not discuss this matter with me, or Elizabeth, you made unreasonable demands.” His gaze hardened. “My daughter fears for her future with you. You state before your engagement, one which was forced due to rumours that she was found sneaking away from your bed or that you had forced your way into her room, that she will not be allowed to receive any relatives at her new home. How long after your marriage shall she not be able to travel without your approval or presence?”
Mr. Darcy was silent. That would not do. Mr. Bennet needed to prove his point, to make this man understand that he had been entrusted with the care of his daughter, and he would not harm her.
“You speak of not wishing to have your sister associated with my daughters, because of their ill manners. You have met Mr. Collins, sir. Do you believe I think your aunt an intelligent woman for granting Mr. Collins a living on her estate?” He surveyed Mr. Darcy with a cool gaze. “I did not judge your character due to the foolish actions of your aunt, nor would I cast your aunt out if she came to call tomorrow.” Mr. Bennet was satisfied that Mr. Darcy had turned slightly red with embarrassment.
At Mr. Darcy’s continued silence, Mr. Bennet was satisfied. If worst had come to worst, and Mr. Darcy’s true character had been revealed, he would have been met with anger and most certainly would have been ousted from Netherfield. He held the upper hand, and he knew it. However he had been met with silence. Mr. Bennet had been married for five and a score years. He knew a man was silent only when he knew he was wrong, yet did not wish to admit it.
Mr. Bennet stood. “You should know that appropriate steps are being taken, to reign in my younger daughters. Whether or not it is successful, we shall see. But I urge you to consider your conduct towards my daughter, and if this is truly how you wish to begin your marriage. I will see myself out, good day sir.”
And like a fool, Fitzwilliam sat there, and watched the man leave.
What had he done?
***
Despite the events of the previous day, Elizabeth had came down to breakfast, and found her mama in high spirits. She was sure, that after the events of the day had caught up to her, her mama would be desolate that her middle daughter had refused an offer of marriage. Something was afoot, Elizabeth had determined, and hopefully, it would not involve Mr. Darcy or Mr. Bingley. Mr. Bingley was generous and obliging, but surely he must have limits. Mr. Darcy had clearly reached his.
She didn’t know how they would work through this, but an understanding would need to be reached soon.
Pressing a kiss to her sister Jane’s cheek, Elizabeth settled next to her, in her usual place, and began serving herself breakfast.
One by one, her papa, and her younger sisters dragged themselves from bed, and took their places at the breakfast table. Elizabeth was sure that Kitty and Lydia were still asleep. Mary was slightly twitchy, as though she yearned to escape back to her pianoforte.
However, Elizabeth was not the only one to take note of her mama’s good spirits.
“Mrs. Bennet, you are in good spir
its this morning! Have you concocted a plan to capture a Duke for Mary? I am sure that there are at least one or two bookish ones about.”
Mrs. Bennet gave a girlish giggle.
“I know how you love to provoke me, Mr. Bennet! But I shall not tease you today! Nor you, Lizzie! Although I have just seen the first mention of Lizzie and Mr. Darcy’s engagement in the paper! But that is not my news!” she exclaimed, turning her attention from her husband to her second born. Before Elizabeth or Mr. Bennet could enquire to her meaning, she replied most cheerfully, “I have been writing with my sister Gardiner for the past few days,” Here Elizabeth was comforted, as she had written a short note to her aunt and uncle, informing them of her engagement and her likely plans of traveling to Gracechurch Street for shopping, “and now the joke is on the both of you, as they shall be arriving today! Now is that not a good surprise, girls?”
“Mama! Please allow us to go with Lizzie! Please! Please! Please!” Lydia and Kitty alternately begged, their voices going higher and more hysterical with each word that left their mouths. They had been allowed short visits to the Gardiner’s home at Gracechurch Street, as the Bennets, Philips, and Gardiners always alternated Christmases between Gracechurch and Longbourn, but they had never been allowed shopping.
Curiously enough, Mrs. Bennet shook her head no to their query. It would be a draw as to who had the most gobsmacked expression on their faces--Lydia and Kitty, or Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet.
“No, no my dears. You will have plenty of opportunities in the future, this time, Mary shall join Lizzie and Jane.”
All eyes turned towards Mary, as Mrs. Bennet gave her middle child a smile of perfect satisfaction. She and Mr. Bennet had discussed what that odious man had spoken of about her daughters, and Mrs. Bennet had been forced to realize that he was correct in some of his observations. But more than that, Mr. Bennet had patiently explained to her that now that their daughters would be marrying into higher society, their standards would need to be held higher. If one wished for their daughters to marry a Colonel, one did not hang around the militia encampment; one went to the same house parties. There would be changes coming, and Mrs. Bennet was excited for the future of her girls. Soon the five of them would be happily settled.
Chapter Eleven
Elizabeth had expected breakfast to be ruined, due to Mary’s refusal of Mr. Collins’ proposal and his outburst, as her mama had always had a flair for the dramatic. Her silence the previous evening at dinner, Elizabeth felt, had only signed the beginning of an especially grievous attack of her nerves. The only other time Elizabeth could remember her mama taking such an insult in near silence and without her usual reaction had been when the young heir to the Baronet left after giving every indication that he would join their household for dinner and propose to Jane.
What she had not expected was for it to be ruined by Lydia and Kitty’s protestations at not being allowed to go to London, and then for her papa’s proclamation that they would not be allowed to visit the militia within their encampment. Nor would they allowed to go to any of their Aunt Philips’ card parties until they could show a modicum of good sense.
Thankfully, their wails and protestations had been interrupted by Mrs. Hill arriving with the mail. Unsatisfied that attention was being diverted from them, the two youngest Bennet sisters silently pouted and plotted as they ate their breakfast.
Elizabeth received a note from Mrs. Hurst, curiously enough, while Jane had received one from Miss Bingley. So interested was she in her own letter from Mrs. Hurst, that she had barely noticed her papa excusing himself from the table with a letter of his own.
“What has Mr. Bingley to say, my dear?” her mama encouraged, her fingers drumming nervously on the edge of the table, as though she wished to snatch the letter from the eldest. Knowing her mama, it was taking everything within her to not do so. Quite luckily, Lydia and Kitty were too busy drying their tears to grab the letter from either of them.
Jane was silent, as she read, so Elizabeth answered for her, as she read over Jane’s shoulder. “It is not from Mr. Bingley, Mama. It is from Miss Bingley.” she answered distractedly. Her eyes met Jane’s, as they both concluded the letter. Jane could only hold her gaze shortly, as she looked away, and then quietly excused herself, clutching the letter.
Her mama rose and tried to call after Jane. “What is it, my dear? Does Miss Bingley impart some terrible news?”
“Miss Bingley writes that Mr. Bingley left Netherfield yesterday for London, due to some business. However, she now believes that his business will take him through the rest of the winter, and their party would have already left by the time this letter arrived.” Elizabeth sighed in irritation. “It is obviously Miss Bingley’s doing, Mama! She sees that her brother is in love with Jane, and has left to persuade him to give up Netherfield!”
Her mama sank back into her chair, in an ungraceful heap. “Lord Almighty, Lizzie! We shall have to thank the Lord above that we have already made plans to visit London. Miss Bingley shall not be rid of us yet!” She perked up instantly though, as she considered the letter that Elizabeth had not opened yet, due to her worry over Miss Bingley’s words. “Has your young man written to you, Lizzie? It is high time that the both of you made up. You shall not be able to avoid each other so often after you are married! When Mr. Bennet and I were married--”
Elizabeth interrupted her mother, not wishing to hear anything else about Mr. Darcy. “No, Mama, it is from Mrs. Hurst.”
“Well, what does she have to say, Lizzie? It is extremely odd that she should write directly to you, especially after her odious sister sent such a letter to my dear Jane!”
Elizabeth quickly opened the letter before her mama could do so for her, and quickly scanned the letter, her mouth falling open in surprise.
“Mrs. Hurst writes,” she quickly stated for her curious mama, her eyes quickly going over the writing again to make sure that she had read correctly, “that she shall be staying at the Hurst townhouse in London, and hopes that myself and Jane shall be able to visit after our shopping. She leaves her address, and hopes that we shall write and give us the Gardiner’s address so that she may call.”
“Well!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “That is certainly something!” she began to preen, extremely gladdened that Mr. Bingley was not quite lost to her Jane yet, now that they had one Bingley sister on their side.
Elizabeth abruptly stood from the table. “I shall go and inform Jane, Mama.”
Her mama rushed to her side. “Yes, Lizzie, go and speak to your sister! Heaven knows that she deserves every bit of happiness on this day! Hurry my dear! She shall need to be in good spirits when my sister and brother arrive in a few hours!”
Brushing a reassuring kiss to her mama’s cheek, Elizabeth made her way to the room she shared with Jane. She knocked gently on the door.
“Jane?” she queried softly, “Do you want to be alone for a few minutes, or may I come in? I have some surprising news.”
Jane opened the door. Elizabeth could see almost immediately that she had been crying, as her eyes were red, but she had clearly washed her face a few moments before opening the door. Pain was clearly etched into her face, although she tried to hide it with a worn smile.
“Of course, Lizzie. I would not bar you from our room. I apologise,” she continued softly, “I should not have left the table before you had a chance to share your news. Was the letter from Mr. Darcy? I think he simply needed a few days to cool off, Lizzie. And then surely he shall apologise and explain his true intentions towards such an edict!” Jane had not quite been able to believe that Mr. Darcy had been able to demand such a thing from Elizabeth, and had been sure that there was a mistake, that Mr. Darcy had not meant to use that sort of phrasing.
Elizabeth suppressed a smile. Dear Jane. “No Jane, my letter was not from Mr. Darcy, but from Mrs. Hurst. She has left us her address in London and wants to call on us at our Aunt Gardiner’s.” Elizabeth embraced her sister, noting how tight and tense he
r entire being was. She walked with Jane to the bed and handed her the letter, allowing for her to read it herself.
Elizabeth knew that Jane had fully comprehended what Mrs. Hurst was doing for her, when she felt her shoulders relax.
“I almost cannot believe this of Mrs. Hurst,” Elizabeth murmured, “I could not if she had not contradicted her sister during their call here. I do wonder why she is being so kind. She made it quite clear, along with Miss Bingley that she did not approve of our family, only you, and barely just.”
“Perhaps she has had a change of heart, Lizzie.” Jane murmured. She could scarcely believe her eyes. Mr. Bingley was not lost to her. Miss Bingley’s letter had made it appear as though Mr. Bingley had simply wished to spare her the pain of seeing him in love with another woman, and so he had wished for her to inform Jane that he was leaving over some business. Not to inform her that he would very likely marry Mr. Darcy’s sister. Jane had assumed that she would meet Miss Darcy at Lizzie and Mr. Darcy’s wedding, so the knowledge that Mr. Bingley was in love with such a young woman had been surprising. Yet he and Mr. Darcy had been friends for so long.
Consequence of Jealousy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 12