Most of all, she found herself in Mr. Darcy’s company, more and more. She had not believed that silence would ever suit them, as she firmly believed that if one had something to say, then one should say it. Between the two of them, they always had something to say.
She, with her ready wit.
He, with his determined disapproval.
Perhaps they had already said too much to each other. Mrs. Hurst’s words rang through her ears daily, the importance of not allowing how they began to dictate their future.
It seemed they were not. Mr. Darcy encouraged the connection between Elizabeth’s family and his own, while Elizabeth had begun to see him as the man he truly was.
Was that enough?
***
It was after breakfast when Georgiana had found her. Elizabeth had wanted to take some time to herself, to be truly alone, and so she had set out on another walk, despite her mama’s protests that she had already walked before breakfast, and it would be abominably rude of her to have left before Mr. Darcy had arrived from Netherfield. Due to limited bedrooms, and the knowledge that it would give the rumours more credence, Mr. Darcy had elected to stay at Netherfield, and left Georgiana to bunk down with Mary.
“Elizabeth!” Georgiana called out. It had taken but a few days for Georgiana to drop the honorifics, and address each Bennet sister by her name, although she was still very formal and polite with the master and mistress of Longbourn.
Elizabeth waited for her.
“Georgiana, I did not know you wished to walk with me.”
Georgiana looked back at her hands. “I had not, but then I determined that I needed to speak with you in private, and it may as well be now, than any other time.”
“What is it?” Elizabeth wondered. Surprisingly there had been very few squabbles between Georgiana, Lydia, Kitty, and Mary. Maria had also joined them a few times, and together they had gotten along very well. It there had been a fight or something untoward had occurred, the rest of the household would have known within a few hours.
“I have something to confess to you, before you marry my brother.” Georgiana began hesitantly. At Elizabeth’s questioning look, she continued. “It is simply that I feel ashamed, especially to be in your home, with your parents taking such good care of me, that I cannot help but confess it.” Georgiana stated in a rush.
Elizabeth was quick to soothe Georgiana, as she appeared to be upset already. “I am sure whatever it is, it is not quite so bad, Georgiana.”
“It is!” Georgiana insisted. “Miss Bingley had written to me, in an attempt to turn my opinion against you, before William had arrived at Pemberley. Of course, he had informed of the engagement, but not the particulars.” She stumbled over those last few words, blushing a bright red.
Elizabeth smiled kindly. “Oh, Georgiana, all is well. Given that I had not the slightest impression that you had judged me on the basis of a rumour, I cannot imagine that you had misjudged me very harshly. I assure you, Lydia and Kitty’s reactions were worse than yours, and they have known me my entire life!” Elizabeth attempted to make light of the situation.
“But that is the problem.” Georgiana started, her voice growing soft. “I judged you on the basis of a rumour, while I had done much worse!” She looked directly at Elizabeth, her face solemn and steady. Elizabeth withheld her breath for a moment, for she looked so much like her brother in that moment. “I did not believe that I could ever confess, but last night---”
“Have my sisters been having inappropriate conversations about gentlemen with you, Georgiana?” Elizabeth was unwilling to say George Wickham’s name, and would not bring up the subject of Georgiana’s elopement unless Georgiana was explicit in her manner.
Georgiana blushed. “Not exactly.” she admitted. “They meant no harm, but last night, when Mary fell asleep, Lydia and Kitty had come into our room and asked if I wanted to join them. We all got into the bed, and they began to speak of the officers that they had danced with, and of whom they were not able to associate with anymore. They simply wished to know if I had spoken to the officers, as they could not. They mentioned Mr. Wickham.” she ended quietly, her voice sounding far and away. “My brother had warned me that he may still be in Meryton when we arrived, but that we would not have to see him.”
Elizabeth laid a gentle hand on Georgiana’s cheek. “Mr. Wickham is no longer in town, Georgiana. Shortly after I left for London, Colonel Forster believed it best that he be transferred to another regiment.” Elizabeth did not mention that her father had written to her shortly after she had arrived in London, informing her that he had gone to speak to the Colonel.
Georgiana considered her words. “Did my b-brother----?”
She could not ask it.
Elizabeth chose her next words carefully. “Your brother wanted to forewarn my family against Mr. Wickham’s ungentlemanly behaviour, especially around my sisters. I am grateful to him, and to you.”
“I did nothing, Elizabeth.” Georgiana was close to tears, and Elizabeth wished she could take them away. She drew Georgiana close.
“You did not go with him, Georgiana, and that was very brave of you.” she soothed. “You believed yourself to be in love, and you knew that a man who truly loved you would face your brother. You saved yourself.”
As Georgiana began to sob, Elizabeth began to rub her back, knowing she would support her as long as she needed.
***
Much to his shock, Fitzwilliam found himself enjoying the time he spent at Longbourn. Despite his apology and promise to his betrothed, that he would not cut her family from her, based on their connections to trade, lack of wealth, the ill manners of a few, he had resigned himself to treating all interactions as though he were at Rosings Park with Lady Catherine. Meaning he would say what was necessary and leave as soon as possible.
He grimaced.
Even at his own mention of Lady Catherine caused shame to spread through him, as he had not even thought to compare his aunt’s behaviour, with the behaviour of Miss Elizabeth’s younger sisters. They were the same, yet they were not. For Lady Catherine had been the daughter of an earl, while Miss Elizabeth’s sisters were the daughters of a country squire.
Miss Elizabeth was the daughter of a country squire.
Instead, he had found himself enjoying the interactions between the various inhabitants of Longbourn. Between his sister and Miss Elizabeth; his sister and Miss Lydia, Miss Kitty, and Miss Mary. Their manners had improved an astonishing amount, and so Fitzwilliam had not felt the amount of trepidation he would have felt, under ordinary circumstances. Even so, he could acknowledge his hypocrisy in this matter. When Georgiana reached the age that she would be presented at Court, and everything that came with that, she would be exposed to much worse, as Fitzwilliam had. He had no doubt that she would learn to handle it with grace.
It had been days since he had confessed his love for Miss Elizabeth, to her shock. She had not spoken to him about it, and he did not want to press the matter. He had said what he needed to say, and until they were married, it was not an urgent matter. He knew that she needed space, while also needing to keep up the appearances of a betrothed couple--so he did his best to spend as much time as he could with her family to begin new connections and new friendships that would last through their marriage, while also allowing her the time she needed. He could wait. He could question then.
They had the rest of their lives, after all.
But still. He could not help with dream, although he was increasingly aware that it was all he had. When they were married, and went away to Pemberley, he would be able to observe her, as he did now. He would watch as she charmed Mrs. Reynolds and the other servants, sing prettily with his sister, and enjoy the Derbyshire countryside. He had hoped to enjoy these things with her, but he could see, at Longbourn, that he was not necessary to her happiness.
He never had been.
When Miss Elizabeth and her sister, or even his own sister, disappeared into the greenhouse, Fitzwil
liam usually took that time to visit Mr. Bennet in his study. Once they had gotten over their differences and Fitzwilliam’s foolish behaviour with Miss Elizabeth, he found the man to be pleasant company. While his own father had never been quite as sarcastic as Mr. Bennet, he still found himself seeking the man out due to their similarities. It had been his father who had instilled in him a love of reading, and he never failed to remember it whenever he stepped into Mr. Bennet’s study, as it smelled of books and brandy.
Fitzwilliam had been taking tea near the window, in order to watch his sister and Miss Elizabeth. It was the one sight that gave him joy, while he brooded over his future with Miss Elizabeth. He could watch, as the two most important in his women in his life, found joy in each other’s company. In this, he was happy. Georgiana would not be lonely and without comfort.
When he could not see them anymore, he had quickly drained his tea as it had already been determined that Georgiana would stay another night, and he would return back to Netherfield. He had already been putting off a conversation that he needed to have with Charles about his sister, for the past several days, and it needed to be said. Miss Bingley would not be silent forever, however uncharacteristic it was.
However, to Fitzwilliam’s surprise, as he stood, Miss Bennet entered the room.
“Mr. Darcy.” she greeted him sunnily, as she poured herself a cup of tea from the pot, and sat across from him. Fitzwilliam sat back down, feeling obliged to sit with her for at least a few minutes before he excused himself.
“Miss Bennet,” he returned her greeting, “I hope you are well.”
“I am, sir, thank you.”
A long pause followed.
Fitzwilliam did not know what to say or how to approach her. She was engaged to his friend, yet he could not ask about wedding plans for his own wedding was mere days away, and he knew the lady would not have any care to discuss them.
“I am surprised,” he began awkwardly, “that Charles is not here today. I do not suppose he has been invited to dinner?” he asked, although he was fully aware that Charles had no plans to dine at Longbourn tonight.
However clumsy his questioning, Miss Bennet smiled at him, and answered as though she had not the slightest idea that Fitzwilliam saw her betrothed more often than she had, and thus had a better working knowledge of his schedule than she did. Although no one could claim that Charles Bingley was neglected Miss Jane Bennet. It was a rare day indeed, when he could not manage at least an afternoon call.
When she had finished answering him, Fitzwilliam supposed that he should ask her about the wedding after all.
“On that subject, Mr. Darcy, you are quite lucky!” Miss Bennet teased, a gentle smile touching her lips.
“How so Miss Bennet?”
“Elizabeth and I had to talk Mama out of insisting on a double wedding.” was Miss Bennet’s reply. Before Fitzwilliam could contemplate the nightmare that would have turned into, she continued, “I believe she had to promise that she would speak to your aunt about my wedding clothes.”
He could only smile. “A worthy sacrifice, I suppose.”
Miss Bennet agreed.
“Are you nervous for your wedding, Mr. Darcy?” At Fitzwilliam’s questioning glance, Miss Bennet only shrugged her shoulders. “I believe Lizzie is, although she will not admit it to me. Perhaps she has to you?”
Despite his actual feelings, Fitzwilliam let out a small chuckle. “I do not believe I am the best judge in these matters, Miss Bennet.” he confessed. “As I am sure you well know, Miss Elizabeth and I have had our troubles regarding true feelings and emotions, especially when one is attempting to hide them. For example,” he felt compelled to admit this to her, as he had already with Charles, “when you first met Charles, and continued our acquaintance with him, I detected no particular regard on your part, while I knew Charles was smitten. I did not understand your character,” he stated, hoping to soften any sort of insult she may have perceived at his confession, “but now I understand the depth of your regard for him.”
Miss Bennet regarded him quietly.
“I understand, Mr. Darcy. Mama has often scolded me about my lack of verbosity, and so I can well imagine your initial beliefs. Especially when one is surrounded by more forward manners.” She smiled. “But I think you understand Lizzie better than you think.”
Fitzwilliam shook his head, although he wished it were true. “I do not think so, Miss Bennet. I am simply following a universal doctrine that all gentlemen should ascribe to--I am merely waiting until Miss Elizabeth is ready to speak to me. I do not wish to force my presence on her.” he admitted softly.
“You could not, even if you wished to, Mr. Darcy.” was Miss Bennet’s reply. “Lizzie is not one to go quietly to her fate.”
Remembering their first argument after Fitzwilliam had returned from London the first time, he had to agree with Miss Bennet.
“I am glad that you are trying to make Lizzie happy, Mr. Darcy” Miss Bennet told him quietly. “The first few days after the both of you had argued,” Miss Bennet considered her next words carefully, “I had never seen Lizzie so afraid.” She looked directly at him. Her gaze held no condemnation or pity, merely relief. “Some nights, she would cry when she believed I was asleep, and I did not know what to do, or what I should say to you when I saw you again. I did not know if I could treat you in a fair and kind way, Mr. Darcy, even though Mr. Bingley was your friend.”
Miss Jane Bennet had not condemned him in his reprehensible behaviour towards her sister, yet her last few words could do nothing but. In her view, Charles Bingley was the most genial man of her acquaintance. To Fitzwilliam’s surprise, Miss Bennet was also one of the most genial ladies he had ever formed an acquaintance with. Even when the entire town despised him, she had never changed her manner towards him, believing his friendship with Charles to be worth something to his character.
And yet.
“I am glad that it did not come to that point, Miss Bennet.” he admitted, “I have never had this many feelings of inadequacy since my first year of school away from my father and Pemberley. I am aware that I hurt Miss Elizabeth and caused your family untold amounts of stress. I only wish to make the situation right before we are married.”
“You are trying your best to make Lizzie happy, Mr. Darcy, and I believe you will be successful. Lizzie simply needs more time, as you well know.”
“You are kind, Miss Bennet.”
Miss Bennet studied him intently for a moment. “You are here, Mr. Darcy. You have opened yourself to me. You need to do the same with Lizzie. Brooding will not help.” she joked.
“You will make my friend the happiest of men,” Fitzwilliam said as he stood, “and I am glad to see it. “ With those words, he excused himself, hoping he did not seem curt.
He had been observing Miss Elizabeth for several days, and had come to several conclusions.
Georgiana made her happy.
Being surrounded by her mother, her father, and all of her sisters made her happy.
Visiting her aunt and uncle in Gracechurch made her happy.
Her small cousins made her happy.
His Aunt Addie made her happy.
Had he?
***
Mary had been settled in the second parlour, with the door open and a book in hand, for quite some time. She sat near the window, as she did not wish to strain her eyesight by reading in poor light.Lord Edward had sat across from her, after a length of time. He too had brought a book with him, but had initially settled near the smallest window that was to the right of the fireplace. They had read quietly for over an hour.
Well, almost quietly. Mary had chanced a glance out of the corner of her eye, for she could have sworn she heard a small bump, and had witnessed her mama sliding past the door as though she did so every day. If Lord Edward had not been in the room, she would have gone to her mama in an instant. But she did not wish to draw any attention to her mama’s foolish hopes and wishes.
However, in the t
ime since she had first glanced at her mama out of the corner of her eye, she had come by four times, and Mary swore she heard a giggle from Lydia, although she had not seen her. The best chance for the foolishness to stop and her mama and sister to stop watching her like a hawk, was to approach the man himself. If she approached her mama or Lydia, then they would merely screech what they thought to the whole house, and then Meryton would know within the time it took Maria to visit. It was a miracle that it had not been spread now.
Pausing, as she wished to make sure they were absolutely alone, Mary lowered her book slightly and addressed the Viscount, “I cannot imagine sir, that you have not heard my mother and my sister pass by this room multiple times.”
Consequence of Jealousy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 23