Just to Hear 'I Love You': An Alternate Tale of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice'

by Sarah Johnson

  Fitz and Mary both sat and read their letters together, and each was glad to accept her apology. Fitz kept a close eye on her for the few days she stayed with them, and he noticed a marked change in her. She no longer bore the haughty look that so often was seen across her face, and several times she willingly chose to sit beside Mary or join her in activities. She truly was a changed girl, and his heart swelled with pride. One day she will grow into quite the lady, he thought.

  Georgiana returned to Pemberley with Mrs Annesley a few days later, giving the letters to her brother and Elizabeth almost as soon as she descended from the carriage. Again her apologies were accepted, hugs were exchanged, and Georgiana finally began to see the loving family she had all around her.

  Fhe new month brought with it an air of change. Georgiana now joined Mrs Annesley on her weekly visits to Rose Bluff, and the two young ladies were becoming quite close. Mary often joined them as well, and Georgiana now welcomed such friendships in her life.

  The two expectant ladies talked of all that was soon to come to each of them. Maria was still unsure what she would do when her child was born, but she could not help but feel excited for the preparations that were underway all around the house for the Fitzwilliams’ child, expected to come later this autumn. Maria tried to teach Mary how to knit, but after many hours of hilarity at her attempts, it was determined knitting was best left to the others. Being left handed, Mary just could not get the proper technique.

  Bingley stayed at Rose Bluff for as long as he could, then was required to remove to Town to finish the paperwork needed for the purchase of Buckley Hall. Fitz received a letter nearly immediately from his friend, and it was with great shock that he went to inform his wife of the particulars written within—or those he could make out through Bingley’s splotches and splatters of ink. As it turned out, their jokes about Miss Bingley being perfectly matched to Fitz’s brother were actually truer than they realized. By the time Bingley arrived, the two had already announced their engagement and the wedding was set to take place in just three weeks. It was to be the last big event of the Season before everyone removed from Town for their country estates.

  His father would be happy for such an influx of money. Croome Court would be saved for another generation, unless of course his brother gambled it all away as he was known to do. If Bingley was smart, he would write a marriage contract that did not give the viscount much opportunity to access such funds. Though Fitz did feel sorry for Miss Bingley for being taken in by his brother, he could not help but find humor in the situation. He laughed so hard he nearly fell from his chair—if only Bingley had been here to share in the moment. When he had sufficiently composed himself, he decided this news would be best to tell Darcy in person, so he had his horse readied and went to visit Pemberley to apprise him of this latest on—dit.

  Darcy was just as shocked as Fitz had been. They wrote Bingley a letter in return, giving him a few things to include in the contract. When he received their expected reply, he was glad for their advice and made certain what they suggested was written out very specifically in the papers. The viscount was not happy with such wording that would tie his hands to the funds, only giving him access to the interest on them, but the announcement had already been made, and the earl would see to it that the wedding happened. He would not allow his son to make their family the laughing stock of the entire Ton by jilting the bride at the altar. As it turned out, the earl was not happy to learn of his son’s inebriated proposal, but it was made in front of others so there was nothing he could do about it that would not bring ruin to his own family. Miss Bingley, though connected to trade, did have the dowry needed, and that became the only thing he cared about with regard to the union.

  The three weeks since Bingley left passed slowly for the ladies as they awaited the day when Maria would begin her confinement. Georgiana convinced her brother and cousin to allow her to stay at Rose Bluff for the time being. It worked out well in that it also allowed Mrs Annesley to stay by Maria’s side during the last few difficult weeks of her pregnancy.

  Bingley’s business was concluded quickly, the only thing keeping him in Town now was his sister’s wedding. The ceremony was concluded without any difficulties, though there was obviously no love between the bride and groom. It was in that moment when Bingley decided he would not let love pass him by. He already knew he felt something for Maria Lucas that he had never felt for anyone else before, and with everything she had been through, he dared not even hope she felt the same for him. Even if she did not love him, he knew she could grow to if given the opportunity. Love was not a word he had ever allowed himself to use to describe his feelings for her, but the longer he thought on it, the stronger the emotion grew within his chest. By the time the wedding breakfast was over, his heart and mind were set. He left immediately for Meryton.

  Sir William Lucas was only on his second cup of brandy, with the nearly full bottle sitting beside him, when his visitor was announced.

  Bingley stepped into the older man’s study. “It is good to see you again, sir.”

  He did not even rise to greet his guest. Motioning for the servant to leave them, he said gruffly, “I can see no good reason for you to be in my home, Mr Bingley.”

  “Sir, I am certain you were not expecting me, but I had to discuss a matter of great import with you.”

  “Oh, and what could draw a gentleman such as yourself to my door?”

  “Your daughter—Miss Lucas.”

  Suddenly the father took a large drink, swallowing all that was left in his glass. “I will not hear her name said in this house.”

  Bingley stood taller, lifted his chin, and took a stance he had seen the colonel take on many occasions. “You cannot convince me you do not care for your own child’s welfare.”

  “I know not and care not where she is. Mrs Collins has taken care of sending her away. That girl has made my family suffer grievously. Obviously the rumors of her actions have gone further than I knew if you have come to my door.”

  “I know exactly where she is, and I have been in her company these last few months at least. Whether you want to hear it or not, I have come to inform you of some judgments you have made on my friends that are completely false.”

  “Why would I care what you think of me? I have come to my judgment of your friends through an experience you could know nothing of,” he spat out in vehemence.

  “You mean the fire?”

  Silence permeated the air.

  “Yes, I know the particulars of that dreadful day. I know all your family has lost with the death of your eldest son, Benjamin. He was a brave young man who stood up in the face of danger and paid the price for trying to save the lives of his friends and neighbors. He is a gentleman I would have loved to meet. I also was there when you snubbed my friend’s wife, who had nothing to do with the fire. She tried to save her own family and was only able to get one sister out before the flames were too much for her.”

  “MARY BENNET is who deserved to die in that fire, not my son! After all, she is the one who set it!”

  Bingley stepped closer, intensity coming to his eyes as he lowered his voice, “Miss Mary Bennet, now Mrs Fitzwilliam, did not set that fire—it was an accident caused by a candle set too close to the bed curtains. In his misery over the loss he felt, Mr Bennet would often drink too much and sit in his wife’s chamber in misery and melancholy, only later to be found passed out. That time, he placed the candle too close to the bed curtains, and when they caught fire, he was so far into his cups he did not even seeing the raging fire all around him.” Bingley looked pointedly at the decanter sitting beside Sir William.

  He noticed the look and slid the glass away. As much as he did not want to admit it, the tale did have merit. He still refused to believe it fully though. “You don’t know her—if you did, you would know she set that fire intentionally.”

  “You, sir, do not know her! While you are sitting here in this state remembering the past and all you have lost
, she is standing beside your daughter in the final weeks of a pregnancy which will forever change her life.”

  “WHAT? What are you talking about?”

  “Oh, did you not know?” He leaned down closer to the older gentleman’s face, “When you tossed your daughter from your home for being taken advantage of by a rake, Mrs Fitzwilliam found out and opened her own home to Miss Lucas. She and her husband have since taken care of her every need, including not allowing her to feel shame for one wrong decision. Have you, sir, ever made a wrong decision and then had it held over your head the rest of your days?”

  He was so shocked he could not think straight. “No, you cannot be correct... she... she was sent away to the north.”

  “Yes—to Derbyshire, where my friends reside.”

  The words of Reverend Carter’s recent sermon echoed in his mind. ‘He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.’ Suddenly the realization came over him and he crumpled down to his knees. “What have I done to my own child? What kind of life is she to live now?” He began to weep.

  Bingley bent down beside the older gentleman, placing his hand on his shoulder, “You have the opportunity to make things right with your daughter, and with Mrs Fitzwilliam.”

  “How is that ever to be accomplished? They will never forgive me.”

  “Can you forgive Miss Maria for the mistake she made?”

  “Yes, of course; she is my child.”

  “Then what makes you think they will not, in turn, forgive you as well?”

  “Would they? Would they both?”

  “I believe so. One way to show your daughter how much you care for her future is to allow me to offer for her.”

  “You... you want to marry my girl? Even though she carries another man’s child?

  “Yes.”

  “Even if she gives birth to a son? Would you truly accept the child as your heir?”

  “Yes.”

  Why?”

  “Because I love her. Love can overlook a multitude of wrongs.”

  “And does she love you as well?”

  “I must be honest with you, sir—I do not know. What I do know is that we get along well together, and we have grown quite close over the last few months. I would like nothing more than to court her properly and take the time necessary to build our affection, but that time has been taken from us.” He looked pointedly at the father sitting before him. “If I am to save her reputation and not consign your grandchild to the life of a bastard, then we must marry before she begins her confinement.” He knew what he said was harsh, but he was unwilling to leave this house without the permission needed to marry.

  The father looked down at the floor, “Her confinement should begin at any time now.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He thought about it for a minute fully before he looked back to the young gentleman beside him, “What must I do?”

  “Return with me to Town. I will purchase a special license and will then make haste to Rose Bluff to speak with her.”

  He stood back up, “We can leave immediately and be in Town before nightfall.”

  “What of your wife?”

  “You let me deal with Lady Lucas. Once I tell her you are to be married, she will quickly change her tune. She is away for a few weeks anyway, visiting her sister, so by the time she returns, the deed will be accomplished.”

  The two hastened back to Town, taking rooms at an inn. After the sun fell below the horizon, the two came up with a quick draft of a marriage contract, then Bingley retired.

  Sir William sat up late into the night writing a letter each to his daughter, as well as to Mary. The next morning he would give them both to Bingley to be delivered when he saw the ladies. He retired that night with great relief—his daughter would be cared for, and, because Bingley was a new land owner himself, even his grandchild would want for nothing. Above all, it was clear the gentleman had much love to give to both. He could not ask for things to have worked out any better for his family.

  The next morning the two quickly found a solicitor to sign the contract, then they visited the Archbishop to obtain a special license. As soon as the father had signed the necessary places on both documents, Bingley was off, bound for Derbyshire.

  Two days later a road—weary Bingley arrived at Rose Bluff late in the evening as the sun was setting. When he was informed that Miss Lucas had begun her confinement, though the baby was far from coming still, he insisted on speaking with her. It was only with his personal assurances to Mrs Darcy that he would not cause her any undue distress, and after explaining what exactly his purpose was, that he was allowed to enter the birthing room.

  Maria was mostly just uncomfortable at this point. She had experienced a few pains, but they were not enough to think the babe would be born that soon.

  When she heard that Mr Bingley had arrived and wanted to speak with her, she was shocked. It was simply not done! A birthing room was no place for a gentleman, especially a bachelor! With Mrs Darcy’s assurances, she finally agreed to see him.

  When he entered the room and looked around, the other ladies left, giving them some privacy. Elizabeth was the last to go, saying as she left, “We will be right outside if we are needed.”

  He nodded in thanks. When the door was closed he had nowhere else to look but at Maria, who sat in a chair by the open window, a blanket draped over her legs for modesty. “I know it is unusual to request you see me now, but I could not let you go through this without first asking—will you marry me?”

  “Wha... what do you mean? How can that even be possible?”

  Bingley stepped towards her, pulling the papers from his jacket. “I cannot allow you to live your life in derision from society because of one mistake in your past—a mistake that can more adequately be called manipulation by another. I care too much for you to see that happen. So on my way back from Town, I stopped to see your father.”

  She barely whispered, “Papa... how is he?”

  Bingley pulled out the letter from her father, holding it out, “He sends his love and wishes you to read this.” He then retreated to the other side of the room to give her privacy.

  She opened it and immediately began crying with the words of apology and love written within. It was at the end that she saw how much he had changed. He was willing to allow her to marry, but only if she cared for Mr Bingley. If not, he would like her to come home, with her child.

  Do I care for him? Well of course she did, who could not with such an amiable gentleman. A better question would be—did she love him? She looked across the room at him and blushed when she felt her heart beat rise. Looking back down at the letter, she once again read her father’s words. For months she had wished for them to be said, and here she sat with them right before her. What do I truly want?

  She once again looked up at him. He had not judged her harshly, as she was sure everyone else would do if they only knew. Not only that, but he offered to marry her and take her child as his own—even if it was a boy. What man would do such a thing? Is he doing this simply because of his desire to help someone in need, or is it because he truly cares... for me? As much as that gesture meant to her, and her future, she could not answer until she knew what he felt for her.

  “Mr Bingley?”

  He quickly strode back over to her. “Yes, Miss Lucas?”

  “Sir,” she said agitatedly, playing with the paper in her hand, “I appreciate the sentiment of what you have proposed, but I cannot make you a slave to my own mistakes. You deserve to marry for love, not for obligations which are not yours to carry.”

  Bingley lowered himself to his knee and reached for her hand, stilling it. “Miss Lucas, I shall always remember the moment we were introduced and even now I can recount every word spoken between us when I met you the first and the second time. While I do feel a sense of obligation in righting your situation, it is only because of affection that I have offered for you. Miss Lucas... Maria, I find I love you more with each passing day
, and I hope you feel the same about me.”

  She let out the shallow breath she did not even realize she was holding in. His words were just what she needed to hear. “Mr Bingley, I find myself in a situation the likes of which I could have never foreseen, but I would have it no other way if it has brought you to me.” She looked up, smiled, and replied, “I find I too have grown to love you very deeply, and I would be honoured to marry you, sir.”

  There was a silence between the two as they stared into each others eyes. Slowly Bingley brought her hands to his lips, depositing a kiss on each, then he replied, “I will be back in one hour with the parson.” He stood and hastily departed, turning back at the door to give her a wink.

  The ladies came back into the room with questioning looks on their faces. Maria giggled and drew her hands to her flushed cheeks, “I am to be married in one hour!”

  “OH MY! One hour? We have a great deal to accomplish then.” Elizabeth looked around. “We cannot have you married in here—it would not be proper.”

  “Come,” Mary signed to Elizabeth. “We will go find Georgiana, and I am certain we will have my private sitting room just down the hall looking lovely enough for a wedding in no time.”

  Elizabeth turned to Mrs Annesley, “Can you attend to the bride’s attire?”

  She smiled, ushering them from the room, “Yes, yes, I have it well in hand. We will meet you in Mrs Fitzwilliam’s private sitting room at,” she looked back at the clock on the mantle, “... ten o’clock.”

  With a nod, Elizabeth and Mary left to find Georgiana and apprise her of the news.

  FFitz walked into his wife’s sitting room and saw Bingley pacing while the parson was preparing himself and setting the register out on the table. He walked over with a decidedly gay stride, stopping Bingley in the middle of the room with a firm hand to the nervous man’s shoulder, “You know, when I said to you that when you found a lady worthy of your hand you should sweep her off and marry her as quickly as you can, I did not expect you to take my advice to heart quite so passionately.”