by John Edwards
Late that afternoon they arrived at Longbourn and soon Elizabeth was with her family. Mrs. Bennet was beside herself that Mr. Collins and Mary were now engaged and that Mr. Bennet had given his consent. Still, she was also expecting Jane would soon be offered and the fact that it had not happened caused her mother great consternation.
That night Elizabeth and Jane discussed all the goings on both in London and at home. The two sisters could scarce believe that Mary had changed so much in an instant. “Lizzy,” said Jane, “Mary is the last sister I should think of marrying first, but here it is. But I feel they will be quite suitable for each other.”
“And I too, Jane. It really is a positive development.”
“So Lizzy, what were your first thoughts when Mr. Darcy’s aunt implied that you would be married to Mr. Darcy?”
“I was mad, Jane. He had never proposed, and even if he did, I am not so sure that I would agree to marry him.”
“Lizzy, you cannot really feel that way. Anyway, he did not propose to you, her aunt was indeed talking about Mary and Mr. Collins. But I do think that Mr. Darcy is in love with you. Now it seems that you may have won over his aunt. Bravo sister!”
“Yes, Jane, I actually like the lady. Mr. Darcy was astonished to hear that she had behaved so properly. He spoke of her repenting for her past sins in exchange for the grim reaper passing her up this time. Perhaps she has changed by her daughters rejection of Mr. Darcy?”
“Lizzy, we should both fell sorry for Mr. Darcy for his loss,” then they both laughed. Has Mr. Darcy improved?”
“Yes, he has. If anything he still looks at me a lot but he is more talkative. He seemed relieved to hear of his cousin’s announcement. I am starting to see him smile more often. When he does that I am frozen by his looks Jane and he warms me all over, but I am scared.”
“Truth is, I feel that way about Mr. Bingley. So you see, we are making some progress.”
The next day Mr. Bingley came by himself to see Jane while Elizabeth was out walking and her sisters were visiting their aunt, Mrs. Phillips. When Elizabeth came in she saw Jane more happy and more excited than she had ever seen her.
“Oh Lizzy, I am so happy. Mr. Bingley has proposed and father has given his blessing for us to wed. This is the best day of my life. To think that I shall be able to give such pleasure to my family! It is all too much! I must go and tell mama.”
Just then a letter came for Elizabeth from Georgiana in which she asked that Elizabeth and Jane join her and her brother and Mr. Bingley for dinner, and that she would send a carriage for them about four-thirty. Dinners at Netherfield were becoming more common, and Elizabeth enjoyed her discussions with her friends, including the bantering about that she and Mr. Darcy often engaged in. When they arrived at Netherfield, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy and his sister greeted the sisters and soon they all went inside. Pleasantries were discussed but soon Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy worked on each other, though they showed much civility. Though Elizabeth knew herself better at this, she also knew her friend was capable of holding his own at times, and when she had let down her guard, it was to her loss as Mr. Darcy soon achieved the advantage. Even Georginia picked up on the bantering and along with Elizabeth, they worked on Mr. Darcy to such a degree that he said they were as bad as his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam.
The subject then shifted to that gentleman and Mr. Darcy announced that the Colonel would arrive the morrow at Netherfield.
That next day, Elizabeth’s best friend, Charlotte Lucas came to Longbourn to visit with Elizabeth when two gentlemen rode up. One was Mr. Darcy.
“Good afternoon Miss Bennet, Miss Lucas, my cousin is arrived. May I introduce you to Colonel Fitzwilliam?”
The two then dismounted and the Colonel took a long look at Elizabeth, as if he knew something that she was not privy too, but he also looked deeply at Charlotte Lucas such that she blushed and his own blush soon followed. He soon recovered and talked and joked and was as pleasant a man as was ever seen. Soon his conversations shifted toward Miss Lucas and they walked separating themselves from Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
“I like your cousin, Mr. Darcy. He is very friendly and has a quick wit. I could not imagine anyone not liking him.”
‘Yes, Miss Bennet, I must agree. I only wish that I could be that type of man.”
Elizabeth noticed he looked sad and so she grabbed his arm and covered it again with her other hand as they walked. “You are perfectly friendly, sir. I could not ask any more of any man. I would put you up against any man for your kindness and your character.”
“Then you approve, Miss Bennet?”
“There is nothing not to approve of Mr. Darcy.” Then she saw that sly little boy look that she always liked and watched him to see a faint smile cross his face. It was the same look that Mrs. Winstead, his other Elizabeth had described that she saw in him many years ago at Pemberly. Suddenly she felt a tingling throughout her body as these thoughts overcame her. But she also saw uncertainty in his eyes and suddenly he acted quite nervous and she detected his heavy breathing and the uncertainty in his voice as he spoke.
“Then Miss Bennet, I would like to ask you if I could call on you? If you agree, I should ask your father directly.”
Elizabeth was completely surprised by his words and in the span of a few seconds her entire history with Mr. Darcy replayed before her. All the sleepless nights and angst and tears had come to this and she now felt his hand lightly touch her arm and the shiver that came over her. She knew that she wanted this but the realization of the moment consumed her and her eyes welled up and she could not stop her tears. Mr. Darcy now feared this meant that she had rejected him, but he was still pained for her so he slowly put his arms around her as she finally replied to his offer.
“Eh,.. Why yes sir. I would like that very much Mr. Darcy. We are good friends now and, oh my.”
She did not continue as a gust of wind caught her off guard and Mr. Darcy caught her and softly pulled her closer to him. She looked up into those dark eyes that bore into her and settled her head on his chest. “I am very glad that you are my friend, Mr. Darcy. You honor me with your friendship.”
She stayed in his embrace, not wanting to leave and once she looked upon Mr. Darcy, he was in no mood to back down as he lowered his head and lightly kissed her lips. Her eyes were still closed as he sought out her lips a second time, and feeling no resistance he savored her sweetness in a longer kiss that soon was acknowledged by her lips seeking out his own. He had noticed that she had held him tighter and had wrapped her arms around his waist and he did not want the moment to end.
“Miss Bennet,” he said as he slowly released her, “I have often dreamed of this. You must know, I have never been so affected by any other woman, but if we continue I will perhaps give you reason to believe that I am not a gentleman, and I will not risk that.”
Elizabeth knew that continuing the kisses would be inviting temptation, but she was concerned with her own temptation as well as Mr. Darcy’s, and she started to straighten her dress and bonnet and Mr. Darcy arranged himself such that they could return to Longbourn, somehow forgetting that Charlotte and the Colonel had gone off somewhere.
Mr. Bennet gave his permission for Mr. Darcy to call on Elizabeth and off they went again in search of the others, who they met in Meryton, where the Colonel bought a new bonnet for Charlotte. Elizabeth noticed a happiness in her friend’s expression that she had seldom seen. This was seen as strange to both her and Mr. Darcy and not long after the friends continued to walk until the two couples agreed to meet the morrow at Longbourn.
Everything was happening at once and Elizabeth could hardly figure it out. In just the last few days, two of her sisters were engaged and Mr. Darcy had received permission to call on her, and now Charlotte and Mr. Darcy’s cousin were very friendly. She thought something must be in the drinking water or the planets and stars had aligned to create these changes but it did not matter. All that mattered was she cared for Mr. Darcy and he for her an
d she gave her heart reason to rejoice that the future would be a happy one.
CHAPTER 21
SURPRISES
There were more surprises in the coming days. Mary was married to Mr. Collins in a smallish ceremony in Meryton, attended by her family, a few friends, Lady Catherine and some friends from Hunsford. They left after the wedding breakfast for Hunsford. Lady Catherine lent her coach to the couple and decided to stay at Netherfield with Mr. Darcy, Georginia and Mr. Bingley, whose sisters had returned to London after hearing that their brother had become engaged to Jane Bennet.
Almost immediately Lady Catherine sought out Elizabeth as a confident but Elizabeth used all her cunning to invite Lady Catherine and Mr. Darcy to take walks with her about the grounds when the weather was good. She was surprised that the aunt had acted so favorably to her and her family and she had confided to Elizabeth that she was also quite fond of Jane. But it was Elizabeth who was her favorite and she would sit and talk with her for hours. One day, when just the two of them were alone together, Lady Catherine looked around to see if any others were close, and then spoke to Elizabeth.
“Miss Bennet, I am surprised with all I have learnt. Your sister Mary is married to Mr. Collins. Your sister Jane will soon be married to Mr. Bingley. Colonel Fitzwilliam and your friend Miss Lucas appear to be heading that way too. Now please do not be upset with my questioning, but I have to know. Do you not think it is time that Mr. Darcy make you an offer? I told him just the other day that I would not leave for Kent until he has satisfied me that he has offered you.”
“I am glad you have spoken of this, Lady Catherine. I suppose he will wait until he is ready but it distresses me so much. Do you suppose he, what do they call it, is stringing me along?”
“Some call it that, dear girl, but I will get to the bottom of it all. I must tell you that things may not be as they seem and I hope that I am wrong.”
“Pray tell me what you mean, Lady Catherine.”
With that the aunt pulled out a handkerchief that had Mr. Darcy’s name and that of Elizabeth Watkins embroidered on opposite corners. “He dropped it from his pocket the other day and I picked it up. Do you suppose he has another love interest, Miss Bennet?”
“Yes Lady Catherine, I believe he has had an affair of the heart with this other Elizabeth for several years. I suppose I must accept my fate.”
“No, you will not. I will not allow it. When I next see him we shall have it all out. I will not allow him to break your heart, my dear.”
Within the hour Mr. Darcy came in and was immediately summoned by Lady Catherine.
“Nephew, evidence of an alarming nature has come to me that you, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, have been untrue to Miss Bennet and have had a love interest with another woman. What do you have to say to that?”
“What?”
“If that is all you have to say, then I shall say guilty! Come, Miss Bennet, he is not worth it!”
“Wait, I must hear more of this. What has got you so rattled?”
“You know I am not one to be trifled with. If you will not be inclined to be sincere you will not get the same from me. Why are you leading this young woman on? I do not understand why you have not asked for her hand, and then I found this.” She produced the handkerchief.
“Where did you get this?”
“You dropped it two days ago. So you carry this to remind yourself of this other Elizabeth while at the same time you are seeing Miss Bennet? They have names for men like you.”
“Miss Bennet, you do not believe any of this, do you?”
“She is as shocked as am I. Tell me now, do you have any love interest with Miss Bennet?”
“Why, I, er”
“So you must love this other Elizabeth, then?”
Lady Catherine was ready to attack him again but he turned the thing around. “Fact is, aunt, I am in love with two women, both name Elizabeth, but Miss Bennet is my romantic love interest and after hearing my story, if she will have me, I should propose this very day.”
Mr. Darcy then told the ladies the entire story of his friendship with Elizabeth Watkins, that he first met her when she was Miss Bennet’s age and he was but nine years. He told them that she was a very close friend and had been ever since he first met her and that recently he went to visit her when he realized he needed to talk with a woman about his poor start with Miss Bennet. It was she who advised him to look inward at himself to become a better man.
When Mr. Darcy had finished he looked at both women and picked up Elizabeth’s hand, “Elizabeth, you are the sunshine of my life and I love you and I always will love you and I ask you on bended knee to accept this proposal and marry me.” His eyes did not move from hers and now she felt her tears as she wrapped her arms around him and they embraced as she spoke. “I love you Mr. Darcy, I accept your offer.” When she held and kissed Mr. Darcy again, they soon looked back at the aunt who was drying her own tears with that special handkerchief.
Jane and Mr. Bingley at first set the date for their wedding for the third Saturday in April, then they changed it to the second Saturday in December, but once the engagement of Elizabeth to Mr. Darcy was announced, it all seemed quite reasonable that the two sisters and their fiances, also best friends, should be married in a dual ceremony, and the date of 29 December was set.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet continued to see each other nearly every day as did Jane and Mr. Bingley. Lady Catherine and Georginia stayed nearby as well and were quite helpful to Mrs. Bennet and her relatives in planning for the wedding, and so Christmas was celebrated at Longbourn and Netherfield. Colonial Fitzwilliam spent all his available time with Charlotte Lucas, and stayed for Christmas and the big wedding. He was soon to retire from the army and enjoyed his time around Meryton and in particular he and Charlotte got along splendid, and before Mr. Darcy was married, Charlotte and Colonel Fitzwilliam became engaged. Though Elizabeth knew her friend for being one who might settle for a man she did not love, she felt the love bug had bitten both her and the Colonel, for they were inseparable since they met, so that it came to no one’s surprise that they too became engaged. Before the wedding, news arrived that Mr. Wickham had quit the militia and was heading for New Orleans, in America, no doubt to become a famous gambler on the Mississippi River. This news pleased nearly everyone, but none more than Mr. Darcy and Georginia.
At the church Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy took their place at the front and waited for their brides. A sudden gasp let out as those attending saw Mr. Bennet with his daughters on each of his arms. It would be difficult to describe who had the biggest smile, but Mr. Bennet was certainly the proudest father in England at that moment. He delivered Jane and Elizabeth and all eyes were set on the sisters from Longbourn and their two gentlemen. Mr. Darcy had spotted John and Elizabeth Winstead right away, and he noticed their smiles and saw her wink at him, almost signaling to him that she approved of his marriage, much like the wink she gave him as she walked down the isle at her own wedding. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy could not take their eyes off of their brides and nobody in the church had ever witnessed a dual ceremony so this was the biggest event ever in the neighborhood. Soon the service was finished and the two married couples left the church and with the greetings of the many well wishers they departed for Netherfield and the wedding breakfast. Later that evening a wedding ball was held at Netherfield.
Netherfield was a large home and accommodated many rooms. It was at Netherfield that the two couples, now married, shared their love and renewed their pledges to each other. During the evening Mrs. Winstead handed Mr. Darcy a small package and told him it was for Elizabeth and his use if any tears ever showed up. As Elizabeth looked into her husband’s eyes that evening, Mr. Darcy saw her tears of happiness well up, so he unwrapped the gift. It was a large new embroidered handkerchief with Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy on one corner and Miss Elizabeth Bennet on the other. In the middle it said, “Love to you both on the day of your marriage.”
When Mr. Darcy had wiped Mrs. Darc
y’s eyes with that handkerchief, all was right in the world.
THE END