A Beneficial, If Unwilling, Compromise

by Bronwen Chisholm

  “And did you advise him to seek out Jane?” Mrs. Bennet’s voice was near a whisper as her eyes continuously scanned the crowd. “I have not seen her since her dance with Mr. Bingley. She may be awaiting Mr. Darcy.”

  “Unfortunately, I did not see her leave the dance floor so I am uncertain of her whereabouts.”

  Mrs. Bennet released an exasperated sigh as she once more searched the assembled guests for her eldest daughter. “I will look in the retiring room. See if she is taking fresh air on one of the balconies.”

  “But, Mama, Mr. Darcy will be claiming me for the next dance …”

  The elder woman turned fiery eyes upon her daughter. “Then he will find you with your sister and have the opportunity to request a dance! Go!” She motioned toward the door nearest them and turned swiftly away.

  With a small shudder, Elizabeth looked about to see if any had been witness to her mother’s demands. Seeing no one peering at her in a curious fashion, she slipped from the room. The cold air struck her and she wrapped her arms about herself. As the door clicked behind her, shutting out the noise of the ballroom, a soft weeping sound could be heard. A few steps forward brought into view a scene she had not expected.

  “Hush now, Miss Bennet, I am certain it is not as desperate a situation as you believe.” The soft words of comfort seemed out of place coming from the man Elizabeth had decreed to be proud and arrogant.

  “It is.” Jane grasped Mr. Darcy’s arm as she nodded furiously. “My mother is determined that we should marry, though I know neither of us would be made happy by such a union.” Her sobs shook her shoulders.

  “And how is this to come about?” Mr. Darcy appeared almost amused causing Elizabeth’s anger from earlier to reignite within her.

  “We are to be found in a compromising position,” Jane whispered.

  Suddenly alert, Mr. Darcy’s smirk returned to his accustomed frown. “As this one?” His eyes flew about the area until they met Elizabeth’s, seeing her in the shadows at last, and disbelief flashed across his countenance. “And are you part of this plan? Have you come to announce your sister has been ruined and we must wed?” he demanded.

  Elizabeth took a step forward. “I have no desire to take any action which would ruin forever the hopes of my most beloved sister.” Her anger matched his own.

  Mr. Darcy stepped back, removing the eldest Bennet daughter’s hands from his arm as though she were a leper. “Yet you are here. Why?”

  “My mother sent me to find Jane.” She stepped forward and attempted to comfort her sister.

  Surprised by the touch, Jane staggered away from Elizabeth, shaking her head. “I muss do as told, Lissy.”

  “Jane?” Elizabeth stepped closer and sniffed. “Have you been in the punch?” A soft masculine chuckle reached her ears.

  “I fear the thought of being wed to me turned your sister to strong drink.”

  Elizabeth whirled on the man. “You find this amusing?” she asked accusingly.

  His countenance became serious once more. “Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth. No, I do not find the idea of compromising a gentleman to secure one’s future amusing. I find it beneath you and your sister.”

  “You believe yourself to be so far above us.” She took a step closer to him and he unconsciously retreated. “You know nothing of us. Jane and I have sworn we would only marry for the deepest affection, yet our circumstances do nothing to forward that dream. Our family may not be of the first circle, and their manners may be wanting in areas, but we love them. It is our duty to see that they are cared for once …” She felt her throat constrict and tears filled her eyes. She could not mention her father’s passing. Speaking it aloud might make it real.

  Mr. Darcy stepped forward as Elizabeth’s shoulders began to slouch. A moment before, she was a pillar of strength standing tall against him, now she was beginning to cave in upon herself. In another moment she may be reduced to her sister’s state, without the need of spirits. She felt the urge to flee, but remained where she knew she belonged, between Jane and Mr. Darcy.

  Mrs. Bennet’s voice rang through the crisp night air, though she seemed to be approaching from a distant door. “I cannot understand where they might have gone.”

  Elizabeth grabbed Jane and pushed her toward the gardens. She was about to follow when Mr. Darcy’s hand took hold of her arm. “It is to be a compromise then?” He asked as he pulled her toward him.

  “Sir … I …”

  “Jane!” Mrs. Bennet stepped into the meagre light cast by the torches. “Mr. Darcy, what is the meaning this?”

  He turned so all could see Elizabeth still held close to him. “I would have thought it quite obvious, Madam.” He looked to the lady in his arms though he spoke to Mrs. Bennet and Lady Lucas. “Miss Elizabeth has accepted my hand in marriage.”

  CHAPTER four

  Never in her life had Elizabeth seen her mother so displeased with her; which spoke volumes considering she was the lady’s least favourite child. Lady Lucas was congratulating the couple, but Mrs. Bennet simply stared at her most disobedient daughter as though her gaze could utterly bore through her.

  “Were you able to find Jane?” she asked through clenched teeth.

  Jane! Elizabeth attempted to follow her sister into the garden, but the gentleman held her too tightly. Her eyes scanned his countenance, concern for her sister obvious in her demeanour, but his calm gaze turned toward her mother. Elizabeth felt the need to cry out that they must see to Jane, until she noticed a slight tick of the muscle at his jaw, as though he were clenching his teeth as well.

  Before she could respond, Mr. Darcy replied, “I believe she may have stepped into the gardens, madam. I shall have Mr. Bingley seek her out; I fear she may be feeling most unwell.” He lowered his head in Mrs. Bennet’s direction. “Should we not speak to Mr. Bennet before word of our news has reached him?”

  The elder lady’s brow knitted together for a moment before she realized her friend was no longer at her side. They all turned in time to see Lady Lucas disappearing into the ballroom. “Yes, yes, of course.” Mrs. Bennet turned in the direction of the lady’s retreating form, but Mr. Darcy’s words stopped her.

  “It would be wiser to avoid that arena lest we be waylaid before reaching our goal. I believe Mr. Bennet was entering the card room when last I saw him. It can be accessed in this direction without having to encounter so many of Mr. Bingley’s guests.”

  He placed Elizabeth’s hand in the crook of his arm, allowing his own to linger upon hers. She was uncertain if this was meant to be an affectionate gesture or to keep her from fleeing. Her heart raced as her mind attempted to make sense of what had occurred. It appeared Mr. Darcy had chosen to be compromised, but by her, not Jane. She could not fathom it. In those few moments of silence when she was nearly overcome by the inevitable loss of her father, this disagreeable man had decided to come to her aide.

  In a manner she hoped would not draw his attention, she gradually turned her head so that she could observe him from the corner of her eye. He stared straight ahead, but there was a half-amused crook to the corner of his lips. For some reason she could not explain, it caused her ire to rise once more.

  Lifting her head in a most imperious manner, she mimicked his apparent determination to not acknowledge anyone until they had reached her father. The only exception as they approached the card room, was when he motioned for a footman and asked after Mr. Bingley’s whereabouts. She was unable to hear the response before he pulled her forward into the room.

  To Elizabeth’s relief, they found Mr. Bingley standing beside Mr. Bennet as the two watched over a game in progress. Mrs. Bennet, in the calmest manner anyone had ever seen, approached her husband and laid a hand upon his arm. On another day, Elizabeth might have laughed without hesitation at her father’s perplexed expression. It appeared as though he was unable to recognize his own wife.

  Mr. Darcy bowed to the gentlemen before glancing toward his friend. “Bingley, I believe it would be wise to ha
ve a walk about the gardens. Miss Elizabeth’s sister …” He faltered, perhaps in an attempt to find the proper words to describe poor Jane’s intoxicated state.

  “Jane had a headache this afternoon. I fear the mixture of her powders and your delightful punch has not agreed with her,” Elizabeth finished for him.

  A look of concern flooded Mr. Bingley’s countenance and he quickly made his excuses as he escaped the room. Elizabeth could not suppress a slight smile as she watched him go. Jane shall find her happiness.

  Mr. Darcy tugged gently on Elizabeth’s arm, recalling her to the present. “Mr. Bennet, might we have a moment of your time?”

  She turned to find a frown upon her father’s lips as his eyes fell to where their hands still rested on Mr. Darcy’s arm. A warmth crept over her cheeks and her gaze fell to the floor. Mrs. Bennet’s disappointment was inevitable. Mr. Bennet’s wounded her deeply. As if he sensed her distress, Mr. Darcy squeezed her hand causing her head to rise once more. With a wink she might have missed had she not been watching him closely, he motioned toward the doors.

  The party left the game room, Mr. Darcy leading them toward the library with Elizabeth still attached to him. Once inside, Mr. Bennet did not wait for the younger gentleman to speak.

  “What is the meaning of this, sir?”

  Mrs. Bennet brushed a bit of imaginary lint from her husband’s jacket. “Now, now, Mr. Bennet. There is no need to become distressed. Shall we not sit?”

  The odd expression had returned to Mr. Bennet’s countenance as he examined his wife. “I am not in need of mothering, Mrs. Bennet. I have not been so in many years and do not anticipate its necessity for many more. If you wish to sit, please do so, but I prefer to stand.”

  Once his lady was indeed seated by dropping with a huff into the nearest chair, Mr. Bennet returned his attention to the couple standing before him. Nothing was said for a moment and Mr. Darcy took the opportunity to lead Elizabeth to a settee. A look was exchanged between the young couple before she took her seat. Elizabeth was startled when a reassuring smile crossed the gentleman’s lips just before he turned toward her father.

  A long silence followed, until finally Mr. Darcy spoke. “I fear I know not where to begin.”

  “The beginning is always an option.” Mr. Bennet clearly was fighting the urge to smirk at the young man’s sudden unease.

  As if he sensed it, Mr. Darcy took a less severe stance and smiled. “Ah, but which beginning, sir? This evening? Our first meeting? Or the moment your daughter captured my heart?”

  Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s jaws fell open at this last. If forced to admit it, Elizabeth’s would have also, had she not been so amused by her parents’ reaction.

  Mr. Darcy waved his hand, as though brushing away the words which hung in the air. “I suppose we will come to my affections eventually; for now, we may focus on this evening’s events.” He turned so he was looking more directly at Elizabeth. “I requested a dance with your daughter, something quite out of the ordinary for me. Indeed, I surprised myself so much that afterward I sought the silence and welcome chill of the terrace to regain some equanimity. Imagine my astonishment when I found the eldest Bennet daughter there, weeping uncontrollably.”

  “Jane?” Mr. Bennet looked to Elizabeth for explanation, his voice filled with concern, but she was unable to meet his gaze for more than a second.

  Mr. Darcy held up a hand. “I offered her my handkerchief and asked if I could be of assistance. It was then I found she was … somewhat affected by the wine punch being served.”

  This time Mr. Bennet’s voice was more amused. “Our Jane? In her cups, was she?”

  “Just so.” Mr. Darcy gave a brief nod. “I fear I may have found her condition a bit more diverting than was proper, but it was her words which sobered me fairly quickly.” With a last glance in Elizabeth’s direction, he stood to his full height. “Were you aware, sir, that your wife has instructed your eldest daughter to create an opportunity to be found in a compromising position? With me?”

  The look of shock followed closely by outrage that flashed across Mr. Bennet’s countenance made it clear he was not aware of his wife’s schemes; nor did he approve. The older gentleman’s colour continuously grew redder as he turned his fiery gaze upon his wife.

  “Please, Mr. Bennet, you must not become so distressed,” she pleaded with him.

  Mr. Darcy stepped forward. “I apologize for stating it in such a manner. I fear your family is concerned regarding your health, sir. Have you had a poor report recently?”

  A shake of the head was all Mr. Bennet could manage at first. Finally, when he had found his voice, he turned upon his wife and spoke slowly. “Mrs. Bennet, explain yourself.”

  The lady sitting in the high back chair was now the mother Elizabeth had known most of her life. Her handkerchief was twisted between her fingers and her lower lip quivered.

  “I knew by your manner this morning that you had received disquieting news.” Her voice took on a bit more confrontational tone. “If you would only speak to me, but you find it more enjoyable to torment my nerves. You knew Mr. Collins was expected for a full month, but you chose to tell me the day of his arrival. I feared not knowing what had occurred.”

  Slowly a look of understanding passed over Mr. Bennet as he sat down in the companion chair, next to his wife’s. “What did you do?” he asked softly.

  “I found the letter on your desk. It said there was nothing to be done but for you to put your affairs in order.” Tears flowed down her cheeks, but her brow furrowed. “Knowing you as I do, I feared we would not be made aware of your condition until you had passed and then Mr. Collins would turn us out to who knows what fate.”

  Mr. Bennet’s shoulders drooped. “So you took matters into your hands and told Jane to marry the richest man of our acquaintance.”

  “I know she prefers Mr. Bingley, but he is of such a mild manner, and I fear not a serious-minded gentleman. I have concerns that his sisters would quite overrun our sweet Jane.”

  Mr. Bennet held up his hand and his wife fell silent. “Mr. Darcy, I cannot imagine … no, I can.” He looked up to see his second daughter, tears covering her cheeks. “If Jane revealed this to you, how is it Elizabeth is before us now?”

  In a soft but confident voice, Mr. Darcy continued his tale. “Miss Elizabeth found me speaking to her sister. When I realized what they were about, I accused her of being part of the plan.” He turned to look upon her. “The fire which burned in her eyes as she confronted me regarding my pretension and hauteur was breath-taking. Miss Elizabeth has enticed me for some time, but I always believed myself immune to her. I believe she was about to speak of your illness, and the agony which drowned out her fire tore at my heart.”

  He knelt before her and took her hands in his. “I have lost both my parents; my mother when I was still a boy and my father shortly after reaching my majority. I still feel their loss keenly. If it was within my power to lesson your pain, I could not refuse.” A smile filled his eyes and he rubbed his thumb across her fingers. “However, I could not marry Miss Bennet for I, too, always hoped I would marry for affection. As lovely as your sister is, she cannot compare to you. Your liveliness of mind and your fine eyes had already captured me; I simply was yet unawares.”

  Mr. Bennet cleared his throat. “And am I to assume the two of you were indeed found together?”

  His wife bounded from her seat. “Lady Lucas is certainly already telling all in the ballroom of what occurred.” Her handkerchief fluttered near his shoulder. “Oh, Mr. Bennet, they must marry. Do not allow her to refuse him.”

  Elizabeth saw the moment her mother’s words reached Mr. Darcy. A brief expression of surprise preceded the return of his cold, unfeeling mask. He withdrew his hands from hers. The lack of warmth was immediate and a chill travelled through her.

  “Lizzy?” her father asked. Though he said no more, she knew what he requested.

  With a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and str
aightened her back. “Though I have no recollection of being asked,” her brow rose in a challenging manner, “before I reply, will you answer a question, Mr. Darcy?”

  “Of course.” The gentleman held her gaze, but the regard she had seen moments before was gone.

  “Did you refuse to bestow the living upon Mr. Wickham?”

  CHAPTER fivE

  Jane lay on her side upon the cool stone bench, one hand clasped to her stomach as she prayed she would not retch again. Tears covered her cheeks, and her hair, once pinned so meticulously, now hung in matted spirals about her face and down her back. A hiccough escaped her lips as shivers shook her body.

  “Miss Bennet?”

  At first she believed she imagined the whispered call, but a moment later she heard it again.

  “Miss Bennet? Are you about?”

  A figure moved on the nearest path and Jane tried to remain still and silent, even holding her breath. He was almost past when a hiccough burst from her throat once more.

  “Miss Bennet.” Mr. Bingley appeared in front of her before she could even rise.

  “Mr. Bingley.” Jane attempted to sound calm, but sat up too quickly and nearly fell back down.

  “Have a care!” He took the seat beside her, placing a steadying hand against her arm.

  She could feel his eyes searching her countenance, but she had not the courage to meet his gaze.

  “You are unwell.” His hand fell from her arm as he struggled out of his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

  “Sir, I do not believe it is wise for us to be seen together.” Jane said as she stood, moving slower this time. Even taking such a precaution, she swayed dangerously.

  Mr. Bingley stood and stepped close enough that she brushed against him as she wavered. “Miss Bennet … Jane …”

  “Please.” Her throat felt thick and she had to force the words out. “Do not be so familiar.”

  “I thought …“

  She could hear the pain in his voice, but when he continued it was replaced by a cold distance.