Courting Elizabeth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Renata McMann

  There was an unsurprised, but sincere, round of congratulations.

  “I took the plunge as well.” Richard’s face split into a grin. “I don’t want to make it general news until I talk with Mr. Bennet, but I asked Jane to marry me. She said yes.”

  “Congratulations,” Darcy said. “She’s a lovely woman.”

  “I’m sure you will be very happy.” Bingley’s approval appeared genuine.

  “Indeed, congratulations, little brother,” Henry said. “I assume this means Miss Bennet reacted well when you expressed your concern about possible hardships?”

  “She said it would be the greater hardship by far to be without me than to be poor with me.” Richard’s expression would have been comically besotted, if Darcy didn’t feel much the same about his own evening. “She is an angel.”

  “Her father won’t be able to give her much, if anything,” Bingley warned.

  “Jane told me as much. She said she almost felt wrong accepting my offer because I should have a wife with a large dowry. Someone like Anne.”

  “Too late. Anne is going to marry me,” Bingley said smugly.

  “Well, congratulations to you as well, Bingley,” Henry said.

  “I’m sure you’ll make Anne a fine husband,” Richard added.

  Darcy offered his congratulations, doing his best to school his tone into happiness, not relief. Now, hopefully, they would be able to make Lady Catherine realize there was no hope for him and Anne marrying. Once she acknowledged Bingley was Anne’s husband, Elizabeth would be safe.

  Darcy couldn’t help but contrast his and Richard’s happiness with the self-satisfied look on Bingley’s face, but marrying for love wasn’t for everyone. Bingley had been in love many times, so Darcy assumed he knew what he was giving up. Darcy had been in love only once, and intended it should remain that way. Life without Elizabeth had become unimaginable.

  “I didn’t say anything earlier because Anne put a number of conditions on the marriage. First and foremost, she said I may not tell anyone but the three of you until within a day of the wedding. Even though she’s old enough to wed if she wishes, she seems to think Lady Catherine will swoop in and prevent it.” He chuckled, but his laughter died as he took in their faces.

  Darcy didn’t find Anne’s fear unreasonable. Nor, it appeared, did Henry and Richard.

  “Ah, she also wants to marry immediately,” Bingley continued soberly. “I’ll have to get an attorney to write up a contract for the rest, as it pertains mostly to Rosings and future offspring. She wrote it all down for me.” He patted his pocket. “Do any of you have a way to get a special license? I can foot the bill.”

  “I do.” Henry said. “Give me Anne’s requirements. I’ll see to that as well. Discretely,” he added when Richard opened his mouth to speak.

  Bingley handed over the paper.

  Not unfolding it, Henry tucked it away. “I’ll go to London in the morning, if Darcy will lone me his roan.” He turned to Darcy. “My horse is lame and you’ve bragged about how that roan does for distance.”

  Darcy nodded. “Certainly.” He hoped his favorite riding horse would return sound.

  “Perfect.” Bingley smiled. “We can be married tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?” Henry raised his eyebrows. “Even I can’t make it to London and back before noon. You do know you have to get married in the morning, don’t you?”

  “Yes, of course I do.” Bingley grimaced, obviously embarrassed. “Though it’s a ridiculous law.”

  Henry shrugged. “So get someone to change it. You’ll be wealthy as sin soon.”

  Bingley grinned.

  ***

  The following morning, Darcy and Richard called at Longbourn, as had become their habit. Darcy knew Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia would be disappointed Henry didn’t accompany them, but he didn’t always do so, so it wouldn’t be suspicious. Besides, as soon as Richard and Miss Bennet made their news known, the family would momentarily forget about the Earl of Matlock.

  Instead of asking if Elizabeth and Miss Bennet could walk with them, Darcy and Richard went in. After greetings were exchanged, Darcy took a seat in the parlor. He could guess from Mrs. Bennet’s bright eyes and the way she was looking between Richard and Miss Bennet that she had a suspicion as to the cause of their alteration in routine.

  “Mr. Bennet.” Richard forwent sitting. “May I speak with you in private, sir?”

  Mrs. Bennet let out a squeal of delight. Seated beside Darcy, Elizabeth grimaced at the sound, but cast a smile toward her sister.

  Mr. Bennet nodded. “Right this way.”

  “Oh Jane,” Mrs. Bennet cried as Mr. Bennet and Richard left the room. “Oh my dear, sweet, beautiful Jane. You’re finally to be married.”

  “Mama.” Miss Bennet looked down, blushing.

  “Well, you are, aren’t you? What else could Colonel Fitzwilliam wish to speak with your father about, in private?”

  “I wanted Jane to marry Mr. Bingley,” Miss Lydia said, her face folding into a pout. “Mr. Bingley is rich, and he throws parties.”

  “But Colonel Fitzwilliam is an officer.” Miss Kitty nodded along to her own words. “Just think, Jane will be married to an officer.”

  Miss Bennet’s color deepened, but Darcy could catch the edges of a smile on her downturned face. Elizabeth looked at him, offering an expression somewhere between amused and exasperated. Darcy gave her a look he hoped conveyed he’d made his peace with her mother’s and sisters’ behavior.

  “What matters is if they suit,” Miss Mary said. “It seems to me they do.”

  “No, Lydia is correct, of course.” Mrs. Bennet let out a sad sigh. “It would have been better for Jane to marry Mr. Bingley. When your father leaves us, poor man, we’ll be destitute, and there’s nothing Colonel Fitzwilliam will be able to do to aid us. Oh, if only Jane had brought Mr. Bingley up to scratch.” She slumped in the chair in which she sat, draping an arm across her forehead.

  “Well, I like Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Miss Kitty said.

  “I like him well enough.” Miss Lydia tossed her curls. “I simply like Mr. Bingley’s money more.”

  “Lydia,” Miss Bennet said, her tone sharp.

  “Well, I do. Is it more wrong to say it than to lie about how I feel?”

  “It would be best to remain silent, if how you feel is offensive,” Miss Mary said.

  “My poor Jane, destined to be destitute,” Mrs. Bennet wailed.

  “Mother.” Elizabeth’s tone held exasperation. “Jane loves Colonel Fitzwilliam, and she will be well looked after. Most importantly, she’ll be happy. I’m certain of it. He’s a wonderful gentleman, and he’s not destitute. Even if he only had his salary as a colonel, he wouldn’t be destitute, and I believe he has more.”

  Miss Bennet cast Elizabeth a grateful smile.

  Footsteps sounded in the hall and they all turned. Richard and Mr. Bennet marched back into the parlor. Mr. Bennet looked about the room, a sea of expectant faces. Behind him, Richard smiled.

  “Jane and Colonel Fitzwilliam are to be married.” Mr. Bennet winced at the shrieks this evoked.

  Everyone stood from their seats and began hugging Miss Bennet and congratulating both parties. Under the cover of the crush, Darcy made his way to Mr. Bennet. He gestured for them to step to the side of the press of people.

  “Mr. Darcy?” Mr. Bennet’s expression was one of curiosity.

  “Mr. Bennet.” Darcy kept his voice low. “I’m afraid I must speak to you on a serious matter, one which may not paint me in an entirely favorable light and which must be kept absolutely secret, even from your household.”

  Mr. Bennet’s eyes flickered to where Elizabeth stood beside Miss Bennet. “Am I going to require a second for this meeting?”

  Darcy blinked. “No. No, of course not. It’s . . .” He shook his head slightly. “No, I have not done anything to harm your daughter.” He couldn’t count last night’s kisses as harm. “It’s a complicated matter, involving some of my relat
ions, in which I’ve foolishly entangled Miss Elizabeth.”

  Mr. Bennet answered this with a frown.

  “I’m going to ask Miss Elizabeth to walk with me. Can you contrive to meet us without arousing suspicion? Is there a location you think would suit?”

  After a strained silence, Mr. Bennet nodded. He provided a location Darcy knew. It would be private and was a quarter of an hour walk for him and Elizabeth, but easily accessible by a nearby road. “I shall see you there, sir, and expect a convincing explanation,” Mr. Bennet added.

  Darcy nodded, hoping he could give one.

  As the fuss surrounding Miss Bennet and Richard died down, Darcy suggested he and Elizabeth take their usual walk. Richard asked to do the same with Miss Bennet, causing a brief disruption to Darcy’s plan as he maneuvered the other couple into taking a route that would keep them away from the meeting with Mr. Bennet. As he and Elizabeth walked, arm in arm, he explained that he’d asked her father to meet them.

  “You could have spoken to him in his library,” she said, looking slightly amused.

  Darcy shook his head. “I was too worried someone might overhear, or that your mother would assume, rightly so, we spoke of my marrying you. Even if your father denied it, she could quite possibly spread the news.”

  “You are correct, of course.” Elizabeth sighed. “Has Mr. Bingley asked Miss de Bourgh yet? Do you think she will accept? I should like to put the threat of Lady Catherine behind us.”

  “You’ve been taking care not to journey out alone?” he asked, worry coursing through him.

  “Yes. As I said, I have no desire to be shoved into a coach again.” Her tone was hard.

  Darcy drew in a steadying breath. Each time he thought of Elizabeth under duress, his mind clogged with fear, and anger. “Bingley asked, and Anne accepted. They’re to be married tomorrow morning. Anne gave me permission to tell you, Miss Bennet, and your father, but you must keep it secret from anyone else, at least for a few more hours. Richard and I should like to bring you and Miss Bennet, if I can secure your father’s permission.”

  “That’s wonderful news.” Elizabeth smiled up at him, making the world about them brighter.

  “It is, but I still worry. I would prefer to remove you to Pemberley. As I said, I fear my aunt may have unleashed agents she can’t call back, or may release others before acknowledging the union. Even more, I worry she might be pushed deeper into madness by the news and lash out. I’ll feel much better if you’re safe in my home.”

  “Your home.” Her eyes took on a dreamy quality. “Tell me of Pemberley. You always speak of it with such devotion.”

  As they walked, Darcy described the grounds to her. He did his utmost to do them justice, for he knew Elizabeth would love Pemberley as he did. He longed for when he could walk her down the paths he could only speak of now.

  They found Mr. Bennet waiting for them at his chosen location. They were far enough from the main road their voices wouldn’t easily reach it, and screened from it by a low hill and a grove. Mr. Bennet eyed them as they approached, his gaze lingering on their interlocked arms.

  “Sir,” Darcy greeted, pulling away from Elizabeth to bow to her father.

  “Mr. Darcy, what’s this all about?”

  Elizabeth stepped forward. “Papa, Mr. Darcy has asked me to marry him, and I have accepted.”

  Mr. Bennet gave him a considering look. He turned back to Elizabeth. “Which Mr. Darcy? The one who wouldn’t dance with one of the prettiest girls in Hertfordshire or the one who will kindly make sure no one is a wallflower?”

  “Papa,” Elizabeth exclaimed. She cast Darcy an apologetic look.

  Darcy grimaced. It was a well-aimed barb. “As your daughter is responsible for the change, I hope to be a reasonable compromise between the two.”

  Mr. Bennet was still looking at Elizabeth. “And if Mr. Darcy reverts back to his original ways after you are wed?”

  “I will have married a good and honorable man, who doesn’t please others at large parties.” Elizabeth reached out and clasped Darcy’s hand. “What’s more, I will have married a man I love.”

  Darcy couldn’t help but smile at her.

  “You are both being very circumspect in going about this. It’s not odd for a man who the whole of Hertfordshire knows is courting you to ask for your hand. I assume more is going on here that I’m not aware of.”

  “Yes, sir, and that’s the part I’m not proud of.” Darcy proceeded to explain about his aunt’s delusion that he and Anne were engaged, her ultimatum, and her threat to defame his sister. He didn’t mention what had spurred the ultimatum, or the form the defamation might have taken, nor did Mr. Bennet ask.

  He then related how he and Elizabeth had agreed to go along with Anne’s plan to put her mother off until she gained control of Rosings, and thus a means of restraining her mother as well. Casting a quick glance at Elizabeth, Darcy admitted he’d gone along with the plan because it provided him the opportunity to court her. Mr. Bennet shook his head at this, but didn’t interrupt.

  Lastly, Darcy told of his aunt’s abduction of Elizabeth, their removal to London, and of Mr. Wickham’s part in the tale. Mr. Bennet’s expression became grim. Darcy felt his face heat slightly, aware he and Anne had put Elizabeth in danger. He despised himself for that, and felt obligated to say, “I will understand if, in view of these events, you feel disinclined to grant me permission to marry your daughter.” Darcy had to press the words out through wooden lips, his whole body protesting them.

  “There was no way to know Lady Catherine would become so deranged,” Elizabeth said, squeezing the hand she still held.

  Mr. Bennet looked down at that hand. “I assume you are taking steps to secure my daughter’s safety?”

  “We are doing what we can. Mr. Wickham has been removed to Canada. Mr. Bingley is to marry Miss de Bourgh tomorrow. Lady Catherine will be informed immediately.”

  “Papa,” Elizabeth interrupted. “Jane and I would like to attend the wedding. We’ll both be cousins to Miss de Bourgh soon. I think it is appropriate, and she’ll have so few people in attendance, it would be kind as well.”

  Mr. Bennet frowned at her. “Yes, I suppose you may, so long as you stay with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy.” He waved a hand dismissively, turning his angry visage back to Darcy. “I’m less concerned about weddings than Elizabeth’s safety. How do you know Mr. Wickham is the only person Lady Catherine has solicited to harm my daughter?”

  “We do not, sir,” Darcy admitted. “However, it is my feeling the type of men Lady Catherine may have recruited will lose interest if their path becomes difficult or too much time passes. Knowing my aunt, she issued constraints of time and result, as she did with Mr. Wickham. Until a long enough interval passes, and word of Anne’s and Mr. Bingley’s union spreads, I should like to remove Elizabeth to Pemberley. She will be safe there.”

  “And if your aunt recruits there?”

  “She will have no reason to. Anne and Mr. Bingley will send word Anne is wed. Lady Catherine’s chance to have Anne marry me will be ended.”

  “I will require time to think on all of this.” Mr. Bennet turned to Elizabeth. “I can see how that, were you and Mr. Darcy engaged, it would need to be a secret. You can’t risk word of your impending marriage reaching Lady Catherine before she accepts Miss de Bourgh’s and Mr. Bingley’s union. In view of that, and the tale I have heard today, I cannot yet grant you permission to marry Mr. Darcy.”

  The words ran through Darcy like a sword thrust.

  “But, Papa, I--” Elizabeth cried.

  “No. No but anything.” Mr. Bennet’s tone was harder than Darcy had ever heard it, or assumed it could be. “Mr. Darcy and Miss de Bourgh have put you in danger, perhaps mortally so. Mr. Darcy cannot, at this time, publicize his intentions to the world at large. I will not consent until he can prove his proposal is sincere by announcing it, and proves he is deserving of you by rectifying the situation he helped place you in. I am not happy wi
th you, either, miss, for agreeing to this scheme of Miss de Bourgh’s in the first place.”

  “Yes, papa.” Elizabeth’s face was pale, but her expression firm. “I will accept your delay because I know Mr. Darcy does love me, and longs to tell the world. I also know he will ensure my wellbeing.”

  Darcy felt the pain of Mr. Bennet’s words dim, swept away by Elizabeth’s faith in him. “Sir, even in light of your refusal, I ask you to allow me to take Miss Elizabeth to Pemberley, for her safety.”

  “Permit you to take my unwed daughter, whom you’ve professed to admire, to your home?” Mr. Bennet still appeared quite angry. “All else aside, what possible reason would I put out?”

  Darcy frowned. Mr. Bennet had every right to be dismayed. Darcy wasn’t pleased either. The man was becoming illogical, however. What did the story they put out matter? They spoke of Elizabeth’s safety, and any harm to her reputation would be repaired when he married her.

  Elizabeth looked back and forth between them. “Please, both of you, don’t become unreasonable. It’s simple enough. Jane can be married at Pemberley. Mr. Darcy will offer to host the wedding, as he wishes to gift Jane and Colonel Fitzwilliam with a lavish celebration and we cannot house all of their relatives at Longbourn.” Her eyes took on a mischievous gleam. “And you, Papa, will in turn add whatever you would have spent on the affair to Jane’s dowry.”

  Darcy looked down at her, impressed by the idea. “It could be plausible.”

  Mr. Bennet sighed. “In spite of all I’ve learned today, and in spite of my anger, I agree you would be safer anywhere than here, Elizabeth. I could send you back to London, but I can’t imagine you being more secure in town than in Mr. Darcy’s ancestral holdings. If Jane and Colonel Fitzwilliam agree, it seems as if we shall all be going to Pemberley.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Darcy said. “If you could speak to Miss Bennet, I’ll apprise Richard of the plan.”

  “I’m putting my trust in you, Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth and Jane are the two most important people in my life. Their wellbeing and happiness matter more to me even than my own. Do not fail me.”