A Covenant of Marriage
Page 11
“That was a matter of discussion among Madeline, Mr. Darcy, and me. Mr. Darcy expressed the opinion that Elizabeth might well reject such a courtship out of hand without considering the matter seriously. She has grown somewhat quick-tempered since Lydia disappeared.”
“I am reluctantly forced to agree,” Mr. Bennet said after a moment’s thought.
“There is also the matter of the time required for your alternative. It might take months to reach any kind of resolution, and you might not have those months left to you. Though I did not discuss this with Darcy, Madeline and I are worried about your health. Fannie is prone to exaggeration at times, but what she has written me concerning your well-being these past few months has me concerned, especially considering the seizure you had last year. I worry that we do not have an excessive amount of time to allow matters to proceed more sedately, and from your appearance today, I am even more worried than I was before I came. I even worry about the possibility of success in this endeavour since losing Elizabeth from your house might adversely affect your health, but Madeline and I thought we had to try.”
Since Mr. Bennet offered no dispute of what was said, Darcy could see this last argument had struck the mark—hard.
Mr. Bennet heaved a sigh and put down his coffee cup. “Perhaps you are right. I admit I have not been feeling well this summer, and this is the season I usually enjoy most. And I keep getting chest pains…” He went silent for a few moments and was obviously thinking.
“Very well,” Mr. Bennet said at last. “Let me hear your arguments. As for you, young man, I am sure I shall have more than one question for you before this conversation is over.”
Darcy nodded gravely.
“My arguments are those I consider very straightforward and prudent,” Mr. Gardiner said easily. “Briefly touching on the subjects I have already mentioned, there is, firstly, the benefit to your family of a connexion with Mr. Darcy’s. It would make great strides towards erasing the damage done by Lydia’s elopement, and it should improve your other daughters’ chances of finding suitable husbands. Those chances should, at the very least, improve to what they had been previously.
“Secondly, a marriage between Elizabeth and Darcy will also provide a level of financial security that is completely wanting at present. Darcy has already set guarantees on paper that would provide for an establishment for Mrs. Bennet and your daughters along with servants, a cook, and a carriage as well as money for clothing and allowances.”
Darcy silently removed a folded sheaf of papers from the inside pocket of his coat and handed it to Mr. Bennet, who immediately opened and inspected it. His eyebrows rose as he realised what he was reading.
“These are marriage articles.”
“They are, sir. My solicitor prepared them for me this past week.”
Mr. Bennet thumbed through the dozen pages of closely written legal provisions until he came to the last page.
“You have already signed the document.”
“I have, sir.”
“What if there were some parts of this impressive document that did not meet my expectations?” he asked tightly.
“Then we would reach an agreement,” Mr. Gardiner said, “make suitable changes, and initial those changes. You would then sign the document, and I would take it to Mr. Philips, who would make a fair copy for your own records. May we go on?”
At Mr. Bennet’s nod, Mr. Gardiner continued. “Very good, then. Now, we come to an area that we have not discussed: the benefit of the marriage to Elizabeth. The articles you hold contain the details of her income. Darcy tells me the wording and amounts are similar to those his father settled on his mother with slight adjustments to allow for the changes in cost between his father’s time and the present. The articles also detail how each of the children would be provided for, what education would be available to the sons, what fortune would be settled on the daughters, and what would happen in case of an untimely death of either Darcy or Elizabeth. You will note Darcy has been most liberal in specifically granting Elizabeth the full power of management of all his estates in the event of his death, a situation that has been the subject of considerable legal argument in many wealthy families.”
“My solicitor tells me our position will be indisputable when it is specifically written into the marriage agreements,” Darcy said. “Those unfortunate cases Mr. Gardiner mentioned arose because the topic was either not included in the articles or else was written in an ambiguous manner.”
“As you can see,” continued Mr. Gardiner, “this language allows for no misunderstanding. Lizzy would enjoy full authority until the eldest son came of age. Now, passing to the next topic…”
***
Elizabeth was staring out the window of her room, eyes open but unseeing, when she heard a soft knock followed immediately by Jane slipping inside their room. She tried to smile at her sister, but the thoughts careening through her mind made her smile rather forced.
“Lizzy, do you know what is going on downstairs in Father’s library?” Jane asked as she joined her sister on the window seat.
“No,” Elizabeth said unhappily. “Were you just down there?”
“Yes, I remained in the front parlour with Aunt Gardiner to allow our uncle and Mr. Darcy privacy to conduct some business with my father.” She stopped suddenly and looked at Elizabeth. “Were you aware that we had visitors, including Mr. Darcy?”
“I saw them from this window when they arrived.”
“Do you have any idea why they have come? I know it cannot be for the Gardiners’ usual visit. They did not bring the children.”
“I do not know for certain,” Elizabeth said solemnly, “and I was hoping you might have more information.”
“I only heard Papa order Hill to make sure the servants stayed out of the hall. Aunt Gardiner refuses to discuss the matter, speaks only of fashion, and enquires about affairs here at home. She firmly resists any effort by anyone to leave the room. Mother is wringing her hands incessantly, and Kitty and Mary keep trying to escape. Aunt Gardiner only allowed me to leave when I asked to join you in our room.”
“That is disappointing. The question I should most like answered is what Mr. Darcy is doing here. Imagine my astonishment when I saw him descend from the coach!”
“What could have brought him to Longbourn with our aunt and uncle? And why are he and my uncle closeted with Father? Oh, it is all so very strange!”
“If I were to make a guess,” Elizabeth said morosely, “I should imagine my fair, virginal body is up for auction down there in the library.”
Jane’s eyes widened, and she leaned forward in consternation. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Think on it, dear sister. Mr. Darcy is in the library, evidently involved in deep discussions with my father and uncle. Their conversation must require some secrecy, or Papa would not have ordered the servants out of the hall. And our aunt Gardiner is keeping the rest of the family confined to the parlour.”
Elizabeth arose and paced up and down in front of the window, her brows furrowed in thought before she finally stopped and faced her sister. “It is all so completely unprecedented! I have been thinking of nothing else since they arrived. This is simply conjecture on my part, but I simply cannot imagine any subject that could bring everyone to Longbourn other than my past acquaintance with Mr. Darcy. Until this moment, I believed his affection for me was extinguished, but it appears that is not the case.”
“What an extraordinary thought! So you think he might—it has been four years! Oh, but it must be so! I know you do not care for him, but it is still a considerable compliment to you—that Mr. Darcy still seeks your favour after all this time. And despite…uh, that is—”
“You mean after the Bennet family was ruined by a sister to whom satisfying her passions was more important than retaining her virtue?” Elizabeth said bitte
rly. “Yes, it is difficult to believe the so very proud Mr. Darcy might want anything to do with one of the Bennet sisters! I hope I do not flatter myself, but what else could it be? Remember, Aunt and Uncle Gardiner have spoken of him several times, indicating they have dined with him in town, hard as it is to believe. I wonder whether he was simply securing their friendship in order to gain their support with Father.”
“Lizzy, stop it. You have become quite harsh. I know it has been difficult, but you must stop believing the worst of people.”
Jane’s comment pierced Elizabeth to her heart, for she was all too conscious of how badly she had taken the ostracism and snubs from people she had once loved. She was especially ashamed of having slighted Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, who had several times invited both girls to stay with them permanently in London if the dismal atmosphere around Longbourn grew too burdensome.
“You are right,” Elizabeth said penitently. “I regret what I said. It was unfair to our aunt and uncle, no matter what business they are up to with Mr. Darcy.”
“But if you are right, he might soon be courting you!”
“I have been thinking on it, Jane—thinking very hard. I hesitate to let myself consider the compliment, yet something makes the possibility of some young man, even Mr. Darcy, being interested in me rather attractive. I suppose, after having been so completely ignored, even the attentions of Mr. Darcy might be welcome!”
“He might not be as haughty as you think. If you are correct about his purpose in coming to Longbourn, he demonstrates a considerable degree of constancy. Perhaps he changed after finding himself so thoroughly rebuffed when he proposed.”
“Perhaps,” Elizabeth said with a shrug. “Without a doubt, my opinion of him was altered after his letter and the way Wickham showed his true nature with Lydia. But I still cannot say I feel any attraction towards him despite what he may feel for me. Yet, as I said, it is pleasing for someone to be attracted to me! I never expected to have such a thing happen again. Oh, it is very confusing, Jane!”
The girls sat silently for a few moments before the corners of Elizabeth’s lips twitched upward slightly. “I have just had another thought. Perhaps Mr. Darcy has come to court you!”
“Oh, be serious, Lizzy!”
“But I am being serious,” Elizabeth said with a sly smile. “He is aware of your beauty and your good nature. And, since only someone with your agreeable temperament would be able to bear Mr. Darcy’s dreary disposition, it may be he has decided to settle on a suitable wife who will bring harmony to his home. Perhaps he is negotiating with Father for your hand at this very minute!”
Jane laughed, but her smile soon faded. “No, I shall never marry. I am seven and twenty now, and no young man will be making an offer for me.”
“You must not talk in such a way! I am sure there is a man for you.”
“We both know who that man was, and we both know how badly I mistook the depth of his attraction. He has married another. I still remember when Aunt Philips showed me the announcement in The Times last year: ‘Mr. Charles Bingley, London, to Miss Georgiana Darcy, of Pemberley, Derbyshire.’ I thought my heart would break when I read those words.”
“It was dreadful news, and there was nothing I could do. How Miss Bingley must have rejoiced! But, judging by Mr. Darcy’s presence here today, Miss Bingley must not have had any luck in her quest to become Mr. Darcy’s bride. If it were not for the trepidation afflicting me, I could entertain a certain amount of vindictive glee at the thought.”
Both sisters fell into silent remembrances of momentous events from previous years when hopes were bright and none of them had an inkling of the shadow that would soon fall over their family.
***
Mr. Bennet put the papers on his desk and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes from the strain of concentrating so long. He then fixed his eyes directly on Darcy, who sat up straighter under this intense regard.
“Very complete, sir, and very generous—very generous indeed.”
Darcy shrugged uncomfortably. “As I said before, my solicitor used my father’s marriage agreements as a model. Except for the provision for your family and the dowries for your daughters, they are a mirror image of those agreements.”
“But your father was marrying the daughter of an earl, and you are seeking only the daughter of a country gentleman.”
“My father loved my mother dearly, sir, just as I love your daughter. And Lord Matlock, the father of the present owner of that title, did not look with favour on his daughter marrying an untitled gentleman even though he was wealthy and his family had an honourable history. Somewhat similar to the situation we find ourselves in today, do you not think?”
“Except, to be quite blunt, my daughter does not look upon you favourably, Mr. Darcy.”
“That is a matter of some concern to me, sir. And the fault is mine since I made many mistakes in my acquaintance with her.”
“Including saying she was merely ‘tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt’ you?”
Darcy winced at the reminder of his thoughtless words. He had not known that he had been overheard by Elizabeth until that moment. He forced himself to square his shoulders and meet Mr. Bennet’s eyes directly.
“I was desperate, and my mouth formed the words without thought. Charles Bingley is my dearest friend, but he can, at times, be overly forceful when trying to make me enjoy social gatherings as he does. I only wanted to be left alone since I found the whole evening quite agonizing.”
“Agonizing, Mr. Darcy?”
“Extremely so, sir. I do not like large gatherings of people I do not know. It is a fault. I am only happy when in smaller groups, especially in the company of my family or friends.”
“He has been quite pleasant on many occasions when we have been in company with him,” Mr. Gardiner said.
“—which raises the question of your acquaintance with Mr. Darcy, Edward. It is one of the most striking and inexplicable circumstances of this whole astonishing affair!”
Mr. Gardiner looked at Darcy, who only closed his eyes in discomfort and nodded slightly.
“Thomas, we first gained Darcy’s acquaintance when he came to our door and sought an interview with me on an affair concerning Lydia. I was completely baffled by his presence, but after some consideration, I had him sent up to my office.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyes widened. “Quite astonishing. But, I suppose, no more astonishing than other aspects of this matter.”
“Except Darcy then informed us he had found Lydia.”
“What! Lydia! Where is she? Where is my daughter?” Mr. Bennet exclaimed as he collapsed back in his chair.
“This occurred almost three months after her disappearance, and I had never been able to gain even the slightest information of her—not the slightest hint. You can imagine how surprised I was to have Mr. Darcy inform me he had located her in a place called the Bedford Charitable Home for the Unfortunate, and…”
Chapter 11
Marriage has a unique place because it speaks of an absolute faithfulness, a covenant between radically different persons, male and female; and so it echoes the absolute covenant of God with his chosen, a covenant between radically different partners.
— Rowan Williams (1950–) Baron Williams of Oystermouth, Welsh Anglican bishop, theologian, and poet
Saturday, October 12, 1816
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
The knock at the door startled Jane, but Elizabeth had been expecting it. They shared a quick glance before Elizabeth wet her lips.
“Yes? Who is it?” she said loudly, though she knew her voice was strained.
Hill opened the door and curtseyed to both young ladies. “Begging your pardon, Miss Elizabeth,” she said anxiously, “but your father would speak with you in his library—immediately, if you please.”
“Oh, do be careful!” Jane said, embracing her sister. “I can only caution you to think carefully on whatever is said.”
“Oh, I shall, I assure you. These are unquestionably deep waters. But I must go. My father and his guests await.”
She turned towards the long-time housekeeper. “Lead on, Hill. It is time to take the sacrificial lamb to meet her doom!”
“Lizzy!” burst out Jane, but Elizabeth only smiled at her and departed.
***
As she followed the housekeeper down the stairs, Elizabeth tried to get her emotions under regulation. She addressed anger first, for it was anger that all too often plagued her—anger at Lydia for her lack of morals and self-control, anger at her mother for her lack of sense and unwillingness to restrain her youngest daughter, and anger at her father for the way he had refused to guide and control his wife and family.
Pray think first before you use your wit, Elizabeth! she told herself firmly. Jane is already being spoken of as a spinster. If this is what I think it is, then it might bring some respectability to our family. I could never agree to any offer made by Mr. Darcy, of course, but if he pays court to me for some weeks or months, the news of it is sure to be spread among the neighbourhood. And if Mr. Darcy showed an interest in one of the Bennet sisters, then it would be possible for some other gentlemen to show an interest in Jane.
When she reached the hall at the bottom of the stairs, her mother and Kitty hovered at the doorway to the front parlour where they could keep watch on their father’s library. They looked at Elizabeth strangely, and Hill had to push past them to knock at her master’s door. Her father’s gruff voice answered, and Hill quickly opened it.