by Suzan Lauder
“I do not know. I will have to decide that today.”
Darcy was unsure how to approach this situation. If he were to marry Elizabeth, he would become bound to the deception and undoubtedly feel some guilt at intentionally misleading others. However, upon reflection, he realized he had no choice. Even if he did not necessarily like some of his friend’s past actions, he understood that, many years ago, there was little choice left to Bennet, and he had done what he felt was best to protect his daughters. Bennet interrupted his thoughts.
“Have you any more questions before we commence our business? I assume that is why you have come so early.”
Darcy abruptly recalled his true mission that morning and uneasiness enveloped him. It was tempting to delay the interview in favour of discussing the will, which was Bennet’s expectation. His distraction drew his friend’s attention.
Bennet was surprised to see Darcy become flushed and uncomfortable. He knew this reaction could not merely be the result of the previous discussion or from the intended conference regarding the girls’ inheritance. He became concerned as to what would cause Darcy to be so discomposed but decided to hold his tongue and allow his friend to overcome his hesitance.
Darcy vacillated. He stood and strode about the room for a few moments and then stopped to face Bennet with hands clasped behind his back.
“No, Bennet, I come for another reason.” Darcy struggled to maintain a bold and confident front in spite of his nervousness. “I have asked for Lady Elizabeth’s hand in marriage, and she has accepted me. I am here to request your consent, and I hope also for your blessing.”
Bennet abruptly looked about the room, trying to gather his thoughts on this disclosure. His confusion was evident. “When did this occur? You have both only just returned to Hertfordshire.”
“Sir, it was serendipitous that we met again about a fortnight ago in Kent,” Darcy said sincerely. His face betrayed his feelings of gratification on re-establishing a relationship with Elizabeth.
“Yes, Lizzy’s letters spoke of you in passing, but she was more verbose about your aunt. I did ask after you, and her response indicated that she now thought better of you, but there was nothing to make me surmise that she had amended her attitude sufficiently for an agreement of marriage. So am I to take it that there was enough condescension on Lady Catherine’s part to put you into the position of reacquainting yourself with Elizabeth?”
“That is correct, sir. We were much in each other’s company.”
As much as Bennet had always hoped that Darcy and Elizabeth would overcome their differences and form an attachment, he was still surprised it had occurred and a bit annoyed that he had not been able to monitor the courtship. Therefore, he felt it was his right to challenge his friend. He was not particularly disgruntled but considered it necessary to ensure that the engagement was occurring for the right reasons.
“And in the company of others, you were able to determine a desire to marry her against your convictions? I recall a discussion where you most emphatically denied any strong attraction to my daughter.”
“And I recall you responded with scepticism and warned me that she did not return my good opinion, yet she is now fond enough of me to have accepted my suit,” Darcy said defensively while worrying that his past behaviour would affect his ability to gain the permission he so desired. He did not know how he would exist if Bennet denied his request.
“That is true. And what changed your opinion, sir?” Bennet asked while rising from his seat to face Darcy at his level. Affecting a stern appearance, he crossed his arms and waited for the response.
Darcy was clearly uncomfortable now, but he had anticipated that this would be the likely course of the conversation, and friendship notwithstanding, Bennet would be thorough in his interrogation. Darcy’s experience in hiding his feelings did not betray his true panic at the possibility that he might not be able to share his life with his beloved Elizabeth.
He looked away and cleared his throat before responding mildly, “You are implying that knowledge of her fortune and connections influenced me to pay my addresses.”
“You see my position clearly,” Bennet said.
“As you have inferred, my regard for Miss, er, Lady Elizabeth is a long-standing one; I have always respected her cleverness of mind,” Darcy said vehemently. He struggled for a way to express to Bennet how important she was to his happiness. “I am not certain when I began to fall in love with her; I was in the middle of it before I realized it. I was imprudent enough to let my pride interfere, but I have long held a tender regard for your daughter. My heart has been hers almost from the first time we met.”
“Yes, in spite of your protests, Mrs. Bennet and I had observed your affection. So why did you not follow a course to win her until Kent? I implied that her fortune and connections were adequate for your interest. I was not at liberty to elaborate at the time, but surely you could have overlooked that if your regard was strong.”
“Yes, I recall your words—‘she has everything necessary to attract an offer from a man of your station.’ But I believed you meant she had a larger portion than was generally known, and fortune was never a strong consideration for me. I am ashamed to admit that my hesitance was due to her connections being apparently below mine. I hope I have not offended you.”
Bennet chose not to respond to the last and instead stated, “I also told you that Lizzy was not inclined to like you, and you just owned to it. How is it then that she has accepted you?”
“It is of peculiar circumstances. Mrs. Collins thought she had seen Mr. Wickham in the area of Hunsford, and we felt there was a possibility he might be a danger to Lady Elizabeth. Therefore, Mrs. Collins and I agreed that I would do my best to accompany her on her morning walks.” Bennet noted Darcy’s gentle tone as one of protectiveness.
“It was an opportunity to show her the feelings you saw last November. Through our conversations, I believe Lady Elizabeth’s regard for me was strengthened. I apologised for my slight at the assembly ball, and she declared us to be friends. It taught me to hope.”
Darcy made his speech with the utmost sincerity. It left no doubt in Bennet’s mind that he should accept this young man as his son, but in spite of this, he had one important question to ask.
It was the one Darcy had been dreading but knew was inevitable.
“So she likes you enough to accept your suit. But when did your proposal take place? Was it before or after you knew her true situation?”
“I had long before decided to disregard what I believed would be my family’s response to our connection and follow my heart. I know that I waited too long, but in my defence, I was not certain of her regard for me beyond friendship, which we had agreed upon only days before. Once I convinced myself that she had affection for me, I was determined to find a time when we could be alone to declare myself. Even then, I was worried she would reject me.”
Bennet made no response, so Darcy continued his explanation. “When I received your letter, I realized that once her fortune and connections became widely known, she would attract the attention of other men, including my cousin, who she seemed to like very much.”
Darcy looked away.
“I felt such jealousy and fear in my heart that I was overwhelmed with dread that I might lose her, and my love for her caused me to think irrationally. You see, at that time, I had not absolutely confirmed Miss Elizabeth’s love for me, and I started doubting my judgement of her regard. I am still afraid of losing her should you deny me this permission.”
The pitch of Darcy’s voice rose and his colour became high as he poured out his insecurities, and Bennet recognized that Darcy had truly felt a great deal of anxiety about the proposal, its timing and the uncertainty of Elizabeth’s response.
“Did you tell her that you knew of her connections?” asked Bennet. “I have not yet told her myself.”
“No, I have not. I felt it unacceptable to divulge confidences that are yours alone to relate.”
“What do you suppose she will feel once she knows that you offered for her only after learning about her desirable fortune and connections?” Bennet queried, still intent on challenging his friend but also pitying his situation.
“I do not know. I am regretful of the timing, but I had no earlier opportunity for a private audience. I admit that I somewhat botched the proposal by telling her why I had hesitated, but also that I had intended to propose even without the knowledge of her situation. I hope she recalls the latter part of my declaration and accepts my sincerity on the former.”
“You think she will?”
“She declared herself in love with me. I hope that is enough.”
“So you love her?” Bennet asked. Darcy inclined his head in admission.
“I love her without limit,” he said with a passion that astonished Bennet. “I cannot imagine a life without her by my side. I beg of you, Bennet, to relieve my suffering and give me permission to take your daughter as my wife. I will not satisfy myself until I am able to care for her in a way that you would approve of as a loving and doting husband.”
Bennet pulled in a deep breath and blew it out heavily.
“Well,” he said, “that is no surprise to me, and I do believe she is in love with you. I thought this might be the inevitable result of Jane and Bingley’s betrothal and your coming to Longbourn together. Mrs. Bennet and I have hoped for this and I am glad you met again in Kent. Very well, you have my consent and my blessing. I could not part with her for any one less worthy.”
“Thank you.” Darcy’s shoulders visibly relaxed as the tension left his body. Bennet suggested he sit by the fire and offered him a celebratory brandy, which Darcy accepted. After Bennet refilled the two tumblers and passed one to his friend, he joined him there.
“So, old man, how does your chess game go?” Bennet’s eyes twinkled with humour. “Did you happen to lose to my Lizzy? Perhaps that is why you have stayed away from Longbourn for so long, because you could not bear to be bested by me again.”
Darcy ignored the jibe and spoke instead of his time spent in Elizabeth’s company.
“No, we did not play chess. We were in company during short calls at the parsonage and dinner at Lady Catherine’s. She would not have approved of our matches but did favour Lady Elizabeth’s playing and singing, so I was able to gain pleasure from listening to her once again.”
“And you were not able to break away from conversations with my cousin, of course,” Bennet quipped.
“You are somewhat correct. When we called at Mr. Collins’s home, it was rare for me to escape the honour,” Darcy said sardonically, enjoying this new levity after their prior distressing discourse. “But at my aunt’s home, he was exceptionally quiet due to his deference to her opinions.”
Bennet ribbed Darcy further. “No doubt Collins expounded on his expertise on all topics while remaining appropriately flattering to you?”
“Of course,” Darcy said with mock solemnity.
“So I must conclude that, because of Collins, you did not converse with Lizzy enough for me to have received more comments about you in her letters. So tell me, who commanded her attention?”
“I must admit that my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam had her ear much of the time. He is a very engaging sort and skilled at escaping those such as Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine.”
“She did mention him, but no more than she did you,” Bennet said, and Darcy’s gaze fell to his glass.
“It was difficult for me to watch him flirt and see her respond more favourably than she did to my attempts at engaging her in light conversation. I was in love with her, and yet she would only speak to me with disdain and contrariness.”
“Ah, yes, the infamous Lizzy and Darcy rivalry. So you resumed your bickering and posturing to show which one of you was superior?” Bennet teased, trying to lighten the mood. Darcy returned an exasperated look.
“Many of our conversations were similar to those you witnessed at Longbourn, such as the chemical processes involved in combustion. Lady Elizabeth complimented the work of various theoreticians, such as Mr. Lavoisier and Mrs. Fulhame. Apparently in my absence, you shared with her some documents that I had not perused, and I was unable to keep up with her arguments.”
“I am surprised Lizzy did not mention much about your interactions. I would have thought she would be proud to tell me how she bested you in such things. She may have been a bit circumspect herself,” Bennet mused then added, “I wonder how you could manage a proposal among such discussions?”
“I will only say that I was every bit the gentleman when we walked out and that my proposal occurred at my aunt’s house during a very short interlude on the terrace.”
“And what of Wickham? You mentioned that you had seen him.”
“He was there in Kent, sir, and he tried to importune your daughter,” Darcy said with great feeling. “It was due to Mrs. Collins’s suspicions of his less than decent intentions, and her good plan for me to meet Lady Elizabeth on her walks, that I was able to intervene before she was hurt. I heard her calls for help, and when I came across them, he had hold of her wrists, though she was valiant in her efforts to free herself.”
Bennet paled. “Good god, I did not know it was so serious. Lizzy did not even mention the incident.”
“Perhaps she did not want to worry you. I felt so helpless when I came upon her. I’m sure you can understand how it feels to have one you love injured. I feel somewhat responsible since he was wearing a disguise consisting of some of my clothing. With the lack of loyalty among my aunt’s staff, I am sad to say they were likely not difficult to procure. You cannot imagine my sense of guilt that Elizabeth had to endure such a fright before I came to her rescue.”
Bennet grimaced. He was quite taken aback at the assault on his daughter.
“Was she . . . was she . . . injured?”
“She was frightened, but her injuries were minor.”
“I had no idea.”
“It only occurred three days ago.”
“Was he apprehended?”
“No, he was not. At the time, I was more concerned with helping Lady Elizabeth than stopping him. But the local magistrate was contacted. At least we know she is safe at Longbourn while he is in Kent.”
“I will not be as easily relieved as you,” Bennet said. “I have more reasons than you know to worry about the motives of a man such as Wickham. Before deserting the militia, he made his distaste for me known through clear threats to my well-being. The coward left before being taken to task by the community, but I fear his return.”
“I believe that, while spying on us in Kent, he may have noticed my regard for Lady Elizabeth and was trying to hurt me. As you know, he and I have a long history of disagreements, and I would not be surprised if he once again would covet something so dear to me. I wish she had not been the target for his grievances, but I can see no other reason.”
“I am just as concerned for the welfare of the rest of my family. He is a rake of the worst kind if you recall.”
“Yes, I am all too aware of his history, knowing him as I did as a youth and at university.”
“Do you believe he will be caught?”
“I will do my best to see that he is. It is as much in my interest as it is yours that he is caught; your family will soon be mine.” Darcy expressed a further apprehension. “Wickham also knew Lord Shelton in Derbyshire. Have you no concern that he will recognize you?”
“I did consider it, but since you knew me well when you were a child and did not recognize me, I had little concern that Wickham would. Due to the disparity in our circumstances, he had no reason to have contact with me.”
“But I recall introducing him to you the day you saved me from drowning.”
“That was a long time ago, and I had not seen him again until last autumn. Although I am not sure how he evaded the introduction, we had no personal interaction in Hertfordshire. If he has not exposed me by now, I am certain he has no reason t
o suspect anything.”
Chapter 17:
Thomas Bennet reveals their fortune to the Ladies Jane and Elizabeth.
13 April 1812
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
It was mid-afternoon on an unusually glorious day for early spring. Every so often, the wind caused the light draperies to flutter at the open window, and Mr. Bennet was grateful for the relief from the stuffiness of the room. The unexpectedly warm weather had caused nearly everyone to escape to the outdoors, but Bennet remained in his study.
He absentmindedly reached out and ran his fingers across the backs of books filed on the many shelves and continued his reflections. The day he had long anticipated had come upon him, and he knew not what he planned to say.
Understandably, Bennet was anxious for the disclosure of Jane and Elizabeth’s heritage to be taken in a positive light. Although he could have decided to tell the world about Lady Jane and Lady Elizabeth at any time in their lives, he had been resolute against it, and per the conditions of the will that he had written as Shelton, he was not at liberty to enumerate their fortunes. Somehow, over the years, he had managed to hold off disclosing their connections to the girls—until now. He knew they were content with their position in life and would likely greet the news with more pleasure than disappointment, but he worried they might wish some of the information had been theirs to consider much earlier in life.
When the participants gathered in his study, he was seated behind his desk in anticipation of perhaps the most challenging interview of his life. He had poured brandy for the gentlemen and claret for the ladies as they faced him. He studied his glass intently before looking up at his audience of four seated in front of him. He drew in a deep breath before speaking solemnly.
“Mr. Darcy, I thank you for interrupting your sojourn in Kent with your family for this meeting. Likewise, Lizzy and Jane, you have cut short your pleasure trips, but I had good reason to ask for your attendance. The information I have to disclose will be important to your lives and will change your situations significantly.