At Last: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Anne Morris

  "I have both followed the war news, and avoided it at times, listened to others speak, and then sought less serious subjects, and berated myself for a fool afterward," she cried with tears pooling in her eyes, and threatening to fall again.

  "I understand perfectly why it affects you so," replied her aunt. "I will be busy, and you know you are to come to us this Christmas because of this," Mrs. Gardiner placed a hand on her belly, "but I still believe we can manage something in the fall. Let us plan on your coming to London. I am not sure if it would be a proper season, however."

  "I am twenty-four aunt, not seventeen," said Elizabeth, but she smiled.

  "And I have four other children I need to consider. However, we will have you and no one else. Let it be for you and all you have done for your sisters. You were of a huge help with the preparations for Jane's wedding; I had not expected you to throw yourself into the preparations so heartedly," Mrs. Gardiner hugged Elizabeth again, and so missed the look that passed over Elizabeth's face.

  She had been assuredly avoiding any chance of meeting Mr. Darcy, or having to speak to him in any sort of tete-a-tete and this day, this longest day, had proved why she had been correct to ensure she did not encounter him in such a setting. A kiss was placed on her cheek, she was wished happier thoughts and dreams than she had at present, and Mrs. Gardiner left her.

  • • •

  "Today, Fitzwilliam, we must make the offer today; we are to leave on Monday. You cannot expect Miss Lydia to be able to prepare with only two days' notice, that is most unfair! Wherever did you get to yesterday?" cried Georgiana.

  "I'm afraid I took a wrong turn and got a little lost when I went walking," her brother replied.

  "Let us call first thing," insisted Georgiana, who had finished her breakfast and was looking at him eagerly.

  "I have some letters to write this morning. We will call this afternoon," he looked at her sternly, but also assured her, "we will call and invite Lydia Bennet to Pemberley this afternoon."

  "Thank you!" she bounced up from her seat, hesitated as she took a step towards him almost as if to hug in thanks, but then pranced out of the room.

  He did have letters to write, and dutifully tackled them. His sister's animation at the prospect of a house guest was all she spoke of at their noon meal. He listened to her prospective joys at the idea of Lydia's company, and of a guest of like mind and interest, rather than a house guest who came for her brother's company, and had a different focus. He realized that Georgiana had been quite isolated since leaving school, and perhaps having a friend to visit might not be such a bad idea. He just wished it was not Elizabeth Bennet's sister.

  They dutifully made their way to Longbourn. Darcy knew he would be able to bear the short tea-time visit, and was certain Elizabeth would ensure they did not sit next to each other. He had settled all his emotions, and stored them deep within himself, keeping his gentleman exterior out, though he had dressed with extreme care again.

  They were not the only visitors to Longbourn at the agreed time. He was surprised to see that two gentlemen in black, plus Lady Lucas and her daughters had come to call. Mrs. Bennet sat in pride of place with so many callers in her parlor, and was thrilled with introducing all of her guests to one another, and then making a show of ordering more tea.

  "Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, this is Reverend Tiploft, who is visiting Reverend Mead—do you recall him from Scarborough? Apparently the two vicars are good friends and went to school together," called out their hostess. "Reverend Tiploft has come for a fortnight holiday to visit his friend, and who knew that we would be blessed with his company again since we are such good friends as well!" His hostess waved everyone to take their seats and assured them that tea and cake would be along shortly.

  He was surprised to see the vicar. Darcy did not think about a cleric traveling or having holidays, and yet there he was sitting next to Elizabeth on a sofa. They shook hands cordially in greeting, and then the man looked back at his partner next to him with a small, contented smile. Darcy wondered if the holiday had a secondary purpose to it. Was every man interested in Elizabeth Bennet or did he only see that in others because he felt it in himself?

  Tea arrived and was dispensed around the room, and there was much talk about small subjects though with the number of people in the room they broke into three groups. He, as seemed his habit, spoke to Mrs. Bennet, Mary Bennet, and now Lady Lucas. His eyes often glanced over at Elizabeth who spoke to the two vicars and Miss Lucas. Darcy thought he saw signs of admiration on Reverend Tiploft's face—had he never noticed that before, back in Scarborough? Had he been so focused on Wolton-Fane that he did not notice other men's interest? Elizabeth was smiling softly and enjoyed his company; the foursome had, no doubt, the most intelligent conversation in the Bennet parlor, but was the quietest that he could not overhear their topics, given the babble from the circle that was his sister, Lydia and the youngest two Lucas girls.

  Was Reverend Tiploft here to court Elizabeth Bennet? He obviously did not know of her past, and Darcy lost himself in thought, considering if he should warn off Tiploft, as he had warned Colonel Forster from Miss Mary King. But what could he say that would not utterly betray Miss Bennet? Darcy could not reveal her secret entirely, to do so, would be to drag himself down to the level of something George Wickham would do. He could not taint a lady's reputation.

  Then he considered what he had done to Miss King, had he besmirched her reputation by speaking to Colonel Forster? He had considered what he did as one gentleman helping another, but had he considered what he was doing to Miss King and her reputation? He should have left the situation alone, left a man to discover—or not—what a lady was about. Let her family tell or not. A sense of shame came over him as he thought about it; he had no right to have spoken to Colonel Forster about Miss King. He could not truly justify it as a 'gentlemanly' thing to have done. He had wanted to have been seen as clever and acknowledged as such by Colonel Forster for having discovered the truth about Mary King's background. He was mortified with his actions.

  He looked up to find that Elizabeth Bennet's eyes were on him, and he wondered what his face looked like, whether his mask was in place, or whether his internal struggles showed. He did, however, smile weakly. She nodded slightly, then replied to something from Reverend Mead.

  "Brother, have you taken care of your errand?" Georgiana called out to him.

  "No dearest," he said, and rose and dismissed himself to seek out Mr. Bennet, and formally invite Lydia to Pemberley. Mr. Bennet was happy to have her go, and said so. All was prepared then to have Lydia come to Pemberley, though he thought with trepidation, and admitted jealousy, of leaving Meryton, and leaving Elizabeth Bennet behind to the attentions of Reverend Tiploft.

  Twenty-One

  —

  Transitions

  Mr. Darcy and Georgiana left for Pemberley and took Lydia with them. There had not been a lot of time to pack, and Lydia was convinced she had forgotten half of the clothes or items she needed. "I am sure I shall have to purchase what I did not pack!" she had declared as she said her farewells. Lydia demanded hugs from both of her sisters. Elizabeth shook hands with Miss Darcy, and even managed to curtsy to Mr. Darcy.

  It was only Elizabeth and Mary at home now and, in some ways, Elizabeth thought that it was indicative of what her mother had always predicted. Jane the beauty had, of course, married first; she had secured a rich husband and moved from the family home. Catherine, beautiful and vivacious, had the friendship of someone like the wife of the colonel of a militia regiment, and had been invited to spend the summer in Brighton. Kitty would meet many young me,n and Mrs. Bennet was all but certain she would come back engaged. And Lydia was young, full of life, demonstrative, and not unhandsome with her classic English looks—an engaging girl. She obviously enjoyed the attentions of gentlemen, and now that Jane had married, she had been given leave to be out in society. Elizabeth wondered if Mrs. Bennet was considering Lydia's marriage prospects now, as we
ll.

  Elizabeth noticed small indications that Lydia, however, was not in such a hurry to be a married lady. Lydia still enjoyed playing with Simon and the Gardiner children. There had been a number of occasions when her youngest sister had been late coming down to the table because she had lost track of the hour, having been up in the nursery, as though it was still a habit to be there. Lydia had complained bitterly about wishing to leave the nursery, but now she could not seem to break off stopping by, and seeing what Miss Simnel and her charge were up to each day.

  Elizabeth's world had been shaken a great deal with the changes Jane's marriage brought, and by Mr. Darcy's realization of her secret, wondering what it meant to him. Darcy's accurate observation had led Elizabeth to consider her own situation. For years, she had eschewed the idea of marriage, but now that possibility had been presented to her again, and had been rekindled. She had been surprised when Reverend Tiploft had come to call. She wished the Gardiners had not left already, as she could have used her aunt's advice as to how to consider this gentleman caller.

  It was a rather windy morning as she roamed the familiar—though sometimes haunting—areas around Longbourn as she thought about this visit from the vicar. She had suspected, as her mother had, that his call had been one of courtship disguised as a social call. He had been an agreeable acquaintance in Scarborough, yet Reverend Mead assured her that they had been to school together, and they had been ordained at the same time. Reverend Mead had laughed in the dry way that he did, that the two of them lead largely parallel lives, "for are not all parsons cut from the same cloth?"

  But Elizabeth had never considered Revered Mead as seeking a wife, he had never seemed so inclined, and she had heard of parsons who never married. Some livings did not pay enough to support a wife—to be a clergyman was a gentleman's calling, but not necessarily a lucrative one. She thought about the two clergymen's conversation through the entirety of their call the day before, and thought that by the time they had risen to depart, Reverend Tiploft must be said to have enjoyed her company. Elizabeth thought she would attempt to take her aunt's advice to heart and consider him as a suitor.

  Charlotte came to call just as she was returning to the house. Her mother had not yet finished her breakfast in her chambers, and Mary was practicing her drawing skills as they could not hear the pianoforte, so the two had the morning parlor to themselves.

  "Reverend Tiploft is a most intelligent gentleman," began Charlotte with a tentative smile.

  "I enjoyed his company immensely when we were in Scarborough; he was a relief from some of the single-minded ladies we met, whose only object was to giggle and smile at Mr. Darcy whenever we were all together. He is a well-read and well-traveled gentleman," said Elizabeth.

  "He is the rector at St. Mary's in Scarborough?" asked Charlotte.

  "He is, it is an old parish church, but distinguished. And the town is lovely, Charlotte. Far larger than Meryton," explained Elizabeth.

  "I envy you, Eliza, you have been to Scarborough twice! And your uncle and aunt invite you to Town. I have only had the benefit of my trip to Dartford."

  "Now that you are a woman of means, you might travel a little, Charlotte," replied her friend.

  "I should want for a partner to travel with me, Eliza that is my dilemma."

  "Be sure to select well since you would be confined to a carriage for hours on end. You would need to ensure it is someone with whom you can hold a conversation," laughed Elizabeth.

  "I fear there are few whose conversation does not become tiresome after a while," said Charlotte.

  "I fear you are correct," agreed Elizabeth.

  As Elizabeth had not eaten yet, a maid arrived with some tea, and they changed the subject and spoke about local charity work. Elizabeth considered the chances that Charlotte would have of meeting any prospective—and marriageable gentlemen—which was not great. As Charlotte had said, she did not have many chances for travel, and here was a decent gentleman come to call. Elizabeth assumed that part of Reverend Tiploft's reasons for coming to Meryton had been to call on her, but if she could encourage him to consider her friend, could they find happiness in each other?

  Mrs. Gardiner had told Elizabeth to consider her own happiness, to consider marrying and moving away. But such an idea was not one she could suddenly choose to adopt, as if to simply strike a match and light a candle. Did changing her outlook mean she should take the first eligible gentleman? Elizabeth was more used to considering others, and it seemed such an opportunity for her friend, that she could not help but suggest to Charlotte to consider returning for tea that afternoon, for Elizabeth was sure that Reverend Tiploft would come calling again.

  Over the next few days, he did call every afternoon as he had so often done in Scarborough. Mrs. Bennet was delighted with his attentions, and laid out an impressive spread at teatime and could not help but voice her expectations at such a happy event as Elizabeth's marriage to the distinguished and amiable clergyman. Elizabeth discouraged her mother as much as it was possible to muzzle her mother, which led to a small confrontation between the two of them when they were alone in the drawing room one afternoon, before anyone else had arrived.

  Mrs. Bennet expressed her enormous frustration at her oldest daughter actively discouraging any sort of interest from any decent gentleman suitors. "First Mr. Darcy, then Mr. Wolton-Fane, and now Reverend Tiploft! Elizabeth Bennet, I am sure I do not know what to do with you, I truly do not. You cannot be mourning Edmund all of these years!" It was the first time she had ever mentioned the subject of her indiscretion in over six years, and they stood staring at each other, with flames almost pouring from each other's eyes at the level of animosity about the subject.

  "Truly, Mamma, I have attempted to move on. Aunt Gardiner and I had a long talk when she was last here," she held out an arm her fingers splayed." I am to go to her in the fall." Her arm dropped to her side. "Perhaps I shall find someone suitable then? However, I am unsure about my chances with Reverend Tiploft."

  "I did not know she had invited you," huffed her mother. "It shall be awkward for her to escort you around with her condition. How are you to attend balls and soirees and the like, with her being in such a state?"

  "I am not anticipating a proper Season, Mamma," said Elizabeth. "Do not expect that. But the Gardiners socialize enough that I might meet some decent man—perhaps some associate of Uncle Gardiners? But do let me go at my own pace," replied Elizabeth.

  "If I did not push you, where would I be? All your sisters would be married and gone, and you would still be living under this roof," huffed her mother, but then she smiled, "but we would still have a roof, because I have a son."

  • • •

  Polite, but disinterested, was a fine distinction to make in her interactions with Reverend Tiploft, and Elizabeth began to appreciate Jane's uniform politeness as a sort of mask in dealing with others, that Jane could then never be seen as encouraging to someone, nor discouraging to them either. Elizabeth found that she had to be less interested in their discussions together, as she did not wish to give any hints that she encouraged any sort of courtship from the good gentleman. She also actively promoted her friend, and was encouraged when she heard he had called at Lucas Lodge; she praised her friend Charlotte as the sensible, educated, well-read and now well-dowered lady that she was.

  She considered the differences between Reverend Mead and Reverend Tiploft, and how Reverend Tiploft had done better than their local rector, despite starting their journeys into life at the same time. The post as rector for St. Mary's was a far better one than the post at St. Alban's in Meryton. Elizabeth also considered that he was far better connected than Reverend Mead, and he might be able to assist Mr. Legget in obtaining a living, and finally allowing those two disappointed lovers, Maria Lucas and Mr. Legget, to marry.

  Reverend Tiploft stopped calling at Longbourn every afternoon and began to call instead at Lucas Lodge. The day before he was to leave he asked a shocked Charlotte Lucas for h
er hand in marriage. Sir William and Lady Lucas could not have been more ecstatic, and Elizabeth was equal in her praise for the match. Mrs. Bennet took more than a few days before she could offer up something more than insincere congratulations, but she did think that, perhaps in the fall, Elizabeth might have another chance at securing a husband at last.

  • • •

  Georgiana raced ahead on her mare then rode back slowly as Lydia trotted on Buttons. "Will you not even canter?"

  "No," replied Lydia, who held the reins far too tightly in her fists. "I am still learning; you have sat in a saddle since you were four. I have probably been in a saddle four times before this, Georgiana."

  Georgiana huffed, and then looked at the groom who was far behind, at his usual discreet distance. "I cannot believe Mrs. Younge knows Mr. Wickham and agreed to write to him on my behalf! I thought I would die when the regiment left, and we had to say goodbye. It was so dull those last few days in Meryton without any fun."

  "I do not know, there were cousins to play with," said Lydia, then she quickly bit her lip as she looked over at her friend, hoping Georgiana did not see this as another instance of her being too young and babyish.

  "Your brother is rather fun, but your girl cousins are a little above themselves, I must say, Lydia. You would think they do not know the sphere they have been brought up to," said Georgiana. Lydia looked at her, drawing in a breath at her meaning. Sometimes Georgiana could be high-handed and liked to ensure that Lydia did not forget the discrepancies in their dowries, as though that gave a distinction of rank. Lydia thought that they were equals, since they were both daughters of gentlemen. But Georgiana could be touchy about a subject, and Lydia would not know until Georgiana took offense. Georgiana could be one to argue a point vehemently, and Lydia had found early on, not to argue back with her friend as it was often a losing battle.