by Ola Wegner
“I could use some new undergarments as well,” Jane agreed.
“Perhaps we could go Meryton tomorrow, just you and me, like in the old days,” Elizabeth proposed with a smile.
“But, Lizzy, have you forgotten?” Jane cried, with wide eyes. “Mr. Darcy is to call for tea tomorrow together with Mr. Bingley….”
“Ah, I see, together with Mr. Bingley… And you, I presume, would not wish to miss Mr. Bingley’s visit, of course?” Elizabeth noticed with satisfaction a slight blush on her sister’s face. “You know, he asked about you today.”
“He did?”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Yes, he did. It was the first thing he did when he saw me, which is nothing unusual, I believe. He always asks about you.”
Jane sighed with exasperation at her sister’s teasing. “Lizzy, it would just be rude not to be home when they call.”
“We can easily go in the morning. We shall return by noon, and I am sure they would not call sooner that one o’ clock,” Elizabeth proposed reasonably.
“Then it is settled,” Jane agreed. “I have the money Mama gave me last week. It should be more than enough for both of us.”
“And I still have the ten pounds Papa gave me before my trip to Kent.”
“You have?”
“Yes. I found it amongst my things which Charlotte sent me back from Hunsford. I could not spend it as they reminded me of Papa. But it is nonsensical; it is only money after all.”
***
The next day, a few minutes before ten o’clock, Jane and Elizabeth entered their favourite shop in Meryton where they had always made their purchases.
The owner, Mrs. Field, a middle aged widow with several children of various ages, welcomed them herself. “Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. How nice to see you!”
“Good morning, Mrs. Field,” Jane said, smiling politely.
“I felt so sorry when I heard about that horrible accident of Mr. Bennet’s,” the woman said. “He was a good man, a true gentleman. And that Mr. Collins! We were all shocked and outraged with his behaviour! Trying to throw the widow out of her home just two days after the funeral. The man has no heart or conscience; and he dares to call himself a man of church.”
“We thank you for your kind words, Mrs. Field, but we have little time, and quite a number of things to purchase,” Jane admonished the woman gently.
“Ah, yes, of course. I do understand,” Mrs. Field agreed immediately.
She had always counted the Bennet sisters among her best clients. Their father had always paid all their expenses on time without a word of protest, not to mention the considerable bills for books purchased by the second Miss Bennet in her son-in-law’s bookshop. And now with Miss Elizabeth engaged to a rich man like Mr. Darcy and Miss Jane who would undoubtedly follow her footsteps with Mr. Bingley, they could undoubtedly buy more; and the price was no longer something that mattered.
Almost an hour later, all needed items had been chosen and tried if necessary. It was agreed that they would take a few things with them, while the remainder was to be sent to Purvis Lodge by the end of the day.
“Should I add this expense to Mr. Darcy’s account, Miss Elizabeth?” Mrs. Field asked.
“Excuse me?” Elizabeth cried with more feeling than necessary.
“We want to foot the bill for now, Mrs. Field,” Jane said calmly, pulling out the money from her small purse.
Mrs. Field blinked in obvious confusion. “Yes, of course. But I thought… Miss Lydia purchased so much lately, putting everything on Mr. Darcy’s account, so I thought…”
“Lydia…?” Elizabeth whispered her face suddenly drawn from colour.
“Mr. Darcy opened an account here?” Jane interjected.
Mrs. Field’s eyes went from one sister to another. “Well, yes. Mr. Darcy came here two weeks ago with a very pretty and stylish young lady. She was Mr. Darcy’s sister as I understand. She said that my shop was recommended to her by Miss Kitty Bennet. Then I mentioned on my part that all you Miss Bennets had always done your shopping only at my shop, nowhere else. When Mr. Darcy heard this, he asked that all the bills of Miss Bennet to be sent to him. And when Miss Lydia came here last week, I thought that… well,… Miss Lydia did not object, and… she seemed so sure that all the bills for her purchases should be put on Mr. Darcy’s name as well,” Mrs. Field finished awkwardly.
“Yes, of course, Mrs. Field. But we would prefer to cover today’s purchases by ourselves, this time in cash if you do not mind,” Jane spoke with gentle firmness.
“Naturally, as it is your wish, Miss Bennet,” Mrs. Field agreed.
“Including our youngest sister’s latest expenses as well,” Jane added quietly, as she handed the notes to Mrs. Field while glancing worriedly at her sister’s furious expression and tightly pressed lips.
Suddenly Elizabeth stormed out of the shop without a word of goodbye and started to walk briskly through the main street of Meryton.
“I shall…. I will tear her apart,” she cried when Jane caught up with her.
“Lizzy, lower your voice. People are watching…”Jane whispered, grasping Elizabeth’s arm firmly.
“I do not care!” Elizabeth cried and marched on even faster.
“Lizzy, wait…” Jane hurried after her.
They were outside the town on a country road leading to Purvis Lodge when Elizabeth stopped, turning to face her sister. “Oh, Jane! It is so humiliating!”
Jane tried to console her. “Lizzy, I am sure it was not Mr. Darcy’s intention to make you uncomfortable.”
“I know, Jane, but it does not change the fact he pays for our life, for the home we live in, and for the carriage mama uses to visit Aunt Phillips, and he almost paid for Lydia’s… Has she no shame, no tact? How dare she? After the way she behaved towards him!”
“Lizzy, I know how you feel. But it is natural that a man provides for a wife and his family…”
“I am not yet his wife, Jane! Why do we have to depend so entirely on men? Why have we no opportunity to earn our own living based on our worthiness and intelligence as human beings? Instead, we are viewed just as a drawing room decoration, whose sole purpose is to speak pleasantly, perform music and entertain guests.”
Jane shrugged. “The world we live in is designed like that. You cannot change it, Sister. We have to adjust, make the best of our situation, even if it is sometimes difficult to bear.”
***
Darcy and Bingley arrived at Purvis Lodge a few minutes before one o’clock. Darcy thought it a bit too early for the afternoon visit, but Bingley was so restless to see his angel again, whose view and company had been denied to him since they had dined with the Bennets last time, a whole three days ago, that Darcy decided to take a pity on him and go earlier. Moreover, he wished to see Elizabeth as soon as possible as well.
The gentlemen entered the parlour to see Mrs. Bennet and her daughters arranged gracefully on the sofas, as they had expected them to be. Darcy noticed immediately his lady was not among them. Mrs. Bennet rushed to explain her second daughter was indisposed and resting upstairs, unable to admit guests.
A panicked expression spread over Darcy’s face, and in a raised, haughty voice he demanded an explanation of why the doctor had not been sent to aid her, as it had to be something very serious indeed if she was abed in the middle of the day.
Mrs. Bennet explained that her daughter was well, and it was only a temporary indisposition. She added that such things happened to all ladies once in a month, of which he had to be aware, having a younger sister under his care.
Darcy stared at his mother-in-law to be with a frown for a moment, till the meaning of her words sank into him. He flushed a little and nodded his head in acknowledgment, not speaking more on the subject.
***
Elizabeth stood hidden behind the curtain watching her fiancé and Mr. Bingley walking out of the house, escorted by Jane. Her sister and Mr. Bingley stood next to his mount, obviously deeply engrossed in the conversat
ion. Darcy stood beside his horse for some time before he looked up straight into the window of her room. Elizabeth backed away from it immediately, even though she knew he could not possibly notice her through the curtain. She walked to the window again and saw him entering the house. She closed her eyes for a moment and then hastily began removing pins from her hair. She took the woollen blanket from the chair she had been sitting in previously, kicked off her slippers and climbed on the bed, covering herself up to her very chin. She closed her eyes and made herself breathe deeply and regularly, despite her wildly racing heart.
Soon she heard his familiar walk on the corridor. There was a light knock at the door. After another knock the door opened, and she heard his footsteps.
“Lizzy,…”
The bed dipped beside her, and she felt his warm hand stroking her cheek. He leaned over, kissing her forehead, as if checking whether she was feverish. She conquered the impulse to open her eyes and throw her arms around his neck, drawing him to her.
He sat beside her for a moment longer, before he kissed her forehead once again and quietly left.
Chapter Ten
The following day Elizabeth woke up just before dawn. She got out of bed, and wrapped in the coverlet, she curled on the window sill, staring at the rising sun behind the clouds.
Later she dressed herself with care and walked out of the house in the direction of Oakham Mount. She sat there on a flat stone for about an hour, staring at Longbourn, which was easily seen from there.
She did not return home, but wandered around her favourite childhood haunts and secret places. Finally she turned decidedly in the direction of Netherfield. She reached the house and asked about Mr. Darcy. The surprised servant directed her to the library.
The door was left slightly ajar and she entered quietly. Darcy was sitting by the desk, diligently writing a letter.
“William.”
Darcy looked up. “Elizabeth, what are you doing here?” he cried with feeling. “Has something happened?”
She shook her head. “No, no, I just wanted to speak with you.”
He stood up from the desk, walking over to her. “How do you feel?” he asked, taking her hand and looking searchingly into her face.
She gave him a pale smile. “I am well.”
“Your mother said you were indisposed.”
“William, I asked my mother to say that I am indisposed. I know you were in my room. I was not really ill. I pretended. I pretended that I was asleep. I wanted to be alone yesterday. I needed time alone to think about certain matters.”
If Elizabeth had raised her eyes, she would have seen Darcy looking at her through narrowed eyes, a serious frown marking his forehead.
“Please, be seated.” He gestured to the nearby sofa, his voice cold.
Elizabeth obediently took her seat. “You may be surprised with what I will say,” she began, looking up at him, keeping his eyes locked with hers. “I have thought about it for a long time ,” she paused. “I believe that we should consider, if you agree, of course…”
“Elizabeth what is the point of this?” Darcy interrupted her harshly.
She looked up at him worriedly. “When we were discussing our future together, back in London, after you brought me from Kent, you remember?”
“Yes.”
She nodded. “We agreed that it would be for the best to wait until after the mourning period for our marriage ceremony. It would consequently mean at least six months, preferably a year.” She cleared her throat. “I would wish, of course,... that is, if you agree, to marry earlier.”
He was silent for a longer moment. “What?”
“I would like to marry earlier, before the end of mourning.”
He stared down at her with concentration. “I do not understand.”
“I want the marriage to take place before…,”she began anew, her voice low and patient.
He interrupted her. “Yes, I hear you, but I do not understand why.”
“There are many reasons. One of them is that I just feel, I am deeply convinced, this is the best solution. I…,” she paused, twisting her fingers together on her lap. “My life is so barren and empty, aimless; and it would give me some meaning, some occupation. Here everything reminds me of Papa, and there are also other… notions which are painful for me here and difficult to deal with. I have given this much thought and consideration, I can assure you, and I truly believe that it will be for the best. What do you think?” she asked tentatively, looking at his back, for he stood turned away from her now.
The very next moment she was lifted to her feet abruptly, engulfed in his arms, and kissed deeply. When she got her breath back, she said softly. “Am I to understand that your answer is yes?”
He lifted her high in the air effortlessly and twirled her around. “Do you really think so, you little minx?“
“Put me down, you crazy man!” Elizabeth laughed, staring down at him, feeling pleased with his happiness.
He put her gently down, murmuring close to her ear, “Dear God, Lizzy, you gave me a such a fright…,” He kissed her earlobe.
“And I, for a moment, was afraid you might refuse me,” she teased, her fingers playing with his pristine white neck cloth.
“It was the last thing I expected to hear from you, thus my surprise.” Placing his hands on her shoulders, he gazed into her eyes. “Is it true? You are truly my Lizzy now?”
“Yes,” she spoke sincerely.
Darcy leaned down and placed a perfect simple kiss on her lips. “We can marry by special license, by the end of the week…”
“I have rather thought about four to six weeks.”
He pouted, longing in his voice. “So long?”
“Even a quiet and modest wedding requires some necessary preparations,” she tried to convince him. “Not to mention I will need some new clothes as well. I have not thought about fashion much lately.”
“You can buy everything you need as Mrs. Darcy,” he murmured, spreading hot kisses down her neck.
Elizabeth sighed in pleasure at his ministration on her tender skin, even though she managed to speak with gentle firmness. “But truly, I need at least one new dress. I cannot marry in my old ballroom gown. The wedding dress in my situation should be grey or violet, and the only grey dress I posses is worn, faded and too tight. I would not wish to bring you shame during the ceremony.”
“As far as I am concerned, you can go to the altar in a sack.”
“But I would feel uncomfortable. I could not bear Caroline Bingley sharpening her wit on me.” She gave him a pleading look. “Pray understand this; it is important for me. There are, as well, other matters which need to be prepared.”
“Well, all right.” Darcy agreed reluctantly. “Four weeks, but not a day longer. Is it enough time to have a wedding dress prepared?”
“Yes. I thank you, William.”
“Oh, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth,” he murmured, clearly elated, crushing her to him. “I am beyond happy.”
She found herself enveloped in his arms again, one of his hands cupping her face and the other curled around her waist, pressing her to him steadily.
There was a sound of a squeaking door, and a moment later, the voice of a clearly extremely embarrassed Bingley was heard. “Oh, I beg your pardon, Darcy. I thought you were alone.”
Darcy raised his head from Elizabeth’s face and cried at the other man. “No, Bingley stay. Please. My lady has just announced to me that she wants us to marry earlier, within a month.” Darcy announced, hugging her to him from the back, both of his arms wrapped around her.
Bingley’s face beamed as he approached the couple. “Miss Elizabeth, my sincere congratulations,” he exclaimed. “I am truly happy for both of you. And Darcy, you old dog, did I not tell you everything would turn out for the good,” he said, shaking his friend’s hand vigorously.
Darcy grinned back. “I thank you, Bingley.”
“Brother,” Georgiana’s hesitant voice was heard as she
walked in. “I thought I heard Lizzy.”
“Come here, sweetling. Elizabeth has just agreed that our wedding is to take place as soon as can be arranged.”
Georgiana’s big eyes widened even more, and she cried impulsively, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Oh, how delightful! Lizzy, we are to be sisters so soon! We shall spend Christmas together at Pemberley!”
Elizabeth returned Georgiana’s hug, replying with a warm smile. “I am happy you approve.”
“So, when is the wedding?” Georgiana enquired, clasping her hands together, all anticipation.
“Your brother proposed it to be by the end of the week, but I have tried to explain to him, it is not enough time to prepare everything, even with a modest ceremony. I shall need a new dress, and it takes some time to sew it.”
“Of course, you will need a new dress.” Georgiana glared with condemnation at her brother before her eyes sparkled and she cried excitedly, clapping her hands. “We must go to London to order one!”
“Georgiana dear, how long do you think it will take to make a dress?” Darcy asked.
Georgiana gave him a thoughtful expression and spoke in a tone of utter importance. “I think two weeks, because it is to be a special order, should be enough. This way you could marry easily by the end of the month!” She clapped her hands.
“But I can buy the dress here,” Elizabeth said evenly. “There is truly no need to go to London to get one.”
“But, Lizzy, only in London can you buy a really nice dress; and you will have the opportunity to see Darcy townhouse.”
“But I am not sure whether my aunt would be able upon such short notice to let me stay with them. I would have to ask her.”
“You can stay with us…”
“I cannot, Georgiana,” Elizabeth admonished her. “You know that it would not be proper.”
“Yes, it would be not…,” the younger girl admitted. “Your aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, you always speak so highly of her, I am sure she will agree. Perhaps she could go shopping with us. And William can send an express to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner yet today, so we will have the answer tomorrow at the latest whether they are presently occupied.”
“Miss Bennet, I am afraid that a wedding before the end of July is a foregone conclusion. Miss Darcy is determined to marry her brother off as soon as can be,” Bingley remarked with big smile.