One Autumn with Darcy

by Rose Fairbanks

  “What is your dreadful news? Scottish highlanders have besieged your estate?”

  He chuckled. “In her opinion, my news is infinitely worse. I informed her that I have decided to take a wife.”

  Elizabeth paled and coloured all at once, and he hardly knew what to say or do next, but she always rose to any occasion.

  “And do you have a woman in mind already?”

  “Oh yes. She was formed for me, I would say.” He found it hard to look at her and not kiss her. Instead, he studied the path for a minute. When she did not reply, he glanced over at her; she seemed deeply troubled. “This makes you unhappy?”

  “Oh, of course not! I only do not understand why it would displease your aunt.” Was it his imagination or were tears threatening her eyes?

  “She is a foolish woman and believes she can order me about, but I have made my choice.”

  Unexpectedly, Elizabeth stood. “Forgive me, Charlotte will wonder where I am.”

  “May I escort you back?”

  She did not give an immediate reply but finally nodded. He offered her his arm, and she hesitated.

  “Come, what is this? It is not like my dear friend to be melancholy.”

  “You must forgive me. I have a sudden headache.”

  They had not moved. “May I walk with you tomorrow?”

  In an instant, Elizabeth snatched her arm from his, and her eyes flashed. “How dare you? No, I am finished saving my walks for you!”

  “What?”

  “You made it perfectly clear you have made your choice, and now I have made mine!”

  She spun around and took but a few steps before he caught her hand and turned her to face him.

  “Good God! What is the matter?” She held his eyes, and her fury was evident. “Dearest Elizabeth, tell me. What have I done to anger you?”

  “You have gone and proposed…what did you call me?”

  “Proposed?”

  Elizabeth trembled, and Darcy pulled her closer to him. “I assure you, I have not proposed yet.”

  “Yet?”

  “I believe you will be the first to know when I have.”

  “Yes, I suppose Georgiana would tell me.”

  “I had rather thought you would tell her.”

  “You ask too much!”

  Still not understanding her anger but growing desperate, he stepped even closer. “I have not yet asked for enough. I have not yet asked for your hand or your heart.”

  Elizabeth blinked rapidly before breaking into a beautiful smile.

  “My loveliest Elizabeth, I have adored you and ardently loved you these many months past. I waited only so long as to take care of some business and announce my intentions to my aunt, although my cousin and I have always been in agreement on the matter. You must know, surely you must know, you have had my heart since you fell from that apple tree, and now I only wish to know yours. You taught me to think beyond myself, beyond my concerns, and to the cares of others. That day I offered you my hand; today I ask for yours.”

  “Yes!” she replied without hesitation. “Yes, you may have my hand for you have held my heart for so long.”

  *****

  Their happiness could not be contained to smiles alone, and after kisses replaced their laughter, Darcy had but a few questions.

  “How could you believe I was offering for another?”

  “I believed you meant your cousin. As you say, your aunt is very much in favour of the match.”

  “She said it to you?” It was beyond belief.

  “She hinted very strongly, but it was…Mr. Wickham,” she finished very lowly.

  “That rat! If he knew I had been at Netherfield, then he must have heard of our friendship and only meant to put you off.”

  “You are not angry that I believed him?”

  “You could not have been so angry with me if you had really believed him. I doubt you thought there was truth of it at all until I made you doubt me. Will you forgive me? I ought to have spoken to you in February or even earlier.” He could not look at her, thinking of the sorrow she must have felt due to him.

  “Fitzwilliam.” He looked up sharply as she said his name and squeezed his hands. “It was but a moment of fear. I scarcely hoped before, but neither did I doubt you. Now that you have given me your heart to protect, I will never doubt again.”

  “But why should my aunt be unhappy then if I wished to marry Anne?”

  “It is so very silly, but my mind had to conjure something. I assumed you desired to send her to the Dower House, and she was angry.”

  “Would I send my mother-in-law to the Dower House?”

  “Not even you can be so angelic!”

  “Perhaps not for my aunt, but your family will always be welcome with us.”

  “How did I ever think you proud?”

  “I was arrogant. I was selfish. I thought of my own comfort. And while I told myself I was always perfectly rational and allowed behaviour to be my guide in my associations, I did make too many allowances for rank and fortune. In October, I would have believed my aunt superior to your mother. But what cause has Lady Catherine to worry or treat people poorly? Such a lesson I learned through you!”

  Darcy had no more words for his feelings but was most effective at displaying them. Their kisses ceased when Elizabeth broke into laughter.

  “What? What is it?” Darcy asked.

  “I was only wondering if Pemberley had any apple trees for me to climb.”

  “Dozens, my dear, but we may plant more if you wish. I only ask they not be of the sour kind you have at Longbourn!”

  Recalling her thoughts that day and the expression he had as he tasted the sour fruit, Elizabeth could only laugh more and vow to herself to never allow Darcy another unpleasant expression or thought again. She would keep the promise.

  There the roots that nourished a strong love for weathering the trials of life were formed, under the apple tree.

  The End

  Tolerable Feelings

  I have written quite a few forced marriage stories for Darcy and Elizabeth, but what would happen to them if Jane and Bingley were the couple forced to wed?

  Early October 1811

  Meryton, Hertfordshire

  Elizabeth Bennet awoke the morning after the Meryton Assembly expecting some sign that the world as she knew it had come to an utter end. Instead, she was met with glorious sunshine and the beaming face of her sister.

  “Did I wake you, Lizzy?”

  Elizabeth yawned and stretched. “No.”

  Jane smiled again. “I can hardly believe this has happened. And why must I giggle so? I feel as though I am Lydia!”

  Elizabeth looked at her eldest and dearest sister in confusion. If she did not know her sister to be perfectly well and had not seen the events of last night with her own eyes, she might fear her sister ill. Her sister was compromised during the dance and would be entering into a marriage with a total stranger. For any other young lady, there might be hope that her reputation would not be smeared by such an obvious accident, and in plain view of so many witnesses. However, Mrs. Bennet would never allow an opportunity to marry off one of her daughters to pass by and so she escalated the situation.

  Mr. Bingley was a nice enough man, but who could want to marry a man off of one night’s acquaintance? Her sister, apparently. Elizabeth firmly believed in first impressions, but not love at first sight! Other memories from the night before tried to encroach. His friend had haughtily refused to dance with any of the ladies from the neighbourhood. When Elizabeth was specifically pointed out as a possible dance partner, Mr. Darcy coldly declared her “Tolerable but not handsome enough” and then claimed she sat out because she was slighted by other men when in truth there was a shortage of men at the ball!

  Pushing the thoughts aside, Elizabeth glanced towards the hook on their wall where Jane’s ball gown was stored, as if on display, until it could be mended.

  Suddenly the door to their room burst open, and Mrs. Bennet’
s shrill voice broke out. “Make haste, Jane! Make haste! He has come!”

  Elizabeth was too tired to understand. “Who has come?”

  “Mr. Bingley, of course! He has four or five thousand a year and likely more! Oh, I knew you could not be so beautiful for nothing my dear, dear child! Of course, having him step on your dress and rip it seems more like one of Lizzy’s clever designs, but to be sure, he was entirely bewitched by you. Here is Sarah to help you along! Make haste!”

  Elizabeth could only bat her eyes in disbelief after her mother left. She readied herself quickly; the poor man should have some sensible conversation while Jane was put through the full rigours of a toilette. Upon entering the drawing room, her eyes locked on the image of one person she hoped never to meet again.

  I truly hope he is not very close friends with the man that is to be my brother.

  Mr. Bingley was nowhere to be seen, and Elizabeth surmised that he must be in conference with her father. Why his friend, Mr. Darcy, needed to come on a call that settled a marriage Elizabeth knew not. Her youngest sisters were still abed, and her middle sister, Mary, was abusing the pianoforte in the other parlour.

  At Elizabeth’s entrance, Mr. Darcy stood and bowed in perfect, if cold, civility, but Elizabeth dared not believe the pretence. He was the rudest man she had ever met. Mrs. Bennet was all happiness at Elizabeth’s presence and quickly excused herself on some matter.

  Elizabeth suppressed a groan. Although the door was left open, it was not entirely proper for her to be left alone with the gentleman. A quick glance at Mr. Darcy confirmed that he was conscious of the concern as well.

  Suppressing her indignation at her mother’s behaviour, Elizabeth spoke to her guest. “Are you well, Mr. Darcy?”

  “Perfectly tolerable.” Elizabeth smirked. He certainly liked the word. There was a silence, and he fidgeted a bit too much before he was roused to return the civility.

  “Oh, I am tolerable, I suppose.” Elizabeth cast a mocking look at him and was surprised to see a hint of a smile on his face. “Could I tempt you to join us at breakfast? Or are you more in humour for tea and light refreshments?” Despite what seemed to be a valiant effort, Darcy’s smile widened a fraction.

  “Thank you, but I am perfectly content just now.”

  Elizabeth soon heard Bingley in the hall. Believing the two gentlemen may desire a private conversation, she stood and made to leave. Looking over her shoulder, she called back, “I will let your friend return to you, and you may enjoy his smiles, for you would be wasting your time with me.” As she left, she heard a light chuckle.

  *****

  Mid-October 1811

  Hertfordshire

  Darcy entered Lucas Lodge with a feeling of anticipation. He could not quite remember the last time he felt such. His holiday at his dearest friend’s leased estate was proving to be quite unexpected in more ways than one. Bingley had accidentally compromised a young lady and proposed nearly a minute later. It might have been wise to see if her reputation was harmed first!

  Darcy intended to meet the woman’s family, to support his friend if need be. He fully expected a nest of vipers and fortune hunters given how fast they all agreed to the engagement. Instead, he was teased by an enchanting and quick-witted young lady, the very one he had insulted the night before. Somehow after that encounter, the shrill voice of the mother and silliness of the youngest sisters mattered little.

  He had been in Miss Elizabeth’s company for four more evenings and nearly daily visits to Longbourn in the last fortnight and found her more bewitching with each conversation. He was wrong to dismiss her as only tolerable at first sight. She was quite pretty, and her eyes were very fine. Her figure was light and pleasing, her manners catching and playful. He could scarcely stay away from her.

  He enjoyed their conversations very much. In an environment where he knew no one but was sought after, and already melancholy over trouble with his sister, he was grateful for a friend. Which put to mind the reason for his anticipation this evening, or at least what he told himself was the reason for his anticipation.

  Darcy watched Elizabeth all night, wondering when he might say his piece to her. She perceived his staring and eavesdropping and teased him for it. When she sang that evening, an odd feeling settled in his chest. As some of the other young people rolled up the rug to begin dancing, Darcy was only too happy to oblige when Sir William Lucas suggested Elizabeth as a dance partner, although she initially refused.

  “Will you dance, Miss Elizabeth?” he asked with more sincerity than he ever felt before. The pounding of his heart was surely because of the conversation he intended to have for his sister’s sake.

  Her brow furrowed, but she conceded. “Very well.” Darcy ignored the ridiculous feeling of triumph.

  Before they could even begin, Sir William was gloating. “I hope to have this scene often repeated once a certain desirable event takes place. Capital!” He glanced at Jane and Bingley dancing, and so did Darcy and Elizabeth. The movements of the dance led them away from Sir William. Elizabeth cast worried looks at her sister.

  “What troubles you?” Darcy inquired.

  “I worry for their happiness.”

  “You do not believe in love at first sight?”

  “We all might begin freely—a slight preference is natural enough. But real love needs to be nurtured, and that cannot happen in one night, or even a fortnight.”

  “There are still many weeks before the wedding.” Elizabeth nodded in sad acquiescence. “I am happy to hear you do not stand by first impressions only. I can remember some expressions I have said that might justly make you hate me.”

  “Are you accusing me of a propensity to hate everyone?”

  “No, only to willfully misunderstand.”

  “And you believe I have misunderstood you? Did I misunderstand your desire to resist dancing your first night in the neighbourhood? Or have I misunderstood your poor opinion of all of us and refusal to treat us as equals and socialise?”

  Darcy was ashamed of his actions but hoped to ease the affront he caused. “I do not have the habit of conversing easily with those I have never met before.”

  Elizabeth merely pursed her lips and replied, “What a tolerable dancing partner you are.”

  Darcy smiled for a moment before beginning again. “Only when my partner is lively and enchanting.” He smiled at her blush and directed the conversation to the topic he desired. “Bingley tells me he and your sister have issued an invitation for you to spend the winter with them in Town.”

  “Yes, but I am uncertain I wish to intrude on their privacy.” They passed Mrs. Bennet, who was loudly extolling how Jane could now throw her sisters in the path of other rich men. Elizabeth visibly cringed.

  “If you do visit I was hoping I might introduce my sister to you.” His words clearly caught Elizabeth by surprise, and she stumbled a little. Darcy reached to steady her. “I believe she could benefit from your liveliness and intelligence.”

  “I would be honoured to meet her.” Darcy expected to feel satisfaction at her favourable reply but instead only felt more anticipation.

  *****

  November 26, 1811

  Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire

  “Mr. Darcy! Miss Eliza, excuse me, Miss Bennet, I must see you dance tonight!” Sir William spoke as though he had been liberally sampling the punch at the ball given in honour of Jane and Bingley’s wedding.

  Elizabeth was of a mind to refuse. She could hardly bear parting with Jane on this day.

  Darcy’s gentle voice broke through her thoughts. “Will you dance, Miss Bennet?”

  She looked up in surprise at Darcy, though she knew not why. She had let go of her first impressions of him and found him enjoyable company but continually discovered a new facet of his character. He often seemed silent when others were given to merriment, and yet he could be verbose at the least expected moments, animated on the least likely topics.

  She allowed Darcy to lead her to the
dance floor. “I suppose I ought to become accustomed to always being Miss Bennet now.”

  Sir William called after them, “Capital! I hope to see this often repeated!”

  Elizabeth let out an exasperated sigh. “I wonder how he thinks we might frequently dance together. You have your own estate to run and cannot constantly be visiting your friend’s, and Jane and Bingley mean to leave for Town after Christmas.” She could not quite understand the disappointment she felt at not seeing Darcy as often.

  Darcy gave her a sympathetic look. “Are you still determined to remain at Longbourn then?”

  They rounded a loud Mrs. Bennet, who in addition to crowing about Jane’s marriage, now declared that Elizabeth would be the next mistress of Longbourn. Elizabeth glanced to her cousin and father’s heir, the ridiculous Mr. Collins, and cringed. She nearly stepped on Darcy’s toes.

  “I must admit Town does have more of an appeal to me at present than several weeks ago.”

  Darcy smiled. “My sister greatly looks forward to meeting you.”

  Elizabeth affected an amused tone. “I hope to prove to be a tolerable friend then.”

  Shaking his head while smiling, Darcy replied, “You are a very agreeable friend. You express yourself uncommonly well and always with great energy.”

  His words cheered her but she was in little humour to enjoy the day beyond hoping her sister’s smiles were genuine, and her new brother would always seek to please his wife.

  *****

  March 2, 1812

  Bingley residence, London

  “Eliza! Are you certain you must leave Town on the morrow to spend so much time in Kent? You will be missing much of the Season, and Colonel Brandon seems quite taken with you!”

  Elizabeth quelled the urge to roll her eyes at Caroline. They had both been staying with the Bingleys for several months, and Caroline assumed a false closeness with her. “I will be very happy to visit my friend and enjoy all Kent has to offer. I am certain Colonel Brandon will find other agreeable company.”