Caroline tsked. “Always so imprudent. First rejecting the parson, resulting in your mother’s insistence in your banishment from your family home, and now spurning a wealthy and agreeable suitor.”
“He is hardly a suitor. Mere dances are not the same as paying court.”
Instead of replying, Caroline declared a desire to perform on the pianoforte. After she left, Darcy took her place and spoke with Elizabeth.
“Did you enjoy the evening?” They had just returned from a ball in Town and now were having a light supper at Jane and Bingley’s house.
“It was certainly tolerable.” Darcy grinned, and Elizabeth smiled at the sight. She could not understand why he was never provoked by her teasing but was pleased she could always humour him.
“Do you truly look forward to your holiday in Kent?” He studied his hands before adding, “Or do you only desire a change in companionship?”
Elizabeth sighed. “I do miss Charlotte, and I am always curious to see more of the world. As for my London companions, I find them all excessively agreeable, save one. I do not know why she dislikes me so!”
They both looked towards Caroline, who narrowed her sharp eyes at them. “Perhaps she is jealous of certain friendships you have established.”
“A friendship is hardly the sort of thing Caroline is likely to be jealous over.”
“Certain friendships easily inspire jealousy,” he said gravely, and when Elizabeth turned to see his face, she was surprised to see an unmistakable look of admiration in his eyes.
She said nothing as her heart beat faster. Surely he could not be implying he cared for her! Why, they had been friends for months now, and he never said a thing!
Before she could gather her wits, Darcy spoke. “How long will you be at Hunsford?”
“I am to remain six weeks.”
Darcy grinned. “I have recently had a letter from my aunt and conferred with my cousin. We are to visit her for Easter.”
Elizabeth smiled. Darcy’s presence would be an agreeable addition to what otherwise would likely be mostly ridiculous company. They moved to the coffee table to refill their cups.
“My sister will miss your friendship in your absence.” She reached for his cup, and his hand lingered on hers for a moment. “May I hope you will miss certain friendships as well?”
Elizabeth could hardly breathe. He removed his hand, but hers now felt afire. Dropping her eyes, she managed to reply, “Yes, I will.”
She heard a quick intake of breath and gathered courage to look at him. Although he tried to hide it, she easily noticed his smile. “I wish you a very enjoyable stay then.”
Before Elizabeth could make sense of why the candles all seemed to burn brighter, the music sounded sweeter, and all the company more enjoyable, Darcy was making his apologies to his hosts. Unaware of her eagerness to catch one last glimpse of him, her eyes locked with his before he left with a slight smile on his face.
*****
March 30, 1812
Hunsford Parsonage, Kent
Elizabeth glanced up from a letter from Jane, which shared her news of expected joy arriving in September, when she heard the bell alerting her to a visitor.
“Mr. Darcy! I had not expected you, sir.”
He gave her a confused look. “You did not think I would call on the parsonage again?”
Elizabeth blushed. “You have not returned in the last week. I had thought…”
She had tried to laugh herself out of it. These things happen often enough. Young men often believed themselves in love until accident separates the couple. He had visited the day after his arrival in Kent, which she believed was sign of his continued regard but as he had not come since, she was left to believe his admiration ceased. She knew of his family’s hopes that he would marry his cousin. If only she had not persuaded herself of such a strong attachment to him!
Darcy had walked closer while she was unaware. “I regret I was very busy helping my cousin, Anne, settle affairs.”
How could he say the words with such calmness and gentleness when it felt as though a knife were stabbed into her heart?
“What happy news.” She tried to smile.
“Yes, she has recently gained her majority and is now the rightful owner of Rosings estate.”
Tears slipped from Elizabeth’s eyes as she considered her foolishness. Why would Darcy want her when he could have any wealthy, beautiful, and accomplished lady?
Seeing her tears and then the letter in her hand, Darcy cried out in alarm. “Good God! What is the matter? Is it news from London? From Longbourn?”
Elizabeth looked up in confusion, and when she trembled, Darcy led her to a chair. “Let me call your maid. Is there nothing you could take to give you present relief? A glass of wine; shall I get you one? You are very ill.”
“No, I thank you,” she replied, endeavouring to recover herself. “There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well; I am only…”
She burst into tears as she attempted to explain some reason for her distress. For a few minutes, she could not speak another word. Darcy, in wretched suspense, could only say something indistinctly of his concern and observe her in compassionate silence. At length, he took the letter from her hands and scanned the contents.
“I see nothing alarming in here. There is reason for great joy.”
Grateful she might have a cause to explain her outburst, she nodded. “Oh yes. I am unbelievably happy for them both.”
“You have determined first impressions were correct after all then?” he asked in a tone that was clearly meant to make her smile but failed in his object.
“Oh no. I have quite learned not to rely on them. You have turned out entirely different than I first suspected, and your information on Mr. Wickham was contrary to his charming façade.”
“You still believe time is needed to nurture an acquaintance?” She nodded. “To nurture love?”
Tears threatened to spill again, but she determinedly met Darcy’s eyes. “Yes.”
“We have been acquainted quite some time now, have we not?”
“Above six months, I believe.”
“I have endeavoured to be a patient man, Elizabeth. But I am selfish as well. I can go no longer without telling you how much I admire and love you.”
At such words, she cried again, and Darcy knelt before her. “If your earlier tears were for happiness at your sister’s news, then may I hope my words bring you joy as well?”
Not trusting herself to speak, Elizabeth only nodded.
“Then your feelings of me have changed since we first met? Do you like me now?”
Blushing scarlet as he referenced her first prejudiced opinions of him, she forced herself to speak. “Perhaps I did not always like you as well as I do now, but I do like you! I love you!”
Heartfelt delight diffused over his face. “Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! Dare I hope you will consent to be my wife?”
Elizabeth grinned and then pursed her lips in a mischievous manner. “I find you are quite tolerable enough to tempt me to matrimony.”
After Darcy returned the favour of her teasing in the manner he had long wished, by adoring her lips with his own, she desired to only provoke him again. “How did you begin to love me?”
“I was in the middle before I knew I had begun.”
“You admired me for my impertinence, did you not? Or was it after I came to London, and you discovered I was not slighted by other men after all?”
Darcy let out a laugh. “Must you remember my words from that night so perfectly?”
“I believe it belongs to me to find occasions for teasing and quarrelling with you as often as may be. In return, my good qualities fall to your protection, and you may exaggerate them as much as possible. To be sure, there is little actual good in me.”
“There is plenty of good in your affectionate behaviour to both Jane and Georgiana.”
“Who can do less for them? But why did you not visit again earlier?”
> “Lady Catherine will be displeased by our engagement. Matters with Anne have been settled in such a way that my aunt must behave or be removed from the house.”
“Indeed!” Elizabeth tried to hide her amusement in imagining such a scene. “But why did you not speak of your feelings earlier?”
“I was embarrassed by your first opinion of me and can only say a man who felt less might have said earlier.”
Such a statement of regard could only be rewarded with more kisses until the Collinses returned. Lady Catherine was very upset at news of the betrothal but moderated her anger when her daughter proved she was prepared to do battle. Darcy soon sought Mr. Bennet’s blessing, and the couple were united in matrimony in June. After a blissful summer at the Lakes and Pemberley, they settled into their lives that were much more than tolerable. Indeed, their lives were filled with such happiness and good humour that all of their dearest family and friends smiled in return.
The End
Compassion for Me
What would happen if Mr. Bingley had actually sprained his ankle at the Meryton Assembly?
“If he had had any compassion for me,” cried her husband impatiently, “he would not have danced half so much! For God’s sake, say no more of his partners. O that he had sprained his ankle in the first dance!”
— Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 3
“Do you enjoy dancing, Mr. Bingley?”
Charlotte Lucas could not have been more pleased to be asked to dance the first set by the handsome newcomer to their little end of Hertfordshire. She knew it was only out of deference to her father’s position as a knight and host of this evening’s events, but Charlotte was flattered just the same. At seven and twenty, and with a shortage of gentlemen in the neighbourhood, she seldom danced at the balls any longer. She knew she was rather plain and felt his compassion as he seemed to genuinely enjoy dancing with her, instead of merely tolerating the experience as others had done.
Mr. Bingley was a very amiable sort of gentleman; or at least he had been until they went down the set the first time, and his eyes found her friend, Jane Bennet.
“Mr. Bingley?”
“Forgive me. You were saying.”
Charlotte suppressed a grin as the dance separated them. Most men were taken with Jane’s beauty, and while Charlotte could be jealous if she wished, she would rather be happy if her friend finally had a suitor of independent means…and who could withstand her family’s…eccentricities. Of course, Mr. Bingley was not a landed gentleman; he had no cause to be so proud like the other men who fell at Jane’s altar. Not that it would hurt a thing for her to be more encouraging.
When the steps to the dance allowed her to speak once more, she tried again. “I had asked if you enjoy dancing.”
“Oh, very much! I intend to dance every set, although I have not been introduced to any of the other ladies yet.”
This was no surprise. She knew for a fact that he had not so much as glimpsed the Bennet sisters before tonight, much to their extreme displeasure. Naturally, Mrs. Bennet claimed him for one of her own as soon as she heard his income. It did not matter a thing about his character or even if he was handsome. Truthfully, Charlotte quite agreed with her. With a large enough income, a woman could bear almost anything.
“I would be happy to introduce you to any lady who strikes your fancy.”
He beamed. “In that case, I would very much like an introduction with the angel over there in blue…”
Mr. Bingley did not finish his statement, for he landed oddly on his right foot, instantly paled in pain, and staggered off the dance floor. Thankfully it was crowded enough that none of the more intrusive members of Meryton society noticed them leave the floor.
“Mr. Bingley! Are you well?”
“I believe I have sprained my ankle.”
“Oh my! Allow me to fetch my father.”
She left Mr. Bingley leaning against a wall as there were no seats to be had. She could not find her father but located her brother and explained the situation. He would search for their father while she was to return to Mr. Bingley. As she approached, she noticed that Mr. Bingley’s friend, Mr. Darcy, was now with him.
“Come, Darcy. I will have to leave, but will you stay? I should hate for our whole party to leave when I am so new in the neighbourhood.”
“Surely they will understand.”
Mr. Bingley pulled Mr. Darcy in closer, but Charlotte always had very acute hearing. “Miss Lucas was about to introduce me to the most beautiful lady I have ever beheld. An angel! I cannot bear for her to think ill of me. Would you dance with her and tell her of me?”
“Bingley!”
“You will have to dance with others as well. Several of the ladies here are uncommonly pretty. There must be someone to meet your fastidious standards. But you must dance! If not, they will think the whole party hateful and arrogant. Please?”
Charlotte had to hide a chuckle at Mr. Bingley’s pleading look.
“Very well, but only because I do not wish to offend your neighbours.”
“I knew you would have compassion for me.”
“You realise my main motivation is so we will have engagements to attend as often as possible, and I may be away from your sisters?”
Mr. Bingley laughed, and Mr. Darcy smiled. Bingley looked over Mr. Darcy’s shoulder, finally noticing Charlotte just as her father and brother arrived.
“Ah, Miss Lucas. You have returned with your father and your brother, I see.”
“I thought they might assist you. I took the liberty to call your carriage.”
“Thank you.” With one man clutching each arm, Bingley managed to leave the ballroom. Charlotte was left to stand with Mr. Darcy.
“Do you dance, Mr. Darcy?”
He chuckled while shaking his head. “I do tonight. I cannot tell you how many times Bingley has dragged me to a ball and stayed the whole night. I have often wished he sprained his ankle in the first set so we might leave early, and now I am to be his image in the neighbourhood in his absence!”
He took a deep breath. “I would be most pleased to finish Bingley’s set with you, Miss Lucas.”
Charlotte smiled as an idea formed in her mind, and she happily accepted his request.
After some silence, Charlotte decided to assist matters. “Your friend had asked for an introduction to the eldest Miss Bennet.”
“Ah, yes. His angel.” He rolled his eyes.
“Do I understand you wish to meet more partners?”
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Mr. Darcy agreed. “I do tonight.”
“Forgive me, but I could not help but hear you have fastidious standards. Which do you prefer, blonde or brunette? Tall like you or short?”
Mr. Darcy looked at her with a touch of disgust until he saw her sly smile. “Truthfully, beauty matters little, especially in a ballroom. I dislike dancing, and I cannot recommend myself to strangers. My standards are only pleasant conversation.” He shrewdly examined her. “Might you have any friends who are as witty and clever as you?”
“I do, indeed. One enjoys teasing very much as well.” Mr. Darcy frowned a little, and Charlotte added, “But I will tell you some stories that you may use to your advantage, and I assure you, she is quite pretty.”
“Which lady do you mean?”
Charlotte waited for them to pass by her friends. “Mr. Bingley’s angel is in blue, but my clever friend is in green.”
The rest of the set passed in pleasant conversation, although Mr. Darcy frequently seemed distracted as they passed a certain lady, and when they finished, Charlotte introduced him to two of the Bennet sisters.
“Mr. Darcy, this is the eldest Miss Bennet, and here is my good friend, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Charlotte was pleased to see Darcy give Elizabeth a genuine smile as Jane’s partner came to collect her for the next dance. “If you are not otherwise engaged for the next set, might I have the honour, Miss Elizabeth?”
After her friend’s accepta
nce, Mr. Darcy began to lead her to the dance floor. Charlotte was happy to overhear him say, with an obvious smile on his face, “I have been wondering if you knew of any fine trees to climb…”
*****
Six weeks later
Charlotte and Elizabeth stood in an alcove at the ball at Netherfield, held in honour of the engagements of the eldest two Miss Bennets to the single Netherfield gentlemen.
“Charlotte, you never did tell me what made you think Fitzwilliam would enjoy a dance with me.”
“Oh, it was when he confessed to desiring Bingley to sprain his ankle in the first set on every other occasion. I could only think how much it sounded like something your father would say, and I know you enjoy his wit.”
“What a strange friend you are! I really should be more vexed that you have no compassion for me and will spill the secrets of my childhood exploits to just any stranger who happens upon you!”
Elizabeth and Charlotte laughed before hugging. Darcy and an army officer approached. “My dear friend, Miss Charlotte Lucas,” Darcy said, “allow me to introduce my cousin, Colonel Jonathan Fitzwilliam.”
After the usual civilities, the two moved to the dance floor. Darcy and Elizabeth overheard the colonel say, “I regret that I am not a naval captain, Miss Lucas, for I have heard you are infinitely fond of them…”
Charlotte shot a withering glare at Elizabeth as the colonel laughed and tugged her hand.
“An excellent idea, my love,” Darcy said to Elizabeth.
“Well, now it is her turn to be teased!”
The End
An Ungentlemanly Manner
I’ve always wondered what would have happened if Darcy reacted to Elizabeth’s claims of him being ungentlemanly. This was my very first completed Pride and Prejudice story and I posted it on an online fan fiction forum.
One Autumn with Darcy Page 43