by Eden Forster
Only one woman had ever tempted him to offer his hand in marriage. That woman was Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the younger sister of his friend’s intended. Miss Elizabeth was unlike any other woman he had ever known, and she had bewitched him with her dark eyes, and her light and pleasing figure. Many weeks had gone by since he last saw her in Kent.
He had come close to making the biggest mistake of his life. Having delayed his departure from Kent, where he and his cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam were visiting their aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Darcy had finally cast aside all his doubts and determined to propose marriage to Elizabeth. Despite suffering severe misgivings about the prospect of an alliance with such relations as hers and having done everything in his power to save his friend Bingley, who now stood before him, from such a circumstance were he to marry the oldest Bennet daughter, Darcy had persuaded himself that he loved Elizabeth most ardently.
A fortuitous discussion with the colonel just before setting out to call on the young woman at the Parsonage House in Hunsford spared Darcy what might have turned out a disaster. When his aunt’s vicar, Mr. Collins, and his wife showed up at Rosings on the evening before Darcy was due to return to town bearing the news that their houseguest, Miss Elizabeth, had taken ill and would not be joining them, Richard’s disappointment had been unmistakable.
Seeing his cousin thus caused Darcy some concern. He was aware that his cousin admired the young woman. She seemed to like the colonel as well. If there was but one thing he envied his cousin, it was the colonel’s easy manner of forming new acquaintances. Indeed, he had been counting on Richard’s approval of Elizabeth when he presented her to the rest of the Fitzwilliam family as the future Mrs. Darcy.
Darcy had drawn his cousin aside to interrogate him on his odd response to the Collinses’ news about Miss Elizabeth’s health.
“I was with the young lady earlier this afternoon. I cannot help wondering whether her sudden illness is an aftereffect of our conversation,” the colonel had replied.
“Why would you presume your conversation had anything to do with the present state of her health?”
“When I came upon Miss Elizabeth earlier this afternoon, her spirits were as high as ever. However, by the conclusion of our exchange, she looked as if she had lost her dearest friend. Granted our acquaintance is of a small duration. However, I declare I have never observed her looking so desolate.”
“I find it puzzling that her spirits could have been so altered so quickly. What did you say to her?” Darcy had asked, somewhat dreading his relative’s reply.
The colonel shrugged. “I merely informed her that you had been in such admirable service to your friend Bingley last summer by shielding him from a most unsuitable alliance with a dreadful family severely in want of propriety, with no fortune and no connections.”
Darcy took a sharp breath. “I told you what I did in confidence, Fitzwilliam!”
“I did not think the two of you were so connected that she would have cause to suppose your actions objectionable.” Richard had continued on to explain that Elizabeth immediately established that the family in question was none other than her own. She had accused Darcy of mean-spiritedness in breaking up two young people who were in love with each other. He had subjected his friend to censure and caprice and her sister to derision and disappointed hopes. Elizabeth had said she always suspected that officious man had a hand in tearing her sister and Mr. Bingley apart, and, even though she always detested him, she had hoped she was wrong. She had wound up her speech by declaring she hoped never to see the high and mighty Mr. Darcy again.
Darcy’s eyes had been opened wide by this revelation. He had been an hour away from offering his hand, his heart, and his home to a young woman who boasted to his own relation of despising him.
An agreeable young fellow who was as jubilant as one on the heels of marrying the woman of his dreams ought to be, Charles Bingley cleared his throat. “Darcy, I do not believe you have attended a word I have said. You must tell me whether you accept my offer. Otherwise, I will have to ask my brother, Hurst, and you know how much he abhors that sort of thing.”
Shaken from his reverie, Darcy swallowed hard. Since coming back from Kent, he had made several starts and stops on a letter to Miss Elizabeth Bennet in which he sought to explain his reason for interfering in the budding relationship between her sister and his friend. He wanted her to know he had behaved not out of meanness of spirit. Rather, he had acted in service to his friend. He had observed Bingley and Miss Bennet most attentively when they were together in Hertfordshire, and he was persuaded his friend’s attachment was fonder than the lady’s. Moreover, his friend was always falling in love with one young lady or another, and Darcy had no reason to suppose this time was different.
Having decided that actions were more potent than words scrawled on a piece of paper, he proceeded to go instead to his friend with a complete explanation of his role in keeping the couple apart. What excuse could he now offer for not wishing to be a part of this most consequential day in his friend’s life? He had to agree to the scheme. On the other hand, answering yes to Bingley would bring him face to face with the woman who had broken his heart. The possibility that she had done so unknowingly must surely count for something. When we meet, it need not be of greater consequence than a meeting between indifferent acquaintances, Darcy considered. With that thought in mind, he reached out his hand to his impatient friend. “I shall be honored to stand next to you, Charles.”
After delicately arranging the last of the pins in place, Elizabeth stood behind her eldest sister, Jane, and marveled at her handiwork. Both ladies looking in the mirror, their merriment-filled eyes settled on each other’s. A comely young woman with an angelic countenance, Jane gave one of her golden locks a slight tug. Impressed by her sister’s efforts, she beamed.
“It looks lovely, Lizzy. I dare say Charles will be pleased.”
Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips. “Jane, you could show up at the altar with a cloth sack on your head, and your Mr. Bingley would not be disappointed.”
“Oh, Lizzy, I suspect what you say is true. Who would have thought Charles would call on me at my uncle’s house in Cheapside and just when I had given up all expectation of ever seeing him again after I visited his sister Caroline?”
The bringing up of Miss Caroline Bingley’s name was almost sufficient to wash away the joy Elizabeth felt in seeing her sister so happy once again. Had that young woman had her way Jane and Bingley may never have become engaged. If there was anything disadvantageous about her dearest sister’s pending union, it was that she would permanently be connected to such a pernicious sister-in-law.
“Yes,” Elizabeth began in an attempt to force such an unpleasant prospect behind her. “And now here we are, weeks later, preparing for your impending nuptials.”
“Just imagine. In hardly any time at all, I am to become Mrs. Charles Bingley, the mistress of Netherfield. I am a happy woman indeed.”
“No one deserves such happiness more than you.”
Jane sighed, promptly causing her sister to wonder what was the matter.
“Jane?”
“I do wish all my sisters were here to take part in what is certain to be the happiest day of my life.”
“You must not allow Lydia’s insistence on accompanying the Forsters to Brighton to impede on your joy, my dear. What is the marriage of an older sister in comparison with the spectacle of officers as far as the eyes can see?”
“I do hope Papa knows what he was about in allowing someone with Lydia’s wild spirits to be so far from home and beyond her parents’ supervision.”
“He is certain this time in Brighton will teach Lydia of her own insignificance. I tend to agree with him. The officers will not give her a second glance; I am confident.”
“Oh, Lizzy, I pray you and Papa are correct.”
Shifting the topic, Elizabeth inquired, “When will Mr. Bingley return from London?”
“I shall h
ope to see him in three days.” Jane turned to study her dear sister. “Lizzy, I pray it does not disappoint you that Charles insists on asking Mr. Darcy to stand up for him at the wedding.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Why should I be disappointed? I know how your Mr. Bingley depends on his friend.”
“He does indeed. However, you and Mr. Darcy did not get along at all when he was here in Hertfordshire last autumn.”
“This is true.” Elizabeth smiled in spite of herself. “Dare I say, the gentleman and I coexisted quite amiably when we were in Kent.” Indeed, she had found his manners decidedly improved when they were together in Kent. However, any favorable impression his change in attitude might have garnered was tarnished when Mr. Darcy’s cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam inadvertently confided in her that Darcy had aided in separating her sister Jane and Bingley.
No doubt, the colonel informed his officious cousin of my response to that bit of intelligence, she thought. Elizabeth further attributed Mr. Darcy’s failure to call on the Collinses with the colonel before leaving Kent as confirmation of that gentleman’s mean-spirited intentions.
She would have been lying to herself if she did not confess that a part of her suspected that Mr. Darcy may have had a hand in undoing the damage he had brought about. If she learned this to be true, Elizabeth supposed the least she might do was acknowledge it when she saw him next. On the other hand, why should I show him any gratitude for being the means of my sister’s present happiness when he caused her prior unhappiness? Elizabeth wondered.
Oh! I will not think about any of that now. I shall see how he behaves should he return to Hertfordshire with Bingley for the wedding. Then I will know how to act.
Pleased with her resolve, Elizabeth told her sister that it was much too fine a day to spend the better part of it indoors. Jane agreed and, before long, they headed downstairs and out the door. The two young ladies proceeded in silence along the gravel walk that led to the copse, both thinking of the wedding, no doubt; however, for altogether different reasons.
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Every Appearance Series
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Looking for more by this Writer?
Check out books by ELLE FORSTER
Pleasurable Escapes: Volume 1
Pleasurable Escapes Series
Pride, Pleasure & Satisfaction
Pride, Pleasure & Surrender
Pride, Pleasure & Secrets
Pride, Pleasure & Scandal (Summer 2019)
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Acknowledgments
Thank you, Miss Jane Austen, for a most beloved story that continues to capture the hearts and minds of so many people throughout the world—inspiring fan fiction readers to keep reading and fan fiction writers to keep writing.
Her Good Opinion
A Pride & Prejudice Variation
by Eden Forster
Copyright © 2015
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