1812 How It All Began- Part 2

by Deborah E Pearson

  Mrs Gardiner had returned by the time Darcy arrived the next day. The Gardiners gave Darcy a very warm welcome. Haggerstone had been very efficient. The paperwork had arrived with Gardiner the previous evening. Mrs Gardiner's tiredness was visible, but she was anxious to visit with Wickham and Lydia. Her main concern was that Wickham would disappear before everything was sorted. Darcy was not concerned, as he knew that where money was concerned Wickham would stay around. The Gardiners were reluctant to miss attending church that morning. Yet they agreed to go to the lodgings in pudding lane, where Wickham was staying with Lydia. Darcy was uncomfortable in the carriage as the group made their way to the lodgings. He hoped that Miss Lydia would not conduct herself in the same wanton manner that she had before.

  The moment they arrived Darcy knew that he had hoped for the impossible. The behaviour of Lydia and Wickham was better than the day Darcy had visited them. But still it lacked in the proper decorum. Mr and Mrs Gardiner remained quiet and dignified throughout the the while ordeal. They tried to convince Lydia to leave her present predicament. All entreaties fell as much on deaf ears, as they had when Darcy himself had tried to reason with the girl. Everything seemed to make her more obstinate in her desire to remain with Wickham. Lydia, finally, agreed go to the Gardiner’s, during the wedding preparations.

  “Well, Mr Darcy, we cannot tell you how grateful we are for this. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you. Please know that we in no way hold you responsible for any of this. We would gladly bear the expense if you would only let us." Gardiner tried one last time when they returned to Gracechurch Street.

  "No more talk of the expense. The money is nothing to me. I have made many mistakes in the past. Especially this past year, and not making known the true character of that man was a major one. My only excuse is that I was protecting another young lady in not making known his character. I see now that I was mistaken in that. It has led to a situation where he could ruin the character of another young person. I am truly sorry that I did not make his character known."

  "You did only that which you deemed best, it is all that any of us can do. None of us hold you in anywise responsible. I shall send off the express to my brother in Hertfordshire, and then we will see you in ten days' time at the wedding. About the financial settlement I am sure my brother will agree with his part in this, and I will keep your secret. Yet, I would like you to dine with us the day after the wedding if you will, as a thank you for all you have done." Haggerstone had proven to be efficient. All paperwork had arrived with Mr Gardiner the previous afternoon. Darcy had done everything he could in the situation, the Gardiners also. Miss Lydia’s obstinacy and the delicacy of the situation left to organise. The only thing missing was Mr Bennet’s blessing for the plan. Darcy had done his job well. Wickham had already gone to Dr Commons to make his affidavit for the special licence. No signatures could be put to the settlement document until Mr Bennet’s response arrived. Mr Gardiner would be the one to oversee that.

  "Thank you, I shall be delighted" with that Darcy excused himself now and took his leave. He would not remain in the same house as the ungrateful child, whose marriage was costing him a large amount. Darcy passed what little of the day was left at his club. The hum of conversation around him was strangely comforting in a topsy-turvy world. The reputations of so many people were on the line.

  The next morning, he made his way back to Derbyshire.

  "Prosperity provideth, but adversity proveth friends."

  - Elizabeth I

  Georgiana's delight at seeing her brother three days later was what he hoped for. The moment he arrived it had become clear that he was not the only one who missed Elizabeth’s presence. Georgiana was anxious about when she might renew her acquaintance with Elizabeth. Darcy too longed to know the answer. Whenever Georgiana asked he answered that it would have to wait. He needed to know what the family’s reception to him in Hertfordshire would be. He held onto the gem that Wickham had dropped about Elizabeth's change of heart towards him. He also held onto her gentle squeezing of his hand as she got into the carriage as she left that day. These things had become so special to him, that he was beginning to fear that he was imagining them. His mind kept swinging between elation and dejection. At times he almost had himself convinced she would have accepted a renewed proposal. Other times he believed that nothing he said or did would have led to a different outcome to last April. Georgiana wanted to write to Miss Elizabeth. Darcy was unsure if Elizabeth was over the shock and grief that her sister's elopement had given her. He hoped the express from Mr Gardiner had provided comfort and relief, he knew that there would be no joy at the news. He would not know the details until he arrived back in London a day or two before the wedding. So, he told his sister to wait until he could give he knew more.

  Entering the saloon that evening, he presented Georgiana with her new fan. The look on both Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst's faces was worth all the abuse that they now laid on him. They were very jealous that he had gone to London and bought Georgiana a new fan. They abused him that it was extravagant, an unfashionable colour. With their jealousy aroused they would not leave the subject of the fan alone. They denigrated it and took away Georgiana’s joy in receiving the gift. This spoilt Darcy’s fun in having made his sister happy. This show of jealousy had the opposite effect on the Darcy's than the Bingley's intended. It had long been clear, even to Miss Bingley that she had lost any hope that she would gain Darcy’s good opinion. This latest show of jealousy yielded the result that Darcy was beginning to hate her. Darcy’s face was no longer impassive. Bingley plainly saw the disgust and loathing that Darcy felt for his sisters. Bingley was embarrassed. He failed to understand how it was that his sisters had lost all sense of decorum and dignity.

  I wonder what you two would do if you knew that I had two more fans that ware also gifts. One for Bingley’s bride – yes, I am sure that Bingley will marry Jane, and one for Elizabeth. I am pleased and thankful that Georgiana is so pleased with her present. That is what is important, not your petty and ridiculous selfishness.

  Mr Bingley hid his embarrassment behind his laughter. "My dear Caroline and Louisa, how can you be so horrid to Darcy? Of course, he is entitled to buy a new fan for his sister, as much as I could buy you both new fans if I choose. Why should you expect him to buy you anything, though? After all, you are nothing to him."

  In response to this Miss Bingley bit her lip and hurried out of the room to go up to her own. The truth was that she now realised that there was no way she was going to get Darcy in any way. She had lost out to a woman who had neither fortune nor connections. She was far too proud to let anyone see her cry over disappointed hopes. Cry she did that night and many more nights. She wouldn't reconcile herself to it until the day Darcy would take his wedding vows. She knew that no more could she hope to separate the lovers. Going to Scarborough seemed to be the best thing in the world that she could look forward to.

  Darcy was not sure if it came from Miss Bingley or whether Bingley had spoken to his sisters. After that night Darcy found that he was no longer singled out by Miss Bingley. Georgiana was now Miss Bingley’s sole target. It seemed too much for Darcy to hope that she had realised that he would never make her an offer. He was thankful for the reprieve of not having to entertain her or make small talk with the woman. The next four days passed in quietness and relative solitude. Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley avoided Darcy. Meanwhile Mr Hurst and Mr Bingley continued to improve their relationship as brothers-in-law. They found that they had more in common than anyone knew. Georgiana found herself abandoned by her guests. She returned to her accomplishments. True to her word Mrs Annesley began preparing Georgiana for entering society. The solitude that Darcy now found for a major part of everyday was welcome. This gave hime the time to spend a major part of his days poring over the Pemberley maps. Seeking answers to his tenants problems. All this was while he was thinking about the situation at Longbourn, and in London. He found that while he was more alone, he was
also busier than he had ever been before.

  At the end of four days at home, Darcy once more found himself on the road back to town. After three more days once more, he settled in his townhouse. During the journey it occurred to him that he had created a small problem for himself. He had bought presents for Elizabeth and Jane on a whim. He knew that he wanted Elizabeth and Jane to have the fans no matter what. Yet, he could not think of a way to present the fans at this moment in time. Should Elizabeth accept his proposal then it would be easy to give both presents. For now the fans would have to stay in his trunk.

  The next day pulled up to Wickham's lodgings. Wickham, it appeared, was more than ready to go to the church to claim his bride. Darcy noted that had he persevered he might have been able to keep Wickham down to less. Wickham seemed to relish the choice of bride. Why Darcy would never know for she was more stupid than her mother. She was also more impertinent and completely devoid of any sense. Darcy knew that Wickham would manipulate his wife, and use her for his own ends, time and time again. Darcy grinned when Wickham appeared at his door, trunk in hand, at a quarter to eleven. Darcy’s servants tied the trunk to the carriage. They walked round to St. Clements church where Wickham was to marry his silly bride.

  The small church seemed to be the perfect way to hide the wedding. It would be so easy to walk past the small church. It seemed to want to hide rather than to stand out from the surrounding architecture. Darcy grinned as nothing seemed to mark the party out as a wedding party. This seemed the perfect punishment for the couple that had caused so much distress and grief.

  The fact that the church was small seemed to emphasise how small the wedding party was. The empty pews and church seemed to press in on Darcy as he stood at the front of the church next to Wickham. He was both acting as groomsman and ensuring Wickham married the girl. Darcy's thoughts strayed back to the parsonage in Kent. Oh, how he wished that he had been able to captivate Elizabeth's heart. his dearest desire was that she had accepted him. Above all he felt that this should have been his wedding to Elizabeth. It would, of course, take place under better circumstances. The pain in his heart seemed to be unbearable. It was as if there was a vice around his heart squeezing making him feel every piece of remorse he could.

  For a brief period, the surroundings of this church faded from Darcy’s sight. He found himself standing at the front of the little church of Longbourn village. There was the Reverend before him and beside him stood Elizabeth with Jane and Bingley. He turned his head around to meet Elizabeth’s eye. In those deep chocolate pools that he so loved, he saw all the love and joy shining back at him. The promise of a new life was within his grasp. A feeling of great peace washed over him, he knew that his chosen bride was coming to him. His future was set. The vice around his heart released its grip. It was over. All he needed to know was that Elizabeth would now accept him. Nobody seemed to have noticed his lapse of attention. Wickham was too worried about his own bride not being at the church yet. The reverend who was to perform the ceremony was ignoring the wedding party as they waited.

  Wickham stood at the front of the church. He checked his watch numerous times before the bride made her entrance ten minutes late. When Lydia first entered the church, for a moment Darcy thought he was looking at Elizabeth. His heart sang. He recollected himself. He stood and watched as the silly girl married a man almost double her age. A man whose admiration for her would very soon fade into nothingness. Who likely now didn't care much more for her than for the immediate gratification of his lusts. There had been no other way. Within half an hour the wedding was over, and the Wickham’s were heading to Longbourn. After which they would go to Newcastle for Wickham to take up his commission. If her behaviour at the church was anything to go by, poor Jane and Elizabeth would regret this. It was too late now. Darcy felt sorry for Elizabeth and knew that he would not make much use of the rest of the day. He was wondering how the bride was conducting herself at Longbourn House. Especially how Elizabeth and Jane would be reacting to this little upstart. If things went well, he would hear about it and if they didn't then Wickham was out of his life for good. Either way, he would have no more dealings with that selfish man.

  Later, that day, Darcy again visited the milliners in Bond Street, this time to buy a bonnet for Georgiana. Seeing a very fetching bonnet, he bought it. He spotted a second matching bonnet and bought that one too, intending it as a gift for Elizabeth. He also purchased a length of cloth. This the dressmaker would make into a fetching new dress for Georgiana. He intended the dress for his wedding. He was not sure if that wedding would take place, but he knew now that he had to try. He had to start preparing for it. He visited his solicitors and his tailors. At the tailor's he ordered a new suit. It was to be the finest suit that he would own, and it was to be his Wedding suit. That finished his last full day in town for a while. He returned home. He reflected with satisfaction that he married or not, he would wear it for Bingley's wedding. At least he knew Bingley's wedding to be almost certain. He slept with satisfaction. He dreamt of the day when he would claim Elizabeth's hand in marriage.

  The next day he dined with the Gardiners and enjoyed the evening. He was tempted not to return to Pemberley until the following day. He had promised to be back with his guests as soon as he could. He also wanted to see Georgiana's face when she saw her new bonnet.

  Darcy travelled through the night and reached Pemberley by nightfall the following day. The women were about to head to bed. Mrs Hurst, and Miss Bingley were to go on to Scarborough within the week. They made the excuse they wanted to be well rested for the rigours of a seaside town. The actual reason they went to bed early was that they didn't want to see Darcy. After what their brother had said over the fan they both felt humiliated and frustrated. Georgiana met her brother with joy and when he gave her the bonnet she was overjoyed. Georgiana hugged him enthusiastically. His only hope was that he would get such a good response when he gave the other presents that he had bought.

  "The cure of many diseases remains unknown to the physicians of Hellos (Greece) because they do not study the whole person."

  - Socrates

  The next day in his library, Darcy opened his writing case to refresh his ink and his writing paper. He noticed three letters that were placed there during his illness. Why he had not noticed them before he was not sure. One of which was a letter from his aunt written a few days before Elizabeth was due to leave Rosings. He now opened it but was soon to wish that he had not.

  Rosings Park 12th April 1812

  My Dear Nephew,

  I was sorry you seemed to take it so ill that you had to leave Rosings this year. I hope that you are feeling better now. Your cousin is desolate that you left. Anne always enjoys your visits. I look forward to the day that you join the two estates together. Miss Bennet and Miss Lucas are due to leave Rosings this week, and I am quite put out. They must take the post up to London. I understand she will spend a couple of nights with her sister there before returning home. You know how attentive I am to these things. I almost thought you would take them that stretch as you kept putting off your departure. You left so close to the time of their departure. Miss Bennet, the other night, barely spoke two words together. She seemed to be very much distracted. Obviously, she didn't want to leave Rosings. I told her she should stay at the parsonage another month complete. Apparently, her father wrote to hurry her return and so she will be leaving on Friday as planned. Anne wishes to visit you in London during May. Please write and inform us where you will be in May.

  Lady Catherine deBourg.

  Setting this letter down, Darcy smiled. She was thinking about me and my letter, then. Why else would she have been so quiet at Rosings, that even my aunt noticed it? Could it be that she was suffering as much as I was? If not quite as much, then at least she was suffering some. With all the other information I have, maybe there is some hope?! No, all hope must sink, under what she said, "You could not have addressed me in any way which would induce me to accept you."r />
  Picking up the next letter it was a letter from Anne. How she managed to get a letter out without her mother knowing was a miracle. She was resourceful and sometimes sent letters without her mother’s knowledge. When she did, it was always to express something important. This was no different.

  Rosings 19th April

  My dear Fitzwilliam,

  Cousin, I heard from our cousin the colonel, that you are ill. I am sorry to hear it. Am I right in thinking you made an unsuccessful bid for a young lady’s hand? Servants have a way of talking. The servants at the parsonage were listening at the door. Be careful, my dear cousin. My mother will not approve this match. If she was to hear that you were in love with this young lady, then we will both have hell to pay. Mother will tell me that it is my illness that has turned you away. She will tell you how you are disgracing Pemberley and your late parents memories. I am sorry for you. Miss Bennet is a charming woman, and even if she doesn't know it yet, I am sure she is in love with you. Is your illness physical or is it more to do with the mind? The colonel has told me that there are bouts of delirium. Mother must not know any of this – especially not your keep calling for 'Elizabeth'. All the servants have been sworn to secrecy down here. I have had to pay a couple of them handsomely to keep the news of your proposal from reaching my mother's ears. Please write back via our cousin the colonel, as he knows how to get letters to me without my mother knowing. I wish I could wish you congratulations. They, I am sure, will come later.

  Wishing you every happiness,

  Anne deBourg.

  P.S. I am not in love with you and never was. Most of my illness was my mother's imagination.

  The third letter was not so pleasant,