1812 How It All Began- Part 2

by Deborah E Pearson

  “Oh dear, I don't suppose that Georgiana could move into your mansion in London. So that my sister could use her little establishment in London could she?" Mr Bingley felt all the awkwardness of this. Though his fortune was ample, he was aware that he had still to buy his estate. He only used his friend's houses whenever he travelled and could not afford to buy his sister a home.

  “Bingley, would that not be punishing my sister for what your sister has done? I could not do that to her.” Darcy replied, more sharply than he ought to have done. The thought that Georgiana should suffer for someone else’s indiscretions was distasteful. Darcy knew she would take such a move as a delayed punishment for her own indiscretions. No, he would not do that to his sister.

  “Oh, yes I see that. Oh dear. How am I going to sort this out? I suppose she’ll have to live with us then. She won’t like that, as she doesn’t like the society here.”

  “Her preferences are of little importance here. She's your unmarried sister for crying out loud, Bingley! She needs to learn to socialise with all as if they were her equals. Rather than sneering and laughing at them if they have not her connections. She also needs to learn about her place in society. It is the way she sneers at the behaviour of gentlemen's daughters. The gentry is above her regardless of fortune or manners." Darcy reminded his companions. He was tired of this conversation. Also he was anxious to talk about his London plans and also to get the wedding date finalised.

  “I know that you're right Darce, I also know that I have to do something.”

  “I've been thinking, you know we are all going to be brothers-in-law here, is it not time we used each other's first names?" Darcy was fed up with the formality they all used, he just wanted to relax and to belong.

  “You know, I’ve never really thought about it. Caroline and Louisa always use first names. It never crossed my mind that we should do so, but yes it would be right to do so – what say you, Hurst?” Mr Bingley asked.

  “I too have never thought about it, but yes, Charles, I think I agree we should, maybe we could bond our family unit better. We must never do so in public remember."

  “Of course not, Hurst. I believe I do not know yours, Hurst,” Darcy said. He hoped more than believed that first names would bond everyone together.

  “Richard” was the simple reply, that Darcy received, “Yours?”

  “Fitzwilliam.”

  “Mr Darcy. I believe you have something to do with the way that my brother has changed. The way he has spoken to me since I arrived yesterday afternoon is unacceptable.” snapped Caroline Bingley, “Or maybe it was Miss Eliza put you up to it.”

  “Miss Bingley, I do not and never did need Elizabeth to put me up to anything. Your mode of behaviour is despicable. Charles, I believe is taking appropriate steps to deal with you. " Darcy informed her. Miss Bingley looked stunned at the cold civility in his response. She did not miss the casual references to Elizabeth Bennet and her brother.

  “Charles, are you going to let him talk to me like that?" They would have thought she was suffering apoplexy her face was so red. Yet familiarity with her behaviour meant they knew it was only rage.

  “I am only surprised that he spoke to you at all, Caroline,” Bingley threw back. Miss Bingley looked even more stunned and miserable. She said nothing, but Bingley carried on “Caroline, you are on thin ice with your behaviour. You have offended every one of our London acquaintances. That includes Darcy, who has only put up with your antics because of our friendship. Otherwise he would have given you the cut a long time ago.”

  “Charles, you remember I mentioned the London plan, and that you and Jane promised to come with us?” Darcy started now, anxious to change the subject to the more pleasant things. This was not how he imagined his arrival back to Hertfordshire. He was thankful that he had stopped at Longbourn for breakfast. HIs welcome there had been much better.

  “Yes, I do."

  “Mr Bennet received the letter from Mr Gardiner that we've been waiting for. We have arranged that you and I will breakfast with them. Then we will leave for London after breakfast, tomorrow."

  “Capital. I'll be ready. Caroline, you, Mr Hurst, and Louisa will have to entertain yourselves for about two weeks. We'll be back soon enough."

  “Why don't I join you, Charles? I should love to visit Town." Miss Bingley's tone was sugary sweet, thinking she would get her way.

  “Caroline, you will stay here. I'm sure after all Louisa and you spent in Scarborough you cannot have any of your pin money left over. Nor can there be anything that either of you has the need to buy. You might be good enough to assist Mrs Bennet with the wedding plans, in our absence," replied Charles. Miss Bingley sat and stared in shock at her brother. She could not argue as no words would come though she looked like she wanted to argue. Never before had she failed to get her way when she had asked for something.

  “There is one more piece of business, Charles,” said Darcy “after that if you don’t mind I’d like to go and rest”

  “Nothing too dreadful I hope." Charles queried worried about what else needed to be discussed.

  “Oh no, nothing so very terrible," Darcy was so very conscious of making a hash of this. "I breakfasted at Longbourn this morning with Elizabeth and her family. The date they suggested for the wedding was the 26th of November. I don’t know how you feel about it but that is not a date I ever want to remember again in my life. I told Elizabeth that and the next date that we came up with was the 5th December. What say you, Charles? Would the 5th of December suit you?”

  “Well, upon my word I should have been there this morning should I not?” Miss Bingley glared at the men. The last thing she needed was a reminder of the cause of all her troubles. She did not have anywhere to go as they were all sitting together in the main parlour. She had no reason to pretend to enjoy walking or reading.

  “You had other responsibilities," Darcy stated gently, looking at Bingley’s troublesome sister. "what say you to the date, though, as all it wants is your agreement, and they will settle it for us."

  “Well... 26th of November, why that was the date of my ball last year.” Darcy winced. He remembered the Bennet family, except the two eldest daughters, had exposed themselves. He also remembered the ungenerous part he played in separating Jane and Charles. “I can see why you would not want to be reminded of that date, the 5th of December is good for me, I’m perfectly happy with it. On the 5th of December then you and I will become brothers!”

  “I have another reason for not wanting to remember that date. Apparently, the very next day that pompous man, Mr Collins, proposed to Elizabeth. An offer she refused.” Darcy informed Bingley. He knew full well that he at once sounded anxious, jealous and angry.

  “The 5th December it is then. I’ll tell Jane at breakfast tomorrow that I agree.” Darcy’s jealousy about the pompous clergyman was not missed by Bingley. Seeing Darcy’s fatigue he stored that piece of information up for teasing his friend at a later time. Darcy then excused himself to rest for what was left of the day.

  He had planned to return to Longbourn for dinner. The exhaustion that Darcy now felt meant that curling up in bed was all he had the energy for. He wrote a quick note for Elizabeth apologising for his not keeping his promise to see her that evening. He then changed into his nightshirt and crawled into his bed. The moment his head hit the pillow, the inclination to sleep left him. He felt as though something inside him broke. A dam that had kept back the emotions and memories over the years crumbled. He would experience every emotion until he returned to Longbourn. Memories would come that would hurt, humiliate and anger him by turns. Then visions of the future would dance through his head. To the best of his ability, he whiled away the hours dreaming of the future. He dreamed of Elizabeth's delight when she received his mother's carriage. Her delight upon entering Pemberley for the first time as its mistress. Her pleasure walking around the Pemberley woods. All this and more was in his dreams, as he tried to force himself to sleep. At length, sleep did
close his eyes, and it seemed that he had barely slept when his valet woke him up.

  The morning had come, and he and Bingley had to be packed and at Longbourn for seven. This he found was easily accomplished. Bingley’s sisters still in very ill humour after the night before did not appear to see them leave.

  In the chaise, Bingley kept talking about how pleasant their wedding day would be. Darcy thought Bingley to be setting himself up for disappointment. However, Darcy found himself sharing Bingley's optimistic view. He even added in his dreams and thoughts on the subject. It was better than facing the things that had surfaced throughout the night.

  The ride to Longbourn seemed to be too long nowadays. When they entered the morning room, Elizabeth and Jane were discussing the wedding. They seemed to be talking about it with the same animation that the gentlemen were. Now the date was set all that remained was to finalise things like the guest list, menus, and clothes. Jane was delighted with Netherfield. She only required a couple of new pieces for her private rooms. This Bingley had been more than willing to comply with and had with speed ordered the new furniture.

  Darcy was anxious about Elizabeth as mistress of both Pemberley and his townhouse. It was not that he thought Elizabeth incapable. He was aware about the relative size of Pemberley to Longbourn, he didn't want to overwhelm her. His anxiety he managed to keep to himself. The four of them finalised the dress colours and the gentlemen's suits. Darcy was pleased to have had his way, and the gentlemen's suits were to be navy blue as he had ordered. Elizabeth and Jane were to be married in pleasing pastel shades. The bridesmaids were all to be dressed in a pale powder blue. That would suit both Georgiana and Kitty. Charlotte, too, would have a pale blue dress as she was to be Elizabeth's attendant that day. Mary had declined the office of bridesmaid. Jane found herself obliged to ask Maria Lucas instead of Elizabeth. The wedding talk continued throughout breakfast. Mr Bennet suggested that the two couples use Darcy's carriage and he would follow with his behind. This appeared unsociable, but was agreeable after a short disclaimer from the girls. Bingley, Jane, Elizabeth and Darcy all settled in Darcy's carriage. Mr Bennet settled on his own, and they made their way to Gracechurch Street.

  They had barely left Longbourn when Darcy reached into his pocket. He produced a small rectangular box. He showed Elizabeth what was written on it and what was inside. Then closing the box again handed it to Jane, saying: "I had intended to to give this to you on your engagement. It's only a small trifle to say congratulations." Jane took the box and was surprised to see a seashell pink fan inside, with her name engraved on it. "Thank you, Fitzwilliam, it's very generous of you."

  “Please, promise me you’ll both use them tonight when we all go to the theatre.” Surprised both girls assured him that they would.

  “Now, we need to attend to the question that Mrs Bennet asked last night. She meant to ask whether we would stay for dinner on our wedding day,” said Darcy. “It was, perhaps, indelicate of her to ask what our plans were for the rest of the day. I would not have her know everything that we plan for that day. However, what she meant to limit her enquiry to, but failed, must be dealt with.”

  “Upon my word, Fitzwilliam, I hadn’t thought about it,” Bingley said.

  “I was going to propose that you both dine with us that day. Would you stay for a week before you go on to London or Derbyshire,” said Jane quietly.

  “I’m not against it in principle, but I had hoped to have my bride all to myself that night,” said Darcy, blushing.

  “And you will Fitzwilliam, but you’ll still have to eat somewhere you know,” said Charles.

  “Yes, that is true. At least if we dine at Netherfield, we won’t have all those knowing looks when we leave the social circle for the night. I dread that more than anything else that day,” said Elizabeth.

  “Yes, do you know how many times I’ve had our aunt, Mrs Phillips give me those looks? She does it almost every time she talks about our wedding day,” said Jane,

  “Our mother is only slightly better,” said Elizabeth.

  Darcy leant over and whispered in Elizabeth’s ear, “And are you looking forward to that night?”

  She blushed and whispered back, “Definitely, my love.”

  Darcy caught Jane and Charles also whispering and blushing. It was clear that their whispers couldn't be much different. At that moment, Jane and Charles turned and kissed each other. Darcy pulled Elizabeth close in a tight hug.

  “So, it’s settled then that we will stay with you for a week and then go on to Pemberley,” smiled Darcy.

  “Yes, it’s a capital idea.” said Bingley. Elizabeth and Jane smiled that their first week of married life would be spent in the same house.

  “It should be better than the last time we were at Netherfield.” Elizabeth's reminder about the last time she and Jane had stayed had the group grimacing. Jane had been ill, and nobody but Bingley had treated her with much respect or made her feel very welcome.

  “I’m sorry for how I treated you then,” Darcy whispered. She then turned and gave him such a kiss that he forgot everything. That included Bingley and Jane sitting opposite. He kissed her back with a deep passion and hunger.

  The four young people then lapsed into silence. It wasn’t long before his lack of sleep started to catch up with Darcy. Soon he was fast asleep as they travelled to Gracechurch Street.

  A gentleman would be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.

  Confucious

  Too soon the carriage rolled to a stop outside Gracechurch Street. Darcy was gently shaken awake. Jane and Mr Bingley had already dismounted, and groggily he mumbled Elizabeth’s name.

  "I'm here. We've arrived at my aunt and uncle’s, Fitzwilliam." Darcy pulled himself together and got out of the carriage. He then helped Elizabeth out of the carriage. Mr Bennet, was standing enjoying the scene immensely.

  They entered the house, where Mr and Mrs Gardiner received them with joy. Mr Bennet and Darcy were informed that the attorneys would be arriving in half an hour. Darcy begged permission to use a room to freshen up and change out of his travelling clothes. He was aware that he had been asleep during the journey. The Gardiners granted his request, and the whole party separated to clean up and change.

  Within twenty minutes the whole group was back downstairs. They relaxed with tea and sandwiches. Ten minutes later the attorneys arrived. Mr Bennet and Darcy then retired to Mr Gardiner’s library to meet with them.

  “We have asked you here to settle on my daughters an amount of money so they can enjoy their marriages.” Said Mr Bennet addressing the two lawyers as he and Darcy entered the library.

  “Alright, let’s discuss amounts first,” Darcy’s attorney stated.

  “I cannot do more for my two daughters than one thousand pounds. Legally my estate must go to my Cousin in it's entirety. The one thousand is from their mother's dowry and they will receive it on her death. In the meantime, I will give Elizabeth and Jane 100 pounds a year during my life.”

  “No need for their allowance during your life. It is my wish that I should increase Elizabeth’s settlement to fifty thousand pounds. Also I wish to increase Jane’s to twenty thousand. Elizabeth's annual allowance will be fifteen hundred. Jane's will be an allowance of 1000 pounds per annum,” stated Darcy

  "I cannot allow you to be so generous to them, Mr Darcy. You have your own expenses to look to," said Mr Bennet

  “I can afford it. I’ve saved a lot over the years,” Darcy shrugged.

  "Even so, I cannot let you do so much. I would not object were you giving both girls ten thousand pounds, but not as much as you are offering."

  “How about fifteen thousand for Jane and twenty-five thousand for Elizabeth?” asked Darcy.

  “Ten thousand for Jane should be quite enough, and I would allow you to do twenty for Miss Elizabeth. Nothing more. It is way too generous of you to do anything for the girls.”

  “Not at all! I gave Miss Lydia ten thousand pounds and would not like to
have any of your other girls fare worse than Miss Lydia. It is Lydia who should suffer for her behaviour. She should see how much better she could have done by taking a different road. I cannot feel sanguine about not giving your other girls better settlements.”

  "I would agree with you, Mr Darcy. I will concede to your giving my daughter Jane fifteen thousand. I’ll still keep you to twenty thousand for Elizabeth.”

  “That settles it then. Fifteen thousand for Miss Jane. Twenty thousand for Elizabeth.” Darcy was about to leave when his attorney stopped him.

  “Mr Darcy, what provisions in the settlement do you wish to have if you and Elizabeth get divorced?”

  “Not going to happen. It is inconvenient to apply to parliament for such a thing. That is not to mention that I do not hang out my personal dealings to the world. I love Elizabeth so much I would never divorce her, no matter what she might do!” Darcy replied. "Therefore there is not any need to consider divorce."

  “So says every bridegroom in my experience, but still divorce does happen. Rarely I grant, but as I said it does happen and it's never pretty when it does.”

  “Alright. I do not foresee any event where these clauses could become relevant. If a divorce becomes necessary with no faults but through pressures of others. Then I will give Elizabeth the house in town and her settlement money plus four thousand pounds a year. If I have been unfaithful, Elizabeth gets the same provision. If it happens because of infidelity on her part, then she gets only her settlement money. On my death, she is to get Pemberley and everything I own, which upon her death is to pass to our eldest son, if we have one. If I die without a son, then Pemberley is to pass to our eldest daughter.”

  “It shall be done as such Mr Darcy, thank you. What if you have no heirs?"

  "Then my entire estate passes to my wife who will gift it according to her discretion."