“Mr Bennet, I need to know the same details from Mr Bingley. That is so we can finalise the details of Miss Bennet’s settlement,” said Gardiner’s attorney.
"I'll send Mr Bingley in; I've finished my part in the business. Oh, and one more thing. Elizabeth must have her allowance from tonight. There will be many expenses to do with the wedding, and much is expected of my fiancée. I will not have her want for anything. Nor should she have to ask me." Darcy said rising from his chair.
"It shall be done, Mr Darcy," replied his lawyer, and with that Darcy quitted the library. Returning to the ladies, he told Bingley to join Mr Bennet who was finishing up in the library. There was not much time before going to the theatre that Darcy and the ladies all retired to change.
Bingley changed in such a very brief period that Darcy wondered how he managed it, in such good time. As had been agreed at Longbourn, Mr Bennet did not accompany the young people, but Mr and Mrs Gardiner did. Mrs Annesley and Georgiana would join them at the theatre. Mrs Annesley did not stay, but returned home almost immediately.
When asked, later on, Darcy did not know what it was that they watched, or how it ended. All he remembered was the friendship between Elizabeth, Georgiana and Jane. For the whole evening, the four ladies were talking about the wedding. The three gentlemen talked between themselves and watched the ladies. Darcy and Bingley were excited about their approaching weddings. Yet it was the women whose shoulders bore the task of arrangements and organisation. It was over supper at the theatre that they made plans for the Pemberley Christmas visit.
“Lizzy, may I repeat the idea of a low phaeton and ponies to drive around the park?” asked Mrs Gardiner curious to see the whole of the woods, but not being up to walking it.
“Of course Aunt, in fact, I had planned to hire one just for that purpose,” replied Elizabeth.
“Instead of hiring, I will buy one for the park. It is a good idea Mrs Gardiner. We should have a couple in the park. That way other visitors could drive around and see the best of Pemberley” cut in Darcy.
Elizabeth looked at him surprised. She had not mentioned the plan to him, intending rather use her small allowance to put the plan into action. "Thank you, my love." She replied.
“I will look forward to seeing the woods at Christmas,” Said Mrs Gardiner. She then turned to Darcy. "You were very sly the last time you dined with us, never mentioning my niece here.”
"I'm sorry, madam. I wanted nothing more than to talk about her or get news about her. I also wished to return to Hertfordshire and ask her to marry me. However, I was not sure Elizabeth would accept me. Nor did I know what alteration in the family certain other events had occasioned. So, I was unwilling to mention her, besides it was not known that I was in love with her. Nor did I want anyone to think that it was only for Elizabeth that I did what I did."
“True, but you know you were not quite as discreet at Pemberley as you thought yourself as being.”
“What do you mean, madam?”
“Only sir that it was written all over your face. Her uncle and I could tell that this was coming.”
“I am sorry, madam if you thought me underhand.”
“No, sir, not at all. At Pemberley it was evident that you had a better acquaintance than was admitted. At one point, it almost seemed as if you and Elizabeth knew something that you were both trying to cover!" At this Darcy started, he wondered what she was referring to. Could it be his first proposal or his sister's disgrace, and at that moment he wasn't sure which would be worse.
“I’m sorry, madam; I have not the pleasure of understanding you.”
“Oh, I was only referring to what Miss Bingley said. You and my niece both seemed upset by her words. My husband and I were convinced that there was more to that story than anyone else was aware."
“Ah. Excuse me madam if I do not enlighten you further. Miss Bingley was trying to cause hurt to Elizabeth. That gentleman has been a constant source of hurt and humiliation to my sister and myself. Miss Bingley was unaware of the reasons for my not allowing mention of him in my home. The whole subject is very painful for us.”
Mrs Gardiner threw him a knowing look. It said that she comprehended more than he had intended to reveal. “It’s all right Mr Darcy, I understand. If she was alluding to the gentleman, I thought she was that is a painful subject for our family as well.”
At this Darcy smiled but said nothing. The play now resuming the women took their seats together, and the gentlemen sat together. Darcy spent the rest of the play trying to work out how that man was able to ruin his happiness even when he was not around. Darcy noticed how identical fans complemented the three girls. Lizzy’s brought out her eyes. Jane’s complemented her complexion. Georgiana’s enhanced her overall beauty. In fact, it would take a very keen eye to notice that the fans were identical. Seeing how different they looked with each girl, made Darcy smile. He knew that each girl would make use of them differently. He was anxious to give Lizzy the bonnet that he had purchased. It was sitting in his London house somewhere. He knew Georgiana had placed it there, but he wasn’t sure where. Eventually, the play came to an end, and they all returned to the carriages. It was now time to separate for the evening. Darcy and Bingley were going onto Darcy’s townhouse. While Elizabeth and Jane were returning with the Gardiners in their carriage. Georgiana left with Darcy and Bingley.
“Georgiana, did you enjoy your night?” asked Darcy as soon as everyone was settled.
“Oh, yes! Jane and Lizzy are such lovely girls! I had such fun talking with them about your wedding,”
“I want to ask you, where you put the bonnet I bought Elizabeth? I know you put it somewhere in the London house, but I don’t know where.”
“I thought that you would want her to have Mama’s rooms. So I placed it on the bed in Mama’s room, and told the servants that they were not to move it”.
Darcy smiled. How Georgiana had anticipated him on that one, he wasn’t sure. The more he thought about it, the more he thought it didn't matter. "Thank you, Georgiana, that was very thoughtful of you.”
“You’re welcome.” She replied and planted a kiss on his cheek.
The rest of the journey back to Georgiana’s she talked on and on about the delights she expected when she came out. It seemed even his sister would tell him off for his behaviour at the Meryton assembly last year. It didn’t matter. Georgiana didn’t need him to answer her. No sooner had she recounted one thing than she was talking on about something else. When, the carriage rolled up to her front door, Mrs Annesley met her at the front door. She then said goodnight to her brother.
They had Barely sat down in the parlour of Darcy's town house when Bingley began. “Well Fitzwilliam, it seems that the wedding is all the women are talking about now.”
“We’re not much better you know,” replied Darcy. “We talk about estates, and budgeting. We also talk about how having wives will change our arrangements in our homes. I don’t think we’ve had one day since we got engaged when we didn’t talk about the wedding in some way or another.”
“I know. Do the women have to go on about crockery, silverware, and all those other domestic things? They leave us behind, although you have the march on me as you do buy for your sister.”
"I only buy the odd trifle for my sister. I never attempt to choose her clothes – except for the dress I ordered for her for the wedding."
“Take the fans for example. I didn’t even think about buying such things. You, bought not just for your sister, but for Jane and Elizabeth as well. By the way, I'm very indebted to you for your gift to Jane. She looked so beautiful tonight, and I know the fan was adding to her beauty."
“You’re welcome, Charles. Although, I hadn’t realised that they would suit the girls so very well.”
“The girls are talking about such things that lose me totally when it comes to the wedding.”
“I know, and I was a little lost with it all tonight, thankfully Georgiana got excited about it all.”
> “Well, your sister would! The women have it all their way at the moment."
"I don't know about all their way." Darcy smiled. He knew that Elizabeth and Jane would be shocked when they found out Darcy had added to their dowries. It grieved him when he thought about how over the years Wickham had robbed him of the chance to save more. At Cambridge, time and again, Darcy had to pay out to cover up Mr Wickham's debts, and indiscretions. All so his father would never hear of it. Darcy had always paid this out of his allowance. He was fortunate enough that he was able to use what he saved, and never had to ask his father for more money. "Remember Charles that we will have to agree on the guest list together.”
“That’s true, and there are other things where we will have to have our say as well.”
“I have a bit of business in the morning. Would you like to go to my tailors for your suit tomorrow as well?”
“Yes, Fitzwilliam you know I do.”
“That's settled then. We'll visit the ladies after we have finished the business."
Darcy smiled. Part of tomorrow's business would bring Elizabeth to the townhouse. He was to show Elizabeth around and then her father, Elizabeth, and Jane would be dining at the townhouse. What would Elizabeth change? Would she like his mother’s rooms? Would she want to change them, would she accept them as they are? The curtains in some of the rooms were becoming a little worn and old looking. He would ask Elizabeth to replace them to her taste. He felt very nervous and like he did as a little boy. It reminded him of whenever his mother would come into his room, and inspect it for what needed replacing. Darcy then realised that Bingley had been talking. Bingley was now looking at him in a most particular way, expecting an answer. “I’m sorry, Charles. What was that?”
“No matter,” replied Bingley. “I was only remarking that you were very mysterious on this trip into London.”
“No mystery. Neither Jane nor Elizabeth must know what I’m about to say, so if you cannot keep my secret, I cannot tell you.”
“Well, I can keep a secret! Jane, to this day, knows nothing about your part in separating us."
This was painful but proved Bingley's point. Darcy nodded. "This trip into London was for wedding business." Darcy knew that his friend would be surprised. He had no idea of what business could bring them to London and be wedding business. "As you know, Mr Bennet and I met with the attorneys last night to put on paper the settlements for Jane and Elizabeth."
“Yes, I know.”
“I did boost Elizabeth’s, and Jane’s settlements yesterday. I also came to London for two other reasons. I am going to restore Mother’s carriage. It won’t take much. Then I will give it to Elizabeth complete with horses, and servants. Also, I am going to show Elizabeth around the townhouse tomorrow. Mr Bennet will bring Jane and Elizabeth before dinner.”
“Ah, so you have in fact brought us all under false pretences then.”
“I suppose I have. I thought though that you and Jane would appreciate the time away from her mother.”
“True. I guess with Netherfield being so close we'll see her often. You and Elizabeth being in town or Derbyshire will have it easy."
“We might not have it as easy as you think. We don’t know whether she and Mr Bennet can afford to travel. Elizabeth didn’t seem to think fifty miles to be an easy distance. Town and Derbyshire must be a good deal too far for them to travel very often. I also arranged for Elizabeth to benefit from the interest on her settlement, from last night. I want her to be able to relax on expenses, for the wedding. Especially, if it requires travel or anything else. It could well since Pemberley and Town are so far away from Longbourn.”
“Upon my word, you are full of surprises tonight, Fitzwilliam! Next, you’ll be telling me that you had this planned last autumn.” Darcy looked a little sheepish. Bingley was not right about the when the plan was made. Yet he was right that Darcy did plan it in the spring when he saw Elizabeth at Rosings.
“I knew it! Fitzwilliam Darcy, you are a hypocrite!”
“No, Charles, I had not planned any of it last autumn. I did think that she would look beautiful in my mother’s jewels, back then.”
“Caroline and Louisa have asked me several times for Mother’s jewels. I would like them to have some of them, but Jane must have some as well.”
“That, Charles, is for you to sort out. I’ve already decided which pieces will be for Georgiana. The rest are for Elizabeth. Once Elizabeth has been given my mother’s rooms tomorrow I will tell her that everything in them, is hers. I’ll remove Georgiana’s part in the morning.”
Darcy’s valet now appeared and informed him that his room was ready and his clothes unpacked. Bingley's room had been ready for half an hour, and so the two men now made their way to bed. Bingley being doubtful of sleep, and Darcy so nervous that he thought he would not sleep. He realised that from tomorrow this would no longer be his main base, as it had been in his bachelorhood. He and Elizabeth would be based in Pemberley. It was likely they would only come down to London for the few short months of the season. That's when they would be most likely to see Jane and Bingley, as well as his other friends.
They would, of course, visit Hertfordshire regularly. He doubted how frequently once the children started to come. The other option was that Jane and Bingley would come and visit them regularly. This would give them a reprieve from her mother. The future now opened to him, in ways that had so many possibilities. By morning Darcy’s nervousness had dissipated. It was now replaced with an almost feverish excitement. Such that his sister when she arrived at breakfast with him, was afraid that he had become ill again. She soon saw that he was very well and taking care of all his business as he should. The first was giving orders that his mother's carriage must go to the coach works, and be fixed. He gave such minute instructions that it took him half an hour to give the servants instructions. He then ordered when Elizabeth arrived they were to treat her as though she were the mistress of the house.
That order of business out of the way, Bingley and Darcy then left for the tailors. Which took up the rest of the day until dinner time. Darcy had to model his suit, with slight alterations needed. Bingley had to choose his material and be measured. By the time they left they were late for dinner. As they walked out of the door, an unexpected pleasure was afforded to Darcy.
“Hey ho, Darcy, what brings you to town right now? I know that Pemberley has nothing. I hadn’t heard anything from town,” was the question that greeted Darcy as they exited the tailors.
"Fitzwilliam!" Exclaimed Darcy in great surprise. "I did not know you were in town."
"I arrived this morning," replied Fitzwilliam. "I thought that you were in Hertfordshire.”
"And so we were until yesterday," smiled Darcy "Business brought us to town."
"You look ecstatic. I am not yet aware of the reason why do I surmise that a certain lady is involved?"
"Oh dear. I have been so happy and busy I forgot to write. Do you remember the cause of my illness in May? You remember that I made a proposal that was rejected? Well, that situation has been reversed. Charles and I were in fact here to be measured up for our wedding suits."
"Miss Elizabeth agreed to be your wife?!" Fitzwilliam was astonished
"Yes, she did. I have been engaged for about a fortnight," replied Darcy, smiling and laughing.
"Have you apologised for your insults in your first proposal, then?"
“I have in kind.”
“Who is the young lady that Mr Bingley is engaged to?”
“Miss Jane Bennet, Elizabeth’s eldest sister.”
“The one that you didn’t want him to marry last year and in fact tried to separate him from?”
“Yes, the same young lady. It turns out that I separated them on at least one false premise last year, the most important one in the case as well.”
"Wow, Fitzwilliam Darcy admits he made a mistake! This is a first," teased Fitzwilliam, but then realised he had made a mistake in teasing his cousin. “I’m sorry. You
look like you have the world on your shoulders.”
“Sometimes it feels like it. Come to dinner, and I’ll tell you about it after dinner. Georgiana will not be joining us, so you’ll have to put up with two engaged couples and the girls’ father.”
"You mean Miss Elizabeth is in London?”
“Yes, and right now I am late getting home for dinner, which means that Elizabeth will be there before me.”
"Thank you, I will happily take dinner with you." With that, they all got into Darcy's carriage and headed back for dinner.
“Darcy, I had a letter from Anne two months ago. She was concerned that she had written to you and received no response. It seems your proposal was well known amongst the servants of both the parsonage and Rosings. Have you written to her?”
"Yes, I did write, about six weeks ago. Elizabeth's cousin is horribly indiscreet. He mentioned a suspicion that Elizabeth and I would soon be engaged to Lady Catherine. Lady Catherine was in a horrid mood about it. She went to Hertfordshire with the sole purpose of making sure we could not become engaged. She was disappointed as Elizabeth flat out refused to promise any such thing. and so, my aunt, the same day called on me to try and force me to make the same promise and to denounce the rumour. Unfortunately for her, I chose to confirm the rumour. I told her that it was I who was pursuing Elizabeth, and not Elizabeth trying to catch me. Her information had the opposite effect to what she intended. When I wrote to announce my engagement, she wrote an abusive and angry letter in return. I'm afraid there is a breach between us at the moment."
"Oh dear, that explains Anne's last letter to me. She told me she was taking over her inheritance. She also told me her mother was in such a high dudgeon that she didn't think that you should be visiting for a while. Although she longed to have you come."
“Is Anne alright? I hope she is not suffering under her mother. I am afraid I rather abused our aunt for her officious interference and dogmatic attitude to us.”
"Yes, Anne is fine. She is very much engaged in sorting out Rosings. From what she said in her last letter, her mother has in fact left important business undone. She's also neglected important improvements. My brother has gone down to Kent to help her sort out her estate."
1812 How It All Began- Part 2 Page 20