A Most Civil Proposal (23 page)

“Lizzy,” her uncle began, “I dislike having to tell you this, but Mr. Darcy’s meeting with your father this morning did not go well at all. My brother has written a letter to me, and the upshot is that he has given his consent to your marriage, but he has withheld his blessing.” Elizabeth was both puzzled and distressed by this unexpected news, and her uncle gave her the letter that her father had addressed to her. After she broke the seal and began to read, she was shocked at the vituperative tone of the letter. It was completely unlike him! She paled as she read the abusive terms in which he described Darcy and the accusation that he had trapped her into marriage. However, he was equally abusive toward her that she had accepted him. He seemed to believe that she should have found some way to avoid allowing the scandal to tarnish herself and her family while still refusing Darcy. It was most unfair and uncharitable, and she could not stop the tears that stung the corners of her eyes.

Darcy wanted nothing more than to comfort her, but he restrained himself as she finished the letter. When she finally folded it and put it aside, her uncle said gently, “Lizzy, would you care to withdraw to compose yourself? Mr. Darcy and I have many things to discuss, and it certainly would be understandable if you need some time by yourself.”

“No, uncle,” she said quietly, taking the handkerchief that Darcy handed her and drying her tears. “It is just that I have never known my father to express himself in such a manner.”

“Nor have I,” replied Mr. Gardiner, unable to fully conceal his irritation. “As I said to Mr. Darcy, my brother is usually more sensible than this.” He sighed unhappily and continued, “In his letter to me, your father authorized me to make all the arrangements, since he refuses to be involved in any manner.” It obviously pained him to have to disclose this last revelation.

“I will not speak of my own letter, Uncle, other than to say that I absolutely deny that his charges have any validity at all.”

“I never doubted it, Lizzy,” said Mr. Gardiner softly. He was embarrassed for the decided dislike that Mr. Bennet had formed for Darcy, but the man in question appeared little concerned on his own behalf.
His
eyes were full of concern for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth saw this, and his sympathy and worry warmed her. She could only imagine what his interview with her father must have been like — to be accused of what her father had accused him in his letter. Impulsively, she reached over and squeezed his hand, which comforted him. When she started to draw her hand back, he resisted, and she allowed it to remain clasped within his.

“We had best start, then,” her uncle said, “for we have many things to discuss. One of the first things to settle is a location for the wedding. Mr. Darcy has suggested London, either in our church or his own. Alternatively, he also suggested the chapel at his estate in Derbyshire.”

At the reminder that she could not be married from Longbourn, Elizabeth was stirred to anger at her father for his lack of concern, as well as his dismissive and abusive accusations of Darcy — and of herself, for that matter. It took some moments for her to quell that anger and concentrate on the question her uncle raised.

This, at least, is easily addressed,
she thought.

“It will be much easier for my mother and sisters, as well as my Aunt and Uncle Philips, to attend in London than in Derbyshire. Beyond that, I have no preference.” She looked her uncle in the eye. “There appears to be little cause to delay the ceremony unless Mr. Darcy has reasons of his own for waiting.”

Mr. Gardiner looked at Darcy, who shrugged. “I am willing to do whatever Elizabeth desires, whether next month or tomorrow.”

“There is no need to be in a rush, Lizzy,” Mr. Gardiner offered gently.

Elizabeth’s smile was brittle. “I do not think you take my point, uncle. After my father’s letter, it would be a useless exercise to go back to Longbourn. For better or worse, my home henceforth will be with Mr. Darcy, and I see no reason not to begin my life there as soon as practicable.”

Mr. Gardiner was silent as he digested that. “I had not thought of it from that point of view, Elizabeth. But I am reluctantly forced to agree with you.” Darcy nodded in agreement.

“I see no reason why we should not be married in a week,” she continued.

“Are you sure that you wish to be so hasty, Elizabeth?” Darcy said in surprise. “Surely you will want a wedding gown, which will have to be made and fitted. Your mother will, I am sure, wish to be involved with the selection of that and an appropriate wardrobe.”

Mr. Gardiner was embarrassed as he said to Elizabeth, “I would guess your father informed you that he will allow no money for wedding clothes?” She nodded, and her uncle continued, “Mr. Darcy earlier offered to fund whatever purchases are required, Lizzy.”

Elizabeth smiled sadly at Darcy. “That was generous of you, sir, and well meant, but it is hardly necessary. We both know that most brides are married in their Sunday best, and I could certainly do the same. There will be time for any additional purchases later, and I truly do not wish to delay the ceremony. While I love both my uncle and aunt, I have no desire to be a guest in their home for months with too much time to dwell on wrongs, both real and imagined. I would much prefer to be settled in my new home as soon as possible.”

“Then it shall be as you wish, Elizabeth,” Darcy said, understanding and sympathizing with her reasoning. “But I believe that a wedding gown can be made and fitted even within the week. Mr. Gardiner,” he said, turning to her uncle, “might your wife assist my sister in helping Elizabeth? With knowledge of the right shops, I feel sure that her gown, and possibly other items, may be acquired within the set time.”

“Certainly, Mr. Darcy. I am sure she will be pleased to assist.”

“Thank you. Elizabeth,” he said, turning to her, “as you are familiar with your uncle’s church, would you feel comfortable being married there?”

“Oh, certainly. It is not a large church, but it is quite agreeable in appearance without being overly ornate. And Reverend Jackson would do very well to conduct the ceremony.”

“Then I suggest we consider the location as settled. Might you make the arrangements, Mr. Gardiner? I assume a day or two’s delay would not be objectionable in the case of a conflict. In addition, I shall change the instructions to my solicitor and have him arrange for a special license from the Archbishop, so that we may then be married whenever suitable preparations have been made.”

All being agreeable, Mrs. Gardiner was sent for once again and was perfectly willing to assist her niece, but she did tell her that a single week was not realistic. “I believe that two to three weeks at least would be required, Lizzy. For example, it will take at least two weeks to sew and fit a wedding gown. Many items, like bonnets and gloves, would not have to be specially fitted, but the gowns certainly would be.”

“But could they not be delivered after the wedding took place?” Elizabeth asked.

“Surely, my dear, but —”

“Aunt, I am really quite determined on this. I am caught in-between now — no longer a daughter and not yet a wife. Please understand — I want to go to
my
home as soon as may be. Whether I am married in my Sunday best or a brand new gown is of no import to me and, I suspect, of little import to Mr. Darcy.” He nodded in agreement, squeezing her hand, which still remained clasped within his.

“Then perhaps we can agree on next Saturday unless there is a problem with the church?” said Elizabeth, and her aunt and uncle reluctantly consented. It was also arranged that Mrs. Gardiner would accompany Elizabeth to start her shopping the next afternoon, while her uncle would see to the church and Darcy would see to the legal requirements. Darcy also issued an invitation to dine at his house on Tuesday evening, which was quickly accepted.

After Mrs. Gardiner excused herself to return to her guests, Elizabeth and Darcy remained holding hands, sitting quietly together. Mr. Gardiner silently rose and left the room, closing the door gently behind him.

Elizabeth did not resist as Darcy gently pulled her arm toward him. She allowed herself to be drawn so that she sat on his lap while he folded her head to his chest. She welcomed the comfort of his arms as they wrapped around her, feeling the strength as they both held and consoled her.

“I am sorry about today, Elizabeth. I keep trying to think of something I could have said that might have changed your father’s mind, but no explanation appeared to be enough. He seemed determined to thwart me at every turn.”

“Let us forget about it, William,” she said softly. “From what he wrote, my father already had his mind made up before you called. Just hold me for a while.”

Darcy was well content as he held Elizabeth, his chin resting on top of her dark curls. But at the same time, he was quite frustrated since he had to struggle to keep his hands still on her back. He could feel her soft warmth beneath his fingers, and he longed to move one hand down her spine to her slim waist and the other up to her lovely, slender neck.

You can wait
, he commanded himself,
in less than a week we will be married.
But another part of him asked,
And what then? Will you take this young bride to your marriage bed as if she desired the marriage as much as you? Will you ravish her when she does not even know what being a wife entails? Are you a beast or are you a man?
Darcy did not have a good answer for those inner voices, but he could control them. He would not hurt Elizabeth. He could wait.

He hoped.

After several minutes of silence, Darcy informed her that he had sent an announcement of their engagement to the
Times
. “It should ensure that the gossip goes no further. After our engagement is published, interest will die.”

“It is so unfair,” Elizabeth said. “What if it had not been you? What if you had not acted honourably? My reputation, indeed my life, might easily have been damaged forever!”

Darcy nodded. “I agree; it is not fair. In affairs such as these, women are far more vulnerable than are men. A scandal that might hardly affect a man can completely destroy a young woman’s reputation. It is not fair, but it is the world we live in.”

After a minute or so, Elizabeth had reason to think on some of what she had said today, and one part gave her pause. “William,” she ventured tentatively, “I wonder now whether I was thinking clearly when I was so forceful in recommending a mere week before our marriage. Now I am wondering whether that will cause a problem because it is so quick.”

Darcy chuckled. “Do not worry about that, Elizabeth. I shall simply tell the truth and say that I desired to be married as quickly as possible, else I should have carried you off to Gretna Green!”

Elizabeth giggled, though her cheeks turned red, for she knew that often the groom was most anxious to take his bride to his bed and therefore insistent on a brief period of time between receiving a girl’s acceptance and having her in the church. She knew that Darcy desired the same, for she could almost feel the rigid self-control as she sat on his lap. Though she did not want to be totally rigid in forbidding him any liberties at all, she was grateful that he did not force her to decide on where and what to limit.

“Thank you, William,” she said softly. “I really do desire to have things settled as soon as possible. The problem with my father was simply the last straw, which, when added to all the other turmoils of our acquaintance, makes me simply want to retreat to the safety and comfort of my home. But the home that I have always known can no longer offer me what I seek. I just want to retire to the security of our own family party as soon as I can, and if you were to suggest Gretna Green again, I should not protest very much!”

Neither of them said anything for several minutes, but eventually Elizabeth pushed herself up and got to her feet. As Darcy stood too, she suddenly rose to her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“And what did I do to deserve that?” he said with a smile. “For I shall be most diligent in doing it again.”

“That was just for being you, for being so understanding, especially considering that I once thought you lost to all consideration for others. I have still so much to learn about you.”

“Then here is one thing you should know, Miss Bennet,” he said firmly. “The kiss you just gave me is your only free one. If you give me another, then I will definitely kiss you back.”

“Truly, Mr. Darcy?” she said, with a gay laugh that warmed his heart.

“Truly, Miss Bennet,” he growled at her.

Taking his arm, she gave him that wonderful smile he had once despaired of ever seeing directed his way. “Then I shall depend upon it, sir,” she said before they opened the door to join the others.

As they entered the sitting room, Bingley and Jane sat with Fitzwilliam and Georgiana, and all were joined in general laughter as Fitzwilliam was obviously telling a joke. As Darcy watched Bingley, laughing with the others but glancing over at Jane and delighting in her laugh, he had to turn away suddenly.

“What now, William?” asked Elizabeth.

He looked aside for a moment, and then shrugged. Better to be straightforward, he thought, than to allow any more misconceptions between them.