Pride, Prejudice & Secrets (15 page)

Chapter 9

“Altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labuntur,” commonly paraphrased as ‘still waters run deep,’ meaning a placid exterior can hide a passionate inner nature.

— Quintus Curtius Rufus, Roman historian

Thursday, April 16, 1812: Longbourn, Hertfordshire

As she stepped down from Darcy’s coach, Elizabeth thought Longbourn looked just as it always had, yet it was different. The difference was indefinable at the moment, but she knew it was so. This house had been her home for her whole life, but now she knew she was only visiting. Her actual home lay elsewhere…

She smiled up at Darcy as he released her hand, looking at him through her lashes in the way she now knew would make his eyes darken — an interest she found increasingly pleasant. She still could not discern a rational reason such a grand, young man could have fastened on an insignificant creature like herself, but she did not have to define a reason to appreciate the comfort his open admiration gave her. Even his occasional exhibitions of ill manners did not repel her in the way they once had. Instead, such instances caused her to consider how she might lead him toward repairing those defects.

As Darcy escorted her to the door with Jane beside her, she saw Kitty standing at a dining room window in open-mouthed amazement, and she smiled gaily as her sister suddenly twirled and disappeared.

Does she go to tell Mama or Lydia?
she wondered.
Whichever it is, I shall have to ensure William is not subjected to either of their vulgarities.

Darcy instinctively raised his hand to knock, but Elizabeth forestalled him.

“This is still my home for at least a little while. I believe we do not need a servant to open the door.”

Darcy conceded the point with a sheepish shrug and pushed the door open, allowing the two sisters to precede him into the hall. Elizabeth’s uncertainty regarding her sister’s intentions was answered immediately as her mother and Kitty came down the stairs in a rush.

“Good day, Mrs. Bennet,” Darcy said calmly, having rehearsed this moment on the journey. “I have brought your daughters home from London.”

But, if
he
was prepared, Elizabeth’s mother was not, and she struggled for words before managing an uneven response. Darcy frowned in perplexity, for Mrs. Bennet was not acting anything like he expected. Then, as both Elizabeth and Jane embraced her, he wondered whether it was possible that she was unaware of her daughter’s engagement. It seemed difficult to believe, but he could think of no other explanation for her confusion. In any event, her greetings with her daughters allowed him the opportunity to gain entrance to her husband’s library.

“Good day, Mr. Bennet.” Darcy closed the door and gave the surprised man a quick bow. “I have brought Elizabeth and her sister home as we agreed, though Elizabeth required a few more days than you might have expected.

Mr. Bennet was quicker off the mark than his wife and was able to answer with only a little hesitation. “Good. Very good. Then Lizzy is recovered?”

“Fully, sir, as evidenced by her announced desire to take a long ramble as soon as she is unpacked. I would like to stay and accompany her, but I must meet with my solicitor regarding the marriage articles.”

Mr. Bennet was dumbfounded by what should have been an expected item of information. His problem was his inability to accept this marriage as genuine until he could speak with Lizzy, and to have her suitor already prepared to discuss the minutia of the legal arrangements was beyond his powers.

“Mr. Bingley has courteously offered me the use of his house, and I shall reside there when I return. Have you and your wife discussed a date for the wedding?”

What I actually want to say,
Mr. Bennet thought, unhappy at having his leisurely routine interrupted,
is there will be no wedding whatsoever if I can talk Lizzy out of it. I suppose, if she is determined to have him, I will have to allow it, but I hope I can make the girl see reason!

But he did not — could not — give voice to such thoughts and instead contented himself with saying, “No, we have not discussed a specific date; I wished to confirm Lizzy’s health first.”

“Understandable,” Darcy said, controlling his features.
This is what Mr. Gardiner warned against. Mrs. Bennet will want to stretch out the event since it will be the triumph of all her desires — even greater than if she had forced Jane Bennet on Charles.

“Then I must be on my way,” Darcy said. “The agreements will be straightforward and complete, using my father’s marriage articles as an example. The usual items will be covered, such as inheritance, provision for the children, Elizabeth’s income, and provisions for her support should I die before her.”

Mr. Bennet nodded jerkily, unable to utter a word as this…this stranger talked so casually of his darling daughter leaving her home and spending the rest of her life with a man she detested.

“In addition, considering your own case, there is no entail on the inheritance, so that the issue regarding the inheritance of your estate will not apply to Elizabeth’s — rather, our — children. In addition, because I am well aware of that financial uncertainty, a modest dowry — five thousand each — will be settled on each of your daughters.”

“That…that is very generous, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Bennet said, his voice tight.

“Not in the slightest, sir. Please understand: when Elizabeth and I marry, your daughters will be my sisters as much as my own sister. It would be intolerable to leave your daughters in their present situation when I can provide assistance.”

Mr. Bennet could not control his wince since he had often wished he had been provident enough to set by an annual sum to provide for his wife and to entice worthless, young men to marry his daughters. Instead, he had spent his whole income, confident that he and his wife would have a son and thus break the entail and provide for his wife and daughters. And now this…this young man casually offered what he could not provide — safety and security for his family. All he had to do was sacrifice his dearest daughter. He wanted to lower his head and weep at how he had failed his family. Instead, he made himself sit up: he had to make a response at least somewhat adequate to this man’s offer.

“Say what you will, Mr. Darcy,” he said finally. “It is very…very gentlemanly of you.”

On this, he rose and offered his hand. It slightly startled Darcy, but he did not hesitate to grasp the offered hand.

“If you would be so good,” Mr. Bennet said tightly, “please ask Lizzy to see me when you leave.”

Darcy nodded silently and left the room to say his good-byes to Elizabeth.

“But why did Mr. Darcy bring you to Longbourn in his coach?” Mrs. Bennet demanded once again.

And for the same number of times, Elizabeth repeated the same answer. “Because he was visiting his aunt when I fell ill, and he offered to bring me back to London and save my uncle the expense. And he made a similar offer when I felt well enough to travel.”

She knew the answer in no way satisfied her mother’s raging curiosity, but she did not know what else to say. What she had said was the truth but not the whole truth. It was, in fact, rather deceptive, but Elizabeth could think of nothing else to say. She had been shocked to find, from her mother’s first energetic question, that she was in total ignorance of her engagement to Darcy. But her ignorance was unmistakable, and Elizabeth knew her father must have refrained from telling her mother until he could interrogate her. But her patience was growing thin with these repeated questions.

“But it is most improper for a young lady to be transported about the countryside, young lady!” her mother said. “You know that as well as I!”

“But my uncle accompanied Mr. Darcy from Kent to London, and Jane acted as chaperone for the trip to Longbourn. So you see, Mama, my virtue was quite safe.”

“Do not be flippant with me, Lizzy Bennet! You know as well as I that Mr. Darcy is an unattached, young man, and even the presence of your sister does not meet the requirements of propriety! Why, it is almost enough…”

Her mother’s voice trailed off, and her eyes began to gleam avariciously; Elizabeth knew her ever-scheming mother had just realized such a breach of propriety might force a marriage between a wealthy man and her least favourite daughter.

Oh, what are William and Papa speaking of?
she thought frantically.
It cannot be about the marriage articles; William said they are not complete. What is keeping him?

She rolled her eyes at Jane in exasperation at her mother’s demands while her sister only shrugged helplessly. Her other sisters sat behind her mother, watching every instant of this most entertaining episode. Elizabeth knew that Lydia and Kitty only awaited the end of the interview before they dashed to Meryton to spread the news.

They are the most improper and imprudent young girls in the entire country,
she thought in vexation.
In this, I must agree with Lady Catherine as much as it distresses me to do so; it was a disastrous mistake to allow the two of them out in society. In fact, that pertains to Mary also; she may not hurry out to spread gossip, but she is completely unable to discern any of what is happening. She, as well as Lydia and Kitty, should have been kept at home under my parent’s protection and guidance — except that my mother had not the sense to do so and my father would not exert himself. I am close to having endured all I can tolerate; when Darcy leaves my father’s library, I am sorely tempted to demand he take his cousin Richard’s advice and convey me to Gretna Green immediately!

“And Kitty said you came into Longbourn on Mr. Darcy’s arm!” Mrs. Bennet said.

“And why should a gentleman not offer his arm to a young lady only recently released from her sickbed?” Elizabeth was trying to hold on to the ragged shreds of her temper. She was, in fact, on the verge of running from the room when the door to her father’s library opened.

Elizabeth did instantly jump to her feet, but it was to run to the hall and to Darcy’s side. Unfortunately, her mother was beside her almost step for step, so Elizabeth could not get Darcy alone. Darcy looked intently at Elizabeth, recognizing she was in the grip of some intense emotion. Given her mother’s pursuit and presence at Elizabeth’s side, actually clinging to her daughter’s arm, coupled with Mr. Bennet’s request to speak with Elizabeth, he was certain that Mrs. Bennet had not been apprised of her daughter’s engagement.

Darcy was disappointed since he wished to speak with Elizabeth, possibly taking her for a walk in the garden where they might have some privacy, but he could not determine how long the conversation with her father might last, and he really needed to visit his solicitor. There was only one thing he could do.

“Your father wishes to speak with you, Elizabeth,” he said, and he watched Mrs. Bennet’s eyes flare at the use of her daughter’s Christian name. He saw the disappointment in Elizabeth’s eyes and gave her a minuscule shrug, being rewarded by a dejected nod of understanding.

“Very well, sir,” she said. “And again, let me thank you for providing transportation for my sister and myself.”

“It was my pleasure. But I think your father is quite anxious to talk to you, so you had best go in.”

She nodded and started for her father’s library with her mother still clinging to her arm, but Darcy had determined to aid Elizabeth, so he stepped between the two women, affording Elizabeth the opportunity to shake her arm loose and dash into her father’s room, closing the door firmly behind her.

“And a very pleasant good day to you and your daughters, Mrs. Bennet,” he said firmly before stepping around her to retrieve his hat and gloves from the butler.

Her father was waiting behind his desk, and he only delayed until she closed the door. “Lizzy, what are you doing? Are you out of your senses to be accepting this man? Have not you always hated him?”

“I thought so, before I went to Kent,” she said carefully, taking a seat and curling her legs up beneath her. “Since then, I have had to re-examine many supposed facts about both Mr. Darcy as well as his sister.”

“His sister?” her father asked in confusion, leaning forward intently. “What part does his sister play in this?”

“Because of how Mr. Wickham described both of them, Papa,” she said, amazed at how calmly she could speak. Her aunt was correct that a person did not know what they could do until they had to. With that comforting her, she was able to continue. “You know his story: that Mr. Darcy is proud, arrogant, haughty, selfish, and disdainful. He also said his sister was much like her brother. ‘Very, very proud,’ were his words. But Georgiana Darcy is nothing — nothing! — like Mr. Wickham’s portrayal. She is not at all prideful or arrogant. She is actually very polite and well mannered. She is just shy — very, very shy. She is, in fact, the sweetest girl I have ever known, excepting only Jane. And you can ask Jane whether I am not perfectly correct, for Jane has met her several times and likes her as much as I.”

Mr. Bennet’s eyebrows rose as Elizabeth offered Jane’s testimony to corroborate her own, but she realized he was still not taking her point. She sighed, wishing she had been more circumspect in voicing her opinion of Darcy; it was embarrassing to privately admit to her errors, but it was even more mortifying to reveal those same mistakes to others, especially her beloved father.

“Do you not see, Papa?” She leaned forward and captured his eyes with hers. “Mr. Wickham
lied
to me, and his lie was one that maligned this shy girl who will soon be my sister. And not just because of my marriage — she will be my sister because I already love her. And Mr. Wickham lied about her: openly, irrefutably, and with malice. You know as well as I that, when you have detected a man telling such lies, it brings into question
everything
he said, especially his aspersions about Mr. Darcy, which I assume he continues to spread about the neighbourhood.”

“And for that reason you agreed to marry Mr. Darcy?” her father asked incredulously. “It seems a slender reed on which to base any hopes for future happiness.”

“Mr. Darcy is not perfect, Papa — of all people, I know that. But he is not the person I thought he was, for much of my opinion — too much of my opinion — was based on Mr. Wickham’s lies. Since I met Mr. Darcy again, I have seen enough to be absolutely certain he is not the villain Mr. Wickham described.”

“That does not mean he is the man to make you happy, Lizzy.”

“But he is the man who loves me so dearly he is willing to defy the strictures of society to offer marriage to a young lady who can offer him nothing. I am convinced he is an honest, honourable man who is not perfect, but neither am I. In addition to my own observations of his character, I will add that both my aunt and uncle formed a good opinion of him. He not only dined with them twice but invited all of us to his home, where two of his cousins offered their own congratulations.”

“But Lizzy — ” Mr. Bennet said plaintively, only to have his daughter uncharacteristically interrupt him.

“Do you not see the advantages of this marriage, Papa?” she said intently. “Mama and all my sisters will be secure; Mr. Darcy is far too honourable to refuse to support them if and when needed. I know that, and even Mr. Wickham’s lies cannot detract from the fact that Mr. Darcy was a good friend to Mr. Bingley, who is one of the most honest and amiable men I have met. How could Mr. Darcy retain Mr. Bingley’s friendship if he was as Mr. Wickham described?”

“But even if what you say is true, why would you accept his proposal even before you learned what you have told me? I am correct in saying that all your discoveries occurred after he offered marriage, am I not? Why did you accept him?”

Elizabeth nodded slowly in agreement, knowing that this was indeed a crucial question, and she could not tell her father a complete falsehood. But she did not have to reveal what she was determined to keep private.

“Part of it is because of a simple fact, Papa. I must marry someone, and only two people have asked: Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy. I knew Mr. Darcy was not a fool like my cousin. I am not as romantic as Jane; she values amiability above almost everything else. I remember her describing Mr. Bingley as being everything a young man should be: sensible, good-humoured, lively, and well mannered. Those qualities are excellent, and I would not mind if Mr. Darcy was blessed with them. But Mr. Darcy is also intelligent, clever, and quick. I had not realized how important those qualities were to me until I became aware of Mr. Darcy’s attraction.”

Her father looked at her in silence for almost a minute before sighing. “It seems, then, that you are determined to have him. He is rich, to be sure, and you may have rich clothes and fine carriages, but will they make you happy?”

“I care nothing for his wealth beyond what is necessary, Papa,” Elizabeth declared with some heat, and Mr. Bennet drew back slightly at her visible temper. “I should be perfectly happy with a husband who cares for me and respects me as long as he has sufficient income to support a family. In fact, the thought of being mistress of his house and estate comes near to terrifying me since I have absolutely no idea how to go about discharging the duties of that position. But I repeat, and please listen to me, Papa — while there are things about Mr. Darcy that I still do not know and understand, I am convinced beyond doubt that he is an honest and honourable man. In addition, Mr. Darcy has demonstrated a love and attachment for me that I cannot fault since one member of his own family, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, objected to our engagement so strenuously that it led to a break in their relationship. And Mr. Darcy is a man who values family very highly.”

Her father still looked unconvinced. Then she said gently, knowing that this was the last argument she could make. “Father, Mr. Darcy has made me an offer of marriage, and I have accepted that offer. I will not retract my acceptance. You have given your consent, he has made our engagement known to friends and family, my aunt and uncle are friendly with him, and he has broken with his aunt because of me. Would you have me go back on my acceptance because he once declaimed that I was not pretty enough to tempt him?”

Mr. Bennet could not help but smile at the wry humour of this last sentence, but then he sobered, looking closely at his favourite daughter. “I suppose not, but I still worry about you married to this man. We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of a man, but this would be nothing if you really liked him.”

“I like him well enough,” Elizabeth said firmly, her mind strangely at ease now that all arguments were made. And she would be perfectly content to ask to be taken to Gretna Green if her father took the unthinkable step of revoking his consent. “I believe I have every chance for happiness and contentment with him. Further and highly important, I am convinced he will treat me with respect and consideration, which is more than many young women can hope for. In fact, I laughed at Charlotte when she said that happiness in marriage is a matter of chance and it is better to be ignorant of the faults of your future husband. Knowing what I now know, perhaps she was not as silly as I believed.”