Pride, Prejudice & Secrets (16 page)

“Lizzy, do not be frivolous about this matter,” Mr. Bennet said sternly. “In any case, whatever Charlotte might have said, I do not want you married to such a foolish man as my cousin Collins.”

“No one could call Mr. Darcy foolish.”

“Well,” her father said after a few moments, “I have already given my consent. He is such a man to whom I should not dare refuse this request or any other. I now do the same for you if you are resolved on having him. However, Lizzy, please listen to me when I advise you to think again about this marriage. I know your character, and I am convinced that you could never be happy or content unless you truly esteemed your husband — unless you looked up to him as a superior. Your talents are disposed towards openness and cheer, and I worry that you would be in danger in an unequal marriage. My child, I do not want you to suffer from being unable to respect your partner in life. Please, you do not know what you are about.”

“It is far too late for misgivings, Papa,” Elizabeth said calmly. “In any case, I have a profound respect for Mr. Darcy’s character even though we are very different in temperament. But even our different temperaments may not present as much of a problem as you might think, for we complement each other in many ways. He has had many responsibilities thrust on him at a time in life when many young men think only of whom to ask for a dance. Who knows, perhaps, in time, I shall be able to teach him to be more affable in social situations. But please have no fears for my contentment, for I have none.”

Her father looked at her in silence for almost a minute before heaving a sigh. “Well, my dear,” he said unhappily, “I have no more to say. If you are this determined, then we must hope for the best.” Elizabeth could see that he was clearly not reconciled to the match, but she could not blame him excessively, for much of the fault was her own. She had been too vociferous in her early disdain for Darcy; she should expect to pay some penalty for her outspokenness.

“When you leave, Lizzy,” her father said, “please ask Mrs. Bennet to come see me. I did not want to tell her the news until I spoke with you, but now I will relieve you of that particular task.”

“Are you certain, Papa? It is the custom that I should tell her, and you are likely aware that her suspicions are aroused even if she does not know exactly what she suspects.”

“No, child, it was my decision to refrain from telling her until I had an opportunity to speak with you. It was an unwarranted intrusion into your affairs, and I should be the one to repair the omission.”

“Very well, Papa.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and immediately departed to seek Jane.

Elizabeth was sitting with Jane, discussing her interview, when she became aware that her mother had learned of her engagement. She and Jane were alone since Elizabeth’s assessment of Lydia and Kitty’s intention had proved accurate. Jane said both girls left the house within five minutes of Elizabeth entering her father’s library. While she and Jane quietly talked, there had been silence from her father’s room; then came a sudden burst of sound as the door to the library opened.

“Good gracious! Lord bless me! Merciful Heavens!” their mother said loudly from the hall. “Lizzy! Lizzy! Oh, my dear girl, where are you?”

Elizabeth looked at Jane. “Now it begins, dear Jane. But there is nothing for it, so I had best have it over.”

“I am in the dining room with Jane, Mama,” she called, and Mrs. Bennet burst wide-eyed into the room.

“Is it really true? Mr. Darcy?”

“Yes, Mama, it is true. We are engaged.”

“Oh, who would have thought it! Mr. Darcy! I simply cannot believe it! But it must be true! My sweetest girl, how rich and great you will be!”

“Mama, please!” Elizabeth pleaded. “I am not marrying Mr. Darcy because of his income!”

But such gentle chidings would not deter Mrs. Bennet. “I am so pleased for you, dear Lizzy! Such a handsome and charming man! And so tall! My dear girl, you must apologize to him for my having disliked him so much before!”

Elizabeth wanted to flee the room, but she was certain what would come next, and there was nothing for it but to endure it.

“He has a house in town and a magnificent estate, too! What jewels and clothing you will have! And such pin-money! Think of it — ten thousand a year and likely more! A daughter married and only twenty! Hill! Hill! Send Sarah to me at once! And have the carriage prepared! Oh, such happiness — I declare, I shall go quite distracted!”

She bustled out, still singing the praises of the man she once hated, and Elizabeth looked at her sister with slumped shoulders.

“I believe I shall be the one to go distracted, Jane. Oh, I wish Darcy had not left. I swear I would ask him to take me to Gretna Green this instant!”

“Oh, Lizzy, do be serious,” Jane said with her usual gentle smile. “Mama has thought of nothing but getting her daughters married for more years than I can remember.”

“At least since you were fifteen and that foolish man in town wrote you those verses,” Elizabeth said moodily then sighed. “Ah well, I suppose I should get changed. I would prefer to go walking, but Mama would likely send the servants to find me.”

“It is not just ‘likely’ she would send them. It is an absolute certainty. Come, Sister, do not struggle against your fate. You must give her the opportunity for a triumph, you know.”

“Yes, I do know. I dearly wish I had your serenity. You would make William a much more comfortable wife than I.”

“But he loves you, Lizzy. I do not think Mr. Darcy values his comfort as much as he does other qualities. I suspect he desires your liveliness and intelligent conversation more than his comfort.”

“That may be, but he is more likely to get teasing and debate from such a creature as I,” Elizabeth said in her more usual manner. “But I do look forward to exploring all round Pemberley — except Georgiana described it as so large!”

“If there is anyone who can explore every bush and stream and hill, it is you. I should be much more comfortable remaining inside. But you must go dress. Mama will likely be ready to leave soon.”

Unwillingly, Elizabeth rose and climbed the stairs to her room with Jane holding her hand to comfort her.

Mrs. Bennet was indeed soon ready, and she impatiently hurried her daughter to the carriage. Their very first stop was, as Elizabeth had expected, at her Aunt Philips, and Mrs. Bennet’s sister was as rapturous about the engagement as her sister. She was only slightly familiar with Darcy and had heard little of Mr. Wickham’s aspersions, so Elizabeth was spared any lengthy explanation about the particulars of the engagement. Her aunt’s curiosity was instantly assuaged by her sister informing her of Darcy’s “ten thousand a year,” and she embraced and kissed Elizabeth again and again in celebration of her niece’s good fortune.

The next stop was Lucas Lodge, and Elizabeth cringed inwardly as her mother announced the news to Sir William and Lady Lucas. Their response, alas for Mrs. Bennet, was rather modest, for they had learned of the engagement earlier that day from Charlotte. They made an effort to appear thrilled and enthused, but a half-dozen repetitions of “ten thousand a year” resulted in a certain tedium at the “wonderful news.”

They did not indulge in much inquiry about the circumstances, for Charlotte’s letter gave her own opinion of Elizabeth’s change of mind. But the few questions they posed made Elizabeth wish again that she had been less forthright in expressing her views.

This is another valuable lesson about the hazards of voicing one’s opinions too openly,
she thought tiredly.
I hereby vow I shall take a lesson from my future husband and keep my opinions to myself!

Accordingly, she agreed with Charlotte’s information that she had been mistaken in her opinions and changed her mind. She offered no further justifications, which caused no problem since they had few questions. She especially did not relay anything about Mr. Wickham’s lies; such information was, she now felt, too sensitive to be discussed outside a very small circle whose discretion she could trust. Since that specifically excluded her mother, she was not tempted toward further discourse.

Afterward, her mother visited many friends: Mrs. Long, the Gouldings, the Robinsons, and others. Elizabeth’s mind began to spin at the same exultations from her mother and the similar response from each of the families; they expressed amazement at learning to whom Elizabeth was engaged, nodded sagely upon being informed of Darcy’s income and estate in Derbyshire, and usually inquired of Elizabeth as to her changed opinion of Darcy.

To this last question, she confined her response to what she told the Lucases, and the more she recited her reasons, the more she came to understand that she really had been unfair to her future husband. Yes, he had made many social errors, but it was clear that she had been unjustified in ascribing malice and disdain to him when he was not remotely as skilled in social intercourse as his cousin Fitzwilliam or his friend Bingley — or especially, his erstwhile childhood companion, Mr. Wickham.

This last thought led Elizabeth to speculate on when Darcy’s solicitor would finish his work and allow Darcy to make his appearance in Hertfordshire. He was sure to come to Longbourn as soon as he arrived, and she was anxious to see him again. She had so much to learn of him! She knew there would be time after they were married, but she did not want to wait. She wanted to walk with him, speak with him on so many topics — about his sister, about his life, about his experiences before they met. And she wanted him to take her hand and hold it as they walked, and she especially wanted him to look on her with that disconcerting gaze that made her blood quicken.

There could be no other explanation: she missed the man she had so many times denigrated, and she desperately wished to replace those memories with others more pleasing to him and to herself.

And perhaps, as she thought again of him knocking on the door to her room on their wedding night, she wondered whether she ought to suggest a journey to Scotland when he returned. It was such a recurrent thought.

Thursday, April 16, 1812: Darcy Townhouse, London

Darcy was in his study, the lamp lit against the fast approaching evening as he studied the marriage documents recently delivered by his solicitor, when the door to his study was opened by his butler.

“Captain Fitzwilliam, sir,” Williams said, and Darcy looked up expectantly. It was only when he saw the blue uniform that he realized Williams had said “Captain” instead of “Colonel.”

“It is good of you to see me without any notice, Darcy.” Captain Fitzwilliam accepted Darcy’s outstretched hand.

“Williams has standing orders to admit family members whenever they call, George,” Darcy said. “You are always welcome in my house. Though,” he said reflectively with a gleam of white teeth, “I may have to make certain changes after I am married.”

“I daresay,” George said with a slight smile in return.

“Now, I was just thinking of having a glass of port before I sit down with Georgiana to the evening meal. I insist that you join me whether you sent notice or not.”

“And I accept with pleasure, Darcy, for I need the fortification. My errand tonight is an unusual one for me, for I have little experience in matters of the heart.”

Darcy raised his eyebrows but said nothing as he poured two glasses.

It appears Elizabeth and I were correct in our observations,
Darcy thought.
Whether Miss Bennet is interested or not, George is clearly interested in her.

“Confusion to the French.” Darcy lifted his glass.

“Oh, aye to that, Darcy,” George said with a tight smile. “Or even worse, blast them!”

“So, what is this matter ‘of the heart’ you wished to discuss?” Darcy asked after they sat down.

George hesitated briefly then leaned forward, holding his glass in both hands. “I suppose you noticed my attentions to Miss Bennet last night, Darcy?”

“Miss Bennet?” Darcy said with a slight frown. “No, I cannot say I did.”

“No? Well, no matter. I knew I was being too obvious, but I could not help myself, and — ”

He was interrupted by a sharp laugh from Darcy, who held up his hands in mock surrender. “No, no, please forgive me, Cousin. I am indulging my somewhat peculiar sense of humour at your expense. Yes, of course I noticed your interest in Elizabeth’s sister. Both of us did. It was quite marked.”

George had a look of relief as he sat back. “I was certain everyone would be watching me, but, as I said, I could not help myself.”

He paused for a moment, took a deep drink, and then continued. “You know me well enough to know I have few social graces with the ladies. I have been at sea since I was twelve, and we have been at war with France for virtually the entire time. I am now two and thirty, and I know my parents, as well as my fellow officers, expect an officer of my rank to find a wife about now.”

“I felt some of those same pressures, George, though it was more from society at large than my professional colleagues. I believe Richard said the rule was ‘Lieutenants must not marry, captains should not marry, majors may marry, colonels must marry.’ I assume it is much the same in the Royal Navy.”

“It is, and the rule is usually self-enforcing, since junior officers cannot support a wife and family. But I have earned a modest amount of prize money over the years.”

“Yes. Modest. That would certainly describe it concisely,” Darcy said dryly, but George only smiled.

“But I have been fortunate, Darcy — in the right place at the right time at least three times. Twenty miles either way on those occasions, and I might be just another post-captain depending solely on my pay to clothe my crew and supply my table.”

“Rather like Richard, in fact.”

“Very much so, though Mother confided that she and Father are making certain plans to ensure Richard does not stay unmarried. But she rather pointedly indicated that task would have to wait until they made sure of my marital prospects.”

“Oh my, George. I was not aware your parents were taking an interest. My aunt can be a very energetic woman when properly motivated.”

“Eminently true, but now to the reason for my visit. I spoke with Miss Bennet at length last evening, and my impression of her is that she appears to be a most pleasant and sensible young lady.”

“Quite lovely, also.”

“Yes, she is,” George said, and Darcy fancied there was a slight blush on the man’s deeply tanned cheeks.

“But remember my lack of social graces,” George said. “I would not know a fortune hunter if I stumbled over one; I am simply out of my depth in any interaction with a lady other than my sisters or cousins.”

“It appeared you were doing quite an adequate job last evening,” Darcy said mildly.

“But I do not know what I am doing! Yes, I talked with her, and she talked with me. We shared some family history and experiences, and she appeared very interested in my life and experiences at sea. I did not tell of any battles of course…”

“She might surprise you in that regard. She and her sister are better read than most ladies of their age. Neither is ignorant of what has been happening in the war.”

“But how can I know what to do? You know Miss Bennet at least a little since she is sister to your intended. But she seems…she seems too nice…too pleasant, too interested…”

“Too good to be true?” Darcy asked gently.

“The very words that occurred to me,” agreed George. “Is it my imagination that she seems to return my interest? Could she be feigning an interest because she somehow knows of my wealth?”

Darcy thought for a few moments, wondering how exactly to proceed, and decided the best course was to tell a somewhat abridged version of his history with Jane Bennet.

“I will tell you this about Miss Bennet: first, she is possessed of the most excellent temperament as well as deportment. She and Elizabeth are both perfectly polite and well mannered, unlike most other members of her own family and at least one member of my own.”

“I take your point,” George said, and though his lips curved, it was not at all a pleasant smile. “Aunt Catherine has really stirred up a hornet’s nest, has she not? But back to Miss Bennet. I wonder whether my own interest in finding a wife could be leading me wrong since she is quite literally the first young lady I have met since reaching that decision. She seems a veritable angel…”

“I have heard her described in those terms before.” Darcy remembered a similar comment by Bingley and the turmoil that ensued.

“…and it appears no surprise to you that I am attracted to her.”

“Yes, I managed to stumble to that realization. Of course, I might not be the best judge, having obviously fallen under the allurements of her sister.” Both men laughed lightly at the heart of Lady Catherine’s accusations against Elizabeth, and Darcy said, “You know, of course, that she has no fortune…”

“That is of no concern to me,” George said firmly, and Darcy nodded.

“I supposed nothing else. But I can assure you that, as of last evening, she knew nothing of what you so charmingly call your ‘modest earnings.’ She may have learned of it later, but until you met them, neither she nor her sister even knew of your existence. Except for Richard, I anticipate being unable to introduce your side of the family until your father notices my engagement.”

“Really?” asked George thoughtfully, sitting back in his chair.

“Really,” confirmed Darcy. “In addition, I can assure you that, had she known of your fortune, it would not have affected her behaviour. She is like her sister in that regard, and Elizabeth never showed any interest whatsoever in my wealth. Of course, both ladies knew they must marry someone who could at least support them, but I have been pursued by any number of ambitious young ladies of society, and I know their behaviours. Elizabeth never displayed any of those — no deference, no flattery, no submission to my desires — and Jane Bennet is like her sister.”