Seven Days With Mr Darcy

by Rose Fairbanks

  She stared at the floor, but he saw her wipe her eyes before she faced him again to reply. “I am convinced I am the last person in the world you should marry. We both know you would not be here if not for the letters.”

  Panicking he declared, “But the letters are known! In an effort to affect a pre-existing engagement for us, I even sent a notice to my solicitor and my relations in London. An engagement is presumed.”

  Elizabeth was silent a long moment. “Your letter tells me you think little of my sense—perhaps rightly so—therefore it should come as no surprise to you that I am willing to face the consequences of either the assumption of a broken engagement or corresponding with a gentleman without one. If my family is harmed, according to your depiction, we do not have much respectability to lose. My reputation and my family is not your concern.”

  Colour drained from his face and he sank down into his chair. Cradling his head in his hands he knew not when Elizabeth quietly left the room. He had been allowed, encouraged, and nearly taught to be selfish and to think of none beyond his own family circle. Elizabeth could scarcely have chosen better words for her reproof. Here now was the true culmination of the plans of his life. Hope was over, entirely over. Alone with his tortured thoughts, he waited until Mr. Bennet returned.

  *****

  Longbourn

  5:30 pm

  Mr. Bennet left his daughter and her determined suitor in the library and approached his wife’s chambers again.

  “Fanny,” he called while knocking. “He has come.”

  She opened the door and her sad, red-rimmed eyes met his.

  Hurrying inside and closing the door, he led her to her sofa once more. “Why do you cry?”

  “What have I cost our girls? What if Lizzy does not want him, but now she must marry him because of the gossip?”

  “I would not force her but I do not think you need to worry about that. Lizzy is more concerned that he will not want her.”

  “That man! Who is he to think he can say such things about our daughter? And from the very beginning!”

  “Do you not see it means from the very beginning she had a profound effect on him?”

  “He still thinks he is better than us. What if he resents having to marry her?”

  “I do not think we need to worry about that either. When I left him I suggested he need not worry about marrying Elizabeth, and he insisted on talking to her. I believe he desperately wants to marry her. Additionally, he was quite humbled, and he worried for Lizzy’s reputation. His first thoughts are for her, not himself. He has perhaps acted foolishly, but so do we all at times. I do believe he truly loves her.”

  “How can you be so certain, Thomas?”

  “Do I not know what it is to love a woman Society said was beneath me? Did I not have to argue for our right to be together?”

  “That may be, but your love faded, and my silliness did kill it. Lizzy’s sharp tongue may be too much for a man with such conceit.”

  “You did not kill my love! I was simply selfish, thinking I saved you from bearing my presence. I pushed for our marriage, I accepted the terms of the entail.” Mrs. Bennet tried to argue, but he hushed her. “We will speak more on this later. Lizzy’s letter did not seem to deter him. He needs a strong wife who can set him to rights and is quick-witted enough to be his equal and to help manage his estate.”

  “Her letter! Mr. Bennet, what do you mean?”

  “Elizabeth tells me that in a moment of acute distress while attempting to make out Mr. Darcy’s character, she wrote him a letter and accidentally sent it. In it she admits to loving him beyond all prudent reason.”

  Surprisingly, Mrs. Bennet erupted in laughter. “Oh! What a good joke it is! You know I dearly love a laugh.”

  Mr. Bennet smiled at his wife. “Yes, and they are different from us. They do not keep things to themselves, and they begin by knowing each other’s deficiencies and choosing to overcome them. But let us go downstairs. I believe we should have an announcement to make.”

  As Mr. and Mrs. Bennet walked hand in hand down the stairs, the letter Mrs. Bennet had been holding fluttered to the ground. They separated in the hall; Mrs. Bennet to the drawing room, and Mr. Bennet to the library, where he found Darcy alone.

  “Well, son, is it all settled then?”

  Darcy looked upon him with horror and misery in his eyes. “It is as you say, sir. She will not have me.”

  Mr. Bennet hardly knew what to think or say. In his silence, Darcy stood. “Thank you for seeing me this afternoon. I apologize, I find I cannot stay for dinner. My sister accompanied Mr. Bingley and I to Netherfield. I should see to her.”

  “Darcy, did Elizabeth offer you no hope?”

  Darcy squeezed his eyes shut and visibly swallowed. The informal address and fatherly tone was not lost on him. Too late he realized he might have enjoyed being part of a family again. He answered the question. “She said she was completely convinced she was the last woman in the world I should marry.”

  “You have debated with Elizabeth enough times to know she takes advantage of degrees and professes opinions that are not her own. She did not say you were the last man in the world she would marry.”

  “Not this time, but she did in her letter. You did not see the turn of her countenance. There is no hope.” He picked up his hat and bowed before departing.

  Dinner was a very subdued affair with everyone retiring so early that supper nearly went to waste. As Mr. Bennet walked by Jane and Elizabeth’s room before continuing down the hall, he heard the sound of muffled sobs and could scarcely wonder who was grieving more. He would need to have an honest discussion with his daughters on the morrow. Passing by Lydia and Kitty’s room he heard more crying, which did nothing but confuse him further.

  Chapter Seven

  Wednesday, December 7, 1811

  Longbourn

  8:00 am

  Elizabeth awoke early the next morning with puffy eyes. She had cried most of the night. Jane was the perfect companion. She alone could understand the feelings of rejection and lost love. It was a misery halved, but in some ways felt more acutely for Elizabeth would rather have twice the pain and Jane experience none.

  She expected to be the first in the breakfast room, but found Lydia reading a letter. “I did not know the post had come already.”

  Lydia startled and nearly knocked over her tea. Colouring she admitted, “It is an old letter. I found it on the stairs yesterday. It is…” She did not continue and instead handed the yellowing letter with faded ink to Elizabeth who read it with wide eyes.

  September 29, 1786

  My Darling Fanny,

  Father had me go around with the steward today to collect rents. This last week he has made me sit with the housekeeper as well. He says I will learn the thankless tasks of estate management in hopes of persuading me to find another wife. He will not succeed. I will not change my mind.

  Dearest, I know Mother and Father intimidated you and made you believe you are unworthy. Who are they to know what I desire in a wife? I am their own son and they understand me little more than a stranger does.

  Father has suggested the only way he will agree to our marriage is by putting an entail on the estate for one generation. He no longer trusts my sense, but when we have a son it may be broken. Which will it be? Shall we wait until we come of age, elope to Gretna Green or agree to this entail? I will abide your wishes but know that nothing you say will deter my love. I will wait for you.

  Yours ever,

  Thomas

  “Oh, Papa. My poor mother.” Elizabeth murmured through her tears. She reached for Lydia, who was crying too. They remained hugging each other until Mr. Bennet entered the room.

  “What is this?” he asked with real concern. Then, seeing the letter, he picked it up before letting it drop back down to the table. “I will speak with you and your sisters after breakfast,” he said with a sigh.

  Before much longer the rest of the household joined them in the breakfa
st room. Elizabeth was struck by how quiet they all seemed. Once she would have rejoiced in the restraint. Now it was deafening.

  Finally everyone finished, and Mr. Bennet invited them all to the drawing room. He silently handed the letter to Mrs. Bennet, whose eyes widened, but she said nothing.

  “Girls, this is becoming quite the thing. Perhaps we will run a Salon at Longbourn.” The girls all giggled.

  “Well, it should come as no surprise that the most curious of our daughters have managed to find a letter I once sent your mother while we were courting.”

  Jane, Mary and Kitty looked curiously at their sisters, and Elizabeth calmly waited for their father’s explanation.

  “I know, I know. No one wants to think of their elderly parents as courting.”

  “Mr. Bennet!”

  He smiled as he continued. “But this letter has had significant impact on us all.” He took in a deep breath. “Your grandfather did not wish me to marry your mother. He believed she was beneath me, and we were both under age. At length when I proved too stubborn, he suggested an entail.”

  The other girls gasped. “We agreed to it, certain we would have a son to break it. With each new daughter your mother grew more anxious, and I retreated further to my library.”

  He took Mrs. Bennet’s hand and kissed it. “We were both very worried we had made the other regret the marriage, but we never talked of it. We have only seen in the last few days the repercussions of our selfish behaviour.”

  This surprised Elizabeth. “But if your actions were due to concern for the other, how is that selfish?”

  Mrs. Bennet answered. “Because ultimately we were more worried about our own feelings and could not face knowing our fates—if we were accepted or rejected. If we were less selfish we would have reached for each other instead of standing on our own.”

  Elizabeth had never heard her mother speak so sensibly, but her father was speaking again. “We were worried about the entail, which we agreed to entirely on our own. We thought we had failed you girls in what mattered most: securing the estate. We did not see that we were failing you by allowing such a disharmonious home and by neglecting your educations. I failed to practice economy and have not added to your dowries, and we have left you to your own devices to shift about as best you can. So, beginning Monday next I will have Kitty and Lydia sit with me each morning. Mary shall spend time with your mother learning more womanly arts. There shall be no balls until each of you can show me you can act sensibly.”

  Kitty cried out. “That is unfair! For Jane and Lizzy always have all the fun!”

  “I said until each of you can show me you can act sensibly. I believe your sisters may agree they have recently failed in that regard.”

  Jane and Elizabeth blushed and looked to their hands. At length the others left the room and Elizabeth looked to her father.

  “Papa, may I speak with you?”

  “No, I believe you need your mother at such a time.” He bent to kiss her on the cheek and then squeezed his wife’s hand and left the room.

  “Mamma?”

  “Yes, my child?”

  Elizabeth was silent for a moment. There could only be one thing she needed to ask her mother, but she knew not if she could face the truth.

  “Mamma,” she said at last. “Do you regret marrying Papa? If his family was so against you, were you treated badly? And to have your worst fears come to life!”

  “Oh, Lizzy you are still so young. Look at this place. I may not get to live in it after your father passes, and it was my dearest wish for one of you girls to become the next mistress, but I have been happy here. This has been my home. But it is not the house that makes it a home. It is the love within these walls. I would not trade my daughters for any son. Your father loves me. We may not always be able to express it so well, but you can learn from my mistakes. Do not be afraid, do not be selfish, and do not hold back. That is not your way, Lizzy.”

  “He has told you?”

  “Yes, I only know my daughter has given her heart away and is allowing it to be broken, although he offers you marriage, through your father. I wish you could have talked to me of it.”

  “I am sorry.”

  “You believed I would overthrow your wishes?” Elizabeth was silent. “I suppose you are right, but it is a mother’s prerogative to believe she knows what is best for her children.”

  Elizabeth walked over and bent to kiss her mother’s forehead. “I love you, Mamma.”

  “I love you, my clever Lizzy. Have no doubt, there is a way to sort this out, and you will find it. Do you believe he loves you?”

  “I do. Is that enough?”

  “Only you can answer that.”

  Elizabeth gave her mother a small smile. “I believe I will go for a walk.”

  She left the room, noticing Lydia had been eavesdropping in the door way. Before she had a chance to leave the house, Lady Catherine de Bourgh was announced.

  “I must speak with Miss Elizabeth Bennet immediately.”

  *****

  Netherfield

  9:00 am

  Breakfast at Netherfield passed in silence. At last Bingley spoke. “What are your plans?”

  Darcy did not reply. After twenty minutes passing with little more sound than the scraping of butter on toast, Bingley tried again.

  “I shall inform Carver we are off again.”

  “No.” Darcy said at last. He stood and tossed his napkin down on the table. “No. We will call on Longbourn. You desire to meet with Miss Bennet again, and Georgiana wishes to meet the ladies.”

  “William, I do not wish you to be uncomfortable. Mr. Bingley may go alone.”

  “No, I desire you to meet them as well.”

  “Darcy, truly you need not come. I may have decided to give Netherfield up after all. It feels right drafty this morning.”

  Darcy smiled a little and clapped his friend on the back. “Did you lose courage in your sleep? We have ladies to court!”

  “What has gotten into you?” Bingley asked in wonder.

  “A desperate resolution! Let us leave in half an hour.”

  Darcy grinned as he left his friend and sister in awe. Twenty minutes later he stood in the entry awaiting their presence when an express rider arrived for Darcy. He read the express with trepidation.

  Wednesday, December 11, 1811

  Fitzwilliam House, London

  Darcy,

  My mother was in the room when our uncle read your note announcing your betrothal to this Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. Mother is now missing from Matlock House, and I am rather certain she has journeyed to Longbourn to make her complaints to the lady directly. I hope this reaches you in enough time to intervene. My best wishes to you and Miss Bennet.

  Your cousin,

  A. de Bourgh

  Darcy immediately agreed with his cousin’s opinion—his aunt must be on her way to Longbourn. He could only fear what she may say to Elizabeth and how she might insult his beloved. He realized anew that his family truly did have its share of offensiveness.

  All fears regarding his reception immediately vanished, and Darcy was anxious to arrive at Longbourn. His carriage pulled up, but Bingley and Georgiana had not yet appeared. Scarcely sparing them a thought, he departed without them. His thoughts were slightly more ordered upon reaching Longbourn. He sent his carriage back to Netherfield and taking a deep breath, prepared himself to battle his aunt and woo his lady.

  *****

  Longbourn

  Jane sat alone in the drawing room, folding and refolding her hands, attempting to find composure. The others had gone about their usual morning pursuits. Mr. Darcy’s aunt was walking with Elizabeth in the garden, and Jane had little hope the meeting would be pleasant.

  Last night Elizabeth had confessed to loving Mr. Darcy and rejecting his proposal, as she was certain that his offer was made only out of duty. Elizabeth scarcely knew what would become of them all, as news of a presumed engagement was already
circulating. More than sympathizing with her sister’s pain, Jane could not forget that her own beloved was only three miles away, but was now unlikely to appear.

  Unexpectedly, Mr. Darcy was announced.

  He looked about the room and raked his hands through his hair, leaving it quite askew, before speaking quickly. “I am sorry to dispense with the normal civilities, but I was informed my aunt is here and needing…my presence.”

  Jane furrowed her brow as she studied him. He anxiously paced around the room while she spoke. “She is walking near the wilderness with Elizabeth.” His head snapped back to Jane. Perhaps if she were a less reserved person herself she would not have noticed, but Jane saw the moment fear and desperation followed by determination entered his eyes. To her surprise, he dashed away before she could say anything else.

  Elizabeth had insisted that Mr. Darcy did not truly desire to offer for her, and she was uncertain of his affections, but he looked desperate and resolved to Jane.

  She thought of her parents’ marriage. She always knew she never wished to marry to one of such an unequal disposition to her own, as her parents had. This morning she learned they had passionately, if imprudently, loved each other. Yet, it was not their difference in stations or dispositions that starved their love, but rather their own fears.

  Jane attempted to apply that theory to her experiences. She had thought that Mr. Bingley truly cared for her, but he had quickly proved inconstant. On her side, she was too afraid to show her regard for him. Her temperament was not as open and unreserved as Elizabeth and Lydia’s, and she no longer had the claims of youth as an excuse if she should make a foolish mistake and believe admiration to be more than it was. To reveal her building affection only to then be rebuffed was unthinkable. For the world to know of her disappointed dreams, the folly and vanity that she could ever think she might appeal to such a man, would be unbearable. She believed she would rather know the private pain of rejection than to be fodder for the gossips.