Courtship and Confusion

by Laura Maybrick

  “And yet you were perfectly willing to sacrifice your happiness in order to see my sister happy,” she stated simply.

  “No, to see you happy to see your sister happy. It was all for you. To think that I had hurt you by misjudging your sister's intentions in regards to my friend and making her pain your own was unbearable. Can you forgive me?”

  “I already have, Mr Darcy.”

  “You have?” he gasped with some astonishment.

  “Yes.”

  Taking a deep breath once again Darcy mustered his courage. It was not so much that the time was ideal, but he simply had to know whether it be yes or no.

  Taking a deep breath he tentatively he asked: “And will you answer another question with just such a heartfelt 'yes'?”

  “It depends on the question, I would assume, Mr Darcy. Now if you were to ask me whether I wanted to go out riding with you this afternoon, that would be a very decided 'no' seeing that I am no horsewoman.”

  Despite his almost overwhelming nervousness Darcy had to chuckle at her wit.

  “And the question whether you would give me your hand in marriage?”

  “Hm, that would be a yes, I dare say. But since you merely asked a rhetorical question, I would say that matters little.”

  While she had not exactly answered his question, or more precisely had answered it too accurately seeing that the had worded it rather stupidly his anxiousness all but disappeared and his heart soared towards the skies. She would marry him, if only he asked her properly. And going down on one knee and taking her hand he did just that, certain of her answer. She would never toy with any man like that unless she meant what she had said.

  “No, it means everything, Lizzy, for I ask you in earnest. Elizabeth Bennet, will you marry me?”

  “Yes. Yes, I will marry you, Mr Darcy,” she beamed down at him before taking his face into her hands and giving him a soft kiss.

  “My given name is Fitzwilliam,” he softly whispered into her ear as he got back up onto his feet to kiss her back properly.

  “I know and it led to quite some confusion.”

  “How so?” he startled.

  “Well, about two weeks ago, I received an unexpected visitor at the parsonage and this visitor told me that her cousin Fitzwilliam has a tendency to be shy...”

  “Anne?!”

  “Yes. It had me quite confused for I did not know that your name was Fitzwilliam and for a time I thought she had been speaking about the colonel. Then he mentioned your given name and I did not know at all what to think anymore. And, are you shy, Fitzwilliam?”

  “I have to admit I am. Though most people would claim I am reserved,” he shrugged, smiling wryly and with some self-deprecation.

  “You did not appear to be so very reserved a little earlier on, Fitzwilliam.”

  “No, I was not. But that is all thanks to you, my dear. You simply make me a better man just by being there.”

  Now she laughed: “Now, Fitzwilliam, I doubt that that would be possible, seeing that you are already the best of men. - But as little as I like it, I will have to turn back now. Will I see you later?”

  “Of course. As it is, I will have to speak to your father. Would you mind if our banns are read along your sister's and Bingley's?”

  “No, it would be perfect. Goodbye then, my love.”

  Again his heart swelled at her words and even though she hastily walked away once in a while turning around to him, it was with joy that he watched her return home. He would see her again in only a few hours and... - Well and that was when his nervousness took over once again. He would have to ask her father for her hand in marriage and that was a very daunting prospect.

  Chapter 21

  “You appear to be in an exceptionally good mood this morning, Darcy,” Bingley greeted him as he stepped into the breakfast parlour of his estate.

  He had only just arrived himself and was just pouring himself a cup of strong tea.

  “I am. And you? You look quite happy yourself.”

  “Well, can you imagine it, but in two days the banns will be read for the first time, meaning that in a mere month Jane will be my wife. Is that not reason enough to be jolly?” Bingley replied cheerfully, walking over to the buffet and helping himself to a slice of toast and cold meat left over from the night before. His sisters would never have approved of such a simple breakfast no matter how sensible it was to make use of what was there instead of wasting it.

  “Very much so,” Darcy agreed. “Eh, when do you intend to go over to Longbourn?”

  “Oh right after breakfast. You know I have to speak to Mr Bennet about the marriage contract and what it will require and so forth. I would not want any of the young ladies or Mrs Bennet left destitute after his death.”

  “Which is nothing that will happen in the near future, if I am any judge of it. Besides, by that time, you will not be his only son in law...” he trailed off.

  While he knew that he had not been dreaming, it kind of still appeared like a dream, that Lizzy had indeed accepted him. Him, of all men! And again a slight blush crept over his face. He could feel it clearly heat up his cold cheeks.

  “Not the only son in law?” Bingley dug deeper and with surprising quickness asked frankly: “Do you mean to tell me that you are to marry Miss Elizabeth?”

  “Yes. She has accepted me.”

  “Oh! And when did that come to pass? And why on earth did you not say anything?”

  “Because it came to pass literally half an hour ago, perhaps a little longer, but not more than an hour.”

  “Well, do I even want to know how you happened to be able to ask my soon to be sister in law for her hand in marriage at this early hour?” Bingley inquired with mock sternness, though his honest and amused curiosity was hard to miss.

  “That is very easily explained. Neither of us could sleep any longer and so we went on a walk, where coincidentally we met.”

  “And so you just asked her to marry you? You?”

  “Yes, I. And yes, before you have to ask, I will tell you straight away, that I made an utter fool of myself. But that matters little, I suppose, considering that she accepted me nonetheless.”

  His friend merely started laughing. So hard, in fact, that his food slipped from his plate and onto the very chair he had just pulled out for himself to sit on, making him chortle even harder.

  “Oh dear, what a morning!” he exclaimed between bouts of laughter.

  And indeed it was. But thus the time until they would leave passed quite quickly and soon they would leave.

  While Darcy had not taken much care over his attire earlier on, now that they were about to set off towards Longbourn, he took meticulous care that he would look his best, so much so that his valet became quite exasperated with his master, yet was too well trained to remark on it. It was only the man's expression that gave away his bewilderment, for Darcy, though always dressing well, could by no means be called a vain man under normal circumstances. But alas, this morning was far from normal, was it?

  Mr Bennet had obviously been waiting for them, or rather Bingley and with some impatience. Breakfast apparently was barely over and as always between Lydia and Mrs Bennet there was a bit of a hubbub going on in the house that their father and husband seemingly was eager to escape. To Darcy's disappointment, Elizabeth was nowhere in sight, nor was her older sister, much to his friend's dismay.

  “Good morning, Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy, how are you both?” Mr Bennet inquired with some irritation that very obviously had nothing to do with them but everything with Lydia arguing that she desperately needed a new bonnet for the wedding and for when they would go to Brighton, heartily seconded by her mother.

  “Very well, indeed, Sir,” Bingley bowed as did Darcy.

  And had Darcy hoped to postpone the purpose of his visit just a little longer to collect himself, he was mistaken, for promptly his companion added: “As you can see, I have brought my friend along and while I am eager to sit down with you and draw up the pap
ers, Mr Darcy's plight seems to be a more urgent one.”

  In some astonishment Mr Bennet's eyebrows rose up until they nearly touched his hairline.

  “Indeed? What can be the matter?”

  “It... - Well... - If I could speak to you in private, Sir,” Darcy once again stammered.

  “Ah, I see. Well then, do come into my little retreat and we can talk in peace.”

  The emphasis on the last word was unmistakable, but unfortunately lost on either lady, the young as well as the old one. Why would they want to go to Brighton anyway? At this time of year it was far from pleasant and only in the summer would there be balls and parties to satisfy a young girl such as Miss Lydia or Miss Catherine Bennet.

  “So how may I help you, Mr Darcy?” their father asked him as soon as the door of his bookroom was firmly shut behind them. “What is this plight your friend spoke of as being so urgent?”

  “Well...” Darcy started then stopped for a short moment before pulling himself together and after a slow breath replied: “I am here to ask you your consent and allow me to marry your daughter Elizabeth.”

  Nothing. No reply whatsoever for what felt like hours. In truth it was presumably not even minutes as he was scrutinised by the man in front of him.

  “Does she know of your intentions?” Mr Bennet at long last asked calmly.

  “She does and has accepted me, Sir. Otherwise I would not have imposed on you.”

  “I presume that was the reason then why she returned from her walk so very flustered this morning. I had wondered about it, to be quite frank. But seeing that she was hardly able to contain her smile, there is little reason to assume she was forced. It also explains your actions down in Kent, I suppose. Well, what am I to say? If she will have you, take her.”

  For a second or two Darcy was quite taken aback by the man's casual manners. Should a father not have some questions? Rightful doubts about a suitor's designs? Perhaps hesitate a little? After all, he would lose a daughter to another man, one could say. And a daughter that by all appearances was very dear to him.

  Ha, but that was the very reason why he had answered so curtly. Looking closer it was obvious that Mr Bennet felt deeply about losing his little Lizzy and yet her own decision mattered enough for him to accept the inevitable.

  “I suppose that since both you and Mr Bingley are here for the same reason, if fortunately not for the same daughter of mine, it might be best if the three of us sit together and get those blasted contracts out of the way. Not that I have many demands, in case you were worrying. Only that my wife and any unmarried daughter is decently cared for in the instance of my passing.”

  “I was not, Mr Bennet. Not at all. There will always be a place in my house for them, I assure you.”

  “Are you certain you know what you will be dealing with?”

  With some hesitation Darcy answered in the affirmative, still hearing Lydia's determined demands and plans following each other in quick succession until he could no longer contain himself to ask: “When are you going to Brighton then?”

  “Not at all. Though my youngest swears that she will die of a broken heart should she be removed from the officers. Silly nonsense, nothing more,” her father sighed. “But as it is, her friend, the colonel's wife has indicated that she might invite her to come along. Perhaps I should let her go. In all earnestness, I cannot wait until the lot of them are gone at last and some peace and quiet is restored. Especially this Lieutenant Wickham is quite a pest to have around. There is something unsavoury about this man, though I cannot point a finger on what exactly it is. Perhaps his constant whining about his misfortunes.”

  “Well, I say amen to that!” Darcy agreed with emphasis.

  “You know the man?” Mr Bennet asked, though surely, if he had heard about his former companion's 'misfortunes', he must know that they had once been acquainted.

  “Yes, unfortunately I do.”

  And without leaving anything out this time, Darcy, relayed all his dealings with the man once again.

  “Well, that explains a lot. And obviously Lydia will not be allowed to go to Brighton at any cost. Thank you, I appreciate your honesty, Sir. It cannot have been easy to recall such painful memories.”

  “It was not, and I hardly need ask you to not say anything about the matter, do I?”

  “No. And now, let us finally call in your friend. Oh, and then we have to tell my wife the good news, so better be prepared, Mr Darcy.”

  Chapter 22

  Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day in which Mrs Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters[2]. The sun had shone brightly on their wedding day just as it ought and while his aunt had been none too happy about him marrying Elizabeth instead of her own daughter, his cousin Anne had been beaming all day long and quickly found a new friend in none other than Miss Mary Bennet. Well, Miss Bennet now, since her two older sisters were wed and respectively Mrs Bingley and Mrs Darcy. And while Lady Catherine was still grumbling at present, there was some hope that she eventually would come around. In the end she always did.

  Georgiana appeared equally happy for him, even though at first she, too, had been slightly shocked by the news that her brother would marry within the month and a woman she had never met before. But after meeting his lovely bride for the first time, his sister's anxiousness had quickly been forgotten and so she, too, was all smiles and happiness.

  All in all, his side of the family was quite relieved that at long last he was married and happily so, other than Bingley's relatives. Well, rather his sisters. Their indignation unmistakeably had shone through their insincere smiles in a most unpleasant manner and for once Darcy had to ask himself if perhaps simply telling his friend and wife everything they had done would have been the better option to meddling behind their backs.

  But alas, that was now all behind them. And since Pemberley was a little too far away for an impatient husband, off to London Lizzy and he went. It was, of course, silly in a sense that they went the exact opposite and would, in a week's time make the exact same journey once again, though obviously in the other direction. But when he Elizabeth had taken off the rose coloured silk pelisse of her wedding attire to sit down for their wedding breakfast at Netherfield, which had been chosen for convenience's sake, and he had gotten a good glimpse of her ample bosom, his body had immediately made it known to him that he could hardly wait a moment longer to truly make her his wife. Ever since then had he been at least half-hard and to will his ardour down to a point where it was not blatantly obvious, had been no small feat at any rate. His coachman was not just a little surprised at his master's orders and the same had to be said for his bride. His Lizzy. Mrs Darcy! But to make her his in a coaching inn, was absolutely out of the question. His house in London might be all but closed up for the summer, but all the better, as far as he was concerned. With his servants already on their way towards Pemberley, they would have all the privacy they desired and as for the food, he would find a way to organise some. Eventually. For now there was the large hamper Mrs Bennet had provided to sustain them on what she supposed their journey to Derbyshire and by the looks of it, it would easily last them a couple of days.

  “Why are we going to London?” Elizabeth at last could contain her curiosity no longer.

  Well, what was he to answer? That he desired her so violently that there really was no other option? But perhaps showing her would be better...

  Leaning over he gently took her face into his hands before softly kissing her. First her lips, slowly, ever so slowly trailing down to her chin, following its line to her ear. When he took her ear lobe between his teeth in a gentle nip, she gasped in surprise.

  “Do not be scared, love,” Darcy muttered. “Just close your eyes and enjoy, my dear.”

  “But...”

  “Are you scared?”

  “No, not at all, it is just... - Oh goodness!”

  The moan escaping her was not so soft anymore as she obviously got quite aroused by his tender min
istrations.

  “Do you like it then?” he inquired cheekily.

  “Yes.”

  Her answer was just a soft gasp as she leaned in closer to him. The temptation to take her right there and then was almost overwhelming, but by no means what he intended to do. When her small hands began caressing his chest through both his waistcoat and shirt, for the shortest of moments his resolution once again wavered, but again, no, he would not give in to the temptation of taking her just now. No matter how comfortable his carriage was, it was far too public a place. Perhaps on their way to Derbyshire when they had gotten perfectly comfortable with one another and there was less danger of them losing control completely, as he intended for them to do as soon as they reached his townhouse, that could be a nice way to pass the time on their long journey, but not right now.