by Olivia Kane
“I would have been terrified to be out alone in the pitch black night,” Lydia said. “I would have imagined goblins and whatnots hiding in every shadow.”
“I closed my eyes ever so briefly from the exertion and must have fallen asleep. When I woke, the sun was set so I did not dare to start wandering again. I was out of my element but decided that staying put at the foot of the tree, even though I might be cold and wet, was the safer choice. It never crossed my mind that anyone would come for me. I was prepared, nay, determined to make my way home as soon as the sun rose.”
“And you still have no idea where you lost your guide?” the earl asked, engrossed in the drama that ensued while the ball carried on.
“No, I searched desperately for it. Backtracking is how I came to get so lost, I believe.”
“I dare say I would have joined the search party had I known,” young Westinham added guiltily.
“We thought it best not to alarm our hosts,” Mr. Bennet said plainly. “The paths were quite narrow as is.”
“How unfortunate that Lizzy missed the ball!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “Although I dare say there will be other Weststoke balls in our future.”
Mr. Bennet leveled a hard stare across the room at his wife. “Good grief woman! Have you no interest in anything beyond balls? Your own daughter was missing and it was only thanks to the quick thinking of Mr. Darcy that she did not spend the entire night out of doors.”
An uncomfortable hush fell over everyone in the party except Mrs. Bennet who remained happily unmoved by her daughter’s experience. “What is the use in being concerned now, when everyone can see she is safe and in no danger? And this is Derbyshire, not the wilds of Africa where she would be eaten by a tiger for dinner. Getting lost is one of the risks of wandering around in an unknown county and I would never risk missing a ball for a view of some farms and cows.”
“We didn’t even notice you were missing, Lizzy!” Kitty added. “But we did wonder where Mr. Darcy went off to as he was very much needed on the dance floor as a partner.”
“I agree with Mamma! The ball was splendid. Such tiny, exquisite cakes and the punch was icy cold,” Lydia added.
“I would have enjoyed the ball very much,” Elizabeth replied with grace. “And the cakes.”
“Here, here! You shall have cakes. There are plenty to be had,” the earl cried out, jumping for the bell and ringing it profusely.
“Please prepare a platter of leftover tea cakes for Miss Bennet,” he ordered the staff with a laugh. “A night spent out of doors certainly warrants a platterful, in my opinion. My dear, you missed the gaiety but we are exceedingly grateful that you were found in one piece with no visible scars.”
“Thank you very much, my lord,” Elizabeth answered.
“And you have made a conquest of Mr. Darcy, I dare say, as I have never known him to be so interested in the company of one single lady that he should go in search of her. How romantic!” Lady Westinham said.
“Oh, Elizabeth! You will never guess who was at the ball! Miss de Bourgh and her new husband!” Lydia exclaimed. “Sadly, he was not as dashing as I had pictured him.”
“Who knew they were staying at Pemberley all this time,” Mrs. Bennet added. “Mr. Collins didn’t know, that is for sure. Ha, I have a mind to write and tell him, but I would never give him the pleasure of the information.”
A thorough discussion of the scandal ensued until their attention was diverted by the arrival of the butler bearing a tray of the requested cakes. A great commotion was made in passing them around and exclaiming over the treat. The topic of Mr. Darcy passed until the man himself, with Miss Darcy at his side, appeared in the doorway. His entrance was greeted with rapturous applause to which he made a slight bow in acknowledgment.
Georgiana took Elizabeth’s hand to express her well-wishes but gave way when Mr. Darcy came forward.
“Miss Bennet, may I have the honor of taking a stroll with you in the Weststoke gardens? The path is on level ground, well-marked and very safe,” he said with a slight smile.
Elizabeth met his smile with one of her own and stood up to join him.
“Yes, Mr. Darcy. I took the garden path yesterday morning and would be delighted to see it again with you.”
With a nod to the rest of the company, Mr. Darcy offered his arm and escorted Elizabeth out of the drawing room, through the adjacent conservatory, and outdoors.
The two were unable to suppress their delight to be in each other’s company but they waited to be clear of the house to speak the desperate words their hearts held. As soon as they were assured of complete privacy, Elizabeth spoke with passion.
“Mr. Darcy. I cannot thank you enough for your gallant rescue last night. I am embarrassed by the ridiculousness of my getting lost and by being the object of so much attention.”
“You are welcome. I like to think any man would do the same when confronted with such a situation. I am only glad that we reached you in time and that you are not injured,” he calmly replied.
Of course, Mr. Darcy will not let himself be praised! But I do not want a stilted conversation of good manners. He must know my heart!
Determined, she continued on, speaking with much emotion. “Mr. Darcy. Even if we did not have my rescue to talk about today, I am obliged to apologize for the many cross words that have passed my lips toward you. I judged you harshly and, without wishing to imply that my esteem is worth seeking, only wish to assure you that you have it.”
Upon hearing this, Mr. Darcy stopped in the path. “Miss Bennet,” he began. “This is a change coming from you. May I be so bold as to ask the cause?”
“You may," she answered as they resumed their stroll, passing the fish pond and joining the path that inclined to the ridge.
“It was here on this path just yesterday that I encountered your cousin and her new husband. We met by happenstance and she told me everything.”
“My aunt has been delivered a blow, but Anne is happy and that is all that matters to me,” he said.
“On my end, I was overcome by the faithfulness you showed her and saw clearly how securing the happiness of your loved ones is your true nature. This was imprinted on my heart in such a way that every little mean thing I held against you melted as quickly as a snowflake on my fingertip, and all that remained was awe and admiration and a deep fondness for you that, I laugh at myself now, must have been there all along. How ironic it feels to me that I should have teased you so regarding your engagement to your cousin, and yet it was her simple testimony to your goodness that broke the hard shell around my heart in the end.”
The pair had reached the clearing at the top of the ridge and they stopped to look down at Pemberley, nestled in the valley.
“Miss Bennet, is this true? Please, do not trifle with me, as my feelings for you have not changed.” His expression was serious; the weight of his future hung on her response and he could not pretend to take the moment lightly.
Elizabeth wanted to stare out at Pemberley forever but she could not avoid what must be done next. Slowly, she turned and met Darcy's gaze with her own. Her heart bobbed within her but only momentarily before it settled into a hurried, rapid pace befitting a moment of surrender.
“I am sure,” she replied softly. “Mr. Darcy, if you still desire my heart, it is yours for the taking.” No hint of shyness accompanied her words; the truth spilled out with smooth assurance.
He took her hands in both of his and clasped them tightly. With his gaze fixed on her he said, “My dear, I have long waited for this and I can hardly believe it to be true. Yesterday morning I would not have imagined this change in you, but I wrote to you anyway, hoping my apology would make a difference. When I did not receive a reply by evening’s end, I took that as your answer.”
“I am sorry my reply was so late; I did not know what to say,” she confessed.
“No, your reply, when it did come, was perfect. Then when you were not at the ball, I despaired. You see, I had made up my mind
that last night would be a night to remember for us. I think it was, but not in the way I imagined. And when you were lost, I vowed that if I were to find you I would . . . I would …” his voice faltered for a moment.
“You would . . . ” she asked softly.
He took a deep breath and Elizabeth thought she noted a slight trembling in the warmth of his clasp.
“I would never let you go. This may all be too sudden for you or perhaps it is long coming? Perhaps it is a little of both. But I will not be delayed one moment more; you know what I am about to ask and I pray that it be received more pleasantly this time. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would you do me the great honor of consenting to be my companion, my lifelong friend, my wife?”
His vulnerability surprised her and she hurried her answer to end his wait.
“Yes, Mr. Darcy. Yes, I will.”
With all the tenderness within him, he said, “You have made me the happiest man in all of Derbyshire today,” and with her permission, he kissed her.
Then, lifting his eyes toward Pemberley, he laughed with unmistakable pleasure. “It’s a little imposing, isn’t it?”
She gazed down at Pemberley. “I think it’s utterly magnificent.”
“Then may I take you there, now, to show you your new home?”
Tears filled her eyes as she was overcome with emotion and she whispered, “Yes, let’s go.”
Then recovering her good spirits, she laughed and said, “But may I see the library first?”
“Yes, you may. I will show you my collection of Grey’s guides, although the man has lost my respect forever,” he said, as he linked his arm back with hers and they began their slow descent.
“Oh, why is that?”
“Because he failed to properly document the return route from the cavern. There are several intersecting paths that look maddeningly alike from the opposite viewpoint. I have a mind to write to the publisher and inform him so.”
“So that was my problem!” Elizabeth exclaimed, amused and relieved. She had tortured herself trying to remember where she had first gone astray. “But I can’t fault Mr. Grey for my misadventure.”
“Surely you must,” Darcy laughed.
“No. You see, I dropped my guide at some point and was unaware I had even lost it until I began my trip back. So I didn’t even have it to consult. It was all me,” she related with candor.
“Still, he must be admonished,” Darcy insisted. “But that is enough talk of Mr. Grey and his guides on this, the happiest of days for us.”
“I completely agree, Mr. Darcy,” she said, noting how right it felt to be in accord with him after so much disagreeableness.
“And be assured I know the path to Pemberley so well I could get there with my eyes shut,” he teased. "I promise you will never be lost again, as long as you are with me."
Chapter 29
The engagement of Mr. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr.Fitzwilliam Darcy delighted all who truly loved them. Mr. Bennet and Georgiana were the happiest of all to see their most fervent wish materialize in what they both believed was a perfect match.
As for Mrs. Bennet, she received the news with much surprise and surface pleasure. Secretly, however, she was peeved that Elizabeth’s news had a way of eclipsing Lydia’s good fortune, insisting that, “Although Darcy is rich, he lacks a title and what good are riches without a title? My Lydia’s accomplishments will always outrank that of all her sisters.”
It was with much cheer that the family’s stay in Derbyshire ended and they returned to Longbourn with two weddings imminent. A lovesick Captain Carter soon appeared on the scene, making his application for Kitty’s hand. Mr. Bennet consented eagerly.
With their honeymoon over, Jane and Bingley returned to Netherfield Park and felicity reigned.
“Oh, Elizabeth, what wonderful news!” Jane said, as she received her sister in the Netherfield drawing room. “I laughed and cried with joy and surprise when I read your letter! And Bingley is so enthused at this turn of events that he is determined to look for property in Derbyshire so we can all be near.”
“That would make my happiness complete,” Elizabeth said, her heart overflowing.
“The same cannot be said for my new sister-in-law Miss Bingley,” Jane added, trying to adopt an air of concern but failing. “For upon hearing your news she turned white and sank to the floor in a dead faint. Bingley had to grab the smelling salts to revive her.”
“Oh, dear,” Elizabeth said.
“It is for the best and well past time for her to start directing her efforts elsewhere. Mr. Darcy was never going to marry her, no matter how long she waited. She remains up north with Mrs. Hurst, licking her wounds.”
“She will recover; I am sure of it.”
“Yes, I agree. How full of joy are days are now! Remember when our days were spent avoiding Mr. Collins? Who would have thought that life would deliver so much more than we imagined?” Jane exclaimed.
Elizabeth squeezed her favorite sister’s hand. “I only hope that this is not a dream and I awake to see Mr. Collins sitting at my breakfast table in his nightshirt.”
“Heavens, no!” Jane laughed.
“Now tell me about your travels,” Elizabeth said. “And I will tell you about mine.”
Only Mary Bennet’s future was left undecided. But resolution came swiftly one day in the form of yet another letter bearing the seal of Rosings Park, delivered by express to Longbourn while the family sat together to lunch.
“I was beginning to wonder what had become of my Mr. Collins,” Mary exclaimed as she put down her spoon and proceeded to break the seal.
“Shall I read it aloud?” she inquired.
“Yes, do!” Mrs. Bennet replied.
Mary waited a moment to be sure of everyone’s attention and then began.
Dear Miss Mary Bennet,
It is with a great sense of duty that I write to inform you that I must end my courtship with you. As you know, the whereabouts of Miss de Bourgh remain a mystery. During this time of intense waiting, my first duty is to Lady Catherine—her needs at this time are constant. As my esteemed patroness has no earthly husband, I am required to act in his place. Be assured that my calling is not of a conjugal nature but solely a spiritual one.
Alas, as my devotion to her is of a kind that cannot be split, I beg your leave to apply my days entirely to her needs (spiritual only, I must again stress) and release you to find the happiness and life partner you so genuinely deserve.
During this time, Lady Catherine has been so kind as to award me a small set of rooms in the north wing of Rosings and granted me the liberty of using her seal and her best carriage. As such, Hunsford parsonage is currently vacant and I urge you, and any of your family that so desires it, to stay there should you have the inclination to visit your old friends here in Kent. Sadly, Lady Catherine is not up for visitors at this time, but I would always appreciate a visit from my fair cousins, whose beauty and grace lit up my world, if only for a short time.
Farewell for now. As I do not know when we will meet again. I remain your humble servant and faithful cousin,
Mr. Collins.
“Well, Mary. You have dodged a bullet is what I say,” Mrs. Bennet declared as she dunked her spoon into her soup. “And I dare say Lady Catherine does not care for Mr. Collins as much as he believes. I’m beginning to suspect he is nothing but a social climber after her money. You are well rid of the man. Well rid,” she repeated.
Mary folded the letter, was quiet for a moment and then said serenely, “ I must confess. I have not thought of Mr. Collins for quite a while. I believe my future does lie elsewhere, and I am quite content, for now, to bask in my sisters’ good fortunes and to be here with Mamma and Pappa for as long as they need me.”
“You need not worry about me,” Mrs. Bennet insisted. “Between Weststoke and Pemberley and wherever Jane and Bingley settle I shall have plenty of staff to cater to me.”
“I am glad to see you so happy, Mamma,” Mary said.
“Furthermore, Mary, I implore you to remember that you are a Bennet, which is a very valuable name on the marriage market. As a Bennet of Longbourn, you can afford to marry for love and I urge you to aspire for more than a simple country parson.”
“Do you really believe such a thing, Mamma?” Mary asked incredulously.
Mrs. Bennet nodded assuredly. “Your time will come, my dear, I promise you. But until then, it will not hurt to take whatever little steps you can to improve yourself. For instance, have you ever considered parting your hair on the left and trying to do without your spectacles for a ball or two? I do believe that by doing so you may naturally attract a very handsome suitor.”
Mary considered her mother’s advice. Then slowly and carefully, she removed her spectacles, placed them on the tablecloth, and blinked happily at her sisters sitting across the table from her. It would be an adjustment to appear in public without her spectacles, but perhaps an infinitely easier task than finding lifelong contentment with Mr. Collins, she concluded.
“Mary, you look beautiful without your spectacles,” Lydia said.
“I do?” she asked in disbelief.
“Yes,” came the resounding reply from everyone.
“See how right I am?” Mrs. Bennet said. “Now pass me the salt, Mary, the soup is bland.”
Mary did as her mother asked.
“That is the pepper, Mary, not the salt,” Mrs. Bennet corrected her. “For heaven’s sake, put your spectacles back on as we are not at a ball and there is no need to impress me at this very moment with your pretty face!”
The End.
Note from the Author
Thank you for reading The Five Graces of Longbourn; I hope you enjoyed it.
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