Moving forward, Elizabeth said,
“Mr Darcy, I hope my greeting will suffice. As you see, my parents are engaged at present, but you are very welcome.” She motioned for him to sit in the free seat between Jane and herself.
Relieved to have someone to talk to, Darcy accepted Elizabeth’s offer and took the chair placed between the sisters.
Looking around, he realised that during his previous three-month stay in Hertfordshire, he had only been to Longbourn a handful of times. It must have been a handsome property in its time, and still was, only it needed some time and money spent on it to restore it to its former glory. Most people would not notice these insignificant faults that Darcy did, but then he was pedantic about such things.
In one corner, there was a small piece of paper peeling away where it met the ceiling cornice, and the flooring, although expensive oak planks, needed a new coat of varnish. And while the windows were large and impressive, the frames had a few flakes of paint missing here and there.
Turning his attention to the occupants of the room, he noticed that Mr Bennet’s clothes were probably two seasons out of date, as were Sir William’s. However, this was not the case with the ladies. All of them were dressed in fashionable attire, and, he noticed, following the latest trend for simple accessories. Jane wore a single strand of coral beads about her neck, while Mary and Elizabeth had chosen a small gold cross and chain. Apart from these few things and the married women’s wedding bands, there was no ostentatious show of wealth or superior position.
With typical county promptness, as the clock struck seven, so the butler announced dinner.
In the dining room, Mrs Bennet made herself busy, directing her guests to their allocated seats, before taking her own seat at the opposite end of the table to her husband.
Elizabeth, as usual, was sitting next to her father, with Mr Darcy on her right, followed by Kitty and Mary. Next to Mrs Bennet on her right was Lady Lucas, Jane, Lydia, and finally Sir William on Mr Bennet’s left.
Darcy, as usual, spoke little to start with, but he was not bored. He was listening.
“Of course, Charlotte had no choice but to accept Mr Collins’ proposal. At her age, there could be little chance she would receive another. As it is, there might still be time for her to be blessed with children,” Mrs Bennet cooed to Lady Lucas.
“My dear Mrs Bennet, Mr Collins was, I believe, merely following his patroness’s instruction in proposing to Elizabeth first. Lady Catherine felt he should make some attempt to counteract the entail on Longbourn. Though, in reality, Charlotte was always Mr Collins’ preferred choice for a bride,” responded Lady Lucas.
“How old is Charlotte, seven and twenty? Can you still have babies when you’re that old?” chimed in Lydia.
“Of course, you can. Mamma was about that age when she had you, silly,” said Kitty.
“Why would any woman want to be married with babies? Flirting with the officers is much more fun,” Lydia announced with a giggle.
“The Bible instructs us to procreate, to populate the world and spread the word of God. To do that a man and woman must marry,” added Mary in her usual flat tone.
“Well, Zelda Murphy has a baby, and she has no husband!” exclaimed Lydia.
“Lydia!” berated Elizabeth in a firm but hushed tone. “Miss Murphy is not a suitable subject to discuss at the dinner table. If you want to know more, I will explain her circumstances when our guests have gone.”
Making an inordinate amount of fuss as she put her cutlery down, Lydia folded her arms across her chest and then proceeded to turn her mouth upside down in a severe pout.
“Such a high-spirited girl,” Mrs Bennet said, as she tried to cover Lydia’s rudeness with humour.
Finally, Mr Bennet found his voice.
“Well, well, never a dull moment,”
Once the ladies had excused themselves and moved through to the withdrawing room, the remaining three men enjoyed a snifter of brandy.
Darcy was pleasantly surprised by the contents of his glass, which appeared to be the finest Napoleon Brandy.
“You approve?” asked Mr Bennet.
More comfortable now he was in the company of only men, Darcy nodded and said,
“I do, sir. It is French if I am not mistaken?”
“Quite so, sir. It is my only weakness, but what would life be without at least one vice, aye?”
Sir William Lucas, who had received his knighthood for giving a speech praising the king when he passed through Meryton, was, by nature, a kind and gentle man. Newly titled, he moved his family to a bigger and better property, naming it Lucas Lodge. Next, Sir William sold his business and became a man of leisure, which suited him greatly. Being of a friendly disposition meant he seldom saw the darker side of people's personalities, only their good and kind traits permeated into his field of vision.
“Dinner was a lively affair, was it not gentlemen? The young people of today are so passionate about everything,” Sir William said.
“I fear my two youngest girls have yet to learn the meaning of the word restraint,” Mr Bennet said opening a box of cigars and offering them to Darcy and Sir William.
“A taste I have yet to acquire, but I know some like to indulge.”
Both declined.
“So, a daughter to be married, Sir William? When is the happy event?” asked Mr Bennet.
“Early in the New Year, I believe. Mr Collins has gone to ask for Lady Catherine’s blessing. I think they are well suited. My Charlotte is a sensible girl and will make Mr Collins an excellent wife.”
“Quite so, Sir William, quite so.” Replied Mr Bennet. Turning to Darcy, he asked,
“So, have you acted on the matter we discussed, sir?”
Darcy was sure Mr Bennet knew he had not, but as he had raised the subject, it was an opportunity to act on it now.
“I have not, sir, but if you could provide me with some privacy, I would like to resolve that situation this evening.”
Nodding, Mr Bennet said,
“Very well, Sir Lucas and I will rejoin the ladies, and I will send Elizabeth to you.”
Darcy paced the room as he waited for Elizabeth to arrive. How he wished he had prepared his proposal in advance. But he had not.
Lost in thought, he was alerted to Elizabeth’s presence when her questioning voice behind him asked,
“Mr Darcy, Papa said you wished to speak to me?”
Elizabeth was puzzled. What could Mr Darcy possibly want to talk to her about, and so urgently that it could not wait until their next morning walk?
Gesturing for her to take a seat, Darcy waited until she was settled before he spoke.
“Miss Bennet, we have been acquaintances for some weeks now, and although we have not always agreed on many subjects, I have enjoyed our encounters and conversations immensely. You have shown to me that you have a keen mind and possess a sharp wit, while still being able to boast of a generous nature. These are all attributes that I admire…in moderation. Putting aside your lack of fortune, vague connections, and station in life, I have, for some time now, felt that you would make an excellent wife and mother. Therefore, I would like to make you an offer of marriage.”
Elizabeth remained silent, and Darcy, who was inexperienced in matters of the heart, repeated his offer.
“I said, would you to consider being my wife, Miss Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth had not expected a proposal of marriage from Mr Darcy and was completely taken aback when he delivered his offer. He had complimented her in several ways, yet insulted her too. And though she was not insensible to the honour his offer bestowed on her, there had been no mention of love. He enjoyed their conversations, he admired her attributes, he felt as if she would make an excellent wife, but no love. On the other hand, should she dismiss his proposal so quickly, without giving it the due consideration any proposal deserved? No, the least she could do was consider it.
“I thank you for the offer, Mr Darcy, although I am a little surpr
ised by it. May I have some time to consider it? Perhaps I could give you my answer tomorrow?” Elizabeth replied.
Darcy did not wish his agony to be prolonged for another twenty-four hours. In a half pleading, half annoyed tone, he said,
“You cannot tell me now?”
How typical of a man to assume that selecting a lifetime mate was as simple as saying yay or nay.
Explaining the delay, she replied,
“I understand your impatience, sir, but marriage, for a woman at least, is agreeing to put their future life and freedom into the hands of their husband until the day they die. To serve and please them, to be controlled and subjected to their wishes, to rely first on their father and then on their husband for their every comfort and consideration. It is not something a woman should enter into lightly.”
Feeling foolish for his impatience, Darcy shuffled his weight from one foot to the other.
“My apologies, Miss Bennet, clearly my proposal was unexpected. However, if you deem to accept my offer, I would like to begin a formal courtship as soon as possible.”
“I understand. You will have my answer in the morning, Mr Darcy. Now, shall we rejoin the others?” Elizabeth said more calmly than she felt.
Sometime later, after their guests had returned to their homes, and everyone had retired for the night, Elizabeth sat in her bed, her knees drawn up, and her chin resting on them. She was replaying the words of Mr Darcy’s proposal in her head, comparing it to the one she had received from Mr Collins. The latter had at least said he loved her, however untrue it was, while Mr Darcy had not mentioned love at all. Though, Mr Collins had proposed only because his patroness wanted him to marry, not because the idea of matrimony had appealed to him or that he sincerely loved her. Whereas Mr Darcy wanted to be married, and what’s more, he wanted to be married to her. Had he not told her himself that he had never proposed to a woman before? And she could not believe he would have proposed at all, if he was solely attracted to her for her company and their lively exchanges.
Elizabeth absently wrapped a glossy tendril of hair around her index finger, and then admired the spiral it had formed as she released it from her grasp.
Of course, she could not ignore the financial stability a marriage to Mr Darcy would bring to all her family. The entail on Longbourn would no longer be a consideration when her father died. Undoubtedly, being able to secure the financial future of all her sisters was an appealing incentive, but it must not be the only reason she accepted him. Then, as her mamma had so often pointed out before Mr Bingley's sudden departure, having a rich a son-in-law would ensure the younger girls were introduced to other wealthy men. Though being related to Mr Darcy should be consideration enough, if he added a few thousand pounds to each of their dowries…but she was getting ahead of herself.
With these points firmly turning her mind towards accepting his offer, Elizabeth knew it was not her family that would have to deal with Mr Darcy, live with Mr Darcy, or be loved by Mr Darcy. That burden would fall on her shoulders alone.
Falling back onto her pillows, Elizabeth tried to imagine herself being embraced and kissed by both men that had proposed to her. A shudder of revulsion rippled through her entire body when she thought of Mr Collins placing his lips against her mouth. Thankfully though, that would now never happen. Then she turned her thoughts to Mr Darcy. He was intelligent, articulate and well read. But could she bear to be to be kissed by him, embraced by him, loved by him? Admittedly he was a handsome man, with the appearance of a firm and well-formed body. It would not be so abhorrent, Elizabeth decided, to allow Mr Darcy such liberties.
Then, quite involuntary, as her mind imagined Mr Darcy’s lips pressed against her own, a few hairs at the nape of her neck responded, producing a pleasant, yet strangely unsettling sensation.
Giving herself a mental reprimand, she thought of what her mother might think. As Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy, she would want for nothing. Fashionable clothes and jewels, and servants aplenty. Properties, foreign travel, and influential acquaintances. Yes, there was a lot he could offer her, but would these be enough without love?
And what if she did accept him? Having made no secret of her dislike of Mr Darcy, to her family and close friends, should she now confess her prior dislike to him? Surely one of them would reveal her past opinion of him if she did not. How she wished she had been more guarded in her opinions.
Eventually, she decided if the right moment arose, then she would confess her previous opinion of him, aware that by then she might be his wife.
Finally, there was one point that she would not compromise on. She would not enter into a marriage with a lie between them. She did not love Mr Darcy, not at present, but she imagined…hoped she could learn to love him. If this was acceptable to him, and he could answer all her questions satisfactorily, then there was, she decided, a strong possibility she would soon be Mrs Elizabeth Darcy.
Elizabeth slept very little that night, and when she did sleep, her dreams were a jumble of Mr Darcy and Mr Collins fighting a duel over who should take her, as the prize.
Chapter Six
Darcy was up long before the cockerel crowed. Pacing back and forth in his bedchamber, berating himself for his woefully inadequate proposal to Elizabeth yesterday. He concluded that if he were she, he would refuse him. What had possessed him to mention her inferior birth and lack of fortune, and why had he not declared that he loved her and had done so for some time instead of wittering on about how he enjoyed their arguing.
Frustration saw him slam his fist into the wall. Not for the first time, he wished that he possessed an easy way with words like his friend Charles Bingley.
Sitting astride Odin at the bottom of the lane, Darcy had to cool his heels for a full twenty minutes before it was time for him to call on Elizabeth.
During this period of inaction, his loyal steed pawed at the hard ground, preferring to race across open fields to hovering on a dirt road.
With a few minutes to spare, Darcy handed Odin’s reins to the stable boy and ordered him to give him a good rub down.
When the butler opened the door, he informed Darcy that, Miss Elizabeth was expecting him, and if quite convenient, would he mind joining her in the back parlour.
Standing before the closed door, Darcy took a deep breath, then, sure of rejection, he strode in.
Elizabeth was accustomed to seeing only two expressions on Mr Darcy’s face. One of languid indifference, which he usually wore when in company, and the other was a dark scowl.
Which, she wondered, would he honour her with today?
Having wrestled most of the night, trying to weigh up the pros and cons of his proposal, she had decided there were several things that must be asked, and answered before she could make her final decision.
With the weather chillier than it had been of late, she hoped he would not mind if they stayed inside today.
Leaving the door ajar for propriety sake, Darcy went to greet Elizabeth formally.
He bowed, she curtsied.
Elizabeth sat down, while Darcy preferred to stand.
“You are too generous to trifle with me, Miss Bennet, have you reached a decision?”
Elizabeth raised her brows.
“As usual, Mr Darcy, your subject is singular, but before I give you my answer, there are some questions I would ask of you.”
“Of course, ask whatever you will, Miss Bennet.”
Where to start, she wondered. There was much she wanted to say, but there was also no profit in aggravating him with irrelevant questions.
“Do you remember our conversation the first day you walked with me?”
“I do.”
“Then you also recall why I said I could not marry Mr Collins?”
“Yes, because you did not love him,” Darcy replied stoically, anticipating the direction of her reply.
“Sir, while your proposal honours me, I must tell you that neither do I love you.”
“Then you reject my offer!” Darcy said
, his tone harder than he intended.
Her declaration had hurt him more than he thought. Although entirely expected, to hear the words spoken aloud, was nevertheless a painful experience.
“No… not yet. In truth, I am still undecided, sir.”
Puzzled, Darcy frowned.
“Why do you want to marry me, Mr Darcy? Is it merely because I amuse you, will bear your children, and keep your house?”
Seizing the opportunity to expunge his disastrous proposal of last evening, Darcy took a step closer to Elizabeth’s chair, and said,
“No…yes, it is all those things, Miss Bennet, but if that were all I wanted in a wife, there are dozens of debutantes I might choose from.”
Darcy pulled up a chair and sat opposite her.
“At first, I felt only a deep admiration towards you. Your conduct in difficult situations set you apart from others around you. The time you spent at Netherfield caring for your sister, demonstrated to me that you possessed a kind and companionate nature. When Miss Bingley, and Mrs Hurst, were cruel and unkind to you, you could have retaliated, yet you did not. You answered them with wit and humour. You have been generous to your friend Charlotte, defending her decision to accept Mr Collins proposal, even when others were malicious and uncharitable. My admiration for you has grown with our every encounter, until I can now say, with complete honesty, that I love you, most ardently, Miss Bennet. And while I am willing to accept that you do not love me now, I would hope that you could come to love me, in time.”
Elizabeth had never seen Mr Darcy so animated, heard him so vocal, or so passionate about anything. The thought that he had become so when talking about his affection for her felt oddly satisfying.
“You… love me, Mr Darcy?”
“Passionately, Miss Bennet. Believe me, Elizabeth, I view my feeling for you with perfect clarity.”
Darcy noticed the rose colour of her cheeks had turned a darker shade of scarlet.
Mr Darcy's Proposal Page 5
