by Jann Rowland
“You are more than being considered, Miss Elizabeth,” said Mr. Darcy. His look caused Elizabeth’s insides to flip over. It was like she was melting under the force of his love.
“Lizzy,” said Jane, her tone slightly admonishing. “The Lizzy I know lets no one intimidate her. If you show Mr. Darcy your quality, just by being the courageous Lizzy I have always known, I have no doubt Mr. Darcy’s father will have no choice but to love you.”
“I agree,” said Mr. Darcy. “Please, Miss Elizabeth—I ask you to trust me in this matter. He will take some convincing, but in the end, he will be won over.”
Though still uncertain, her courage bolstered by their words, she nodded, determined to put her fears behind her. Jane patted her hand, and Elizabeth grasped Jane’s in return. The subject was then dropped though Elizabeth did not forget it.
The rest of the journey was passed in quiet conversation, with nothing of substance discussed, though at times it seemed every word which passed between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy was fraught with emotion. As the summer was waning, giving way to autumn, the weather was still fine, and the miles flew by. Soon, the carriage passed through Meryton, taking the path towards Lucas Lodge, then Longbourn beyond.
When the sight of her beloved home wove into the view through the trees, Elizabeth considered the building. Though she had always loved this scene, something in Elizabeth’s own heart had shifted. It was difficult to understand what made her feel this way, though she thought it had to do with the man sitting on the other carriage bench. While Longbourn was still her home, it would not always be, and for the first time in Elizabeth’s life, she knew that time was quickly approaching.
Shaking herself of these thoughts, Elizabeth allowed herself to be handed down from their conveyance when the carriage stopped with a gentle lurch. Those faces she had known all her life were gathered there waiting for her, and Elizabeth greeted them with laughter and love. Thomas and Caroline, she had parted from only days earlier, and though separation from her father and sister Mary was only a little longer, she greeted them as if they had been sundered for months.
It was quickly evident that Mr. Darcy was more than a little nervous at his reception, but Mr. Bennet quickly moved to put him at ease. He stepped forward and offered his hand, first to Mr. Bingley and then to Mr. Darcy.
“Thank you both for bringing my daughters home safely.” Mr. Bennet laughed and added: “Hopefully you will both one day understand, but a man’s daughters are his most beloved treasures. And then despite all this, you must watch them cleave to another man when they become old enough. It is a wonderful, but excruciating, feeling.”
Mr. Bingley laughed at Mr. Bennet’s words, but while Mr. Darcy did also, his was of a more hesitant quality. Elizabeth was watching him, and thus she saw how he gathered himself, squared his shoulders, and addressed Elizabeth’s father.
“I believe, Mr. Bennet, that I must have a conversation with you. Would it be acceptable to ask for a moment of your time now?”
“It seems to me, Mr. Darcy,” said Mr. Bennet, “that it may be best to defer it to another day. I am eager to speak with my daughters, and you are all tired and dusty from the road.”
That Mr. Darcy was nonplussed was evident, but he was also relieved. Elizabeth’s perceptive father also noted this fact, as he laughed and clapped Mr. Darcy on the back. “Yes, I believe it is better to wait to canvass such weighty subjects. Let us discuss it the next time you visit. Can I assume it will be as early as tomorrow?”
“I have no wish to stay away longer,” said Mr. Darcy. “And I doubt Bingley would allow me to, regardless.”
“Then come and be welcome. I wish you a safe journey to Netherfield though it is only three miles distant.”
These words exchanged, the two gentlemen once again boarded the carriage, and soon it was off, Elizabeth and Jane watching as it disappeared from Longbourn’s drive and out through the village. It left her feeling bereft, more evidence she was coming to esteem Mr. Darcy highly.
“Come, my dears,” said Mr. Bennet. “Let us go into the house. Surely you can do without your young men for a few hours.”
“Yes, Papa,” said Jane, turning to follow her father.
The family filed into the house. But as Elizabeth entered those well-known halls, rested her eyes on scenes beloved and precious to her, she wondered if this was the last time she would ever return to her home as a resident of it.
The reception at Netherfield was as happy as the one they had received at Longbourn. As their last child still living at home, Darcy knew the Bingleys cherished the return of their only son, though one of their daughters was situated only three miles distant.
Together, he and Bingley accepted their welcome and then excused themselves to return to their rooms in order to change and wash. And though he was not anticipating it, Darcy knew the communication regarding the coming of his parents must be made to his hosts.
The family was gathered to afternoon tea soon after, the hot liquid soothing the travelers’ throats and putting them to rights again. Then Bingley made the communication to his parents.
“Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are welcome to stay at Netherfield at any time,” said Mrs. Bingley. The woman’s excitement at the prospect of such guests seemed genuine interest, but also contained a certain level of awe Darcy knew he did not provoke himself. Whether it was because he was yet a young man or because his mother was the daughter of an earl, he did not know. Mrs. Bingley was well enough behaved that Darcy did not think his family would see anything untoward or grasping in her excitement.
“I would be pleased to make their acquaintance,” added Mr. Bingley.
Whereas Mrs. Bingley had been all excited enthusiasm, Darcy thought he caught a hint of hesitance in the elder man’s manners. Nothing further was said during their tea, but when Mr. Bingley invited the younger men to his study, Darcy was certain he would discover the truth of his feelings. It turned out that Darcy was completely correct in this assessment.
“Have a seat,” said Mr. Bingley, waving negligently to a pair of chairs before his desk. Sitting behind it in his own chair, Mr. Bingley regarded them thoughtfully, though his eyes were on Darcy more often than he looked at his son. “The result of my son’s hasty journey to London I shall not raise, as it seems to have been resolved. But this matter of your parents strikes me as curious, and I wished to ask you about it.”
Mr. Bingley sat back and waved his hand, forestalling Darcy’s reply. “Of course, I know nothing to suggest the matter is anything other than what you have told me. And, I would assure you, I do not suspect your parents of any untoward behavior. I am well aware they are much higher in society than the position my family can boast, but from Charles’s account, there was nothing in their welcome to him which suggested anything other than perfect civility.”
A nod was Darcy’s response, as he sensed the man had more to say. In truth, he was relieved, for he had grown tired of defending his parents’ supposed tendency to look down on others beneath them in society.
“What more concerns me,” continued Mr. Bingley, “is that your father might have heard of your recent attentions to Miss Elizabeth, though I cannot imagine how he might have learned of the matter.”
Darcy sighed and sat back in his own chair. “That appears to be his reason for wishing to join us, though I am at as much of a loss as you to explain how he discovered it.”
“You did intend to inform him?”
“Yes,” replied Darcy, “though I had thought to wait until I was more secure in Miss Elizabeth’s regard. I know he has much higher hopes for my future wife than Miss Elizabeth.”
Mr. Bingley regarded him for a moment and then nodded, his manner still thoughtful. “Perhaps it is best he discovers it now, rather than later, when you are committed to offering for her. It will give him time to become accustomed to the situation.”
“That is one way to consider it,” said Darcy with a grimace. “But I mig
ht have wished my father would not have the power to frighten her away from me.”
A laugh was Mr. Bingley’s response, joined by his son. “That girl is not one to be frightened away by anyone, Mr. Darcy. If she decides it is you, she wants, I cannot see anything your father might say that would change her mind.” Mr. Bingley paused and sobered. “I am curious of one thing, however, though you may, of course, refuse to answer if you will. Will your father be angry enough at your choice to resort to disinheriting you?”
While Darcy’s first thought was that it was unlikely, he paused for a moment to consider Mr. Bingley’s question. “I do not think so,” said he at length. “I have no brother he can promote in my place. While it is possible he could make my sister his heir, I doubt he would carry it so far. Furthermore, my mother would strenuously oppose such a measure.”
“Very well,” said Mr. Bingley. “Nothing more than sincere concern provokes me to raise this subject. If your father was to take a drastic step such as removing your inheritance, you would need to choose how to act. My friend has provided his daughters with excellent dowries, but your consequence would be much diminished.”
“It would,” acknowledged Darcy, “but I own some other investments through my mother’s family, perhaps enough to purchase a small estate where we could live. I would not be in a position to offer her anything equal to Pemberley, but we would be comfortable.”
“The Bennets are good people,” said Bingley. “Miss Elizabeth would not bat an eyelash in such a situation. She would be content with whatever you were able to give her as long as she felt strongly enough to accept you.”
“Indeed,” said the elder Bingley. “In that case, I suggest you confirm the invitation to your parents. I assume you did not give final confirmation pending my wife’s approval?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Darcy. “If I may have a bit of paper and a pen, I shall do it directly.” Then Darcy turned to his friend. “Would you care for a ride into Meryton? I would prefer to send my letter express.”
“Of course, my friend,” replied Bingley. “I am at your disposal.”
“Well, Lizzy, it appears you have managed to wrap that young man around your finger tighter than a matron wraps her dress around her ample person.”
The company smiled at Mr. Bennet’s jest, though some—such as Mr. Collins—did so fleetingly. That did not serve to temper Mr. Bennet’s wit.
“With the power you now possess at your disposal, I might wonder if you mean to use it.” Mr. Bennet winked at Jane. “Both my eldest daughters seem to have wealthy gentlemen willing to do anything for them, and that is not a power to be trifled with.
“Then again, a gentleman’s affections can sometimes be akin to fleeting breaths of wind on an otherwise calm day. Perhaps you should make the best use of their current infatuation, lest those other interests begin to crowd out their interest in young ladies. Your mother would have advised you to secure them as soon as may be. Then you may be in a position to throw Mary in the paths of other rich men.”
“Oh, Papa Bennet!” said Caroline. “How you do carry on.”
Mr. Bennet grinned at her and continued, completely unaffected. “Then again, I have heard it said that a young lady likes nothing more than to be crossed in love. Should you wish to induce your gentlemen to jilt you, I suspect they would do so in a highly creditable manner.”
“There is little that can be done to pull them away from my sisters,” said Mary, though she was grinning at her father’s teasing. “I wonder how I shall cope here alone under the authority of my brother’s wife.”
“That is enough from you, missy,” said Caroline rather primly. “We shall get along well enough, I am certain. As for Mr. Darcy and my brother, I cannot be more delighted that they show signs of such constancy.”
“Indeed,” said Mr. Bennet, his attention once again fixed on Elizabeth. “And despite what we all—or some of us,” Mr. Bennet glanced at Thomas who was watching all with a longsuffering air, “thought, it seems it was Mr. Collins who possessed the sagacity to see that Mr. Darcy meant no harm to our Lizzy.”
“If you will recall, I had no doubts either,” said Caroline. Mr. Collins just looked self-satisfied, though he did not say anything.
“Nor I,” said Mary, looking to her brother.
“His actions still remain open to interpretation,” said Thomas. When the rest of the family looked on him as one, he gestured with his hands, a sign of surrender. “Very well, it does appear he has nothing but honorable intentions for Elizabeth. But I will not lower my guard.”
“The proprieties must be observed,” said Mr. Collins.
“Indeed, they must,” said Mr. Bennet, “though these young lovers still find ways to have their own way.” Then he turned a more serious eye on Elizabeth. “I was not happy to learn what happened between you, Lizzy, and even less that you did not trust me enough to take me into your confidence. But I do understand why you did not.”
“I apologize, Papa,” replied Elizabeth. “At the time, I had no intention of being bound to Mr. Darcy to restore my reputation. And you know how Mama would have reacted to it.”
“Yes, well, we could have kept it from your mother.” Mr. Bennet paused. “In the future, Elizabeth, I want you to feel like you can come to me with anything. Do not carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, for your family is ready and willing to carry it with you.”
“Thank you, Papa,” said Elizabeth. “I shall remember that.”
The conversation turned then, focusing more on their relations in London, Elizabeth informing her family of Mrs. Gardiner’s recovery and the recent antics of the children. Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth knew, esteemed his brother by marriage highly, and he commented more than once that he had known Elizabeth would be safe at Gracechurch Street. With their aunt’s recovery, the situation was returning to normal there, and Elizabeth knew they would almost certainly come to Longbourn, as they did every year, to spend Christmas with the Bennets.
Whether Elizabeth would remain a single woman until that time, she could not determine. Given the gentleman’s ardency, she thought it likely he might propose long before then, but Elizabeth’s acceptance was not yet determined. That Mr. Gardiner got on so well with Mr. Darcy was a surprise, but one which spoke well to the gentleman’s character, when one accounted for his position in society. All these things led Elizabeth to espouse a warmer regard for the gentleman than she would have thought possible only a few short weeks ago.
Later in the evening, Elizabeth sat down to a game of chess with her father while the rest of her family were involved in their own concerns, reading or speaking quietly, or in Mary’s case, playing quietly on the pianoforte. At the start of their game, both players were locked in concentration and little was said between them. Then, after a time, Mr. Bennet addressed her.
“Please tell me the truth, Lizzy. Did you ever feel in danger from Mr. Darcy?”
Elizabeth considered the question for several moments before she replied. “Not physically in danger. I was wary of the man and questioned his motives and his future plans, but I never felt unsafe in his presence, even when he acted so inappropriately. I saw him at Pemberley, you understand.”
“Oh?” asked Mr. Bennet without moving his eyes from the chessboard.
“Aunt Gardiner insisted on touring the grounds of his father’s estate. We were told the family was from home, but Mr. Darcy returned that day to see to some business. But while he spoke briefly with my aunt and uncle, I was concealed in a strand of trees. He did not see me.”
Mr. Bennet looked up. “And yet you told me you were not afraid of him?”
While his tone was not precisely accusatory, there was a challenge inherent in his question. Elizabeth replied quickly to forestall his ire.
“I was wary of him. I had not seen him in almost four years, and you know what happened at our last parting. But he has never acted in a way which would make me fear him.”
Though he
continued to regard her for several more moments, soon Mr. Bennet nodded and turned his attention back to the game. “It is not every young lady who will forgive a gentleman such behavior.” After a few more moments of ostensibly studying the board, Mr. Bennet chuckled. “Then again, perhaps it is every maiden’s dream to provoke such a depth of feeling in a young man that he forgets all propriety and declares himself madly in love with her.”
“It certainly has its charms, Papa.”
They laughed quietly together over the board. “Well, I must inform you, Lizzy, that I have always liked the young man. Intelligence, kindness, thoughtfulness, and an undying regard for a young woman are not always bound up together in one young man, though many young men give the appearance of it when in the first throes of infatuation. Now that you are past the first great test, I suspect you will do very well together.”
“I suspect we might, Papa.”
“Then perchance you should simply accept him when he walks in the door tomorrow. Throw yourself on him, return his kiss from four years ago, and beg him to take you to Gretna right at that moment.”
“Papa!” exclaimed Elizabeth in embarrassment. Though she knew Mr. Bennet to be jesting, the thought of such actions made her feel decidedly warm.
“Ah, very good,” said Mr. Bennet with some satisfaction as Elizabeth made her move. “Check and mate, my dear.”
Elizabeth looked at the board with astonishment, seeing he was absolutely correct. Then she looked up at him, vexed with him for his subterfuge. Mr. Bennet only grinned and rose to his feet.
“You always did play carelessly when your emotions were excited. Perhaps I shall not share this little tidbit with Mr. Darcy. It would be much more amusing to allow him to discover it on his own.”
Mr. Bennet kissed her cheek and announced his attention to retire to his bookroom, leaving Elizabeth watching him as he left. Looking down at the board again, she noted her mistake. If her father thought she would be duped using such arts again, he would be quite disappointed.
