Elizabeth blushed. “I am not sure, Papa. Yes, I was surprised, but immensely pleased. I do not know if I would have been brave enough to offer the same schedule, but I am happy he did. I love him, Papa, and I would probably run off to Scotland with him if he asked.”
“Bite your tongue, Lizzy. You know you are too considerate to do that. It would devastate me, and you know it.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Yes, I suppose I do, and besides, I rather think he would never ask that of me, out of consideration for you.”
“That is true, I probably would not, but I would be sorely tempted. Mr. Bennet, I am sure you can understand, the last thing I ever thought would happen to me when I came to visit Bingley was to ask for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage and plead with you to allow us to marry within a month. However, here I am, doing just that and despite my trepidations about my family’s reactions, praying you will. I believe we have discovered a love for each other such as few find and am anxious to start living the remainder of our lives together. And I care not what my relatives or friends say. I believe, in the end, they will see the wisdom of my choice.”
Mr. Bennet said nothing for minutes as he looked at them. He had to admit, they were a handsome couple and truthfully, he doubted there existed a better man in England for Elizabeth than Darcy. And it was certainly true that a marriage between them would seem to solve any worries he had about his family’s future. He had been a terrible father, except to Elizabeth. Yet somehow, because of his favorite daughter and her love for this exceedingly wealthy man, his lack of planning and indolence related to the estate would not be a cause of suffering. Perhaps it was providence that he spent his time on Elizabeth rather than on estate affairs, somehow knowing she would prove a worthier investment of his time than the estate.
Finally, he said, “I should make you wait. I must believe you have not truly thought of all the problems you may have as a couple, but I have always found it hard to deny Lizzy what she wants and am selfish enough to know you are correct, Mr. Darcy. Your marriage will solve most of this family’s worries about the future. Therefore, I will agree to your engagement and a marriage within a month, if that is what you truly want.”
Elizabeth could not contain herself and ran over to her father to hug him and kiss the top of his head. Darcy walked over more sedately and offered his hand to Mr. Bennet. “I will have the settlement to you within a few days, and I think you will be surprised at how wealthy your daughter will be. I do ask you not to tell anyone of my true worth. It is something only my banker and solicitor know, and I find it advantageous in my dealing with others to keep them in the dark.”
“I will be looking forward to it, Mr. Darcy.”
“Please, call me Darcy.”
“Very well. Now, let us go inform the family.”
Chapter 11: Informing the Family
As Malcolm was pushing Mr. Bennet out the door to lead Darcy and Elizabeth out of the study and across the foyer to the parlor, Mr. Bennet told Malcolm to stop. “Darcy, you are about to receive your first test as my future son-in-law. Because I have agreed to this impromptu engagement, I want to derive some immediate enjoyment from it; therefore, I hope you and Lizzy will follow my lead as I tease my family a little about it.”
“Papa, what are you going to do? You are not going to embarrass us, are you?”
“I hope you are not embarrassed but will enjoy it as much as I will.”
When they entered the parlor, Jane, who was sitting on a sofa with Bingley, looked up and said, “That took longer than I expected. Is there a problem?”
Looking serious, Mr. Bennet said, “Yes, there was. We had a slight disagreement over the wedding date, but it was finally resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. You are satisfied, are you not, Darcy?”
Darcy, looking equally serious, responded, “I am. It was, after all, the time I told you I favored.” Looking at Elizabeth, he said, “You are not having second thoughts, are you?”
“No, but I am still concerned it will not give your family time enough to rearrange their schedule to accommodate it.”
Jane, whose face showed her disbelief at what she was hearing, interjected, “What wedding? Who is to marry?”
“I am sorry,” said Mr. Bennet. “I assumed you would know why I wanted to speak with Mr. Darcy and then called Lizzy into the study. It was obvious to me they did not meet each other for the first time today; therefore, I suspected they had met secretly in the past. When my suspicions were confirmed, I demanded to know what had happened and given their answers, I insisted they marry. Surprisingly, neither objected as I thought they might and agreed it was necessary, particularly because Mr. Darcy apparently kissed Lizzy quite thoroughly in my study while they were alone.”
There was shocked silence in the room until Bingley and then Jane arose and hurried over to Darcy and Elizabeth. “Darcy, are you being forced to marry Miss Elizabeth? Surely there is some way you can settle this without having to marry her. You have always told me how important it is that you marry for wealth and position.”
“I know I did, but I am afraid my fate is sealed. I have already given my word.”
“Lizzy!” exclaimed Jane. “Surely you do not want a forced marriage. You have always told me you would marry only for love and respect.”
“That is true. However, I believe it is absolutely necessary that Mr. Darcy and I marry.”
Jane looked shocked. “You did not….?”
Understanding what Jane thought she and Darcy might have done during one of their clandestine meetings, Elizabeth could not help but blush and reply in a distressed voice. “Jane. Shame on you for even thinking I might even consider doing what you are implying.” She then took hold of Darcy’s arm and put her head on his upper arm as she had done in the study. “We must marry because we are hopelessly in love with one another and every minute apart from this time on will be torture. His first suggestion to me was that we marry in a few days. He said he could obtain a special license.”
“You mean you both want this marriage?” asked a surprised Bingley.
“We are of one mind, Bingley,” answered Darcy. “Now that I know her, I could not endure seeing her married to someone else. Our only slight disagreement was that she thought we should have a courtship, purely for show, before we became engaged and then married, but I convinced both her and her father that waiting longer than a month would be torture for me.”
“And I agreed,” interjected Elizabeth, leaning her head against Darcy again. She then stepped back and taking hold of one of Darcy’s hands, looked him in the eyes. “In fact, I believe we should have the bans read starting Sunday the 29th and should be married on the afternoon the bans are read for the third time. That will not be quite a month but seems a good schedule to me. What do you think, Fitzwilliam?”
He kissed her hand and then put his arm around her shoulders. “I believe that is an excellent suggestion.” Then he leaned and whispered in her ear, “Please call me Will. I hate being called Fitzwilliam.”
“I thought you had just met Mr. Darcy,” said Mary. “How long have you been seeing each other and where?”
“I first met him the day he and Mr. Bingley came to appraise Netherfield as a residence for Mr. Bingley and his family and then we met again early this morning at the top of Oakham Mount, before he came to Longbourn with Mr. Bingley. However, I have been dreaming about him for years – from the day I visited Pemberley with Aunt and Uncle Gardiner when I was seventeen and first saw his portrait in the grand hall. As I looked at his picture, I suddenly had the feeling we were destined to be together and all I subsequently heard about him from his staff and friends has just strengthened that belief.”
“Thus, you have only actually been together three times,” questioned Jane, “and based on only those three meetings, you have decided to marry?”
“Yes, and it was four meetings, if you count our meeting in the study.”
“That meeting was my idea,” said Mr. Bennet. “I recognized
they knew each other when they and their dogs greeted each other this morning when he arrived with Mr. Bingley. Subsequently, I confronted Darcy, because anyone seeing first him and then Lizzy leave Oakham Mount would believe he had compromised her – particularly since it happened twice. I gave them a few minutes alone in the study to speak about it and was quite surprised when they told me their decision. However, I can find little fault in their decision, given their expressed feelings for one another.”
“When did he kiss you?” asked an obviously excited Kitty.
“We kissed soon after Papa left us alone and it was heavenly. In fact, we kissed twice, and it was those kisses which caused us both to comprehend how much we loved each other. Both of us had feelings we had never known before. We will thank Papa for the rest of our life for making us take the time to discover how we truly felt. It might have taken weeks or months or possibly even years if he had not forced us to confront our feelings several minutes ago in the study.”
She moved to her father and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for being so perceptive, Papa. I truly will thank you for the remainder of my life for what you have done.”
Their confession of their love and their obvious happiness caused everyone to gather around them and offer congratulations. When they were finished, Mr. Bennet said, “And I have not told you what you may think one of the most important consequences of this marriage. All you girls need no longer worry about your future, should something happen to me. Mr. Darcy is extremely wealthy and has assured me that not only will he ensure our family’s life is secure should I die, but he has even offered to give each of you girls a dowry which should make you more appealing to any young man you may fancy.”
“When you say quite wealthy, what do you mean?” asked Lydia.
“I am sorry, Miss Lydia, but only my banker, my solicitor and I, and soon Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet, will ever know my true wealth,” said Darcy. “It is not something I want to be generally known. However, let me assure you that the rumors that my income is at least £10,000 per year are correct.”
“Oh my, Lizzy. If he has at least £10,000 per year, you will be terribly wealthy. Can you buy us some new gowns and dresses? I would so like to have some new gowns and dresses.”
“Those kinds of expenses are still Papa’s responsibility,” responded Elizabeth. “Mr. Darcy will be your brother-in-law, but Papa is still your father and provider. Mr. Darcy and I will occasionally give you gifts, but we will not be responsible for your daily living expenses.”
“But if you are going to be so rich, why cannot we live with you?”
“Lydia! That is enough,” remonstrated Mr. Bennet. “Their marriage will not significantly affect your current life.”
Elizabeth, to prevent Lydia from having one of her petulant outbursts, went to Lydia and took her hands. “Lydia you will not live with us. This is your home.” Then, looking at Darcy, she said, “Will, can we purchase all of them proper gowns for the wedding? I know you have some very highly placed relatives and friends who may attend, and we would not want my family to look out of place among them.”
Darcy smiled at Elizabeth, not at all upset that she had, without asking him, acted as if they were already married. She had used the word ‘we’ to describe their relationship and had made a decision which only his wife should make. “If Mr. Bennet will allow me, we would be happy if all of you could go to London, stay at Darcy House, and visit the modiste used originally by my mother and now by my sister. As Elizabeth has assured you, we want to buy each of you gowns appropriate for the occasion.”
“I assure you, Mr. Darcy, I can afford to pay for my family’s clothes,” said Mr. Bennet, somewhat testily. “I may not have your wealth, but we are hardly poor.”
“I know you can, Mr. Bennet, but…” He looked at Elizabeth and then asked Mr. Bennet, “May I speak with you and Elizabeth in the foyer for a moment?”
Somewhat reluctantly, Mr. Bennet agreed, and called for Malcolm. They then departed, leaving the others wondering what Darcy wanted to tell Mr. Bennet. As soon as they were in the hall, Darcy said, “Please, Mr. Bennet, allow us to purchase the gowns. I suspect you are not aware of just how much women of the higher circles pay for their gowns. In particular, I want Elizabeth to have the wedding gown of her dreams, whatever it may cost, and it may be that the dress, her trousseau, and the gowns for your family will cost many hundreds of pounds. I know it is extravagant, but I do not want anything in Elizabeth’s or your family’s appearance to suggest Elizabeth is somehow not deserving of a marriage to me. Furthermore, I do not want these extravagances to affect your financial condition. I would be willing to marry her in what she is wearing now, but for her sake and in deference to my family, will you allow us to do this?”
Mr. Bennet chuckled and nodded his head. “You are, of course, correct. For people of your status, which will be that of Lizzy, appearances are important. It is unfortunate, but it is the way of the world and although I wish it was not the case, your point is well taken. Therefore, I have no objection to you shouldering most of the expense, but I do insist you allow me to share some of the cost with you. She is after all, not only my daughter, but my favorite daughter.”
“Thank you. I will take whatever you wish to give, but please do not over tax your resources. As I told Elizabeth, I was left a great fortune and have somehow managed to increase it over the years.”
Mr. Bennet grinned as he looked at the two of them. “I find it hard to reconcile the Darcy I see before me with the Mr. Darcy of whom I have heard. I did not miss Lizzy’s use of the word ‘we,’ as if she was already married to you, when she mentioned buying the dresses, and was even more surprised when you started using ‘we’ and ‘us when referring to spending your money, Darcy. Are you sure you have not known each other longer than you have said?”
Darcy laughed and put his arm around Elizabeth. “I can assure you, we have not, but you cannot know how wonderful it sounded to me for her to refer to us as ‘we’ already. Finding a woman whom I could love and who returned that love is something for which I have hoped for most of my adult life but was not sure it would ever happen. What were you thinking when you said it, Elizabeth?”
“Truthfully, I did not think about it. From the moment you said you loved me and wanted to marry me, I began to think of us as ‘we,’ and we would make decisions together. Recall, I did ask you if we could. I did not say we would.”
“I know that, and I instinctively knew that was how it would be. Mr. Bennet, I do believe your daughter and I are perfectly matched.”
Mr. Bennet nodded his head. “I will admit, the evidence seems to point that way.”
“Now, before we return, there is one other point I wished to discuss with you both, which relates to informing my family of this engagement. As much as I am tempted to simply do it by mail, I think it best Elizabeth and I go to London tomorrow to inform Lord and Lady Matlock, Lord and Lady Willingham, and possibly even Judge and Mrs. Darcy of our engagement. I want them to meet Elizabeth, if they have not already, and counter any arguments they may have against our marriage. Is that acceptable to you, Elizabeth?”
“It is. I do know some of them, but I am sure they never even considered that I might become your wife. I also would like to tell my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and Sir Ronald and Lady Inez in person. I believe they have been instrumental in making me a woman whom you would consider acceptable.”
“That is fine. Then I suggest we leave tomorrow with either Jane or Mary acting as your chaperone and invite the others to come three or four days later. By that time, all we need to notify should have been informed and you will have time to go to the modiste with your sisters.”
The three of them agreed to that schedule, even though it would mean Darcy, Elizabeth, and whichever sister accompanied them would miss church the next day. When they returned to the parlor, Mr. Bennet told everyone Darcy needed to inform him of some arrangements which must be made as soon as possible, and all was settled. He the
n informed them of the schedule which had been selected and that Jane or Mary would accompany Elizabeth to London. They would stay with the Gardiners until the rest of the family came to town, and then everyone would move into Darcy House.
Chapter 12: Informing Bingley’s Sisters
On the way back to Netherfield, Bingley watched Darcy as he silently looked out the window and, to Bingley’s surprise, occasionally shook his head and smiled. Finally, Bingley could stand it no longer and said, “Darcy, I thought I had come to understand you and then you do something completely unexpected. Why was Miss Elizabeth so entirely unacceptable a few weeks ago and now you are obviously happy with the choice you have made? Surely you still believe your relatives and peers will be distressed at your choice of a woman to marry.”
Darcy looked at Bingley and smiled again. “I do not know what has happened to me, Bingley, but suddenly I feel free and care little what they think. It is as if a huge weight has been taken off my shoulders, allowing me to no longer look at life as a burden to be endured. Elizabeth has done this to me, and I cannot explain it. You are correct, I hardly know her, yet I feel I have known her all my life. I know there will be difficult days ahead, but, frankly, I do not care. If we marry, and she and I need to live as outcasts from society and spend all our time at Pemberley or my other estates, then so it will be, but given my family history, there is little likelihood of that. All I can think about is how much I will enjoy doing things with her – waking up beside her every morning, riding the hills of Pemberley, sitting before a roaring fire in the library, dancing with her in the ballroom at Pemberley, travelling to Scotland or anywhere else, and watching her bring up our children. I feel euphoria such as I have never felt. I suppose it will wear off, but I am enjoying it while it lasts.”
The Lady of the Mount and Patience Rewarded: Two Stories of Darcy and Elizabeth Page 9
