by Don Miller
Once they were seated, Georgiana could contain herself no longer, and blurted out, “Will, did you offer and Elizabeth refuse you again?”
Almost simultaneously, Lord and Lady Matlock exclaimed, “Again!” Looking at Darcy, Lady Matlock asked, “What does she mean ‘again’?”
Georgiana was mortified and said to Darcy, “Oh, Will, I am so sorry. It just came out.”
“It is alright, Georgie,” he said, “They were bound to find out sooner or later.” Turning to his aunt and uncle, he said, “Elizabeth told you we have had a somewhat turbulent relationship. I suppose it is time I told you about it.”
For the next half an hour Darcy talked to them about his meeting and interactions with Elizabeth in Hertfordshire, his inability to get her out of his mind, his disastrous proposal, and his reconnection with her at her then aunt and uncle’s bookstore. And Georgiana completed his story telling about her meetings with Lizzie, as she called her, and what Lizzie had done for her.
“Now, getting around to tonight. No, I did not propose to her again. I just asked her if I still had a chance, and her answer put me in heaven and hell.” And he told them what she had said to him, and that he was going to speak to her tomorrow to see if he could get a sense of how close she might be to a commitment, or lack of commitment, to him.
“I have to say,” commented Col. Fitzwilliam, “she is a very elegant young lady. She is intelligent, thoughtful, and kind. Let me tell you, cousin, I will not try to invade your territory, but if she refuses you, I will find it very hard not to put in my bid.”
“You will do no such thing,” said Lady Matlock. “You would make your cousin miserable and cause a rift between two of the best friends I have ever seen. But let us hope that it will not come to that. I assure you, William, I am hard to impress, but my son is right. She is a very elegant young lady, and one I would be proud to call niece. I am sure we all will do what we can to support your suit, but in the end, it is you who have to convince her. And Georgiana, I am sure you did not have to worry about losing her as a close friend, no matter what happens between her and your brother. She appears to me to be one who would be loyal and steadfast, no matter what the situation, so I encourage you to continue your visits with her. And besides, your close relationship with her cannot hurt Darcy’s chances. Just do not try to push her into any commitments to him.”
Lord Matlock arose from his chair and said, “I think it is time that we end this little tête-à-tête. I need my sleep. But let me say that I really do feel for you, Darcy. You have looked so long, and to have found someone and to lose her would be a blow from which it may take some time to recover. I have no doubt you could do it, but I do hope it is not necessary. I have to agree with my wife, I have not seen a young woman who has impressed me as much as Miss Dumont since I met my own wife. I do not know what I can do, but if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.
Monttard house
June 9, 1811
Dear Jane,
I am sorry that it has taken me a while to respond to your letter. To tell the truth, it is hard to know how to answer your question about what it is like to live in opulence, since I am not sure I know yet. Certainly I have learned there are some very nice people among the ton. My grandparents, the Matlocks, the Darcys, the Queen (she seems a very welcoming lady, although I do not know if she’s considered one of the ton or not), and some of the people who invited grandmother and me to tea since I was recognized as the Dumont’s granddaughter. Many have proven to be not as haughty or arrogant as I expected many of the ton to be. It is amazing to me, however, that although I am the same person I have always been, I was unacceptable as just plain Elizabeth Bennet, but am totally acceptable as Elizabeth Dumont. They certainly seem to believe that being of the right blood is important and automatically makes you acceptable.
There are some things that are very easy to learn to accept. My personal maid, Leila is wonderful and can do wonders with my makeup and hair. Having a closet full of dresses of which even the everyday dresses are better than my ball gowns in Longbourn and having beautiful jewelry to wear make one feel very special. I even have a carriage at my disposal whenever I need it. And having two sets of grandparents who treat me with respect and seem to love me despite my shortcomings is something I find most wonderful. I do miss my talks with Papa, but I do not miss Mama’s constant criticisms of me.
I am not sure why Papa seemed to favor me. Maybe he just recognized in me a kindred spirit--one who would love to read and learn. As for Kitty, she and Mary were the ones who received the least attention from our parents. Whereas Mary seemed to be able to retreat within herself and ignore the rest of the world, Kitty pretty much depended on you and me for parental guidance. By losing me, she lost one of those persons to whom she felt she could turn in times of trouble. To her it was probably much like losing a mother or father.
Now let me tell you about Mr. Darcy. I have seen him twice since my return to London. I told you about the time at the bookstore. This evening I saw him at dinner at his aunt and uncle’s home. Lady Matlock had invited my grandparents and me to dinner, and those attending included Mr. Darcy and Georgiana. After dinner when the men and women separated, Georgiana and I went off to the side of the room so I could tell her all about what had happened to me in the last week. When the men returned, Mr. Darcy sought us out and shortly after he arrived, Georgiana excused herself and left me to speak with Mr. Darcy alone. He took the opportunity to say that he still felt the same about me and asked me if he had a chance with me. I told him that he did, but that I still felt I did not know him very well and that I owed it to myself and my grandparents to meet more men of the ton. Of course, he was not too happy with that answer, but did accept it and asked if he could visit me tomorrow. So clearly he has not been discouraged by my earlier rejection and has, at this point, left it up to me. I do have affection for him and respect him as one of the best men I know, but I am not sure I love him or that we would be a good couple. I suspect the outcome of tomorrow’s meeting with him will define how our relationship goes forward.
This week I am looking forward to the ball being given by the Earl and Countess to introduce me into society as their granddaughter. My dance card for it is half filled with relatives of mine and of Mr. Darcy’s. So far I have my two grandfathers, Lord Matlock, Mr. Darcy, Col. Fitzwilliam, and Viscount Gladney (the son of Lord and Lady Matlock). Therefore I will not be meeting many more young men of the ton at that ball, but that does not upset me. I have plenty of time.
I am afraid I will not be able to attend your wedding if it is within the next 3 to 4 months, and that very much upsets me. Are you sure you cannot wait until late October? The current plans are that we will be in Devonshire from next week until mid-July and then we will be traveling around England and Scotland visiting ports where Dumont Shipping Line has a presence. This should take us 2 to 3 months, and we will end up in London in mid-October. I could certainly attend your wedding if it were in late October, and I could probably convince my grandfather to return to London a little early if your wedding were in mid-October. That being said, I suspect that once I decide to marry, I will want a very short engagement, and so I do not want you to put pressure on Mr. Bingley for a long engagement just so I can be in the wedding. Do that which will make him happiest. And I suggest that if I am not there, you ask Kitty to be your maid of honor. I believe she will feel much honored and act accordingly. I think this is the kind of responsibility she needs to grow up as a responsible young lady.
I will write you again after the ball in before we leave for Devonshire.
Love
Lizzie
Chapter 12: A Walk in the Park
Neither Darcy nor Elizabeth slept particularly well that night. Elizabeth thought back over all of their meetings and once again wondered how she could have been so foolish. Was she in love with him? She had never been in love and was not sure what her feelings should be. William seemed so c
ertain and so passionate about it. Could she be that passionate? Could she imagine the rest of her life without him? She decided she could, but imagining it with him was more pleasant. Events of the past few weeks had often pushed thoughts of him to the back of her mind, but at the most unexpected times, she would think of him, and wish he was there. And she felt he would support her in many of the things she wanted to accomplish. That was one of the things she needed to talk to him about tomorrow. And she had more than once dreamed about him lying in bed with her with his arms around her. Like most young ladies of her class, she had not experienced being with a man, but she could imagine what it was like to hold him in her arms, and it was a very pleasant dream. Had she been wrong to put him off? Was she in love? She wished she had Jane there to talk to.
Darcy had no doubts about his feelings. And he, who had experience being with a woman, knew what to expect and was certain it would be wonderful with Elizabeth. He often dreamed about her and imagined making love to her. As he had told his aunt and uncle, her answer to his question at the dinner party had put him in heaven and hell. She had more than a little affection for him, but clearly she had doubts about marriage to him and the depth of her feelings for him. And he suspected she might think he would not approve of some of the things she wanted to accomplish either before or after their marriage. He knew she was a independent woman and would want assurances he would not try to control her every activity after their marriage. He knew he came across to many people as a very controlling person, and, indeed, because he was responsible for so many persons at Pemberley, he knew that in many cases, he was, and occasionally took that attitude over into his dealings with other people. He had to think very carefully on the partnership they would have if he was so fortunate as to gain her as his wife.
Promptly at 3 o’clock, Darcy knocked on the door at Dumont House, which was only a short walk from Darcy House. The butler let him in and took his hat and gloves and he was led upstairs to a small family parlor on the first floor. Lord and Lady Monttard and Elizabeth arose to greet him.
After all the greetings have been expressed, Lord Monttard came over to Darcy, offered his hand, and said, “Elizabeth has been telling us some of the details of her past history with you, and I must admit, it is a very intriguing story. I am sure she is not told us everything in deference to your privacy, but she has certainly told us enough that I admire your perseverance. You obviously realize what a wonderful and desirable woman she is. I think she has even convinced me and Lady Monttard that you may deserve some time alone with her, so we are going to approve you meeting alone with her in this room. I am sure we can count on your discretion and your gentlemanly behavior. However, if you prefer taking a walk in the Park, we would prefer that Leila accompany you, at a reasonable distance, of course. But before you do that, I would like to speak to you alone in my study.”
Saying this, he led Darcy out of the room and down the hall to his private study, which was adjacent to his bed chamber. He offered Darcy a glass of port, which was accepted. After pouring them both a glass, he sat behind his desk, indicating that Darcy should sit in the chair in front of the desk.
“Mr. Darcy, I asked you in here because you are in a unique position in my granddaughter’s life. I was not going to speak to you this afternoon, but when I was told the full story from Elizabeth, I realized you two have a rather unique relationship, and it would not surprise me if you are successful in your quest for her hand. But even though she is a very intelligent and perceptive young woman, she is an innocent in our society. She has no experience with gentlemen of this society, and even less experience with the kind of reception she is going to receive from many of the women in this society. Nor has she yet to realize the power of our wealth can give her in this society. Do you have any idea how wealthy I am, Mr. Darcy?”
“No, my Lord, I do not.”
“I am not one to flaunt my wealth, but I am one of the wealthiest men in England. I have holdings all over the world about which few people know. I know you will keep my confidence about this fact. One of my greatest concerns is what is going to happen to that wealth when I am gone. I am sure you have heard that Elizabeth is my heir. She is set to become probably the wealthiest woman in England. To be frank, I want to make sure she has control of that wealth to do with as she wishes even after she is married, which means I will want whoever marries her to sign away all his rights to her wealth. Now I am going to put in my will that this is my desire, but I do not know if the English courts will honor it, because as it is now, all of a wife’s property goes to the husband, and I believe the only way she can have control of it is if her husband signs away his rights to it. I believe you are an honorable man Mr. Darcy, and I have heard nothing but good things of you from Lord and Lady Matlock and Lord and Lady Denby. Also in the past I have had some dealings with your father, and I knew him to be a good man. So I am sure that if you give me your word you will not seek to control her wealth, I can take it on your word as a gentleman you will do as you say. Nevertheless, I want you to know this before you continue your courtship of my granddaughter.”
Darcy did not hesitate. “I can assure you, Lord Monttard, all I want from her in this marriage is her. I have far more wealth than I need and certainly do not covet hers. As she probably told you, when I first made an offer of marriage to her, I thought she had nothing in the way of wealth to offer, and I did not care. To me, for months, she has been just Elizabeth, and whether it is Bennet or Dumont is not important to me.”
“I must admit to you I am ambivalent about her becoming attached to you at this point. We are just getting to know her, and she is just getting to know us and to realize what her position in life has become. I have nothing against you, and, in fact, based on what I have learned about you from Matlock and Denby, I believe you would probably be a very good husband for her. And should you win her love and approval, I will certainly not stand in your way. But I do think she needs some time.”
“Lord Monttard, let me assure you that if my dreams come true and she does accept me, she will be in your life as much as she and you wish you to be. We only live a few houses apart in town, and I believe you and Lady Monttard would love spending time at Pemberley with your great-grandchildren. And I am sure we could also spend time at Staunton Park.” And then he gave Lord Monttard a big smile and said, “And I do not know if you look forward to escorting her around to the various teas and balls during the season, which I know I will find less than pleasurable with Georgiana, but if she is married to me, you would not have to do that.”
Lord Monttard laughed and said, “You do make a good point there, Mr. Darcy.” He then arose and led Darcy into the sitting room where Elizabeth and Lady Monttard were waiting.
Darcy walked over to Elizabeth and said, “Miss Dumont, if you would not mind, it is a reasonably nice day, and I would very much enjoy a walk in the Park with you.”
“I was hoping you would say that,” responded Elizabeth. “Leila and my shawl and gloves await us in the foyer.”
And so Elizabeth and Darcy, with Leila trailing a respectful distance behind them, headed out from Dumont House and walked the few blocks to the entrance of Hyde Park. There Darcy stopped and said, “I feel that the next hour or so maybe one of the most important hours of my life. It, in the sense, defines the rest of my life.” He then offered her his arm and continued, “May I offer you my arm, or do you think that would go beyond the appropriate gentlemanly behavior at this point?”
“I really do not know if it is totally appropriate or not, however, I intend to take your arm anyway, so the point is moot.”
They walked in silence, Darcy reveling in the closeness he felt with Elizabeth. Finally she broke the silence. “William, I am not sure where to begin. I am not a very experienced young woman with regard to men. I have never known love before. I have never even been kissed by a man that was not a father or uncle. I cannot deny I have feelings for you, and there are times when I think of you and wish you were with m
e. And you have told me you cannot imagine your life without me. I do not seem to be able to imagine what my life will be with you. I think that is because I have not imagined you as a potential husband except in the last few weeks. I have never been to Pemberley or even Darcy House, so I have no idea what they are like. And I have no idea what it will feel like to be married.”
She stopped them and stepped away from him and looked at him. “When I am with you like this and look at you, I feel good. I want you to know that. But I have not yet realized that intense desire to be near you that you express to me. That is part of my hesitation. As I said, I know I have feelings for you, and I like being with you, but I also have fear that in the long run I will disappoint you because you do not think that I love you as much as you love me, or as much as you want me to love you.”
He took both of her hands in his and looked deeply in her eyes. “Elizabeth, what you have told me is more than I expected. I have felt for a long time that my love would be enough for both of us until you came to know me better and to experience love more. To know you have some feeling for me is very encouraging to me, and gives me hope. And I must tell you that I cannot imagine any way you can disappoint me.”
He offered her his arm again, and they walked on in silence for a few minutes. Finally he said, “Do you think that you would have accepted my hand had you been Miss Bennet rather than Miss Dumont?”
“To be honest, I suspect I might have, because I would believe that you could provide me the security I thought I needed, and I would be willing to believe my affection for you would deepen. And I was sure I am the type of woman you need to make you smile more and feel more comfortable in social situations. I felt we would be good for each other even if I never shared your passion to the extent you do.”
