As soon as Lizzy departed, a merry Mr. Bennet joined Mr. Darcy. “What a display of finery and array of food we have, Mr. Darcy! But such a joyous occasion merits all this folderol, does it not?” Darcy nodded his head in agreement.
“It gladdens a father’s heart to see a daughter well married to someone she loves, as that is not always the case, and now that Jane is married, it will be Lizzy’s turn. I hope she is as fortunate as her sister because she is equally deserving of a fine man. I do not think I could part with her if that were not the case.”
“Naturally, a father would wish for such things,” Darcy said, and he shifted uneasily.
“Mr. Darcy, I am giving you an opening, and you are not taking it.”
Darcy looked at Mr. Bennet, smiled, and laughed. “Is it that obvious?”
“Not as obvious as Mrs. Crenshaw being with child, but close.”
“I am embarrassed to be found out so easily.”
“Don’t be. It was in this very ballroom where I fell in love with Mrs. Bennet. By the end of that long-ago evening, there wasn’t a soul in the room who doubted that we would marry because I could not hide my feelings for her. In addition to being the most beautiful lady in the county, I was attracted to Mrs. Bennet because she had the ability to make me laugh, which is a necessity if a marriage is to survive the storms that will rise up every now and then. I think you require the same thing.”
“I do, sir. But I suspect Elizabeth’s wit has a bit more bite to it than Mrs. Bennet’s does.”
“No doubt. My daughter has a satirical eye, and I must congratulate you on winning her affection. It is my understanding that the first time you met Elizabeth you insulted her. Something about her being rather plain and not wanting to dance with her?”
“I plead guilty,” Darcy answered, “but Elizabeth has forgiven me.”
Mr. Bennet started to laugh. “A word of advice from an old married man. Although she may have forgiven you, she will never forget, so be prepared to hear about it for the rest of your life.”
“Fortunately, we make a joke of it now.”
“Yes, at the beginning of your marriage, you may joke about it, but wait until your first argument when it will once again rear its ugly head. Hopefully, that is far into the future. So when are you to call on me, Mr. Darcy?”
“As soon as possible.”
“Ah, that quickly then,” he said with a hint of sadness. “I know that a father should not favor one daughter over another, but I am a man of many faults. I enjoy Lizzy’s company so much that it will be difficult for me not to have her about, but I am comforted in knowing that she will marry a man with a generous heart. You see, I am convinced that if you had learned of Wickham’s designs on any other vulnerable young lady, you would not have acted any differently. And so, Mr. Darcy, I am placing Elizabeth in your care, and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, after church, for tea.”
From across the room, Lizzy looked to Mr. Darcy for some indication of what the two men had been discussing, but noting her interest, he gave nothing away by his expression. But Lizzy gave him such a look that he smiled and nodded his head, and she placed her hand over her heart in acknowledgment. It was exactly as she had hoped it would be.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bingley joined the Bennet family for tea. They had left behind a house near to bursting with relations and wanted something less hectic for their first full day together as husband and wife. With Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and their father engaged in conversation, Lizzy motioned for Jane to go upstairs, and they both quietly disappeared from the parlor.
“Well?” Lizzy said as soon as she had closed the door.
Jane knew exactly what Lizzy wanted to hear. “Everything is fine, but I cannot begin to tell you how odd it is to have a man lying on top of you,” and she started laughing. “It did hurt, but for such a brief time, and the whole thing was over sooner than I thought it would be.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
“Are you glad to hear that it did not hurt or the length of the experience?”
“My dear sister, what a change one night can make. You are a married woman and may speak of such things.”
“But there was a surprise—other than the obvious one. I had in my mind an idea of what would happen, and it was very close to what I had imagined. However, during the night, Charles rolled over, and we began again. I had not expected that.”
From Lizzy’s expression, nor had she. “Twice in one night?”
“Three times if you count this morning,” Jane said. “Apparently, Charles finds it quite enjoyable, and each time, it was a little easier. I think it is something I could come to enjoy, that is, when it becomes less awkward.”
Although Lizzy nodded her head, indicating that she was happy to hear that it had gone reasonably well, nothing in her expression showed that it had put her mind at ease.
When the ladies returned to the drawing room, they found that Mr. Bennet had invited Mr. Darcy into his sanctum sanctorum for a glass of port. Mrs. Bennet found nothing unusual in this because she knew how indebted the family was to Mr. Darcy and assumed that Mr. Bennet wished to thank the gentleman in private. Charles, who was in on the plan, was left behind to entertain all the ladies while the men went about the business of discussing the marriage contract. While in London, Mr. Darcy had had his solicitor draft the document, and after perusing it, Mr. Bennet set it aside.
“You are very generous, Mr. Darcy. But then I had no worries on that account. However, what does concern me is that you and Lizzy come from very different worlds, and there will be struggles because of it. You shake your head, but I can assure you there will be occasions when Lizzy will say the wrong thing or not curtsey properly or not acknowledge someone’s rank. But you must be patient with her.
“My second concern is Lizzy’s habit of always speaking the truth. So be prepared for people, who are not used to such honesty, talking about her or cutting her or some other such nonsense. It is only your rank that will protect her.”
“And my love. That too will protect her. Because if anyone injures her, they injure me. I am not a vengeful man, Mr. Bennet, but I take care of my loved ones, and any unkindness toward Elizabeth is unacceptable.”
Mr. Bennet was pleased with his answer and patted his future son-in-law on the back and marveled at how life held so many surprises. Mr. Darcy of Pemberley was to marry his daughter. Who would have thought it?
It was Kitty who first noticed how long her father and Mr. Darcy had been gone. “I wonder what they can be talking about?”
“They have been gone a long time,” Mrs. Bennet said. “Mr. Bingley, do you think anything is wrong?”
“No, absolutely not. No reason to think that at all,” and he looked at Jane, who looked at Lizzy, and now Mrs. Bennet turned her gaze on Elizabeth.
“Lizzy, do you know what is keeping Mr. Darcy?”
“Yes, Mama. He is asking Papa for permission to marry me.”
“What!” She jumped out of her chair, and the quick movement caused her to become dizzy, and she fainted. Jane, who was used to her mother’s spells, quickly went for the smelling salts. When Mama had recovered, she asked her daughter, “Lizzy, did I understand you correctly? You are to marry Mr. Darcy?” Mrs. Bennet said in a voice that was more croak than speech.
“I am, Mama. I know that he did not make a very good first impression…”
“Oh, who cares about that?” she said, sitting up. “I never gave it another thought,” a statement that everyone knew to be completely untrue. “Oh, Lizzy, how rich and how great you will be! What pin money, what jewels, what carriages you will have! Ten thousand a year!” The exclamations continued for several more minutes until Mrs. Bennet became uneasy at the length of Mr. Darcy’s visit with Mr. Bennet. She was taking no chances.
“Elizabeth, go knock on your father’s door and tell him we have heard the good news, and they should come out so that all might share in their joy. Go quickly, now.”
Lizzy was sav
ed from embarrassment when the two gentlemen emerged from Mr. Bennet’s library. Mrs. Bennet looked to her husband, and when he nodded his head and smiled, she immediately went to Mr. Darcy and showered him with praise. Embarrassed, he asked if a bottle of wine might be opened to celebrate the occasion. Mr. and Mrs. Hill were immediately summoned, the Hill sons and Betsy were sent for, and the wine was opened and flowed freely.
Kitty and Mary offered their congratulations, and a chastened Lydia, who had learned of Mr. Wickham’s true nature from her father, whispered hers as well.
Not given to displays of emotion, Darcy stood silent. Seeing his discomfort, Lizzy went to him, and when she slipped her hand into his, Darcy gave his bride-to-be a smile that would have melted even the coldest heart, causing her mother to exclaim, “What a match you have made, Lizzy! I think I shall go distracted!”
Jane and Charles wished the couple joy and asked when they would marry.
“We have not as yet decided,” Lizzy said, looking at her future life’s partner.
“Perhaps we have,” Darcy said, correcting her. “With your father’s permission, I would like to speak to you alone.” Mr. Bennet motioned for the couple to go into the library.
“Close the door, Lizzy,” her father warned her. “Little pitchers have ears and big ones as well.”
As soon as they were in the room, Darcy swept Lizzy up in his arms and kissed her in such a way that Lizzy decided that she would agree to any date he suggested. Sitting down on the sofa, and with her hands firmly clasped in his, he began. “I have a plan, and I would ask that you not say anything until I have said all.” After giving him a quizzical look, she agreed.
“I am suggesting that we marry immediately.”
“What do you mean by immediately?”
“You have already interrupted me, and I have uttered only one sentence.” After clearing his throat, he continued. “As I was saying, I think we should marry immediately, and after a reception at Longbourn for just a few friends and family, we shall leave for Pemberley with Georgiana.”
“Just a few friends? Not a wedding breakfast?
“You do not follow directions very well, do you? Please allow me to continue. Because of the rain this past autumn, Georgie and I were unable to host the harvest dance for our neighbors and tenants. I promised all that I would have the dance in the spring. So what I am proposing is that we marry now, go to Pemberley, and in the spring have the wedding breakfast at my estate. Your family will stay with us, and our friends will stay at the inn at Lambton, at my expense. We shall have marquees and tables out on the lawn, filled to overflowing with food and drink. I will hire musicians from London, and we shall all dance until dawn.” Lizzy sat quietly mulling over the details of his plan. “You may speak now. It is your turn.”
“I still do not know what you mean by immediately.”
“This week.”
Lizzy started laughing. “This week. But I am not prepared. I have no dress.”
“Did you not tell me yesterday that you had trimmed your favorite dress but chose not to wear it to Jane’s wedding because it was too fancy? And I know of a recently married lady who can lend you her veil.”
“But we must announce our banns. The only way we could marry now is if you were to buy a special license.” Darcy reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a special license. “As I have said before, you are used to having your way in all things.”
“Will I get my way this time?”
“What of my wedding ring?”
Darcy took a jewel box out of his pocket, and in it were two rings. “The emerald ring belonged to my mother, which my father chose for her because she had green eyes.” Lizzy had to hold back her tears as she looked at a beautiful, delicate, perfectly proportioned emerald set in a gold filigree setting that had once adorned the hand of Lady Anne Darcy. Beside it was a wedding band of woven gold to match the emerald setting that Darcy had commissioned weeks earlier. As he did on those occasions when he was anxious, concerned, or unsure of himself, he placed his hand upon his chin and went back and forth across it with his index finger as he waited for her answer.
“I agree to your plan,” Lizzy finally said. “Do you have anything else in your coat pockets?”
“As a matter of fact, I do,” and he took out a thin piece of paper and placed it in her hands. “That is another love letter. I suggest you read it in private and then burn it. I would not have given it to you if you were not to be my wife in such a short time.”
Lizzy blushed. If it was anything like the last one, it very might well self-ignite.
“I love you, Mr. Darcy.”
“And I love you, Elizabeth. But considering that we are to be married this week, don’t you think ‘Mr. Darcy’ is a little formal?”
“Then what shall I call you, Mr. Darcy?”
“Those who love me call me Will.”
“I love you, Will,” and she kissed him and then placed her head on his chest, and they remained in each other’s embrace until propriety moved them to join the others.
Mrs. Bennet could hardly believe her good fortune in having two daughters so well married. It was true that Jane had made a fine match. But Lizzy! Oh, my! She was to be married to a man who had ten thousand a year and very likely more. What a wedding they would have. She would go with Lizzy to London to have her gown made by a modiste, who would address them in French. She was sure Mr. Darcy would order a new carriage, most likely white, whose interior would be lined with the finest pearl white satin. Mrs. Bennet was sure that dukes and earls would attend, and because of that, it would be best if the wedding breakfast was held at Netherfield. She was planning the menu when the lovers returned to the parlor.
Unwilling to let Mr. Darcy out of her sight, Mrs. Bennet insisted that he stay for supper, and Jane and Charles were welcome to stay as well. During the meal, it was her intention to learn every last detail about the upcoming wedding, and thus the inquisition began. Would they marry in the spring or summer? Summer, she suggested, since there was so much to do, and because there would be so many guests, it would be necessary to use the gardens at Netherfield, and for that, they needed fine weather. Mr. Bennet finally interrupted his wife and asked that she allow Lizzy and Mr. Darcy to speak before making any additional decisions on their behalf.
“Mama, Mr. Darcy and I have decided to marry in the village church later in the week,” Lizzy responded, ignoring her mother’s open mouth and stare. “Of course, we will need to consult the vicar, but we were thinking possibly Friday. The ceremony will be followed by a reception here, after which time, Mr. Darcy and I shall leave for Pemberley.”
“Oh, Lizzy!” a disappointed Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “Even Jane had more than what you are proposing.”
Bingley, who was already immune to insults from his mother-in-law, laughed to himself at Mrs. Bennet’s suggestion that a Darcy wedding must be bigger and better than a Bingley wedding. Money was good; money and a pedigree were even better.
Lizzy looked to Mr. Darcy, who then explained his plan, and after Mrs. Bennet realized that she would be a guest at Pemberley and that her friends and neighbors would be invited to the manor house of which her daughter was now mistress, she set aside all objections and gave her approval. Before going into supper, Jane pulled her sister aside and suggested that she wear her wedding dress.
“Lizzy, the gown is so beautiful. With a few alterations by Mrs. Lyle, the gown will look as if it was made for you. I would be honored if you would wear it.”
Lizzy did not see any reason why she should not. The two sisters had been wearing each other’s frocks since they were children, and Lizzy readily agreed.
Now that everyone knew that Lizzy and the gentleman from Derbyshire were engaged, as anticipated, Mr. Darcy became the focus of their attention. Although he escaped further inquiries with his departure, Lizzy was peppered with questions from her mother and sisters until she begged to be excused so that she might retire. She had a letter to read.
&
nbsp; Dearest Elizabeth,
You told me that I should have been ashamed of myself for writing you such a torrid love letter. Well, shame on you for reading another one. Although I think that bodes well for me. I will see you in my dreams and for tea tomorrow. I love you.
Will
Lizzy felt as if her face was on fire as she was blushing from head to toe. After complaining of the contents of his first letter, she had rushed upstairs to read the second, and he had anticipated it. Well, he would never know she had read it as she would never own to it. Although she had committed the first letter to memory, she retrieved it from the chest under the bed, and after reading it twice more, she placed it under her pillow, hoping that she would dream of Mr. Darcy.
As soon as Lizzy saw Mr. Bingley’s carriage coming down the drive, she went out to meet Jane because she would have the bridal dress with her. After placing it in Betsy’s capable hands, the two sisters followed their maid upstairs to their bedroom.
“Where are Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley?” Lizzy asked.
“With every member of the family and Mr. Darcy at Netherfield, George Bingley called a business meeting this morning. I swear that man is all work and no play. But after the meeting, everyone will go home, and to that I say, ‘Amen!’” Jane let out a puff of air to show her relief at their departure.
“Did something happen?” Lizzy asked.
“I found an acorn in my coffee cup this morning, and when I looked at Athena, she had a look of victory written all over her face. But enough about the Bingleys and Crenshaws. You are to marry on Friday. What happened to your courtship? How did all of this come about?”
“It was because of what happened in London that I shall have no courtship. Mr. Darcy went there for the purpose of talking to his solicitor about the marriage contract, but while dining at his club, he said that he felt as if everyone was staring at him. Finally, his good friend, Andrew Baring, the banker’s son, came over and said, ‘Sorry, Darcy. Better luck next time,’ explaining that he had heard from Sir John that morning that Miss Montford was to marry Jasper Wiggins.”
A Wife for Mr. Darcy Page 25
