Falling for Mr. Darcy

by KaraLynne Mackrory

  Chuckling to himself, he declined, stating he would like to remain hidden in his library. He had it on good authority that Mrs. Bennet would be out most of the morning doing last minute shopping for tomorrow’s wedding, thus affording him a deliciously quiet home.

  Elizabeth bid him good-bye and retrieved her woolen pelisse and gloves from Hill. She departed just as Mrs. Bennet, with Mary and Mr. Collins in tow, exited the house to the carriage, bound for Meryton. The brisk winter air assaulted her lungs in a sting of refreshing coolness. She began in her normal quick pace along one of the lanes near her home.

  Upon returning from her walk, she recognized the approach of a single horse and rider. Her excitement quickly faded as her disappointment grew, seeing Mr. Bingley once again arrive at Longbourn without his friend. She closeted her feelings in time to receive Mr. Bingley with feigned cheerfulness.

  “Mr. Bingley, welcome to Longbourn. It feels as though it has been ages since you last visited.”

  “Miss Elizabeth, thank you. The weather has been horrid, has it not? I mean, the snow is lovely and makes the landscape quite beautiful, but I dread being kept indoors.” The last of his speech was directed away from her as his head had turned to the sound of the door opening. Jane stood at the doorway to welcome him and the two were soon engrossed in each other.

  Once all were comfortably divested of their winter wear and seated in the drawing room with a cup of tea, Mr. Bingley, Jane and Elizabeth settled into a comfortable recital of the last few days spent outside of each other’s company.

  Elizabeth’s thoughts kept returning to Mr. Darcy and his absence. She told herself she should not fret over it but felt an ever-sinking feeling that she could not shake. Bingley had not mentioned Mr. Darcy, and at a pause in the conversation, Elizabeth found herself speaking before she could think what she was about.

  “And does your friend enjoy his stay in Hertfordshire, Mr. Bingley?”

  “Mr. Darcy? I believe he did enjoy visiting here, he said as much in his note,” Mr. Bingley replied but, as he was staring once again at Jane, he did not see Elizabeth’s look of confusion.

  “Mr. Bingley, you say he did enjoy visiting here? Pray, has Mr. Darcy left Netherfield?”

  She had hoped to sound a little more indifferent and far less panicked, but the words were out before she could school her tone.

  Turning to Elizabeth, Mr. Bingley gave a smile of embarrassment. “Forgive me; with the weather, I had forgotten that I had not the chance to tell you Mr. Darcy left for London three days ago. He had business to attend.”

  Elizabeth heard her detached voice ask the question that was screaming in her mind. “And when do you expect his return, sir?”

  “I know not. He left very early in the morning, and his note did not mention returning, though it did speak of spending Christmas with Georgiana, so I presume not for many weeks at least. They usually spend Christmas and the New Year at Pemberley.”

  Mr. Bingley turned back to Jane and addressed something to her. As their quiet conversation continued, nobody noticed the color drain from Elizabeth’s face and her eyes begin to fill with traitorous tears. Quickly excusing herself, she exited the room, disregarding her duties as chaperone. Upon reaching the stairs, she lifted her skirts and ran up to her bedroom. There, she locked the door and fell on her bed, sobbing heavily.

  * * *

  Mr. Bingley saw Jane blush modestly at their being left alone. She looked so beautiful, and he could not help himself from reaching over to capture her hand in his. He had not planned on proposing so soon after requesting to court her, but the moment presented itself. As he gazed at his beloved Jane, his heart swelled with emotion; he could not wait a moment longer.

  “Jane.” His voice sounded like a caress and set her heart beating rapidly.

  “Yes, Mr. Bingley?” she asked, shakily.

  “Jane, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. Indeed, you are all I think about and all I wish for. I long to wake every morning of my life with you beside me. Please tell me you feel the same and allow me to love you today and every day for the rest of our lives. Jane, will you consent to be my wife?” He looked at her tenderly and waited with a bracing heart for her answer.

  “Yes. Yes! I will marry you!” She laughed unsteadily as he took her hand and lifted it gently to his lips.

  In the next moment, Mr. Bingley jumped up from his seat in excitement and pulled Jane with him. She laughed at his display of exuberance and smiled indulgently at him. Stepping closer, he placed his hand on her cheek. “Oh, Jane, you have made me so happy!”

  “You have made me very happy, too, Mr. Bingley,” she replied shyly as his light touch sent tingles down her spine.

  “Charles. I am Charles to you now, my love,” he said and stepped yet closer to her.

  “Charles.” She breathed before closing her eyes from the light-headedness she felt at his proximity.

  Mr. Bingley could not help himself anymore. He dipped his head to brush her lips softly with his. Pulling away, he watched her cheeks flush beautifully as she opened her eyes. They stood looking into each other’s eyes for a moment before a noise from the hallway reminded them of the impropriety of their proximity to each other. Mr. Bingley led his intended to the sofa and placed himself at a respectable distance. They spoke endearments for a few minutes as each relished in the new opportunity to share the feelings they had felt but not spoken for many weeks.

  “Jane, I think I should like to go to your father now.”

  Jane nodded and declared she would go to her sister to share their news while he was in with her father. She walked him to her father’s study. After tracing a finger along her cheek, he smiled and knocked on the library door. Upon hearing the summons, he entered with one last glance at her. She smiled and stomped her feet prettily in excitement before calming herself and rushing to find Elizabeth.

  * * *

  After a few minutes, Elizabeth’s tears dried up and she laid on her bed as feelings of disappointment slowly turned to fuel a rising anger at herself. She was irritated that she had broken down and cried. She did not cry often and was usually much more reserved and in control of her feelings. She allowed her anger to propel her off the bed and to the basin to splash water over her face. The cool water felt good on her burning cheeks and stinging eyes.

  After a few moments, she sat on the windowsill to think about what she had learned. Mr. Darcy had not come to see her, and he had left the country without so much as taking proper leave of his acquaintances in the neighborhood. She was hurt that he would not pay her the respect she felt she deserved. She had come to believe they at least had built a friendship in the recent weeks. Her anger at herself for having become so vulnerable to him was palpable.

  Before her encounter with him in the grove of trees, she was nearly unaffected by him. She might have admitted to finding his features pleasing, but she was quite able to dislike him. Why could I not have kept my reserve? As she sat clenching her fists in frustration at her weakness, she began to feel a stirring of anger at the man himself. He had been charming and teasing with her. He had said pretty words and flirted with her. She ignored the voice in her heart that said there had been true feeling in his eyes when he acted thus, but instead allowed herself to reason that he had trifled with her feelings and then left the neighborhood without so much as a thought for her. It was in this attitude that Elizabeth heard the knock on her door and Jane’s voice from without.

  She hurriedly checked her appearance in the mirror above the dressing table and was relieved to see no evidence of her former moment of weakness. She took a few deep breaths and said a small prayer of thanks that she had never shared her feelings for Mr. Darcy with Jane. She would now put them aside and forget him as he had obviously forgotten her. After another quick breath, she opened the door to her sister’s smiling face and gave an equally bright smile that, if not felt, was at least convincing.

  Chapter 10

  Mr. Bennet stood u
p from his desk as Mr. Bingley’s jubilant stride propelled him into the room. He studied the young man and suspected the nature of the interview he was now about to have. It did not surprise him that, so soon after granting his permission for Bingley to court Jane, the man would return with another request of a more permanent nature. He had observed the two of them together when Bingley visited, most particularly the evening when he joined the family for dinner, and it was clear that his shy, eldest daughter did fancy Mr. Bingley. He perched his mouth in a crooked smile of amusement and felt a smug satisfaction that he had judged Bingley’s character well enough to know that his impulsiveness would not allow a long courtship.

  “Mr. Bingley, good morning, sir. What can I do for you this morning?” Mr. Bennet asked, motioning Bingley to sit across from his desk. He tried to hide his humor at watching Mr. Bingley’s radiant face change to apprehension in reflection of the memory of their previous interview when he had mercilessly teased the young man.

  “Good morning, sir.” Mr. Bingley cleared his throat and felt all the discomfort associated with the task he was about to perform. It was not often that he was uncomfortable in any social setting, but he could not forget the stern countenance of Jane’s father when he had asked for permission to court her. The thought occurred to him that Mr. Bennet might not be happy about this new request coming so soon after the last. The sooner I finish this, the sooner I can return to Jane.

  Thinking of Jane brought back his feelings of joy at her acceptance of his proposal and allowed him to speak more confidently. “Sir, I realize that my business with you today may seem rather precipitous after our previous meeting, but if I may be frank, sir . . . ?” He paused and waited for Mr. Bennet to nod his permission before continuing. “You see, sir, I rather think I have already waited for this occasion far too long. I found I could think of no good reason to delay this next step and thus, when given the opportunity today, I could not help myself.”

  Mr. Bennet leaned back in his chair and rubbed his jaw in mock seriousness. He could see Mr. Bingley’s nervousness and knew what he was trying to communicate. However, Jane was his daughter, and he did not want to give up his residency in her heart so easily. So he continued to bait the young man.

  “Mr. Bingley, I apologize, but I do not have the privilege of knowing what it is that you are speaking about.”

  Mr. Bingley colored as he realized that, in his haste, he had assumed Mr. Bennet would know why he sought his company that morning. His embarrassment soon faded as his thoughts briefly drifted to Jane and the joy she must be experiencing sharing their news with her favorite sister. His features softened into that which only a man in love could express, and he sat up straighter in his chair, his tender regard for Jane giving him a renewed determination. He looked Mr. Bennet in the eye and spoke with a voice of certainty. “Mr. Bennet, I have come here to request your consent and blessing. I have asked your daughter, Jane, to be my wife, and beyond all my hopes, she has accepted me. I am here to ask you to grant me her hand in marriage.”

  Mr. Bennet settled into his usual contented smile as he listened to his soon-to-be son-in-law request his daughter’s hand. He did not have the heart to continue goading the man.

  “Mr. Bingley, I give you my consent. Jane is a dear, sweet woman whose compassion and understanding for others is one of her greatest virtues. I know you are a good man who will provide my daughter with the happiness she deserves.” Mr. Bennet’s voice faltered at the last, but he lifted his chin in an attempt to remain in control of himself.

  “Thank you, sir. Today you have given me the most precious gift I could ever hope for in this life.” He reached to shake Mr. Bennet’s hand as he stood to take his leave.

  “Just a moment, Mr. Bingley, if you can humor an old man.”

  Puzzled, but no longer concerned, Mr. Bingley nodded his acceptance and resumed his seat.

  “Mr. Bingley, before I grant you leave to return to my daughter, where I am sure you wish most to be, I have just one more area regarding your marriage that I would like to discuss with you.”

  Mr. Bingley smiled at the sound of Mr. Bennet speaking of his future marriage. Excitement and impatience surged through him, and he looked eagerly towards his new father-in-law-to-be. “By all means, Mr. Bennet. Pray continue.”

  “I understand that I am asking you to be rather candid with me about your choice of my daughter; however, I must ignore propriety and ask you to provide for me exactly why it is you wish to marry my Jane.”

  Mr. Bingley’s face lit up in a radiant smile. “Sir, that is an easy question, and I do not mind telling you at all. If you allow me access to your roof, sir, I will shout the answer from atop it if you wish. I love Jane. And as you have granted me permission to marry her, I plan on loving her every day for the rest of my life.”

  Mr. Bennet returned Bingley’s smile with one of supreme happiness at hearing the answer he hoped to receive for each of his daughters.

  “Very good, sir. See that you do.” Mr. Bennet stood and reached for Bingley’s hand.

  With a hearty bounce to his handshake and a laugh, Mr. Bingley replied, “I will, sir. I will.”

  As Mr. Bingley turned to leave, Mr. Bennet asked him please to deliver a request to Jane to come to his study as soon as she was able. Mr. Bingley laughed happily again and confirmed he would deliver the message and return with Jane right away.

  * * *

  “Jane, what is this smile of yours about?” Elizabeth queried, as she stepped aside to allow Jane to enter the room.

  Jane sat on the bed and, taking in a deep breath of contentment, fell backwards with a sigh. Elizabeth smiled at her sister’s serenity, even as she envied it. She caught the sight of her own tear-sodden handkerchief on the bed, and covertly reached to hide it as she sat next to her sister.

  “Lizzy, how am I to cope with all this happiness?” Jane giggled and kicked her legs in the air with excitement. She then turned to her sister with a mock frown. “You should not have left us alone in the room, Lizzy. It was very naughty of you, but I shall forgive you, for you see, nearly as soon as you quitted the room, Charles proposed to me. He asked me to be his wife!”

  Elizabeth reached to embrace her sister. “Jane, I am so happy for you. It is exactly what you deserve, and I will not apologize for leaving you alone even if you do not forgive me, for how can I regret a sin when the results of it are so fortuitous?” She laughed as Jane gave her a disapproving face before erupting into laughter again.

  Elizabeth lay down on the counterpane next to her sister and they looked at the ceiling for a few moments.

  “Charles?” she teased her.

  Jane blushed. “Yes, it is Charles now. Though I must say I feel flushed whenever I say his name. I do hope that goes away or I shall be a very silly wife.” She smiled and sighed again.

  Elizabeth turned on her side and grabbed her sister’s hand. “Tell me all, Jane. What did he say?”

  Jane faced her and began to relate with as much detail as possible, as is usual with ladies, the scene of his proposal and her acceptance. Abruptly, she stopped speaking and flushed.

  “Jane . . . what happened next? You know you cannot keep this from me,” Elizabeth begged, as she watched her sister cover her face with her hands and shake her head with embarrassment.

  Elizabeth laughed as Jane mumbled something through her hands. She pushed her sister’s shoulder gently a few times.

  “Jane, this will not do! I cannot hear you through your hands. You are far too discomposed for me to believe it is nothing, so I must insist you tell me!”

  Jane kept her hands on her face but took a deep breath and spoke louder. “Then he kissed me!” She squealed again as her face flushed even redder at the memory the words brought back.

  Elizabeth grinned and expressed her delight as the two sisters laughed some more. Despite Jane’s initial discomfort, they then began a lengthy discussion of the kiss — what it felt like, how it was achieved and when they thought he might do it
again. After exhausting the topic, they rolled on their backs and looked at the ceiling, both sighing in contentment.

  Elizabeth was truly happy for her sister. She knew Mr. Bingley was an excellent match and they would both be very happy in their life together. Jane’s natural modesty would be met by Bingley’s affable personality.

  Jane sighed, “If only I could see you this happy, Lizzy, my happiness would be complete. If only there was such a man for you.”

  Elizabeth remained silent as a single tear rolled down her face. She had set aside her own feelings of distress at Mr. Darcy’s departure upon hearing Jane’s happy news. Being reminded of the man she now believed was the only man she could ever be prevailed upon to marry, her feelings came back full force. She turned her head away from her sister in an attempt to compose herself and disguise her heartbreak. She swallowed the lump in her throat and, adding a levity she did not feel, replied, “Well Jane, you shall just have to be sure to place me in the path of other rich men after you marry!”

  Her sister’s laughter allowed her the opportunity she needed to push her thoughts of Mr. Darcy aside and laugh too, though without the same warmth she had previously. “However, I am sure that so much good fortune and happiness cannot be granted twice to one family, and so, I shall content myself to be governess to your ten children. I promise to diligently teach them all to paint and play their instruments very ill, indeed.”

  The sisters laughed again as Jane protested such a ridiculous statement.

  “At least it may be said that the Bingley children will, all of them, be ‘excellent walkers’,” Jane teased her sister. They both laughed softly before returning to their private reflections.

  Elizabeth was relieved to hear a knock on their bedroom door as the weight of the conversation was beginning to task her composure, and she stood to answer it. Hill relayed the message to Jane that her father requested her company in his study.

  Jane stepped to the dressing table to check her appearance before turning to her sister with concern. “Do you think Papa will say no to Charles?”