Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple

by Brenda J. Webb

  “What if it were Georgiana? I have to try.”

  “If you insist on going, I am going with you. Surely, Mr. Bennet will not get as upset if I am present.”

  “Let us hope not,” William said solemnly. “I shall finish dressing and meet you downstairs as soon as possible. If we are to prevent a disaster, we must act quickly.”

  LONGBOURN

  By the time Caroline Bingley had dressed to impress Mr. Darcy, he and her brother were almost at Longbourn. As they rode in silence, Charles was beginning to question if this trip was prudent.

  “Darcy, may I ask a favour of you?”

  “Of course.”

  “Stay seated in the carriage until I send for you. As I said, Mr. Bennet was as angry this morning as I have ever seen any man and he might do something regrettable at the first glimpse of you. After all, you do favour Andrew quite a bit.”

  “You may be right. In matters of colour and height, Andrew and I are similar.”

  “Then you agree?”

  “Yes.”

  By then the carriage had come to a halt in front of Longbourn and Charles opened the door and got out. Leaning back in the window, he said, “I appreciate that you are doing as I ask. I do not wish to upset the household further.”

  William merely nodded and watched as Charles disappeared inside the manor. Then he began to thoroughly examine the house and grounds, taking a measure of Longbourn. Unimpressed by the maintenance of the manor house, he focused on the grounds. Though there seemed to have once been a large rose garden on the left side, it had been sorely neglected. The roses needed pruning and the trellises and the stone wall surrounding them begged for repair.

  Glancing to the right was another garden and William changed seats and opened the door to have a better view. This garden was populated with native plants and shrubs and he was inclined to favour it, for it did not require a great deal of care. Besides, from what he had seen, it was unlikely to receive any. Satisfied that this side of the house was the more presentable of the two, he was about to sit back and relax when he looked up. His gaze froze.

  Elizabeth was standing on a small balcony on the third floor of the manor, almost invisible through the limbs of a large oak tree. Only the movement of a shawl slipping from her shoulders, exposing a bright yellow gown, had caught his eye. As William held his breath, she rose on her toes, leaned over the railing and looked to the ground. His pulse quickened.

  Suddenly, Jane Bennet joined her sister on the balcony. She reached down to retrieve the shawl and place it around her sister’s shoulders before pulling Elizabeth into an embrace. Even from where he sat, he could see both their bodies trembling as they cried. That was the moment he knew what he would do.

  “DARCY!” CHARLES’ VOICE penetrated his senses and he realised his friend was standing behind the open door. “Are you well? I called several times, but you paid me no mind.”

  “I... I apologise—”

  “Never mind, we must hurry! Mr. Bennet has agreed to see you.” As William stepped out of the carriage and they started towards the door, Bingley cautioned, “Please try not to upset him. Just remember that he has had a great shock and has a lot of things on his mind.”

  William stopped in his tracks. “Bingley, do you think me bereft of good manners?”

  “No, not at all! Just try not to appear superior! I know that you do not think yourself superior, but those who are not acquainted with you have no way of knowing. From your manner—”

  William broke in. “Thank you for the vote of confidence.”

  A housekeeper was already holding open the front door by then. She did not speak, nor did she meet their eyes as they entered the foyer. William glanced about, noting that the interior of the house was as neglected as the exterior. Suddenly, he noticed someone he assumed was the Master of Longbourn standing in the shadow of a doorway several feet ahead. Nodding in that direction, he was taken aback when the man stepped back into the room. A click signalled the door had closed.

  Once Charles was alongside, the housekeeper led them to that very doorway. At her knock, a fatigued voice called, “Come!”

  She opened the door and motioned for them to enter. William watched as Bingley stepped inside, then he steeled himself to follow. The room was dark, save for a place in front of a large window where the curtain was pulled back. It was in this light that Elizabeth’s father stood, hands locked behind his back, staring woodenly into the distance. He did not bother to turn or otherwise acknowledge his guests. The friends exchanged pointed looks and Charles shrugged. Still, only a nudge from Darcy spurred him to speak.

  “Ah, err, Mr. Bennet, sir. This is my good friend. The one I spoke to you about—Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire.”

  For a long while, Mr. Bennet was silent, and William became convinced that he was waiting for him to speak. He had just cleared his throat when their host deigned to reply.

  “Mr. Bingley explained that you are the Darcy with ten thousand a year, while your cousin simply lets people assume that he is the one who is wealthy.”

  William, who preferred to keep his finances private, frowned at Charles as he replied, “I cannot control what people say or choose to believe.”

  “Nor, it seems, can you control the lies your cousin spews!” His bitterness silenced William and Mr. Bennet turned then to examine him. “You look remarkably alike. From my experience with the man, I think that must be a curse for you.”

  “Sir, I—”

  A hand came up to silence him again. “Just looking at you, one would think you are a gentleman, but then your cousin looked the part as well.” Mr. Bennet turned back to face the window. “Mr. Bingley puts great stock in your character, but he has not convinced me. So suppose you tell me why you are here? For seldom does one of your station deign to visit my humble estate. What can you possibly do to be of service now that that blackguard has compromised my daughter?”

  William took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, gathering his courage. “I can marry her.”

  Mr. Bennet stiffened but otherwise did not react. Not so Charles! His head swung around and his mouth flew open, as he whispered anxiously, “Darcy, what are you saying?”

  William gave Charles a sharp look, shaking his head in order to quiet him.

  “As you say, Andrew and I look very similar. I have been told that he and your daughter were observed in the darkness of a gazebo; thus, it would seem a simple matter to convince your neighbours that I was the man with Miss Elizabeth. And if we were to marry as soon as possible, the matter could be easily forgotten—especially if no child follows in the next few months.”

  Mr. Bennet sneered. “Elizabeth has assured me that nothing happened between them other than a kiss that was forced upon her.”

  A load lifted from William’s heart. “I am not surprised. Your daughter was always a lady whilst in my company.”

  “Would that she had shown such reserve last night! Still, you expect me to believe that you would marry my daughter just to right a wrong perpetrated by your cousin?”

  “Yes.”

  Bennet turned to face him. “How noble! Why not force him to marry her and not muddle up your own life?”

  “If you give me your word it will go no further, I shall explain.”

  “You have it.”

  “Besides the fact that he cannot support himself, much less a wife, he disdains the institution altogether. I have had to force him to support his two illegitimate children with two different women. And just this week I received news that he is likely responsible for another woman’s early demise. Her father believes she drowned herself because Andrew had raised her hopes then fled when he learned she was not the heir to his estate. I would not discount that her family is searching for him as we speak.”

  “If all you tell me is true, he is not good enough for my Lizzy. But why do you think I should give you my consent?”

  “I am in love with her.”

  Thomas Bennet barked a hollow laugh.
“From what Lizzy said when she returned from Netherfield, you were anything BUT hospitable to her. And you left Meryton shortly afterward, so when did you find time to fall in love?”

  “I believe I loved her from the beginning, but I convinced myself that it would not be to her advantage to make an offer.”

  “Not to her advantage or to yours?”

  William looked sheepish. “Both, I fear. To be honest, I was impressed with her intelligence and liveliness from our first meeting, but those attributes do not necessarily translate into the skills needed for my wife. Being mistress of Pemberley is a daunting task in itself, but I also have homes in London and Brighton. In addition, my family will not readily accept a woman from outside our sphere and Miss Elizabeth could be subjected to contempt from many of my acquaintances. Frankly, I was not quite sure she could rise to the challenge or if it would be fair to ask it of her.”

  “How decent of you to consider Lizzy’s feelings,” he replied, though his voice challenged William’s truthfulness. “Since we are being candid, having her marry you is not my only option.”

  Waiting for a reaction, Bennet was pleased when William’s eyes narrowed. “I have a cousin who is a vicar, Mr. Collins, and he is currently seeking a wife. He was very enamoured of Lizzy when last he visited Longbourn. Mrs. Bennet was of a mind to force Lizzy to marry him even before this disaster occurred. A marriage to him would secure her future, you see. However, now she is more resolute and since he is my heir, it would seem the logical solution.”

  “If Mr. Collins is the vicar at Hunsford, it would prove you have no care for your daughter’s happiness. For that Collins is my aunt’s vicar. I am acquainted with him and I find him an obsequious fool.”

  A quick intake of breath from where Charles sat alerted William that he had managed to insult Mr. Bennet’s family.

  “Pardon me. I should not have disparaged your cousin, no matter how horrid I find him.”

  Charles dropped his head in his hands, clearly expecting the worse.

  “I think him a fool, too, but at least Lizzy would not be subjected to the ridicule of the ton if she marries him.”

  “For a woman of her intelligence, her joie de vivre, to be shackled to such a man would be the cruellest fate imaginable. And mark my words: she would suffer ridicule from her peers for having such a husband.”

  Instantly, Mr. Bennet realised that this man understood Elizabeth, perhaps even deserved her, and his spirits rose. “How do you plan to convince Elizabeth to marry you? She is stubborn and will not have you just because you wish it.”

  “Let me speak with her.”

  “I will. But it shall be here in my study and in my presence. I will have no more secret conversations.”

  “Agreed. And I have a request as well.” Mr. Bennet lifted his chin in anticipation. “I would prefer if you did not mention to Miss Elizabeth the things I related about Andrew.”

  Bennet’s eyebrows rose in question. “Why not?”

  “I would not want my poor opinion of him to influence her decision.”

  Thomas Bennet’s eyes narrowed. He had rarely met someone so principled. “Very well.”

  As he went to find a servant to fetch Elizabeth, William exchanged glances with Charles.

  “Are you sure of this, Darcy? Even if you love Miss Elizabeth, marrying just to prevent a scandal might not be the wisest choice for you.”

  “If I marry her, it will be only because I love her.”

  A SHORT WHILE LATER

  The sunlight now filtering through the windows did little to alleviate the gloom that permeated the entire house since news of Lizzy’s lack of discretion reached Longbourn. Mrs. Phillips had appeared at their door whilst they were in the breakfast room, barely recognisable in her solemnity. Usually her visits were punctuated with giddy anticipation as she waited to share the latest gossip, but today, after simply relaying the facts, she had departed as downhearted as when she had arrived.

  In one corner of the parlour, Mrs. Bennet and her three youngest children sat at a table in front of a large window. Fanny scarcely focused on the embroidery she had picked up to settle her nerves, instead stealing glances at the door that led to Mr. Bennet’s study while straining to hear what was being said.

  Barely able to contain her curiosity, she was certain that this meeting meant the difference between ruin and salvation, for she scarcely believed Mr. Collins would still want Lizzy if he learned of the scandal. Having been sick since her sister’s visit, relief had washed over her at the news that Mr. Darcy had come. Surely it signified that he would make Lizzy a legitimate offer.

  Secretly, she was pleased that Thomas had to face his culpability in the matter, for she had warned him often enough that coddling his favourite daughter was a grave error and now she felt thoroughly vindicated. There was no doubt that Lizzy’s belief that she was not like other young women, or subject to their rules, had led to this disaster.

  Suddenly, loud voices could be heard coming from the study, causing those in the parlour to go eerily quiet. Realising that she could hear much better outside Mr. Bennet’s study—especially if the windows were open to catch a breeze—Mrs. Bennet threw her sewing on the table and hurried from the room.

  Everyone in the parlour was left staring at the door through which she fled.

  MR. BENNET’S STUDY

  When Elizabeth entered her father’s study, she anticipated having to face the man that she had refused the night before, for in response to her pleadings for information, Mrs. Hill told her that a Mr. Darcy was waiting with her father. Then she had patted Elizabeth’s back, her way of showing support, before opening the door. A slight smile was all Elizabeth had time to bestow on the servant before her father beckoned.

  Refusing to glance at the man who sat on the left, Elizabeth kept her eyes firmly fixed on her father until she stood in front of his desk. This exercise caused her to realise that he seemed to have aged overnight and a pang of guilt pierced her heart. Drowning in regret, she barely heard his words.

  “Elizabeth, I believe you know Mr. Darcy.”

  Only the wave of his arm towards the left, gave her to know that he had spoken. Swallowing hard, she turned and her heart almost stopped. Expecting Andrew, she was mortified to find the other Mr. Darcy rising to greet her. The expression on his face was puzzling, for he looked at her with such kindness that she could scarcely believe it. Suddenly lost in a pair of piercing sky-blue eyes, she felt lightheaded and dropped her gaze to the floor.

  “Yes. We have met.”

  William bowed. “I am sorry that we meet again under these circumstances, Miss Bennet. Please allow me to apologise for my cousin’s complete disregard for propriety and lack of common sense. I ask for forgiveness for the pain he has caused you and your family.”

  Relieved that an apology must be his grounds for coming, Elizabeth looked up at him through her lashes. He seemed sincere. Glancing to her father, she noted that he was watching them both keenly.

  Her throat seemed as dry as sand as she replied, “I... I accept your apology. But you are too kind, for I am at fault as well. I allowed Mr. Darcy to talk with me privately, knowing we should be chaperoned. I fear that I fancied myself in complete control and was flattered to be noticed by someone of his station. My pride overruled my better sense. Now I, as well as my family, will suffer for my foolishness.”

  “Your humility serves you well, though it is my contention that my cousin deserves the greater part of the blame.”

  Greatly relieved that the apology was over and expecting that he would leave, an awkward pause ensued. She was stunned when, instead of leaving, Mr. Darcy pulled a chair out and waited patiently for her to sit down. Surprised, she complied and watched as he took the chair opposite her. Then her father spoke.

  “Mr. Darcy has proposed a way to minimize the effects of the rumours now entertaining the good citizens of Meryton. I am inclined to agree with his solution, so you will hear him out.”

  Minutes later, w
hen Mr. Darcy had finished speaking, Elizabeth sat as motionless as a statue. Too overwhelmed to think clearly, she opened her mouth, but no words came. Instead, her mind swirled with thoughts.

  What an absurd idea! I could barely envision being married to Andrew Darcy, for he is so far above my circumstances, but marriage to someone of Fitzwilliam Darcy’s rank would be utter madness! Never mind that I have no regard for him; what would his family have to say? Would they demand the marriage be annulled? Would Miss Darcy accept someone beneath her for a sister? No! It is impossible! Preposterous! I would rather be a governess!

  Mr. Bennet observed her face go through a plethora of emotions, paling a little more with each. Standing, he reached for a decanter and poured three glasses of wine. Handing one to Mr. Darcy, he set one on his desk and handed the other to Elizabeth. She nodded her gratitude. Taking a sip of the fragrant liquid, she closed her eyes and willed herself to relax. She sat in this manner for a time, then cleared her throat and addressed Mr. Darcy.

  “Sir, I understand that you feel somewhat responsible, and I appreciate your selflessness in offering to marry me. What I cannot fathom is why you have not considered the reaction of your family to such a marriage. Clearly, you were born into a higher sphere and you are expected to uphold a certain standard. I do not represent that standard. My dowry is little or nothing compared to any debutant the season might field, and I have not the background required.”

  Mr. Bennet dropped his eyes, uncharacteristically ashamed.

  “Miss Elizabeth, I am seven and twenty. My father’s death left Pemberley to my management at twenty. My sister, who is almost eighteen, was only eleven when he died. And though I have regard for my family, I have run the estate and taken care of my sister on my own since that day. I answer to no one. As for a dowry, I am wealthy. Lack of a dowry is no obstacle.”

  “But you need a wife who is schooled in the ways of the ton.”

  “I have to disagree, for I despise the ton. Why should I want you to emulate them? Besides, your manners are suitable to me.”