Chapter Seventy-Eight
T he next day, Elizabeth and her husband went down to breakfast and found Lady Anne waiting for them.
“I trust you slept well?” Lady Anne asked.
“Thank you, Mother, we did,” Elizabeth replied. “I hoped today we might make definite plans for winter entertainments, if you are not too weary from our travels.” The subject had been much canvassed on the trip from Cresston Hall, but it was time now to set things in motion.
“I am eager to get started,” Lady Anne replied. “We agreed on a Harvest Dance for the tenants and a Christmas Ball for neighbours and family. Traditionally, the Harvest Dance was held at Michaelmas, but that day has passed.”
“We will resume that tradition next year; for this year, might we not just select a date? Surely it need not be associated with a holiday?” Elizabeth asked.
Lady Anne replied, “The servants and tenants will appreciate a dance, accompanied by a feast, no matter the date!”
They agreed on the first of December, as they would need at least two weeks to plan the event, purchase the foodstuffs, and have the food prepared.
Lady Anne said, “I have notes from the last Harvest Dance, which I am sorry to say was before my Mr. Darcy passed on. I had not the heart for it since then.” There was a moment’s silence, which Lady Anne herself broke, saying, “Which is why it is good that there is fresh, energetic young blood at the helm, ready to breathe new life into the old traditions.”
Elizabeth said, gratefully, “That was very kind, Mother, and I thank you for it. Might we study your notes together after we break our fasts? And the Christmas Ball! That will require a good deal of planning as well!”
Mr. Darcy was ignored as the two ladies discussed menus, decorations, guests and gowns. But no matter – his heart was full.
***
That afternoon, the Colonel found Mary in the library, curled up in a chair with a book, feet tucked under her. His heart was pounding and his palms were sweating; the last time he had been this nervous was on the battlefield!
She looked up. “Good morning, Colonel.”
Was that her usual smile? No, surely not; there was a little something more in it, something warmer. Was there not?
“I fear I am disturbing your reading, Miss Bennet.”
“You are, of course; but it does not mean the disturbance is unwelcome.”
He must do it now, before he lost his nerve! He marched to her chair, knelt before her and said, “Miss Bennet, I have known for many weeks now that I love you most deeply. You are lovely, you are wise, you are intelligent, you are more than I ever dreamed a woman could be! I swear to you that we will be partners in every way, I will consult with you on every decision! Will you, please –“ he gulped here. “Will you please, please marry me?”
“I will,” she said, simply, smiling at him.
“You will?” His tone was disbelieving.
“I will, yes.”
“Oh, Miss Bennet!” He rose, she rose, and he caught her up in his arms.
Half an hour later, the Colonel recalled that he really should have gotten Darcy’s permission to ask for his Mary’s hand in marriage. He thought it best not to mention his oversight to his betrothed, as she was likely to take a dim view of the idea that her brother-in-law had the right to approve or disapprove of a marriage proposal.
***
“I am so very, very happy, Mary!” Elizabeth exclaimed, when her sister came to tell her the news. “When will you wed?”
“We thought to stay at Pemberley through the Christmas festivities and then journey to Meryton. We will marry at the end of January.”
“I am glad you will spend Christmas with us. But I am surprised that William did not tell me that Richard planned to propose!”
Mary frowned mightily. “And why would your husband know that, Lizzy? I am certain you do not hold any outmoded ideas about needing permission from a male relative to accept a marriage proposal!”
“Oh, no, not at all,” Elizabeth said, hastily. “But – well, you will at least write to Papa, will you not?”
“Of course, and I shall do so at once.”
“My desk is supplied with paper and fresh ink; you are welcome to use it now.”
Dearest Papa,
You will be happy, and Mama will doubtless be surprised, to learn that I have just accepted a proposal of marriage. My future husband is Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, and he is Mr. Darcy’s cousin. Yes, he is the second son of the Earl and Countess of Matlock; I tell you this so that Mama need not cudgel her mind trying to work out that relationship.
He is well able to support a wife, as he has an inheritance from an aunt, and Mr. Darcy has settled five thousand pounds on me.
I wish to be married from home. I will want Kitty to attend me; it will do Lydia’s character good to be passed over for once.
I will let you know when you might expect us.
Your loving daughter,
Mary Bennet
While Mary was penning her letter, Elizabeth went in search of her husband. She found him in his study, talking with the Colonel.
“You should have come to me first, Richard!” she heard.
She began to laugh as she entered the room. “I assume we are talking about Richard and Mary?”
The Colonel turned to her, spreading his arms helplessly. “Elizabeth, you see the quandary I am in! If I ask Darcy here for permission to speak with your sister, then I am in trouble with her for conforming to outdated ideas. If I do not, then your sister is in charity with me, but my cousin is not. What was I to do?”
“Speak to my husband but not tell Mary,” Elizabeth advised.
“And start my marriage off by lying! I think not!” He was outraged.
“I see your point, Richard. And surely you do as well, William, do you not?”
Mr. Darcy sighed deeply. “I suppose I do. But – well, hang it, Richard, what am I to tell her father?”
“That you gave your permission most willingly,” Elizabeth said. “He will not ask for details as to what came first, the permission or the proposal. And once my mother learns that Mary is to be married to the son of an earl, there will be no other topic of discussion. Mary is writing to our father even now.”
***
Elizabeth and Lady Anne spent many hours together over the next weeks planning for the Harvest Dance and the Christmas Ball, leaving Mary free to become better acquainted with Georgiana. They were on a first-name basis by the end of their first duet, and spent two hours a day working on their music together. It was an open secret that the servants found reasons to be outside the music room during those hours.
Mary was included in Georgiana’s lessons; she turned up her nose at the etiquette lessons until she was reminded that she was soon to be the daughter-by-marriage of an earl and a countess. Did she wish to embarrass them, Elizabeth wanted to know.
***
Elizabeth recalled the ivory fan she had purchased for Lady Anne, and presented it to her at Christmas. It was painted with a scene of a mother and two grown daughters, and Lady Anne said it could not have been a more perfect gift.