Chapter 59
Darcy was in his study wrapping up his business before his departure to Hertfordshire. Elizabeth had already departed for Longbourn with the Gardiners two days earlier. Mrs. Bennet had nearly fainted when she had heard that Mr. Bingley and Jane planned to marry in two weeks.
“How is everything to be arranged so soon? A wedding breakfast deserving of Mr. Bingley cannot be managed in two weeks!” she had fretted.
Bingley and Jane had patiently spoken to her, trying to convince her of their desire for a simple wedding, but she continued to wail and complain.
Finally it was agreed to have an extra week before the wedding to give Mrs. Bennet ample time to prepare.
She had immediately started planning and had departed for Longbourn the very next day.
Darcy had called before her departure and very tactfully asked her to pass his greetings to Mrs. Hardwicke.
“She is my only tie to my cousin and I would very much like to maintain the connection. Both she and Miss Margaret are dear to me.”
This had ensured Mrs. Bennet’s goodwill towards Mrs. Hardwicke, for she would never risk offending Mr. Darcy.
Darcy’s greatest concern was that Mrs. Bennet remained unaware of his and Elizabeth’s wedding on the same day.
Jane had assured him that she would get the menu for the wedding breakfast modified to reflect dishes favoured by both couples.
The wedding was to happen in the library of Longbourn where Mr. Bennet assured him that all arrangements would be made without his wife’s knowledge.
Lord Grimsley had offered to help with the preparations as an apology for his thoughtless proposal.
Darcy was still worried, but Elizabeth had assured him, as long as the parson was available and the licence ready they would get married.
Darcy sighed as he thought of Elizabeth and the conviction with which she had stood by him. The disagreement in Kent seemed like a bad dream, not something that had happened only months back.
“Sir, Colonel Fitzwilliam is asking for you,” the butler interrupted his musings. Darcy looked up, surprised, then nodded to the butler as he walked out to meet the Colonel.
“Richard,” Darcy greeted without any warmth.
“Darcy, I am sorry. I was not intending any insult to Miss Elizabeth,” Richard directly cut to the heart of the matter.
“What was it that you intended then?” Darcy asked with a hard glare.
“In Kent it was apparent that she did not approve of you. I was worried that she had accepted your proposal only for pecuniary reasons.”
“Should you not have expressed your concern to me, rather than ambushing her in your mother’s home?”
“The visit to the theatre—you looked so relaxed and happy, I had no wish to take that away from you, but I was surprised by Miss Elizabeth that day. She looked at you as if you were her whole world. It was unbelievable from a woman who intensely disliked you only a few months back.”
“So you thought she was a fortune hunter putting on a performance to ensure my continued devotion.”
“What was I to think, Darcy?”
“Nothing, you were supposed to express your concerns to me. You accused me of doing the same regarding Miss Bennet and Bingley. I did not insult her. I expressed my opinions, however incorrect, only to Bingley.”
“I do not even know why I brought that up. The first time I saw her I thought Bingley was a fool for ever having listened to you, I truly did not intend to hurt you.”
“Elizabeth will be my wife within a week, my loyalty lies with her before anyone else,” Darcy replied as he got up and walked to the window.
“I will apologise to Miss Elizabeth whenever I get an opportunity, I assure you.”
“I do not understand Richard; In Kent you seemed quite taken with her. I heard from your parents that you were quick to praise her virtues,” Darcy asked.
“I told you that Lady Catherine summoned me, it was she who pointed out to me that Miss Elizabeth’s attention was all for me in Kent and that her attachment to you seemed sudden.
While I do not normally give any ear to Lady Catherine’s nonsense, this made me reflect on our visit to Kent. I could not refute her claims.”
“Lady Catherine has no shame or scruples. She tried to intimidate Elizabeth and when that did not work she defamed Elizabeth to anyone who would listen. I threatened her that if Elizabeth withdrew because of her theatrics I would marry Anne’s lady’s maid to her eternal shame in society.
This must have been her last method of destroying my regard for Elizabeth. ”
“Marry Anne’s maid! Surely not,” Richard exclaimed.
“She once refused me, Richard, now that I finally have her regard I do not know if I can survive without it,” Darcy whispered as he stared outside.
“I beg your pardon.”
Darcy turned towards Richard as he answered, “In Kent, Elizabeth refused me. I had proposed to her the day before we were to depart for Hampshire.”
“I had no idea. You never mentioned it, we were together for a few days after that.”
“Judge Darcy knows and so does your father but it is not something I can speak of with ease. I went to her sure of my success, abusing her position in life and her connection while magnanimously offering for her. You can have no idea how shocked I was to see her at the solicitor’s office in Hampshire. ”
“Darcy, I can only apologise again, and I will beg Miss Elizabeth’s pardon whenever I get an opportunity,” Richard genuinely apologised.
“I will speak to Elizabeth, I am sure she will forgive you.”
“I understand that Bingley is to stand up with you.”
“Yes, but I would still wish for you to be present.”
“Of course, Darcy, if you are sure. Also I hope you will not hold this incident against James. He was quite reluctant, but was convinced by my determination.”
“You may bring James to the wedding, Elizabeth will decide whom we will associate with and whom we will not after our marriage.”
Richard then took his leave, assuring Darcy once again of his remorse, leaving him to contemplate on his future.
Darcy had never thought that his relationship with Richard would ever be at such a juncture; he had been completely honest when he had said that Elizabeth would decide their future association.
He was only thankful that Georgiana and Elizabeth seemed to adore each other.
He finally got up and went back to his study.
He had a rather important letter to write.
Lady Catherine’s meddling could not be ignored and Darcy wrote a scathing letter cutting all ties with Rosings park until she apologised for her actions and treated Elizabeth with the respect she deserved.
He then diligently finished all his business correspondence, so he could rush to Elizabeth’s side.
In just a week they were to be married. Darcy could hardly wait for the blessed day to arrive.