Chapter 24 #2
“Very well, Elizabeth,” he said, clearing his throat.
“I have seen evidence that you and Darcy share a rather passionate attachment. However, I have witnessed enough marriages in my lifetime to know that warmth alone will not secure happiness. You tell me that you love him; but can you esteem him? More importantly still, does he hold you in equal regard, and treat you as he ought?”
She did not answer at once; the questions were too important to be met hastily.
She thought of the man who had stood beside her, who listened when she spoke and altered his course when he found himself in error.
Whatever his faults had once been, she had witnessed the courage required to overcome them.
“Have you not observed how we have conversed these past weeks at Millwood Cottage?” she asked.
“Even earlier, when I still held his words at the assembly against him, he treated my thoughts with seriousness and supported my opinions. I have, on more than one occasion, disputed a point with him, yet once he understood that I was right, he yielded without resentment.”
Very earnestly, she continued.
“Mr Darcy respects me, and I respect him.” While Elizabeth held her grandfather’s gaze, her fingers twisting together before her.
“I have always wished to marry for love, yet I have seen unions that began in affection and did not prosper. The Gardiners, however, possess the sort of marriage I would wish to imitate. He values his wife’s judgement and often consults her in his business when it is appropriate, and she manages their household with equal good sense.
They speak to one another with kindness, and each seems determined to promote the other’s comfort and happiness. ”
Pausing only a moment, she continued earnestly. “From all I have observed, I believe Mr Darcy and I might achieve the same. I know that I esteem him, and although our dispositions are not alike, they are, I think, admirably suited to complement one another.”
She drew a breath but did not look away. “I trust my happiness to him, Grandpapa, and am certain he will guard it well.”
For a moment the earl regarded her in silence. At last he inclined his head.
“I am glad to hear it, Elizabeth. Now, go and find your young man and send him to me.” A faint smile touched his mouth.
“We must settle whether he is to remove to Netherfield, or whether we are all to go up to Town. Tell me—do you wish to be married here in Meryton, or would you prefer London? If you value my opinion, I would recommend London. If not at St George’s in Hanover Square, then my parish is St James’s in Piccadilly and would do just as well. ”
Elizabeth considered this only a moment, her composure softening.
“I have no preference,” she admitted, “having spent so little time in London. If you believe we ought to marry there, I shall not object—provided Mr Darcy does not. But I confess I would prefer a quieter wedding.”
He nodded. “You must wait at least three months before you marry,” he said after a moment.
“Not for my sake; but you must become acquainted with his family and begin to be received in society both as my granddaughter and as his intended.
I have not been in London these dozen years or more, and my reappearance, together with your engagement, will excite notice.
It is best that the intelligence reaches Town gradually so that our arrival may not appear too sudden.
“We shall keep the matter of your inheritance private, known only to a very few, so that no fortune hunters are tempted to make mischief. The footmen we engaged here shall remain with you in Town.”
The interview with Lord Granfield had not been without its difficulties, yet Darcy believed he had come through it tolerably well.
“Forgive me, Darcy, if I have not seemed happy with your courting my granddaughter, despite my telling you I did not favour your suit,” the earl had said almost as soon as Darcy entered.
He drew a breath before continuing. “I am still not convinced you are suited to one another, but I shall do nothing to prevent the match. Elizabeth assures me I am wrong, and I will endeavour to see you both with an open mind. My only wish is for her happiness.”
“In that, sir, we are agreed,” Darcy replied, forcing himself to remain composed beneath the weight of the earl’s scrutiny. The gentleman had remained seated behind his desk and had not, at first, offered him a chair; Darcy had therefore continued standing.
After a moment, the earl gave a small shake of the head and motioned for him to sit, and the conversation proceeded with less opposition than Darcy had feared.
It required little time to address the question of the marriage settlement.
Darcy already knew that Netherfield belonged to Elizabeth, and he fully intended that whatever was secured upon her should remain entirely at her own disposal for the term of her life.
Her dowry was already sufficient; he would not increase it, but it must be settled for her use and, in time, for the benefit of any daughters she might bear him, with further provision from his estate.
There would be minor complexities in arranging the remainder, chiefly concerning the eventual inheritance of his eldest son; yet Darcy felt confident his solicitor would find no real difficulty in the particulars.
Within the fortnight he must travel to London to meet with the man, taking with him a copy of the Regent’s letter granting permission for the title to descend through heirs of the body.
“Thank you, sir,” Darcy said once their business had been concluded.
“I hope that, at the very least, you may perceive from what we have discussed this afternoon that I hold Elizabeth’s best interests above every other consideration.
I did not deliberately set out to court her—particularly after your warning—but I must confess I was already half in love with her before I ever met you at Netherfield.
I struggled even then with whether I ought to speak, as I told you at the time.
Elizabeth is everything I could wish in a wife, and I believe that, given time, I should have desired her hand irrespective of any fortune.
The fact that she has one will only make her acceptance in the ton easier, but it makes little difference to me. ”
The earl listened to this in silence, and after a moment, spoke. “I believe you mean well, but regardless of what I believe, Elizabeth is the one who must ultimately live with you. If you are her choice, I will be happy.”
Darcy nodded at this, offering his thanks once again, before rising from his seat, and after a short bow to the earl, he at last took his leave from the study.
A letter was soon dispatched to Netherfield to learn whether the Hursts objected to his begging an invitation, and the reply returned with gratifying speed. There had still been no word from Bingley; Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam were welcome to remain as long as they pleased.