38. Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Eight
April-May 1812 Hyde Park, London Elizabeth
M r. Darcy’s behavior at the soiree last night did not resemble his actions at the Meryton Assembly in the slightest. Elizabeth wondered if it was possible for anyone to change so readily or so quickly.
She pondered these musings as she and her faithful footman journeyed to Hyde Park. The day was already warm, despite it being before noon. Nevertheless, Elizabeth walked briskly, eager to see Mr. Darcy again.
He waited by the gate. “Miss Bennet,” he greeted her. “Fancy seeing you this morning! Why, it is not the fashionable hour at all.”
His teasing made her smile, and she responded in like fashion. “How very foolish of me to disregard society’s preferences in favor of my own.”
Mr. Darcy offered his arm, and she took it. They strolled silently at first on a path largely shaded by large trees.
“I must apologize for my dreadful behavior whilst we were in Kent,” he finally said. “You likely do not believe me sincere after so short a time, but I assure you I am. No one of my acquaintance has ever called my actions into question, and I admit that your censure chafed uncomfortably. After some time pondering your words, I realized I was in error and acutely regretted my actions.”
Elizabeth did not know what to say. He sounded so heartfelt and sincere. “I can do nothing but forgive you, sir.”
When she said nothing more, he paused their forward movement and turned to her. “My regrets have nothing to do with learning of your connections last night,” he said seriously.
“I did not imagine that they did. Your letter went a long way in facilitating my easy forgiveness, if that is what you are concerned about. I appreciated the greater insight into your thoughts, though your disparaging words during your proposal still hurt.”
He nodded, and they began walking again. “I confess, I am not very good at admitting fault,” he said quietly. Mr. Darcy frowned at his own words. “My parents taught me good principles but left me to follow them in pride and conceit. I thought I had every right to say the things I did, that my pride was in good regulation. How very wrong I was.”
“There is always room for improvement.” She patted his arm gently. “Already I see that you have tried to alter your behavior. I am certain every lady you danced with last night appreciated your notice.”
“I still do not enjoy the activity.”
“Yet, you behaved as a gentleman ought and stood up with young ladies in want of a partner. I promise you that your kindness will not be soon forgotten by those you favored.” In truth, she would not soon forget it. His efforts to change his behavior so soon after his character had been called into question spoke well of him.
They came to a grove of trees and moved off the walking path. There, he turned to her, releasing her arm and taking her hands.
“Have I any hope, Miss Bennet?” he asked. “Though your cousin is so handsome and you know him so well, will you not give me a chance to win your heart?”
She wrinkled her brow in confusion. “My cousin? What has James to do with anything?”
He swallowed and looked away. “Before I left town earlier this spring… I came upon you and him here in the park. You spoke of a betrothal, and he replied his father required him to wait until June.”
She remembered that day and immediately started laughing. “James was not talking about me, ” she said, gasping for breath amidst her amusement.
Darcy said nothing, and she looked up at him, noting his befuddlement. “Then who?” he asked.
“My sister, Mary.” Elizabeth grinned. “They have held a tendre for each other for some time. Unfortunately for them, Uncle Mavery has insisted that Mary and I both experience a season in town before accepting any offers. So you see, sir, I would have been unable to do more than enter a courtship even if things had not proceeded how they did.”
“Ah.” Mr. Darcy ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit that Elizabeth had witnessed several times. “Tell me, then, if I were to ask you for a courtship, would you accept?”
It would give her a chance to understand him better, and to ascertain if his changes would be of a permanent nature. As a courting couple, they would be in company more, and she could observe him closely. “I suppose I could be persuaded to accept,” she said slowly.
“You have reservations, I know, but I promise you that the defects in my character will be resolved. Duty and honor demand that such faults be addressed and mitigated. My father and mother would have ensured that I do nothing less.” He spoke earnestly, her hands still clasped in his.
She beamed. “What can I do but accept? You must speak to my uncle, of course. I warn you now, he is shrewd and sees everything. It is likely that you will be required to give him a detailed explanation of how we came to this point.”
“You mean he will wish to understand the entirety of our acquaintance.”
Elizabeth nodded. “He will be tolerably patient with you, I am sure.”
Mr. Darcy grimaced. “I assure you, Miss Bennet, that it has been many months now since I considered you one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance. I fear I shall always beg you for your forgiveness. And since I apologized to Miss Mary last night, I must do the same to you. Forgive me for my intemperate and patently false words.”
“Another pretty apology! My, Mr. Darcy, you become more proficient with each pronouncement. Very well, I accept. You are forgiven.”
“Will it always be thus between us?”
She cocked an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“Will I always behave abominably and then need to beg forgiveness, only to have you grant it in such an arch and playful manner?” He smiled and reached up to touch her cheek.
“I dearly love to laugh, sir, and these circumstances do prompt some humor.”
He chuckled. “At least one of us finds amusement in my ridiculous behavior.”
They continued walking, leaving the grove and returning to the paths. “Would it be too much to ask… could I introduce my sister Georgiana to you soon?”
“I should be delighted to make her acquaintance!” Elizabeth had heard much of the young lady and wished to see her for herself. “I am certain my aunt will not object to having you and your sister to tea.”
“I have another request.”
Elizabeth laughed again. “You take advantage of our new situation with ease, sir! Pray, tell me what else you desire. Your wish is my command.”
“Minx. I only wished to know if I might accompany you back to your uncle’s house and seek an audience with him.”
He looked very nervous, but also vulnerable and handsome. “I have no objections,” she replied. “Uncle Mavery is home today and at his leisure.”
Their path took them around the park and back to the gate. “My home is in that direction,” he said, pointing to the left.
“Do you live on Audley Street, too?” she asked in surprise. “My uncle’s house is to the right, but a half a mile from the park.”
“If you look there, you can see Darcy House. It has a green door.”
She could see it. Other doors on the row were red or blue, so it stood out in contrast. “Who knew we were so close all this time?” she murmured.
They turned to the right and walked the short distance to Elm House. Once inside, Elizabeth sent the butler to see if her uncle was available for an interview. When it was confirmed, she led Mr. Darcy to the study.
“Hello Uncle,” she said cheerfully. “I have brought you Mr. Darcy. He has something particular he wishes to speak to you about, and I must ask you to hear him with an open mind.”
Uncle Mavery raised his eyebrows at her. “Oh, Elizabeth? What could Mr. Darcy possibly want with me? Does he not know that I am an earl and, therefore, very busy?”
Darcy shifted nervously beside her. “You are a tease,” Elizabeth replied, chuckling. “I shall be in the hall.” Turning, she left the room, giving her gentleman an encouraging look.
The interview took some time. She tried sitting in a chair outside the study before growing restless. She paced the hallway and examined paintings as she waited, anxious that a simple request for courtship could take so long. I warned him that Uncle would likely expect an accounting of our acquaintance.
Finally, the door opened, and Mr. Darcy stepped out. His face betrayed nothing. “Your uncle would like to speak to you,” he said simply.
She nodded and went inside.
“Close the door, Elizabeth,” Uncle Mavery said. She did so and approached his desk slowly.
“I will not bite,” he teased. “Sit. I wish to hear your thoughts.”
“On what, Uncle? Obviously, I agreed to allow him to approach you.”
Uncle Mavery steepled his fingers and peered at her curiously. “He recounted everything that has occurred between you since last autumn. I did not know Mr. Darcy was the man who so insulted you and Mary.”
“We have both received his apologies, sir. It is all forgotten.”
“Nevertheless, it is my responsibility to ensure that you and Mary are well provided for. Will Mr. Darcy condescend to treat you as you deserve? Are the hopes of connections as exalted as you boast enough for him to overcome his prejudices? Though his desire to improve his conduct is to his benefit, how can you be certain that he is sincere?”
“These are questions that I have contemplated at length,” Elizabeth admitted. “A courtship will allow me to discover answers.”
“Do you love him?”
The question startled her, though it should not have surprised her. Uncle Mavery wished for his nieces to have marriages of equal affection. “I do not. Not yet. But I know my heart, and it is very close to succumbing to that happy state.”
“Have you told him about your dowry? He did not seem aware of it when we spoke.”
She shook her head. “I have not mentioned it. As far as I know, he believes me to be without even a small dowry. Though, I wonder how much longer I should keep the truth from him. After expecting honesty on his part, ought I not to show him the same consideration?”
“I leave that to you to decide. Courtships invariably lead to marriage, and he will discover your monetary worth soon enough. And I have granted my consent for the courtship.”
Elizabeth smiled broadly. “Thank you, Uncle!” she cried. She came around the desk and kissed his cheek.
“Yes, well, you will still need your father’s permission,” he said gruffly.
“You and I both know that he will grant it if you do.”
Uncle Mavery nodded. “Write to him anyway. He ought to know that his dearest daughter will not be returning to Longbourn at the end of the summer.”
“We never intended to, you know,” Elizabeth confessed. “Though we claimed uncertainty, Mary and I both decided when we left my father’s house, we would ask to stay with you.”
“Has Mrs. Bennet become so unreasonable?”
Elizabeth nodded.
“We can discuss that later, my dear. Go to your gentleman. He is waiting.”
She kissed his cheek again and hurried out, eager to see Mr. Darcy.
He departed soon after they told Aunt Mavery and Mary their news. Aunt promised to send her card and an invitation to tea in a few days. Elizabeth walked him to the door and bid him farewell. Mr. Darcy kissed her hand tenderly.
“Goodbye for now, Elizabeth,” he said huskily.
She stood in the doorway, watching him walk down the street. When he was but a speck in the distance, she shut the door. Leaning against it, she sighed.
“I never thought I could be so happy,” she said aloud.
Darcy
“Mr. Bingley is waiting for you in your study.” Darcy’s butler, Brisby, said solemnly.
“I had no idea he had returned to town,” Darcy replied in surprise. “I shall go directly.” He handed his hat and gloves off and strode down the hall. He opened the study door to Bingley, pacing agitatedly.
“Good day,” he said.
Bingley turned and greeted him likewise. “I have been longing to speak to you,” he said, sitting down in a chair by the fireplace.
Darcy joined him. “When did you arrive in town? I thought you were in the north until the summer.”
“My business was accomplished faster than planned, and I returned early.” Bingley hesitated. “I have seen Miss Bennet. Miss Younge, actually. I know that you will think me foolish, but she and I have spoken at length… cleared the air, so to speak. Well, I have asked to call upon her.”
“Do your sisters know?”
“Egad, no! Caroline would throw one of her tantrums and Louisa would side with her. No, I have kept my comings and goings a secret.” Bingley shook his head. “Miss Younge is a lovely girl, and I like her even better than I did in Hertfordshire. The persona she donned has an explanation.”
“I am courting Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Darcy’s words startled Bingley, and he looked at his friend in shock. “You are? I thought you hated the lady.”
“No, my feelings are quite the opposite. Just now I have come from her uncle’s house. He is an earl, did you know? Lord Elmwood has granted his permission for a courtship.” Darcy grinned. “It seems we will both very soon be leg shackled.”
“Do you approve of my actions?” Bingley looked worried.
“Do you need my approval?” Darcy countered. “I confess, I worried you would be trapped in a marriage of unequal affections, but you are your own man. You know Miss… Younge, did you say? Well, you know the lady much better than I. If you think she is genuine, I shall support you in your endeavors.”
Bingley grinned. “Thank you, Darcy!” he cried. “Your support means the world to me.”
“You are very welcome. I hope that you are prepared for your sisters’ reactions. They will be less than pleased that you have turned your attention back to Hertfordshire.”
“Believe me, I know. Miss Younge’s origins are even less than they first thought. Though her father was the second son of a gentleman, he was only a simple country solicitor. And while she has a dowry, it is a pittance, especially when compared to Caroline’s or Miss Darcy’s.”
“None of that matters if you truly love her.”
Bingley laughed. “I confess, I am shocked to hear you say so. Though the state of Miss Younge’s heart was a concern, I believe you also mentioned connection and fortune when we discussed this last autumn.”
“A woman’s ability to humble a man is impressive,” Darcy replied, grimacing.”
“Ah, I understand. May Miss Elizabeth always keep you in that state.”
Bingley left a while later, promising to call again soon. “I believe Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary are to take tea with Jane on Friday. Maybe we can call upon the Gardiners and surprise them.”
“I have no acquaintance with the Gardiners,” Darcy said awkwardly.
“That can be remedied with a simple introduction.” Bingley clapped a hand on his shoulder. “I shall call for you around one o’clock.”
After Bingley had gone, Darcy contemplated the conversation. Miss Younge, he mused. Surely it is a coincidence. The possibility that there was a connection taunted him, but he shrugged it off. It would be fantastical, he mused. Our lives have already been so entwined. Could they possibly be even more?