Chapter XI #2
At Mr. Darcy’s pained expression and knowing the gentleman’s wish for privacy, Elizabeth hastened to speak. “I shall attempt to advise my mother to keep the matter in confidence for the moment, Mr. Darcy.”
Mary appeared dubious, and Elizabeth knew she was correct.
A cleared throat interrupted them, and Elizabeth turned again to see her father regarding them.
When he gave a slow nod, Elizabeth knew he would take a hand in curbing his wife’s enthusiasm.
Elizabeth smiled her thanks, but she noted Mr. Darcy’s returning gesture, indicating his appreciation.
“Then there are a few matters we should discuss.”
Drawn back to Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth nodded, though wondering what he meant. “The first is that Fitzwilliam and I have resolved to search for another estate to lease in the district. We cannot impose on my friend’s hospitality forever.”
Elizabeth understood the unspoken meaning in his declaration. Mr. Bennet, again having overheard, said: “Then perhaps you should tell your man of business to investigate Pulvis Lodge. It is not so grand as Netherfield, but it will provide shelter, which is all you require.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bennet,” said Mr. Darcy with a nod. “I shall see to it at once.”
When Mr. Bennet said nothing, Mr. Darcy returned his attention to Elizabeth. He must have seen something in her demeanor; he regarded her for a few moments before speaking.
“You suspect something more in our intentions than a wish to avoid imposing.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Can I suppose you are concerned about Mr. Bingley’s response to Colonel Fitzwilliam’s recent interest in my sister?”
“That is part of it,” confirmed Mr. Darcy. “We do not wish to stay at Netherfield too long—that much is the truth. Yet I cannot predict what Bingley will do.”
The conversation hummed around them, but Elizabeth heard nothing of it, focused as she was on Mr. Darcy. “Do you suppose your friendship will survive?”
“If you will pardon me,” said Mr. Bennet, showing he had continued to follow their conversation, “Bingley has no one but himself to blame if he is distressed.”
“You are correct to an extent,” said Mr. Darcy. “His sisters persuaded him against returning, and I had some small part in that business, but yes, the decision was his.”
“A man who will not fight to return to the woman he professes to love must reconsider the state of his feelings. He cannot be worthy of her if he is led so easily.”
“With that, I cannot disagree.” Elizabeth noticed that while Mr. Darcy spoke to her father, his eyes remained on her. “If I loved a woman, nothing short of a regiment could keep me from her.”
“Excellent,” said Mr. Bennet, satisfied. “I expected nothing less, but a little confirmation cannot go amiss.”
“In answer to your question, Miss Elizabeth, I do not know what will happen.”
Elizabeth sighed and shook her head. “Then I shall hope that Mr. Bingley is reasonable and learns from this business. I have always thought him an excellent man, but I shall not repine the loss of his friendship if he elects to be offended.”
“I shall strive to echo your philosophy,” said Mr. Darcy. “But it seems best to seek our own situation against Bingley’s possible offense.”
With a nod, Elizabeth determined to put the subject to the side. “Unless my memory is faulty, you suggested there were other matters you wished to speak of.”
“The other is my sister, Georgiana. If you are amenable, I should like to introduce her to your acquaintance.”
Elizabeth fixed him with a wry grin. “I have no objection, Mr. Darcy, other than a sense of trepidation for making the acquaintance of the towering presence that is your sister. Tell me—is she as imposing as Miss Bingley’s description suggests?”
The gentleman chuckled and said: “Not at all, Miss Elizabeth. Georgiana is a shy creature, one who has often wanted for friends. I have not suggested that she come to Hertfordshire yet, but I know she will be eager.”
“Then you must invite her at the earliest opportunity,” said Elizabeth. “Can I infer that you will not bring her to Meryton until after you remove from Netherfield?”
“That would be for the best,” agreed Mr. Darcy.
“If you will pardon me,” said Mary, again interrupting their conversation, “that is an unmistakable sign of favor, Lizzy.”
“I am glad you see it that way, Miss Mary,” said Mr. Darcy. “I would appreciate it very much if you would all welcome my sister when she comes.”
Mary glanced at Elizabeth. “My sister has told me that Miss Darcy enjoys the pianoforte.”
“She does,” agreed Mr. Darcy.
“Then I hope we shall get on well.”
For Mary, her statement was akin to an expression of excitement, though she kept her composure. Mr. Darcy seemed to sense this, for he smiled, though he did not comment further on the subject.
THE LONGER DARCY SPENT at Longbourn, the more he realized how comfortable he was there.
Before his return, he had considered the family reprehensible, but somehow he had learned to see them with a kindlier eye.
The Bennets were not high society, the mistress flighty and improper, the youngest girls in desperate need of guidance, but they were gentlefolk, people worthy of respect.
They were people, nothing more or less than he could find in any corner of the kingdom.
The thought humbled him. Somehow, he had learned to judge others through the lens of high society, but the truth was that he found the Bennets more tolerable than many of those who considered themselves high and mighty.
Darcy had never held with that set, had always chosen friends carefully, wishing to ensure they espoused the same standards of morality he had always striven to uphold himself.
To reject such people was not only wrong but nonsensical.
Darcy was relieved he had learned the lesson when he did; had he not learned it, he might have missed the chance to make Miss Elizabeth esteem him, thrown away the love of a woman who would be the making of him.
Now that his eyes were open, he meant to ensure that he made the most of it.
Whether Elizabeth would accept him, he could not say, but he knew the experience would make him a better man.
“You have become introspective again, Mr. Darcy.”
Miss Elizabeth was grinning at him, this time her expression soft and amused rather than the sarcasm he now knew had formed most of her opinions before.
Mr. Bennet, he noted, had an open book in his hand, though Darcy suspected he was still watching the room.
Miss Mary was also holding a book—she was also observing the rest of the room, exchanging a few comments with her father as they sat together.
It appeared it was all the privacy he was to have with Miss Elizabeth that day.
“Your understanding of my character is sufficient to apprehend that it is not an uncommon occurrence.”
“It is,” said Miss Elizabeth. “Yet I cannot help but wonder if this business is doomed if I cannot even hold your attention for a few minutes.”
Several factors motivated her jest—true amusement, understanding, curiosity, and Darcy even detected a trace of uncertainty. In a woman so self-assured as Miss Elizabeth, it was charming rather than concerning.
“Then perhaps I should reconsider my approach,” said he. “Tell me, Miss Elizabeth—would constant and open devotion work better than occasional introspection?”
She rolled her eyes at his jest. “No, Mr. Darcy, I do not require you to act as Mr. Bingley did toward Jane. I can withstand introspection, for I know you are capable of interesting conversation when the mood strikes.”
“Trust me, Miss Elizabeth,” replied Darcy, “interesting conversation with you is no trial. I have never experienced discourse that flowed more easily.”
“Even when we were arguing at Netherfield?”
“Even then.” Darcy allowed an open grin. “Those ‘arguments,’ as you put them, were not hesitant. As I recall, they proceeded with ease, unless you consider Miss Bingley’s contributions.”
“There is little I wish to consider less than Miss Bingley.”
“Then we are aligned.”
The trembling of her lips betrayed Miss Elizabeth’s mirth. “Tell me about Miss Bingley. Given the lady’s behavior at Netherfield, I cannot imagine that Mr. Bingley’s distress about the loss of Jane will exceed Miss Bingley’s when she learns she has lost you.”
“Miss Bingley never had me,” muttered Mr. Darcy. “I have never considered her anything other than my friend’s sister, and certainly not a potential wife.”
“The lady would be devastated to hear you say it, Mr. Darcy.”
“No, I think not. She will be angry at the lost opportunity, but she is not so fond of me that my defection, as she supposes, will cause any particular pangs.”
Miss Elizabeth regarded him, open curiosity on her brow. “How do you suppose she will behave?”
Darcy paused to consider the question. “She will not like it, but I cannot imagine that she will say anything to provoke me—her family’s standing in society is too dependent upon my good opinion for her to say anything she should not.
When it becomes obvious that she cannot provoke me to behave as she wishes, she will give you every appearance of civility, hoping to maintain the connection. ”
From the seriousness that suddenly descended on her, Darcy understood that Miss Elizabeth comprehended the crux of the matter. “If Mr. Bingley takes it into his head to be offended, their standing in society will be affected.”
With a sigh, Darcy nodded. “Miss Bingley will understand the significance at once. Whether Bingley will depends on his offense and his continued interest in your sister.”
“And perhaps his perception of your actions.”
“Insightful as always, Miss Elizabeth.”
Miss Elizabeth shrugged. “It was not difficult to discern. There is nothing to be done, I suppose.”
“There is not,” agreed Darcy. “The question of my cousin’s interest in your sister is firmly established.”
“I am happy for my sister,” said she, her eyes fixed on Miss Bennet.
“When you all departed in November, I thought Jane faced long months of recovery from her disappointment. Colonel Fitzwilliam distracted her and taught her what true regard looks like. Mr. Bingley is a good sort of man, but I cannot imagine that Jane would be so happy with him as she is now.”
“Though my understanding of your sister is not so profound as your own, I cannot but agree. From Fitzwilliam’s perspective, I have never seen him so content as he is now. He is jovial, but I know he has wished for a connection with a good woman.”
Darcy paused and grinned at Miss Elizabeth. “Fitzwilliam has often jested about his need to marry with some attention to money. The figure he often cited was fifty thousand pounds.”
“He will not get that from Jane.”
“No, he will not,” agreed Darcy. “But he will gain something infinitely more precious—a connection with a worthy woman. Now that he has decided on your sister, I am convinced he will be happy with her—happier than he would have been in a society marriage.”
“Do you suppose they will have enough to live in comfort?”
“Yes, that must be a concern,” said Darcy, understanding her meaning.
“Fitzwilliam will not be wealthy, but his father has provided for him. He means to stay in the army until the war is over, which will guarantee him half pay for the rest of his life. An estate is also possible, with his father’s assistance. ”
“Jane will be content with very little if she loves her husband.”
Darcy’s affection for this woman overflowed. “Fitzwilliam can give more than ‘very little.’ They will not possess fabulous riches, but they will be comfortable.”
“Thank you for easing my fears, Mr. Darcy.”
“You are very close.”
Miss Elizabeth offered a smile that made Darcy forget himself. “Perhaps it is presumptuous of me, but I have always considered myself Jane’s protector.” She turned impish. “Jane is too good for this world—she must have someone to watch over her interests. I have always taken on that role.”
“Yet now you will need to step back. Fitzwilliam is more than capable of defending her.”
“That is perhaps the best part of this situation. With Mr. Bingley, though I respect him, I wondered if he could be that protector. There is no question of your cousin’s capabilities.”
“No, there is not.”
Darcy regarded this exquisite creature, wondering at the goodness that prompted her to put her concerns aside in favor of her sister.
Should Darcy persuade her, theirs would not be a union such as Fitzwilliam would enjoy with her sister.
No complying miss, she would have her own opinions and defend them when she must—they would need to learn to yield, reason together, and sometimes give way.
As Darcy had always wanted a partner, nothing could be more welcome than to find it with such an excellent woman.
“This is all well and good, Miss Elizabeth,” said Darcy, “but I would prefer to speak of our situation, rather than your sister and my cousin.”
“Oh?” asked she, arching an eyebrow at him. “I was not aware there was a ‘situation’ to discuss.”
“Perhaps there is not yet. I know you have seen enough in my recent behavior to apprehend that I would like there to be.”
“No, I have not misunderstood.” Miss Elizabeth watched him. “You already know of my expectations in a husband, Mr. Darcy. The question before us is whether you will meet those standards.”
“I hope that I will. As you know, I never wanted Miss Bingley for a wife and have not found a woman in London to provoke more than a casual interest. I want a true helpmate, Miss Elizabeth, a woman who will complement me, support me, and bring happiness into my life. You are such a woman.”
“Well,” said Mr. Bennet, catching their attention, “if this be the case, you are indeed worthy of my daughter.”
Mr. Bennet fixed Miss Elizabeth with an affectionate smile. “I have always known that Lizzy required a man she could look up to as an equal. As I know you are such a man, I suspect the rest will fall into place.”
“You know Mama will require you to introduce your younger sisters to all Mr. Darcy’s friends,” said Miss Mary.
Father and daughters laughed—Darcy knew the comment was all too apropos.
“Then I suspect I only need to inform Mrs. Bennet of my wishes.”
Miss Elizabeth was not amused. “Recall my response to Mr. Collins, sir.”
“You would do well not to provoke her,” said Mr. Bennet. “Lizzy is quite capable of making you regret your temerity.”
“I have every intention of provoking her, Mr. Bennet, but not in the way you suggest.”
“You will do well, Mr. Darcy. I suspect you will do very well, indeed.”