Chapter Fifteen #5
Much to his regret, Darcy recalled saying something very similar to his aunt’s words to Elizabeth.
However, a new realization showed itself: Lady Catherine repeatedly abused Elizabeth, and Elizabeth had a right to deny any connection to him.
If she had, his aunt would have ceased her tirade, but even with all Lady Catherine said to her, Elizabeth never agreed not to marry him.
He walked towards the window. He feared if his aunt could see his face at the moment, it would betray how happy this conversation made him.
“I demanded to know if you were engaged.” Darcy’s back stiffened.
“Thankfully, she confirmed you were not engaged, but Miss Bennet refused to promise she would never enter into such an engagement.” Elizabeth would not promise to refuse him.
“I told her I would never abandon this mission. Being wholly unreasonable, Miss Bennet claimed my application to be ill-judged and my arguments to be frivolous, saying even if she refused your hand, it would not make you turn to Anne.”
With conflicting emotions, Darcy frowned. “Madam, do you not think you overstepped your status? This is my life of which you speak.”
She declared, “I have not, sir. Family resentment will follow such a union.”
“I doubt our family would dare resent any woman I chose.”
“Miss Bennet said something similar. She insisted she would not allow her decision to marry you be affected by duty, honor, or gratitude. Resentment from your family or indignation from the world would mean nothing to her if you were excited by being married to her. The world, according to Miss Bennet, would have too much sense to join in the scorn!”
“Miss Elizabeth is correct, madam. If I chose her, your disapproval would mean nothing. I would regret the loss of your affections, but it would not alter my decision.” He did not turn to face her.
“Darcy, you cannot mean as such. Have you forgotten your mother’s wish for you to marry Anne?” she protested.
“My mother never expressed such a desire to me, and I will not allow it to control my heart nor my choice. As much as I respect Anne, she is not the woman for me. I require both a mistress for Pemberley and a mother for my children. Anne and I have spoken. She and I are of a like mind in this matter.”
Lady Catherine stood abruptly. “So, you intend to make this girl your wife despite my objections?”
Darcy turned to confront her. “If Elizabeth Bennet will have me, my life would be complete.”
“It is her arts and allurements,” she said as she headed towards the door, “which make you speak so foolishly. I will give you one week to come to your senses. If not, you will never be welcomed at Rosings again.” With that, she walked brusquely from his life.
Darcy watched as she shooed servants from her way.
When the front door closed behind her, Darcy collapsed into the chair she had vacated. Lady Catherine had given him hope. Where days before he had resolved to put distance between him and Elizabeth, now he thought only of returning to Netherfield and to her.
Later that evening, Darcy welcomed Edward’s arrival at Darcy House.
He required his cousin’s advice. The gentlemen took dinner leisurely, stopping several times for intense conversation and then returning to the meal to “chew” over the ideas as much as to consume the food.
Darcy updated Edward on the pleasure of finding Elizabeth at Pemberley, sharing many of the intimate details and asking for Edward’s astute interpretation of what Elizabeth had said and done.
When Darcy told him how Elizabeth had thwarted Miss Bingley’s attempt at a cut and had maintained Georgiana’s secret, the news astounded Edward.
“I always found Miss Bennet to be most engaging,” he said with a smile.
Next came the story of George Wickham and Lydia Bennet’s “arranged” marriage. “Now you understand why I purchased the commission,” Darcy related.
“In some ways I wish Miss Elizabeth realized the depth of your love, Darcy. Only a man as honorable as you would assist his worst enemy to save the woman he loves. My estimation of you has increased substantially, and it was always of the highest regard.”
This brought Edward to the news of Darcy’s return to Netherfield. “I traveled with Bingley when he called on the Bennets the first time. I hoped to speak to Miss Elizabeth, but she barely looked at me. Her needlework was never as beloved as it was that day.”
“Darcy, she had not seen you since sharing her sister’s shame. She must have been confused. Why would you come to her home? Would you mock her? Miss Elizabeth must know how you feel by now, but she must wonder how you could renew your affections to her with George Wickham as her brother.”
“What you say is so reasonable when you say it but not when I am living it,” Darcy attested.
“But things did not change at the dinner two days later. I spent the meal seated beside Mrs. Bennet; Elizabeth spent the evening surrounded by other ladies, and we were unable to speak for more than a few moments.”
“Again, Darcy, was that Miss Elizabeth’s doing or Mrs. Bennet’s?”
“Why would Mrs. Bennet wish to keep me from Miss Elizabeth? If she threw Elizabeth at Mr. Collins, my wealth should earn me a right to court her daughter. The woman may dislike me, but her only goal is to marry off her daughters to well-suited matches. She would not keep me from Elizabeth!”
“Mrs. Bennet likely does not realize your interest in her second daughter. If what you say about the woman is true, and she knew how you felt, Elizabeth would be sitting on your lap. Instead, I think Mrs. Bennet was attempting to keep you from Bingley. You and Caroline Bingley are intimates in the Bennets’ opinions.
Keeping you from interfering with her plans to marry off Miss Bennet to Bingley seems a more likely explanation of what occurred. Did Miss Elizabeth not say anything?”
“She asked if Georgiana was at Pemberley.”
“Cousin, Miss Elizabeth asked about Pemberley because it was the place where you shared something special. If you do not stop second-guessing everything, you will lose this woman.” Ashamed at how easily Edward saw what he did not, Darcy moaned in frustration.
“Now, what of this dark conversation between Miss Elizabeth and our indomitable aunt?”
“Her ladyship heard from her favorite gossipmonger, Mr. Collins, that Elizabeth started a rumor of our impending marriage, and Lady Catherine demanded it be universally denied. Lady Catherine traveled to Longbourn to confront Miss Elizabeth.”
“That must have been an impressive altercation! I cannot imagine Lady Catherine displayed much civility.”
“Our aunt was quite frank about what she said to Miss Elizabeth. I kept myself in check to ascertain the extent of the accusations and the exact discourse, but it was difficult. Our aunt reminded Miss Elizabeth of the lady’s connections, berated Elizabeth’s insolence, and demanded Elizabeth honor my pledge to Anne. ”
Edward pleaded, “Please tell me Miss Elizabeth withstood Lady Catherine’s demands. She is the only person who could be so defined.”
“Miss Elizabeth refused to say she would not marry me, but she also never said she would accept my proposal. How do I know she desires my affections? She could have been obstinate and disagreeable because of our aunt’s interference in her private affairs.
I know the words Miss Elizabeth said, but I do not know the tone of those words. ”
“Darcy, Miss Elizabeth could have simply promised Lady Catherine never to marry you, and her ordeal would have been over. Instead, Miss Elizabeth withstood everything our formidable aunt issued to her rather than to promise she would not marry you. Darcy, do you not see that Miss Elizabeth will accept you this time?”
“I am afraid to think as such. My heart cannot take the disappointment again.”
“Then do nothing, but are you not the one who told Bingley his fate would be the same whether he chose to wait or not? You should heed your own advice, Cousin. Miss Elizabeth will be yours if your cautious temperament will allow it.”
“I already told Lady Catherine I would not marry Anne even if Elizabeth refuses me. You need not sing Miss Elizabeth’s praises.”
“It is true I wish you no longer to be an embracement in Lady Catherine’s mind, but it is truer I wish you happiness. Miss Elizabeth will be yours if your temperament will take the chance.”
“I apologize, Edward. I should not have spoken so harshly. My emotions race about unchecked. You are correct. I must persevere. If I am successful, I will send you word, and you may attend to our aunt’s vexations and plead for Anne’s hand before Lady Catherine realizes your title may be enough for Anne, but it will mean the dower house for her ladyship. ”
“It would be a pleasing vindication, Darcy.” Between them, they settled how to proceed. Darcy would return to Netherfield on Monday. His fate was in his own hands. As he departed, Edward reminded Darcy, “Take the package of lace with you, Cousin. Miss Elizabeth will want it for her wedding attire.”