Chapter 49 Betrothed to Mr. Darcy
When they returned, the couple left Ares at the stables. Upon entering the house, Darcy bent and spoke quietly with Elizabeth, then went to Mr. Bennet’s study and knocked. With his hat in his hands, he bowed.
“Sir, Elizabeth has accepted my hand in marriage, and I have come to request your permission to marry her.”
Thomas Bennet rose, his lips pressed in a firm line. “Pray be seated, Mr. Darcy. I wish to put a few questions to you.”
Darcy seated himself in the proffered chair with evident stiffness.
“Yes, sir. I am prepared to answer whatever you wish to ask. But first, I wish to assure you that I am well able to support a wife and children. Between Pemberley and my other holdings, I have an income of fifteen thousand a year. I have set aside thirty thousand pounds for each of two daughters, and I hold three smaller estates for younger sons. I do not intend to have more than five children, sir. I have also secured thirty thousand pounds for my widow, and there is a dower house at Pemberley, should she prefer a more private residence after my passing.”
Mr. Bennet listened in silence. “Mr. Darcy, I had no concern regarding your ability to provide for my daughter or my grandchildren, but I thank you for laying your plans before me. My concern, sir, lies with your view of Elizabeth’s connections.
My family has been settled at Longbourn these four hundred years, and though we have never been wealthy, we are genteel.
Elizabeth has nothing to regret in her family.
You have taken exception to her two uncles, who are professional men and earn their living, but there is no disgrace in that.
They are upright and respectable men. My only concern is that you will respect her, Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth is my favorite child, and I shall not part with her to a man who does not value her as he ought. ”
Darcy’s jaw tightened. “Sir, I am ashamed that I spoke my prideful thoughts in public, and particularly before Miss Bingley, for that rendered the injury doubly painful to Elizabeth. I assure you, Mr. Bennet, I have suffered these past weeks in the knowledge that I wounded her, and that suffering has humbled me. I do not claim to be without faults, but I can say that I shall never keep a mistress, nor do I drink to excess, gamble, or frequent brothels. I have been proud, sir, but Miss Bennet has brought me to a proper understanding of myself, and I believe she possesses the strength to keep me in good order in the years to come.”
Thomas Bennet gave a short laugh. “Yes, sir, I believe she does. You must understand, however, that my daughter is loyal, and when she loves, she gives her whole heart. For that reason, you are in a position to injure her, as you have already seen. What have you to say to that, sir?”
Darcy walked to the window and stood quietly while he collected his thoughts.
“Sir, I love your daughter. I can only say that she holds the same power over me. We love one another, and I have no intention of causing her pain, but if I should fail, I shall abase myself and make her amends, as I have endeavored to do today.”
Mr. Bennet regarded him for a moment and appeared satisfied. “Very well, Mr. Darcy. You have my consent. Have you settled upon a date?”
“Yes, sir. I intend to obtain a common license in London and return next week. I wish to marry her next Tuesday.”
Mr. Bennet’s brows rose. “So soon?”
“It has been eight months, sir. I wish to marry Elizabeth and return to Derbyshire before the weather turns.”
“I see. Very well, sir. And the marriage articles? I suppose they are already prepared?”
“Yes, sir, though I have not yet traveled to London to collect them. I shall obtain the license and the articles and return in time for the wedding.”
Darcy looked hesitantly at his future father-in-law. “Sir, would you permit me to leave Georgiana here with Kitty for a fortnight, that I may have some time alone with Elizabeth?”
Mr. Bennet nodded in agreement. “I am certain Jane would receive Kitty and Georgiana during your absence.”
“Yes, sir. I shall apply to the Bingleys to host her while Elizabeth and I remain in London, and I will collect her before we return to Derbyshire.”
Mr. Bennet accompanied him from the study, and they joined the young ladies in the drawing room.
“I congratulate you, Lizzy, on your engagement.”
Elizabeth rose and embraced her father. “I am deliriously happy, Papa.”
Kitty embraced her and offered her congratulations, while Georgiana flew to her brother and wrapped her arms about him. “Fitzwilliam, I am so happy for you. We shall be a true family at last.”
He kissed her curls, and she turned to Elizabeth. “Lizzy, I am so happy you will be my sister. I have long wished for one, and I could not imagine a better.”
She turned to Kitty. “You must come to Pemberley and stay with us.”
Darcy addressed Mr. Bennet. “Sir, if both Elizabeth and Miss Catherine are agreeable, I should like to extend an invitation to Miss Catherine. She will be most welcome. The winters at Pemberley tend to be long and solitary, and her company would be valued by Georgiana most of all. We shall return to London at Easter, and I will bring her back to you then.”
“Mr. Darcy, I will inquire of my daughters and will let you know what is decided when you return.”
Darcy inclined his head. “I shall take my leave.” He turned to Elizabeth. “Will you see me out, Miss Bennet?”
She accepted his offered arm and walked out with him. When they stood beyond the closed door, he bent to kiss her. “I love you, my darling. I shall return as soon as I am able.”
She rose on tiptoe, placed her arms about his neck, and kissed him again. “Pray be careful, Mr. Darcy. Write to me that I may be assured of your safe arrival.”
He brushed her lips with his own. “I can scarcely tear myself away, Elizabeth.” He embraced her again, burying his face in her curls, and then he set her from him, bowed, and went to the stables to collect his mount.
One week later, to the day, Elizabeth’s attention was fixed upon the impeccably dressed man who stood beside her at the altar, and she exulted in the knowledge that his eyes were for her alone.
He stood tall and elegant, a dark lock falling across his brow.
His eyes shone with happiness, and her pulse quickened as she grasped the wonder of what was about to take place.
She was to be wed to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
The rector began to read from the Book of Common Prayer. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
“Fitzwilliam Darcy, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife…”
She heard Mr. Darcy speak his vows, his gaze fixed upon her throughout. He was smiling at her when he answered, “I will.”
And then the rector turned to her.
“Elizabeth Bennet, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband…”
Her eyes remained fixed upon Mr. Darcy as she answered in a clear voice, “I will.”
With the vows spoken and the ring placed on her finger, the rector turned to the congregation. “Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. I pronounce that they be man and wife.”
All that followed passed in a blur. They signed the register, and then they walked out of the church together. He handed her into his carriage, and as they set off for Netherfield for the wedding breakfast, he bent and kissed her.
“I love you, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. I can scarcely believe that we are actually married.”
With her arms about his neck, she leaned in and lifted her face to his. “Oh, Fitzwilliam, I never believed I could be your wife, but now it is so.”
He kissed her again. “I treasured our day at Vauxhall Gardens, believing I should never again know such happiness. Then at the theater, and again when I held you during our first waltz. And now you sit beside me, in my carriage, as my wife. I can hardly believe my good fortune, darling.”
They remained at their wedding breakfast for three hours, visiting with Elizabeth’s family and their Meryton neighbors. At the end of it, Elizabeth was upstairs with Jane.
“Turn, Lizzy, that I may fasten your buttons. You need not be anxious for Georgiana. I shall guard her with my life.”
Elizabeth laughed. “She gives little trouble, Jane. She is not Lydia.”
Jane’s expression faltered. “How is Lydia, my dear?”
“I spoke only briefly with Uncle Edward, and he brought discouraging news. She has been at school since March, yet she is scarcely altered. Our mother bears most of the blame. Lydia was indulged beyond reason.”
Jane replied, “She was, but it has been eight months. Surely the discipline has had some effect.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Perhaps. She proved so unruly that the headmistress wrote to Uncle Edward. Lydia has been set to work in the laundry and will remain there until her conduct improves. She broke a plate in a fit of temper when she was crossed.”
“Lizzy, I fear our sister may yet bring trouble upon us all.”
“Uncle Edward is arranging to place her in another school. It is located in Nottinghamshire, one that is suited to girls of difficult disposition. He intends to send her in March, when the roads are more passable.”
“Shall we be permitted to write to her?”
“I think not. She must earn the privilege, and at present she has not done so. Perhaps in this new school she will conduct herself better.”
Jane was quiet for a moment. “Lizzy, we must see Kitty well married as soon as we may, that she may be secure should Lydia bring ruin upon us all.”
Elizabeth grew pale. “Jane, I fear I would sink in Mr. Darcy’s regard if Lydia were to bring disgrace upon us. We must hope this new school will effect a change in her.”