Chapter 11 #3
Once they were all settled, Fitzwilliam began to speak.
He told of how his childhood friend Wickham had begun to dabble in the Dark Arts.
Despite he and his father begging him to quit that path and pursue other interests, George continued.
Over time Mr. Wickham began to hate everything related to the Darcy family.
His stated goal was to destroy them and all of their kind.
Papa gasped and Lizzy knew he was having flashbacks to Robespierre.
“The only thing that has kept George from attaining a following is the fact he’s forever running up debts and dallying with women. He can never stay in one spot long enough to gather others to his cause.”
“And how would my Lizzy be in danger from him?”
“If he knew how much I loved your daughter, his goal would be to hurt her in order to hurt me.”
“That’s pure trajectory. You have no proof he’d attempt such a thing.”
“Yes, he would. He tried to elope with my sister this past summer. It’s only by the grace of God that I arrived before he succeeded.”
“Why didn’t she transport herself to safety?”
“She is but fifteen...”
“He hoped she’d have magic.”
“Yes,” Fitzwilliam’s shoulders drooped, almost as though he were fatigued to the bone.
“I still can’t allow you to wed by Special License.
It would cast aspersions on Lizzy’s character and the gossip’s tongues would wag right out of their mouths.
” Papa stood and so did Fitzwilliam and Richard.
“You’ll have to marry by Common License then.
No banns required for that. Now, for the logistics of tonight.
What do you suggest we do as my daughter cannot transport herself home? ”
“I can have a carriage ready within the hour to return Miss Elizabeth back to Longbourn.”
“I don’t see how this can work. Mrs. Bennet will become suspicious if I do not poke my head out some time during the evening and Lizzy will take, at the very least, over five hours to get home. This is a mess from start to finish.”
“Papa, could you not cleanse Mama’s memories of tonight, like you did when you visited France?”
“Cleansing a person’s memory is a tricky thing and must be treated with respect. When you alter a person’s memory, you twist parts of the fabric of their life. No, we will find another way to divert her attention.”
“Mr. Bennet, may I suggest you and Richard return to Longbourn and come up with a plausible excuse for why your daughter is still out at this late hour. I will stay in London and prepare the marriage settlement.” Fitzwilliam said.
“That could work, Papa.” Lizzy held her father’s gaze. “I would dearly love to have your consent, not only for Mr. Darcy’s solution on how to return me safely to Longbourn, but also your blessing for our marriage.”
Bennet gave her a wistful smile. “I love you my little Lizzy and I have given him my consent. He is the kind of man, indeed, to whom I should never dare refuse any thing. I now give it to you, if you are resolved on having him.”
“I am more than resolved.” She rose to her feet and joined Darcy. She took his hand in hers and laced their fingers together. “I love him.”
~~oo0oo~~
Lizzy alighted from the luxurious carriage a half mile away from Longbourn and began the short walk home.
Dawn crept over the low hills, daring to throw shafts of light at the retreating darkness.
She smiled in remembrance of the startled look of the footman when she and Papa were escorted by Fitzwilliam to the door at such a late hour.
He bade them goodnight and they’d walked to the street and pretended to hail a hackney cab.
Once the door had closed, Papa gathered her in a tight hug, kissed her cheek and stepped behind the shrubbery fence and shimmered back to Longbourn.
She’d made her way to the mews, and met up with Fitzwilliam, who’d had his coachman prepare the carriage.
She’d worried the servant would spread the story of him taking a single woman all the way to Hertfordshire, but Fitzwilliam assured her Mr. Barrows was very discreet and no one would hear of her nocturnal trip.
She’d been further comforted when Barrows had tipped his hat and told her how glad he was that the master had found such a lovely lady to marry.
She had no fear of entering the house to censure from Mama.
They’d all agreed, before Papa left London, that he’d explain to his wife Lizzy had come across a tenant in need during her walk and had stayed to lend them aid, sending a note to him so her family wouldn’t worry.
As this was nothing out of the ordinary, other than the fact she’d never spent a night complete with tenants, it was the only logical solution to her absence.
Fortunately, for Lizzy, Mrs. Robson had contracted an illness earlier in the week and made the story more plausible.
She’d almost made it the door to her and Jane’s room when Mama’s door opened. Mama peeked out, her still luscious curls falling down her back like a young maid. Lizzy was always amazed at how fresh and youthful her mother looked, although Mama was closer in age to forty.
“How are the Robson’s, Lizzy?”
“They are well, Mama. The worse it past and I shouldn’t have to return for at least another week.”
“I shall pop by and see how they are later today. I was quite worried for you, and them.”
“That’s not needed, Mama,” Lizzy whispered, panic setting her heart to double time. She wracked her brain for a way to stop her mother from discovering their necessary untruths. “Mrs. Robson’s sister arrived this morning. She has things well in hand, which is why I came home.”
“Ah, that is good. Very well, enjoy your sleep, Lizzy.” Mama began to close her door. “I shall see you later on this morning.”
“Thank you, Mama,” she replied and quietly entered her room and once the door closed, fell back against the wall and closed her eyes.
Telling untruths was exhausting.
The rest of the day passed in quiet pursuits.
She and Jane kept busy knitting and sewing gifts for when their Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, with their children, descended on them in a few short weeks for the Yuletide season.
Lydia and Kitty argued over a bonnet they’d ripped apart and were re-decorating with bright ribbons.
Mary, as usual, sat quietly reading. Mr. Collins had gone to visit the Lucas family, and Papa had not strayed from his book room, except to break his fast with them.
She’d sent him a few warning glances when he’d mused out loud over his ham and kippers that there was a good possibility of him finding some new books to read.
How there were vast libraries at his disposal and he looked forward to exploring them.
Lizzy knew he referred to Fitzwilliam’s libraries in London and at Pemberley, but the rest of the family did not.
Fortunately, her mother and sisters were well versed in the cryptic humor of Mr. Bennet and mostly ignored his quips and follies.
The following day did not proceed as the previous one. As the ladies pursued their own interests in the drawing room after breaking their fast, Kitty, seated by the window suddenly exclaimed, “Oh look, it’s Mr. Bingley. And there is a gentleman with him, Mama. Who can it be?”
“Some acquaintance of his, I’m sure.”
“It’s probably that man who stayed with them at Netherfield,” Lydia said, “Mr. What’s-His-Name. That tall, proud man who ruined Wickham’s life.”
“Lydia, Mr. Darcy did not ruin Mr. Wickham’s life,” Lizzy admonished.
“Oh, I know Papa has told us to leery of him, but I think Mr. Wickham is much too handsome to be wicked and I refuse to think badly of him.”
“Enough squabbling, girls.” Mama said in a firm tone. “Any friend of Mr. Bingley’s will always be welcome here, to be sure, but I must say, I’m not adverse to disliking any man who claims my daughter not handsome enough to tempt him to dance.”
About to tell her mother that she was not angry with Mr. Darcy and held him in high regard, a servant entered the room and introduced both gentlemen.
“Welcome back to Longbourn, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy.” Mama said by way of greeting them. “I hope your business in London is complete and you may now stay for the rest of the Yuletide festivities.”
“Oh yes,” Bingley enthused. “I think it’s safe to say that I have no need to leave Meryton until the new year. Everything I desire is here.”
It missed no one’s attention that his eyes were riveted on Jane as he made that pronouncement. As for her sister, she lowered her eyes and blushed. Lizzy’s attention was caught by Fitzwilliam.
“If you would excuse me, Madam. I must take up a few minutes of Mr. Bennet’s time.”
He gave Mama a polite bow and Lizzy a secret smile before turning on his heel to leave the room.
“How strange,” Mama mused, her brow furrowing.
“First Colonel Fitzwilliam sequestered himself with your Papa for over three hours the other evening, and now his cousin, Mr. Darcy requires his attention.” As though casting off disquieting thoughts, Mama’s face brightened.
“Oh well. ‘Tis not my place to know the business dealings of men. Come sit by Jane, Mr. Bingley. She looks well, don’t you agree?”
“Yes,” Mr. Bingley sighed out with reverence, “she does.”
Conversation ebbed and flowed around her, but Lizzy couldn’t concentrate on anything other than Fitzwilliam was here, with her father, discussing the marriage settlement.
Every noise in the outer hall had her hopeful gaze flying to the door, expecting him to appear, but a quarter hour dragged by.
Then the clock struck the half hour. Her heart leapt when she heard a heavy tread.
They’d finished their business and now returned.
Joyful anticipation turned to ashes when Mr. Collins entered the room.
He cast one baleful glance in her direction before proceeding to where Mary sat and inquired of what she read.
He then settled in beside her and began a discussion of Mr. Fordyce and his book of sermons.
Finally, Papa strode into the room, his smile wide and his eyes bright.
“Mrs. Bennet, have Hill bring up the ‘91 champagne I smuggled in from France. We have cause for celebration.”
Mama dropped her work and rang the bell.
“What is this all about, Mr. Bennet?” Her eyes flitted between Mr. Darcy and Papa in confusion.
“Mr. Darcy has asked for the hand of one of our daughters, and I have accepted.”
“But, but...” Mama glanced askance at Jane and Mr. Bingley. “Is that not precipitous, I mean, what if her attentions are centered elsewhere?”
Shame, mixed with sad anger, washed over Lizzy. Even now, Mama still held firm that all men were drawn only to Jane - or Lydia. Could no other daughter of hers catch the eye of an eligible man?
“You have more than one daughter, Mrs. Bennet.” For the first time in her life, Lizzy heard true anger in her father’s voice. Oh, he loved to tease and make sport of Mama, but he never said a word in anger. At least Papa thought her worthy of some man’s attention.
“Mr. Bennet. I am very aware I have more than one daughter.” She turned her attention to Lizzy and gave her a sly wink. “I am beyond excited for you, my dear.”
Too late, Lizzy realized her mother had been teasing her father. How strangely absurd.
“What? Lizzy is engaged to the odious Mr. Darcy!” Lydia exclaimed. “What a laugh.”
To Lizzy’s great surprise, Mama rounded on Lydia and cried out, “To your room, Lydia Frances Bennet. If you cannot behave like the young lady you declare you are, you shall remain there for the rest of the day. Do I make myself clear?”
Lydia shot to her feet and glared at Mama before flouncing out of the room, without remorse and without apologizing. The other surprise, following Lydia’s outburst, was Mr. Collins rising to his feet, all color drained from his face.
“Pray, excuse me. I have some personal matters to attend.” He gave Mama an awkward bow and scurried from the room, not even acknowledging Papa or Fitzwilliam.
“Poor Mr. Collins,” Mama said. “First he’s refused and then his unrequited love comes forth with a more desirable man.”
“Mama, I am not his unrequited love. He has only known me for less than a fortnight.”
“You mock the sharpness of Cupid’s arrow. True love can pierce your heart the very second you see the person you’re destined to be with.”
Lizzy watched in fascination as all three men nodded in agreement.
Of Bingley and Fitzwilliam she knew, but - her gaze slipped to Papa and she caught him looking at Mama - had Cupid’s arrow touched his heart when he first saw Mama?
She mentally shook her head. Stranger things had happened in her life, so the fact that her parents were a love match was not beyond the realm of possibilities.
However, she maintained that Mr. Collins never loved her, and never would.
His problem was having another suitor appear for her hand so soon after his disastrous proposal, and the very thought of her accepting another had pricked the bubble called pride.
By this time, Mama had called for the champagne and the servant brought it and several glasses into the room.
Fitzwilliam joined her on the couch and Bingley dragged a chair close to Jane.
The bottle was opened and everyone, even Kitty and Mary raised a glass in congratulations.
When Papa stood to leave, Charles leaned close to Jane and whispered a few words.
Her cheeks flushed a bright red and she nodded.
“Mr. Bennet,” Charles shot to his feet and blurted out nervously. “May I ask for some time with you. Err... in private?”
Lizzy knew by the gleam in his eye that Papa was going to have great fun with Mr. Bingley before giving assent.
Is that what took him and Fitzwilliam so long?
Had he drawn out their conversation in order satisfy his Puck like humor and torment the man even though he’d agreed to the marriage the other night?
When Papa cast a wicked grin over his shoulder toward her and Fitzwilliam, she knew he indeed intended to tease Jane’s intended. Poor Mr. Bingley.