Chapter 31
Before going to Grosvenor Square, Darcy went to his uncle Darcy’s house. He wanted to speak to Rebecca.
“Have you heard that Elizabeth is ill and has returned to Longbourn?” his cousin asked after greeting him, anxiety visible in her eyes and demeanour. “She was well at the start of the ball, but then she and Mrs Ryde left suddenly.”
All but closing his eyes, Darcy nodded solemnly. “I went to see her this morning, and Mrs Ryde informed me. I am to blame.”
Her expression hardened. “Because you danced with Miss de Bourgh? I expected you to ask Elizabeth, to give her the precedence and demonstrate to your family, to everyone that—”
“I did,” he admitted, wanting to stop her from reminding him of the mistakes he had made.
Without providing many details or attempting to excuse himself, he told her what had happened and what he intended to do.
“By chance, Bingley called on me today. We shall go to Hertfordshire tomorrow, and I shall do everything I possibly can to apologise to her. I am telling you this because I know you value her friendship.”
“Do you want me to write to her, inform her you are not usually so stupid? What were you thinking?”
Heat crept up the back of his neck. “Evidently, I was not thinking. I am going to Grosvenor Square next, and I shall tell Lord and Lady Romsley and Lady Catherine about Elizabeth.” He sighed.
“In truth, I am not sure why I wished to speak to you. Perhaps because you are on such good terms with her. I am not wrong, am I, to suppose that she cares for me?” Even if she did not, he owed her an apology for not dancing with her.
What he wanted, almost to the point of needing, was for someone to assure him that she did like him, that he was right to hope.
“How can you doubt it?” Rebecca said, adopting a reprimanding tone.
“We have not spoken of it directly, although I believe she and Marian did, but we all know your connexion is more than friendship. Lord Bramwell has even used it to convince me that accepting him would be best for me. He assumes you will marry Elizabeth and Marian will marry his brother, and seems to envision the six of us—along with Georgiana and whomever she eventually marries—will create a happy family party and spend most of the year together.”
Darcy chuckled at the image; it was the future he wanted, and he could almost hear Bramwell chatting about it, likely making grand plans. “We must include Bingley and Miss Jane Bennet. He proposed to her last night and was accepted.”
Rebecca greeted this news with pleasure, adding, “Elizabeth will be so glad. I have never met her sister—any of them—but I know she and Jane are very close.”
“Has Bramwell asked you yet?” he said.
Rebecca shook her head. “But we are not here to speak of my situation. Go to Hertfordshire, talk to Elizabeth, and please find a way to secure her forgiveness. We only just rediscovered our girlhood friendship, and I do not want to lose her again. I shall write you a character you may give her, assuring her that you are an honourable, very good sort of man—and far less idiotic than many, despite recent evidence to the contrary. I will have it delivered to your house.”
Darcy smiled and took his leave, but not before giving her a kiss on the cheek and whispering, “Bramwell will be a very fortunate man, should you accept him.”
An unexpected benefit of calling on Rebecca was that it left him slightly better prepared for the conversations he must have with his other relations.
His first task upon arriving at the earl’s residence was to seek out Anne.
He managed to do so without Lady Catherine knowing of it, and he insisted Mrs Jenkinson remain in the small parlour with them.
“We have never spoken plainly of what our parents and aunt and uncle expected of us,” he said.
Although he gave her an opportunity to respond, she did not, choosing instead to sit passively across from him, her hands folded together in her lap.
Her expression suggested no particular emotion, giving him the impression that it was just the same to her if he had come to propose or announce he was selling Pemberley and moving to Upper Canada.
“I shall speak to the earl, countess, and your mother next, and say that I have another lady in mind.” He spoke gently and again paused and attempted to discern how his words were affecting her.
She glanced at him and gave a small shrug, which was a relief.
He had not known if she assumed they would eventually marry, but with each moment that passed, he was increasingly convinced she did not care.
“As I mentioned during our dance last night, your mother’s wishes have never aligned with my own.
With your connexions and fortune, you will find a husband, if that is—” He stopped when she gestured, waving her hand as though indicating she had heard enough.
“I do not know that I want to marry,” she admitted, her voice thin.
“It has never mattered to me whether I did or not, or whether it was you, to be honest. It is only that it is important to my mother. You have no obligation to me, Cousin.” Turning to her companion, she added, “I am tired and would like to rest.”
Mrs Jenkinson leapt to her feet to assist her mistress. Darcy stood, made a polite bow and went to find his aunts and uncle.
It took perhaps ten minutes before all three of his relations were gathered in the drawing room.
While awaiting them, Darcy avoided conversation.
He longed for a moment with Bramwell or Fitzwilliam, but neither was at home.
They would tell him it would not be nearly as difficult as he was anticipating and that he should not regret disappointing their relations, not when his future happiness was at stake.
Seven-and-twenty, and he was worried about pleasing the people who were as close to parents as he had alive!
It was ridiculous, but he partly forgave himself for it; it was right to treat them and their opinions with respect.
But it was also nonsensical, since they did not, could not, understand what he wanted his life to be like. After all, they had never spoken of it.
Once Lady Romsley joined them, completing their party, Lord Romsley said, “Nephew, why have you asked to speak to us in this manner? Do you have an announcement you would like to make?”
The earl’s brow arched, and believing his uncle anticipated news of an engagement and would be disappointed, Darcy’s mouth went dry. He took a chair across from the sofa Lord and Lady Romsley were on; Lady Catherine was in a matching chair, separated from him only by a polished mahogany table.
“An announcement, yes,” he said. “But not the one you would like.”
“What do you mean?” Lady Catherine demanded.
Darcy cleared his throat. “I have spoken to Anne—”
“Finally!” Lady Catherine cried. She stood, using her walking stick to aid her. “We must make—”
He also stood and, catching her eye, shook his head. “You misunderstand. Please, allow me to finish.”
Her jaw clenched and she stared at him. Lady Romsley asked what he meant, and the earl said, his voice serious, “Let him continue, Catherine. I am curious and would prefer not to wait longer than necessary for an explanation.”
Once his aunt was again sitting, Darcy said, “I will not marry Anne.”
Naturally, Lady Catherine attempted to protest, but her brother stopped her.
“If you have a frank conversation with her, you will discover she has no complaint to make. She is aware of your wishes,” he nodded to indicate Lady Catherine, “but that does not mean they are also hers. Or mine, as I have attempted to tell you.”
“How can you throw aside every plan your parents and I have made, the expectations of your family, what is in your own best interest?” Lady Catherine said, her complexion reddening.
“It is an excellent match,” Lord Romsley said, acting as though his sister had not spoken. “You are unlikely to make a better one. Think rationally, Darcy.”
“I am,” he asserted. “There is another lady, one I long to marry, which is not a feeling I have ever had for my cousin.”
“Who?” both the earl and countess asked, he suspiciously and she with curiosity.
Straightening his spine and doing his best to avoid seeing Lady Catherine, who was glaring at him and sitting at the edge of the bergère chair, one hand gripping the top of her stick, he stated, “Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” Deciding not to allow his aunts and uncle to interrupt him further—if he could do so politely—he immediately continued.
“We met last spring in Ireland and have known each other for months now. Even when we were in Dublin, I knew I liked her very well.” He might not have wanted to admit it to himself, but it was the truth.
“Since spending more time with her this autumn, I have concluded that…she is the only lady for me.”
The earl stood and strode to the fireplace, throwing up his hands and saying, “Does no one ever do what their parents want them to any longer?”
Lady Catherine assured him that he was a fool and that she and Anne would never forgive him. Because the earl and countess appeared willing to let her continue without response, he did likewise. When she was calmer, he would speak to her again.
Lady Romsley said, “Why did you not tell us? Miss Bennet has been here several times. It is not as though we have never met her.”
Darcy nodded. “I did not believe it necessary, not until I had proposed. However, I should have once my aunt and cousin came to town.” He explained his decision to first ensure Elizabeth understood his hopes for the future, and once he was assured she felt the same, inform them they must give up expecting him to marry Anne.
“Saying it now, I realise it was never a good idea. Bramwell and Fitzwilliam told me as much, and I almost changed my mind, but I was too stubborn. And, I believe, hesitant to disappoint you, knowing you are not yet entirely reconciled to the choices your sons have made.”
“I do not recall seeing you with Miss Bennet last night,” his uncle said.
Remembering the disaster of the ball was like a blow to the stomach.
He did not want to discuss the debacle. “She was unwell and left with Mrs Ryde during the first set. I still intend to speak to her as soon as possible, but she has gone into the country. Her father’s estate is next to one recently let by my friend Bingley, and I shall go to visit him and see her tomorrow. ”
“You cannot!” Lady Catherine insisted. “I forbid it!”
Darcy refused to look in her direction; instead, he continued to regard Lord and Lady Romsley.
Speaking to his sister, the earl said, “It is not to you to permit or forbid him to do anything. Not even I have that right.”
“Well, I wish you had told us sooner,” the countess said to him before turning to her husband.
“Perhaps we have been wrong to believe we should make such important decisions for the children. It is how our parents treated us, and I recall greatly disliking it, even though I accepted it. The world has changed, and children will have their own way, as recent events have proved.”
“And their own reasons for whom they will—or will not—marry,” he agreed grudgingly. To Darcy, he said, “Are you sure this is really what you want? You are giving up Rosings and what your mother wanted for you.”
“I am,” Darcy said with conviction. Directing the next words to Lady Catherine, whose expression was hard, he added, “I am sorry you are disappointed, but I am choosing the future I want, what I know is best for me.” Taking in all three of his companions, he continued.
“In my heart, I believe my mother and father would have loved her and rejoiced to see me happy. Miss Bennet is the only lady who is capable of giving me the joyful life I want, I need her as my wife, and she will be an exemplary mistress. Georgiana likes her, as do Bramwell and Fitzwilliam. And Lord Halsley, my aunt and uncle Darcy, and I could go on. She is good friends with Rebecca and Miss Strachan. Mrs Ryde considers her a niece. I promise that, once you know her better, you will love her and accept that she is a wonderful addition to our family.”
The earl sighed and exchanged a long look with the countess before saying, “And we shall welcome her to the family, just as we shall Miss Darcy and Miss Strachan. Catherine, I am sure you will too, once you have got past your disappointment. I suggest you go see Anne at once. Talk to her. I suspect Darcy is correct that this news does not injure her. My wife and I shall remain so that our nephew may tell us more about Miss Bennet and his plans.”