Chapter 19 #2
Mr Bennet’s teasing brought little comfort to Darcy’s embarrassment; Elizabeth could see that. He rarely smiled, and he seemed to struggle to understand whether Mr Bennet was joking. Her father’s next question, however, took her by complete surprise.
“So, this is your plan… And may I ask why you think a three-months’ engagement is necessary? I do not mean to intrude; I am just curious. It is my understanding that no more than a week is needed to apply for a special license.”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks burning, and she dared a glance at Darcy; his expression suddenly changed, though he seemed equally uneasy.
“We thought it would be proper not to rush… We believed that it would be better if…” As he spoke, he kept glancing at Elizabeth as if waiting for her intervention. His words seemed weak and his arguments unconvincing.
“To be honest, sir, I thought an engagement of three months would be comfortable for Elizabeth. If it were my choice alone, I would say two weeks would be long enough. However, Elizabeth’s comfort and wishes are more important than mine.”
“I would imagine as much.” Mr Bennet laughed while Elizabeth turned crimson. A moment later, Mr Bennet became more serious.
“As I said, I do not mean to intrude but I was thinking—perhaps you should choose a shorter engagement, considering the circumstances. From what I observed earlier, Lady Catherine will not cease interfering until everything is settled and publicly acknowledged. I would say the best way to avoid a scandal is to be done with it.”
Darcy’s expression darkened again, and he avoided Mr Bennet’s eyes for a moment.
“Mr Bennet, I could have all the arrangements completed in a week, and nothing would make me happier. But I shall not force Elizabeth to hurry or to decide against her wishes only because of my aunt’s behaviour.
Despite anything my aunt might do, I will find a way to protect Elizabeth and our families. Please do not worry about that.”
Elizabeth gently touched his arm with her hand, and he turned to meet her eyes. She smiled, her cheeks still burning, her eyes sparkling.
“I think we should discuss this…the engagement, I mean. And no, I do not worry about Lady Catherine either.”
“Good—excellent,” Mr Bennet said while the couple looked at each other in silence.
“Discuss this, and let me know what you decide. And your mother too—she will never forgive you if you do not allow her time for proper arrangements. Now let us return; I am certain Mrs Bennet is anxious to ask Mr Darcy what he would prefer for dinner.”
“Papa, may I have a few more minutes with Mr Darcy? We will join you shortly.”
“Sir, would you be so kind as to lend me a pen and some paper? I intend to send an express for my uncle. I was thinking that an announcement in the papers—about our engagement—would be necessary,” Darcy said.
“Yes it would—yes indeed. Lizzy will show you everything you need.”
Mr Bennet left the library, but no words were spoken for some time. Meaningful, deep looks attempted to share each other’s feelings before the silence was broken.
“Elizabeth, I cannot say how sorry I am. I cannot forgive myself for exposing you and your family to my aunt’s malicious actions. I never would have believed her capable of such things. You cannot imagine how ashamed I am and—”
“You take too much upon yourself, truly. It is done and cannot be changed. I am certain my parents took the situation much better than you did.” She laughed, gently caressing his face.
“As for being ashamed—I believe I know your feelings. I love my mother dearly, but her exuberant behaviour has frequently made me uncomfortable.”“Your mother would never behave like Lady Catherine did; of that I am sure.”
“Oh, yes she would.” Elizabeth laughed heartily.
“Only try to tell her you decided to marry someone else after she was convinced she would have you as a son-in-law, and you will see. But that is quite easy to understand; nobody would ever accept easily the loss of such a faultless man—tall and handsome and worth ten thousand a year!”
Her eyes laughed along with her teasing, and his countenance brightened at the sight. He captured the hand that was still caressing his face and placed a long kiss in her palm while his other arm encircled her waist.
“You are generous to forgive me so easily. I shall abuse your generosity by insisting on listening to your father and choosing another wedding day—a much earlier one,” he said while he gently pulled her closer.
His lips brushed small, warm kisses on her palm and along her wrists, then further to each finger while his eyes never abandoned hers. She rested her other hand against his chest while she wondered how it was possible to shiver on such a warm day.
“You said I would enjoy being engaged at Pemberley,” she whispered, smiling shyly.
“Indeed. But you will enjoy even more being newly wed at Pemberley.” He wiped her smile with a warm kiss that took her breath away and left little doubt about his meaning. She moved closer, and her hands curved around his neck as she daringly accepted the passionate demand of his lips.
“I do not believe I can finish preparations in less than two weeks,” she managed to whisper, her lips almost touching his. “I will need a new trousseau, new dresses…”
His lips captured hers again with more passion. He allowed her to breathe again, enough to respond.
“Do not bother yourself with new clothes; you will not have time to wear any of them…”
She froze then pulled away, staring at him in shock. “Mr Darcy!”
His hands were still around her waist, and he looked at her—her eyes sparkling, her cheeks and neck red, her lips wet and crimson—and he was at a loss to understand what offended her.
Then suddenly the revelation struck him, and he started to laugh while his arms crushed her against him and he gently kissed her hair.
“What I meant was that I plan for us to leave for Pemberley immediately after the wedding, so there will be no special occasions to require new dresses. And you will have plenty of time to order everything you need after we marry.”
She looked at him, incredulous at his explanation, and he laughed again and kissed her hand. She started to laugh, too.
He leaned closer to whisper in her ear.
“However, I confess I am exceedingly pleased that your imagination equals the quickness of your mind. And it gives me one more reason to insist we decide on an earlier date.”
“Very well, sir. I should have known that you would not have it any other way but your own. We shall marry as soon as you make all the arrangements. Two weeks should do.”
The expression of heartfelt delight diffused over his face warmed her heart, and with no trace of shyness, she rose on her toes so her lips could reach and join his. Another kiss brought them closer, with growing passion, until he began to laugh against her lips.
“Though my previous explanation was genuine and honest, now that I come to think of it, I confess your guess was not far from what I had in mind as well.”
She looked at him again, struggling to be serious and reproachful, but he demanded her lips once more, and she was not strong enough to fight against it. The shivers travelling wildly along her body almost equalled her imagination.
∞∞∞
It was more a spectacle for the servants than a breakfast, as Lady Catherine repeatedly declared she would not leave town without her daughter.
After pointless arguments, Lord Matlock accepted his sister’s request to at least speak directly with her daughter. Colonel Fitzwilliam disapproved the arrangement immediately, but the earl argued that a discussion between the two was necessary and fair.
The colonel left much earlier than the others, so he had time to reach Selina’s house and warn Anne about the imminent visit.
Half an hour later, Anne was waiting in the drawing room, her countenance calm, her distress betrayed only by her hands entwined in her lap and by frequent glances directed to the colonel. Lady Selina watched them with a smile.
Lady Catherine entered, followed by the earl, and did not favour them with a greeting. She stopped in front of her daughter.
“Anne, I came to fetch you. There is no need to worry about your luggage, I will send after it later. If we leave now, we shall arrive at Rosings by the end of the day.”
“Good day, Mother, I am happy to see you again,” Anne replied shyly.
“Yes, yes, good day. Now go and prepare yourself; we must go.”
“Mother, I am not returning to Rosings. Selina invited me to stay with her.”
“I will not hear any of this, Anne. I will never allow you to stay in town; you know your health does not permit it. You will return home with me without delay.”
“Selina fetched a doctor to examine me yesterday. I am perfectly well. I thank you for your concern, but you cannot force me to return. I have decided to remain with Selina.”
“Obstinate, headstrong girl! I am ashamed of you! Is this your gratitude for everything I have given you? I have dedicated my entire life to taking care of you, and this is how you repay me? I am now convinced that you have not the smallest affection for me, but you owe me respect and obedience!”
“Mother, it pains me that I hurt you, but please do not doubt my affection as I do not doubt yours. I am grateful for your care and concern, but—”
“You believe Selina or anyone else would take care of you as I do? Do you think anyone else cares about your well-being as I do? Foolish child! They will soon tire of you and send you back home—alone! Do you want to expose yourself to such shame?”
“Forgive me for upsetting you, but I shall not return home,” Anne repeated weakly.
“I think there is not much to discuss at this point,” the colonel interfered. “Anne has decided, and we should not upset her more on this subject.” Without allowing any contradiction, he offered Anne his arm and showed her out of the room.