Chapter 16
It had been three days before Darcy decided to approach Mr. Bennet.
Both he and Bingley had stayed away from Longbourn to give the family some privacy, though he did meet Elizabeth a couple of times either in Meryton or during her morning constitutional.
He found it heartwarming that she seemed as impatient as he was to get their understanding formalised.
Miss Bennet had also warmed towards Bingley, which made him a much more pleasant company for Darcy.
Elizabeth had confided in him that her sister still loved Mr. Bingley with the same intensity as before but had been wary of his sullen attitude.
“Frankly, I think Jane is right to reconsider. Mr. Bingley seemed to think that ignoring a difficult situation would make it go away. Had he approached and spoken to Jane about his departure from Hertfordshire, she would have been much more understanding.” Then she had given him a mischievous smile as she continued, “I am sure the comparison with you did not help Mr. Bingley. While he keeps trying to shirk responsibility, you have a habit of taking everything on your shoulders.”
Darcy had been embarrassed by this unexpected praise and had changed the topic, discussing Georgiana's return to London. It was during this conversation that she had hinted that he should talk to her father soon enough if he wanted to go to London to alleviate his sister’s loneliness.
That had been enough for Darcy who presented himself at Longbourn the very next morning requesting an audience with Mr. Bennet.
While Darcy realistically did not expect to have any opposition to his suit, he had been prepared to humbly answer any question Mr. Bennet may have.
He knew that Elizabeth was highly prized by her father, and it was he who had encouraged her independent spirit.
As such, he was prepared for the surprise his request would garner and to provide whatever assurance might be needed.
Soon he was announced in the study and was seated opposite Mr. Bennet while the housekeeper immediately brought in tea.
“Mr. Darcy, I have been meaning to thank you for all your help to our family in Brighton. My brother Gardiner made me understand that we are quite indebted to you.” Mr. Bennet spoke as soon as they were alone.
“I implore you not to think about it. I did what any person would do in a similar situation. Miss Lydia’s recovery is all the thanks I require.”
“That is very good of you, sir, is there anything else that I may help you with? I am assuming that you have specifically sought me out for some purpose.”
“You are right, I come to you with a request. I have asked Miss Elizabeth to be my wife and she has accepted. I have therefore come to request your consent and blessing.” Darcy spoke with some trepidation.
“I would like to say that you have completely surprised me, Mr. Darcy. But Gardiner did give some hint regarding your preference for Lizzy while he was in Brighton. Though I am still unable to comprehend how this came about. The last time you were in Hertfordshire, you did not seem to have any fondness for her.”
“Mr. Bennet, I am sorry to admit that though I had realised my preference for Miss Elizabeth very early in our acquaintance, I did not think it prudent to act on it. I have been brought up with certain expectations when it comes to the Darcy name and lineage. My mother was the daughter of the Earl of Matlock, and it was expected that the next Mrs. Darcy would be of a similar standing in society. Hence, I did my best to avoid creating any expectation while I was residing at Netherfield.”
Mr. Bennet had expected that Darcy’s preference for his daughter may have originated in Kent where her family was not around to embarrass her. To know that he had admired her from last year had him unsettled.
“It is good that you are forthcoming about your struggles, Mr. Darcy, but then it begs the question why you are seeking her hand now. Elizabeth’s social status remains the same.”
“I have in the past year realised that your daughter has no equal. I have come to understand that happiness in marriage is much more important to me than the lineage of the future Mrs. Darcy. That said, though my relatives may have had more ambitious plans for me, Miss Elizabeth is a perfectly respectable lady and fully capable of handling any social situation.”
“You seem to have given this much thought, Mr. Darcy. While I had some idea of your preference, I had thought it more of an infatuation.” Seeing Darcy’s expression Mr. Bennet raised his hand and continued, “I do not mean to disrespect you, or make light of your feelings. I am just trying to convey my surprise. I would like some time to fully comprehend things and to talk to Elizabeth before I can give you an answer. I will send you a note tomorrow.”
Darcy politely took his leave expressing that he would await the note with eagerness. He fully anticipated Mr. Bennet to be surprised and had not expected an immediate affirmative but somehow, he was uneasy with the way the older man had guided the conversation.
Elizabeth had been aware of Darcy’s arrival and rushed to her father’s study when the servant came to call her. As she entered, she was surprised to see her father by himself. She had expected to find Darcy still there. Mr. Bennet waved her to come and sit next to him.
“Lizzy, I can see that you were expecting me to have company. Was it Mr. Darcy you were expecting, my dear?”
At her nod Mr. Bennet continued. “Well, your uncle did tell me something of his preference for you and when I had conveyed my skepticism and your dislike, he had mentioned that you had not seemed opposed.”
“He is right, Papa. While I did not like Mr. Darcy when he was in Hertfordshire the last time, that was before I had fully understood his character. I met him in Kent when visiting Charlotte and by the end of that visit I was privy to some information, especially regarding Mr. Wickham that had made me question my judgement. But it was meeting him at Pemberley that showed me how misguided I had been. He is perfectly amiable and an upright gentleman, if a little reserved. I will not deny that he is proud, but his pride is directed more towards his impeccable character than his position in life. He is knowledgeable and well informed but has always valued my opinion. Frankly I am ashamed to even think of how poorly I behaved with him in the past.”
“I see that you are determined to defend him with the same fervour as you disliked him. Lizzy, I have not been the best of guardians, had we lost Lydia it would have been completely my fault. I am indebted to your Mr. Darcy, for her current wellbeing, but I cannot in good conscience trade my obligation for your happiness. Dissatisfaction in marriage will lead to lifelong regret. Believe me when I say, I experience it daily. I cannot have you go through the same experience, as a woman it would be much worse for you.”
While Elizabeth had been annoyed when her father had begun talking as she could not take any criticism of Darcy with equanimity, his tone drained her of all her anger. She had never felt such helplessness and genuine remorse in his voice. Holding his hand, she tried to reassure him.
“Papa, I understand your concerns and while it may seem sudden to you, my feelings for Mr. Darcy have taken a long time to change. I have been aware of his preference from the time I left Kent. He had no reason to have any hope of my reciprocating it, yet his constancy has remained and in his own words deepened.”
“My dearest girl, it would have been difficult for me to part with you for any man, but I must confess it is much harder when I think of Darcy and his contempt for all of us. I had been of a mind to outright refuse, but both his plea and your own defense of his character have made me reconsider. I had told him that I will send a note by tomorrow. Let me think till then and I will speak to both of you together.”
Seeing that there was no benefit in trying to argue with her father any longer, she left him to his thoughts.
The rest of the day passed in anxious restlessness for Elizabeth, more so when her father did not appear for any of the meals preferring to take them on a tray.
Bingley visited alone in the afternoon, and she spent some time walking with him and Jane but was completely unequal to any engaging conversation to the extent that after prompting her once or twice even Jane and Bingley left her to her preoccupation.
Elizabeth was up with the sun the next morning after an uneasy sleep and craving a vigorous exercise walked up to Oakham Mount.
Seeing the subject of her thought already there, she rushed the final steps and eagerly went to him.
Darcy smiled as he saw her and gently took her hands in his, offering her the companionship she so desperately needed. They just stood quietly watching the village from above. It was after a while that Darcy broke the silence.
“Your anxiety tells me that your father did speak to you but has still not given his decision.”
“You are quite perceptive, sir. He mentioned that he will talk to us today but what worries me is that he had been of a mind to refuse you entirely.” She quickly recounted her conversation with her father.
Darcy was surprised, here again his wealth, status, and position in life had failed to make any impact on another Bennet.
It seemed that only his genuine forthrightness and Elizabeth’s passionate defense of his character had made Mr. Bennet reconsider.
He gently pressed her hand conveying his feelings as he wiped the single stray tear on her cheeks.
“Elizabeth, I had lost all hope after your refusal in Kent. Now when I have so unexpectedly won your regard, I have no intention of giving it up. We will convince your father no matter how long it takes. I am sure he will finally acquiesce.”
Later as they both sat in front of Mr. Bennet in his study, Elizabeth recounted the patience her beloved had shown towards her and her family. Her father was unjustly punishing him for her opinions, and he bore it all with equanimity. Finally, Mr. Bennet spoke,
“Mr. Darcy, while I am still not convinced that you and Elizabeth will suit, I am inclined to give both of you a chance to prove me incorrect. Lizzy is to come of age in six months’ time.
If both of you can prove your constancy to me for that long, you will have my blessing.
I know I cannot stop Elizabeth from marrying where she wishes once she is of age, I hope to give both of you enough time to reconsider before the decision is irrevocable.
I know you both feel quite strongly towards each other, but marriage is more than attraction and infatuation.
In the next months you may remain in the neighbourhood and court Lizzy and if by the end of it both of you are still inclined to marry, I will have no objections. ”
“Does that mean that you will not allow us to have an official understanding at this time. A long engagement?” Darcy prodded.
“No sir, I would like my daughter to be able to withdraw without any gossip. An engagement with a person like you in this neighbourhood would hardly allow for that.” Mr. Bennet responded firmly.
“But Papa, I have no intention of withdrawing.” Elizabeth exclaimed, finally unable to keep her silence in the wake of what she considered severe injustice.
She got up and paced with impatience as her temper flared.
Mr. Darcy silently shook his head as he saw her prepared to argue and to her father’s eternal surprise Elizabeth gave her beau a rueful smile but held her peace.
She silently walked towards the window reining in her anger as she stood there staring outside, prompting her father to remember the same posture in the gentleman before him when he had first arrived in Meryton.