Chapter Nine #3
I hope this letter finds you and yours in good health.
I regret that I have not been able to come to Hertfordshire and make your acquaintance.
Nevertheless, I plan to remedy this situation as soon as may be.
Mr. Gardiner has kept me informed of all that has transpired during my stay in Kent.
Although my daughter is yet ill, my personal physician has assured me she is no longer in grave danger.
That being said, I hope to make the trip to London on Wednesday, 19 June or at the very latest Thursday morning.
After I conclude my business in Town, I then plan to call at your home on Friday so we may settle the arrangements for my wedding to your daughter.
To that end, I have received word from my uncle, the archbishop, who has approved the special licence which I applied for.
Furthermore, I have instructed my solicitor to draw up the marriage articles for your consideration.
To avoid any further scandal, I propose we set the wedding for Tuesday next, 25 June.
This will give me time to return to Town on Saturday the twenty-second in order to put the announcement in the papers and to submit the final marriage articles to my solicitor for completion.
Assuming all goes as I have planned, I shall then return to Longbourn on Monday, the day before the wedding.
Please offer my apologies to Mrs. Bennet for the inconvenience this will no doubt cause your wife with regard to the wedding preparations on such short notice.
I regret the suffering this entire affair has caused your family and beg your understanding for my part in the unfortunate circumstances which have necessitated our hasty marriage.
Please know that the request put forth by Lady Catherine de Bourgh on my behalf was issued without my knowledge and reassure Miss Elizabeth I would never have considered offering her a monetary stipend in lieu of marriage.
I greatly esteem your daughter and would like to formally ask for your permission to marry her and petition her for her hand on Friday.
Please extend my best regards to Miss Elizabeth.
Until then,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
On finishing the letter, Elizabeth could barely utter a word. Did he truly esteem her as he said in his letter? Looking to her farther, a single tear slid down her cheek which she quickly brushed aside.
“What is it, my dear? Does Mr. Darcy’s letter not satisfy?
Your mama will certainly be in raptures having further affirmation of his intentions, despite the brevity of your engagement.
I admit the man is very exacting in what he thinks should take place, but that is to be expected from one of his standing.
” Again he looked at Elizabeth with uncertainty.
“Surely you are not going to be disobliging since you have had so little say in the matter?”
“I admit, I would like to have been consulted about what is to take place, but under the circumstances I know it was hardly possible.”
“What is it then, my dear? What is troubling you?’
“It is just that I did not expect him to state his regard for me in his letter, especially after what Eliza overheard. While we have not known each other for very long, I … I have come to care for Mr. Darcy, and I could not bear it if he were to resent me for being forced to marry against his will.”
“In my opinion this letter indicates that Mr. Darcy is honourable, and I do not believe he is the type of man who would say he esteemed you if he did not mean it. You mark my words, Lizzy, all will be well.”
“Do you truly think so?”
“I do. Now, unless you have more to discuss, you had best inform your mama and sisters of what is to take place. There is much to be done between now and Tuesday.”
“Yes, Papa.”
“And, Lizzy, once your mama has calmed a bit, please ask her to come here. While I am not one to indulge in the pageantry of a wedding, I should like to discuss a few things with her before Mr. Darcy arrives on Friday. Considering my current health, I fear it will be too much for me to attend you at the church. Since Mr. Darcy has purchased a special license, I should like to propose that we hold the wedding here at the manor house. What say you, my dear?”
“Oh, Papa,” Elizabeth knelt at her father’s side, placing her arms around his neck. “I could not bear it if you were not able to give me away. Thank you. Holding the wedding here will be perfect, and I can assure you my sisters and I will do everything possible to help Mama with the arrangements.”
“Very good, my dear. You run along and do shut the door when you leave. I fear my solitude will be shortly interrupted and I should like to rest a bit before speaking with your mother.”
“I understand, Papa.”
After she left, Mr. Bennet eased himself from his chair and into the small bed that had been moved to his study for naps.
Following his initial collapse, this convenience as well as a bedroom had been set up for him on the first floor.
This suited Bennet quite well as it meant he could more easily join his family for meals and on occasion go out of doors without having to go up and down the stairs.
Having the wedding at the house would no doubt present some difficulty for his wife, but his desire to attend the wedding of his favourite and give her away on this special day took precedence.