Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Having been refused in spectacular fashion before, Darcy wanted his second attempt to reflect his true feelings. He was torn between carefully planning the words he would use or simply speaking from his heart, though verbal improvisation did not often go well for him.
He felt certain she would accept him. They had shared embraces and kisses and had held hands. He had put his arm around her waist, and she had leant into him. But he had also felt certain the first time he had offered. In spite of himself, the prospect was making him nervous.
Darcy decided he would make his proposal when next he saw her. The next morning, they were again walking together. Aside from their initial greetings, they were silent. They had walked nearly half a mile before Elizabeth observed, “One must speak a little, you know.”
He startled, so distracted had he been. He opened his mouth to speak but made the mistake of meeting her eyes, sparkling with amusement.
His words disappeared, and he coughed to hide his stumble.
The path they were on took a turn, skirting the edge of the pond, and he remembered her remark about sinking her father’s little boat.
Hopes and dreams.
He took a deep breath. “Elizabeth, I have been thinking upon your remarks about hopes and dreams. As it turns out, I do have some and have had them for quite some time.”
She took his hand. “I would like very much to hear them, if you wish to share.”
Darcy stopped and faced her, taking her other hand and holding them both to his chest. “I hope to marry the one I love, and to spend our lives together. I hope she will come home to Pemberley with me and love it as I do.” He kissed one hand, then the other.
“I dream of a true partner and helpmeet, my equal in every way.
I dream of lively conversation and holding my wife as we sit before the fire of a winter evening.
I dream of having her in my bed, of worshipping her with my body, of our children running and playing on the lawn.
I dream of a family that grows in love and joy, and when we are old, our grandchildren surrounding us.
I dream of being together until our time at last is over, as long as we both shall live.
“Elizabeth Bennet, will you do me the very great honour of accepting my hand in marriage?”
Eizabeth’s face was raised to his, tears in her eyes. “Yes, oh yes, I will. I will.”
He pulled her into his arms and heaved a deep sigh of relief. “Thank God,” he whispered.
They stood savouring their embrace for quite some time, until he heard a muffled voice say, “See how well you converse when you take the trouble of practising?”
Upon their return to Longbourn, Darcy spoke to Mr Bennet who—after quizzing him for some time—gave his consent. Shortly after, he called his daughter into his library.
“Had I not become accustomed to Mr Darcy’s presence here over the last weeks, I might have been shocked.
I might have worried that you had accepted him only to secure your future.
Now that you have a house and Jane will soon marry Bingley, that is no longer necessary, so I assume you accepted him because he has won your regard.
I have given my consent. He is the kind of man indeed to whom I should never dare to refuse anything, which he condescended to ask. ”
“He helped me with my work for the charity, Papa. He sent me the information I needed for my research, he found a steward to replace Mr Hargrove, and he had Mr Wickham sent to prison.”
Mr Bennet heard her with some self-consciousness. “Well, well. He did as I should have done. I will own to some embarrassment, but I will not be overpowered by it. It will pass away soon enough.” He waved her away, settled into his chair, and picked up his book.
Elizabeth observed the similarities and differences between her father and her betrothed. Both had character flaws and made mistakes. When confronted with personal deficiencies, Darcy acted to correct or counteract them, and her father did not. He would never change.
Mrs Bennet began to think of weddings, talk of weddings, and fuss about weddings.
Two weddings or one? In her mind, her daughters’ marriages to two such handsome, wealthy men deserved to be made much of, a spectacle for the entire neighbourhood.
Mr Bennet immediately vetoed the idea of two weddings, so Mrs Bennet pinned her hopes on one extravaganza.
“Jane, you of all people deserve the wedding of your dreams,” said Elizabeth as they wandered in the garden harvesting the summer herbs. “The banns called in public, a new gown, jewels, mountains of flowers; a big wedding feast to share your happy day with everyone.
“Fitzwilliam and I have both been the subject of malicious gossip. We prefer a small private wedding with only family and a few close friends; people we trust. There are some of our neighbours who I am uncomfortable about seeing, the Longs for example. I will try to forgive, but I will not forget what I have experienced these past weeks.”
“The banns will only take three weeks, Lizzy,” Jane reminded her. “They must be public, that is the point. If you and Mr Darcy were to marry quietly by common licence, there would be speculation that there is some reason for a hurried, hushed up marriage.”
When they spoke of it later, Darcy agreed with Jane.
“Once a person becomes the subject of rumour, there is no end to it, no matter what you do or do not do.
Your father has determined upon one wedding.
We can share the day with Bingley and Jane, or we can marry quietly by common licence.
We must choose what suits us best and not take into consideration the expectations or speculations of others.
“With that in mind, I have decided to inform my relatives only after we have married. The only persons whose opinions I care about are my sister and Colonel Fitzwilliam who is currently serving in the Peninsula. My uncle the earl will be concerned but will not censure us publicly. He and my aunt do not approve of open family squabbling. They will want only to meet you. The only person who will fuss will be Lady Catherine, who will object on the grounds that I am not marrying her daughter.”
In the end they compromised and chose quality over quantity.
They took their time. The banns were read in church, but if large numbers of the neighbourhood expected to be invited, they were to be disappointed.
Elizabeth had learnt who her true friends were, and Jane stood by her decision.
It was a small wedding with an extravagantly decorated church, an exclusive guest list, and a lavish meal afterwards.
When her mother spoke of visiting Mr Swanson’s shop for fabric and trims, Elizabeth told her of his insult.
Mrs Bennet was affronted and swore to never again set foot in his establishment.
Mrs Gardiner was prevailed upon to assist them once more.
Her dressmaker already had the girls’ measurements, and when the Gardiners arrived for the wedding, they brought the gowns with them.
Mrs Bennet had hoped that Lydia would be allowed to come home for the wedding and had written to Mrs Worley, who had responded with the news that her charge had made progress but not enough.
When she had been told of the wedding, Lydia had succumbed to a fit of jealousy, thus ending any possibility of attending.
Jane wore a necklace of pearls, a gift from Bingley. With Darcy’s approval, Elizabeth wore the amethysts from her godfather. He only resolved that he would commission earrings to match.
The more intimate ceremony and celebrations were much to the liking of both couples as well as their families. There was time to relax and converse with their friends; to enjoy the meal without being obliged to rush.
After the festivities, the Darcys left for Pemberley.
It was already August, and harvest time would soon be upon them.
Any wedding trip would have to be deferred, but there was no disappointment over it.
They found their peace and pleasure in each other’s arms, accompanied by occasional shrieks and squeals.
Mrs Darcy found she did not mind them at all, once she became accustomed.