Chapter 1.16 #3
He related to her with scant details the reason for Wickham’s presence in Meryton and his deceit towards the Bennet family, concluding with the upcoming wedding. Georgiana remained sullen for several minutes.
“Thank you for telling me.”
“Would you like to ask me anything more? I promise you that man will no longer bother you, even though he will be part of Elizabeth’s family. He will never be allowed in your company.”
“I know that. If you will excuse me, I feel very tired now. I would like to sleep.”
He stayed a few moments longer, but she closed her eyes.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth’s concern over her family increased on the way back to Gracechurch Street, but as Darcy presumed, her father, sister, and uncle slept while Jane entertained her young cousins.
Elizabeth asked to be told everything about Lydia, and Mrs Gardiner, after assuring her that she seemed to be in good health, could not conceal her displeasure with her youngest niece’s unchanged behaviour, even after all the trouble she had caused her entire family.
The report about her father and uncle brought nothing more than she already knew from Darcy; then it was Elizabeth’s turn to inform them about her visit to Miss Darcy.
Elizabeth could keep her precious secret no longer.
Pleased to be able to bring a little joy after the difficult situation they had endured, she shared her happiness with her sister and her aunt.
Jane and Mrs Gardiner embraced and congratulated her heartily while asking for more details, and she indulged them with all that could be revealed.
Only in the late afternoon did Elizabeth have the opportunity to speak to her father.
She was already tired after her talk with Lydia, which had turned into a quarrel.
Lydia did not attempt to listen to her, only saying how thrilled she was to be the first one in the family to marry, how much she loved her dear Wickham, and finally accused Lizzy of being jealous, as Wickham had always been her favourite.
Elizabeth was startled at seeing her father, for Mr Bennet looked not only tired but also older from such stressful burdens.
He was pleased to speak to his favourite daughter, but not even she was able to lighten his mood.
No words could comfort him, and he accepted no excuse.
It was entirely his failure as a father, and he was fully aware of it.
“But do not concern yourself, Lizzy; it will all pass soon enough. Everything has turned out well so far with little effort from me. My part of the settlement is to give Lydia her equal share of the five thousand pounds secured for you girls—after your mother and I are gone—and a hundred pounds per annum during our lifetime. Can you believe Wickham would be such a fool as to take her for so little?”
She tried to interfere, but her father would not allow her.
“And he is no fool, you know. He did not intend to marry her. He told me he needed to make his fortune by marriage, for he was penniless, and I know well the amount of his debts—more than a thousand pounds. Mr Darcy and the colonel talked a great deal with him privately while we tried to bring Lydia to her senses, and he apparently changed his mind completely.”
“Oh, Papa, must she marry him? She will be so miserable. There is not the slightest chance for her to be happy with him.”
“We tried to convince her, but she would not heed us. And…they already… So you see, there is nothing else to be done. But what I would really like to know is how much money Darcy had to spend to convince him and how I shall ever be able to repay him. He absolutely refused to tell me the amount, but I can easily imagine how much this has cost him. You know he even promised to obtain that man a new commission in the North after the wedding. Can you believe that?”
She embraced her father, pained by his grief but happy she could say something to please him.
“Dearest Papa, I have reason to believe that Mr Darcy will come to speak to you today. And even if you are not able to return his money, it will be in your power at least to return him a favour.”
“Is that so? Well, you appear to be fully aware of Mr Darcy’s intentions. Do you intend to reveal any more details to your old father?”
“I do not. You will have to wait until he meets with you.”
“Then leave me alone to enjoy your uncle’s library, teasing child.”
∞∞∞
It was only half past four when Mr Darcy’s presence was announced.
He was greeted by Mrs Gardiner, who welcomed him affectionately and invited him to join the family in the drawing room.
He could hear Elizabeth and Jane playing with the children, obviously not expecting guests so early, but he declined joining them, instead asking whether Mr Bennet might be available for a private talk.
She directed him to the library, and he entered without delay, finding Elizabeth’s father alone.
“Mr Darcy! This is indeed a pleasant surprise. Please come in.”
“Thank you, sir. May I inquire how you are feeling, Mr Bennet?”
“Well, how can I be? Like a father who witnessed his youngest child’s ruin and knew he did nothing to prevent it.”
“You are too harsh on yourself.”
“No, I am not, and we both know that. But let us speak of it no more. Would you care for a glass of brandy?”
“Yes, thank you. Mr Bennet, I have come early today with the purpose of asking something of you.”
“I must confess I was waiting for you, sir. Lizzy mentioned that you might want to ask me something.”
“So much the better then… Sir, I trust that my high esteem and tender regard for your daughter have not been a secret to you. I had the pleasure of speaking with you about this subject almost two months ago, both at Longbourn and then at Netherfield the night of the ball.”
“Yes, I do remember.”
“From that moment, even though unforeseen situations forced me not to be in her company as much as I would have wished, my affections have grown stronger and my intentions clearer than ever. To my surprise in these last days, I have been given many reasons to believe that Miss Elizabeth’s opinion of me has improved and changed favourably, more than I would have hoped.
So today I made her an offer of marriage, and she consented to become my wife.
What I would like to ask you, Mr Bennet, is for your consent and your blessing. ”
Though tall and impressive in his stature and appearance, his countenance was insecure and uneasy. He was fighting his reserve, obviously unaccustomed either to speak about his feelings or to put himself at the mercy of others. His patience, fortunately, was not to be tried this day.
“Mr Darcy, indeed I have known of your regard for Lizzy and of hers for you for some time now. It would be an honour for me to give you my consent and a joy to give you my blessing. I could not wish for a better husband for my Lizzy.”
“Thank you, sir.” He breathed deeply and swallowed a little more brandy.
“However, I am surprised that you decided to propose today; in fact, I am quite surprised that you proposed at all after what happened. I must remind you that, unfortunately, Wickham will be a part of this family too.”
“Sir, I shall not deny that this fact is appalling to me, and I must confess now that I have no intention to keep nor maintain a relationship with him. Miss Lydia, as a member of your family, will be welcome in our home always, but I shall never invite him or accept his company in town. Even if you disapprove, my intentions are not negotiable in this matter.”
“Oh, I cannot argue with you, sir; in fact, I agree wholeheartedly. Now, if you will allow me, I would like to fetch Lizzy for a moment.”
Mr Darcy nodded in agreement, and Mr Bennet left only to return a few moments later with a joyful Elizabeth.
The moment they saw each other, their expressions changed instantly, and they were drawn to each other as though under a spell.
Mr Bennet was more affected than he would admit by the expression of happiness displayed by both his daughter and the gentleman.
However, trying to hide his emotions, he could not refrain from adding, “Well, it seems that my old cottage was useful to you in more ways than one—am I right?”
A wave of redness spread over their faces, amusing Mr Bennet.
“You are right sir; it was most useful indeed.”
“Well, it is good to know I contributed to the happiness of at least one of my daughters. Let us return to the others and tell them the news.”
Elizabeth took Mr Darcy’s arm, and he was delighted to see his ring on her finger.
They entered the drawing room together, children’s happy cheers covering their entrance.
Becky ran to Mr Darcy; he lifted her in his arms, and she kissed his cheeks.
Soon, the Gardiners joined them, and the happy news was announced.
Words of congratulation flowed freely, and their joy compensated somewhat for the distress of the day.
∞∞∞
At around half past five, the ladies departed to change for dinner.
When they returned, they saw that the colonel and Mr Bingley had arrived, and both hurried to greet them and congratulate Elizabeth in particular.
Instantly, Bingley exchanged a quick glance with Jane and saw her blush but smile sweetly and encouragingly to him.
Neither Elizabeth nor Mr Darcy made any effort to conceal their wish of being together, causing Mr Bennet and the colonel to amuse themselves on their behalf.
It was particularly diverting for both gentlemen to see a man of Mr Darcy’s disposition allow his happiness to overflow in mirth.
However, Mr Darcy seemed completely oblivious to their amusement, his attention concentrated upon Elizabeth.
Lydia joined them for dinner, irritated that her sister’s engagement overshadowed her own.
Her only revenge was that she would be married much sooner and her betrothed was more agreeable than the boring Mr Darcy.