Chapter 16 #2
“Mr Darcy, we are so happy to see you at Longbourn,” she enthused.
“You are so kind to escort our dear Jane back home. We were ever so surprised to learn you were to marry our Elizabeth, although I cannot imagine you choosing her over my beautiful Jane. Is your friend expected back in the county any time soon? We have missed the Netherfield party since you all left in November. Will Mr Bingley return to Netherfield soon?”
Darcy spoke quickly the moment Mrs Bennet drew breath. “I have not heard from Mr Bingley in some time, madam; I am unaware of his current plans. And as Elizabeth is quite the most beautiful woman I have ever known, I am inordinately proud to have her as my wife. I cannot imagine choosing another.”
Mr Bennet chuckled softly and took advantage of his wife’s silence to invite them into the house.
Elizabeth noted his pallor and cheeks that were decidedly thinner than when she left in February.
“Welcome, children,” he said as Darcy’s carriage driver began to move it towards the back of the house so the trunks could be unloaded.
Lydia and Kitty danced around, behaving like children instead of young ladies, and demanded to see what gifts they would receive.
Mr Bennet said nothing to them about their behaviour.
Mrs Bennet found her voice again. “Would you like to refresh yourselves first or join us for tea?”
Darcy and Elizabeth looked at each other. “I believe we could use a few moments to refresh ourselves, madam,” Darcy said solemnly.
“Well, Lizzy, show Mr Darcy to the guest room; you can use your old room,” she told them. “I will have the servants place your things in your rooms.”
Elizabeth dared a look at her husband to assure him all would be well.
She led him upstairs to the guest room, sneaking away momentarily to inform Hill that her trunks should be placed in the guest room with her husband’s.
Her face was red as she said it, but Hill merely smiled and congratulated her on her marriage.
“Do you know why Papa insisted we stay in London?” she asked the loyal servant.
“I have some ideas, Miss Lizzy,” Hill replied darkly. “But this is not the time to speak of them.”
Elizabeth furrowed her brow in question but allowed the housekeeper to depart, knowing she would make the arrangements requested, and returned to her husband.
“Hill will ensure our things are brought to this room. I would not have minded staying together in my old room, but it adjoins Jane’s and is directly beside Lydia’s.
I would not be surprised at Lydia or Kitty trying to listen to us if we were near them.
At least here, we are somewhat isolated from the rest of the house. ”
Darcy grinned rakishly at her. “Do you intend to give them something to listen to, love?” he enquired, laughing when she blushed brightly.
“Perhaps I should sleep in my old room,” she retorted, moving towards the door, but he pulled her back before she could take more than a step or two.
“No, love, I do not think I can sleep without you in my arms,” he teased as he pulled her into his arms. They remained in that attitude for several minutes.
Elizabeth sighed and pulled away slightly so she could look at him.
“I have a feeling I will need your arms around me tonight. I will have to sustain myself with this embrace for now, William. I apologise in advance for anything my mother, sisters, or father do that is embarrassing. My family’s letters have been far from comforting, and I am still amazed that my father has not written to me at all in the last two months.
I do not know whether I should be concerned or angry, although, I confess, he did not appear well when he greeted us. ”
“All will be well, Elizabeth,” he told her, pulling her head to his chest. “Whatever it is, we will face it together. You need not worry. If it is as you fear, and there is something wrong with your father, I will purchase a home nearby so your mother will have a place to live near her friends and relatives.”
“And you will ensure she does not live with us, will you not?” she laughed when he grimaced. “I cannot fault you for that thought, William, as it is exactly in line with my wishes.” She felt him sigh against her. “Let us go down now and see what we can learn.”
That said, she took him by the hand and led him back downstairs to her father’s book room. “Lizzy, Darcy,” the elder man greeted them. “What can I do for you?”
“We have come to speak of this ‘business proposition’ you have, Papa,” Elizabeth answered first. “Given that you did not deign to answer a single of my letters asking you to explain why you preferred us to marry from London, I was amazed to receive one that seems to be asking my husband for funds.”
Mr Bennet was taken aback. “That letter was sent to your husband, Lizzy, and was meant to be between us gentlemen. You had no right to read it.”
“I did have the right when my husband gave it to me to read, sir,” Elizabeth retorted tartly. “My husband views me as a partner in this marriage and not as an adornment; I am privy to all his business.”
“That is nonsense,” Bennet replied. “You will learn, Mr Darcy, that keeping the women out of your business is best. I am sure, in time, you will prevent your wife from being so involved in men’s affairs.”
“As my wife said, we are equals, and my business is hers. There is little of which she is unaware, and if she does not know it now, she will in time. I do not intend to live a life separate from my wife and welcome her into my life and my business,” Darcy replied stiffly.
Bennet scowled. He did not wish his daughter to know it, but he realised Darcy would not condone excluding her. With a grimace, he plodded forward. “I have a … situation and could use some help, Darcy,” Bennet admitted, his words trailing uncertainly.
“What kind of help, sir?” Darcy asked, his voice icy. Elizabeth placed her hand on her husband’s arm, clearly indicating where her loyalty lay.
“Well, I intended to tell you after dinner, over port, and without my daughter present, but the fact is, last autumn, about the time Lizzy rejected my heir, I attempted to do something to aid my daughters in the event of my demise by investing with a gentleman I knew from my school days. One thing led to another, and the investment failed, and now I owe these gentlemen five thousand pounds. They cannot do anything with Longbourn since it is entailed, and I have been giving them small amounts as I was able, but they are no longer satisfied with that. They are threatening to throw me into debtors’ prison, and on this last visit, just a few days ago, they … they offered to take Jane in payment.”
Neither Darcy nor Elizabeth could speak after this pronouncement. The initial revelation was bad enough, but that these men threatened to take her sister was beyond Elizabeth’s imagination. She was well-read and knew precisely what these men would do with her sister if they took her.
“Papa!” she cried. “You cannot be serious. How can you be so much in debt? Why would you not have contacted my uncle Gardiner for a reliable investment opportunity if you wanted to do something to help my sisters?”
Darcy laid his free hand on the one already resting on his arm, and she calmed somewhat. “What are you asking me to do, Mr Bennet,” he said, his voice stern.
“I was hoping you could give me five thousand pounds to settle my debt,” Bennet proposed. “You took my Lizzy, and Gardiner told me of the settlement. Surely, you can afford to give me that much since I gave you my favourite daughter.”
“Tell me more about this investment that resulted in you owing such a large sum,” Darcy insisted.
Bennet was initially reluctant to tell all, but eventually, under Darcy’s insistent questioning and unrelenting glare, he divulged the whole story. It was not an investment but rather an ill-advised foray into gambling that resulted in Bennet becoming entangled with disreputable men.
“I need the funds by the end of this month, or they will take Jane as repayment,” Bennet said finally.
“They are serious and have threatened to harm, perhaps even kill, me if I attempt to keep them from doing as they wish. Somehow, one of them got a look at Jane while she was in London and decided she would fetch a fair price in a … certain place.”
Elizabeth paled at this shock, and Darcy was concerned until he saw the anger flashing in her eyes.
“How could you do such a foolish thing, Papa?” she demanded.
Looking at her husband, he nodded almost imperceptibly, and she continued.
“We will give you the funds, but it will not be a gift. It will be a loan, and you will pay back every farthing. I am guessing the shopkeepers in Meryton are refusing credit only to the Bennets, not everyone, as Mama seems to think, either because you have failed to pay your bills as you paid off your gambling debts or because they know something of what you have done.”
Bennet acknowledged it was the former, adding to Elizabeth’s anger about the situation. “William and I will discuss the terms of the loan, and before you receive a farthing, you will sign our agreement and promise to do all we will insist upon.”
There was little Bennet could do but agree to whatever terms they set forth. Elizabeth stormed out into the gardens behind the house, and Darcy excused them both before he followed her. Bennet sat heavily in his chair and contemplated what brought him to this point.