Chapter 6
Surprising News
Darcy was nervous as he approached his family’s townhouse in Mayfair. He had a good relationship with his mother, but he wondered how she would react to the news of his intention to marry. At least he could tell her Elizabeth would bring a dowry with her, although he could not tell her the amount.
Arriving slightly later than planned, Darcy was ushered into the family sitting room. As he entered, his mother’s warm greeting enveloped him, momentarily quelling the nervous flutter in his chest.
“Good evening, Fitzwilliam,” Lady Anne Darcy chimed, her tone light and genial. “You arrived just in time. We were beginning to wonder if you had been waylaid.”
Darcy’s lips curved into a smile, an attempt to conceal his inner turmoil. “I apologise for my tardiness, Mother. Unforeseen matters required my attention, but I assure you, I am here now.”
Lady Anne regarded her son discerningly, sensing an underlying seriousness in his demeanour.
“Very well,” she replied, curiosity lacing her voice.
“We shall table our curiosity for the moment. However, I do hope you will share the details of your ‘unforeseen matters’ with me over dinner. It is a family dinner with Georgiana and me, and I hope it is not so upsetting that you cannot discuss it in front of your sister.”
As they sat at the table, Darcy felt a little apprehensive about the conversation he needed to have with his mother.
His mother was, as always, warm and welcoming, but Darcy felt a bit off-kilter as he thought about what he wanted to say.
Seeming to be aware of this, Lady Anne skilfully guided the conversation, her questions gently drawing Darcy into the conversation between her and Georgiana.
Finally, the opportunity arose when a lull settled over the table. Darcy cleared his throat, his gaze steady as he met his mother’s expectant eyes. “Mother,” he began, his voice steady yet with an unmistakable note of seriousness, “there is a matter of great import I wish to discuss with you.”
Lady Anne’s demeanour shifted subtly, an attentive focus replacing her previous ease. “Of course, Fitzwilliam,” she replied, inviting him to proceed.
Darcy’s pulse quickened, and he chose his words carefully. “Mother, I have been giving considerable thought to my future, and I have come to a decision. I wish to inform you I intend to marry.”
A delicate smile touched Lady Anne’s lips, her eyes conveying interest and affection. “Marry? My dear Fitzwilliam, that is wonderful news indeed. May I inquire about the fortunate lady who has captured your heart?”
Darcy met his mother’s gaze with a mixture of sincerity and resolve. “The lady in question is Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Lady Anne’s brows lifted in mild surprise, her gaze sharpening as she absorbed his words. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” she repeated thoughtfully. “I am not familiar with that name.”
Darcy’s heart raced as he continued, the moment of truth approaching. “Indeed, Mother. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is a young woman of remarkable character and intelligence. She has greatly impressed me, and I believe our values and aspirations align.”
Lady Anne’s eyes held a discerning glint as she observed her son. “Tell me more about this young lady, Fitzwilliam. What qualities have drawn you to her?”
As Darcy embarked on a description of his Elizabeth’s virtues, his words flowed with genuine admiration and a touch of vulnerability.
He spoke of her wit, her sense of independence, and the connection they shared.
He revealed how her perspectives had influenced him, broadening his horizons and challenging his preconceptions.
And as he spoke, he found himself recounting the external attributes that captivated him and the depth of character and strength of spirit he had come to admire.
Lady Anne listened attentively, her gaze unwavering and her interest evident. Once Darcy had finished, a thoughtful silence settled over the room. She regarded her son for a moment, her expression a mix of contemplation and maternal wisdom.
“Fitzwilliam,” she finally spoke, her voice gentle yet firm, “it is clear you have given this matter significant consideration despite the short duration of your acquaintance with the lady. Your choice of a wife is a decision of great magnitude, one that will shape your future and your eventual family. I trust your judgement is sound and your heart’s inclination is genuine. ”
Darcy met his mother’s eyes, a sense of gratitude welling within him. “Thank you, Mother,” he replied earnestly. “I have indeed approached this with utmost sincerity and contemplation.”
Lady Anne’s gaze softened, her affection for her son evident.
“Then, Fitzwilliam, I offer you my blessings and support in this endeavour. May your path be one of happiness and fulfilment. When will you introduce me to your young lady? And have you already asked the question, or are you informing me of your intention to do so?”
Darcy’s heart swelled with gratitude, his mother’s understanding and acceptance a comforting affirmation.
“I am informing you of my intention, Mother. Miss Elizabeth has accepted my offer of a courtship, and I intend to marry her as soon as she will have me,” he stated, his voice laced with emotion.
“Your acceptance of the woman I have come to love means a great deal to me. She and her aunt are available for tea later this week—I hesitated to name a date since I was uncertain of your schedule. I also hoped you might invite the family to dinner at Darcy House one evening. Elizabeth lives with her uncle here in London, and it was he who introduced her to me. Mr. Gardiner is the businessman I invested with. Through him, I have increased the funds Father left me when he died.”
Lady Anne’s nod conveyed her understanding, her support unwavering.
“I look forward to meeting the woman who has captivated you, Fitzwilliam. As for the arrangements, I am delighted to extend an invitation for tea later this week. I will send her and her aunt a formal invitation tomorrow, and we will discuss the invitation to dinner when they come. It will be a pleasure to welcome your Miss Bennet and her family. Should we invite the Matlocks for the same evening?”
Darcy was relieved and grateful for his mother’s willingness to embrace this new connection.
“Thank you, Mother. I shall pass on your invitation for the ladies to come for tea and the plans to invite them to dinner, though I am uncertain if the earl will be willing to have dinner with a tradesman. I know they will like Elizabeth and her family once they meet them, but my uncle can be a little concerned about social status and may be reluctant to come for dinner initially.”
“Let me worry about my brother, Fitzwilliam,” Lady Anne reassured him. “Now, Georgiana, you have been silent throughout this conversation. You will gain a sister soon; what do you think about that?”
A shy girl who had not yet reached her fourteenth birthday, Georgiana struggled to find the correct words. “I have always wanted a sister,” she said after a moment. “I look forward to meeting her when you bring her for tea.”
Darcy smiled at his sister. “She will enjoy getting to know you as well, Georgie,” he said. “She has several sisters, so I feel certain she will easily adopt you, and there is little question she will love you as I do.”
“Might I write her a note for you to give her the next time you see her, Fitzwilliam?” Georgiana asked.
He smiled broadly at her. “That is a wonderful idea, sprite,” he said. “I feel certain she would appreciate that. However, keep in mind I have not yet proposed, despite her uncle being certain I will.”
Lady Anne smiled at her son and patted his arm. Turning toward her daughter, she spoke to her. “Georgiana, why do you not write your letter to your room? I want to speak a little further with your brother. Fitzwilliam, why do we not go into the sitting room to speak further?”
Darcy nodded and helped both ladies to stand. His sister bounded off toward her room while he escorted his mother toward the room she indicated.
“Yes, Mother,” he said. “What is it you wanted to discuss with me? Your acceptance was not just a show for Georgiana, was it?”
“No, not at all, Fitzwilliam,” his mother stopped him. “I am pleased for you, and you appear happy with your choice. I do not want to dissuade you; merely discuss some business.”
“Business, Mother?” he asked, his curiosity laced with concern.
“Yes, son. I am certain you are unaware of some arrangements that would take effect when you began to consider marriage seriously. Since you intend to propose to this young lady soon, I felt it was time to speak to you about them,” she said.
Darcy looked at her in concern. “Arrangements? What sort of arrangements? I inherited fifteen thousand pounds upon Father’s death, and his will did not mention any additional inheritance.”
“These arrangements are attached to my marriage settlement and would not have been mentioned in your father’s will,” she told him. “Now, will you listen to all I have to say and promise not to interrupt?”
“Yes, Mother,” he replied.
She took a deep breath and began. “When I married your father, he was already extraordinarily wealthy. Pemberley was his family seat, and he had begun increasing its yields and diversifying its income. My dowry was the thirty thousand pounds set aside for Georgiana, and the money you inherited was garnered from its interest, along with additional amounts placed in the funds for you from the estate. However, my father had also set aside an estate for both of his daughters, and these were listed in our marriage settlements to be held for my father’s grandsons, specifically second or third sons who would not inherit their family’s estates.