Chapter 14 #3
“Well then, do humour me, child. There is nothing I want more than details to spare me from feeling like an oblivious simpleton. When you left Longbourn less than a month ago, you had Wickham as a friend and Darcy as your worst enemy. How can I not feel that you have deceived me? You have returned engaged to Darcy, and I learn that Wickham is the worst sort of a despicable scoundrel — which, to be sure, is the least surprising part for me of everything I have been told.”
Mr Bennet’s voice became agitated, while Elizabeth’s smile remained still, trying to calm him.
“Papa, you are no simpleton, and I have certainly not deceived you. I was a complete fool for trusting Wickham’s claims, and yes, I do remember you teasing me about him.
But during my stay in Kent, although having several harsh arguments with Mr Darcy and accusing him of many flaws, my opinion about him and about Wickham changed. ”
“I see…now I only have to understand how it happened that, after the arguments and accusations you bestowed upon Darcy, he chose to propose marriage to you. Perhaps he wishes to have his revenge against you, although this would be a rather drastic measure.”
Elizabeth laughed again. “I doubt he seeks revenge, Papa. However, returning engaged to Mr Darcy was the last thing I could imagine when I left Longbourn. I expected him to throw me from his estate if he found me there. Instead, he was nothing but polite and friendly to us. His behaviour, his manners have—”
“Yes, I heard,” interrupted Mr Bennet impatiently. “Brother Gardiner praised Darcy so much that I wondered whether he would not have welcomed a marriage proposal from him too.”
“Papa! You are truly incorrigible. As soon as you come to know Mr Darcy well enough, you will have to admit that none of the praise was undeserved. He is truly the best of men. I am so fortunate that he is generous and kind and found the strength to love me against my prejudiced and awful behaviour towards him.”
“But how could he come to love you in less than a month? How could he decide to marry you after such a short while? What if whatever induced him to propose is gone just as fast and you are both miserable for the rest of your lives? Can I allow this, Lizzy?”
“Dear Papa, you have no reason to worry. He did not begin to love me a month ago, nor did he propose to me on the impulse of a moment. His feelings and steadfastness have been under the most difficult probation. I shall tell you all, but you must promise to keep the secret unless he chooses to reveal it to you. I have not told another soul, except for Jane.”
“Now you are scaring me, and I fear I shall be further amazed, Lizzy. Let me pour another drink — I am sure I will need it.”
Elizabeth’s narration about the rejected marriage proposal stunned Mr Bennet even more than he had believed it would. The notion that his favourite daughter had the audacity to refuse such a man and that she accused him so undeservingly were reasons for both pride and upset for him.
Darcy’s transformation, his improved manners, and his friendly behaviour towards Elizabeth and the Gardiners impressed him and aroused his amazement the most. When Elizabeth finished her narrative, he needed some time to process the story. At length, he spoke.
“My dear Lizzy, I would not have been so generous, you know. I would not have forgiven a woman who rejected me so uncivilly, and provided that I eventually did, I would never have proposed to her again. In fact, I am sure that few men — if any — would.”
“I know, Papa. That is why I called myself grateful and fortunate.”
“But…you do realise that half of the ton will hate you. Including Mr Bingley’s sisters, I assume.”
“And Lady Catherine, to be sure,” Elizabeth laughed again. “I am well aware, but being Mr Darcy’s wife will provide me with enough reasons for happiness and gratification to oppose and disregard any disapproval. After all, his approval and regard matter the most.”
Mr Bennet shook his head and sipped more from his drink.
“Very well, Lizzy — be it as you wish. I confess I am still astounded, and I shall probably need a long time to comprehend all I have heard and to accept everything that has occurred. For now, I shall have several more drinks with your uncle to help me get some sleep.”
“I am sure you and Mr Darcy will get along well, Papa. Just receive him with an open heart and mind. He knows his past errors, just as I know mine.”
“I shall do just that, Lizzy. Now let us go to dinner. By the by, do you intend to share your news with your mother and sisters tonight?”
“Oh no! Certainly not, Papa. There is nothing to be said until Mr Darcy himself comes to speak to you and you give your blessing. Besides, I would not want to ruin the pleasure of Jane and Mr Bingley’s engagement. They must be the centre of attention for now.”
“Excellent thinking. I could not bear more excitement tonight, and I plan to be away from home when you give the news of your engagement to your mother. If she cried so much when Bingley proposed, in Darcy’s case, the uproar would surely be heard in Meryton and beyond!”
“Dear Papa, you truly are irredeemable. I have missed you so much.”
“I missed you too, my Lizzy,” he said, briefly kissing her hand. “I do not even want to consider that soon you will leave Longbourn forever.”
“Let us not be sad about that, Papa. It will not be forever. We shall visit often, and you will visit us. I cannot wait for you to see Pemberley!”
“Yes, yes, your uncle told me about it. I only have one question still: What induced you to fall in love with Darcy in the end? It happened at Pemberley, obviously. Was it the park, the library, or the image of his ten thousand pounds?”
“Papa, you may tease me as much as you want, and you might not even like the answer. I did recognise my love for him at Pemberley, but it was certainly him being tall and handsome and kind and affectionate, and confessing his ardent love to me, and holding my hands, and, when nobody was watching, even ki...”
Mr Bennet looked at his favourite daughter alarmed, in disbelief.
“Have you lost your mind, child? Why are you telling your father such things?”
Elizabeth kissed his cheek with another laugh.
“Well, Papa, you must learn to accept others making sport at your expense, too. I am almost as good at teasing as you are. I hope your nerves are strong enough to bear it.”
Elizabeth’s cheerfulness was contagious, and she held her father’s arm tightly, while he only shook his head, already knowing he would miss her terribly.