Chapter 60
For the first time in her life, Mrs. Bennet was speechless. She could not comprehend what her husband was saying. She just stared at him as she sat on the chair opposite him in his library.
“Whatever do you mean by tomorrow?” she finally whispered.
“Mrs. Bennet, as you are aware, the parson from Kympton had accompanied Mr. Darcy and will be officiating the wedding.”
“But Jane and Bingley are to be married tomorrow.”
“Jane and Bingley will be married tomorrow and then we will all return to Longbourn where Mr. Darcy and Lizzy will be married and then the wedding breakfast will take place.”
“But, but, how can they marry at Longbourn? We will need flowers and the library will have to be decorated.”
“Mrs. Bennet, your daughter is to be married by a special licence, something no one in Meryton can boast of.”
“You are right. Mr. Darcy is as good as a lord and will do things his way. I think I will go and lie down,” Mrs. Bennet finally left her husband’s presence and went upstairs.
Elizabeth had been waiting in the vestibule outside the library to calm her mother after she received the news but Mrs. Bennet did not even realise her presence as she walked out. Elizabeth knocked and entered the library.
“Is Mama all right?”
“I think for the first time in my life I have been able to shock her into silence,” Mr. Bennet sardonically replied.
Then, seeing his daughter’s worried expression, he closed his book and seriously said, “Elizabeth, my dear, you have made a great match and your mother and I are proud of it. Mrs. Bennet may appreciate the material things in life more than you and I, but she is not insensible to Mr. Darcy’s worth as an honourable gentleman. ”
“Thank you, Papa, I was worried that you would consider my attachment to Mr. Darcy imprudent.”
“My dear girl, we all thought him proud and unpleasant when he came to Netherfield for the first time, but his conduct at Willowmere has assured me of his impeccable character. Then there is his expression when he looks at you, even a blind man could not mistake his regard.”
“Thank you, Papa. I need to send a note to Mr. Darcy, for he was worried about Mama.”
“Why do you not go to Netherfield? I am sure Mr. Darcy would appreciate the visit.”
Elizabeth just smiled and kissed her father’s cheek as she departed the library.
She immediately gave instructions for the carriage to be brought round and gathered her things when her aunt requested to accompany her on her visit.
They arrived at Netherfield to find Mr. Darcy pacing in the garden outside the house.
“Elizabeth, I was waiting for your note. How is Mrs. Bennet?”
“Mama is in shock, but Papa assures me she is fine.”
“Are you sure? Should I visit her? Maybe I should apologise.”
“She is resting and Papa will take care of everything.”
Darcy finally released a long breath and then realised that Mrs. Hardwicke was also present.
“Mrs. Hardwicke, I beg your pardon, I did not see you.”
“That is quite understandable, sir. May we go in? I received a letter from Lord Greystone and would like to discuss it with you.”
The three of them went inside and were greeted by Miss Bingley and Georgiana.
Darcy’s other relatives had arrived for the wedding only this morning and were upstairs resting.
Mrs. Hardwicke handed the letter to Mr. Darcy, who quickly read the contents and then crushed the letter in apparent annoyance.
“The audacity of the man,” he fumed then seeing Elizabeth’s frown explained.
“Harrison has been captured and is now locked up. Lord Greystone has asked if we would forgo pressing charges against him; he would send him to Liverpool to work on the shipping docks. He claims that he was drunk due to his disappointed hopes to gain Mrs. Hardwicke’s good opinion, and made a nuisance of himself that night.
Lord Greystone has the audacity to give his word that he would not bother us again.
As a gesture of goodwill he has offered to take care of the overflowing stream on Briarwood and also reimburse me for the drainage expenses. ”
“It is a difficult situation for his lordship with Mr. Harrison being a relation. What do you plan to do?” Elizabeth asked.
“Mrs. Hardwicke, it is your decision to make as you were the wronged party,” Darcy folded the letter and returned it to her.
“It is not an easy decision to make, sir. Mr. Harrison tried to deliberately manipulate my grief. His actions with the drainage could have caused me my daughter’s life. That being said, he is Lady Greystone’s cousin, and I have no wish for her or Lord Greystone to be embarrassed in society.”
“There is no need to worry about any embarrassment that Lord and Lady Greystone may face. They were the ones most responsible for the whole scandal between me and Elizabeth reaching town so rapidly. I also understood from my last conversation with Lady Catherine that it was Lady Greystone who informed her about the scandal.”
“Then, if you agreed, I would respond to Lord Greystone that I have no wish to forgive Mr. Harrison and that he should be dealt with as per the law,” Mrs. Hardwicke replied and Darcy nodded in agreement.
“If they refuse, I will press charges myself,” he added.
“Once the situation with Mr. Harrison is handled, I plan to return to Willowmere,” Mrs. Hardwicke said.
Darcy gave a significant look to Elizabeth who came forward and held her aunt’s hand.
“Aunt Sarah, we were hoping that you would remain at Longbourn for some time and then accompany Mrs. Ashcombe and the Gardiners to Pemberley in December.”
Mrs. Hardwicke hesitated but could not think of a proper reason to deny her niece.
“Mrs. Hardwicke, I hope you know that you may remain at Willowmere after you return from Pemberley. The dower house could serve to house us whenever we visit,” Darcy added.
“Mr. Darcy, I am obliged to you for your generosity.”
The tea arrived and the group was busy having refreshments when Colonel Fitzwilliam entered the parlour, and seeing Elizabeth immediately stopped. He then looked at Darcy and raised an eyebrow. On receiving Darcy’s nod he approached Elizabeth.
“Miss Elizabeth, would you accompany me on a walk in the garden?”
Elizabeth agreed and they soon departed.
Darcy was aware that Fitzwilliam wished to tender his apology to Elizabeth and hoped things would smooth out between them.
His cousin had always been his closest companion, and the thought of he and Elizabeth being at odds was deeply unpleasant.
He would always stand by Elizabeth but he just wished he would not have to choose between Richard and Elizabeth.
It was a smiling Elizabeth that entered the parlour on Richard’s arm which relieved Darcy.
“Whatever it is to be, Elizabeth? Will Richard be allowed at our home or is he to join Lady Catherine in the list of unwelcome relatives.”
“Lady Catherine will always be welcome at our home, sir. How else am I to annoy her as Mrs. Darcy? Colonel Fitzwilliam will have to prove his worth,” Elizabeth replied with a smile.
“Are you truly sanguine with Richard?” Darcy asked once they had some privacy to speak.
“He apologised sincerely and I understand he was waylaid by your aunt’s words.”
“Elizabeth, were you partial to Richard in Kent?” Darcy whispered.
“I enjoyed his company but very early in our acquaintance he made it known that he could not marry without some thought to fortune. I was relieved to realise that this declaration had not caused me any sorrow.”
“I think he is half in love with you or would not have behaved as he did. Lady Catherine was never before able to influence him.”
“Mr. Darcy, half the ladies of the society are in love with you, I would be highly obliged if I get to break at least one heart with my marriage compared to your dozens,” Elizabeth archly replied.