Chapter 34 #2
His eyes tracked over to the curtains that were pulled closed, blocking the window and the night sky beyond, and his imagination flew out beyond the heavy velvet drapes to the comet even now treading its majestic way across the heavens.
With the memory of seeing it through the Bennets’ telescope came the same sense of awe and wonder, his frantic thoughts relaxing their grip on him and giving way to peace and weariness.
A verse from God’s Word drifted through his somnolent mind.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
God would give him wisdom.
His mind calmed, and he drifted off to sleep.
***
In the Darcy Carriage
En Route to Keaton House
The Next Morning
Thursday, 12th December, 1811
“She may refuse you, Darcy,” Charles Bingley said flatly.
Fitzwilliam Darcy turned an amazed look on his friend.
With his last waking thought the previous evening, Darcy had asked for wisdom regarding Elizabeth Bennet. He had woken with a clear head and an absolute certainty. He would marry Miss Elizabeth.
It was absurd for him to dither any longer.
She was the one whom his heart loved, she was eminently qualified for the position he would offer her, her character was unimpeachable, and her personality delightful.
If the Earl and Countess of Keaton did not balk at her connections, why should Darcy do so?
Indeed, he could not think why he had ever hesitated.
Bolstered by this abrupt decision and euphoric in his intentions, Darcy had risen swiftly from his bed and dressed, already thinking ahead to later that day when he would ask for her hand in marriage.
Bingley spent every night at Darcy House, but always left early in the morning for Keaton House, in order to keep company with his intended bride.
It had been simple enough to ask Bingley if he could accompany his friend.
Once they were all together, he would ask Elizabeth for a word in private and present her with his offer.
It was perfect. Simple, and wonderful, and…
“What?” he asked.
Bingley sighed deeply and repeated, “Elizabeth may refuse your hand in marriage.”
Darcy shook his head in confusion. “Why would she … oh, because I insulted her at the assembly? I apologized for that, you know, and she has forgiven me.”
“Yes, but that does not mean she wishes to marry you,” Bingley said patiently.
“But,” Darcy began, sighed deeply, and then continued, “You truly think she will not … that is, I am considered a … erm…”
He trailed off miserably, and Bingley said, “She will not marry you for your money or your position in society, my friend. But that is a good thing, is it not? You would not wish for a wife whose sole interests are your wealth and connections? If you want a lady like that, may I suggest my sister Caroline?”
This cheeky statement helped break Darcy out of his stupor, and he leaned back and cogitated for a full five minutes before he said, “I see what you are saying. I had assumed, foolishly, that Miss Elizabeth would accept me because I have been pursued for so long by the avaricious mothers and daughters of the haut ton, but I love her because she is unusual and has never showered me with compliments…”
“Like Caroline does.”
“Or clung to my arm like a limpet.”
“Like Caroline does.”
“Or taken every opportunity to cozy up to my sister in order to win my approval.”
“Like Caroline does!” Bingley said triumphantly.
Darcy could not help but smile, but the smile quickly disappeared in favor of disappointment.
“You really think she does not wish to marry me?” he asked forlornly.
“I truly do not know, Darcy. My point is that if you march into Keaton House with a haughty demeanor, you will likely annoy her to such a degree that she will refuse you without compunction.”
“Haughty?” Darcy echoed and felt his shoulders slump. “I have been told that my general mien is haughty at times.”
“Are you willing to take my advice?”
“Of course, Bingley. I would be most grateful.”
***
Sitting Room
Keaton House
A Few Minutes Later
The sitting room was rapidly becoming Elizabeth’s favorite room in the Keaton House.
She liked the color scheme, although upon closer examination, she could not quite decide if it was more aquatic or more vernal, and the paintings on the walls, of seascapes and landscapes both, did not help with this indecision.
She was enamored of the large windows that faced south and let in beautiful sunlight and the restful atmosphere.
She and Jane had taken to spending considerable time here, even when their host and hostess were not present; not least because Mr. Bingley was a constant visitor and propriety demanded a public room for the betrothed couple.
As always, they were entirely absorbed with one another, sitting together on a delicate green sofa and sharing adoring glances as they spoke softly.
Mr. Darcy had accompanied his friend today, though as he seemed disinclined to conversation, and since she was busy, Elizabeth was paying him scant attention.
Her workbasket sat at her feet, with thread and fabric peeking out of the top of it.
Squares of sturdy cotton were folded beside her, one draped across her lap.
She was embroidering Jane’s future monogram into a corner of each one, a lovely JB in cerulean thread.
In truth, her mind was far away from the serene sitting room, the murmuring engaged couple, and the taciturn Mr. Darcy.
She was happy and content here with her friend and dear eldest sister, but the outing planned for that afternoon portended trials to come.
She and Jane would be meeting the rest of the family at Clara’s dressmaker, so that Jane could benefit from her mother’s expertise.
Elizabeth was not joyfully anticipating the reunion with Lady Bennet, who was indubitably still displeased over the debacle with Mr. Collins at Longbourn.
Elizabeth was worried that Lady Bennet would cause an unpleasant scene, and it would be both embarrassing and tiresome.
“Miss Elizabeth?”
She looked up and smiled. “Yes, Mr. Darcy?”
Mr. Darcy took a deep breath, straightened his back, and said softly, “Miss Elizabeth, I am in love with you and wish to marry you.”
Elizabeth froze, her eyes wide. What did he say?
“What?” she asked aloud.
He winced openly and said, “I am in love with you, but based on your expression, such a pronouncement is both surprising and unwelcome.”
She stared at him, shook her head a trifle, and said, “Did you say that you are in love with me?”
“Yes.”
She carefully set needle, thread, and handkerchiefs aside, leaned back in her chair, her brow furrowed, and allowed herself a full minute of contemplation. This was not easy, as her suitor looked piteous indeed, and she hated to see a fellow human suffering.
“I am surprised,” she finally said. “Very surprised. Are you not engaged to your cousin, Miss de Bourgh?”
“How did you hear about that?” Darcy demanded indignantly.
“From Mr. Collins, of course, the heir to Longbourn and rector of the Hunsford parsonage.”
“Oh. Well, no, Anne and I are not engaged and never have been. My aunt, Lady Catherine, has long held that Pemberley and Rosings ought to be combined through the marriage of her only daughter and me. But I … well, I will not lie to you, Miss Elizabeth. For many years, I wrestled with whether it was my duty to marry my cousin, and it is only very recently that I have concluded that such a marriage would likely be a disaster.”
She tilted her head curiously. “A disaster, why?”
He flushed a little and said, “Miss de Bourgh is not at all healthy and never has been. I fear she could not manage the position of mistress of Pemberley.”
Elizabeth nodded. Part of the duty of the mistress of Pemberley would be to produce an heir for the estate, and a sickly lady might well struggle with such a task.
“I understand,” she said. “Well, I am very much taken by surprise, nor can I say that I love you, sir.”
His face fell at these words, and she continued hastily, “But I like you, Mr. Darcy, very much, and I admire and respect you. I am not ready to accept an offer of marriage, but perhaps a courtship? I am not certain if that is agreeable…”
She broke off as he leaned forward, his handsome face now alight with excitement.
“It is entirely agreeable, Miss Elizabeth. I know I do not express myself with ease, and Georgiana tells me that she struggles to know what I am thinking, so I cannot be surprised that you did not know of my admiration, especially after my stupid remark at the Meryton assembly.”
She chuckled at this and said, “That is long forgiven. I would be pleased to enter a courtship with you, then. This will give us an opportunity to learn more about one another with the understanding that if either of us decides we will not suit, we will say so honestly.”
“I can ask for nothing more than this,” the master of Pemberley replied fervently. “Thank you.”