Chapter Eighty-Three
It seemed to Elizabeth that the courtship did not alter her daily life.
The Darcys and Mr. Bingley still visited nearly every day.
Neither Jane nor Elizabeth were permitted to be alone with their gentlemen, so a good many walks were taken, with each couple serving as a chaperone for the other, though Mary was usually sent along as well, to make certain that nothing untoward occurred.
The only difference seemed to be in the sort of conversations she and Mr. Darcy had together. She needed to understand his character; she also needed to understand what her life would look like as Mrs. Darcy. She asked a good many questions, and he answered them without hesitation.
She learned that he was a very responsible landowner, and that the well-being of his tenants and servants was nearly as important as the well-being of his sister.
He seemed to know all of their names and their histories, and he occasionally stopped walking to draw diagrams in the dirt with a stick, showing her where certain tenants lived.
The rector had written to Mr. Darcy to ask him to fund a school for the tenant children, and Mr. Darcy had readily agreed. Plans were being made even now to put an addition onto the church to house the school. “He is waiting for me to return to approve the plans,” he told Elizabeth.
“You have been gone a long while,” she observed.
“I have, yes,” he said, after a brief pause.
“My fault, I suspect,” she said, attempting to sound gay.
“Not your fault, of course not; my own fault, for having delayed apprising you of my feelings for so long,” he replied.
“Why did you?” she asked.
He laughed. “Because you did not like me; do you not recall?”
Face burning, Elizabeth said that she did indeed recall, and then added, “Well, then it is my fault after all. I regret that, Mr. Darcy. It was about my father, of course, not about you at all! But I must add that a good memory is unpardonable when it comes to romance. That particular period must be forgotten at once.”
He chuckled and agreed.
***
One day, she said, “Will you tell me about George Wickham?”
His face became grave. “I had rather not.”
“I would very much like to know,” she said, softly. “My sister killed a man; I would know more about that man.”
“I will only say that he was a danger to all young women.”
“If that is the case, then it seems to me that Lydia did England a favour.”
“She most certainly did!”
“She suffered for it, did you know that?”
“Suffered?”
“Yes; for all of her careless and headstrong manner, she does have strong feelings. She put the best possible face on it in front of everyone, but she rather fell apart later. We told her that she was a heroine and she should henceforth be known as Lydia the Bold. Jane even embroidered a pillow for her, with Lydia the Bold sewn on it!”
“Her actions were heroic,” he insisted. “I had never imagined that a young lady could do such a thing.”
“Lydia is no ordinary young lady!” Elizabeth laughed.
“I think none of the Bennet girls are ordinary,” he said, softly.
She coloured. “Do you know, Mr. Wickham might be part of the reason that you have more difficulty being as trusting and open as you might wish. To have a good friend turn into a monster! That would affect anyone, I think.”
“Perhaps; I had never considered that.” Mr. Darcy was surprised at the insight.
Elizabeth changed the subject. “Do you spend a good deal of time in London?”
He made a face. “I must go to London for at least part of the Season every year. There are important social connections that must be maintained; after all, Georgiana will have her come-out in a year or two, and she must have all the advantages that I can give her. I do not love being in Town, as I much prefer the country, but I do have family obligations.”
“You have a town house in London, I expect?”
“Of course.”
“Oh, of course,” she mocked him, teasing. “I suppose I would have to dress up and call on ladies and attend balls?”
“I will not lie to you, Elizabeth,” he said, turning to her and speaking very seriously.
“There is a good deal of that sort of thing, and you would be required to help supervise Georgiana’s come-out, which will also entail a good deal of time.
But there are other things in London – the theatre, opera, museums, and all sorts of amusements that I think you would enjoy! ”
Suddenly, Elizabeth felt certain of her path. He had not lied to her, he had honoured his word that he would be honest with her. She could trust him. “I would enjoy them if you were by my side,” she said, looking up at him with an intensity he had not seen before.
“Elizabeth, are you saying –“
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, my dearest Elizabeth!” He swept her up in his arms, and it was only Mary tugging insistently on his coat sleeves that brought him to his senses.
Once back in the house, congratulations flowed.
“Now we can pick a date!” Jane said to Mr. Bingley, beaming.
“The sooner the better,” Mr. Bingley said, fervently.
It was agreed that the first of the banns would be called that very Sunday, and the weddings would take place on the sixth of January. Mrs. Bennet was in an immediate frenzy of wedding planning, with all the girls chattering excitedly.
***
That night, Elizabeth could hardly sleep for joy.
She would always remember exactly where they were when she had agreed to marry him, and how his eyes had lit up and his entire face, usually so solemn and grave, had become alive with happiness.
She would always remember the gown she had been wearing.
She smiled to herself, thinking that when it became too old and worn to wear, she would remake it into a baby gown.