Chapter Twenty Nine #2
Blanche’s relations were clearly at the end of their patience with this intrusion; it would probably delay their supper.
As Lady Catherine ranted on about the shades of Pemberley being polluted, Lady Sophia finally intervened.
“Well, now, I think you have insulted nearly everyone in some fascinating new way. I must ask you to take your leave, as we have better entertainment planned.”
Lady Catherine was incensed. “I will have this adventuress give me her word that she will sever her acquaintance with Darcy, and all our relations, at once.”
“I certainly shall not,” Elizabeth said evenly.
“This is your final resolve! Darcy, you hear her brazen audacity! Very well, I shall know how to act. Do not imagine, Miss Elizabeth, that your ambition shall ever be gratified, for I can see that I have finally struck a chord with my nephew. I have little doubt of carrying my point in the end.”
Lady Dorothea signaled to a pair of footmen just outside the parlor, two large fellows who came forward, ready to haul the raving dowager out of the room.
She stiffened at their approach. “I take no leave of any of you, for you deserve no such consideration. I am most seriously displeased, but I shall receive your apology, Darcy, when you come to your senses.”
Mr. Darcy did indeed look troubled, but Lady Blanche pitied him, for his gallant attempt at a romantic gesture had been horribly misconstrued.
The footmen did not have to drag the harridan away, which was a pity, but she was determined to sweep out of the room in a dramatic fashion, leaving the whole party in stunned silence.
And then the countess burst out laughing, again. “What marvelous fun you have here!”
***
To Darcy’s supreme mortification, his aunt’s intrusion was all that was talked of at dinner.
He was not seated near enough to give Elizabeth reassurance, nor seek any in return, much as he desperately needed to hear that his aunt had ruined all his hopes.
Elizabeth had defended his honor without question, and he knew it would be best to cling to that merciful comfort.
Her belief in him was enough to carry Darcy through the dinner, and Darcy was even briefly distracted from his supreme embarrassment by a swell of pride in his friend.
Bingley decided that Caroline was to be confined to her room until her wedding, with the exception of attending church on the morrow, when the banns would be called for the third and final time.
He insisted that Sir Walter, whom she had implicated as her accomplice in searching Darcy’s personal letters, should remove to an inn, being permitted a daily visit of one hour with his betrothed, to be supervised by one of the matrons, in a little-used parlor.
Lady Sophia was amused, astonished, and impressed enough by Bingley’s demands to consent at once to the arrangement.
Darcy asked Rebecca if this was her doing; when she denied it, he believed her, for she looked not only sincere, but endearingly proud of her beau.
Darcy could see down the table that Elizabeth was amused by Bingley’s harsh punishment of his sister, but at other times throughout the evening, she looked distracted and disconcerted, which troubled Darcy in turn.
He had little chance to speak with her after the meal, for her company was much sought after.
Everyone wished to praise her brave insolence and witty abuse of his aunt, which had been more than warranted.
She appeared content to laugh with everybody about it, but still there were unguarded moments when he could see through her.
She was upset, and rightly so. Darcy brooded, wondering how he could ever make it up to her.
***
It was only when she retired that Elizabeth remembered the letter from her father. It lay unopened atop her dressing table, and she brought the letter to her cheek, wishing she might embrace the man who had written it. “Oh, Papa. What would you make of all this? How I wish you were here!”
She felt his advice might be just the thing at such a time.
Elizabeth was not entirely proud of how she had defied Lady Catherine.
The dowager’s relations might have managed it all themselves, keeping it a family matter, if she had not been determined to vent her spleen and say her piece.
Had she said too much, and sunk herself in Mr. Darcy’s esteem?
He had defended her to his aunt, which was just as she should expect of him. But was it merely a matter of principle? And how mortified he must have been, when the vicious woman accused him of taking for a mistress the very woman who had so cruelly refused him!
Elizabeth dared to hope there may be some consolation in her father’s letter, for she desperately needed it. She broke the seal. A quarter of an hour later, she was running up the stairs with only the moonlight to guide her way, tears streaming down her face.
At the top of the stairs, a billiard room sat between the two wings of guest rooms. Candlelight flickered within, illuminating a silhouette she intently recognized. Elizabeth drew her dressing tighter around herself and stepped inside, letting out a sigh of relief. Mr. Darcy was alone.
He looked up from a shot he was lining up, and his mouth parted.
He was a little disheveled, his coat and waistcoat removed, and his shirtsleeves rolled up, and his hair was tousled, but he stood up straighter and bowed.
Elizabeth gave him a half smile, relishing the sight of him. “I could not sleep.”
He was flustered by the sight of her, it seemed. “Were you looking for the library? It is in the same place, but down on the second floor.”
“No, I know. I went there first, looking for you. I had to find you.” Elizabeth held up the letter from her father; she had been clutching it to her heart ever since she read it.
Mr. Darcy’s posture relaxed, but then he turned, for a strange snort had come from behind him. Elizabeth startled as she noticed that Mr. Bingley was passed out on a sofa, and apparently snoring.
Mr. Darcy’s eyes shone with mirth as he looked back at Elizabeth. “After the day’s events, we… forgive me. I am sorry for everything my aunt said to you. It was beyond the pale, unforgivable. I intend to break with her, as I ought to have done long ago. I was never betrothed to Anne.”
Elizabeth smiled tenderly at him. “I am glad to hear it.”
He seemed to finally perceive the letter she proffered, and he stepped closer. “Your father finally wrote to you.”
“I suppose you know what it says. He told me of your kindness, your generosity – it is incredible to me. He says the letter you wrote him was eloquent and compelling, and I have never heard him use such language. To receive such news at a moment when I was desperately missing him, and all my family! You have secured my sister’s protection and absolutely delighted my mother, who has added a postscript extolling how excessively fond of you she has always been. ”
Elizabeth moved closer, tipping her chin up to give him a teasing wink.
“It was cleverly done; my father says you praised Mamma’s good sense in sending Jane and me to travel with the Gardiners.
She thinks it entirely her own notion that Mrs. Gardiner has been included in the scheme to help watch over my sisters. ”
Mr. Darcy might have recommended it, and in doing so given offense, but instead he had handled it so delicately, and Elizabeth was moved by his consideration of her mother’s feelings.
She was greatly affected by all of it – that he had contrived such a grand gesture to put her at ease, and that he had extended friendship to her relations, when they had not always been deserving of it.
“Mr. Darcy, I must ask you….”
“What is it, Elizabeth?”
She set aside the letter and took his hands in hers.
“Would you – will you propose to me again? I should very much like to accept you, for my feelings have changed so significantly since the very night you arrived. I have seen your extraordinary efforts to please me, and examined my own foolish prejudices. How much time I have wasted, when I might have been laughing with you and dancing with you and... and thinking myself the luckiest of women, to have won the regard of such a fine gentleman, if your feelings for me indeed remain what they were. But if they are not – if I have spoiled my chances… one word from you and I shall be silent.”
Mr. Darcy drew one hand from her grasp to rest it on her face, cupping her cheek as he had done the day he promised to help her.
With his other hand, he laced his fingers through hers.
There were tears in his eyes, but a playful smile tugged at his lips.
“You have an unhappy history with receiving proposals, Elizabeth, but it seems you are quite splendid at making them. Do go on.”
She smiled back at him, unabashed and fairly glowing in the heat of his gaze.
“I love you, Mr. Darcy, most ardently. I wish to be your wife, and pollute the shades of Pemberley, for I have seen your sister’s sketches, and I should like to be mistress of the place.
I find I have heightened your love by suspense for long enough, and I wish now to call you my own, if you will still have me.
I shall bring into the bargain some very silly sisters, as well as parents and an aunt and uncle who think the world of you, just as I do. ”
His head tilted toward hers, his lips inches away. “In such cases as these, I believe the established mode is to… take you in my arms, and tell you that you have made me the happiest of men, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth.”
He kissed her gently at first, but then his arms encircled her, and he drew her close, until she felt her body melting to his touch.
Her lips moved against his, learning the rhythm and quickening the pace, as if she might devour him.
When he finally pulled away to draw breath, he grinned at her.
“What a relief. Definitely better the second time.”