Beginning, Previous Section, Section VII

Chapter Forty-Three

Posted on Sunday, 30 December 2007

No one who was less acquainted with either gentleman would have seen anything amiss. They were both far too polite and proper to openly avoid one another, or to appear displeased or uncomfortable in each other's company, or even to fail to make eye contact when conversing. They hid it all extremely well, and Elizabeth, though frustrated and saddened by what she saw in their behavior, could not but admire their composure.

Perceptive as she was, she had deduced that their disagreement -- for nothing less than a quarrel could have forced them into such a state of discomfort -- had something to do with her future sister-in-law. As such were her suppositions, she was uneasy about broaching the subject with her brother, wary of suggesting anything to Georgiana -- who probably knew nothing about it in any case -- and did not dare mention it to Mr. Darcy.

Jonathan might have seemed the type to confide in his sister, but as such subjects as love and courtship had rarely presented themselves, neither was well-equipped to engage in a confidence. Elizabeth said nothing to her brother of her regard for Mr. Darcy, and Jonathan never mentioned his admiration of Miss Darcy. Georgiana probably knew nothing of the matter, and was not to be made uneasy by a revelation of her brother's sentiments. As for Mr. Darcy, he was so protective of Georgiana that any mention of someone intending to court her was sure to displease and vex him, and though Elizabeth was not above occasionally rousing his ire in order to make him laugh at himself and his slightly short temper, she rather thought the subject of his sister was off-limits. He also guarded his and his sister's privacy jealously, she knew. Mr. Darcy would willingly tell her anything about himself and his family, but pointed questions and pushing for information -- or anything that resembled them -- only tended to provoke him. He had spent too many years being gossiped about to enjoy sudden questions and interrogations.

There was, in short, only one thing to do -- what she always did when she was not sure of her proper course. She consulted Jane.

"I do not know what, if anything, I should do," Elizabeth sighed after explaining her suspicions and their reasons. "Dearest Jane, please advise me."

Jane sat thoughtfully for one moment. "Lizzy, I cannot see how any interference would be at all useful. As you say, neither gentleman will welcome your questions, and Miss Darcy is probably ignorant of the breach. Are you so certain that they have quarreled?"

"I am. I can think of no other explanation. Oh, I wish they could forget their pride and have done with it! I will not be able to enjoy our wedding day otherwise!"

This seemed to give Jane an idea. "Both want you to be happy, Lizzy. Perhaps you could separately inform them that their behaviour is making you unhappy. But you must be gentle about it; do not force either gentleman's hand." Elizabeth promised to consider this measure, kissed her sister, and retired to her own bedchamber.

The next afternoon, Jonathan was happily absorbed in a book when a knock sounded on the door of his father's study. Not bothering to raise his eyes, he called for the person to enter. When Mr. Darcy entered the room, looking cautious and stern, he rose to his feet immediately.

"Mr. Darcy. How may I be of service?" he asked with a stiff bow.

"Elizabeth has just spoken to me," the other gentleman replied tersely.

"Has she indeed?" Jonathan said with perfect unconcern, preparing to return to his book.

"She is not best pleased," Darcy informed him, "with either of us."

Jonathan looked back up, his brow creasing. "Why? What have we done?"

"I can only gather that our collective behaviour recently has not been to her taste, and she desires that we do nothing more to make her wedding an unhappy occasion."

"Damn." Jonathan rubbed the bridge of his nose. "She knows."

"Knows?" Darcy looked confused.

"My sister knows me too well," Jonathan expanded. "She can tell that we have, er, had a difference of opinion. She wants us to settle our differences."

"There is nothing to settle, Mr. Bennet," Darcy said quellingly. "My opinion has not changed and neither, I assume, has yours."

"Not in the slightest."

They stared at each other for some time, the ticking of the clock growing louder and louder. Mr. Darcy was the first to break the silence.

"I do not want your sister to be unhappy."

"Nor I yours."

Darcy frowned. "I would not allow you to make Georgiana unhappy."

Jonathan began to smile. "I would not allow you to make Elizabeth unhappy."

Uncomfortable, Darcy swept a hand across his brow, then walked to the window. He stared moodily onto the lawn for a few seconds, and then spoke without turning.

"My sister is a woman grown," he said heavily. "I have been avoiding acknowledgment of that fact for some time. She knows her own mind and is quite confident in her own abilities."

Jonathan said nothing.

"I have Elizabeth and, to a lesser extent, you to thank for her newfound confidence and self-assurance. It would be ungentlemanly not to acknowledge it." Darcy paused, and studied the rug before continuing. "She is still, however, very young, and under my care. Even if, in the future, she should consent to...allow your addresses, I must still insist that you consult my wishes. At least until she comes of age." Here Darcy turned to look Jonathan in the eye. "I have every confidence in her judgment. She will not permit your addresses until she feels equal to accepting them. As her brother and guardian, however, I reserve the right to give or withhold my consent. Am I understood?"

"Perfectly, Mr. Darcy," Jonathan said. Silence once again reigned in the library for a moment before Jonathan spoke again. "I have cared for Miss Darcy for some time, Mr. Darcy," he began cautiously, aware of the tightening of his future brother-in-law's jaw. "Almost, I may say, as long as you have cared for my sister. That affection must, I believe, to some extent extend to the rest of her family. I'll not be easy until I know that I can look upon you as a friend. What do you say?"

Caught entirely by surprise, Mr. Darcy fairly gaped at the younger man before shaking his head to regain some of his composure. "Well," he said, a note of laughter entering his voice, "I suppose I must accept. After all, your sister would never forgive me if I did not!"

Jonathan chuckled and the two gentlemen clasped hands.

"And so in two days we will be related," Jonathan said, settling down in a chair again and waving an arm to invite Darcy to do the same. "Have you reconciled yourself to so many relations? And so many of them silly females?"

"I had best learn to love it," Darcy said affably. "Elizabeth has informed me that she has invited Miss Catherine to visit shortly after the wedding, and so I will be grievously outnumbered for quite some time."

Jonathan laughed. "I can certainly empathize with you, but do not expect much sympathy. I have lived outnumbered my entire life; it is certainly high time someone else experienced my pain."

"I am glad that Georgiana has so come out of herself as to befriend Miss Catherine," Darcy confided. "She has few companions her own age, and while I was happy enough when she befriended Elizabeth, it cannot for her to have a friend even closer to her own age."

"They will learn from each other," Jonathan agreed. "Though I must confess that I find Miss Darcy in need of no improvement."

Darcy's eyes narrowed but, rather than scolding Bennet for his unabashed admiration of Georgiana, he simply cleared his throat and directed his attention to the book in Jonathan's hands, beginning a discussion about books that would be equally comfortable for both of them.

Neither Jonathan nor Darcy had to inform Elizabeth of their better understanding; she was instantly aware of it when she observed their more relaxed postures, their friendly conversations, and the occasional confidential glances that assured her, more than any words would have done, that two of the most important men in her life were finally becoming friends.

With this weight lifted from her mind, she looked forward to her wedding day with alacrity, which was approaching much more quickly than she could possibly have dreamed. The trousseaux were finished and packed, several trunks of her belongings had been sent on to Pemberley to await her arrival, and her wedding gown, simple and elegant, lay gently folded in the chest at the foot of her bed. Every night she opened the lid of the chest to gaze adoringly at the ivory satin and to finger the dark red ribbons that decorated the hems and sleeves. She was engaged in just such an activity on the eve of her wedding when a knock sounded on her door, and Mrs. Bennet entered the bedroom.

"Good Heavens, child!" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. "You should be preparing for bed or you will have rings ‘round your eyes tomorrow morning, and then I shall not blame Mr. Darcy for calling off the wedding!"

Elizabeth laughed. "Forgive me, mama. Indeed, I was just about to go to bed, though I doubt I shall sleep a wink."

Mrs. Bennet's face suddenly softened so that it became almost unrecognizable. "I hope you are not afraid, Lizzy, after our...conversation a few nights hence."

Elizabeth blushed. "No, indeed, Mama."

"Well, I am glad to hear it, for really it is not something a lady need fear if she marries a gentleman." Mrs. Bennet sighed as she sat on her daughter's bed. "And really, it can occasionally be quite enjoyable."

Elizabeth thought her face might burst into flame. "Mama!"

"You are very fortunate, Lizzy. To have caught such a husband! I never expected you to do as well as Jane, but I must say you have surprised me. Ten thousand a year, and easily the handsomest gentleman I have ever seen! It makes me quite faint."

Elizabeth hesitated before speaking. "But you know, Mama, that such considerations would not have influenced me if I did not love him."

"Yes, I know you well enough for that," Mrs. Bennet agreed, but she did not sound pleased with the knowledge. "Well, you are very lucky, I must say, to not have fallen in love with some penniless nobody."

"I quite agree with you," Elizabeth said, and her mother looked at her in some surprise. "I am well aware of my good fortune," Elizabeth repeated. "To love such a man, and to have him love me! I am sure I never dreamed of it anymore than you did, Mama."

"Well, Lizzy, I hope you will be very happy," Mrs. Bennet said, rising from the bed. "Indeed, I do not see how you could not be, with such pin money and jewels and carriages as you are to have."

"I am sure I will be happy, Mama," Elizabeth said, giving her mother a kiss on the cheek. "I am going to sleep now. Thank you for talking with me tonight."

Mrs. Bennet smiled, a rare display to be sure, and patted her daughter's hand. "Sleep well, Lizzy. I must go and speak with Jane."

"Good night, Mama."

"Good night, child." As Mrs. Bennet closed the door, Elizabeth suspected that she saw tears in her mother's eyes.

Chapter Forty-Four

Posted on Saturday, 22 March 2008

The morning of the wedding loomed bright and cold, with the sun shining more cheerfully than anyone had dared to hope on an early spring day in England. The birds sang, the mist rose from the fields, and the sun's gentle rays fell on the sleeping face of Elizabeth Bennet, whose peaceful expression changed to one of irritation as the light disturbed her slumber. With a slight moan she began to pull the bedclothes over her head to block out the sun, when her door flew open with a bang followed by a most unpleasant and familiar shriek.

"Great heavens, child!" cried Mrs. Bennet. "Why are you not up? Get up! Get up this moment!"

Mumbling sleepily to herself, Elizabeth began to rise from her bed, opened her eyes slowly, and gasped in shock. Her mother was dressed head-to-toe in a dress of the most hideous shade of purple she had ever seen, and on her head was a green bonnet with feathers of every colour sticking straight up in the air. "Mama..." she choked, hoping she did not sound as horrified as she felt, "Mama, that is not the gown we chose for you!"

"That old thing was far too plain and demure," her mother responded. "I will not be overshadowed by our future in-laws, even if they are nobility! And I have changed the bridesmaids' dresses as well," she continued over her daughter's protests. "Orange is so much more fashionable than sky blue; Miss Bingley is always wearing it, you know!" Elizabeth thought she might faint for the first time in her life. "And it was too cruel of you not to ask Mary to sing at your wedding! But you need not feel guilty, for I have arranged with the vicar to have her sing a nice, lovely little song as you walk down the aisle. Isn't that nice? Oh, and here is your dress...you can see that I have changed the colour...puce is so elegant and will look lovely with Jane's new red wedding dress..." Before she knew what was happening, Elizabeth was being dragged down the aisle by her father, who had his arm linked through hers, but was reading a book held in his hand and was continually colliding with her or with Jane, who walked serenely along on his other side, not seeming to notice anything amiss. When they arrived at the altar, finally putting an end to Mary's "Ave Maria", she stood next to Mr. Darcy, who said nothing about her gown or Mary's singing, which she took as a good sign. As the vicar began the ceremony, Elizabeth began to recover from her mortification and was thinking that as long as Mr. Darcy was still willing to marry her, all would be well, when she heard him say in a rather impatient voice,

"If you will excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. This woman is tolerable, but not handsome enough to marry." And with a courteous bow, he turned and strolled down the aisle and out of the door. Elizabeth stood watching helplessly as the congregation watched him go, and then turned their attention on the couple still standing at the altar. The ceremony continued as if nothing had happened, and Elizabeth felt she must either cry or scream, and then...

She woke with a start. Wary of moving, she glanced at the window and ascertained that it was indeed a lovely day, but as several minutes passed without the invasion of a large and ugly peacock, she felt safe in asserting to herself that everything had been a terrible dream. Still shaking from the hideous nightmare, Elizabeth walked to the end of her bed and opened the chest there, reassuring herself that her wedding gown was still the tasteful ivory with dark red ribbons that she had admired the night before. Everything seemed to be in order, and she moved to Jane's room, where her elder sister was already awake and seated at her mirror, staring into the distance and brushing her hair with a small, dreamy smile on her face.

"Good morning," Elizabeth said, though the words seemed inadequate on this, of all days.

"Oh, Lizzy," Jane sighed as she put the brush down and came out of her daydream. "Is it not the best morning we could have wished for? Such a beautiful day...and we are to be married to two of the best and most handsome men in the world!"

Elizabeth smiled at this speech, and went to her sister's side, taking her hand. "It will certainly be a day to remember," she said with a little sigh of her own. "Everything will change...we will never be as we were before."

"You sound almost sad, Lizzy," Jane said, surprise plain on her face.

"I am, a little," Elizabeth replied, studying their joined hands. "We have been so happy here at Longbourn, and now to leave it forever..."

"Forever?" Jane sounded alarmed. "We are not to leave forever, Lizzy. Netherfield is very near, and while Pemberley is a considerable distance, you will never want for means to travel to us I am sure. We will see each other very often."

"I do not think it can be so very often," Elizabeth mused. "We will have households to manage and, eventually, families to care for. We will have responsibilities and cares that will not allow for constant travel. And even when we do meet, we shall not be as we are now."

Jane grew thoughtful. "That is as it should be, is it not? Why do we grow and mature if not to leave home and lead new lives?"

"I know it is as it should be...but I cannot yet reconcile myself to it," Elizabeth sighed again.

"You had best hurry, my dear. When you are asked whether you will have him, Mr. Darcy will expect an affirmative answer, not a request for more time!"

Elizabeth laughed at the picture this scenario presented, and then sobered almost immediately. "I have no thought in my head but of replying ‘yes'," she said seriously. "I never thought I could love a man as well as I love Mr. Darcy, or that a man such as he could entertain a thought of me." She released Jane's hand and stood to walk to the window.

"I have never thought I could meet a man who could so completely meet my ideas of what is right," Jane confessed. "A man who was intelligent and sensible, without any vices or meanness, and just the right generosity of spirit. He is such a good man, Lizzy. I sometimes feel that I do not deserve him."

"Oh, nonsense," Elizabeth laughed, though her voice sounded decidedly tearful. "If you do not deserve perfect happiness, I am sure no one does. You, who have been the greatest comfort to all who know you, and my constant guide for what is right and good...how could you not deserve such happiness?"

Jane blushed and declaimed, and Elizabeth said no more, but knew that she was right. There could be no sister dearer than Jane, and Mr. Bingley, while admirable himself, had best be well aware of what a treasure he had gained. Jane, meanwhile, continued to study her hairbrush for a few moments before suddenly saying,

"How very differently have things turned out than we used to imagine them! Do you remember Lizzy?"

"Oh, yes," Elizabeth laughed. "I cannot be sorry that we are not to live all our days in a little cottage by a stream with no one but each other for company. But we were so certain we would never marry!"

"Wherever did we get such ideas?" Jane mused.

"I do not know where you did, but Mama used to tell me that I would never catch a husband running about the fields and pastures. Do you not remember?"

Jane laughed. "You asked to borrow the butterfly net!"

Elizabeth joined her sister's laughter. "She looked as if she might explode!"

Their laughter intensified to such a degree that neither lady could remain upright, and so it was that the pitiable Mrs. Bennet discovered her two engaged daughters rolling about on the floor of the bedroom, helpless with laughter. What she said on the occasion may be imagined, and Jane and Elizabeth, though still tempted, did not dare utter so much as a giggle for the rest of the morning.

The wedding passed in something of a blur for Elizabeth. She had walked down the aisle, responded automatically to the clergyman's questions and prompts, and exchanged rings, and not until she was walking back up the aisle, her hand enclosed in Mr. Darcy's firm grip, did she come out of her daze and realize that she was indeed married to the best man she had ever known. As they exited the church and ducked under the arches of green leaves to the laughter and tears of their friends and relatives, Elizabeth caught the eyes of her three younger sisters, all of whom were smiling and laughing with tears in their eyes, and she felt a sudden surge of affection for them all. Mr. Darcy, his handsome face glowing with the light of the largest smile she had ever seen on him, handed her into their waiting carriage; her mother rushed up to the side and pressed her hand silently, for once in her life truly speechless with emotion, and her father could do nothing but give her a smile of mixed pride and grief. After a few moments Mr. and Mrs. Bennet moved to say their farewells, or not say them as the case may be, to the Bingleys, and Elizabeth, feeling too full for expression, turned her eyes to her brother, who had just approached her carriage. Abandoning all pretenses of propriety, Elizabeth bent halfway over the side of the carriage to kiss Jonathan's cheek, which was suspiciously wet. He gave her a smile as she reseated herself.

"I would tell you to take care of yourself, Lizzy, but I believe you have found a man more than equal to the task."

"I must see you at Pemberley very soon," Elizabeth said hoarsely, her tears threatening to overwhelm her. "Promise you will come to us!"

"Of course I will! You will probably grow sick of me."

Elizabeth laughed as he pressed her hand to his lips. "If I do, you shall be the first to know." Jonathan grinned and stepped away as the driver urged the horses into motion.

"Until we meet again, Mrs. Darcy."

The End