Chapter 4

10 November 1811

May I have it, Lizzy? Please say I can! When I trim it with the green ribbon, it should do nicely for our walk into Meryton on Wednesday. Captain Denny says I look very well in green.”

“Yes, yes, whatever you wish,” Elizabeth replied absently, her eyes fixed upon the parlour door.

Kitty set aside her screen with a decided pout, crying, “That is unfair!  Whatever shall I wear?”

“Quiet, girls!” Mrs Bennet exclaimed in a fretful voice. “I purchased bonnets for you all last week, and it is just as well for Lizzy to give her bonnet to Lydia -”

Elizabeth jerked her gaze to Jane, whispering, “My new hat?! Did I just promise it to Lydia?”

At Jane’s sympathetic nod, Elizabeth exhaled with audible displeasure. What was keeping Mr Darcy?  If he did not come soon, she was likely to give away every article of clothing she owned.  She attempted to stifle a yawn and began tearing out a misaligned row of stitches.  No wonder she could not pay attention – his proposal had kept her up half the night and her answer the other half.

“Lizzy, the hour is early yet,” whispered Jane with a squeeze to her sister’s hand.

“-seeing that she has no reason for it, refusing every suitor that comes her way. Foolish girl! You should be ashamed to vex us all. Mr Collins was very displeased this morning, let me tell you. When I think…”

Mr Collins’ entry into the room prevented any further discussion about her refusal, much to the relief of the family. Elizabeth smiled a little at the irony of his presence bringing relief to anyone and returned her attention back to her needlepoint as her mother fussed and fretted.

“Far be it from me to remain resentful,” said Mr Collins in a tone dripping with indignation. “A clergyman must set the proper example of charity and forgiveness. The charity is easily bestowed in such a case, convinced as I am that I should not have been very happy; a girl so lost to the claims and wishes of her parents can make a suitable wife to no man.”

“Oh, Mr Collins! She is an ungrateful child!”

“I hereby withdraw my efforts to please your daughter with my attentions,” he pronounced with a grave bow toward Elizabeth. Lydia began to giggle, followed by Kitty, until receiving Jane’s warning glance and quieting into a merry smile.

Mr Collins glanced at them all with displeasure, continuing, “When I think of what is written in Proverbs, about the sort of wife a man should wish for, I can only wish that young ladies would pay more attention. Industry, modesty and obedience is sorely lacking in our times.”

“Oh Lord,” muttered Lydia under her breath. “It is not even Sunday.”

Elizabeth bit her lip, determined she must not laugh at such a thoughtless, unguarded speech, no matter her inclination. Then the bell rang and all temptation to laugh was removed when she heard his voice in the hall, the words indistinct but the tone unmistakable. Inhaling sharply, she joined her family in their frantic activity, tucking away sewing and smoothing skirts amongst looks of astonishment. Mr Collins exclaimed his delight in their receiving such an illustrious visitor as Mrs Bennet pursed her lips. “Mr Darcy, you are welcome, sir,” greeted the lady in a tone that conveyed quite the opposite. Elizabeth, nervous and confused, could hardly look at him.

“Is Mr Bennet available this morning?  I wish to speak with him on a matter of business,” Mr Darcy remarked shortly after the room grew silent.  Her fingers were trembling, Elizabeth thought with envy and amazement, and he spoke with no visible alteration in his composure, tone or manners.

As he was shown into the hall, Elizabeth bit her lip, avoiding Jane’s anxious gaze.  Lydia exclaimed, “What do you think he wants with my father?”

“Whatever his business, it is sure to be very disagreeable,” Mrs Bennet replied with a sniff.

“My dear madam, I am certain any business from a nephew of Lady Catherine deBourgh’s could never be considered unpleasant.”

This was too much for Elizabeth’s strained nerves. Fortunately, her giddy laughter could not be heard over Mr Collins’ staunch protests and her mother’s apologies.

*****
When she came upon her father after Mr Darcy had gone, he was pacing his book-room, grave and anxious. “Is it true, Lizzy? Have you accepted Mr Darcy?”

“I have, sir,” she replied in a quiet voice, folding her hands in her lap.

“That is something, at least. I have given him my consent, and I should hate to disappoint another young man this week.” Mr Bennet pushed his glasses up with a grim smile. “He wishes to marry you straight away, you know, as soon as can be, he says. I would have never expected it from him.”

Elizabeth blushed. “He insists we settle at Pemberley this winter.”

Her father appeared decidedly displeased. For a wild moment, she half-hoped to hear him refuse his consent or make some protest at actions which might be viewed as officious without facts she could never share. Instead, Mr Bennet came out from behind his desk to stand before her and pressed her hand affectionately. “My dear child, I wish – I hope you understand that I have your welfare at heart – what am I saying? Of course you do not, nor should you.”

Elizabeth frowned in confusion at such unusual behaviour.  Before she could make sense of it, his countenance abruptly altered with a laugh. “It seems our harsh words were for nothing – you had a better catch on the line all along. You are not hiding a third young man, are you?”

She fixed her gaze on her father’s hand, disappointed but not surprised, and answered quietly, “Hardly, sir!”

“Well, well, well, who would have thought him such an impetuous young man. Wait until Mrs Bennet hears of this! A mother’s only pleasure is a trip to the warehouses for wedding clothes, but Mr Darcy should make a cunning adversary. Where would you like to place your wager?”

“Sir, I -” she began in an affronted tone before recognizing the folly of wishing him otherwise, then answered calmly, “I would not care to place any wager.”

“I should bet on Mr Darcy.”

Elizabeth shook her head a little, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips.  When she could not longer resist, she answered, “I believe the only sensible course is to place your bet on my mother. If she prevails, you shall need your winnings; if you lose, Mr Darcy will have saved you a world of economy.”

“Very true,” he chortled. He teased her for a few minutes more then sent her to Mrs Bennet.

*****
“Mr Darcy! Welcome to Longbourn, sir!” cried Mrs Bennet the next morning. Mr Darcy’s shock suspended him in mid-bow as she continued, “Elizabeth told us of your plans, and how pleased we are. Very pleased, indeed!”

“Er-I thank you, madam.” His eyes sought Elizabeth, who seemed fascinated with her sewing box.

Following his gaze, Mrs Bennet called out to her favourite child, “My dear Lizzy, do come here! Offer your curtsey to Mr Darcy.”

Elizabeth blushed and curtsied again. Heedless of her daughter’s feelings, Mrs Bennet added, “Such a good-natured girl with the prettiest manners!”

Darcy took pity on her for having such a mother.  He stared then dryly replied, “Yes, I seem to recall your praise of them at Netherfield.”

Mrs Bennet appeared flustered by the reminder, waving her handkerchief with a breathless laugh. “Oh, she can run on at times, but she truly is the sweetest girl. I’ve always said she should make an excellent wife for any man.”

Darcy glanced at the bonnet in Elizabeth’s hands, and his lips twitched in spite of himself. “Miss Elizabeth and I have discussed precisely what sort of wife she should make.”

Elizabeth’s beautiful eyes filled with surprise then her cheeks dimpled as she ceased worrying the yellow ribbon. Darcy smiled back at her until her mother began to speak again. “Lizzy, what are you doing with that old bonnet?  Put that away, child!”  When Elizabeth immediately complied with her wishes, Mrs Bennet could answer,  “Very good, sir. Lizzy tells me that you wish to be married before Christmas. There are many plans to be made…”

He tore his gaze from the daughter to make his firm reply to the mother. “Whatever arrangements you can manage will satisfy me, as long as I may bring my wife to Pemberley by this time next month.”

Mrs Bennet’s eyes widened.  She looked up at Elizabeth, as if to make sense of how her daughter had inspired such a declaration, then shrugged when it become too much for her. “I suppose we can make over Jane’s white silk but the wedding clothes!”

As much as Elizabeth did not wish to discuss the subject again, especially in the presence of Mr Darcy, her mother would not be deterred. The deprivation of shopping at the warehouses was too much for her nerves to endure until Mr Darcy coolly announced, “Do not distress yourself, madam. Mrs Darcy shall naturally require a wardrobe more suitable to her new station, which I intend to provide as a wedding gift.”

Fortunately, Mrs Bennet was too excited by thoughts of how fine Mrs Darcy would be, much more fine than even Miss Bingley or Mrs Hurst, to take offence at his remark. She was quite content to defer to Mr Darcy’s opinion, though insistent that she would travel with them to Town after the wedding to assist her daughter. Darcy made note of this stipulation and Elizabeth’s embarrassment with an inward groan, determined that their time in London would be as short in duration as possible.

*****
Georgiana had little idea of what happened to wicked girls and almost wished for the courage to ask Mrs Annesley. She had brought such trouble to her brother – her honourable, good brother who had been more father than brother to her for the past five years – and was frightened to think of how he might dispose of her. The blame would not be his, she reminded herself. It was hers, all hers. She gripped the frame of her needlepoint until her fingers ceased their tremblings.

How he suffered at her hand! And now, now he knew, not only of her defiance of him, of decorum, but of decency and virtue. If only I had written to him as I had intended before the elopement, if only, if only! Her controlled deportment slipped, and she slumped over, covering her face with her hands.

“This will not do. I cannot subject him to another bout of tears,” she whispered sternly to herself. Whatever he decided, she reminded herself of her prayers, of endurance, penitence, gratitude. There would be no more tears, no complaints, no protests at those consequences she had brought upon herself. She would devote herself to prudent, useful activity in whatever life she was given.

“Georgiana?”

Georgiana flinched, startled, then hastily rose to make her curtsey with lowered eyes. “I am pleased to see you, sir.”

Her brother pressed her hand. “Please sit, my dear. You have been well? No more fainting spells or – ?”

She blushed, quickly replying, “No, no, I am well. The physician – Mr Morris – said it is not unusual.”

Darcy studied her for a moment, pained by her striking contrast to the cheerful yellow parlour; then Darcy cleared his throat, making a gentle announcement, “Georgiana, I have some happy news for you. I am to marry.”

She raised her eyes at that, whispering, “Marry? I did not know you -” she broke off in confusion, then blurted, “Who is she?”

“Her name is Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

This news stunned her to the point of speechlessness until she called upon herself to murmur her indistinct congratulations. He had mentioned a Miss Bennet in his letters, once or twice, but said nothing to indicate his thoughts were of marriage to the lady. When she fell silent, her brother said, “I spoke to her of you and of the child to come -” here Georgiana blushed, knowing he could not conceal her shame from his future wife, yet wishing he could, “-she has agreed to raise the child as mine.”

Georgiana began to tremble, a terrible suspicion forming in her mind. “Is this why you are to marry her? For-for my sake?”

She watched a hand pass over her brother’s brow and felt her spirits sink into utter misery. “For all of our sakes, my dear. There will be need for disguise – you understand you must never speak of this to anyone – but our name will not be disgraced; you may make your home at Pemberley, and the child will receive the education it deserves.”

“Oh, my dear brother!” she cried with a wild shake of her head. “To think of you sacrificing yourself to this…I am so very, very sorry.”

“Think nothing of that.  My duty is to remedy this as best we can,” said Darcy with a wave of his hand.

Georgiana immediately covered her face, replying, “You are too kind. You have done what I would not.”

Darcy looked on for a moment then awkwardly placed an arm about her.  When she turned, burying her face in his shoulder, he responded in a low, urgent tone, “I asked you to return with me, do you not recall? and there are very important differences in our situations, my dear. I am better prepared to marry, both in age and disposition, and Elizabeth is a woman of good character.  Do not trouble yourself with these senseless worries.”

Georgiana said nothing, absorbing his words, then asked timidly, “Why would she agree to this? I thought she was a mere acquaintance.”

“She is. At least, she was, but I knew enough of her sisterly affection to have confidence in her discretion. It is an advantageous marriage for her as well.”

Her spirits sunk.  Georgiana had every confidence in Darcy’s judgement of Miss Bennet, but it was terrible to think of what her actions had wrought upon him.  She knew not how to ever repay him for his sacrifice.  Those thoughts were depressing; her next thoughts horrified her.  It was selfish and ungrateful, she knew, for her to give any thought to what Mrs Darcy would think of her, but the thoughts persisted.  Any lady must be disgusted by such deficiencies in virtue and prudence. “Will you tell me of her?”

“She has beautiful eyes and a lovely voice, along with being amusing, clever, sensible, feeling and well-bred.”

Georgiana forced herself to reply lightly, “Sh-she sounds quite frightening.”

Darcy smiled. “Hardly a paragon, my dear, and nothing to frighten you.”

There was enough good-humour in his manner to embolden Georgiana into making a few more inquiries after Miss Bennet’s interests and habits.  Her brother told her enough for her to determine that he harboured a sort of fondness for his intended bride. This was enough for Georgiana to relinquish some of her fears; at least her brother might not be miserable in marriage.  She would make herself as useful and unobtrusive as possible, knowing she could never repay Miss Bennet nor her brother by any other means.

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