Posted on: 2011-05-11
Elizabeth had a headache.
While the short walk from the village of Longbourn to Meryton was usually refreshing, even invigorating, that had not been the case today. She had had to walk slowly, so as not to outstrip her cousin, Mr. Collins, who still held her arm firmly. She had never heard someone talk so much of chimneypieces, window glazing or shelves. How she wished she could have blocked out his voice, but it was of such timbre and volume, she had been unable.
When she thought things could get no worse, Lydia and Kitty took off running (Running! In town!) to greet their favourite officers. She held her free hand up to her forehead and rubbed her temple with her thumb. She sighed, but her companion seemed not to notice.
"Lizzy, are you all right?" Jane asked, startling Elizabeth.
"Yes, Jane, I am well." She dropped her hand and shook her head. "I think I must get out of the sun for a bit. Perhaps I should go to Mr. Garrett's.
Jane laughed, "I suspect that may have been your whole purpose in walking to town."
Mr. Collins looked between the two sisters with sudden alarm. "Cousin Elizabeth, no! You must not be calling on gentlemen."
Elizabeth's jaw dropped, and before she could respond, Jane clarified, "He is the bookseller, Mr. Collins. Lizzy is often there to pick up books for our father..."
"And to seek new novels and romances for myself," Elizabeth quickly added.
"Oh, cousin, perhaps I should accompany you. You do not look well, and perhaps I can help you select some more appropriate reading for you." He tightened his arm around hers, and Elizabeth was sure her skin was turning green.
"You need not fear for Lizzy, Mr. Collins," Jane interjected. "She reads moralities and sermons as well, though it is our younger sister Mary who truly enjoys the study of them." She made a point of directing her gaze up the street. "Why do you not come with me to meet the officers Kitty and Lydia are speaking to? Let Lizzy be," she looked pointedly at her sister, "and perhaps she can select an appropriate book for you to read aloud to us tonight."
Collins looked at each of the ladies with him, and then to their younger sisters up the street. Slowly, he released Elizabeth's arm, then turned to offer his other arm to Jane. "Very well."
As they walked away, Elizabeth turned toward the bookshop, rubbing her temple once again.
"Miss Bennet, how good of you to come in today," Mr. Garrett greeted her warmly. "I have just received the book your father ordered."
"Wonderful. Do you have any other new arrivals?"
"They are on the table, as usual. I think you may find a couple that interest you."
She immediately began sorting through the books, looking at the etchings in one or reading a few pages of another, setting aside the ones she considered purchasing. She did not notice how much time she spent in this activity before her solitude was interrupted.
"Good day, Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth looked up to see Darcy bowing before her.
"Mr. Darcy." She curtseyed.
He moved to stand beside her at the table and looked at her open book. "Je vois, Mademoiselle, que vous lisez Les Martyrs Est-ce que le livre vous plait?" (I see, Miss, that you are reading The Martyrs. Do you like the book?)
"Oui, c'est très intéressant." (Yes, it is very interesting.) She gazed up at him slyly. "After all, to become accomplished, a lady must be fluent in the modern languages and improve her mind through extensive reading."
His eyes dropped for a moment, but he could not keep the corners of his mouth from lifting. "You must realize you have no reason to improve in that quarter." His continued more quietly, "Other ladies, however..." He half smiled, and Elizabeth thought she almost saw evidence of a dimple.
She nodded her head and collected three books, including Les Martyrs. "I must be going, Mr. Darcy. I am sure my sisters will be wondering what has become of me."
"Certainly, Miss Bennet. May I?" He held out his hands and with a tilt of her head, she handed him her books. He carried them to the proprietor's desk, and while Mr. Garrett wrapped them (and her father's book), Darcy returned to her side and remarked, "Your sisters seemed well occupied when I saw them a short while ago, and it is likely Mr. Bingley has joined them."
Elizabeth looked up at him quizzically. "May I ask why you did not join them then?"
A bit of colour infused his cheeks and he looked at the ground. "There were several people in their party," his voice dropped, "and I am not easy making new acquaintances."
"So you will not give yourself the trouble," she remarked coolly.
"I suppose not." He nodded. "I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done."
"I see. So it is not simply concern that you will find them to be merely tolerable?"
He was stunned by her retort, but was unable to answer as Mr. Garrett caught her attention and held out her package of books. "You are sure they are not too heavy, Miss Bennet?"
"No, thank you, I will be fine." She smiled warmly at the man. "Good day, Mr. Garrett."
Darcy held the door for Elizabeth and then took the books from her hands. Once the door was firmly shut, he asked, "Do you not see, Miss Elizabeth, that I sometimes make remarks when in new company that I come to regret? That on occasion, I find people far more than tolerable?"
She looked up to meet his eyes, and caught his cautious smile. Yes, there are dimples. She examined him for a long moment and saw his cheeks go pinker and his eyes widen in inquiry. Dropping her eyes, she blushed as well. "I am sorry, Mr. Darcy, I did not."
His smile faded, but returned with a hopeful thought. "Then perhaps we can begin anew? With no misunderstandings?"
Elizabeth nodded slowly, but took several seconds before she looked up. "I think that a splendid idea." She smiled and he returned a full grin.
He put her package in his saddlebag and untethered his horse. "Perhaps we should join the others then," he offered her his arm, and she accepted it, "and if I misspeak, you could step on my foot."
She laughed, "I shall try to protect you, sir."
They strolled comfortably along the street, chatting amicably, then turned the corner to spy the assembled group. She sensed a tension building in him, and tried a humorous remark, which seemed to help for a moment. Then, just as she met Jane's inquisitive eyes, she felt his arm tighten. This must be more than just meeting Mr. Collins." She looked up, and followed Darcy's dark gaze toward a man she did not recognize amidst the group. She squeezed his arm, but he did not relax.
"Oh, Darcy, Miss Elizabeth! You found each other; how grand!" Bingley greeted them. Still, Darcy remained tense.
The stranger, who seemed rather pale, tipped his hat. "Darcy."
"Wickham," coldly replied a rather red-faced Darcy with only the slightest inclination of the head. "It is surprising to see you here."
"I am... joining the militia regiment here," the man replied.
"Is it not wonderful, Lizzy?" Lydia interrupted. "I was so pleased when Mr. Denny told us so."
Elizabeth sensed even more tension from Mr. Darcy, something she had not thought possible. "That is excellent news, I am sure. But should we not be on our way? You have yet to make your purchases, and we must stop by Aunt Philips's yet."
"I suppose we must go." Lydia looked downcast for a moment, but recovered her sprits quickly. "I shall ask her to invite Mr. Wickham to her card party tomorrow night!"
Elizabeth sighed, but could find no tactful way out of the situation. Thankfully, Denny and Wickham excused themselves quickly.
Next, before the party could be on their way, Elizabeth had to introduce her cousin to Mr. Darcy.
"It is a great honour to meet you, sir!" The parson bowed so low, it looked like he was about to kiss Darcy's boots, and Elizabeth fought hard to stifle a laugh. "Your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is my most esteemed patroness. I am sure you will be pleased to know that I called on her yesterday morning, before departing to visit my dear cousins." He grinned sweetly at Elizabeth. "She and your betrothed, Miss de Bourgh, were in the best of health."
Elizabeth looked up at Darcy, hearing this news, and noticed he seemed to be clenching his jaw. It took several seconds for him to respond: "I thank you, Mr. Collins, but I must correct you in that I know my cousin is not well, sadly; and neither are we engaged." He tipped his head quickly, and keeping Elizabeth's arm, began walking up the street.
"I am sorry for that, sir. He is a distant cousin, but also the heir to Longbourn."
He looked at her sincerely. "Worry not, Miss Elizabeth, I realize all too well that one cannot choose his relatives."
The others followed, most waiting outside the milliners while Lydia selected some ribbon, and then continuing on to the Philipses'. Darcy was unsure about staying, but Bingley seemed content and Mrs. Philips welcomed them gladly. They did not remain for long, only enough for the ladies to impart some minor news and for Jane to give her aunt a small parcel from Mrs. Bennet. An invitation to the card party was secured for Mr. Wickham, and Darcy and Bingley were invited as well.
When they departed, Jane and Bingley looked at each other, as did Darcy and Elizabeth. Any question of the gentlemen accompanying the party back to Longbourn was answered silently.
Jane and Bingley started off, and Elizabeth was standing together beside Darcy's horse when Mr. Collins approached her. "Shall we return home, Cousin Elizabeth?" he asked in an oily voice, holding out his arm.
She tried not to shudder, but Darcy noticed. "I have already asked Miss Elizabeth to walk with me, sir. Perhaps Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia would enjoy your company." He then looked down at her. "Shall we?"
She smiled. "Yes, thank you, Mr. Darcy."
They spent as much time not talking as they did, and it was during one of these silences that he noticed a smile and a faraway gaze on her face. "May I offer a penny for your thoughts?" he inquired.
Elizabeth grinned. "Oh, I am sure you can afford more than that, Mr. Darcy. A mere penny for such pleasant thoughts?"
"I had hoped my fortune did not matter to you. What must I offer? A shilling perhaps?"
"That would be a more appropriate offer, but I shall tell you for free," she laughed, "though I probably should not." She shook her head, then raised her free hand, pointing to the couple that walked ahead of them. "I am truly just very happy for Jane. Look at how their heads are bent so close together. She is far too modest to let on how much she likes him, but it certainly appears he knows." She smiled up to Mr. Darcy, only to notice his blank expression.
Quickly she withdrew. "I am sorry. I truly should not have spoken." She looked away and tried to pull her arm free, though he would not release her.
"Miss Elizabeth, please. I did ask... I am not offended – only surprised..." He waited for her to look up again. "Miss Bennet truly esteems Bingley?"
Elizabeth nodded. "She does."
"I am pleased for them then." He smiled. "Do you have a favourite composer?" he suddenly changed the subject.
Darcy and Elizabeth so enjoyed their walk, they were surprised to arrive at the gates of Longbourn.
"Miss Elizabeth, I must ask a favour of you before we reach the house." She looked at him questioningly. "I would like to speak with your father."
"My father?"
"Yes. I have given it a fair bit of thought since our meeting, but I must speak with him in regards to Mr. Wickham."
Elizabeth nodded. "I realized that you were not friends."
"It is much more than that, indeed. I must warn him... to protect you and your sisters... especially Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia."
"I will take you to him." She waited as he extracted her books and handed his horse off to a groom, and led him inside.
The next evening at the Philipses' card party, Darcy stayed by Elizabeth's side as much as possible. The morning after, he accompanied the Bingleys as they delivered their invitations to the ball, and quickly solicited Elizabeth's first set.
Mr. Collins soon realized that Mr. Darcy truly had no interest in Miss de Bourgh, for his heart clearly belonged to Elizabeth. He shifted his interest once again, and though Mary was the plainest of her sisters, he found she was truly a beautiful woman, especially when she smiled – and she smiled often as they discussed scriptures and realized his intentions.
Mr. Wickham did join the regiment, but found no one who would hear his tales of woe. Within a month, he was caught trying to compromise one of the Miss Longs. Mr. Goulding came to her rescue, and challenged him to a duel. Wickham lost, and Mr. Goulding married Miss Long.
It did not take long for Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy to realize their futures were bound to the two eldest Bennet sisters. Proposals were made and accepted.
Mary became Mrs. William Collins on the last day of the year. By the end of January, Mrs. Bennet happily got rid of her two most deserving daughters. Yes, the pin money and the carriages each would have!
Several years passed before Kitty and Lydia entered the married state, but when the time came, each married good, respectable men.
All of the former Bennet sisters lived long happy lives with their husbands and many children.