Beginning, Previous Section, Section IV

Chapter 37

It was most relieving to have the engagement public. Darcy could now behave towards Elizabeth as he wished in public as well as in private. He found that a place by her side was always reserved for him and Bingley no longer had to manoeuver things for them to be alone together. Darcy was rather anxious to be alone with Elizabeth. He wished to hear about her interviews with her parents. He soon suggested a walk and Elizabeth eagerly agreed. As soon as they were away from the house, Darcy said, "Elizabeth, I wanted to speak with you about this last evening but I did not get an opportunity. Last night you were so long with your father and then when you came back, I think you had been crying. What happened?"

"It was just like I told you it would be. He was afraid I'm marrying you for your money and position. I had a terrible time convincing him otherwise. I did cry and that is why I was gone so long." Unexpectedly she began to cry again.

Darcy was at a loss as to what to do. His instincts told him to take her in his arms but propriety forbade it. He finally gave into his instincts and held her until the tears subsided. He then led her to a fallen tree, sat her down and handed her his handkerchief. Once she had composed herself, he asked her gently, "What is the matter, darling? Surely he believes you now. Why are you crying?"

"Oh, Fitzwilliam, I don't know. I'm sorry."

"Is it your mother?"

She laughed. "No, Mamma is delighted. I'm just being silly. You are right, everything is fine."

"Do you feel better now?"

She nodded and rose. "Perhaps we should continue our walk?" They did so and soon Elizabeth said, I hope you do not mind, but I told Papa what you did for Lydia."

"No, of course not."

"I think he is planning to offer to pay you back."

"I will not let him."

"I know," she said, then changed the subject.

That evening, after dinner. Mr Bennet invited Darcy into the library. Darcy would have liked to stop Mr Bennet before he could express his gratitude but he knew that Mr Bennet would find it necessary.

"Mr Darcy," Mr Bennet began, "I understand I am much indebted to you for the preservation of my youngest daughter."

"No, sir."

Mr. Bennet looked surprised. "No? But Lizzy said you did everything: made up the match, gave the money, paid the fellow's debts, and got him his commission. Is she mistaken?"

"No, sir, she is not."

"Well then, Mr. Darcy, I must repay you."

"I cannot allow you to do that, sir. You owe me nothing. I did it all for Elizabeth and only Elizabeth. I came upon her shortly after she learnt the news and I had to spare her that pain. Surely you can see why I cannot accept any payment from you. If you still feel yourself obliged, please remember what I owe you for granting me Elizabeth's hand. If you must think of it as such, and I would prefer that you do not, that is ample repayment for any service I have rendered. Now, I beg you to consider this matter as closed."

"Very well. I see I will never prevail with you. The matter is closed." "One more thing, sir. I would appreciate it if these things never left this room. I never intended for even Elizabeth to know." Mr. Bennet gave him a questioning look and he added, "Your youngest daughter, it would seem, has a loose tongue."

"Ah," said Mr Bennet. "You may be assured, Mr Darcy, that I do not."

Chapter 38

Darcy thought back but could not come up with what she wanted. "I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."

"My beauty you had early withstood, and as for my manners--my behaviour to you was at least always bordering on the uncivil, and I never spoke to you without rather wishing to give you pain than not. Now be sincere; did you admire me for my impertinence?"

"You may as well call it impertinence at once. It was very little less. The fact is, that you were sick of civility, of deference, of officious attention. You were disgusted with the women who were always speaking, and looking, and thinking for your approbation alone. I roused, and interested you, because I was so unlike them. Had you not been really amiable, you would have hated me for it; but in spite of the pains you took to disguise yourself, your feelings were always noble and just; and in your heart, you thoroughly despised the persons who so assiduously courted you. There I have saved you the trouble of accounting for it; and really, all things considered, I begin to think it perfectly reasonable. To be sure, you knew no actual good of me--but nobody thinks of that when they fall in love."

"Was there no good in your affectionate behaviour to Jane while she was ill at Netherfield?"

"Dearest Jane! who could have done less for her? But make a virtue of it by all means. My good qualities are under your protection, and you are to exaggerate them as much as possible; and, in return, it belongs to me to find occasions for teazing and quarrelling with you as often as may be; and I shall begin directly by asking you what made you so unwilling to come to the point at last. What made you so shy of me, when you first called, and afterwards dined here? Why, especially, when you called, did you look as if you did not care about me?"

"Because you were grave and silent, and gave me no encouragement."

"But I was embarrassed."

"And so was I."

"You might have talked to me more when you came to dinner."

"A man who had felt less, might."

"How unlucky that you should have a reasonable answer to give, and that I should be so reasonable as to admit it! But I wonder how long you would have gone on, if you had been left to yourself. I wonder when you would have spoken, if I had not asked you! My resolution of thanking you for your kindness to Lydia had certainly great effect. Too much, I am afraid; for what becomes of the moral, if our comfort springs from a breach of promise? for I ought not to have mentioned the subject. This will never do."

"You need not distress yourself. The moral will be perfectly fair. Lady Catherine's unjustifiable endeavours to separate us were the means of removing all my doubts. I am not indebted for my present happiness to your eager desire of expressing your gratitude. I was not in a humour to wait for any opening of your's. My aunt's intelligence had given me hope, and I was determined at once to know every thing."

"Lady Catherine has been of infinite use, which ought to make her happy, for she loves to be of use. But tell me, what did you come down to Netherfield for? Was it merely to ride to Longbourn and be embarrassed...or had you intended any more serious consequence?"

"My real purpose was to see you, and to judge, if I could, whether I might ever hope to make you love me. My avowed one, or what I avowed to myself, was to see whether your sister were still partial to Bingley, and if she were, to make the confession to him which I have since made."

"Shall you ever have courage to announce to Lady Catherine what is to befall her?"

"I am more likely to want more time than courage, Elizabeth. But it ought to done, and if you will give me a sheet of paper, it shall be done directly."

"And if I had not a letter to write myself, I might sit by you and admire the eveness of your writing, as another young lady once did. But I have an aunt, too, who must not be longer neglected."

"I shall probably be more distracted by your studiously writing your own letter than I was by the lady you refer to."

"Is that a hint for me to go into another room?"

"No. Certainly not. That would be even worse for I am sure it would not be long before I should have to follow you."

After some discussion on the matter, it was decided that she would sit next to him as they each wrote their letter. Elizabeth brought the requested paper and ink and they settled down to work. Darcy was indeed distracted by Elizabeth and he could tell she was having the same difficulty. Eventually, however, he wrote,

Dear Lady Catherine,

I must thank you, my dear aunt, for your kind information last week. As I informed you I intended, I acted immediately and not two days passed before everything was settled. It is now my pleasant duty to inform you that Miss Elizabeth Bennet has accepted my proposals and consented to be my wife. Both Elizabeth and myself are extremely grateful for your interference. Without it we may never have come to this happy conclusion. We would be most honoured by your presence at our wedding next month. Please convey our respects to my cousin Anne.

Fitzwilliam Darcy

When he had finished, Darcy realized he had not yet written to Georgiana or Colonel Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth was still writing her letter to Mrs. Gardiner and he whispered to her that he had a few more letters to write.

At first, she frowned at him which he did not like at all but when she had been informed to whom he wished to write she smiled and said, "Fitzwilliam, courtship seems to have made us forgetful. We should be quite ashamed. We have been engaged for three days and are only just now informing our dearest friends."

"You are right, my dear, but I am certain they shall forgive us the distraction. Will you mind if I write these now?"

"No, though I would rather they had already been written since I have no more letters to write myself," she pouted.

"There is one consolation, Elizabeth." She looked at him questioningly. "You will now be able to admire my writing."

"I had not thought of that," she said with a mischievous smile. She then returned to her letter and Darcy wrote to Georgiana.

My darling sister,

Please accept my apologies for not writing sooner. The only excuse I can offer is that I have been distracted. I hope you will pardon me when you know why.

Georgie, I have the most wonderful news. You shall at last have the sister you have always wanted. Three days ago, I again asked Miss Elizabeth Bennet to marry me. I am redeemed, Georgie, for this time she accepted and made me the happiest of men. What a contrast to what I was just a few weeks ago.

We shall be married next month on the same day as Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth's sister, Miss Jane. Elizabeth assures me she is most anxious to renew her acquaintance with you. We would both like for you to come to Hertfordshire right away. Bingley has already prepared a room for you at Netherfield. I hope you understand, Georgie, but I cannot abide the thought of leaving Elizabeth even for a few days. Therefore, I am going to ask Colonel Fitzwilliam to fetch you here. We all look forward to seeing you soon.

Your loving brother,
Fitzwilliam Darcy

My dear cousin,

I must thank you for urging me to go to Pemberley. You were right, the change did me good. More good than you can possibly imagine for I found Miss Bennet there.

The details of what happened at Pemberley and after are too numerous to be recounted in a letter so you shall have to wait till I see you for those. You must let it suffice for me to say that I am completely forgiven and three days ago, Elizabeth agreed to be my wife. As you can probably imagine, my spirits are now quite the opposite of what they were when last you saw me. Elizabeth is sitting here next to me as I write and wishes to be remembered to you.

Now, Fitzwilliam, I have a favour to ask of you. We want Georgiana here until the wedding next month and would be most appreciative if you would fetch her here from Pemberley. I would go myself but I cannot bear to leave Elizabeth. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Fitzwilliam Darcy

"Fitzwilliam," Elizabeth said that evening as Darcy was preparing to take his leave of her, "I have something of yours that I should return."

Darcy knew not what it could be and was intrigued by the reluctance in her voice as she mentioned it. "What is that, my dear?" She extracted from her sleeve the handkerchief he had given her the day before but did not give it to him. "If you do not mind, I would like to keep it."

Darcy was thrilled that Elizabeth wished a keepsake but kept his voice even as he replied, "I would not mind but if I let you keep it I will be quite without a handkerchief."

The sparkle in Elizabeth's eyes told Darcy that she had caught his meaning. "I believe I have a solution," she said. "Wait here. I shall be right back." She ran quickly upstairs and returned after just a minute. "Fitzwilliam," she said smiling, "I do not really believe that you would notice the absence of this handkerchief if you give it to me but to lessen the loss you may have this." She handed him one of her own delicate lacy handkerchiefs.

It was exactly what he had wanted. He took it and examined it carefully then tucking it in the inside pocket of his coat replied, "I believe I prefer this one anyway. I will be happy for you to keep mine." Elizabeth smiled beautifully as she returned the handkerchief to her sleeve.

It was not long before Darcy received replies to his letters. Four sides of paper were insufficient to contain all Georgiana's delight. Colonel Fitzwilliam's congratulations were less effusive but just as sincere and he promised to bring Georgiana as soon as possible.

The reply from Lady Catherine was not so satisfactory. Her letter was full of very abusive language mostly towards Elizabeth. Darcy was left in a very dark mood that even Elizabeth was barely able to pull him out of. When he had calmed down somewhat, he sent off a reply ending all intercourse until Lady Catherine could accept Elizabeth.

Georgiana and Fitzwilliam soon arrived and Darcy had the great pleasure of watching the two women he loved most become as close as real sisters. It was not long, however before Darcy's time with either of them was seriously curtailed for the ladies were soon occupied with wedding plans. Both Darcy and Bingley were glad of Fitzwilliam's presence for he helped to keep them occupied while the ladies were busy.

Darcy often found himself busy as well, writing and sending numerous letters to Mrs Reynolds and his steward with instructions on preparing Pemberley for Elizabeth's arrival. It would have been easier to travel there himself but that would have required him to leave Elizabeth for at least a week, an idea he could not bear. Time moved quickly, however, and almost before he knew it, Darcy's wedding day arrived.

Chapter 39

Fitzwilliam Darcy had never seen anything more lovely than his Elizabeth dressed in white coming to marry him. After what seemed like the longest trip down the aisle, Mr Bennet placed a tender kiss upon each of his daughters' foreheads and handed them over to their soon to be husbands. Darcy placed Elizabeth's hand in the crook of his elbow then covered it securely with his own. They looked deep into each others eyes and smiled. The parson then stepped forward and they reluctantly turned their attention to him.

The sermon was long but through the whole Darcy was acutely aware of the woman by his side and heard not one word of it. Finally, the parson came to the actual ceremonies and they repeated their vows. They were pronounced man and wife and Darcy was given permission to kiss Elizabeth. He touched his lips gently to hers as they shared this intimacy for the first time. Elizabeth then took Darcy's arm once again and he escourted her out of the church.

Once they were outside, Darcy pulled Elizabeth around the side of the church into a small alcove.

Fitzwilliam, what are you doing?" asked Elizabeth in surprise.

"I was hoping, my dear Mrs Darcy," he paused as Elizabeth blushed and smiled at his use of her new name, "to have a moment alone with my wife before we have to begin accepting congratulations. That is if you have no objections.

Elizabeth shook her and met his eyes shyly as she replied, "I would be most pleased to spend a few moments with my husband."

"I was wondering," Darcy asked in a nervous whisper, "if I might . . . if you would allow me to . . . kiss you again?" Elizabeth nodded and he softly touched her cheek then leaned in and kissed her. He then pulled her into his arms and held her close as she rested her head on his chest.

Darcy could have stayed there forever but after only a few moments, Elizabeth whispered, "We had better go back, Fitzwilliam, before Mamma comes looking for us."

Darcy reluctantly agreed. He bestowed one more kiss upon Elizabeth then offering her his arm, he led her back around to the front of the church to face the world together.

The End