Beginning, Section II, Section III
Posted on Monday, 13 August 2001
Netherfield
Elizabeth tried to do her best to calm Georgiana, who by the time they reached Netherfield was shaking and crying heavily. Georgiana could not believe it - of all the places that Mr. Wickham could have been assigned, he was assigned here, only three miles from where she was staying. Georgiana knew that he wanted revenge against the Darcys - William had told her that himself - and with him so close ... Georgiana shuddered when she though of what he could do to them, to her. It was hard to believe that he could turn out to be so cruel and heartless, when he had been such a good person as a boy.
As the two walked through the home's entry, Georgiana could hear laughing coming from the front sitting room. Georgiana's pace quickened; if they heard that she was back, Caroline Bingley would be pouncing on her within seconds, and Georgiana didn't want to deal with her at the present moment.
"Miss Bennet," sniff, "I believe I'll go up to my room." Sob. " Thank you very much for escorting me home," Georgiana sobbed, while Elizabeth looked at her sympathetically, all the time trying to figure out what was wrong with her.
"Miss Darcy, are you certain that you'll be all right? Perhaps I should send your mother, or brother, to you?" Elizabeth questioned.
"No, Miss Bennet, I am fine. I just need some time to myself to think, that is all. I will be fine soon - you need not worry about me." Georgiana replied, as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I should be my old self again by tomorrow, and I would like to apologize for ruining our walk this afternoon. Perhaps I could make it up to you by inviting you to go riding with my brother and I, tomorrow at two?"
"I would be delighted to go riding with both of you, as long as you promise that you will have recovered from this afternoon by then," Elizabeth replied. "And on one condition."
"What is that, Miss Bennet?"
"That you stop calling me Miss Bennet," Elizabeth said with a smile. "It makes me think that you are addressing my sister. You may just call me Elizabeth."
"All right, Miss.... Elizabeth, and you may call me Georgiana," Georgiana replied, with a smile through her tears. "I will see you tomorrow, then?"
"I can hardly wait, Georgiana." Elizabeth replied, as Georgiana carefully made her way up the stairs. Elizabeth was worried for her - if just seeing this Mr. Wickham had made her burst into tears, then what could had possibly gone on between the two of them?
"Miss Bennet!" Elizabeth heard Mr. Darcy's voice say from behind her, as she turned to face him. "I though I heard your voice out here. I did not expect you and Georgiana be back from your walk so soon."
"Yes, well, we are both quick walkers, I suppose," Elizabeth replied quietly, her thoughts still on Georgiana.
"I was hoping that I would get another chance to speak with you before you left. I wanted to apologize for what my mother said to you earlier." Mr. Darcy said solemnly.
"Oh, that isn't necessary - I'm sure she was just being a protective mother," Elizabeth replied with a smile.
"Well, I would beg to differ. I didn't think that Miss Bingley had affected her opinion this much, but Caroline is always a surprise," Mr. Darcy argued with a smile. Elizabeth noticed this, and decided that he had a very beautiful smile. He really is a very handsome man, though Elizabeth, with a slight blush. "Where is Georgiana?"
"Hmmm?" Elizabeth asked, half in a daze.
"I asked where is Georgiana?" Mr. Darcy repeated, looking quizzical at Elizabeth, which snapped her back into reality.
"Oh, she went upstairs to her room. I was meaning to talk to you about this - I think that you should talk to her," Elizabeth said with concern, as Mr. Darcy's face showed a mask of worry.
"Whatever about?" Mr. Darcy asked, giving Elizabeth a look.
"Mr. Darcy, do you know a man named Mr. Wickham?" Elizabeth asked, and saw that as she said his name, Mr. Darcy's face began to pale.
"Mr. ... Mr. Wickham? Why do you ask?" Mr. Darcy asked, trying to remain calm.
"Georgiana and I walked to Meryton, and my youngest sisters were going to introduce us to a Mr. Wickham who had just joined the local regiment. Georgiana made some excuses, and started crying the moment we left town." Elizabeth replied, as Mr. Darcy started up the stairs.
"Excuse me, Miss Bennet, but I believe I will go speak with her," Mr. Darcy said hurriedly, but Elizabeth followed him up the stairs.
"Mr. Darcy, I can not leave until you tell me if he is a dangerous person. I mean, if he is, I should be able to warn my sisters against knowing him, don't you believe?" Elizabeth argued, as she hurried after him. Mr. Darcy stopped in front of a door, opened it, and walked in. Elizabeth followed him, and discovered that it was the Bingleys' library.
Posted on Monday, 13 August 2001
"Close the door," Mr. Darcy said as he sat in an armchair, and motioned for Elizabeth to sit on the other. Elizabeth cautiously sat, looking at Mr. Darcy with a weird expression on her face. "You want to know about Mr. Wickham."
"Well, I think I'm entitled to know what kind of person he is," Elizabeth argued persuasively, and Mr. Darcy sighed.
"I suppose I had better start at the beginning then. Mr. George Wickham was the son of the late Mr. Wickham, who had for many years the management of all the Pemberley estates. After his unfortunate and early death, my father, who was Mr. Wickham's godfather, helped bring up George. We played together as boys, and Georgiana looked up to him to a degree almost as a brother. My father supported him at school, and later at Cambridge, which he attended for a year."
"At Cambridge, I believe he felt from the restraint of having to be perfect for my father, and began to gamble. At the summer holidays, when we arrived home, I discovered that he was in debt three thousand pounds, which he had charged to my father. My father graciously paid the debts, but disowned him as his god-son, and my father edited him out of his will. Furthermore, he forced Mr. Wickham, his mother, and elder sister to leave Pemberley, where they had been living, at my father's expense, in a small cottage."
"This is where Mr. Wickham's hatred for my family began. I believe he had always hoped that somehow my father would leave Pemberley to him, if he made himself a better son than I was. I know not how he lived for those years between then and last summer, although I have heard from many that it was lived in idleness and disposition, with thousand of pounds run up in gambling debts. I had always hoped that we would never again meet, but our paths did cross, last summer."
"Last summer, my sister was taken from school to Ramsgate, for my mother believed that it would do her some good to have a small holiday from school. With her we sent a Mrs. Younge, in whose character we were most unhappily deceived; and with her also went Mr. Wickham, obviously by design. It was later known that Mrs. Younge was Mr. Wickham's sister, who had recently been widowed. My sister was kept from the truth of Mr. Wickham's character. My parents and I had told her, whenever she asked, that Mr. Wickham had left to live in London, and that may have indeed been our biggest mistake."
"Mr. Wickham made my sister believe herself in love with him, and to consent to an elopement. I, fortunately, paid a suprise visit to my sister a few days before the intended elopement. Georgiana couldn't bear to think of losing a brother that she looked up to almost as a father, and relayed the plan to me in whole. You may imagine what I felt and how I acted. Mr. Wickham left the place immediately, and Mrs. Younge was removed from her charge. Mr. Wickham's chief object was unquestionably my sister's fortune, which is thirty thousand pounds; but I cannot help supposing that the hope of revenging himself on me was a strong inducement. His revenge ould have been complete indeed." Mr. Darcy concluded, never once during this speech making eye contact with Elizabeth. If he had, he may have noticed the concern, worry, and sympathy that Elizabeth relayed through her emotions.
Elizabeth did know what to say; she gingerly reached over and touched Mr. Darcy's hand, making him look up at her.
"I'm very sorry. It must have been very tragic for Georgiana to have been through, at such a young age too." Elizabeth said sincerely.
"She was just beginning to get over Mr. Wickham, and I believe seeing him shocked her. Georgiana worries too much about him - she believes that he may come after her, since he has been so set on revenge against our family." Mr. Darcy added quietly.
"I'm sure that she will be fine, but I would recommend that you speak with her about all this," Elizabeth added, hoping to cheer Mr. Darcy up. It was obvious that the pain Mr. Wickham had inflicted to Georgiana had also inflicted Mr. Darcy, for Elizabeth could tell he cared deeply for his sister.
"Miss Bennet, may I ... I may be assured of your secrecy in this matter, correct?" Mr. Darcy asked worriedly.
"Of course! I wouldn't dream of telling anyone what you told me, not even my sisters." Elizabeth replied assuringly, making Mr. Darcy feel a bit better about what he had told her.
For a few moments they both sat in silence, looking at each other deeply. Elizabeth sat there, observing what a handsome, caring man he was, and wishing that he would kiss her, and Mr. Darcy sat there, observing what a beautiful, sweet woman she was, and fighting the urge to kiss her. Mr. Darcy assumed that she just felt sorry for what had happened, and that kissing her would push her away. Elizabeth assumed that Mr. Darcy was too upset over what he had told her to kiss him, and if she kissed him it would seem that she was taking advantage of his state. Finally, Elizabeth let out a sigh.
"I suppose I should be getting home before it gets dark." Elizabeth said, reluctantly letting go of Mr. Darcy's hand. "There is no need for you to escort me out. I would rather you went directly to Georgiana and spoke with her about this afternoon." Mr. Darcy nodded at this, and gave Elizabeth a small smile. Elizabeth smiled back, and walked quietly out of the library. And at the same time, both couldn't have been happier at the time they had spent together. They both only wished it could have lasted longer.
Posted on Monday, 13 August 2001
Longborn: Tuesday evening, five days until the wedding
Mrs. Bennet didn't react well when Elizabeth arrived home for dinner - in fact, she was furious. Mrs. Bennet immediately took Elizabeth into her room, and scolded her for leaving without having dinner, and therefore ruining her chances with Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth, on the contrary, didn't hear a word of what her mother was saying - she was still thinking about how perfect it had been in the library with Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth wished with all of her heart that she was back there right now, instead of being locked in her mother's room, and having to eat dinner with the toad, Mr. Collins.
"Well, Elizabeth, I hope you are pleased with yourself. You have ruined your chances with a respectable man like Mr. Darcy, and now your sisters will never be able to meet and marry rich men." Mrs. Bennet shrieked, glaring at her daughter. "Thank heavens that Jane was smart enough to accept Mr. Collins proposal!"
"Mama ..." Elizabeth started, but was interrupted by her mother.
"Oh, Elizabeth, why could you have not stayed at Netherfield! Mr. Darcy might have proposed to you if you had, but now we will never know!" Mrs. Bennet cried. "You are the most selfish girl I know, and yet I have the misfortune of being your mother! You obviously care nothing for your family, and most of all your sisters, who were counting on you to make a good match with Mr. Darcy to raise the family's fortunes."
"Let me remind you, mother, that I already have a fortune, so I need not worry about who and when I marry. When I find the man I want to spend the rest of my life with, then I will marry and make a good match - but not until then. And don't think that you can guilt me into it." Elizabeth replied, angry at her mother for placing so much of the blame on her. Elizabeth knew it was more of her parent's fault for not putting aside money for a dowry for each of the daughters, and Elizabeth was only lucky that she had inherited a great deal of money.
Elizabeth decided that she couldn't take anymore of her mother's comments, and left her mother's room to venture downstairs. But Mrs. Bennet was not finished with her, and continued to follow her down the stairs, shouting at her.
"Elizabeth Marie Bennet, stop right there! I am not finished speaking with you," Mrs. Bennet clucked. "How dare you speak to me like that!"
"And how dare you speak to me like that!" Elizabeth retorted. "For the past six years that is all you have talked about to me - 'You must raise our fortunes', 'You must make a good match' and 'It is up to you to help your sisters marry rich men'. For six years you have blamed me for not marrying so I could ruin the lives of my sisters. For six years you have pushed me at every rich man that came to Meryton, and yelled at me when I did not stand next to him, laugh stupidly, and bat my eyes at him. For six years, Mama, and I'm tired of it!"
"How dare you say that to me! I am the one looking out for my family, and ensuring that when your father dies we will be taken care of, and this is how you thank me!" Mrs. Bennet crowed angrily.
"Well, if you must blame someone, blame yourself for not telling our father to save money aside for our dowries. Perhaps if you had, we wouldn't be in this mess." Elizabeth replied as she ran down the stairs and into the dining room. Mrs. Bennet followed her, and was about to comment, but decided against it. Mrs. Bennet didn't want Mr. Collins to hear what she had to say, and in turn break off his engagement to Jane.
"Elizabeth! I did not know that you were home yet. I dare say, we were not expecting you for another two hours!" Mr. Bennet said, for he was surprised to see his favorite daughter home so soon. "Nothing is wrong at Netherfield, I hope?"
"Of course not! I just decided not to impose on their good hospitality any further, that is all, Father," Elizabeth replied, looking at her plate.
"Oh, my dear cousin Elizabeth, I understand that you met with Mrs. Darcy, her son, and her daughter while you were at Netherfield!" Mr. Collins asked, hoping for an opening so he could praise his patroness, Lady Catherine de Borough.
"Why, yes, Mr. Collins, I did," Elizabeth replied quietly, praying silently that he did not start talking about Lady Catherine de Borough.
"Mrs. Darcy is such a kind, generous lady, is she not. I had the pleasure of meeting with her last Christmas, when she and her family visited Rosings Park, the home of my noble patroness. Mrs. Darcy is the sister of Lady Catherine, and Lady Catherine was telling me how wonderful it will be when her daughter, Anne, marries Mr. Darcy," Mr. Collins said in a sort of awe. Mrs. Bennet clucked down her spoon into her soup bowl, and stared wide eyed at Mr. Collins.
"Mr. Darcy is to marry his cousin?" Mrs. Bennet asked in shock, but Mr. Collins did not pick up on this. He assumed that Mrs. Bennet was happy for the daughter of Lady Catherine - but then, to Mr. Collins, who wouldn't be?
"Why yes, Mrs. Bennet, although he has not formally proposed to Miss Anne de Borough yet, but from what I heard from Lady Catherine, it will most likely be soon. I believe it is the wish of both mothers for the engagement to take place, which would unite the Darcys and de Boroughs." Mr. Collins replied, happy that he could continue to be the center of attention, and speak about his wonderful patroness.
"But they are not formally engaged?" Mrs. Bennet asked hopefully.
"No, no. But it will likely be soon. I would not even be suprised if he asked Miss Anne de Borough this coming Saturday, when my noble patroness, Lady Catherine, arrives. She is to attend our marriage, my dear Jane, with her daughter, and they are to stay at Netherfield while they are here." Mr. Collins added, with a sickly sweet smile. "But do not worry, my dear Jane - I am sure that she will be very pleased with you and your wonderful family."
"Well, that would be a great honor," Mrs. Bennet said happily. There's still time, she thought, for Mr. Darcy to propose to Elizabeth before his cousin. Oh, if she had only stayed there this evening! But Elizabeth does enjoy vexing me and my nerves greatly.
"Mama, you must let us tell you of the new officer we met in town today," Lydia asked her mother, while Mr. Collins' face grew long when he realized he could say no more about his high connections to a noble lady. "His name is Mr. Wickham, and he just joined the regiment here in Meryton."
"Aye, and he is fiercely handsome," Kitty added with a smile. "Especially in hisregimentals."
"Lizzy saw him, did you not, Lizzy?" Lydia replied with a smirk. "And I believe Miss Darcy was jealous of Kitty and myself for knowing such a handsome man, for she would not come and speak with us, even with Wickham asking us questions about her."
"He was asking about her?" Elizabeth quizzed Lydia, hoping to get more information out of her.
"Yes, which I found very distasteful. But I made him promise to save the first dances for myself and Kitty at the next assembly, which he promised to attend. Then you can meet him, Mama!"
"Oh yes, Lydia, I should love to meet Mr. Wickham." Mrs. Bennet cooed, while Mary rolled her eyes, and Lydia and Kitty giggled happily.
"Lydia, I don't think Mr. Wickham is a very reputable gentleman. To me he seemed very wild," Elizabeth cautioned, wishing that she could come right out and say what was wrong with him. But she had promised Mr. Darcy, and knew that she couldn't.
"Oh, you're just jealous, Lizzy. I say, I know he isn't as rich or handsome as some men are, but you mustn't be jealous that we have found a handsome gentleman," Lydia smirked, and Kitty nodded.
Elizabeth was about to comment, but decided against it. Lydia raised her head proudly, obviously thinking that she had won this round against her sister. Kitty gave out a happy giggle, and Lydia followed, and both were overjoyed with the prospects of their new acquaintance, Mr. Wickham. Mr. Collins, breaking the ice, noticed Lydia and Kitty's behavior and commented on it.
"It is so nice to hear laughter. My dear patroness, Lady Catherine de Borough, is very fond of laughing," Mr. Collins said proudly. Elizabeth, Lydia and Kitty, all remembering the conversation a few days ago, burst out into hysterics, leaving a confused Mr. Collins to wonder what was so humorous about what he had said.
Posted on Friday, 17 August 2001
Netherfield
Wednesday: Four days until the wedding
Elizabeth had arrived bright and early at Netherfield to go riding with Georgiana, and her brother, for two reasons. First, she was excited about seeing Georgiana, and, of course, Mr. Darcy, again, but secondly, Elizabeth couldn't take her mother's comments and helpful hints any longer. Mrs. Bennet had, for once, been up before Elizabeth had waken, and spent every moment of the morning telling her what she must to in order to Mr. Darcy to propose to her that very afternoon. Somehow, Elizabeth didn't believe that eyelash batting and cooing would ever get her a husband.
It was obviously a bit too early, since Georgiana had just woken up not five minutes before Elizabeth had arrived. Elizabeth thought that eleven o clock was a bit too late to be waking, but after what Georgiana had gone through yesterday, Elizabeth decided that she probably deserved a long rest. Elizabeth just hoped that Mr. Darcy had spoken to his sister.
That was why Elizabeth was standing in the front entry when Mrs. Darcy came upon her that morning. Mrs. Darcy had no idea that her daughter had invited Miss Bennet to go riding with her, and was very curious as to why this wicked girl was in Mr. Bingley's home. There was nothing wrong with her, Mrs. Darcy had concluded the night before, but a mother cannot be too friendly towards a fortune hunter like Miss Bennet, or Miss Bennet may think that she was allowed to pursue her son further.
Mrs. Darcy did feel compassion for the girl, for she knew what would happen when Catherine heard Miss Bingley's account of Miss Bennet's pursuit of her son. Catherine had been very open to a marriage between Fitzwilliam and Anne, and Mrs. Darcy could not help feel it was because Catherine knew no one else would want to marry Anne. Sure, maybe a man looking to increase his fortune may take her as a wife, but he would have to already have an heir to his estate, considering the fact that it was quite possible that Anne, in her sickly state, would never bear any children.
Of course, it was entirely Fitzwilliam's decision of whom he married - if he could some how find happiness with Anne, Mrs. Darcy would be happy for him. But Mrs. Darcy couldn't help not liking her son's choice in Miss Bennet. Mrs. Darcy knew that her son obviously felt something for her, and that he was obviously debating when to propose to her. Well, not if I have anything to do with it, he won't, though Mrs. Darcy as she saw Elizabeth staring into space with a smile on her face. It will be over my dead body that poor Miss Bennet will become mistress of Pemberley.
"Miss Bennet, I did not expect to see you here today," Mrs. Darcy stated calmly.
"Mrs. Darcy. I am here to go riding with Georgiana," Elizabeth replied coldly, giving Mrs. Darcy a small look, as if encouraging her to say something else to her.
"Georgiana did not speak of going riding today," Mrs. Darcy said, hoping that she would just leave her son and daughter in peace. "She seemed very ill last night, and I doubted very highly that she would leave the house today."
"Georgiana invited me yesterday, while we were on our walk," Elizabeth said simply, not offering any more information, such as why Georgiana had arrived home in such a foul mood.
"Miss Bennet, would you take a turn with me in the gardens? I don't believe that you have seen them yet." Mrs. Darcy asked, and Elizabeth gave a small nod of approval. Elizabeth was curious - she could tell that Mrs. Darcy wanted to tell her something, but what?
They walked for a few minutes in complete silence through the green shrubs and flowery bushes. They passed one of Netherfield's two mazes, and Mrs. Darcy pondered on losing Elizabeth in one. Finally, Mrs. Darcy knew that she would have to say something sometime to this girl.
"Miss Bennet," Mrs. Darcy said, and Elizabeth stopped and turned to look at her. "I would like to apologize for my rude behavior yesterday. It was very wrong of me to behave like I did, and I hope you can forgive me." Mrs. Darcy could see Elizabeth's guard being lowered.
"I suppose so, but you must forgive me for some of the rude comments I made to you," Elizabeth replied with a small smile. Mrs. Darcy could have laughed - Miss Bennet believes I want to be friends with her, though Mrs. Darcy. Ha, is she ever wrong.
"Now that that is out of the way, I must speak to you about something more ... important and serious, in nature," Mrs. Darcy added firmly, while Elizabeth gave her a quizzical look. "It has to do with my son, Fitzwilliam. Tell me honestly, Miss Bennet, do you love my son?"
"I ... yes, Mrs. Darcy, I believe I do." Elizabeth answered honestly.
"I see. And you would do anything for my son, would you not?" Mrs. Darcy asked.
"Of course, but I do not see what these questions are pertaining to, Mrs. Darcy." Elizabeth asked, obviously confused.
"Well, then, Miss Bennet, if you truly love my son, then you will agree to never speak to my son again," Mrs. Darcy said with no emotion as Elizabeth looked at her in shock.
"I ... I ... WHAT!! What do you mean, if I truly love him? How could you ask me to do something like that?" Elizabeth screamed angrily.
"Oh, don't play innocent with me, Miss Bennet! I have seen others like you in my lifetime - you're after one thing, and one thing only, and that is my son's fortune - and you will do everything in your power to marry him, ruin him, and make him the disgrace of the world!" Mrs. Darcy argued.
"I love your son - not his money, or his connections, or his property - just him. If you cannot accept that ..." Elizabeth said coldly, before being interrupted.
"Fine, I suppose that is a bit harsh. And Fitzwilliam will wonder why you have all of a sudden stopped talking to him. If you will not promise me that, then you must promise me to never enter into an engagement with my son!" Mrs. Darcy yelled.
"Never." Elizabeth said shortly, aghast at what this woman was asking of her. Mr. Darcy had always told Elizabeth that his mother was very kind and sweet, but it was obvious that she had a mean side to her. She reminds me of an overprotective mother crocodile, Elizabeth thought with a laugh.
"Then you really are a fortune hunter, set out to trap my son in a loveless marriage so you can become rich," Mrs. Darcy stated shortly and sharply. "I know all about you! Miss Bingley has told me of your mother's obvious plots to marry off you to my son, and hopefully your sisters to other rich men! She is a disgrace to be called a gentleman's wife, although she was probably a fortune hunter herself."
"If you are worried against fortune hunters, then I suggest you worry yourself more with Miss Caroline Bingley and Miss Emma Riley than myself," Elizabeth argued.
"Miss Bingley is an old friend of the family who only thinks of my son as a friend, and is a great companion to my daughter. And Miss Riley is to marry Mr. Bingley, and would not do so if she loved my son, which she does not." Mrs. Darcy replied proudly.
"All Miss Bingley is concerned with is ruining anyone who tries to get between her and your son. And Miss Riley loves your son, and the only reason she is to marry Mr. Bingley is so she can stay close to your son, in attempts that he will propose to her before her wedding!" Elizabeth screeched. "I bet she breaks off the marriage the morning of the wedding, and you can believe me on that!"
"Miss Bennet! How dare you say something like that to me! I have heard from Miss Bingley that your sister pursued Mr. Bingley before he announced his engagement, and I find it hard to believe that you are worried about my son." Mrs. Darcy said coldly.
"What exactly are you implying, Mrs. Darcy?"
"I believe that you are trying to break up a happy couple so your sister can pursue Mr. Bingley without feeling guilty. And don't you try to deny it, Miss Bennet - I know it to be true. I know all about your family, and what a disgrace they are to England," Mrs. Darcy added firmly. "I don't think I could call your family a gentleman's family, even if your father was the King of England himself!"
"Well, Mrs. Darcy, I believe you have made yourself quite clear on your feelings on this subject. Let me be frank with you - I will not stop talking to your son, nor promise never to enter into an engagement with him. If I were you, I'd worry more about Miss Bingley and Miss Riley than about myself. And I'd stop trying to ruin my son's life and his happiness all for your silly accusations." Elizabeth replied with tears streaming down her face, as she turned on her heel and headed back towards the entrance of Netherfield. The sooner she go there, the sooner she could get home and far away from Miss Bingley, Miss Riley, and Mrs. Darcy.
I've spoken too soon, thought Elizabeth, as she walked towards the entrance of the house. For there, on the bottom step of the stairway, was Mr. Darcy.
Posted on Friday, 17 August 2001
Of all the times to meet Mr. Darcy, it has to be now, cursed Elizabeth under her breath, when I have just had a huge argument with his mother, and I have tears streaming down my face. Oh, why did I even come to Netherfield today? Elizabeth though angrily, as she kicked a small pebble, which stopped a few feet from Mr. Darcy's shoe.
"Miss Bennet," Mr. Darcy said with a bow. "I thought it was you. One of the servants said that you went for a walk and I .... " Mr. Darcy noticed the disheveled state that Elizabeth was in, and his tone suddenly changed. "Good God, what is the matter?"
"Nothing," sniff, "Mr. Darcy. I am quite," sob, "well." Elizabeth replied, trying to convince herself rather than Mr. Darcy that she was indeed well. Mr. Darcy, having a sister of his own, saw through her response, and knew that something was obviously wrong. Why else would she be crying, he thought.
"I hope nothing is wrong with your family?" Mr. Darcy asked, at which Elizabeth immediately shook her head.
"No, no. My family ... they are all fine." Elizabeth replied with a weak smile. "Really, Mr. Darcy, I am fine."
"Was it something my mother said to you?" Mr. Darcy asked cautiously, at which Elizabeth froze and nearly choked on a sob. Her eyes filled with anger, and yet her whole body turned pale and timid. Oh, God, though Elizabeth. I hope, no, I pray that he did not hear our conversation earlier. Oh, what would he think of me!
"What makes you say that, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth asked weakly, suppressing the urge to scream.
"I heard some yelling towards the maze, which I can only assume was my mother and you, and it did not seem to be pleasant," Mr. Darcy answered, as Elizabeth held on to the small hope that he had not heard.
"Yes, that was your mother and myself," Elizabeth replied, her eyes fixed on Mr. Darcy's shoes.
"I must apologize for her rude behavior, then, for she is not normally like that. She is, I suppose, over protective - she always has been," Mr. Darcy said sincerely, hoping that whatever his mother had said would ruin his and Miss Bennet's relationship.
"You don't need to apologize for your mother. Honestly. We just had a ... misunderstand about a few things," Elizabeth choked out, as she started to cry again. This time it was not about what Mrs. Darcy had said, but what Mr. Darcy had said. He had sounded so sweet, so sincere, and Elizabeth hoped he meant what he said.
"Miss Bennet, would you like to take a turn with me in the woods, while you clear your head?" Mr. Darcy asked sweetly, and Elizabeth nodded in reply. The two of them walked peacefully along the path by Netherfield, not speaking for quite some time. Finally, after Elizabeth had composed herself, and her feelings, she spoke.
"She called me a fortune hunter."
"What?" Mr. Darcy asked, for he had not been paying attention, since he had not assumed Elizabeth would openly tell him what they had spoken of. Mr. Darcy had concluded that he would have to speak with his mother about what had upset Elizabeth ... Miss Bennet.
"She called me a fortune hunter."
"My mother?"
"Yes."
"Well, what did you say to her? I hope, honestly hope, that you didn't just let her get away with say that to you," Mr. Darcy said with a small smile.
"And I told her that if she was worried about fortune hunters, she should really watch Miss Bingley and Miss Riley ,but she didn't believe me one bit. And then we ..." Elizabeth said angrily, before she was interrupted.
"Miss Riley? What does Miss Riley have to do with anything?" Mr. Darcy questioned, confused with what Elizabeth had said. Miss Riley is to marry Mr. Bingley, he though. What could she possibly have to do with being a fortune hunter.
"Mr. Darcy, have you know Miss Riley very long?" Elizabeth asked with a curious glance, and Mr. Darcy looked confused by the question.
"Yes, for about a year. She was a good friend of Caroline Bingley's, and became an acquaintance of my sister about two years ago. We met at a party in London, and she was a very friendly young lady." Mr. Darcy answered with a queer look at Elizabeth.
"I suppose she and Mr. Bingley must have been very close then," Elizabeth asked without looking up.
"Actually, I suppose not. I never really saw any attachment between the two of them, and was, honestly, quite shocked when they announced their engagement. They seemed like the two most different people that ever could want to marry." Mr. Darcy confessed weakly, hoping that his friend never got word of this.
"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said, turning towards him with a determined look on her face. "If I tell you something, will you promise not to be mad?"
"What?" Mr. Darcy asked, wondering what Elizabeth could possibly have to say to him. Elizabeth took a deep breath, as if mustering up all the courage she had to speak, and said quickly:
"Miss Riley doesn't love Mr. Bingley."
Darcy stood there, stunned, and didn't move for almost half a minute. He slowly tried to comprehend what Elizabeth had just told him. Miss Riley doesn't love Mr. Bingley, her fiancé? No, that can't be right - why else would she marry him?
"What? What do you mean, she doesn't love him?" Mr. Darcy asked angrily, and Elizabeth winced as she continued on with her confession.
"Miss Riley doesn't love Mr. Bingley - she never has," Elizabeth repeated quietly.
"Well, why else would she be marrying him!" Darcy replied, almost yelling at Elizabeth. He couldn't believe the accusations that she was making.
"Because she's in love with you." Elizabeth added solemnly, not meeting his gaze.
"What! Miss Bennet, I believe you are mistaken on the matter. Miss Riley loves her fiancé, and ..."
"No she doesn't! Miss Riley never has, never did, and never will, so long as she shall live! It is so obvious that ..." Elizabeth argued before she was cut off by Mr. Darcy.
"Miss Bennet, how could you make these accusations, when you have only known Miss Riley for less than a week! How could you accuse my friend of being engaged to a woman who does not love him! Why, the idea is preposterous!" Mr. Darcy yelled, and Elizabeth thought that at that moment, he was almost a mirror image of his mother.
"Because it's true! Miss Riley is only here, biding her time, because she believes that either you will stop the marriage, or if not, that she will stop the marriage. She hopes to make you fall in love with her, so she can marry you and not Mr. Bingley!" Elizabeth cried angrily, but this did not sway Mr. Darcy.
"I don't believe that you would be worried about Mr. Bingley. I believe that you are worried about your family, and that you are jealous of Miss Riley's engagement to my friend." Mr. Darcy replied.
"What! That is outrageous! I ..."
"I believe that you are doing whatever you can, in your power, to stop the wedding, so it will leave my friend open to marry your eldest sister." Elizabeth opened her mouth in protest, but Mr. Darcy silenced her. "I believe, Miss Bennet, that you and your family want nothing more than to see Jane Bennet as Mrs. Bingley, and that you will do everything in your power to break up a happy couple."
"Mr. Darcy, you are mistaken. I am only worried about your friend, for when he realizes that his fiancé loves his best friend ..." Elizabeth yelled.
"Let me tell you this once and for all, Miss Bennet. Miss Emma Riley loves Mr. Bingley, and the two will be married in a little over a week. I am sorry that you cannot share in their happiness, and I bid you good day," Mr. Darcy replied bitterly, as he turned and walked back towards Netherfield. He stopped briefly, turned around, and added:
"I will inform my sister that you were feeling ill, and could not go riding with her today. Your carriage will be waiting for you when you return to Netherfield."
And with that comment, he turned and walked quickly back to Netherfield, his thoughts all in a jumble. How could she, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the woman that he had come so close to proposing to, turn out to be out to ruin the happiness of his closest friend? He never would have assumed Miss Bennet to be like that, but maybe ... maybe his mother was right. Maybe Miss Bennet was a fortune hunter.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth had collapsed into tears as she fell to the ground, sobbing. She sat there for close to half and hour, while she cursed herself for being so foolish. Why did I ever tell him about Miss Riley? Perhaps I was wrong, and she does love him! Oh, how could I have been so foolish, to lose the man that I love the most.
That night, in two separate estates, two people fell asleep with broken hearts and shattered dreams.
Posted on Friday, 17 August 2001
Meryton The Olde Inn Pub and Brewery Friday: Two days until the wedding (Yes, Jane and Mr. Collins are still engaged.)
"Bartender, I would like a beer for myself and for my friend here," Mr. Wickham said with a devilish smile to Lieutenant Richards, as they walked into the Olde Inn Pub and Brewery, a small Bar near the outskirts of Meryton. It was a great favorite of the officers in the nearby regiment, and they went there almost every day, no matter what time it was. Wickham and Richards had today snuck off of the premise at lunchtime for some quick 'motivaters', as Wickham called them.
"Well, Wickham, this is a surprise. Usually you're trying to get me to buy you a beer." Richards replied with a laugh.
"Sorry, Rich, but I'm in a generous mood this bright, shining afternoon," Wickham smiled as he ran his hand through his wild hair.
"What, did you finally drop into some serious money? Because you'll need some, to get yourself out of the huge debt that you're in. What is the finally total now? Twelve? Thirteen thousand." Richards said, banging his hand on the table and hooting out a laugh.
"If you must know, it's fourteen thousand pounds. And no, I haven't come into any serious money to pay them off," Wickham grumbled unhappily.
"Well then, what has gotten you into such a rare good mood, my dear friend?" Richards asked, giving his friend a serious look.
"I have discovered a way to pay off all of my debts and still have money left over," Wickham answered with a huge grin. Richards was in shock.
"You know, Wickham, debts just don't disappear on their own, if that's what you're thinking. Or perhaps you're hoping that the debt fairy will visit you and pay off all of your debts. You're such a dreamer, Wickham," Richards replied with a laugh.
"I'm being serious, Rich. I have actually thought of a plan to make some serious money," Wickham answered sternly.
"Well, well, well, what would this plan be exactly, Wickham?" Richards said with a laugh. Wickham always had some devilish, harebrained scheme to get money, and none of them ever worked. "Rob a bank?"
"I'm going to elope with Miss Lydia Bennet this weekend." Wickham responded, as if people eloped every single day. Richards, who had just taken a sip of his beer, spat it out onto the floor.
"WHAT! You're going to what!" Richards yelled, confused beyond belief.
"Shhhh. I'm going to elope with the youngest Bennet daughter," Wickham whispered, and Richards raised his eyebrows at his friend.
"I'm sorry, Wickham, but the family isn't that rich. The father has about two thousand a year, at the most, which is not enough to pay off your debts any time soon," Richards said with a small laugh.
"No, Mr. Darcy will be paying off my debts, not Mr. Bennet," Wickham angrily spat.
"What? How are you going to manage that?" Richards asked, curious to Wickham's plan.
"Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet are very close, and it has been rumored that they may even become engaged shortly. Mr. Darcy, however, wouldn't ruin his reputation by marrying into a family where the youngest daughter disgraced her family and eloped, now would he? He is too proud to do so, and risk ruin at the hands of his fellow society."
"Yeah, so?"
"I will hold the girl ransom - promise not to marry her unless he pays me twenty thousand pounds," Wickham said with a smile. "And then I ditch the girl and it's hello to easy street."
"I get it! You make him pay you to marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet!" Richards laughed. "Wickham, you're a genius! No one will ever suspect a thing with this plan!"
"Thank you, thank you," Wickham replied with a smile of false modesty.
"I must ask you, though, why Lydia Bennet? She's such a silly little girl, and will talk off your ears before causing you to go deaf with her high shrieks," Richards whispered. "Besides, she is nothing of a beauty - she's barely an inch over five feet, and is rather plump."
"Her silliness, Rich. The other girls are too sensible to elope with a man - they can understand what ruin and disgrace would come to their family," Wickham replied.
"Well, if it was up to me, I would chose Catherine Bennet. Lydia's too much of a twit for my taste," Richards said with a laugh.
"But you must remember, Rich, that I don't plan on ever marrying her. I'll drop her the minute I get my check and head for France. Perhaps I can find a French beauty to share my life with," Wickham said with a devilish smile.
"Perhaps. But just make sure she has a sister for me," Richards added, and the both of them burst into laughter, which mostly came from the drunk stupor they were in.
The two men sat, drinking until almost two o'clock, while Richards congratulated over and over Wickham for devising such a good plan, oblivious that someone in the shadows had overheard Wickham's entire plot. And that man was Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Posted on Tuesday, 21 August 2001
Mrs. Bennet could be described as a busy body - she always had to know the latest gossip of the neighborhood, and was well aware of everyone's doing. Mrs. Bennet was always one of the first to know about any new, rich young gentleman additions to the neighborhood, and there had been many in her time. Her sister, Mrs. Phillips, informed her of all the going-ons in town, but for the country estates, Mrs. Bennet spent her mornings sitting in her favorite chair in the family's west sitting room. Her favorite, plush armchair was positioned towards the window that faced directly towards the passing road, and Mrs. Bennet would sit there for hours, watching to see if any carriages went by on their way to one of the neighboring estates, such as the Lucases or Milforts. Usually her efforts were in vain, but not today.
Mrs. Bennet had been sitting there ever since the family's early breakfast at ten o'clock, and now, as it was nearing three, Mrs. Bennet observed her first sign of life on the narrow, dusty country road. A lone horseman was riding on a white stallion down the path to Longbourn, and as he neared, Mrs. Bennet discovered that it was none other than Mr. Darcy.
Mrs. Bennet had heard no word of him since Wednesday, when Elizabeth had arrived home after spending only an hour at Netherfield. Elizabeth had mentioned that Miss Darcy was not feeling very well that morning, and gave notice of having seen Mr. Darcy or have spoken with him or any other inhabitant of Netherfield. Mrs. Bennet rather wished that Lydia or Kitty had been invited to Netherfield - they would have obligingly given their mother more information on the inhabitants of that great estate. Besides, Lydia deserved to marry Mr. Darcy and become a mistress of a great estate more than Elizabeth did.
Mrs. Bennet's first and only thought was that he had come to propose to Elizabeth, and Mrs. Bennet jumped out of her seat and hurried over to Elizabeth, who was seated around the sitting room's table with her sisters, sewing a piece of embroidery. Mrs. Bennet winced when she realized that Elizabeth was wearing her pale red dress - it was not a suitable dress to be proposed to in, but she supposed it would have to do. There was no time to change now, when Mr. Darcy was hard upon their heels.
"Elizabeth! Girls! Quick, make yourselves more presentable! Mr. Darcy has just ridden up on horseback, and I am sure he has come to propose to you, my dear Elizabeth." Mrs. Bennet tweeted, as she bustled over to Elizabeth and attempted to 'fix' her hair. Elizabeth swatted away her mother's hands, and went back to her embroidery.
"Mama, really, I am sure that he only means to pay us a visit," Elizabeth replied sternly, and her mother rolled her eyes.
"My dear, it is obvious that you are ignorant in the affairs of courting. Now, shoulder's back - a man could come a long way for a girl with good posture. Hurry, he is probably being shown in right now!" Mrs. Bennet screeched as she flounced herself into the chair facing the door. The girls sat in silence as they heard the door close, and two sets of footsteps walk past the door to the back of the estate.
Many minutes past, and it soon turned out that Mr. Darcy had been at Longbourn for over a quarter of an hour. Mrs. Bennet began to fidget in her chair, peering around as if Mr. Darcy would magically appear in one of the room's corners. Lydia began to murmur to Kitty under her breath, and Mary sighed and opened her book to read.
Mrs. Bennet huffed, and retorted "Where is that man! He has been here for so long, without paying us the honor of a visit! That is not very gentlemanly, now is it girls."
Elizabeth gave her mother a silencing glance, and deep down was happy that he had not visited with her mother and sisters. Elizabeth knew that he must despise her for what she said to him two days previous, and she could almost kick herself for saying it to him. Elizabeth had cried herself to sleep the past two nights, after realizing that she had probably lost his love forever. Elizabeth couldn't bear to see the man that she had loved, and still loved, so dearly, speak with her family, while deep down hating Elizabeth and thinking her out to ruin his friend's happiness.
Time flew slowly by, and Elizabeth soon heard one set of footsteps walk by the door, and then the entrance to the estate open and close with a sharp crash. Mrs. Bennet rushed towards the window, and peered out of it nosily, huffing and sighing over and over.
"The nerve of that man! To visit with Mr. Bennet and not pay one respect to the mistress or the daughters of the estate." Mrs. Bennet clucked angrily, and then took it upon herself to blame Elizabeth for what had happened. "You must have done something very terrible, Elizabeth, if he will not even see your sisters or myself. If he has given up marrying you, then the least he could do is visit with your sisters, and find another suitable, more deserving bride amongst them."
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at her mother, and tried to keep the tears back. As relieved as Elizabeth was not to see Mr. Darcy, it sparked a whole new thought in her mind - he didn't care about her, not one bit. Even a man who had been rejected would have paid his respects to my mother, Elizabeth thought, and he did not. Oh, why did I ever say those terrible things to him! I have lost him forever. Even the thought of Mr. Darcy finding happiness with someone else, or, heaven forbid, one of her younger sisters, made Elizabeth's blood run cold.
About half an hour after Mr. Darcy had left Longbourn, Mr. Bennet emerged from his library and ventured into the sitting room. Upon seeing him, Mrs. Bennet rambled on into a long, detailed complaint about how rude Mr. Darcy had been on his most recent visit. Mr. Bennet quickly silenced her, ignored the various noises she made, and turned towards his youngest daughters.
"Lydia, Kitty, I wish to speak with you. I understand that you have been in the company of some officers in Meryton lately, in particularly Mr. Wickham." Mr. Bennet asked, and the two girls nodded. "I see. Well, from this day forth, neither of you are allowed to go into town unaccompanied without one, no, two of your sisters, and will not be allowed to speak with an officer unless I am present during the conversation." Lydia and Kitty let out sighs of exasperation, and opened their mouths to comment (or in Lydia's case, whine), but Mr. Bennet continued on.
"Balls will be prohibited unless no officers are present, and you attend with your sisters and mother. You are not to dance with anyone that I have not already met, or speak with any men that are not friends of the family. And finally, all officers are forbidden from coming within a two mile radius of our estate." Mr. Bennet announced formally, glaring at his youngest daughters, who at the moment were absorbed into tears.
"But ... but ... Papa!" Kitty wailed as tears streamed down her face.
"No, that isn't fair, Father!" Lydia sobbed angrily. Elizabeth just looked at her father in surprise - that was the most restraint he had ever put on her youngest sisters, and Elizabeth was quite proud of her father at that moment. But what could have brought on such a change?
"Mr. Bennet, I believe that you are being very outrageous in manner to your daughters, and I demand to know why you are placing such restrictions on their life," Mrs. Bennet clucked, walking over to comfort her two favorite daughters.
"If you must know, Mrs. Bennet, it is because I have just heard a report of an alarming nature. It seems that Mr. Wickham had a plan to elope with Lydia this weekend in order to increase his fortune to pay off his debts. He would hold Lydia ransom, refusing to marry her unless he gained twenty thousand pounds, and when he did, he would drop her and head to France. After hearing a report of that manner, I will take every precaution to make sure that not one of my daughters ever elopes with a man as vile as Mr. Wickham, or any man, for that matter. He is the worst fortune hunter that I have ever known, and I forbid any of you from associating with him. And frankly, I hope you tell all of our neighbors about his scandalous nature, so they may be warned of his vicious character!" Mr. Bennet replied, his voice growing louder and angrier with each sentence.
Mrs. Bennet looked stunned at the report which her husband has just given her, and Lydia and Kitty stopped crying and looked curiously at their father. Elizabeth was shocked - it was obvious that Mr. Darcy had told their father about Mr. Wickham, for no one else had come to see their father today. But why? If he really did feel nothing for Elizabeth, then why would he go to the trouble of protecting his youngest sister from ruin and disgrace. Maybe, quite possibly, he still feels something for me, Elizabeth hoped.
Posted on Tuesday, 21 August 2001
Longbourn
Saturday: One day until the wedding
It was a very sunny Saturday morning which showed promising signs that no rain would fall on the wedding the following day, but none of this was a concern to Elizabeth, who sat on a bench in Longbourn's garden trying to figure out the thoughts which had kept her awake most of the night. Did he love her, or didn't he? Every single action, every single thing he said or did seemed to contradict each other. He must despise her, Elizabeth thought, because he did not speak with me yesterday, but he did warn our father about Mr. Wickham, and why would he do that if he hated me? Oh, why does love have to be so complicated.
Elizabeth was so deep in thought that she did not see Jane come outside and gingerly sit next to her. Jane and Elizabeth sat in silence for a few moments, before Jane decided to break the silence which had hung over the two of them since their argument a week ago.
"Lizzy, what is wrong? You have hardly spoken two words to me this past week, but I cannot go on my honeymoon tomorrow knowing that my dearest sister is in pain," Jane asked quietly, and Elizabeth sighed.
"Jane, why does love have to be so complicated?" Elizabeth grumbled, raising her eyebrows at Jane.
"I would suppose that you are speaking of Mr. Darcy and yourself?"
"Oh, Jane, I love him so much, and yet I believe he no longer cares for me. A few days ago I would have thought he would propose to me, but now I don't know!" Elizabeth said as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"What happened between you two, Lizzy?" Jane asked, with worry in her eyes.
"On Wednesday, while I was waiting for Mr. and Miss Darcy, I spoke with Mrs. Darcy. She made me promise her to never enter into an engagement with her son, and I refused, and we got into such an argument!" Elizabeth sobbed. "She even called me a fortune hunter, which would have made me laugh if it was not so cruel of her to say! Imagine, Jane - me, a fortune hunter! And then I saw Mr. Darcy, and we got into a huge misunderstanding over something I said to him, and after that I supposed that he no longer wanted to be associated with me!"
"Oh, Elizabeth, I am so sorry. I know that you two seemed to care about each other very much." Jane replied, putting her arm around Elizabeth and trying to calm her down, as Elizabeth rested her head on Jane's shoulder.
"But yesterday! If he did not care for me, then why would he have told Father about Mr. Wickham's plot to elope with Lydia? Why would he take it upon himself to make sure Lydia and Kitty's behavior was checked so the elopement could never take place?" Elizabeth asked, and Jane just shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Lizzy, but for once I have no clue why. But I think that deep down he still loves you as much as you love him, and is probably just as eager to resolve this disagreement so you two can be friends again," Jane said calmly.
"Oh, Jane, you are too good to sit here and listen to me complain after I was so horrid to you. Do you think you can ever forgive me and my terrible behavior to you?" Elizabeth asked hopefully and sincerely, and Jane just smiled.
"Elizabeth, I could never be cross at you. I know that you do not like Mr. Collins particularly, but I am sure that you two will become close as the years go by. He is a very good man, and I am starting to believe that I will make him a very good wife," Jane said forgivingly.
"I suppose you will. But you must promise me that I can visit you as often as I'd like, or else I shall go mad being stuck in this house with only father to talk to sensibly." Elizabeth smirked, and Jane burst out laughing.
"You had better, or I will have to come down here and drag you to Kent," Jane replied, and the two burst into laughter just as a huge carriage came down the path. Elizabeth looked at the crest, and identified that it was not one of the carriages at Netherfield, nor were the horses familiar. Elizabeth just looked at Jane and raised her eyebrows.
"Perhaps we had better go in and greet our guest," Elizabeth smirked as she and Jane linked arms and walked back into Longbourn. They entered the sitting room just in time to hear Hill announce 'Lady Catherine de Borough', and Mr. Collins stutter a welcome to his noble patroness.
"Oh, Lady Catherine! It is indeed an honor for you to visit myself and my cousins at Longbourn! Oh, and here is my dear fiancée, Jane Bennet! Jane, may I introduce to you my noble patroness, the Lady Catherine de Borough of Rosings Park in Kent." Mr. Collins said with a deep bow and a sick smile plastered on his ugly face. Lady Catherine gave an acknowledging nod, and Jane curtsied in response. "How was your trip, Lady Catherine?" Mr. Collins squeaked out.
"Mr. Collins, I came here to speak with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, not speak to you about the condition of my trip. Which one of these girls is she?" Elizabeth stepped forward and curtsied to her ladyship, all the time wondering what Lady Catherine would want with her, since she wanted nothing to do with her.
"Miss Bennet, would you do me the honor of showing what I believe is a garden outside there. It looks very pretty, and after being in a carriage all day, I am in dire need of taking a turn about," Lady Catherine stated, not as a request but more of a command. Elizabeth nodded, but before she could reply, Mr. Collins did.
"Lady Catherine, what a wonderful idea! I am sure that you will love the garden that Longbourn has to offer, even though it is not as extensive as the ones at Rosings Park. Why, why don't we all go out into the garden, for it is such a nice ... " Mr. Collins rambled, as Lady Catherine glared at him and said "I wish to go with Miss Bennet, Mr. Collins, and just Miss Bennet." This shocked Mr. Collins, for he assumed that she would wish to talk with his wonderful, beautiful, dear fiancée, Jane, and not Elizabeth, who was nothing but his cousin. What was the world coming to? Perhaps he did not praise Lady Catherine enough when she entered the room, he concluded, and promised to praise her good health more when she returned to the room.
The two walked into the garden, and when they were safely away from prying ears, Lady Catherine made her reason known for her visit.
"Miss Bennet, you can not be unaware of why I am here," Lady Catherine announced, peering at Elizabeth curiously.
"No, your Ladyship, but it is indeed a great honor to meet you, after all the wonderful things that Mr. Collins has said about ..." Elizabeth started politely, before being interrupted.
"Enough with the false sincerity, Miss Bennet - I can see through it. I am here to speak with you about my nephew, Mr. Darcy. Miss Bingley has informed me that you are using your alluring arts to trap my nephew into marriage," Lady Catherine said angrily, and Elizabeth just raised her eyebrows.
"If I was, Lady Catherine, I would be the last one to make it known, especially to you," Elizabeth said sweetly, while inside trying to keep herself from hitting this woman.
"Upstart young girl, Mr. Darcy will never marry you! He is to marry my daughter, Anne, and both myself and his mother wish it to occur! What do you have to say to that!" Lady Catherine argued.
"If that is true, then I wonder why you took all of the trouble of coming to Longbourn to see me?" Elizabeth retorted.
"To make my sentiments know on this matter! Mr. Darcy would never marry a girl like you, with no connections and no fortune! It shall not be born! Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted with the likes of your family!" Lady Catherine said, her voice growing louder and angrier.
"I believe that it is up to Mr. Darcy to decide who he will marry, and if he does not mind my connections, then they must be fine. He is a gentleman, and I am a gentleman's daughter, so for that part, we are equal," Elizabeth replied, and Lady Catherine gasped.
"But who is your mother, and who are your aunts and uncles! They are nobodies, nothings, with not even a bit of sense, as I have observed with your mother. I am almost ashamed at Mr. Collins for marrying into your family, but he is only a clergyman and can afford to marry into a low family," Lady Catherine replied conceitedly.
"Your nephew has met my family, and has a high opinion of them. I do not believe he cares who my mother or aunts and uncles are. But in my opinion, I believe they are much more refined and well-mannered than his side of the family," Elizabeth retorted angrily, and Lady Catherine opened her mouth in shock.
"I am not accustomed to this language, nor will I allow you to be so rude and degrading to myself and my family! I am almost the nearest relation that he has, and am entitled as his future mother-in-law to know all of his nearest doings ..."
"But you are not entitled to know mine, nor will such behavior induce me to tell you!" Elizabeth replied angrily.
"Miss Bennet, I want you to promise me never to enter into an engagement with my nephew!" Lady Catherine shouted, and Elizabeth wondered if Mrs. Darcy put her up to this.
"Never." Elizabeth replied shortly as she turned and headed back towards Longbourn. Lady Catherine followed her closely, angry that the upstart Miss Bennet would not agree to never marry her nephew, but did not talk to her once more. Lady Catherine angrily entered into her carriage, next to her daughter Anne, and did not acknowledge Elizabeth's presence except for a small glare at her as the carriage pulled away.
Elizabeth was relieved that Lady Catherine had left, until Mr. Collins ran out onto the path and was surprised to see that Lady Catherine, his noble patroness, had left. He stood there stunned, his eyes wide and his greasy hair plastered down to his face. He gasped his chest, for he was obviously out of breath from running the short distance from the sitting room to the front of the house. The pig, though Elizabeth. I just feel sorry for his children, when they realize what a creepy father they have.
"Cousin Elizabeth, what did you say to Lady Catherine to cause her to leave in such a hurry! I hope that you have not said anything to upset her!" Mr. Collins scolded angrily, hoping his patroness would not hold his insolent cousin's behavior against him.
"On the contrary, Mr. Collins, I do believe she mentioned she was upset with you." Elizabeth smirked as she turned and walked into Longbourn, while Mr. Collins moaned and cried in the estate's main entry way. Elizabeth knew it was cruel, but she was tired of Mr. Collins. At least he would be gone tomorrow, Elizabeth thought, even though he will be taking Jane with him. Oh well, I suppose there is always one good things for every bad one.
Posted on Thursday, 23 August 2001
Hertfortshire
Lady Catherine De Borough's Carriage
One Mile from Netherfield
"Mama, what did Miss Bennet say? Did she promise?" Anne asked hopefully as her lip quivered, and her mother glared back at her angrily.
"No - that little upstart had the nerve to refuse to promise me anything, and was indecent and rude to me, no less. If only Darcy was there, he could see the true colors of that Bennet girl, with her shameful, alluring arts," Lady Catherine roared loudly, and Anne cringed. "Are the shades of Pemberley to be polluted by the likes of her and her family!"
"But...but he's not going to marry her, is he, Mama? He is going to marry me," Anne questioned curiously, and Lady Catherine's temper softened.
"Of course he's going to marry you, my dearest. Why wouldn't he? I wouldn't be surprised if he proposes to you as soon as we arrive at Netherfield, for he has always been so fond of you. I do believe you will make a very handsome couple." Lady Catherine agreed with a smile.
"But Miss Bennet....." Anne questioned, before being interrupted by her mother.
"You leave Miss Bennet to me. By morning, she will be out of the picture." Lady Catherine replied with a smirk, which made Anne happy once more. Finally, she and William would be able to marry, and be together - forever.
Netherfield Saturday
"Fitzwilliam, did Jeeves say what Lady Catherine wanted to speak to us about?" Mrs. Darcy asked curiously, looking at her son as they walked towards the library together. Mr. Darcy shook his head.
"No, all the butler said was that Lady Catherine requested our presence in the library immediately. I suppose she's probably going to lock me in there until I propose to Anne, or something harebrained like that," Mr. Darcy replied, causing his mother to laugh. It would be just like Catherine to do something like that - she had always been the schemer in the family, and she had always plotted to find some way for Fitz and Anne to marry. Mrs. Darcy just prayed that she wasn't in the room when her sister realized that a union between Fitzwilliam and Anne just wasn't going to happen.
"If I had known she was serious about you two marrying, I never would have jokingly agreed to it, Fitz. You know that," Mrs. Darcy replied, and Mr. Darcy cringed in response. Mrs. Darcy just rolled her eyes at him and continued on talking. "At least Anne will be able to keep Georgiana company. She is a better influence than Miss Bingley or Miss Riley, even if she can be rather snobbish, and pretends she is sick to get her way. It's so obvious, I don't know how Catherine cannot see right through Anne's charades," Mrs. Darcy replied as the two of them reached the library. Mr. Darcy knocked on the door, and after hearing Lady Catherine's muffled voice, proceeded to enter the room, his mother in tow.
"Ah, Darcy, Anne, it is good to see you again. Please, close the door and take a seat," Lady Catherine said cheerfully from a chair by the library's large fireplace. Anne sat on the sofa to the left of her, looking fondly at her cousin and wishing for him to sit next to her. Mr. Darcy, on the other hand, sat on the sofa to the right of his aunt, with his mother sitting next to her, and both gave their attention to Lady Catherine, curious of what she had to say that was so important.
"How was your trip, Catherine?" Mrs. Darcy asked.
"I will not bore you with the details of our journey, Anne - you know I don't like to travel. I would rather get to the point of why I wished to speak with you and William in private." Lady Catherine stated bluntly.
"Well, I must say, Fitz and I were very curious as to what......" Mrs. Darcy began, before her sister interrupted her.
"Two days ago, I received a letter, from who I shall not specify, of an alarming nature! It warned me that a Miss Elizabeth Bennet was supposedly trying to trap my nephew into a marriage. Naturally I immediately set out for Longbourn, where I spoke with a Miss Elizabeth Bennet and made my sentiments known on that subject." Lady Catherine announced forcefully, while Mr. and Mrs. Darcy looked at each other in shock and confusion. "A most upstart and rude young lady if I have ever met one. Would you not agree, Anne?"
"Well, I ... well, she does speak her mind, Catherine," Mrs. Darcy said hesitantly, throwing a glance at her son to help her get out of answering against Miss Bennet.
"Why do you say that, Aunt? We have known her to be pleasant and very agreeable," Mr. Darcy replied, and Lady Catherine opened her mouth, aghast at what her nephew had just said.
"A very fine actress she is, I believe, for she has had enough talent to fool you both! It is a good thing I am here to speak with you, William, and warn you of the trap that Miss Bennet is setting, in hopes that she will become the next mistress of Pemberley!" Lady Catherine answered angrily.
"Catherine, really. I have spoken with Miss Bennet many times, and I don't believe that she would, as you call it, set a trap to become the next mistress of Pemberley. Whoever told you that must have been mistaken of the matter," Mrs. Darcy replied calmly, and Lady Catherine gaped at her sister.
"My dear Anne, you and your son must already be trapped in my her alluring arts. Well, I shall not give in so easily on this subject, and I hope that the two of you reconsider your opinion of the girl." Lady Catherine retorted angrily.
"Catherine, if Miss Bennet was trying to trap Fitzwilliam into the type of marriage you speak of, then wouldn't I, as his mother, be the first to know of such a plot? Wouldn't I be the first to confront that young lady, and make sure that such a marriage did not take place?" Mrs. Darcy replied calmly, and Lady Catherine's guard began to lower.
"Yes, of course, Anne. You are right - it is only natural that a mother would be the first to observe if anything terrible were to come to her son," Lady Catherine replied with a smile as she stood up and headed towards the door with her daughter in tow. "But just be warned - Miss Bennet will stop at nothing to trap your son into a loveless marriage, and I, as his aunt, do not want to see that happen to my nephew." And with that, Lady Catherine and Anne exited out of the library, while Mr. Darcy exhaled loudly.
"Well, that was unexpected," Mr. Darcy replied with a small laugh, although his eyes were wide with shock.
"Let me warn you, Fitz, this is one visit from your aunt that will not be pleasant," Mrs. Darcy replied solemnly. "I've never seen Catherine so defensive, which means that she sees Miss Bennet as a threat. A threat that could come between you marrying her Anne."
"I just wish she would understand that I'm never going to marry Anne, so that she would let me be happy and get married in peace," Mr. Darcy grumbled angrily.
"If I were you, I would worry more about Miss Bennet than about your aunt. Whatever are you going to do about Miss Elizabeth?" Mrs. Darcy asked with concern.
"I don't know - I really don't. I mean, even after everything I said to her, I still care about her," Mr. Darcy replied quietly. "But I know that she probably wants nothing more to do with me." Mrs. Darcy just smiled and put her arms around her son.
"I believe, from a woman's perspective, that she is still madly in love with you, just as much as you are with her, and if I were you, I would get to Longbourn as quickly as I could and speak with her so you can work out your differences and move on with your lives," Mrs. Darcy replied kindly.
"What do you mean, she's madly in love with me?" Mr. Darcy asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Why wouldn't she be? You're my son, after all," Mrs. Darcy joked, which did not amuse her son. "Fitz, I can tell these things - it is as obvious that she is in love with you as that you are in love with her. Besides, I asked her if she loved you, and she said that she did."
"When was this exactly?" Mr. Darcy asked, confused at what his mother had said.
"Last Wednesday, when she came over to go riding with you and Georgie." Mrs. Darcy replied, and Mr. Darcy groaned.
"Somehow, I don't believe that is all that you asked her," Mr. Darcy added miserably, and Mrs. Darcy darted her eyes to the floor.
"Well, I just ran a ... a few ... tests, as you may call them. Just to make sure that she wasn't a fortune hunter, and that she really loved you," Mrs. Darcy admitted guiltily.
"What sort of tests, mother?" Mr. Darcy asked, his voice rising at every word.
"I asked her to promise me that she would never become engaged to you, and she refused. I knew that if Miss Bennet answered yes to that question, she was a fortune hunter, because fortune hunters can be easily discouraged - if they know that a marriage will not take place, they will immediately set out on another person of large fortune to pray on. Since she refused, I knew that she was in love with you." Mrs. Darcy replied quietly.
"You WHAT?" Mr. Darcy asked angrily.
"I was only doing it for your sake, Fitzwilliam, and don't you dare take that tone with me." Mrs. Darcy replied in defense.
"She must despise me now, plus believe that I have a family full of lunatics," Mr. Darcy added, as he paced around the fireplace.
"If it helps any, Fitz, I'll apologize as soon as I see her. I just believe it to be the best thing to do in that situation," Mrs. Darcy added sympathetically, and Mr. Darcy sighed. "Besides, I'm not the lunatic in the family - that was always your aunt Catherine."
"I know, I know. I'm not mad, I'm just ... concerned. I mean, after Lady Catherine's comments, yours, and mine, Miss Bennet will probably not want to look at me ever again, let alone marry me," Mr. Darcy replied, putting his head into his hands. "I mean I practically accused her of trying to split up Charles and Miss Riley."
"It was an honest mistake, Fitz - I was even shocked when I heard of their engagement. From the outside, they do seem like two very different people, and that can lead others to think the worst of their marriage." Mrs. Darcy replied calmly. "I think the best thing to do now is to apologize to Miss Bennet, for I'm sure that the two of you can work out your differences."
"You're right. I'll speak to her after the wedding tomorrow, and make everything right again," Mr. Darcy said with a smile, and Mrs. Darcy just sighed. Her little boy was growing up before her eyes all over again, and Mrs. Darcy had to do her best to contain her excitement of finally seeing her son married and settled down. If only his father was here.
Posted on Thursday, 23 August 2001
Netherfield
Sunday: Half an hour until the wedding
"Emma, will you go up and tell Darcy that we are all waiting on him. Tell him if we don't leave now, we'll be late for the ceremony, and it is terribly rude to arrive at a wedding during the ceremony," Mr. Bingley replied impatiently to his fiancé. "I believe it has been rumored as bad luck to interrupt marriage vows."
"Mr. Darcy, oh of course, I ... oh, silly me. I forgot to tell you," Miss Riley replied as she put her hand to her forehead. "Mr. Darcy has a pressing matter of business and will be unable to attend today's ceremony. I'm not sure what it is exactly, but he said that it could not wait and had to be attended to immediately. He sends his best wishes to the bride and groom, though."
"Just like Darcy, isn't it, to be always working. I wouldn't be surprised if he's like that on the day of his own wedding. Well, are you sure that you are not feeling well enough to go to the wedding? I know that the Bennets will be very upset that two of our party could not attend their daughter's wedding." Mr. Bingley asked with concern.
"I am sorry, Charles, but I do feel a bit fatigued, and I have a splitting headache. I think that I shall rest for a bit, for I don't want to become sick a week before our wedding," Miss Riley replied.
"Should I send for the doctor, my dear?" Mr. Bingley asked, and Miss Riley shook her head.
"No, no, I shall be all right. I don't wish to disturb the doctor for something so trifling. You go on ahead with the rest of the party, and when you return, I wish to hear all of the details," Miss Riley replied, as Mr. Bingley smiled and went outside towards the awaiting carriages. He seems so happy, thought Miss Riley as she smirked joyfully. He won't be so happy when he returns home to find that he will no longer be married.
Miss Riley laughed at the thought and bounded upstairs to the library, where Mr. Darcy was reading. She knew that he would be up there - he had told her that he would be upstairs, reading, until it was time to leave for the wedding. She quietly crept up the stairs, and softly opened the door to the library. Miss Riley noticed Mr. Darcy sitting by the window, reading, and she gingerly slipped into the room and locked the door.
"Oh, Miss Riley. Is it time to leave for the wedding?" Mr. Darcy asked, looking up from his book and glancing at the clock over the fireplace. "It's terribly late, though. I do hope we make it in time for the ceremony."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Mr. Bingley and the rest of them have already left for the wedding about five minutes ago." Miss Riley replied innocently.
"Whatever for? Bingley knew that I wished to go to the wedding, so I cannot think of what would possess him to just leave without me," Mr. Darcy murmured in surprise.
"I believe he thought that you had a pressing matter of business to attend to, and did not want to disturb you from it," Miss Riley added as Mr. Darcy put down his book and headed towards the door.
"Well, I do believe I can still make the ceremony, if I hurry. I'll just have my horse readied ..." Mr. Darcy said as Miss Riley moved over the doorway, preventing him from leaving the library. He's not going to get away so easily, thought Miss Riley with a smile.
"Why ever would you want to go to the wedding of Mr. Collins and Miss Bennet. They are not exactly people of fashion." Miss Riley smirked.
"It does not matter who the couple is - I was invited to a neighbor's wedding and shall attend. And, although it is none of your business, I need to speak with someone there," Mr. Darcy replied impatiently. "Now, will you please move out of the doorway?"
"What, Miss Elizabeth Bennet? That little country girl? She's a nothing, Mr. Darcy - she has no fortune, no connections, and not even a title to her family," Miss Riley laughed. "To marry her would be a disgrace. You would pollute your family's good name for years to come."
"Miss Riley, I would rather not stand here and speak to you about this subject. I ..." Mr. Darcy angrily started, before he was interrupted.
"I would have at least thought that your aunt would have made you realize what kind of a person she was," Miss Riley added.
"What?" Mr. Darcy questioned, confused at what she had just said, before he remembered his conversation with his aunt last night. "So you were the one who wrote to my aunt about Miss Bennet."
"Yes, I suppose I hinted at the matter slightly when I wrote to her a few days ago. I sincerely hope that she put some sense into you about Miss Eliza Bennet and her alluring arts." Miss Riley replied sweetly.
"Miss Riley, it is no concern to you who I am aquatinted with or who I wish to marry, and I hope that you ..."
"But Mr. Darcy, really, it would be disgraceful to marry into such a low family, with a girl of no dowry or connections in life. Why marry Miss Eliza Bennet when you could marry someone, well, someone like me, with a fortune, connections, and a father who is a Lord?" Miss Riley replied, batting her eyes at Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy, on the other hand, couldn't believe it. She was right, he thought. Miss Bennet was right about Miss Riley.
"Miss Riley, why would I marry you, when you are currently engaged to my best friend, Charles Bingley?" Mr. Darcy replied, backing away from Miss Riley.
"Oh, yes, Mr. Bingley." Miss Riley said sarcastically. "You didn't actually think that I cared about him, did you? He's so gullible, he actually thought that I was in love with him."
"Miss Riley, I would advise you not to speak so lowly of your fiancé, especially when you are to be married in a week's time," Mr. Darcy warned.
"Like I would marry someone like him - he only have five thousand a year! Why would the daughter of a lord marry someone so low - he's almost as bad as those Bennets!" Miss Riley replied with a laugh. "Besides, why I would I marry him when I could marry you?" Miss Riley flirted as she moved towards Mr. Darcy.
"Miss Riley, are you suggesting that the only reason you accepted Charles' proposal is because I am his best friend?" Mr. Darcy asked quietly.
"Why of course, Mr. Darcy. Why else would I? You're the only one that I want to marry," Miss Riley replied calmly as she crept over to where Mr. Darcy was sitting. He, on the other hand, got up and moved towards the door, only to realize that it was locked.
"Miss Riley, I do not feel the same way about you as you do about me. I think of you merely as one of my sister's acquaintances, and nothing more. Now if you will please unlock this door so I may proceed to the wedding ..." Mr. Darcy argued angrily.
"But why would I want to do that? You have not yet proposed to me." Miss Riley replied sweetly, batting her eyelashes.
"Miss Riley, I will never propose to you. Now GIVE ME THAT KEY!" Mr. Darcy yelled, and Miss Riley shook her head. Mr. Darcy had begun to believe that he would be trapped in the library with her for the rest of the day, until he heard a voice on the other side of the door.
"Mr. Darcy? Is that you, sir?" the housekeeper, Mrs. Richards, asked loudly. "I thought I heard some yelling, sir."
"Mrs. Richards, I believe I have locked myself in this room. Could you please open up the door," Mr. Darcy asked, and Miss Riley's face turned into a mask of shock. No, she thought. He cannot leave me! He must marry me!
A moment later the door opened, and Mr. Darcy hurried out, thanking Mrs. Richards over and over. He could hear Miss Riley yelling at him, telling him that she loved him, but Mr. Darcy did not stop. He had to hurry to the stables so he could stop that wedding. Mr. Collins couldn't marry Miss Bennet - Mr. Bingley had to. Mr. Darcy just hoped that he wasn't too late to stop the wedding.
Posted on Saturday, 25 August 2001
Sunday
Longbourn Church
Mr. Darcy rode as fast as he could to the church, but time seemed to stand still that day. For the five minutes that it took him to travel the three miles to Longbourn, it seemed like five hundred. Mr. Darcy just hoped that he was not too late. He knew how much Mr. Bingley admired Miss Bennet, and how well of her he thought, and Mr. Darcy was sure that Miss Bennet felt the same way about Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy even knew that if Mr. Bingley had not been prior engaged to Miss Riley, he would have furthered his attentions, and proposed to Miss Bennet.
But the other wedding.....? Had it begun, or was it taking place as he rode through the crisp fall air. Or perhaps .... no, Mr. Darcy thought sternly. I will not think of that possibility. And with that thought he focused his attentions on getting to Longbourn as quickly as he could. He didn't want to think about what might happen if he was late arriving.
As he neared Longbourn Church, Mr. Darcy noticed a figure standing outside of the church, gazing blankly at the road that passed by it. As his horse grew closer to the church, Mr. Darcy noticed that it was Miss Elizabeth Bennet who stood there, wrapped up in a shawl and staring aimlessly into space. Mr. Darcy urged his horse to quicken it's pace, and was by her side in moments.
Miss Bennet was shocked to see Mr. Darcy, since she had understood from Georgiana that he would not be attending the wedding, due to some urgent business. Elizabeth instead believed that he just didn't want to be in her presence after their previous encounter (or as she would call it, argument), and was surprised to see him after all. Mr. Darcy quickly dismounted and stood next to her, and both stood for a moment in an awkward silence.
"Miss Bennet, I came here to apologize," Mr. Darcy began, and Elizabeth gave him a curious look.
"Mr. Darcy, you startled me. What are you apologizing for?" Elizabeth asked softly.
"You were right about Miss Riley, and rather than believing you, I nearly tore your eyes out." Mr. Darcy replied with a small smile.
"What? What do you mean, I was right?" Elizabeth questioned, her eyes becoming fearful at what she knew he would say.
"She is, has always been, and will never be anything but a fortune hunter out to advance herself in life, Miss Bennet," Mr. Darcy replied.
"A ... a fortune hunter?" Elizabeth repeated, and Mr. Darcy nodded.
"It's amazing I didn't see it before, since most of the women in London are fortune hunters." Mr. Darcy replied with a laugh. "I used to be so good at figuring out people's characters. I believe I'm losing my touch in the country."
"But, how do you know? Are you certain she is a fortune hunter?" Elizabeth urged, hoping that perhaps Mr. Darcy was wrong. Elizabeth didn't want to believe that now Mr. Bingley was not going to marry. Not now.
"This morning, less than half an hour ago, Miss Riley confessed to me that she never loved Mr. Bingley, and that she only loved me. That was the only reason she entered into an engagement with Mr. Bingley - not because he loved him, but because I was his best friend and closest confidante." Mr. Darcy replied, his eyes darting to the ground briefly. "So I have come to apologize to you, Miss Bennet, for the accusations I made and the comments I said about you and your family."
"Really, Mr. Darcy, you do not need to apologize for what you said, for I understand why you said it," Elizabeth answered quietly, but that was not good enough for Darcy.
"Miss Bennet, really, I must insist on apologizing. It was wrong of me to speak of you and your family such as I did." Mr. Darcy replied forcefully. "And now, for the real reason I hurried here from Netherfield on horseback - to stop the wedding of your sister to Mr. Collins."
"To stop the wedding." Elizabeth repeated blankly, and Mr. Darcy nodded.
"We have to stop the wedding so your sister can marry my friend. I do believe they are perfect for each other." Mr. Darcy added with a smile. "Your sister does care about Mr. Bingley, does she not?"
"My sister? Jane? Yes, she does think .... highly of Mr. Bingley," Elizabeth said softly, and Mr. Darcy smiled.
"And Mr. Bingley thinks highly of your sister. Now, we must go stop the wedding," Mr. Darcy replied, pulling Elizabeth towards the church. Elizabeth, on the other hand, stopped where she was and collapsed into tears, leaving a confused Mr. Darcy to wonder why she was so upset.
"Miss Bennet, whatever is the matter? Don't you want to stop your sister's marriage from Mr. Collins?" Mr. Darcy asked. Maybe Miss Jane Bennet really wanted to marry Mr. Collins, so Elizabeth doesn't wish to break up the wedding, though Mr. Darcy unhappily. Poor Bingley, then.
"Mr. Darcy...." sob "you're ... you're too late," Elizabeth cried.
"Too ... late?" Darcy repeated as his face became pale and sickly, while Elizabeth nodded.
"Mr. and Mrs. Collins have left for ... for Kent ... a ... about ten minutes ago. It was a" sniff, sob "beautiful wedding." Elizabeth sobbed as she burst back into tears. Mr. Darcy just looked at her for a few moments. She looked so small and helpless that all he could do was murmur,
"I'm sorry" to her and hold her in his arms.
That's how the two of them were, neither moving or speaking - just standing next to the church in each other's arms, knowing that the wrong couple had been married in Longbourn Church that morning.