Too Clever By Half
The weather appeared to be holding, though the clouds still threatened rain, and the two engaged couples determined to break free from the stifling confines of Longbourn to walk through nature's luscious byways. When they reached a fork in the road, Jane and Charles veered off in one direction, while Mr. Darcy led Elizabeth in the other.
She turned and motioned back to her sister and Mr. Bingley, as though to indicate to Mr. Darcy that he had absently taken the wrong turn. He understood her gesture, but he said, "Let the young lovers have their privacy."
Elizabeth laughed at the appellation. "Young? Mr. Darcy, Jane is my senior."
"I wasn't referring to them," he said.
She was pleased by his apparent desire to be alone with her, but she was also nervous. It was the first time since their engagement they had been entirely unrestrained by the presence of others. Her insecurity faded, however, when she saw him looking down at her with an amused expression on his face; it was then she realized he had been joking. They had crossed wits long before their engagement, but this was a different kind of humour; it revealed a softening of Mr. Darcy's reserve, and she was glad to see it.
"I can judge by the cast of your face," she said, "that you are only toying with me."
Elizabeth merely feigned offense, but Mr. Darcy took her seriously and reproached himself. Women, he thought, expected a man to be deadly earnest when it came to romance. And he was-about her. But not about the game of courtship, with which he had no experience, and which made him feel exceptionally awkward.
"I am sorry, Elizabeth, I did not mean to make light--"
Now she was smiling at him, and he fell silent. So he had mistaken her after all, and no apology was necessary.
He continued to look at her as they strolled on, leaning upon his walking staff for support; and he needed support. Her smile had set off those fine eyes, and they were brighter than ever. He did not understand how a woman could grow more beautiful with each passing day, and yet Elizabeth had somehow accomplished the feat.
"So," said Elizabeth, when he did not speak to her, "should we comment upon the weather? Or do you prefer some other topic? Religion and politics, of course, are forbidden in polite company."
Still he gazed at her wordlessly. It was discomforting, but not wholly unpleasant.
"Mr. Darcy, you persist in attempting to frighten me. I thought we had progressed beyond this phase."
He smiled hesitantly. "I do not always know the appropriate words to speak on any given occasion."
"You have had little difficulty exchanging words with me before, in company."
"We are not in company, Miss Bennet."
"Indeed we are not." She looked down at her hands as they walked. Why was this so difficult? He knew that she loved him; why then did he rarely seem fully at ease with her? She touched his hand gently to stop him from strolling, and he stood patiently, waiting for her reason.
"What weighs on your mind, Fitzwilliam, to make you so silent?"
Fitzwilliam. It was the first time she had called him that, and he was surprised how much the simple sound of his own name could thrill him as it fell from her lips. Her lips. That was what had been weighing on his mind.
How does one build up to this? he wondered. He had no talent for misdirection. And yet, he could not simply come right out and ask her, could he?
"Elizabeth, may I kiss you?" I've said it, he thought. Just like that. How unromantic.
He awaited her response, but the steely confidence that had once propelled him through his first proposal was gone. How would she respond to his directness?
"Yes."
He was not sure he had heard her correctly. It was just one word, one tiny syllable. He had expected at least a good-humoured quip, if not a rebuff.
"You said 'Yes'?"
She smiled at him, but she did not answer.
He repeated himself, more nervous this time, "You said 'Yes'?"
"Yes, Fitzwillaim," she laughed. "I said yes."
"Good," he said, and smile broadly. "Very good." But he did not kiss her. Instead, he took her arm and began walking again.
Elizabeth was bewildered. She peered up at him, trying to read his expression. Was he taunting her? But he only appeared sincerely happy.
Finally, she asked, "Was there a purpose to your question?"
"Of course," he replied. "My goal was to secure your permission."
"But not to act upon it?"
"Oh, well, now that I have your permission, I suppose I may act on it any time I like, mightn't I?"
She stopped walking and looked at him curiously.
"Or," he questioned, "do I need to ask each time until we are married? I'm not sure what the guidelines are on that point."
"Mr. Darcy, I cannot, for the life of me, determine whether you are in earnest."
"About what?"
"About...about anything and everything you have said since we took this path. You behave so strangely."
"In what way?" He actually sounded surprised, as though he really did not perceive the peculiarity in his performance.
"Why, you ask if you may kiss me, you secure my consent, and then you walk on as though the question had never been proposed."
"Oh, but surely you would not wish me to kiss you so soon after asking. That would rather negate the element of surprise, would it not?"
"Isn't that the point?"
"I understood you liked spontaneity. You have a very lively spirit, Elizabeth. It is one of the many things that makes you dear to me."
She could not control her laughter, though she tried. "If you wanted to be spontaneous, Mr. Darcy, why did you bother to ask at all?"
He seemed appalled. "How could I not? I would never show you such disrespect."
She shook her head. Was it conceivable that Mr. Darcy had a frivolous side to his personality? No, no, he was in earnest.
"So then," she asked him, "I shall never know when it is coming?"
"No, my dear Elizabeth. You cannot guess."
"I'm not sure that's fair. It gives you complete control."
"How is that? You had the power to refuse me."
"Yes, in that one moment. And in that one moment I desired your kiss. But now I am forever at your mercy, for I cannot retract my consent."
"No, Miss Bennet. A woman may retract her refusal, but I do not think she can, in all fairness, retract her consent. Both facts have worked to my advantage since first meeting you."
"Very well then," announced Elizabeth, taking his arm once again. "We will walk on, and I will anticipate nothing--"
Unexpectedly, he had bent and kissed her quickly on the cheek. The impression was still warm when he withdrew, but she had not anticipated it, and so she had missed the pleasure. "Unjust," she accused. "Most unjust."
"That one did not count," said Mr. Darcy. "For it was only a cheek."
"Well you had better warn me when it is the lips, Mr. Darcy, because I would prefer not to miss it."
"I cannot promise to forewarn you, my dear Elizabeth, but I can at least promise to prolong the experience, in order to ensure that you do not fail to notice it."
He was far too pleased with himself. This would not do.
"You are too clever by half, Mr. Darcy," she said, as she stopped and turned. She then stood on her tiptoes to kiss him firmly and squarely on the mouth.
He actually stumbled back. He looked not just surprised, but outright astonished.
Elizabeth regretted her audacity. He had challenged her, and she had acted according to her competitive spirit. But in so doing, she had usurped from him his masculine prerogative, and she was now sure she had affronted him deeply.
Abashed, she raised her head to apologize, when she felt his hot breath upon her mouth, and sensed him draw near as he closed his lips over hers. For Elizabeth, her own kiss had been a means of inflicting a playful punishment, her way of rebuking him for his self-assurance. She had not really experienced it. But for Mr. Darcy, it had been like the first drop of water to a parched and desperate man.
The passion of his response excited her, and as his soft but determined lips bore down on her own, he ignited an entirely new feeling in her now trembling frame. She was almost frightened. But instead of giving into that fear, she surrendered to the pleasure of the moment.
At length, he withdrew his mouth from hers, but now he wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. She lay her head on his chest, and mumbled, "I thought you were angry with me."
"I presume that misconception has been corrected."
"It has been," she replied, "in the best way imaginable."
Here he held her tighter, gratified to know he had given her pleasure. He looked up at the sky, as if to thank God Himself for this precious, undeserved gift, and he saw that that the clouds had darkened dramatically, but he did not care. Let the floodgates of heaven shake loose their restraints, he thought, let the rains pour forth. Not even a torrent could dampen his spirit today.
Let Not the Sun Go Down
"Yes. We had some business to resolve, as it appears we will soon lose a tenant."
"What do you mean?"
"Mr. Warren is late on his rent payment once again, and Mr. Darcy has informed him that if he cannot make restitution by the end of next weekend, he will be evicted. Since Mr. Darcy must leave for Cheshire on business today, he has given me authority to carry out the eviction myself in his absence-in the event that Mr. Warren should not pay." The steward seemed pleased by his employer's confidence in him, but his words unsettled Elizabeth. She bid Mr. Dawson good day and hastened to the study to confront her husband. "Fitzwilliam," she asked, "is it true that you intend to evict one of your tenants if he does not pay by the end of the week?"
"Yes, darling," he replied, as he walked over to kiss her by way of greeting.
"But you have always been a liberal landlord," she said. "Why would you insist on such a drastic action?"
He smiled at her generous spirit. "Believe me, I have my reasons, and they are impeccable. If I had more time, I would explain them to you, but I am already late. I must leave."
She was distracted from her interest in Mr. Warren by her concern for her husband's impending absence. "When will you be returning?"
"As soon as my business is concluded. I will be gone no more than two weeks, I assure you."
"I will miss you," she said, unhappily anticipating the lonely days ahead. Georgiana would be a pleasant enough companion, but Elizabeth would still yearn for the meeting of minds that characterized her marriage to Mr. Darcy.
"And I you," he replied, leaning to kiss her. When she responded eagerly to the pressure of his lips, he drew back. "Elizabeth, I am already late, and I shall by no means find my way out of this house if you return my kiss like that."
"Oh, I am so very sorry, Mr. Darcy," she answered with feigned contrition. "Please, do kiss me farewell again, and I promise to respond as coldly as possible."
He laughed. "No, dear. I do not think you could ever be capable of frigidity, even if you were to try very hard. Therefore I will not risk another kiss. I must depart." He bowed and walked away, but she followed him to the door, and so he allowed himself to touch her lips with his own one last time before descending the stairs to his awaiting carriage.
***
The following weekend, as Elizabeth was taking a tour of the grounds to determine what additions Pemberley might require, she encountered Mr. Warren. He addressed himself to her, holding his hat abashedly in his hands. "Mrs. Darcy?" he asked.
"Yes," she said, cautiously, for she had never met the man before.
"I am Mr. Warren, one of Mr. Darcy's tenants."
"Oh yes," she said pleasantly. "I know the name."
"Is Mr. Darcy at home?"
"No, I am afraid he is away on business and may not return until next Saturday. If you have come to pay the rent, you may see his steward."
"You see, that's just the thing madam. I cannot pay the rent. There are certain circumstances...that is, I had hoped to speak with Mr. Darcy. He is a good man, madam, a very good man, and if I could just speak to him, I know he would understand."
The farmer blinked as though attempting to fight back tears.
"Mr. Warren, what is wrong?"
He began to toy with the rim of his hat, looking down as though to control his emotions. "My sister, madam," he said, "is very ill. Her husband cannot possibly afford to give her the care that she needs. I have sent her the last shilling in my pocket, that she may be well. I will earn it back again in a month. I will be able to pay Mr. Darcy then."
"I do not doubt," responded Elizabeth with warm reassurance, "that when Mr. Darcy knows your extenuating circumstances, he will offer you a reprieve."
"But that's just the thing," replied Mr. Warren. "The wheels are set in motion, you see. If I do not pay by tomorrow afternoon, I am certain I shall be evicted by his steward."
"I will see what I can do, Mr. Warren," she told him.
"Thank you madam," replied the farmer, grinning wildly, "Thank you so very much." He bowed hurriedly, and then he scurried back down the lane.
***
The following morning, Elizabeth was determined to see Mr. Darcy's steward. After arriving at his cottage, she placed a handful of notes on Mr. Dawson's desk. "Will that be enough to satisfy Mr. Warren's rent?" she asked.
The steward glanced at the notes suspiciously. "Yes," he said, but the word was laced with hesitation.
"If I pay, it is still acceptable?" she asked.
"It makes no legal difference, Mrs. Darcy, who pays the rent, as long as it is paid. But have you discussed this with Mr. Darcy?"
"I have not had the opportunity."
"Because Mr. Darcy, though he did not tell me why, seemed eager to see that this man was evicted, and I trust his judgment, as, I am sure, do you."
"Mr. Darcy will understand my motivation."
Mr. Dawson shuffled the notes together and then opened a locked box, where he placed them. The box also contained a ledger, but he made no notation within it.
"Aren't you going to record that?" she asked.
"Later," he replied. "Where did you get the money? It is not from Mr. Darcy, I assume, if you have not discussed it with him."
"He gave me the money before he left, as a gift to buy a new dress for the upcoming ball. But I will be more than satisfied to wear an old one, if these funds can be put to better use."
"That would have been an expensive dress," remarked the steward, as he counted the notes.
"Well, some of the money you see before you I managed to save by applying economy at other times."
"Very well, madam."
Elizabeth parted from Mr. Dawson's company, wondering why his eyes followed her warily as she went.
***
As Elizabeth walked home from the steward's cottage, she smiled. She was not the sort of woman to congratulate herself on her own generosity; nevertheless, she could not help but feel satisfied. The old Christian adage, that it is better to give than to receive, had proven itself to Elizabeth time and time again. Consequently, when Mrs. Reynolds told her that Mr. Darcy had returned from Cheshire early, she hastened to his study to convey her news.
His countenance brightened upon her entrance, and he ceased looking through the stack of letters he held in his hand, although he did not set them down. She kissed him warmly but briefly and began to relay her story, telling him with eagerness how and why she had paid the farmer's rent.
She was so preoccupied with her tale, that she did not observe how his expression altered as she spoke. She had anticipated that, at worst, he would be endearingly ruffled by her initiative-taking venture. She was shocked, therefore, when he responded with actual anger.
"How dare you, Elizabeth!" he exclaimed, raising his voice to her for the first time in their six months of marriage. "How dare you presume to interfere in my affairs, without my consent and indeed against my will!"
Elizabeth stepped forward and grasped the back of a chair for support. "Fitzwilliam," she said, the natural instinct to defend herself mounting rapidly from within, "Mr. Warren was desperate, and I thought you would not return until next week."
"I told you I had reasons for delivering that ultimatum. Mr. Warren has been delinquent in his rent on more than one occasion, and on more than one occasion I have forgiven him. But when for the fifth time in a year his rent was not forthcoming, I paid a call to him on his farm. That land, Elizabeth, is as lush and fertile as any in Derbyshire, but he has let it go to waste. It did not take long for me to ascertain that he squanders both his time and income on drink and gambling and who knows what other perverse habits. Whatever cock and bull story he may have told you, his debauchery is the real reason for his inability to pay." He watched her reaction, but he was unable to decipher her feelings. "Now, this whole matter would never be so urgent," he continued, "were it not also for the fact that I was approached by a very deserving man who desires to rent from me. At the time, I had nothing to offer him. Although he was raised as a farmer, he has since been forced to seek other work in Lambton, and he desires nothing more than to return to the land. He and his family are presently crowded within a tiny apartment, and his active children have no fields in which to roam. As Mr. Warren has leased that property, I cannot reasonably evict him until he defaults on the rent. I had forgiven him previous failures, but once I had purer knowledge of his character, I forewarned him that should he default again, he would have to leave. I saw no reason to expect he would pay, and so I had hoped to have him off my land by the month's end. But you have prevented me."
"Fitzwilliam, I am sorry; I did not know."
"Of course you did not know! You did not even trouble to consult me."
"But I did ask you about him. Only you were too hurried to trouble yourself with an answer!"
"I answered you enough to assure you that I had good reason for my actions." As he spoke, a new emotion mingled with his anger. To his wife, it sound very much like pain. "Had you respected me Elizabeth, my word would have been sufficient."
He awaited her response but she was speechless. When she did not reply, he took the letters he had been holding, tossed them violently upon his desk, and stormed from the room.
***
Elizabeth sat down. It took awhile for her astonishment to subside before she could begin to consider the scene that had just transpired. She assured herself that her intentions had been honorable. And they had been. But it was not long before further reflection inspired her to admit that she should have waited to discuss the matter with her husband. He had, before leaving for Chesire, claimed an "impeccable" rationale for issuing such an ultimatum, and she should have valued his character enough to know that he would never conduct his affairs in either a rash or ruthless manner.
Elizabeth Darcy had her moments of pride, but she was not naturally a proud woman. Therefore, she was able to confess to herself that her actions--however well-meanin--had been wrong, that they had, in fact, injured Mr. Darcy by making her regard for him appear less than it really was.
She had now taken that first, awful step of self-admission, but there was a grimmer task at hand. How was she to make amends? Since their wedding day, a cross word had never passed between them, and she was not sure how best to proceed.
Nevertheless, Elizabeth rose to seek out her husband, anxious for an immediate reconciliation. But he was nowhere to be found. "Mrs. Reynolds," she asked the housekeeper, "have you seen Mr. Darcy?"
"Yes madam. He asked me to tell you he has gone to Lambton on an errand of business, and that he will not return until this evening."
Elizabeth was disheartened by the reply, but she supposed Darcy needed time to cool-off. He was a passionate man, and such a trait must inevitably have its disadvantages, although until now, she had experienced only its more agreeable effects.
***
When Mr. Darcy returned late that evening, Elizabeth approached him in the hall. "Should I have the cook set out dinner for you?" she asked. "We can talk while you eat."
"I have already eaten," he replied. His face was stern, but his tone was only indifferent, and that was even worse. He reached into his pocket and removed a bundle of notes, which he held out to her.
She took them uncertainly. "What is this?" she asked.
"Your money. My steward returned it to me. He never officially acknowledged its receipt. He trusted me, even if you did not."
"Darcy, we need to talk--"
He held up a hand to stop her words. "No, Elizabeth," he said. "Not tonight. I might say something I will later regret." With that, he began to walk past her.
She called after him, "Then when?"
He paused. He seemed reluctant to answer, but he forced himself to set a time. "Come to my chamber tomorrow morning. We'll talk then."
"Then you will not be staying with me tonight?" she asked, knowing full-well that for the past six months, he had not slept a day in his own bed.
"No. Not tonight," he said, and walked deep into the shadows of Pemberley.
***
Mrs. Darcy had been angered by her husband's rebuff, but she was still zealous to end the feud. She was at his door at daybreak the next morning. She reached for the doorknob, and then she stopped. She knew it was too early. He must still be sleeping. She began to turn away when the door opened suddenly.
"Elizabeth!" said Mr. Darcy, somewhat surprised. "How long have you been here?"
She was relieved to hear that his voice was no longer apathetic. "Not long," she answered.
He swung wide the door and extended his arm in a gesture of invitation. She passed by and sat down by the fire he had lit that morning, as he took a chair across from her.
Elizabeth held her hands anxiously in her lap, unsure of how to begin. She observed that Mr. Darcy's bed was still made-up, as though it had never even been touched. Eventually she said, "I meant well."
"Of course you did, my love," he answered.
She had not expected such softness in his voice, not after the previous night. "Then why were you so very angry?" she asked.
"Because even though you once vowed to honour and obey me, yesterday you did neither. The obedience I can do without, provided your rebellion is good-natured. But the honour--"
"I should have trusted you, Fitzwilliam, and for that failure I am sincerely sorry. But you must understand my position. I did not know all the facts."
"Nor did my steward, and yet he acquiesced to my judgment."
"Men are different."
"They are certainly less complicated."
"I don't know about that. I've had a hard time reading you these past eighteen hours."
"Have you, Elizabeth?"
"Yes, I have. But I comprehend, at least, that I managed to injure you, and I do not intend to do so again. I may have shown you less honour than I feel for you, but I do feel it, Fitzwilliam. I respect you because you are worthy of respect."
Mr. Darcy was content. He knew his wife would not lie to him; he knew she would not profess admiration if she did not genuinely experience it.
"I am sorry, Elizabeth," he said, "if I was too severe with you yesterday. I should have expressed my displeasure without raising my voice."
"There is no need for you to apologize--"
"There is a need, or I would not do so--"
"--for that, I mean. You had a right to be angry with me. I do not fault you for that. But you should have been willing to talk to me about it, instead of walking away. It was petty of you to seek to punish me by avoiding me."
"If I appeared to be avoiding you, it was only because I wanted to discipline my emotions before broaching the subject a second time. You are very dear to me, Elizabeth. I did not want to risk saying something unjust, and I was unfortunately in no mood to be rational. I am positively sorry, my love, that it took me so long to master my anger."
Elizabeth smiled in silent acceptance of his apology. The couple grew silent.
Mr. Darcy looked down and began to bend his graceful fingers one by one against his hand. He appeared almost nervous. "So," he said finally, "I suppose we are finished?"
"Finished?!" Elizabeth asked anxiously, misunderstanding his question.
"I mean with our fight."
She looked relieved. "Yes, I suppose we are. At least, I have nothing to add."
"Then what do we do next? What does one do after resolving a marital dispute?"
"I presume we should reconcile," she suggested.
"What, here or in your bedchamber?"
Elizabeth was vaguely irked by the sudden suggestion, which followed too fast on the heels of his apology. But when she looked at him, she saw in his eyes that he was laughing at her. She had taught him how to tease, and now he was going to teach her to regret the fact.
"Ah," she said at last, "You were only joking."
"Half joking," he clarified, and rose from his chair, crossing to stand beside her. He took her hand in his and held it to his cheek before turning his face to kiss it. "I love you, Elizabeth," he said. "Promise me we will never quarrel again."
"Fitzwilliam, you know I only make promises I am certain I can keep."
He dropped her hand in mock offense and tried to appear disillusioned, but her smile soon elicited his own. "Very well then,Lizzy. Promise me that the next time we quarrel, we will endeavor to reconcile with greater haste."
"That I can easily promise for myself, but this 'we' you speak of, Fitzwilliam, is a plural pronoun."
"You have my word, Elizabeth, that I will henceforth obey the apostle's admonition: 'Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.'"
"Then it is a mutual promise. And my answer is here."
"Your answer is where?"
"No, I mean my answer is 'here.'"
"Lizzy, darling, you're not making any sense."
" 'Here' is my answer to your question as to where we should reconcile. A change of scenery is occasionally requisite."
"Oh," he said slowly, letting her implication dawn gradually upon him. "I see."
Mr. Darcy then kneeled down before her chair so that he might face her without stooping. He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her close.
"Have you anywhere to be this morning?" she asked.
"Nowhere," he replied.
"Then I need not practice temperance? I need not be concerned that my response may detain you?"
"Not at all," he declared huskily, as he leaned in to kiss her.
And now, dear readers, let us with all due respect avert our eyes, as the curtain closes fast upon this bedroom scene.