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Chapter 10

After Darcy had arrived the previous evening, he had sent a note to Bingley’s townhouse asking if he would be available to receive a visit in the early afternoon, and an affirmative response in Bingley’s untidy scrawl had been received after dinner. Thus, following church in the morning and luncheon with his sister at noon, at the stroke of one o’clock, he had left Georgiana to her music and Mrs. Annesley’s companionship and immediately summoned his coach to take him to Bingley’s townhouse. After ringing the bell, the butler escorted him to the parlor, where he found Bingley and his sister sitting on opposite couches. Miss Bingley was engaged in ignoring the book in her lap and talking to her brother, while her brother was quite obviously ignoring her and everything else as he stared silently out the window. Darcy could see that his spirit still remained at lob ebb, and he faced the coming interview with anxiety.

“Mr. Darcy,” Caroline said with a bright smile on her face as she rose and started to come around the couch while her brother slowly shambled to his feet. “We had not been informed you had returned to town from Kent. How went your visit with your aunt?”

“It has, at least, concluded, Miss Bingley,” Darcy replied quickly, with a stiff bow. “Bingley, there is a matter of some importance I need to discuss with you in your study.”

His comment stopped Caroline Bingley in her tracks. Would this man ever come to see her rather than Charles? she thought in irritation.

“Yes, of course, Darcy,” Bingley replied indifferently, and gestured to the door, leaving his sister staring after them, wondering with some anxiety what could bring Mr. Darcy here in such urgency and brusqueness.

In his study, Bingley gestured to a chair before the fireplace and took the other one, dropping into the upholstered depths with a loose-boned collapse while Darcy seated himself with more care. He looked at Bingley as the younger man stared into the depths of the fireplace, and he was distressed that Bingley was in worse shape than he had been before the trip to Kent. He shook his head, determined to get this painful interview behind him but not at all sure how to do it correctly.

“Bingley,” he opened, “as you know, I have been in Kent with my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, visiting my aunt these past weeks.” Bingley listened politely but without particular interest, but his awareness quickened with Darcy’s next statement. “When we arrived, I was informed that my aunt’s parson, Mr. Collins, was newly married to a young lady that we were introduced to in Hertfordshire, a Miss Charlotte Lucus, the elder daughter of Sir William Lucas.”

“Mr. Collins?” Bingley inquired, his brow furrowing in remembrance.

“You may remember him from the ball at Netherfield, when he attempted to dance with Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

“I seem to recall the man . . .“ Bingley said

“Probably not,” Darcy said dryly, “since your eyes hardly left those of Miss Bennet the entire night.”

Bingley flushed and looked away, saddened at the memory and angered at being reminded of it.

Darcy continued, “I was surprised that Mrs. Collins was being visited by her friend from Longbourn, that same Miss Elizabeth, and my cousin and I attended on Mrs. Collins and her friend a number of times during my visit.”

Bingley was curious at this news but not excessively interested until Darcy’s next statement, “While there, Miss Elizabeth had occasion to question my opinion regarding the sentiments of her sister toward yourself. In fact, Charles, she forced me to the conclusion that my impression that her sister was indifferent to you was in error.”

This news certainly drew Bingley upright as the meaning of Darcy’s words penetrated his depression. Agitated, he jumped to his feet. “I don’t understand. What do you mean, ‘sentiments of her sister toward myself’? I assume you mean Miss Bennet?” At Darcy’s nod, he leaned forward in urgent emotion. “Speak clearly, Darcy! What exactly does that mean?”

Darcy swallowed quickly. This was going worse than he feared, but he had no choice but to continue. “To speak clearly then, I now know that I was entirely mistaken when I assured you in November that Miss Bennet was indifferent toward you, Charles. In truth, Miss Elizabeth informed me that her sister’s feelings were sincere and deep, and that she was quite heartbroken when you departed Netherfield and did not return.”

“What!” Bingley exclaimed in a low, rasping voice. “Miss Bennet was heartbroken? Oh, my G-d, what have I done?” he said in a low, mournful tone as he collapsed in his chair, his head in his hands. Darcy was stricken as Bingley began to rock back and forth in his chair, pressing his face into his hands, not saying a word but presenting a picture of such misery as to threaten to tear his heart out.

At length, Bingley began to get control of himself. “What must she think of me?” he groaned in despair. “I left her to the derision of the neighborhood when she loved me! What a hideous, thoughtless monster I am!”

Darcy closed his eyes in pain. Obviously, Bingley’s attraction to Jane Bennet was as deep as he had come to believe in Kent. His fear that this interview would turn out badly was growing, but he had no choice but to continue. He arose and clasped his friend’s shoulder. “Bingley,” he said slowly, “you were not completely at fault in this matter. I assured you of my sincere belief of Miss Bennet’s indifference, and I now know that I was in error. I stressed the disparity of yours and Miss Bennet’s situations, and that was arrogance on my part, for which I most heartily apologize. And I pointed out that Miss Bennet’s mother would have forced her daughter to marry because of your fortune, and I have now been informed that also was wrong, for Miss Bennet was – and is – determined to marry for love.”

Bingley looked up, the beginnings of anger on his face. “How can you know all this, Darcy? Miss Elizabeth would tell you of such? That I find hard to believe!”

Darcy swallowed and looked away, unable to face the accusation in his eyes. “Miss Elizabeth and I . . . well, we had a rather angry confrontation, and this . . . all this information came out.”

“I see,” Bingley said coldly, barely mollified.

“Bingley, there are two other pieces of information which you need, or rather three, now that I think of it. First is that Miss Bennet is at this moment visiting her aunt and uncle in London and has been for these three months.”

This brought Bingley to his feet in agitation. “Here? In London? Could it be possible? But would she even see me? How could I blame her if she did not? After abandoning her, why would she want to? Oh, what shall I do?” he cried in despair.

“Second,” Darcy continued remorselessly, “and this part pains me greatly, much more than my honest error in estimating Miss Bennet’s regard for you. I must tell you that your sister Caroline, who received Miss Bennet here when you were out, informed me of Miss Bennet’s presence in town. Caroline then returned Miss Bennet’s visit at her uncle’s home, before severing the relationship. She told me of these facts, and to my discredit, I did not inform you.”

If Bingley’s previous demeanor had indicated anger, his present visage could more accurately be termed cold, remorseless fury. “Caroline did what? She did not tell me? Severed the relationship? And you did not tell me?” He paused to collect his thoughts, and his anger was beyond what Darcy had believed him capable. At length, he fixed Darcy with a fierce glare. “I thought better of you, Darcy, much better!”

“I thought better of myself, Charles,” said Darcy remorsefully, “and I must beg your forgiveness for my arrogant interference.”

Bingley said nothing, just stared at Darcy with that same glare. After several endless minutes, while Darcy resumed his seat but could not meet his friend’s eyes, Bingley ground out between his gritted teeth, “I am too angry to think just now, Darcy. I think it best you leave before I say what I may later regret.”

Darcy got to his feet. “As you wish, Bingley. I cannot blame you for being disgusted with me, for I am quite disgusted with myself,” he said, and turned to go before turning back. “There was a third item, Bingley. Miss Bennet’s uncle’s name is Gardiner, and he lives in Gracechurch Street. And I would strongly advise you to go there immediately, since I have reason to believe the situation is not beyond repair.”

Darcy bowed to his friend and exited the room, with the last view of his friend being the baleful glare fixed on him as he left.

On his way to the door, Darcy was confronted by Miss Bingley in the door to the parlor, and she attempted to urge him to join her for a private conversation. But Darcy had no time for her artifices or for her attempt to ensnare him into further conspiracy. “Please excuse me, madam,” he said with a bow, “but I must depart. Your brother has commanded me to leave his house.”

Caroline had literally never been so shocked in her life. “Charles? He did what?” she asked in surprise and agitation.

Bingley’s voice interrupted her peremptorily. “Caroline!” he demanded harshly from the door to his study. “I will see you in my study immediately!”

Caroline started to turn to Darcy, who had already proceeded down the hall, but Bingley stopped her. “Immediately!” he commanded again, with an icy sternness she had not even dreamed he possessed.

Before Darcy could retrieve his hat, gloves, and stick from the butler, he heard Bingley’s loud voice issuing from his study. He shook his head in despondency as he left, and he even felt a touch of compassion for Caroline Bingley. He had not only never seen Bingley this angry, he had not believed he could be this angry. He did not know if his friend would ever forgive him, and he suddenly wondered if he could have made a worse muddle of his private life if he had set out with that objective firmly in mind.

Chapter 11

It was midway in the afternoon when Mrs. Gardiner heard the bell rang. Jane was sitting on the couch, reading to her two oldest cousins when the sitting room door opened and the maid brought in a card on a tray. Picking the card up, Mrs. Gardiner was surprised to read, ‘Charles Bingley, Esq.” on the front. Turning it over, she read, scrawled somewhat untidily, ‘Miss Jane Bennet.’

She looked over at Jane and caught her attention. “It seems that Mr. Bingley has come to call on you, Jane.” Jane was completely surprised, then her cheeks reddened and a look of equal mixtures of anxiety and rather desperate hope washed across her face before she managed to get her expression under control. “Shall I ask him to come up, dear,” asked Mrs. Gardiner quietly, and Jane could only nod. Mrs. Gardiner turned to the maid and instructed her to show the gentleman in.

A moment later, Bingley was shown into the sitting room. His eyes were immediately drawn to Jane, and Mrs. Gardiner noted with interest that Jane sought his gaze with equal interest but could not hold it. Her cheeks flushed again, and she had to look down.

“Miss Bennet,” Bingley said earnestly, with an eager bow, “I am so happy to find you in town. I just learned of your presence this very morning from Mr. Darcy, and I lost no time coming to call. I hope I find you in good health?”

Jane answered softly in the affirmative and then remembered her manners. “Mr. Bingley, may I introduce my aunt, Mrs. Edward Gardiner?”

Bingley turned to her and bowed over her hand, “Mrs. Gardiner, I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Mrs. Gardiner rang for the nurse to take the two children to the nursery, and then asked Mr. Bingley if he would like some tea.

“Perhaps later, Mrs. Gardiner. What I would very much like is some time with your niece. Mr. Darcy informed me of a number of items this morning which were quite surprising to me, and I very much need to discuss them with Miss Bennet.”

Mrs. Gardiner looked at the young man in surprise and disapproval. “This is not a proper request, Mr. Bingley,” she said sternly. “While I understand that you are acquainted with my niece from Hertfordshire, I also understand that you have not maintained that acquaintance and have made no declarations which might warrant such a request.”

Bingley almost hung his head in shame as he replied, “I quite understand your attitude, Mrs. Gardiner. But, unless I am misinformed by my friend, I believe that Miss Bennet might not be opposed to hearing what I have to say.”

Mrs. Gardiner looked over at Jane, and it was immediately obvious that Jane did indeed wish to talk with him. And he did appear most earnest . . .

“Then I will speak frankly, sir,” she told him, fixing him with her eyes. “I do not wish to see my niece hurt further, Mr. Bingley. You quitted Hertfordshire with no warning to her, no notes or letters, and, from what I am told, at a point where all concerned had reason to expect a declaration from you regarding your intentions. The mortification of such treatment was, as you may well imagine, extreme. I must warn you that I will not have you again toy with my niece’s affections, Mr. Bingley!”

“Mrs. Gardiner,” Bingley said earnestly, “I assure you that my intentions were and remain honorable. But mistakes have been made, some of them mine, and I am determined to right them. I beg you for a chance to talk with your niece in private.”

“Very well, Mr. Bingley, I will agree because I see that Jane wishes to talk with you also. But I will be in the next room, and I will leave the door open.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Gardiner,” Bingley said in relief. He had known it was not going to be easy. If he had just come to call and talked of the weather and other trivialities, he would not have had to go through this. But he was through being cautious.

After Mrs. Gardiner exited the room, Bingley came to sit in a chair across from Jane, who was feeling the surge of buoyant emotions inside herself opposed by the dread that her hopes might again be dashed. Bingley’s words had been uncommonly direct and forceful, and yet she was afraid to even have wishes.

“Miss Bennet,” he began, “I received a visit from Mr. Darcy this morning that has completely overturned everything that I thought I knew about our time in Hertfordshire. Before I get into that, however, I must confess that the primary mistake has been mine. When I left Netherfield in the autumn, I did so because I had allowed myself to be convinced of your indifference towards myself.”

He saw Jane’s startled reaction and continued, “Yes, I see that my statement surprises you. And my mistake was that I was not firm enough to listen to my own counsel and allowed myself to be convinced by others. They talked to me of prudence, and, to my shame, I listened and allowed myself to be convinced.”

He stood up suddenly in agitation. “But I was miserable, Miss Bennet, for I thought I loved one who did not return my love. Only this morning did Darcy inform me that he had learned that I was not alone in my misery, that you shared it.”

Jane was confused. “Mr. Darcy? How could he know anything about my feelings?”

“He told me he learned it from your sister, Miss Elizabeth, whom he met while he was visiting his aunt in Kent. I confess,” he said with a frown, “I do not quite understand how she came to tell him of this, but he assures me that it was true. He was the one who informed me that you have been visiting in London these months and I was completely unaware of it. He also informed me that you visited my sister Caroline and that she returned the visit, and I also knew nothing of that.”

He came to a stop in front of her. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to sink down to one knee in front of her and reach out to take her hand.

“Miss Bennet, I have been counseled of prudence, and I have listened to that counsel, and I have been miserable. I will have no more of prudence! Your aunt said that I had made no declaration of my feeling in Hertfordshire, and that is true and it was my mistake. I am done with that also. Miss Bennet, I must tell you that I love you, I loved you in Hertfordshire, and I love you even more after these months of misery. When I entered this room and saw you sitting there, I knew that I could never live without you. I would be the happiest man in the world if you would agree to be my wife.”

But Bingley did not pause at that point. Jane was filled with overflowing joy, both by his declaration of his love and by the overwhelming suddenness of it all, but she was unable to say a word as he continued, “I could well understand if you could not forgive me for my mistakes, for they are grievous. Uncertainty is a failing, and I will have done with it. If you cannot accept me at this point, I will not falter. I will return and ask your father for permission to court you, in the hope of convincing you of my steadfastness enough to accept my suit.”

Jane tried to get his attention, but though he held her hand, he could not hold her eye as he continued to tell her of what he would do to win her love in the future. At last, she put out her other hand and placed her fingers over his mouth. “Please stop,” she said, and, when she had his attention, she simply said, “Yes.”

“Yes?” he asked in surprise and incredulity.

“Yes,” she confirmed with a smile.

At that, Bingley, who had been so full of words just moments ago, was struck dumb and was unable to say a word. Jane squeezed his fingers, the gentle, happy smile remaining on her face, and said, “Perhaps we should go to my aunt.” And I shall have to write Lizzy tonight, she thought. She will be so surprised and happy!

Chapter 12

Shortly after noon on Monday, Darcy was working on his correspondence in his study when he heard the bell ring. Shortly afterward, Williams opened the door. “Mr. Bingley has called and asks for a moment of your time, sir.”

Darcy looked up in surprise. “Please show him in, Williams.” He climbed to his feet as he heard rapid footsteps in the hall, and then Bingley almost literally burst through the door. Gone was the grim, baleful Bingley of the previous day and returned was the effusive, amiable Bingley of yore. His smile was wide, if somewhat sheepish, as he approached his friend. “Darcy, I have the honor to inform you that both our missions have been successful and I am engaged to be married! In fact, I am just back from asking Mr. Bennet for his consent.”

Darcy’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “That was fast work, Bingley.” He cocked his head at his friend, whose smile had just grown wider at his remark. “In fact, it is most unlike the Bingley I have known for these past years.” Darcy held out his hand. “Congratulations, Charles.”

Bingley pumped the proffered hand enthusiastically, his smile even wider.

As Darcy gestured Bingley to a chair, he ventured, “Do I dare hope that I am forgiven, Charles?”

Bingley could not help but laugh. “Certainly, Darcy, certainly. For a while there, I don’t quite know what came over me. I don’t think I’ve ever been that angry before.”

“I’m certain that I deserved every jot of your anger, Charles. I should not have presumed to interfere.”

“Never mind that, Darcy. You made your mistake and then owned up to it when you found your error. Caroline, now,” and suddenly Darcy saw a cloud of anger descend on Bingley again, “she tried to keep lying to me, and I banished her to the charity of the Hursts. Until I’m satisfied that she understands what she tried to do and will not repeat her mistake, especially in her treatment of Jane, she can stay there.” He smiled rather wickedly, “I also suspended her allowance, and I’m afraid she has already overspent her income for the quarter.”

“That is quite singular, Charles,” Darcy said, surprised and pleased at Bingley’s newfound determination. “I am impressed. But now, may I invite my sister to join us? She will be most excited by the news.”

At his nod, Darcy rang for a servant and instructed her to ask his sister to join him. When she knocked softly on the door, Darcy invited her to come sit on the couch beside him. “Georgie,” he said with a smile, “Charles has a small announcement to make.”

Georgiana looked over at Bingley expectantly. He appeared quite happy and excited as he leaned forward. “Miss Darcy, I am engaged to be married!”

Georgiana sat up in surprise. “That is most happy news, Mr. Bingley!” she exclaimed. She looked sharply at her brother as she said, “But it is also most surprising, sir. William made no mention that might have prepared me!” She noted that for some reason her brother appeared somewhat uncomfortable.

She turned back to Bingley. “But you have not said who you are marrying, Mr. Bingley,” she chided him. She felt considerable relief at this news, since she had been made uncomfortable for some time by Miss Bingley’s rather obvious attempts to match her brother with herself. This news would certainly bring a halt to that. Now if it were equally possible to achieve a similar result for her brother . . .

Bingley looked rather startled at this. “Miss Jane Bennet is her name, Miss Darcy. Your brother and I became acquainted with the Bennet family when we were at my estate in Hertfordshire in the autumn.”

“She is a very nice young lady, Georgie,” said Darcy. “She is almost as amiable as Charles, if that can be believed.”

“I am on my way over to her uncle’s house right now, Darcy. Would you care to join me?”

Darcy immediately gave his acceptance. He hoped to be calling at that same house when Elizabeth returned, so he was not at all averse to this early visit. Since Mr. Gardiner was brother to Mrs. Bennet, it might be well to be acquainted with what he would have to bear with equanimity when he came to call on Elizabeth. It would not do to react to her relations here in town as he had previously done with her immediate family in Hertfordshire.

“May I come also, William?” asked Georgiana softly. “I should like to meet Mr. Bingley’s intended.” Darcy was surprised but also somewhat apprehensive at exposing his sister to the society in Cheapside. But he could see that she very much wanted to come, and Jane Bennet was really a quite appropriate acquaintance for his sister, even if her relations might not be of the finest. Georgiana really had so few friends, and he would much prefer she looked to Jane and Elizabeth as examples rather than to Miss Bingley, and he agreed quickly to her request. He rang for a servant and instructed that his carriage be readied and that one of the stable hands be sent around front to collect Bingley’s horse against their return.

Mrs. Gardiner was sitting with her two younger children in the nursery when the maid came to tell her that two gentlemen and a lady were come to call, Mr. Bingley with his friend Mr. Darcy and his sister. She was not surprised to find Bingley at her door, since he had promised the previous evening to call after he had seen Mr. Bennet. But she was astonished to hear that Mr. Darcy accompanied him, since what Elizabeth had related indicated a degree of aversion on his part to the match with Mr. Bingley. And she was equally unprepared to find Miss Darcy accompanying them, given Mr. Wickham’s information that she was exceedingly proud. But as she entered the sitting room, she gave no hint of her concern as she greeted Mr. Bingley, who then introduced his friends.

“Mrs. Gardiner, my I introduce my friend, Mr. Darcy, and his sister, Miss Darcy.”

Mrs. Gardiner politely asked them all to sit down and then rang for tea. “I am sorry that Jane has not returned from her walk in the park with the older children,” she told Bingley, “but I do expect her back momentarily.”

Bingley was disappointed that Jane was not yet home, but she could see that he was obviously overflowing with good cheer. “I have just returned from Longbourn,” he told her, “and Mr. Bennet has given his consent. He asked me to deliver this letter to you informing you of the arrangements,” he continued, handing her the letter.

Mrs. Gardiner looked at it and put it aside. “I’ll give it to Mr. Gardiner when he returns,” she told him. “Now, tell me all about your visit, Mr. Bingley. I know Jane will be equally interested in all the arrangements, but you will just have to repeat yourself when she comes home, for I cannot wait!”

Bingley was more than willing to accommodate and happily related the details of his talk with Jane’s father. At length, in response to her question regarding a marriage date, he told her, “We did not settle on a firm date, though we discussed the possibility of late May or early June, before it gets rather warm. But Mr. Bennet said that Mrs. Bennet might have another opinion when she arrives. Did I mention that? He suggested that Jane might remain here for several weeks more, which would allow Mrs. Bennet to assist her in shopping for wedding clothes.”

Mrs. Gardiner smiled at that thought, saying, “I am sure that will be acceptable to all concerned, Mr. Bingley. We have enjoyed the company of Jane these past months and she is quite the favorite with my children. In addition, Jane’s sister Elizabeth will be returning from her visit in Kent this Saturday, and I am sure she will be most pleased to stay and help her sister with the preparations.”

Darcy’s heart leapt at the thought that he might have more time with Elizabeth than he had previously imagined. He had been unclear just how long she would have stayed before returning to Hertfordshire, but he thought it might have been as little as a few days. Several weeks would be much better.

Further, Darcy was now becoming more thoroughly ashamed of once again making hasty assumptions about people, because whatever he had expected to find here in Cheapside, he had not expected to find this household. He had taken note of everything he had seen since entering, from the manner of the servant who admitted them to the furnishings and design of the rooms he could see. The house was older and smaller than his own, but it had been modified and decorated with admirable taste and fashion. The furnishings were fashionable without being overly so, and were oriented toward use and comfort rather that toward mere decoration. Having seen many much wealthier homes that had been furnished so badly as to be rather gaudy and unattractive, Darcy was impressed. And since it was obvious that the house had been restored and decorated in recent years, the guidance must have come from the Gardiners, either wife or husband. And given his already mistaken assumptions regarding the wife, he determined that he would withhold any opinions until after meeting her husband.

For there his mistake had been early evident. While Mrs. Gardiner had been most charming and amiable as she served tea and conversed with Bingley and himself, she must have quickly recognized Georgiana’s painful shyness. Darcy had observed how skillfully Mrs. Gardiner had from the start managed to include her in the conversation, without demanding more participation from her than his sister was able to give. Their hostess obviously was a charming and elegant lady, whatever her husband did in life, and Darcy now looked forward to meeting him. Meeting Elizabeth here in the presence of such a convivial environment would much exceed his original vision, and he quite looked forward to that event.

“I wonder what can be keeping Jane,” Mrs. Gardiner said eventually. “I am afraid that my two children may have taken advantage of her good nature to convince her to stay just a little bit longer. If she is not returned soon, I will send Hannah to the park to look for her. Mr. Bingley,” she said, “we had anticipated that you might again join us for supper. Do you think your companions might also be interested?”

Darcy looked at Georgiana and could quickly see that she was not at all averse to the idea. She usually was made uncomfortable by formal social situations, but Mrs. Gardiner had made her feel most at ease, and she did not desire to leave as she often did. She gave him a small smile and a nod. Turning to Mrs. Gardiner, Darcy said, “We have no engagements for the day, Mrs. Gardiner. We would be pleased to accept.”

Mrs. Gardiner had noticed the small interaction with interest, for she was not finding Darcy as intimidating as she had been led to believe, and she was now convinced that something was completely wrong in the opinion she had received of the sister, for she was perfectly charming and polite, just so shy that she could almost not respond beyond a few words. Certainly, Darcy was most solicitous of his sister and completely aware of her nature, for he had not even considered accepting or rejecting the invitation without first gaining her thoughts. She would have to again talk with Elizabeth about Mr. Wickham and his information, for her suspicions of that man were now aroused.

At that moment, the front door opened and the sound of children was heard up the stairwell, followed a moment later by the entry of the two older Gardiner children into the room. They immediately slowed their run upon detecting guests, and, as Jane entered the room, the boy and girl went to their mother. Both gentlemen had risen to their feet as she entered, and Jane’s face lit with happiness as she saw Bingley. She didn’t have to be told the result of his errand to her father, she could determine that from the wide smile on his face as he crossed to bow and took her hand. As he raised her hand to his lips, he told her, “Your father has given us his consent, dear heart.”

“I never doubted it, sir,” she told him quietly, but even though she in truth had not doubted, she was still filled with a sublime joy at the thought that now her dreams were brought to fruition, there were no more impediments.

Darcy had waited to greet her until Bingley had delivered his news, and he now bowed to her. “Miss Bennet,” he said, with an earnestness that surprised Jane, “Please accept my sincere congratulations, and my best wishes for your future happiness.” And, to her complete surprise, he also took her hand and bent to kiss her fingers lightly.

Completely unsure what could be the cause of this excess of civility from the reserved and distant gentleman she had heretofore believed Mr. Darcy to be, Jane could only nod as she quietly responded, “Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”

“Miss Bennet, may I introduce my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy? Georgiana, Miss Jane Bennet.” Jane was somewhat unsure of what to expect, remembering what Wickham had told Elizabeth of the pride of both brother and sister, but she could see no evidence of that pride as she returned the younger girl’s graceful curtsey. Indeed, the girl had trouble raising her eyes to her own.

“Miss Bennet,” Georgiana said softly, forcing herself to speak, “I am very pleased to meet you. I hope you and Mr. Bingley will be most happy.”

Darcy looked at his sister in delight. That was more than she had said so far during the whole visit, and he was pleased when that Jane thanked her and then escorted Georgiana to a small couch with just room for them both to sit. Bingley was somewhat unhappy, since he desired to sit by his intended, but he had to content himself with sitting in a comfortable chair beside the couch.

Meanwhile, Darcy walked over to Mrs. Gardiner, who had seated herself at the other end of the room with her two children by her side. He smiled at the two attractive children as they sat politely beside their mother, and Mrs. Gardiner could see that he desired their introduction, which could not fail to please her. “Mr. Darcy, this is my oldest child, Benjamin, and this is his sister, Felicia. Benjamin is eight, and Felicia will be six next month.”

Darcy advanced to give his hand to the older boy, an action that gratified the boy at the honor of being greeted as an adult, and then he bowed to kiss the hand of Felicia, which caused her to blush and giggle, as she stood and attempted a curtsey. Then, introductions complete, Mrs. Gardiner directed them both to the nursery to prepare for supper.

Mrs. Gardiner turned to Darcy with a pleased smile. “You have certainly won the hearts of at least two of the Gardiner household, Mr. Darcy.”

Darcy returned her smile but then grew somewhat graver. “I do have some experience with the smaller children, Mrs. Gardiner, though I would wish it otherwise. My sister was about the same age as your Felicia when my mother died, and, though more than ten years older, I often struggled to comfort her when she was so confused and saddened. And I have had almost the sole care of her since I buried my father beside my mother some five years later. I cannot see a young child without remembering my many experiences with Georgiana.”

Mrs. Gardiner looked at Darcy with even greater respect. “That was a considerable responsibility for a young man to assume,” she said quietly.

Darcy nodded his head in thanks, and they both changed the subject to more happy topics. He soon was surprised to discover that Mrs. Gardiner had spent some years at Lambton, quite near Pemberley, and they were able to find a number of interesting topics for conversation. He also watched Georgiana talking with Jane and Bingley at the other end of the room, and he was pleased to see that Jane was succeeding in drawing her out. Soon, he noted that she appeared to be as at ease as he had ever seen, and the three of them were able to converse with more amity than he had expected. Mrs. Gardiner also noticed his indirect observations and was equally pleased at his continued solicitude for his sister.

Soon, when mentioning Elizabeth, Mrs. Gardiner was surprised to find that Darcy had spent considerable time with her in Kent. She knew that, while Elizabeth had mentioned that Mr. Darcy was visiting his aunt while she visited with Charlotte, she could not recall any other than a passing reference to meeting the man. Yet he made several comments that indicated that Elizabeth had dined at Rosings a number of times while he was there and had at other times been in company with him and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam.

As pleasant as she had found Darcy’s conversation, Mrs. Gardiner’s curiosity was aroused, and she ventured to inquire somewhat further, asking how Elizabeth found his aunt and if he believed that she was enjoying her visit. To this, Darcy replied in a positive but rather noncommittal manner that was in contrast to his earlier easy and forthright conversation. To the question as to whether he himself had enjoyed a pleasant visit with his aunt, he replied, “I enjoyed much of my visit at Rosings, Mrs. Gardiner.” This comment also raised her interest, and she abandoned the conversation, having heard enough to interest but not enough to warrant further inquiry, and they passed on to other topics until Mr. Gardiner returned home.

Mr. Gardiner came to the sitting room soon after he arrived, having been informed that his wife was entertaining guests. He had expected Bingley but certainly not Darcy and his sister, and he noted that the young man had been in conversation with his wife before he entered. As the introductions were made, he was pleased by the cordial and pleasant manners of the unexpected visitor, and he joined the conversation with his wife after being informed that the party would stay to supper. Quite soon, he became aware that his wife had completely succeeded in making Darcy at his ease, and the conversation and laughter of the three young people at the other end of the room showed that his niece had been equally successful with his sister.

Darcy had entered the conversation with Mr. Gardiner with intense curiosity, and he soon established that the husband measured up in every regard to his wife in politeness and manners. Darcy noted that the older man was attired in the same manner as the home was decorated, in that he was in more comfortable trousers rather than the breeches and stockings that Darcy wore. But that was of little matter, since Darcy preferred trousers himself whenever possible, despite the dictates of fashion that recommended the more conventional dress for formal occasions. In any case, for a man in business, trousers might often make more sense.

Darcy soon found himself discoursing on his beloved Pemberley after the older man discovered his wife’s connection to that area, and he had been cheerfully describing the beauties of the estate and the work required to manage it for some time before he became aware of the skillful manner in which Mr. Gardiner was guiding the conversation with sage questions and comments that kept Darcy expounding on one of his favorite topics. After some time, as they waited to sit down to dinner, he also discovered himself discoursing on one of his other favorite topics, his sister, and he became further aware that his wife had been equally adroit at discovering and drawing him out. He was quite enjoying himself and could not help but be comfortable, though the memory of his qualms when Bingley first tendered the invitation to visit did cause him to squirm somewhat in embarrassment.

Dinner was an equally pleasant, though thoroughly informal, affair. Seating was not by cards but by chance, and he selected a seat with Jane on one side and Mr. Gardiner on the other while Georgiana sat across from him. Mr. Gardiner proved quite adroit at conversing with his sister, though his host had to do much of the talking at first. But when he discovered her love and talent for music and engaged her by soliciting her opinion of the various composers that she played and whether she had visited the opera or philharmonic, Georgiana was eventually able to respond in an easier and more comfortable manner. Mr. Gardiner realized that the girl might never be completely free of her shyness, but she certainly was most pleasant and polite. He also noted the pleasure that Darcy took in seeing his conversation with his sister and the manner in which he put her at her ease, and the dinner passed in a most cordial fashion.

As dinner was concluding, Bingley commented, “Mr. Gardiner, I must apologize that I am not able to return your hospitality by tendering an invitation to dine at my house. My sister is at present staying with her married sister and is unable to act as hostess.”

“That is quite understandable, sir. There will be other occasions, I am sure.”

Bingley nodded in relief. He had not even mentioned to Jane that he had banished Caroline from his house, and he looked over at his friend to see him looking at him closely. He was rather surprised when Darcy offered, “Charles, since you are inconvenienced at the moment, perhaps I could offer the hospitality of my own table in your stead?”

“That would be most welcome, Darcy!” he replied in pleasure. Darcy turned to Mr. Gardiner, “Then perhaps your family might join Bingley and myself for the evening meal, sir, perhaps on Wednesday?”

Mr. Gardiner quickly responded affirmatively, and a time of six was agreed on. Later, when the Darcys and Bingley were in the carriage back to Darcy’s house, Georgiana was open in her compliments toward Bingley’s intended. “Miss Bennet is very nice and kind, Mr. Bingley,” she told him. “I do hope that you will be most happy.”

“I’m sure we shall,” Bingley beamed, his eyes rather distracted in memory.

Georgiana turned to her brother, “William, I invited Miss Bennet to spend the morning with me tomorrow. I meant to ask your permission, but I quite forgot.”

Darcy smiled, pleased to see that Georgiana had indeed gotten on with Jane Bennet as well as it had appeared. “It is of no significance, dearest. I quite approve, but soon you shall be choosing your own friends, whether I approve or not.”

The thought of the future and of her coming out into society to which he referenced caused her to worry rather than to celebrate, and she passed the rest of the return to their home in silence while Darcy and Bingley conversed.

Chapter 13

Posted on Tuesday, 3 May 2005

Elizabeth was reading while sitting with Charlotte in the drawing room on Wednesday afternoon when the post was delivered. Maria also sat with them, trying to pay attention to her embroidery, when the maid delivered a letter to Elizabeth. When she saw that it was from Jane, she felt a small thrill of excitement at the thought that it might contain good news, but even her most optimistic feelings could not have prepared her for the contents:

“Dearest Lizzy

“I have the most wonderful news! Dear sister, Mr. Bingley has called today most unexpectedly and did not wait even a half-hour before he professed his love for me and asked me to marry him! Is it not too unbelievable?

“There, now that I have the important part out of the way, I can tell how it all came about! I was sitting with my aunt and my two cousins when a caller rang the bell. When his card was presented to my aunt, she looked at me most oddly and said that Mr. Bingley had come to call! I was surprised, astonished, shocked, and before I could recover he was being announced. I could hardly look at him, Lizzy, and I thought he must have heard my heart beating from where he stood. But I did see that his smile was as warm and as engaging as ever, and he hardly spent any time on pleasantries before he was asking my aunt if he might talk to me in private. My aunt was quite reluctant and very firm with him, Lizzy, but she did agree to grant us the sitting room, though she would be sitting in the next room. When we were alone, he came to sit by me and told me that he had made a terrible mistake in allowing himself to be convinced that I was indifferent to him and that he had only this morning learned from Mr. Darcy that we were both sharing in the same misery. He said he immediately resolved to call, to tell me everything of what happened, and to assure me of his love and his desire to marry me! Lizzy, dear Bingley has become most hasty! It was quite unlike him, but I cannot say I dislike it – I am very flattered by his statement that he has tried being prudent and was miserable and he is through with prudence in my regard. He was so intent on declaring that his intentions were so steadfast that he would not give up, whatever my answer to him now might be. He was so intent on telling me everything that he would do to prove the sincerity of his intentions that I was unable to say anything! I finally had to put my fingers to his mouth to make him stop talking long enough to tell him that it was all unnecessary and of course I would marry him. You can see how hasty he has become, Lizzy! Is it not most astonishing?

“Bingley rides to speak to my father tomorrow to ask his consent. We informed my aunt and she was warm in her congratulations and gracefully accepted his apologies for the mistakes that were made. I know I have suffered, Lizzy, but now I know Bingley has suffered also, and all is well.

“I must admit that I was puzzled by Bingley telling me that Darcy told him of my true feelings, because I could not account for his knowing such unless he was informed by you. Bingley confirmed that his information did indeed come from Mr. Darcy and that you were the source of that knowledge, but he does not know how his friend came to learn such private information. Though I am certainly grateful, you must write and tell me how you could have ever told such to Mr. Darcy, when you had previously disliked him so!

“But that puzzle can be solved in time. I am so full of joy at the thought of how happy my mother and the rest of my family will be, but most especially am I overjoyed by knowing how this news will be received by you, my dearest sister. You cannot know how much your love and care have meant to me these many months. But now I must close and write to my mother. I am, as I always will be,

“Your most loving sister,

“Jane”

Elizabeth was unaware that she had sprang to her feet and exclaimed aloud at the many items of most happy news in Jane’s letter until Charlotte was at last able to attract her attention.

“Lizzy, what is it?” Charlotte asked. “I know it is not bad news, for you look as if you are about to burst out laughing, but you must not keep us in suspense!”

“Oh, Charlotte,” Elizabeth said gaily, leaning over and embracing her friend. “It is the most wonderful news! Jane writes that she is engaged to Mr. Bingley!”

Both Charlotte and her sister were thrilled by the news and demanded all the details. Elizabeth consulted the letter to tell them what she could, but she did not mention what Bingley had said of Darcy, and Charlotte was left to wonder if what she had learned earlier from her friend was related to this blissful news.

Elizabeth received another letter from Jane on the following day, just after she had returned from a very long walk. The tension in the Parsonage house was worse than ever, with Maria lamenting that there had been no invitations to Rosings, though she was at a loss to explain why. Both Charlotte and Elizabeth were well aware of the reason that they were being shunned by Lady Catherine, and Elizabeth was rather relieved to avoid the company of that formidable woman. But her cousin was also shunning her, and she would have preferred to end her visit early, except that her uncle had already arranged to send a servant and a coach to meet them on Saturday. But just receiving a letter from Jane so soon after the previous happy letter cheered her immensely, and she excused herself to read it in her room. When she opened it, she read:

“Dearest sister,

“Bingley returned today after obtaining father’s consent to our marriage! We shall be married in late May or perhaps early June. I shall wait until my mother visits to ask her opinion – father says that he will send her to town to help me with the wedding clothes before I return to Longbourn. There are so many preparations to make – I am already so very nervous, Lizzy! Do hurry home from your visit with Charlotte! I need your advice and support most urgently!

“Dinner tonight was very entertaining and quite surprising, since we had two unexpected guests. When Bingley arrived, he brought Mr. Darcy and his sister with him to visit. Mr. Darcy was very gracious in congratulating me on my engagement, and I am still wondering how you came to talk of me to him. Do not think that you will be able to use your cleverness to keep from telling me, Lizzy! You are being very sly about something, for you hardly mentioned him in your letters yet you had taken him into your confidence about Bingley and myself – I will know everything, sister, and you shall not sleep until I do!

“My aunt invited Bingley and his friends to stay for dinner, and the afternoon passed most pleasantly. Mr. Darcy was very pleasant, though he conversed mostly with my aunt and later my uncle, while Miss Darcy sat with Bingley and myself. I know that you were quite offended by his behavior in Hertfordshire, Lizzy, but I cannot think you would have offended by his manners this day. Both my aunt and my uncle spoke very well of him after he departed. But I have not mentioned Miss Darcy yet, Lizzy, and I found her to be very polite and pleasant. I cannot understand how Mr. Wickham told you that she was so proud and disagreeable, because I found her so shy that I could hardly get her to say a word at first. But she grew more easy and later we became quite friendly. She has invited me to visit and spend the morning with her tomorrow, and I am very much looking forward to it. She made me call her Georgiana, and I am Jane to her. She is so much nicer than Caroline Bingley, Lizzy, and obviously there was never any attraction between her and Bingley. She is quite friendly with him, but she appears to be most pleased by our engagement. At the end of dinner, Mr. Darcy invited us all to dine with him and his sister on Wednesday. Bingley was unable to return a dinner invitation with Caroline gone visiting her sister, so his friend acted in his place. I do not know why Caroline could not return, since the Hurst townhouse is not that far, but he will not talk of it. I am afraid that Caroline may be angry at news of our engagement and is staying away. I do hope that the rift can be healed – I would be most unhappy to be the cause of a separation between brother and sister.

“I am happy that you will be joining me in less than a week – we have so much to talk of. Is it possible that, only three days ago, I was so downhearted and unhappy? So much has happened in so little time! Hurry home, Lizzy! Until then, I am,

“Your most loving and curious sister,

“Jane”

Elizabeth smiled at the renewed image of Jane’s happy state and her jesting but still serious threat to know the truth about Darcy. And she was surprised, nay astonished, to hear of Darcy’s visit to Cheapside and of his evident enjoyment of the visit. She would have previously thought that his pride would have prevented either, and she could not but wonder if the moderation of his manners was due to her. The thought was certainly gratifying, that she might be the reason for the softening of his manners, for the pride that appeared to have been the reason for his distant and haughty behavior in Hertfordshire remained a barrier between them. But perhaps the barrier was not the impassible obstacle that she had believed, and she was in good humor as she reread the letter. This time, Jane’s information about Miss Darcy provided a renewed sense of astonishment. It did seem that every single thing that Mr. Wickham had related concerning the Darcy family was the most arrant falsehood. She could recall his statement – It gives me pain to speak ill of a Darcy. But she is too much like her brother -- very, very proud – and she was again most heartily ashamed of having allowed herself to be so misled. I shall have to start completely over with this man, she thought, for I can be sure of nothing. His manners are distant and coldly polite, except when he is with his own circle, and I have judged that due to excessive pride. But if his sister is so shy, could he also be? She shook her head at such gloomy thoughts and turned again to her letter, this time concentrating on Jane’s happiness, and she was in high spirits as she returned to sit with Charlotte.

That night, in her room, Elizabeth read both of Jane’s recent letters again, and when she considered all that had happened in the last week, her mind was in such a whirl that she knew that she would be unable to get to sleep. She had tried, the previous night, to write a reply to Jane, but after two attempts at explaining how she had come to provide Darcy with such private information as to the state of Jane’s feelings toward Bingley, she had given up. It was obvious that her own opinions of that most infuriating man were in such a confused condition that she could not even start to acquaint Jane with the details of what had occurred until she first resolved some of the more contradictory areas herself.

Previously, when she had tried to consider all that had happened between her and Darcy, she kept coming up against the thought: If he does what he promised, to reveal his interference with Bingley, then perhaps I might be able to think more on his other assurances. That thought seemed to block any other thoughts, preventing her from moving on to think on other features of the puzzle that was Fitzwilliam Darcy. Even when she had, on occasion, been able to move past that first thought, she had then been unable to avoid thinking, What if he keeps his promise and it does not help? What if Jane still suffers? Could I ever accept the man who caused her such pain, even if he was not wholly to blame?

But now she had proof that he had not only done as he had promised, but the most fortunate result had come to pass with stunning swiftness. Now she no longer had an excuse. She must think of the vexing dilemma of Darcy and consider those problems that had proven so difficult to address in the previous days.

I have two main problems to consider, she thought. What do I do when Darcy calls on me in London? And what do I do if I learn that scandal threatens to utterly ruin me unless we marry?

As for the first problem, she had no doubt that he would call, now that he had accomplished his mission with Bingley with such stunning success. Such a man would never have suffered the mortification of confessing his interference to his friend only to fail to follow through on his intention. As for the second, the thought of her name being openly rumored as the mistress of any man was enough to make her ill, yet she had avoided thinking of it too long already. She pulled out and unfolded Darcy’s letter, though she was near to knowing it by heart, and she reread his suggestion that she should consider the situation and his suggested solution. Thus, the second problem was much more urgent than the first, and she resolved to think on that question first.

Now, she thought, is the threat of scandal as serious as Darcy has indicated? Could he be in error or exaggerating? After some thought, Elizabeth had to reluctantly agree with his assessment. First was the fact that she now believed him to be an honest and honorable man. Second was the fact that his experience in the world was significantly greater than her own, giving his opinion weight. Third was the fact that Colonel Fitzwilliam joined in his assessment. And I do know how seriously a lady’s reputation can be tarnished by the mere perception of improper behavior, she thought. It is intolerable that I might be ensnarled when I have done nothing wrong! Well, to be fair, neither had Darcy, but it was so unfair that the overwhelming damage might be done to her reputation. And the reputation of all my family, she thought. Even Jane. That last was a sobering thought; especially considering the happy news just received. What cruelty that Jane’s happiness might be marred or even shattered by such unfair slanders! She was again aroused against Darcy, blaming him for the unpleasantness which threatened, only to be almost immediately forced by her own conscience to admit the unfairness of that thought. He even wrote of the disparity of the repercussions, she thought, and further was adamant that his offer of marriage was not affected by any threat of scandal.

That consideration raised her ire again, as she thought, His suggested solution lets him achieve what he might otherwise be unable to obtain, which is the marriage that I so forcefully rejected! But then she remembered how much her rejection had been based on an entirely mistaken belief in the probity of Mr. Wickham and the wickedness of Mr. Darcy. Something went most awry with those two young men who shared so much in common and should have turned out most similar, she thought dryly. One appears to have all the goodness, while the other has only the appearance of it! She was beginning to wonder just how important amiability actually was in the assessment of another’s character, a question that she would never have asked herself just short weeks ago!

But really, these considerations seal the decision, she thought. There can really be no thought of refusing such an offer if scandal does loom. I cannot chance the ruin of Jane’s present happiness, even if my opinion of Mr. Darcy were unchanged from that of a week ago. I do not know for certain who I might be marrying, but if threat becomes reality, I have no choice but to marry Darcy.

But who was this most perplexing man? Elizabeth stood up and paced about her room. Untangling the confusion in her own mind looked as if it might take even longer than she had feared. Especially when her disloyal memory kept playing those haunting words of Darcy, ‘You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.’ The predictable shiver that she experienced at the memory only increased her agitation as she tried to concentrate.

It did take a considerable time, and it was quite late, well past midnight before Elizabeth finally finished her pacing and thinking. She had wrestled long, attempting to find a balance between her emotions and her reason, between the recommendations of others and her own wounded pride and vanity. As she sat in bed, leaning her head on her knees, she was finding it hard to believe that, after this long evening of intense thought, she had arrived at the conclusions that she had.

She remembered her underlying feeling at the beginning of the evening – at that time, she had been firmly of the opinion that, while she might have to accept Mr. Darcy in the event of scandal in order to preserve her sister’s happiness, she would have much preferred to completely reject his offers unless nothing but utter ruin faced herself and those she loved. So it came as some surprise, as the evening progressed and she considered one objection after another to this most baffling and complex man, that she found her objections dwindling as the cold light of reason dispelled each objection she could name. She had paced the room and even spoke her thoughts out loud, arguing both sides of each objection, and she had found herself not so much bending to Charlotte’s arguments as arriving at the same conclusion as had her friend, though for not always the same reasons.

First, she had considered what married life would be with Fitzwilliam Darcy. She asked herself if she believed that he would be harsh and abusive towards her, but she could no longer deceive herself in that regard. At worst, he might be cold and unfeeling, but she was certain that he would not be anything less than coldly polite.

Then she examined whether she really thought he would be cold and unfeeling, and she once again came to the conclusion that, despite her previous firmly held opinion, she could no longer believe that either. His expressions of love and respect, both in his original proposal and afterwards, had been altogether convincing, and it was unlikely that the man could be at the same time both affectionate and unfeeling. She reluctantly had been forced to discard that objection.

Would he object to children? Elizabeth knew that she dearly looked forward to having children in the future, and she briefly considered if Mr. Darcy would not be desirous of children. Then she considered the manner in which he had cared for his sister and the comment he had made in his letter regarding providing for the financial security of his children. ‘Our children,’ he had phrased it in the letter and on their last walk. Despite her irritation with him for his presumption, that did not appear to be the expression of a man who objected to children, and that argument was also reluctantly abandoned.

One after the other, all her objections were evaluated and rejected. She had even considered whether the intimacies of the marriage bed would be repulsive, but, while she really did not know enough to form a firm opinion, she at length concluded it could not be too objectionable. Mr. Darcy was certainly handsome enough in a physical sense, tall and fit, with attractive features, dark, curly hair, and those dark, expressive eyes. He would certainly not be a husband similar to Mr. Hurst, attentive to his plate and his port, but largely indifferent to his wife. It was no surprise that that couple had no children!

No, she now knew, those intense looks that he had so often directed in her direction were not looks of disdain and disapproval but were rather indicative of admiration and regard. They were also, she had only tonight come to realize, with something of a thrill both alarming and pleasant, were indicative of something more, and that was desire, the physical desire a man feels for a woman. This thought brought sudden warmth to her cheeks, as she pondered the thought that a man who evidently was subject to a considerable measure of passion, so much that he was struck inarticulate in her presence, might bring that same passion to the marriage bed. But, though her experience was negligible, she could not believe it a fault in a husband to feel such for a wife, even though she was certain her mother would not agree. In any event, the wife of Mr. Darcy would have her own chambers and would not be called on to submit to her husband on every night. Elizabeth could not help being amused as she remembered the sly comments she had several times heard her mother and her friends make in low voices, when they related that headache was so very useful as a defense against an overly passionate husband. Once she had come to understand her mother’s meaning, she could not help considering such ploys to be deceitful. She did not believe that she could ever resort to such a subterfuge herself, at least not against a husband such as Mr. Darcy. That thought also made her cheeks flame. Especially when she remembered the tender, caressing tones of Darcy’s proposal, and the thought of him addressing her in those same tones in the privacy of her bedchamber spread her blush from her cheeks over her whole face and down her neck.

In the end, her objections diminished to a single question, and that was whether she could ever feel true affection and love for such a man as Darcy. Despite her comment that she did not know him, Elizabeth admitted to herself that she had formed a goodly measure of respect for his character and capabilities, even if she was not so sure of his manner. She had only the image of her own parents to know how fatal it had been to their affections when her father did not respect her mother. She could never consider it without pain, for she loved her father deeply, and she could not help but believe that he had failed his family by retreating into detachment and indolence. And she had also come to the conclusion that her previous opinion of Mr. Darcy’s total lack of amiability must be somewhat in error, since he evidently was capable of ease and cordiality within his own circle. Bingley had certainly attested to it. So, despite her misgivings and her lack of personal evidence for such, Elizabeth had finally concluded that, surprising as it would previously have been, there were reasons to hope for a degree of felicity in a marriage with Mr. Darcy.

Thinking of her parents and the unhappiness of their marriage, Elizabeth had forced herself to examine one of her cherished assumptions, and that was what she really meant when she talked of not feeling true affection and love for Darcy. What do I really mean when I speak of love? she asked herself. Is it the same as the ardent love that Darcy professed to me that night last week, the love that made him willing to risk the censure of his friends, family, and society in order to marry me? As she really examined that thought, she realized that a woman’s definition of love, at least a woman such as herself, already fortunate enough to be a gentleman’s daughter, varied substantially from that of a man, especially such a man as Darcy. She knew that what she truly feared was a marriage with a husband who would not treat her with the consideration and enduring respect that would ensure a contented home life and the security that she, as a mother and wife, would need in order to birth and nurture children. She was well aware that to most of society, social advancement, wealth and security were the things to be taken into account when considering marriage, not the impractical sentiments that were written of in romantic novels. While she disagreed with such cold-blooded calculation as the sole basis for determining marriage, she could not totally ignore such considerations either. Certainly, she had not thought before of the security that her children would have with a father such as Darcy, but the advantages could not be ignored, not when added to all else that she had considered tonight.

The sum of all she had considered was that, from any rational point of view, it no longer made sense to ignore a proposal of marriage from Fitzwilliam Darcy!

The shock of these reasoned conclusions had been profound, and Elizabeth was still somewhat dazed as she sat in bed. She was aware that these arguments in Darcy’s favor were all matters of logic and rationality and that she did not feel the same for him that he did for her. But her thoughts this evening had, for the first time, kindled a kindly regard to Darcy’s admitted goal of a formal courtship, and she now found herself looking forward to renewing their acquaintance in London. She had no doubt that he would call, not after he had called with his friend at Gracechurch Street and had even brought his sister with him. No, he would call when she returned, and she had no doubt that he would renew his suit. And that thought no longer aroused any opposition but rather engendered a feeling of cheerful anticipation.

As she thought back over her contemplations tonight, she realized that she had not changed her affections, since she still did not know him, not really. Not like Jane knew Bingley, certainly, since that couple were of such compatible characters that they each were able to know the mode of the other’s thoughts because they shared those same thoughts. No, she and Darcy were certainly not similar in their character or temperament, but she had consciously come to realize that they were well suited in the manner of intellect and capabilities. In fact, she was now contemplating with perfect equanimity a future as Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy! It was most astonishing!

Elizabeth smiled as she contemplated her return to London. It was certainly gratifying to read in Jane’s letter such proofs of his continued interest and constancy. That he might remain so constant in his affections was evidence, if more were needed, that she had from first to last been so totally mistaken as to his real character that it was not only he that needed a new beginning but herself also. For if she had been able to say that she did not truly know him, a goodly share for that lack was her own vain refusal to re-examine her prejudices when even Charlotte, Bingley, and even Jane had seen him in a different light.

She remembered talking with Jane of how she would never allow herself to marry a man that she could neither love nor respect. She might not know if she would love Darcy, but he had shown himself worthy of her respect. And the dreaded possibility of being trapped in a loveless marriage did not appear to threaten, since she now believed in sincerity of his affections. If they did marry, it appeared that at least she would be loved. In this matter, he would surely have more to lose than she, since she could give no absolute guarantee of a similar response, at least at this time. But surely he must understand that. Nevertheless, before he might renew his suit, she must assure herself that he did so understand, since she remembered how, prior to his first proposal, he had mistakenly believed that she was aware of his affections and expecting his addresses. So she must talk to him of that, to ensure that he was not deceived as to her feelings, before matters proceeded further. But, if the future turned out as it now appeared that it might, she now felt comfortable that she could be a good wife to him, with every possibility of contentment and happiness for herself and the children she hoped to bear.

It was, at least, a start, and, with that thought in mind, though she knew it must be nearing dawn, she was at last able to slip into sleep.

Chapter 14

At last the day of her departure arrived, and on Saturday morning Elizabeth awakened early, having packed her belongings the previous night. She was just placing her nightclothes in her trunk after completing her toilette when a soft knock was heard at the door, and Charlotte entered the room at Elizabeth’s invitation. Charlotte was cheered by her friend’s bright smile as the two friends quickly secured Elizabeth’s trunks. Then Charlotte took her friend’s hand and pulled her to the bed to sit down. “Lizzy,” she said earnestly, “I do want to apologize to you for the manner in which you have been slighted by Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine. She has been abominably rude to you since the night Mr. Darcy visited, and I am grieved for the pain that you have suffered.”

Elizabeth smiled and embraced her friend. “Her ladyship’s ability to pain me was never very great, Charlotte, and it will surely end with my departure. I can hardly wait to see Jane and share her joy now that she is engaged.”

Charlotte smiled, since that statement led neatly into the other topic she wanted to discuss with her friend. “It is indeed wonderful how matters have arranged themselves after the unhappiness Jane suffered in the winter. But it is you that I have been worried about lately, Lizzy. After Mr. Darcy left his letter, you promised me that you would at least consider what we discussed, yet you have not mentioned it and I did not wish to intrude. But now you are almost ready to leave – I must know that you have considered what has happened and what you will do most carefully.”

Elizabeth smiled at her friend. “What you really are asking, Charlotte, is if I have rejected my foolish romantic sentiments that kept me from accepting Mr. Darcy’s offer of marriage, is it not?”

Charlotte blushed slightly, for that was indeed what she wanted to know, but Elizabeth only laughed slightly and squeezed her friend’s hand fondly. “I have indeed considered your arguments, Charlotte, and you will, I hope, be gratified to know that I found them quite persuasive. I cannot predict the future, but if Mr. Darcy does renew his offer, I can assure you that impractical romantic sentiments will not determine my response. Beyond that, you will have to trust me.”

Charlotte was well-satisfied, for she was well aware of the firmness of Elizabeth’s convictions, and if she had been moved to alter her opinion this much, she felt she could safely trust her friend’s reasoned honesty from this point. Her voice was firm as she said, “I think that is a wise choice, Lizzy, and I do wish you all happiness. In a union with Mr. Darcy, I think that you have an excellent chance to be very happy indeed.”

“If that does come to pass, I very much hope you are correct in your prediction, Charlotte,” she laughed. “Surprisingly, I am rather looking forward to seeing Mr. Darcy again, though I am still mortified at the way I took Mr. Wickham’s side against him. But I am at least certain that he is not nearly as wicked as he was described, and I believe that I have a fair chance to improve his humor, if nothing else, for I shall not hesitate to tease him at every opportunity!”

Charlotte smiled at her friend’s irrepressible spirits and summoned a servant to carry the trunks of both Elizabeth and Maria downstairs.

After the three ladies finished breakfast, Charlotte saw Anne De Bourgh’s phaeton stop by the front gate and went out to meet her. However, she shortly came back and informed Elizabeth that Anne desired to speak with her. Elizabeth got her shawl and went out to meet the young lady, who was almost covered up by a large bonnet intended to protect her from the morning sun and air. But Miss De Bourgh’s eyes were bright and her smile friendly as she greeted Elizabeth. “I understand from overhearing a conversation between my mother and your cousin that you will be leaving us this morning, Miss Bennet,” she stated cheerfully, “and I thought it best to call on you to make my good-byes, since my mother has seen fit to banish you from our table. I wanted you to know that you will be missed by at least one of the De Bourgh line.”

Elizabeth smiled at Miss De Bourgh, startled to see a lively side of her that she had never seen when she visited Rosings. She had never shown this much spirit before. “I do thank you, Miss De Bourgh,” she said with a smile. “But I must apologize that I have not taken the opportunity to further our acquaintance during our previous meetings. I seem to have been so busy responding to the conversation of your mother and cousins that I have quite neglected you. It appears now that I have missed an opportunity.”

“Do not distress yourself, Miss Bennet,” Anne said carefully. “My cousins and I have developed different methods of dealing with my mother, who is quite used to having her own way. Darcy and Fitzwilliam simply make occasional comments and allow her to continue on, while I simply retreat into my inner thoughts.”

“Perhaps we will have further opportunities in the future to repair this error, Miss De Bourgh,” Elizabeth replied as carefully.

“I also wish that, Miss Bennet,” said Anne. Then she looked at Elizabeth closely, and Elizabeth could see a twinkle in her eyes as she asked blandly, “Is it true then, that you refused my cousin Darcy’s offer of marriage?”

Elizabeth started at this unexpected question and could only look at her in confusion, wondering how she could possibly know. Anne laughed and reached out to squeeze her hand, saying, “Do not think that my excessively reticent cousin disclosed such a private matter, but I guessed it when he asked me to help him get his letter to you. I must offer you my congratulations on standing up to him that way, since he dearly needed to learn a little humility.”

Elizabeth had to smile at this saucy comment, which further amused Anne, who then said, “I am assuming that your absence from our parlor this past week is related to the decidedly improper gossip that has been circulating among the staff at Rosings, Miss Bennet, and for that I must apologize for my mother. Darcy has told her many times that her management of her staff would lead to difficulties.” Elizabeth’s furious blush told her the accuracy of her estimate, and Anne continued, “I am most sorry for the pain it must have caused you, Miss Bennet.”

“It was somewhat painful, Miss De Bourgh, but I am anticipating a certain degree of relief once I am departed.”

“No doubt,” said Anne dryly. “I do hope that you and cousin Darcy will be very happy together,” she said, which again shocked Elizabeth and delighted Anne.

Elizabeth could not believe that such an intelligent girl has been so completely concealed beneath the drab exterior that she had always exhibited. Impulsively, she reached out to squeeze Anne’s hand, as she said, “Miss De Bourgh, if you ever decide to spend some time away from the rather overwhelming presence of your mother, I would be delighted if you might consent to visit me.”

Anne laughed merrily as she gather up the reins. “That might be a very good idea,” she said. “After the honeymoon, of course,” she chortled, embarrassing Elizabeth once again as she urged the phaeton into motion.

Upon her return to the house, Elizabeth told Charlotte that Anne De Bourgh had called to make her farewells and to apologize for the neglect of her mother. After her visit, Elizabeth was more anxious than ever to be away on the road. At length the chaise arrived, the trunks were fastened on, the parcels placed within, and it was pronounced to be ready. While Maria went to her room to make sure she had forgotten nothing, Charlotte and Elizabeth descended the stairs to the chaise. As Elizabeth embraced Charlotte and made her farewell outside by the carriage, she could not help feeling melancholy to be leaving her friend to such society as Mr. Collins and Rosings. But she has chosen it with her eyes open, she thought. It was obvious that Charlotte was sorry to see Elizabeth leave, especially in such an unsettled situation. But she did not seem to desire compassion for herself. Her home and her housekeeping, her parish and her poultry, and all their dependent concerns, had not yet lost their charms.

No sooner had she thought of Mr. Collins than that worthy deigned to leave his study to see Elizabeth and Maria off. After he bade his cousin a rather distant and cool farewell, he handed her in to the carriage, Maria followed, the door was closed, and the carriage drove off.

"Good gracious!" cried Maria, after a few minutes silence, "I am glad to be going home. Our visit was so agreeable at first, but the last week has been most boring. And though we dined six times at Rosings and drank tea there twice, we had not a single invitation this past week!”

“I do believe you are correct,” said her companion with a sigh.

“But still,” said Maria, becoming more cheerful, “the first part of the visit was most agreeable! How much I shall have to tell!”

Elizabeth privately added, "And how much I shall have to conceal."

Their journey was performed without much conversation, or any alarm; and within four hours of their leaving Hunsford they reached Mr. Gardiner's house. As the coach pulled up in front of the Gardiner home, Elizabeth looked up to the windows of the sitting room above and was delighted to see Jane lean out with a large and joyous smile and wave vigorously to her. Then Jane ducked back inside the window and disappeared. By the time Elizabeth exited the coach, the front door had opened, and her sister ran forward to embrace her. The tumultuous events of the past week, combined with to the arrival of her dearest sister, were unexpectedly too much for Jane, and she tightened her embrace of Elizabeth while breaking into tears of joy and emotional release. Elizabeth held her usually reserved older sister, overcome herself by the emotion that led Jane to such an unusual public exposure, but Jane was able to quickly recover herself and release her embrace.

By this time, her aunt and uncle, along with a beaming Mr. Bingley had also exited the house, and she greeted each in turn, concluding with Bingley as he bowed over her hand and accepted her congratulations. The trunks of the two passengers were quickly unloaded and taken inside, and Elizabeth and Maria entered the house with the rest of the party. Her uncle briefly informed her that he would like a few words with her in his study as soon as she was refreshed, and the two young ladies departed to their rooms to clean up after the journey.

“You wanted to talk to me, Uncle,” Elizabeth asked as she entered his study, having a fairly good idea of the subject of his conversation.

“Yes, I did, Lizzy,” replied Mr. Gardiner, putting down the book he was reading. “Please, take a seat. I trust you are refreshed from your journey?”

“Yes, Uncle, I am,” she smiled, “and you really do not have to go through all the civilities before you come to your point. I believe I could make a good guess as to what you wish to discuss.”

Mr. Gardiner smiled at his niece. “Then you can imagine how surprised I was yesterday afternoon when Mr. Darcy paid me a visit, and wished to talk of one of my favorite nieces.”

“I daresay,” Elizabeth murmured, trying to stifle her smile.

“Perhaps ‘surprised’ would not be a strong enough word,” he continued. “I think ‘astonished’ would more accurately describe my emotions when he asked my permission to not only call on upon you when you returned to London but to formally court you.”

Elizabeth had to stifle more than a smile at her uncle’s droll comments, and she lifted an eyebrow as she asked, “And did you grant your permission, sir?” she said archly.

Her uncle was serious now. “I told him that I would first need to talk to you and would then have to correspond with my brother. He informed me that you were aware of his intention and had given him permission when you were in Kent.”

“That is correct, uncle,” she said softly.

“Lizzy, now you must be serious. When I was last informed, I believed that your opinion of Mr. Darcy was most decidedly in the negative. Since I have made his acquaintance, I have come to the complete opposite opinion, and both your aunt and I quite like him. But how did your opinion change so dramatically? So dramatically that you agreed to a formal courtship?”

“Because I was wrong in my opinions, Uncle,” she said carefully, “In fact, I was so completely in error regarding Mr. Darcy that it is quite embarrassing to remember the things that I said about him.” She paused to compose her thoughts. She did not desire to share every aspect of her relationship with Darcy, but she must speak of Mr. Wickham at least. “Perhaps the most significant error I made will serve as an example. You will remember, I hope, the good opinion I had of Mr. Wickham in Hertfordshire and how offensive I found Mr. Darcy’s offenses against him?” Her uncle nodded gravely.

“Then, sir, I must tell you that the truth is the complete opposite – I have every reason to believe Mr. Darcy to be an honorable man, and I have certain knowledge that Mr. Wickham is not only not a gentleman but is a quite wicked man besides. You can imagine the shock to my pride and vanity when it became obvious on what false pretenses I had based my opinions. And further examination of other aspects only proved more embarrassing. When Mr. Darcy asked permission to attempt to change my bad opinion of him, I could not in good conscience refuse.”

“I see,” said Mr. Gardiner thoughtfully. After some thought, he asked, “And has your good opinion changed enough that you would consider marriage, Lizzy? Assuming he asks, of course.”

Elizabeth smiled. “He has already asked once, Uncle,” she said softly. “I have no doubt whatever that he will ask again. Mr. Darcy appears to be a most determined man.”

Mr. Gardiner was again astonished. “Again?” he asked incredulously, and Elizabeth nodded. “Then you refused him when he asked?” and she nodded again. Mr. Gardiner sat back and tried to organize his dazed thoughts.

At length, he smiled at Elizabeth. “Then I shall certainly not keep such a determined young man from at least seeing my most surprising niece, at least until I can correspond with my brother.” He thought for a minute, and then said, “Perhaps we could invite him to dinner next Saturday, Lizzy?” he suggested. When he saw the look of alarm on her face, he continued blandly, “Or I could send around a note to invite him to dine with us tonight.” He picked up a note from his desk and handed it to Elizabeth. “Perhaps you would give that to Jamieson to deliver,” he told her.

She saw the folded note was addressed to ‘Fitzwilliam Darcy,’ and Elizabeth realized that she was being teased. “Uncle!” she responded in mock sternness, “you are being most vexing!” This only drew a laugh from her uncle, and she had to smile also at the success of his teasing.

“Uncle, might I ask for the loan of your study for a period tonight?” Elizabeth asked. He raised his eyebrows at her in query, and she blushed slightly. “There remain a number of unanswered questions between Mr. Darcy and myself that still need to be resolved, Uncle,” she said simply, and, after a slight hesitation, he agreed to her request.

“Thank you, Uncle,” she said gratefully, going around his desk to embrace him briefly before leaving with the note in hand.

Chapter 15

Posted on Saturday, 7 May 2005

Darcy was in his study, engaged in pleasant thoughts of the coming evening with Elizabeth and quite neglecting his correspondence, when his butler, Williams, knocked at the door and showed Colonel Fitzwilliam into the room. When he saw his cousin, still wearing his regimental uniform, stride into the room with a bleak look on his face, sudden worry clutched at his stomach.

As soon as they were alone, Fitzwilliam lost no time coming to the point. “Darcy, as you know, I have been keeping an unobtrusive watch on the various organs of the rumor mills. A close friend who was assisting with this, though he does not know the reason, spotted this item in the Morning Chronicle.” He pulled a slip of paper from his uniform pocket and handed it to Darcy, who read:

“We are recently informed that a certain bachelor from Derbyshire, well-known as one of the most eligible young men of fashionable society, has apparently taken a mistress, a comely but unknown country lass. Shockingly, he is flaunting his new light o' love under the nose of his own relations, keeping her in, of all places, the nearby home of a churchman.”

“Oh, wonderful,” Darcy groaned.

“It was published on Thursday, but I didn’t learn of it until today. You know how the Chronicle is, there is just so much of this kind of thing in there that we did not notice it at first.”

“This is disgusting, Richard,” Darcy said angrily. “Even after you convinced me that I could not simply ignore what might be published, I still did not expect it to really occur. But how can they get away with publishing this kind of faradiddle? I would have thought that everyone concerned would get called out on a regular basis.”

“Darcy, you don’t understand how clever they are. They name no names, do they? If you tried to make this an affair of honor, your challenge would be refused and those involved would publicly claim they never intended to impugn your honor. It would always be someone else. Meanwhile, the gossip columns and the scandal sheets will move on to another topic, while the society gossips do the rest of the work, attaching names to what was published, leaving you tarnished and Miss Elizabeth and her whole family quite ruined.”

Darcy sat back in his chair, shaking his head. Fitzwilliam was right, blast it! There seemed no physical enemy to contend with, no physical reality to this vaporous threat. Fifteen minutes ago, he had been enjoying the thought of enjoying an evening spent in pleasant company, imagining a successful conclusion to his courtship of Elizabeth, and the possibility of inviting the Gardiners to visit the two of them at Pemberley and partake of the fishing and other beauties. At least this was not published earlier, while Elizabeth was still at Hunsford, because the chance of the matter turning out disastrously would have been much greater. Now, it would certainly force Elizabeth to make a decision earlier than he had desired, and he could only hope that Elizabeth or the Gardiners could forgive his clumsy attentions toward their niece that now threatened her reputation. He sighed helplessly. The situation was what it was, and he had to face that, and hope that Elizabeth could manage the same.

“I have been invited to dine with Elizabeth and her relations tonight, and I will have to make her aware of this,” he told his cousin, who nodded gloomily in agreement. Darcy ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “I had hoped for some calmer moments with Elizabeth here in London,” he continued, “and now this arises!”

“Truly, it does not appear to be as bad as you think, Darcy,” Fitzwilliam said blandly. “Surely Miss Bennet must be gaining some experience with how your impetuous nature always complicates things.” Darcy could only glare at this latest jibe from his irrepressible cousin.

Elizabeth was somewhat anxious as she awaited Darcy’s arrival. Bingley was quite happily seated by Jane, the both of them seeming to be entirely comfortable conversing between themselves in low tones while leaving Elizabeth and the Gardiners to fend for themselves. Maria Lucas seemed content to simply sit in a corner chair and work on her sewing, though she had been interested to learn that Mr. Darcy would dine with the family tonight. Elizabeth had not had a moment of privacy in which to inform Jane of any of what had occurred in Kent, though Jane had made one sly remark that Elizabeth had best prepare for a long talk before bed. But now Elizabeth could only feel a sublime joy in the radiant look that was so often on Jane’s face as she watched her precious Bingley, and the obvious aspect of adoration that suffused Bingley’s open countenance was equally striking. She was conscious of the lack of a similar feeling herself for Darcy, but she knew he would not expect such, not when their emotions had been in such a turmoil when they last saw each other in Kent. But she was far from indifferent to the man coming to call on her, she thought to herself with an inner smile – Darcy had provoked many reactions in her, but indifference had never been one of them! She was thus even more anxious to please than was her normal aspiration, and she naturally feared that every power of pleasing would fail her in this situation. She noted the slight smiles that her aunt and uncle shared with each other as they viewed her discomposure, and that only made everything worse.

When she heard a carriage arrive shortly afterward, a quick glance out the window showed that it was the Darcy coach, and the gentleman himself was even then descending from the coach. The bell rang, and Mr. Darcy was shown into the sitting room. As he entered and bowed in introduction, his eyes instantly sought those of Elizabeth, and he again felt himself almost mesmerized by her bright eyes as she crossed the room to greet him. “Miss Elizabeth,” he said softly as he bowed over her hand, lightly brushing his lips over her fingers. “Mr. Darcy,” she said in reply, her eyes twinkling and a smile on her face as she found herself beginning to enjoy his gallantry.

Darcy took the opportunity for a closer look at Elizabeth. He was feeling quite unsettled, since they had so many things between them that had not even been discussed, much less resolved, and he was cheered to find her in good spirits. Her greeting had been open and friendly, and he could not help but note the difference between this greeting and all the others in Kent and Hertfordshire. How could I possibly have thought that she greeted me with expectation? he thought suddenly. Those were greetings of cold politeness and I had not the wit to even recognize it.

Some measure of his discomposure must have shown in his face, for she suddenly looked uneasy at the change of expression. “Is something wrong, Mr. Darcy?” she asked quietly. They were standing alone some paces from the others after their initial greeting and thus had a small measure of privacy.

“No, nothing at all,” he responded, forcing a smile. “I just had occasion to remember some of my mistaken assumptions in the past, and the remembrance was not pleasing.”

She cocked an eyebrow at him. “You must learn some of my philosophy, Mr. Darcy, and think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.”

He laughed, thinking again of how much he enjoyed their jousting. “I think your philosophy flows from a different root, Miss Elizabeth,” he said with a smile. “Your retrospections must be free of that which might cause reproach, so that your contentment is not based on ignoring that which would cause embarrassment but rather on its absence. But I am not so fortunate. I have painful memories and would not change them, for how else would I learn?” She smiled at the comment, and Darcy was warmed by that smile, for it was not a smile based on mistaken assumptions but on shared remembrances of difficult times.

He sobered as he recollected what they needed to discuss, and he said, “I need to talk to your uncle and request some time to talk with you privately as soon as may be. A matter has arisen that must be addressed immediately.”

Elizabeth was somewhat troubled by the stormy expression that came and went over his face. “I had already approached my uncle regarding some items of my own,” she told him, “and he has agreed to the loan of his study. However, you should still talk with him.”

Darcy nodded, and he reluctantly left her to greet her aunt and uncle. Jane was looking at her in both surprise and confusion, and Bingley was sitting with his mouth open in astonishment, looking back and forth between herself and his friend, with the light of dawning comprehension in his eyes. Maria Lucas was still attending to her sewing, but the slight smile on her face indicated that she was not as surprised by Darcy’s greeting of her as she ought to have been. Elizabeth began to suspect that Charlotte had confided at least some aspects of the events in Kent to her sister before they left.

As she walked over to sit by Jane, Elizabeth realized that her easy manner of greeting and conversing with Darcy had revealed to Jane and Bingley, in a manner impossible to mistake, that she and Darcy were not the casual and indifferent acquaintances that had been assumed. Given the questions that both Jane and Bingley had of the manner in which they had been reunited, they were both busy adding two and two and getting an uncomfortably accurate answer. Well, Elizabeth thought ruefully as she sat down by her sister, there’s no help for it – the cat is well and truly out of the bag now! I just wish that I had been more forceful earlier in finding a time to speak privately to Jane. But, though it might have prevented the surprise, it would really make little difference, so Elizabeth told herself to put the thought aside, and she fell to conversing with her dear sister and her betrothed.

It was not too many minutes before Elizabeth saw Darcy and her uncle rise and leave the room, and she was accordingly not surprised when, a few minutes later, Jamieson came over and said that her uncle desired her presence in his study. As she excused herself, Elizabeth was well aware of the calculating look that Jane and Bingley exchanged. Though they might not be apprised of the intermediate details, she believed that both of them had reached the same conclusion. Her aunt was not much better, giving her a smile that betrayed a considerable amount of self-satisfaction, while Maria evidenced a sudden and unlikely concentration on her sewing. Elizabeth shook her head in amusement, thinking of how pitilessly she was going to be interrogated later by both Jane and her aunt, as they would both demand to know the details of how her association with Darcy had changed so dramatically.

When she entered her uncle’s study, both men rose politely, and Mr. Gardiner said, “Please take a seat, Lizzy. Mr. Darcy has asked for some time to speak with you privately, and as your guardian while you stay with us, I have felt compelled to set the usual conditions, little though I believe it is necessary for either of you. But I will remind you,” he smiled, “that you need not settle everything tonight, since we dine at seven.” Darcy darkened slightly, Elizabeth flushed more, and Mr. Gardiner chuckled to himself as he left the room and closed the door behind him.

Now that they were alone, they at first sat silently, with so much to say that neither could say a word. At last, Darcy sighed and said, “Where shall we start, Miss Bennet?”

Elizabeth smiled and said, “I shall start by thanking you for your efforts with Mr. Bingley. I know it could not have been comfortable.”

Darcy squirmed in his seat with remembrance. “It was rather difficult. I had never seen Bingley so angry. I had not believed he could get that angry. Did you know he ordered me out of his house?”

Elizabeth stared. “He didn’t!”

Darcy nodded. “Most assuredly he did, though he did return the afternoon of the next day, after he spoke to your father, and he then very generously forgave me. He was quite exuberant by that time and invited me to accompany him on his visit to Miss Bennet.”

Elizabeth shook her head in amusement. “Jane did not say a word of Bingley getting angry, though she did write me that you had called. I have to wonder if he has yet told her of it. We have not had much time to talk since I returned, so I was not able to warn her of anything that has passed between us. Based on the looks they gave me when I left the sitting room, I believe that she and Bingley are probably discussing us quite extensively right now.”

He smiled briefly before continuing thoughtfully, “And I assume that you almost certainly do not know about his sister?” When Elizabeth shook her head, he continued, “He banished her to the Hurst townhouse after he found out about her deceptions, and then he suspended her allowance. He still will not allow her to return, and, possibly more significantly, he will not even discuss the matter with me.” Elizabeth was quite shocked at this news, and she was now certain that Jane knew nothing of any of this. Darcy continued thoughtfully, “I suspect that Charles may not need nearly as much advice from me in the future. But,” he shrugged, “that was the goal I was trying to guide him toward in any event, so one good result is that he is much closer to being his own man than he would have been otherwise. Not,” he said wryly, “that I would recommend the way in which events shaped themselves if I could do it over again.”

“I daresay,” said Elizabeth with a slight smile, then she said, “Now I believe it is your turn, Mr. Darcy.”

Darcy looked uncomfortable as he took the torn section from the Chronicle from his pocket and handed it to Elizabeth. Her brow crinkled slightly as she read it, and he tried to prepare himself for her anger and hurt as she saw proof of her unfair entanglement in this noxious affair.

What he was not prepared for was the tinkling sound of her laughter.

Shocked, he could only stare at her as she looked at the section again in amusement before handing it back to him with a smile on her face. “I . . . I expected you to be rather upset,” he said haltingly.

“If you only knew, sir,” she said, with an impertinent smile, “how many hours I have spent trying to puzzle out the riddle of your character, arriving at conclusions only after long and difficult struggle, and now I find it was all for naught. One can only laugh or cry when faced with such irony, and I would far rather laugh than cry.”

Darcy could only look at her in confusion and stammered, “I am sorry . . . I do not believe I understand . . . ”

Elizabeth sighed, “Sometimes I do not understand myself, either, Mr. Darcy.”

“I do want you to know that I meant what I said in my letter, and my offer of marriage remains open,” he said firmly.

“I never doubted it, sir,” she said with a smile. “You have, if nothing else, quite impressed me with your determination.” But then her expression sobered, and she continued, “But before I answer, Mr. Darcy, there are certain things that I must tell you, and I must apologize in advance, because some of them may pain you.”

Darcy nodded silently, his chest tight. He was heartened by her sympathy, so much at odds with their earlier interactions, but he was dismayed at her warning that what she said would pain him.

“First,” she began, “there is the letter that you wrote me at Hunsford and the whole situation which caused it. I must tell you that I was infuriated when I first read it, both at being involved in something so unfairly and at the manner in which you stated that your intentions and affections remained unchanged. I considered it a measure of your arrogance and your presumption that you would say what you did, but after I talked with Charlotte and calmed down, I could see the sense of what you stated and even understood the reason that you offered to renew your proposal.”

Darcy winced as she told of her anger. “I was rather afraid that the letter would upset you, but Fitzwilliam and I could not see another way to apprise you of what we had discovered, nor did we believe that we could delay our departure without making the situation worse. I did walk in the park, hoping to talk to you, but I did not meet you.”

Elizabeth smiled slightly. “After our meeting the previous day, I purposely stayed inside to prevent another chance meeting.” With a sigh, she said, “Perhaps it would have been better to have followed my usual custom. As to your assessment of the situation, you and your cousin were likely correct. Certainly Charlotte energetically defended you, pointing out the logic of your arguments and demanding of me why I was so offended when you were being so generous to defend my reputation.” She smiled in remembrance, and continued, “After my anger cooled, I even allowed that she might not be completely in error.”

“I am sorry to have been the cause of such turmoil,” he said carefully. “And you need not apologize for your anger on receiving my letter – I suspected as much, and your reaction to it was not unreasonable.” He ran his fingers through his hair in the manner that showed his inner agitation, and she waited to see if he had more to add before she continued.

“But your letter and our conversations before you left did give me many things to consider after you departed,” she said, “even though I am forced to admit that I was not able to fully consider them until I received Jane’s letter announcing her engagement to Bingley. I knew then that your mission had not only been accomplished but had succeeded quite admirably. It was then that I at last was able to think deeply on all the matters that were at issue between us.” She colored slightly as she considered her next statement. “You cannot know how mortified I was when I understood the manner in which I let myself be deceived by Mr. Wickham. No, Mr. Darcy,” she said, as he started to interject a comment, “I know you are going to say that I must not be too hard on myself, because he has deceived other, but that is not the issue here. What I had to consider is that if I had been that wrong in my judgment of Mr. Wickham, then I might have been wrong about other things. I had to go back to the very beginning of our acquaintance to consider how I might have deceived myself and drawn other wrong conclusions. It took a very long time before I worked all the way through everything I could think of, and the conclusions I came to were quite surprising to me at the end.”

Elizabeth met Darcy’s eyes firmly. “When I at length ended my deliberations, Mr. Darcy, I was rather shocked to discover that I could no longer find any real reason to refuse your proposal.” She noted the manner in which he suddenly sat up straighter, and his gaze on her was intent. “I was almost as surprised by my conclusions as I was by your previous declaration. We both know that just over a week ago, I had no knowledge of your true feelings. I believed that you despised me, and I was resolved to despise you in my turn. Now, as I sat thinking that night, I realized that I had just concluded that you were right, and we indeed were well matched. It was a staggering reversal, and I was quite discomfited as I tried to come to grips with it.”

Elizabeth could not look away from Darcy as his eyes were fixed on hers. They were dark eyes, dark brown usually but sometimes even darker, such as now when he fixed that intent look on her that could only remind her of the intensity of his love for her. She had to struggle to force herself to continue. “You must know how sorry I am for the manner in which I was wrong about your character. Hopefully, we have both improved in understanding since that evening at the Parsonage. But that leads to the matter that you must know before I can give you an answer. All my conclusions were based on logic and reasoning – matters of the head rather than matters of the heart. I know of your love for me – as surprised as I was by your declaration, I can have no doubt that you love me, and it is still a marvel to me. But you must know that it would be too much to expect that I could return your love in such a short time, when today is the first day that I have seen you since the day you left Rosings. And today is the first chance we have had to talk in private and with a complete understanding of each other. So, just as you have been honest with me, I will not attempt to profess feelings which are not my own. I have come to believe in your honor and your honesty, and I already know many things to admire in you, but at this moment there is an inequality in our feelings for the other, and the imbalance favors myself more than you, for I know I am loved and you have no corresponding assurance.”

What she had told him was not unexpected by Darcy, but, while he could not help the pain he felt at her words, he was not especially upset. What more could I have expected, after all? he asked himself. A sudden profession of love at such a time would have soon led to a suspicion of the professed feelings. Honesty flows both ways, and if she can trust me enough to warn me of her feelings before she gives me an answer, then I am well satisfied. But I still have not actually heard an answer . . .

“Is that all?” he asked softly.

“Is it not enough, sir? I needed to warn you of my sentiments so that you might withdraw your offer if they are too distressing.”

“Nonsense!” he stated firmly. Elizabeth looked rather confused, and he had to laugh softly. “If you think that I am going to be frightened off by a little honesty on your part, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, then you have not yet measured the extent of my determination!”

“Now,” he said, leaning forward in his chair, fixing his eyes on her, “there was a mention of an answer, now that I have been suitably warned.”

Elizabeth smiled slowly, her spirits rising as they often did, and she said, “But sir, an answer requires a question, and as I think back, I can only remember a statement.” She leaned forward, one lovely eyebrow arched, as she asked softly, “Was there not a question that you had for me, Mr. Darcy?”

Darcy gave a sharp bark of laughter at her impudent comment, and then grinned hugely, suddenly feeling better than he had for months. It is all going to be all right, he thought gleefully, before he managed to compose himself. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” he said forcefully, cheered by the smile that she shared with him, “will you do me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage?”

“Well, sir,” she said demurely, “it does seem that I have no choice but to accept your kind offer, so the answer is yes, I will marry you. But now you know the reason that I laughed at that rancid piece of gossip – since I had already demolished all my previous objections to you, all it did was change the timing and not the result. Assuming,” she said with a smile, “that you did not simply drop me as a bad business.”

“Little chance of that,” Darcy growled, as he took her hand possessively.

“Though I am sorry to miss the lengthy courtship that you promised me,” she teased. “After I spent so many hours in thought and found myself having to change so many of my opinions of you, I was quite looking forward to my return to London.” She smiled softly and squeezed his hand. “I had not been courted before, and I found that the idea had gained an attraction that caught me completely by surprise.”

He smiled back at her, his happiness swelling his chest at finally gaining the goal that he had almost lost. But Elizabeth now sobered. “But now, you turn out to have been right about the threat that caused you to write your letter. We truly must marry, and now that we are engaged, I must to put your mind at rest regarding the reservations that I mentioned. Do not worry that my reservations shall make me unhappy. Please believe me when I tell you that I am not disposed to melancholy, and your assurances of your love have given me confidence in our future life. I have complete trust in your pledge that I will be treated with respect and consideration, and many wives never have such a hope. And I will do my utmost to make you a good wife, to care for you and our children, and to always work for your content and satisfaction. I feel gratified that you have chosen me, despite some of the unkind things that I have said about you.”

Darcy was moved by the strength of her own assurances, and her words were balm to the pains that he had earlier felt. Suddenly Darcy rose to his feet, and Elizabeth looked up as he towered over her, so tall and imposing, yet with a look of warmth and sympathetic understanding on his face that gave her the comfort that she desperately needed. He reached down his hands toward her, and her hands went to his almost without conscious thought. She found herself being pulled to her feet and then being pulled to his chest. She did not resist as his arms enfolded her and pulled her into his embrace. Suddenly, tears of emotional release flowed from her eyes, and sobs began to wrack her slender form. Darcy stroked her back and whispered words of understanding into her fragrant hair as her small hands clutched his lapels and her head nestled into his chest.

As her tears subsided, Elizabeth found that the feeling of Darcy’s arms around her gave rise to feelings never before experienced and certainly never expected. What she felt was a contentment that she had not known and had not even been aware of missing. More, she felt a protection and security that was equally unknown. She could not put into words why she felt this way, but had she been disposed to examine how her character had been formed while growing up in a household exemplified by chaos and lack of direction, she might have had an inkling of her sudden sense of security. She had never had anyone to lean on except Jane, and the support they provided each other was different from what she now felt in Darcy’s arms. She could not put a name on it, but she knew that she did not want it to end.

Yet end it must, and eventually she was stirred to find her handkerchief and dry her tears, which had not been shed in anguish but more because of the release of emotions that she had been holding strictly in check. But as she dried her tears, Darcy raised her chin to look her in the face. “Elizabeth,” he said intently, wanting to make sure she understood and believed him, “you have made me happier tonight than I have ever been in my life.” His eyes darkened in that familiar way as he looked at her, and he said simply, “I do not believe I could live without you, Elizabeth, and I cannot believe the desperately small margin by which I avoided that fate. Do not worry about what you termed reservations. I understand, believe me, and I could not expect more, given the turbulent nature of our acquaintance. But from this point on, you may be secure in my love, as my mother was in my father’s love all the days of her life. You saw, I am sure, that some of what you said pained me, but I know that your words were honest and truthful, and I would always have it that way between us. I am happy, I am satisfied, and I am content. We shall be friends at least and hopefully more, in time.” He suddenly smiled. “If you would have me adopt some of your philosophy, then you should adopt some of mine. I have been saying to myself very many times these past days, that it could have been ever so much worse!”

That did amuse Elizabeth as she stood with his arms still about her. “It could indeed, Mr. Darcy,” she said with a light laugh, “it could indeed.”

“Then do you not think it time to stop calling me ‘Mr. Darcy,’ Elizabeth?” he said with a smile.

“Then what shall I call you, sir?” she said with a raise of her eyebrow. “Shall I call you Fitzwilliam?”

Darcy winced. “No one calls me Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth.”

“But is it not your Christian name, Mr. Darcy?” she teased him.

“My parents named me ‘Fitzwilliam’ for my mother’s family, and no, I do not know why. But my friends simply call me ‘Darcy.’ My mother called me William when I was young, as does Georgiana now, and I would have you do the same.”

“Then I shall do so, William,” she said easily. “Except when I am angry, when ‘Fitzwilliam’ might slip out!”

He laughed and looked down at her lovely face. “Thank you, Elizabeth,” he said, and he leaned down to kiss her on the forehead. “Perhaps we should rejoin the others so that dinner is not delayed on our account.”

Elizabeth tucked her head back into his chest and nestled closer to him. “I find that I like being held, William. I had not expected it, but I find that I like it very much.”

“Then I shall hold you often, my dearest, but we will have to rejoin them at some point.”

“Yes, I know,” she said regretfully, finally pulling free of Darcy’s embrace. “And now would be a good time, for I am beginning to feel quite hungry.”

They met Mr. Gardiner when they left his study, and he looked a little worried as he recognized that she had been crying. Elizabeth smiled at him when she recognized his concern. “Do not be troubled, uncle,” she told him. “William and I had much to discuss, and some tears did result, but they were not tears of anger or anguish. We had no harsh words, believe me, but we have both made mistakes in our acquaintance, and some tears needed to be shed to put those mistakes behind us. Not all tears are unwelcome, uncle.”

“To be sure,” he said, though he was not sure that he did see, but he was not unaware of her use of Darcy’s Christian name, nor was he unaware of the way that Darcy looked on her with the deepest affection. So he was not unduly surprised when Elizabeth said with one of her teasing smiles, “Perhaps we might join the others now, Uncle, for we have a small announcement to make before dinner.”

“Ah,” he answered, in the same mode as his niece. “A short courtship then, I presume?”

“Long enough, Uncle,” she responded, looking up at Darcy with her eyes twinkling. “Long enough.”

Elizabeth had her hand on Darcy’s arm as they joined the others, and the warmth of the expressions on their faces was sufficient to alert Mrs. Gardiner, who was already aware of Darcy’s intentions from her husband. So she was not surprised when Mr. Gardiner announced that his niece had something to say before he seated himself beside his wife. But Bingley and Jane stared at Darcy and Elizabeth in a kind of rapt fascination, hardly knowing what to expect yet completely aware that something had changed.

“Mr. Bingley, Jane, Aunt, Uncle, Maria,” Elizabeth said, forcing herself to break free of Darcy’s gaze to meet the eyes of the others in the room, “I would like you to be the first to know that Mr. Darcy and I are engaged to be married.”

Jane at first sat in her chair in stunned astonishment, unable to believe what she had just heard, while Bingley’s mouth had fallen open in surprise, despite the fact that his suspicions had been aroused earlier. Suddenly, he now knew how Darcy had come to know of Jane’s true state of mind, even if he still did not comprehend all the details. But Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner had suffered no similar level of surprise, and they lost no time in offering their congratulations. Bingley followed some seconds later, but a full thirty seconds went by before Jane could stir from her chair. But when she did, she made up for her earlier frozen state by the strength of her arms as she embraced her sister, and the tears she shed were assumed to be tears of joy, though Jane herself was not so sure. Knowing of Elizabeth’s previous dislike of Darcy, she was stricken by a horrified suspicion that her sister might have agreed to marry Darcy in order to secure his help with his friend. The thought that Elizabeth might sacrifice herself to bring about her own happiness could not be dispelled from her mind as she wept in her sister’s embrace.

Continued in Next Section