22. Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Two
Darcy House was filled to bursting on New Year's Day, adorned with wreaths of dark green ivy and holly berries, pure white roses and pale yellow jonquils, and glowing candles that cast a warm and festive light. Guests milled about, their laughter and chatter filling the air, their smiles wide and genuine as they congratulated the happy couple. Jane looked radiant in a new lilac gown, her beauty shining through, her sweet-tempered nature delighting all who spoke with her. And Bingley was the very picture of a happy bridegroom, cheerful and beaming, standing proudly at Jane's side.
Mr. Darcy was there, of course delighted to host his best friend's wedding, and Elizabeth, the latter's dark eyes sparkling with delight to see her dearest sister so happy. Mrs. Bennet fluttered and exclaimed over her eldest daughter's good fortune as the other Bennet sisters looked on, Mary gravely informing all who would listen that she had always known Jane would make an excellent match, Kitty and Lydia giggling together. It was a joyous occasion, and they were all happy to share in it.
Fires crackled merrily in the grates in the grand reception rooms, the dining-room tables groaning with food and drink. There were little cakes and pastries, cold meats and cheeses, fruits and nuts, and glasses of wine and punch. A small group of musicians in one corner played, the strains of a lively country dance filling the air.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Bingley!" Mrs. Gardiner exclaimed, kissing Jane's cheek. "You look beautiful!"
"Thank you," Jane said, her cheeks glowing pink. "I am so happy today."
"And you, Mr. Bingley," Mr. Gardiner said, clapping him on the shoulder. "I hope you realise that you are the luckiest man in England!"
"I am indeed," Bingley said with a wide grin, looking down at Jane. "The very luckiest."
"Miss Elizabeth, you must be so pleased for your sister," Lady Matlock said to Elizabeth.
"I am," Elizabeth said with a smile. "I have never seen her so happy, but then, I know of nobody more deserving than such happiness than Jane!"
"She truly is a sweet creature," Lady Matlock agreed warmly. "May she ever be as happy as she is today. "
The arrival of Miss Bingley and the Hursts was an event in itself. Elegant in their fashionable silks, Miss Bingley in a deep blue gown that complemented her colouring and her sister in soft pink, they were nevertheless slightly stiff, as though discomfited by the occasion. The Hursts were no more effusive, Mr. Hurst bowing and greeting all politely enough but then disappearing in the direction of the dining-room, while Mrs. Hurst clung to her sister's side.
Their relationship with the Bennets was cordial but strained, and this was evident in their interactions. Mrs. Bennet clearly had no idea what to say to Miss Bingley, and only bobbed a curtsey and stammered, "Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst," before taking herself off. Miss Bingley smiled a little too brightly at Elizabeth. "Miss Eliza," she said. "How delightful to see you again."
"And you, Miss Bingley," Elizabeth said politely, taking in the way Miss Bingley's eyes did not match her smile.
"Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst," Jane said warmly, stepping forward. "I am so pleased you could come."
"Of course we would not miss Charles's wedding, dear Jane," Miss Bingley said. "You look lovely." But her eyes did not match her words, and her smile was half-hearted at best.
Jane smiled, not at all put out. "Thank you," she said, turning to greet another guest, and Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst took a step back, bowing and curtseying to Lady Matlock.
"To be sure, Lizzy, I am surprised Miss Bingley would come to the wedding," Mrs. Bennet said to Elizabeth a few moments later, her eyes wide. "I would not have thought she could bear it."
Elizabeth did not reply, only smiled, watching the Hursts standing aloof with Miss Bingley, the three of them together, not mingling with the other guests as freely as they might have .
Miss Bingley smiled sweetly at Jane at one point and said, "I am sure that it must be a great relief to you to be able to live in such style as your husband is able to give you, after the modesty of your family's means."
Elizabeth, standing nearby, did not miss Miss Bingley's words, but there was no possible way to respond to them without creating a scene, which Miss Bingley knew perfectly well.
It was a slightly strained atmosphere, Elizabeth thought, but the joy of the occasion far outweighed the presence of three people who really would rather have been anywhere else.
Miss Bingley lingered close to Elizabeth and Jane, though they were both the centre of attention. Standing tall and looking haughty, she tossed her head, her feathers bobbing with the movement, and looked around the room, her lips curved in a smug smile.
"Well, Jane," she said a moment later, and her voice carried over the general murmur of conversation in the room. "I must say that I am surprised at you."
Jane turned to look at her. "Caroline, whatever do you mean?"
Miss Bingley stood tall and proud, looking around at the other guests. "I am surprised, Jane," she said, "that you did not tell me that you and Charles had set a date for your wedding! I would of course have wished to be here for the whole Christmas season had I known. But we are committed to our return to Bath, as I am sure you understand." She paused a moment, then added triumphantly, "I have found a suitor in Bath, you see. A most eligible suitor."
You mean you've found a gentleman who will put up with you , Elizabeth thought, and had to hide a smile. Jane, of course, was far too polite to say anything of the sort.
"Oh, I am pleased for you, Caroline," she said, although she looked a little surprised. "I wish you very happy. "
"Thank you, Jane," Miss Bingley said, looking around the room at the assembled guests.
Elizabeth saw the collective sigh of relief ripple through the room. Miss Bingley had finally given up her pursuit of Mr. Darcy! Quite a few people exchanged relieved looks, and Elizabeth hid a tiny smile. It was one less thing to worry about, that Miss Bingley would still be pursuing Mr. Darcy. And Miss Bingley was, quite obviously, very proud of herself and her new suitor, for she held her head high and looked around at the other guests as though expecting their congratulations.
Mr. Darcy had not gone within five feet of Miss Bingley all day, and Miss Bingley looked as though she wanted to approach him but did not quite dare.
The evening was quiet at Darcy House. Miss Bingley had eventually claimed a headache and asked the Hursts to take her back to Bingley's townhouse, and the whole gathering had seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief once they had left. Jane and Bingley departed too; they were to stay at one of the best hotels in London for the night before travelling to Brighton for a short honeymoon.
Elizabeth sat quietly, a book open on her lap, but her thoughts were far away, a faint smile lingering on her lips as she thought of the happiness on Jane's face, and Bingley's too. She was looking out of the window at the darkened sky, the stars beginning to twinkle as the first day of the year drew to a close, when the door to the parlour flew open and one of the footmen, breathless, rushed in, clutching an express in his hand.
"Miss Bennet," he said, "forgive me, but this has just arrived, and it is marked urgent. "
Elizabeth's heart sank as she recognised the handwriting of her dearest friend, Charlotte Lucas. The letter was hastily and messily written, quite unlike Charlotte's usual neat hand.
My dearest Lizzy,
I have the gravest news to impart to you. I am so sorry to have to tell you this, but last night there was a dreadful fire at Longbourn. Tragically, Mr. Collins passed away in the fire, as did Lieutenant Wickham who was visiting him and passed the night. I am so sorry to share this terrible news, Lizzy. The house is badly damaged and I am afraid you will not know it when you return. Please give my best wishes to Jane for her wedding.
Your friend,
Charlotte Lucas
Elizabeth dropped the letter, her hands trembling, her face gone white as a sheet. "Oh, no," she whispered, and then, "no!" She bent to retrieve the letter and read it again, hoping she had been mistaken the first time, but the words remained the same.
"Elizabeth, what is it?" Georgiana asked, concerned, and Elizabeth looked up at her, tears in her eyes.
"Elizabeth?" Mr. Darcy, standing near the fireplace, looked at her with concern. "You look in the greatest distress, what can possibly have happened?"
"It is from Charlotte Lucas," she said, her voice shaking, "and I am afraid it is the most terrible news." She looked back down at the letter. "I can barely read her writing, she was obviously in great haste and distress when she wrote it." She drew a deep breath before reading the letter aloud.
Mrs. Bennet, who had been a model of decorum all day, shrieked and flung up her hands, before fainting dead away. Mary, sitting beside her mother, let out a strange keening sound and covered her face, and even Kitty and Lydia sat silent and white-faced with shock.
"Longbourn," Elizabeth said into the shocked silence, "oh, Longbourn!"
Elizabeth's hands were trembling, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked around at her family, seeing her mother collapsed, Mary keening, Kitty and Lydia sitting in shock. Taking a deep breath, she tried to steady herself despite her own distress. Oh, Longbourn! The house was just bricks and mortar, but it was their home, the only home she had ever known. A thousand memories crowded her heart, so many of them featuring her father.
She could not think about that now. "Mrs. Annesley?"
Georgiana's companion rose to her feet. "Miss Bennet, I am so terribly sorry. Is there anything I can do?"
"Please, Mrs. Annesley, would you bring some smelling salts for my mother, and ask the maids to draw a hot bath for her. I fear she will be in a state of high nerves for some time. And please, would you send for tea and some biscuits for my sisters? I believe we must all go to bed as soon as possible, but I think some hot tea might do us good."
"Of course, Miss Bennet."
"Mary," Elizabeth went to her sister, who was still making that eerie keening sound, and knelt next to her. "Mary, dear, please, you will make yourself ill. And you have such a lovely voice, Mary. I know you will not wish to damage it."
Mary, to Elizabeth's surprise, turned into her arms and sobbed, but at least the keening stopped. Elizabeth held her tightly for a few moments, then looked at Kitty and Lydia, silent and white-faced. "Kitty, Lydia, it will be all right." She went to her sisters, wrapping an arm around each of them. "We will be all right. I promise, we will be all right. "
"Shall you write to Jane?" Kitty asked, and Elizabeth immediately shook her head.
"I would not for the world spoil her wedding day, or her honeymoon. On her return from Brighton will surely be enough time to tell her the news."
"Allow me to be of service," Mr. Darcy said quietly, and Elizabeth was unutterably grateful for his steady good sense as he went on. "I shall travel to Meryton tomorrow and make arrangements for Mr. Collins' funeral… and Mr. Wickham's." His mouth curled with distaste as he spoke of Mr. Wickham, and to Elizabeth's surprise, he looked at Georgiana.
Georgiana gave a strange little smile, and then she nodded at Mr. Darcy. "Yes. You should see that he is given a Christian burial, at least," she said.
Colonel Fitzwilliam snorted. "Better than he deserves," he muttered, loud enough for Elizabeth to hear, and she realised there was perhaps more to the Darcy family's history with Mr. Wickham than even Mr. Darcy had told her.
"I must write back to Charlotte," Elizabeth said, as Mrs. Annesley gently led Mrs. Bennet from the room and Mary, Kitty and Lydia followed, Georgiana trailing along behind them wringing her hands anxiously. "If you will excuse me…"
Elizabeth chose a small sitting room at the back of Darcy House, and she was grateful for the solitude it provided as she took a few moments to let her tears flow. Her hands were still trembling, her face streaked with tears, when the door opened, and she jumped, startled.
"Forgive me, Miss Bennet," Mr. Darcy said quietly, "but I..." He paused, looking at her, and Elizabeth saw the genuine concern in his eyes. "I wonder if I might speak to you privately," he said after a moment, his voice soft .
Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes were wide, she knew, and she lifted one hand to swipe at her tear-streaked cheeks. She could not make a sound, only nodding at him, and Mr. Darcy stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.
"I... I..." He seemed, for a moment, entirely at a loss for words, and Elizabeth could not help but feel for him.
"Will you tell me the truth about Mr. Wickham?" she blurted out, filling the awkward silence, and saw the shock flood his face.
"Yes," he said then, and he leaned back against the door, gazing at her earnestly. "I owe you that. I told you that Wickham lied about his inheritance, that he was fairly compensated by me when he declined the living my father had intended for him, and that was all true, but I did not tell you what he did to Georgiana last summer."
Elizabeth's mouth dropped open with shock as Mr. Darcy went on, telling her of Georgiana's visit to Ramsgate with her previous companion, of Mr. Wickham's attempt to seduce and elope with the young girl, his target her fortune of thirty thousand pounds.
"How did you not strangle him with your bare hands when you saw him in Meryton?" she asked in wonder, and Mr. Darcy barked a short, humourless laugh.
"I have asked myself that question several times, Elizabeth. I think, even then, you were making me a better man. I first saw him again in your presence, if you recall, and I already did not want to make a spectacle of myself in front of you, so I held my tongue. Discovering that he had begun to pour his poison in your ear was horrifying… for the first time I was grateful you were in mourning, so that your exposure to him would be limited. I would have done anything to protect you from him. Anything. "
Elizabeth stared at Mr. Darcy, thinking that for a man of his wealth and influence, ‘anything' comprised quite an astonishing breadth of possibilities.
And he loved her.
The thought still had the power to make her breathless.
"Miss Bennet," he said at last, "Elizabeth." He took two long steps across the room, to where she was sitting, and dropped to one knee in front of her, taking her hand in both of his. "Elizabeth," he said softly, "I love you."
Oh, those words. It was all she could do not to burst into tears again.
"I love you," he said again. "I love you. And I know that I have not been the best version of myself, these last weeks. I know that I was proud and arrogant when first we met, and I did not act quickly enough to protect you from Mr. Collins, and I know that I..." He closed his eyes for a moment, and Elizabeth could see the struggle on his face. "Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth," he said at last, his voice cracking slightly. "I love you. And I know that you do not yet think well of me, but I must beg your forgiveness for my arrogance, for my pride, for my... my many failings, and I must ask you to be my wife. I must... Elizabeth, please. Please, I love you, I love you more than I can say."
It was the most heartfelt thing Elizabeth had ever heard. Her eyes filled with tears again, and she tried her hardest to keep them from falling.
"I know," she said softly. "I know you love me."
"Elizabeth," he said softly, "I would give everything, everything I have, everything I am, to keep you and your family safe. I... I cannot even begin to understand how you must be feeling, knowing that your home is lost, but I would... I would..." He swallowed hard. "I would that I could take you in my arms and comfort you," he said softly, and she looked up at him, shocked. "But I know that I have no right, not now. But please, Elizabeth. Please. I love you. I love you. I would do anything, anything at all, to make you my wife."
Tears filled her eyes again. "Oh, Mr. Darcy," she whispered. "Oh, I... I..."
He raised her hand to his lips, kissing her fingers gently. "I am your servant, your most faithful servant, and I would do anything for you."
"I do not know what to say," she whispered, feeling desperately unworthy. She had no home. No dowry. Nothing to offer him but herself, and it did not seem like nearly enough, in the face of such devotion.
"Say yes," he said softly. "Please say yes, Elizabeth. I love you. I love you. Say yes."
She looked into his blue eyes, and saw nothing but sincerity there. How could she have ever thought him proud and arrogant? How could she have ever thought him cold and uncaring?
"Elizabeth," he said softly, raising her hands to his lips and kissing them gently. "I would do anything for you. Please, please, say yes."
How could she refuse him? He had done so much for her already, and he was prepared to do so much more. And she loved him. She knew it now, knew it with a certainty that was unshakeable. She loved him.
"Yes," she whispered, the word barely audible. "Yes."
His eyes lit up, and his smile was dazzling. "Elizabeth," he said softly. "Elizabeth, I love you. I love you so much. I will do everything I can to make you happy. I will do everything I can to protect you, to care for you, to support you. I will do everything I can to make your family safe and secure. I will... I will..." He took a deep breath. "I will take care of you," he said softly. "I will take care of you and your family. I will make sure that none of you are never in want again. "
"Oh, Mr. Darcy," she whispered, through an enormous lump in her throat. "I... I..."
He raised her hands to his lips again, kissing them gently. "I love you," he said softly. "I love you. I love you."
"I love you," she said it back to him, and his eyes widened with shock. Elizabeth found herself laughing through her tears. "How could I not love you?" she cried. "You have done so much for us already, with no expectation of anything in return."
"It was no more than any decent man would do," Darcy said gruffly, but she shook her head, holding tightly to his hands.
"It was you, Mr. Darcy. Only you. And I love you for it."
"I do not want only your gratitude…" he began, and she sighed impatiently and leaned forward to cover his lips with her own.
"Are you convinced now that what I feel for you is far more than mere gratitude?" Elizabeth asked pertly, several minutes later, and Mr. Darcy laughed joyously, catching her in his arms and holding her close.
"Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth!"
Darcy felt as though he was living in a dream. She had said yes. She had said yes! And then she had kissed him as though she meant it, and arched her brow at him and teased him in that pert way he adored.
The tension left his shoulders for the first time in weeks, and he felt as though he could breathe easily again. "Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth," he said softly, and she smiled at him, her dark eyes glowing with a love he had never quite believed she might feel for him, not after the way they had begun .
The fire crackled warmly in the hearth, and the small sitting room seemed suddenly more cosy and intimate than he had ever found it before. This room would always be special to him now, the room where Elizabeth had accepted him.
There was so much to do. He would have to arrange for repairs to Longbourn, of course. He would need to ensure that the Bennet family were financially secure. He would need to speak with Bingley and ensure that the news of Mr. Collins' demise and Longbourn's destruction was broken to tender-hearted Jane as gently as possible.
And he would need to marry Elizabeth as soon as it could be arranged. He would not leave her in any uncertainty as to her future. She would be his wife, and he would care for her and protect her for ever.
He had not realised, until he fell in love with Elizabeth, how cold and lonely his life had been. She had brought warmth and colour into it, and he knew he would never be the same again. She had made him a better man, and he would always be grateful to her for that.
Darcy had thought it best to inform Lord and Lady Matlock of his engagement to Elizabeth before the news became generally known. He returned to their townhouse quite late, too late to speak to them that night, but the morning after the wedding and the dramatic news of Longbourn's ruin, he made his way downstairs to the breakfast-room to find them.
Sunlight streamed through the large windows, illuminating the room and the elegant couple seated together enjoying their breakfast, the picture of marital bliss as the earl read an article from the newspaper aloud to her and the countess buttered his toast for him.
Darcy bowed to his aunt and uncle. "Good morning."
"Darcy," Lord Matlock said cheerfully. "Sit down, boy. Have you had breakfast?"
"Not yet, thank you, Uncle." Darcy helped himself from the covered dishes on the sideboard, and Lady Matlock poured him a cup of tea.
"Well, Darcy," the countess said, "What a day it was, yesterday! How was Miss Bennet, last night? Such shocking news about her home."
Darcy took a deep breath. "I have something to tell you, Aunt, Uncle. Last night I asked Elizabeth to marry me, and she accepted."
There was a brief, stunned silence. Darcy sipped his tea, waiting for the reaction. It did not take long, a broad smile crossing his uncle's face.
"Well, well," Lord Matlock said. "Well, well. Congratulations, Darcy. And about time, I must say!"
"Yes, indeed," Lady Matlock said. "Oh, Darcy! I am so happy for you, my dear boy. Elizabeth will make you a fine wife."
"Thank you, Aunt," Darcy said. "I am glad you approve."
"Approve? How could I not? Elizabeth is a lovely girl, and I am sure she will be a credit to our family, no matter what Catherine thinks."
Darcy smiled faintly. "I am sure Elizabeth will be the perfect mistress of Pemberley," he said. "Though I am afraid it is unlikely we will feel able to invite Lady Catherine to visit, I'm sure you'll understand."
"No more than she deserves!" his uncle said with a snort and an approving nod .
"Thank you for your support, both of you," Darcy said. "I intend to marry Elizabeth as soon as it can be arranged, and in the meantime I will be making arrangements for the rebuilding of Longbourn."
"You are a good man, Darcy," the earl said. "Their estate is entailed upon the male line, though, is it not?"
"It was ." Darcy had already spoken to Mr. Gardiner about that fact. "But Mr. Collins had not renewed the entail, and he had no male heirs, besides. His only heirs are his cousins… the Bennet sisters. They are the owners of Longbourn now, or its ruins."
"I see!" Lord Matlock nodded. "And you are bound and determined on rebuilding it for them, are you? Well, I am sure there is something we can do."
"Thank you, Uncle," Darcy said, deeply grateful.
"And I will take Elizabeth shopping," Lady Matlock said firmly. "She will need a new wardrobe as the Mistress of Pemberley, and I will be happy to provide it for her."
"Thank you, Aunt," Darcy said again, and Lady Matlock patted his cheek.
"You have chosen well, my boy," she said. "I am sure you and Elizabeth will be very happy together."
"I am sure we will," Darcy said, and he was. He had his aunt and uncle's approval, and he felt a great weight lift from his shoulders. The future was bright.
He would make it so, for Elizabeth.