Chapter 7

However strong Darcy’s inclination to remain by Elizabeth’s side, he had responsibilities he could not neglect. As it was, the need to find Wickham had meant an unexpected separation from Georgiana. He hated to leave her for long and had only spent a significant time apart from her twice since Ramsgate. The first was when he had gone to Netherfield Park the year before; the earl and countess had insisted Georgiana would recover quicker without him nearby. The second was at Easter when he had gone to Rosings. Then, it was a matter of not giving Lady Catherine a reason to speculate on why he was changing his usual routine.

Once he and Elizabeth were engaged, Darcy would inform his family and speak to Bingley about bringing Georgiana and her companion to stay at Netherfield, as long as he could find a way to ensure she would not have to hear Wickham’s name. Then he would not need to worry about neglecting his sister while also being with the woman his heart and soul most longed for. It would give the ladies an opportunity to know each other better too. At present, he was glad to spend time with Georgiana.

“Did you enjoy seeing Miss Elizabeth?” she asked.

“I did. She asked after you,” Darcy answered.

It said much about Georgiana that this evidently surprised her. “Oh. Th-that was kind of her.”

“She is a kind and sympathetic lady and will make you an excellent sister.”

“Have you proposed to her?” Was that a spark of interest in her eyes?

“Not yet, but I shall as soon as I go back. I am anxious to settle things with her, but it was important for me to be here this week, to see you most of all, and our other relations. It always seems to be the case that I have too many meetings to attend, and there are several that will take me from home in the coming days. As soon as I have asked her, I promise I shall write to you.” He explained about Bingley and Miss Bennet’s impending engagement and his wish to let them celebrate it first. “As I have said before, I would prefer it if you did not mention Miss Elizabeth to Fitzwilliam or the rest of our family. I shall make an announcement after everything is settled.”

“Of course, if that is what you wish, but…why?”

Darcy did not want to make too much of the matter; it would only cause her more anxiety. Thus, he kept his tone light as he responded. “I simply prefer to keep news of my interest quiet. It is possible that some of our family might oppose my choice. You should prepare yourself for it. I do not believe it will be harsh or long-lasting, especially once they have met her.” Lady Catherine would object to him marrying any lady who was not her daughter, but that meant nothing to him.

“Fitzwilliam and Bramwell will be happy for me, and I am convinced the earl and countess will be, although it might take them a little time to accustom themselves to the notion. With all four of them in town this winter, they will have the opportunity to know Miss Elizabeth, supposing she and her parents agree to her coming to London for a fortnight or so. I expect it will be similar with our Reed cousins. Rebecca will be happy for us, but her parents might need to know Miss Elizabeth before being satisfied I have made a good choice.”

Georgiana nodded and kept her chin lowered. He saw her nibbling on her lip, which was a sure sign she was debating whether to say something. Experience told him it was best to wait for her to speak. At length, she did.

“Brother, what will happen to me when you and she are married? Where shall I go?”

Her tentative, fearful tone broke his heart. “It is my intention that you will live with me and my wife. Miss Elizabeth is always such a cheerful person. You remarked on it yourself this summer. Do you recall? Will it not be agreeable to be around her all the time? I am certain she already expects that you will make your home with us, at least until—if—you marry. If you do not, you will always have a home with me.” He had assured her of the last many times. Georgiana currently stated that she had no wish to enter society or find a husband. While he hoped that would change in the future, he worried she would never fully recover.

“What if she finds out? She would hate?—”

“No, Georgiana!” Darcy knelt beside his sister’s chair, took her hand in his, and attempted to make her look at him. “Miss Elizabeth would no more hate you than I do, or Fitzwilliam does, or anyone who knows the truth. She would wish to be of assistance to you. She will wish it, even though she remains ignorant of what affects you so deeply. I could not love a lady who would not be an affectionate, caring sister to you, let alone marry one.”

After a long moment, Georgiana took a deep breath and slowly released it as she had been instructed by one physician or another. She pulled her hand from his, which was Darcy’s cue to return to his previous seat. Once he did, his sister told him how she was proceeding with her attempts to learn several new pieces of music.

A quarter of an hour later, Georgiana returned to her apartment, leaving Darcy to think through their conversation. It would be an exaggeration to say he was uneasy at the prospect of his relations learning of Elizabeth, but he anticipated some difficult conversations. He wanted to be done with it.

“They will all know soon enough,” he said to the empty room. He would try to arrange it so that he could tell Lord and Lady Romsley in person rather than in writing. They had always been good to him and Georgiana, and they deserved the consideration. He would not take the time to go to Lady Catherine; he would not give her the opportunity to harangue him for his choice of wife.

There was another difficult conversation ahead of him; Fitzwilliam did not know of Wickham’s latest antics, and while Darcy had no intention of discussing the particulars with his other relations—it would be enough to assure them Wickham would have no part in their lives—Fitzwilliam would demand to know it all. Darcy had considered writing to tell him as soon as he learnt of the elopement, but, at the time, the colonel had been in Dover, busy with his military duties, and he would not have been able to provide assistance. Later in the autumn, once he could speak of Wickham in a calmer manner, Darcy would tell him everything.

At the moment, I prefer to think of Elizabeth. Pouring himself a glass of wine, Darcy sat and stared at the empty grate. A week from today I shall be in Meryton again, provided I can complete everything I must do by then. If not, the delay will be just another day or two. I shall then secure my happiness and that of my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. Our misunderstandings will truly be a thing of the past and never to be repeated!

A week after Mr Darcy left for town, Mr Bingley proposed to Jane. She accepted, and the Bennets duly celebrated the couple’s good fortune. Elizabeth was exceedingly pleased for her sister and knew that when it was her turn to share similar news, Jane would be equally as delighted, if perhaps somewhat more surprised. Mrs Bennet immediately began to talk of the wedding, and Elizabeth spent a good portion of her time dreaming of Mr Darcy and the possibility of a double wedding with Jane and Mr Bingley.

On the very day Elizabeth had marked as the earliest she would permit herself to hope for Mr Darcy’s return, she received an unexpected visitor: Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Her ladyship entered the house like a tempest, her walking stick repeatedly striking the floor, sounding as though she was putting all her force into the action. Her only words were directed at Elizabeth, who was too stunned by the lady’s appearance to know what to say. When Lady Catherine demanded they take a turn in the gardens, Elizabeth led the way and waited for the older woman to speak, determined to keep her temper despite her visitor’s rudeness. Knowing of Lady Catherine’s wish for a union between her daughter and Mr Darcy, Elizabeth wondered whether she had learnt of his intention to propose to her and that was the reason for this unforeseen encounter.

“Mr Collins informed me that his wife received a letter from her sister, Miss Maria Lucas.” Lady Catherine paused as though she expected Elizabeth to comment, and Elizabeth obliged, unable to entirely avoid the touch of sarcasm in her tone.

“I imagine that is a common occurrence. Did Maria write something alarming? If Mrs Collins is worried about her sister or family, I can direct you to Lucas Lodge, where you can make enquiries on her behalf.”

“You know exactly why I am here, Elizabeth Bennet! Mr Collins recognised the gravity of the girl’s report and immediately brought it to my attention. Are you engaged to my nephew Darcy?”

“I beg your pardon?” Why would Maria write such a thing to Charlotte?

“Your elder sister has caught herself a good husband, one who, although lowborn, is rich. As Darcy has graciously befriended him, despite my disapproval, you have evidently turned your sights on him. Miss Maria Lucas wrote that you and he were often seen together when he was lately here. I will not permit him to marry you!”

Elizabeth’s cheeks burnt at the insult to Jane, Mr Bingley, and herself. “As far as I am aware, it is not for you to permit or forbid anything Mr Darcy chooses to do. I would ask nothing of him that he would not freely give, whether it is a friendly conversation when we happen to be at the same party, or marriage.”

Lady Catherine peered at her through narrowed eyes, and Elizabeth wondered whether she had spoken too warmly—had it added to the woman’s suspicions of an attachment between Mr Darcy and herself? What did it matter? Soon enough, Mr Darcy would return, they would be engaged, and he would inform his relations.

“If my nephew is foolhardy enough to propose to you, to actually marry you, he will not be recognised by his family. We will not share his disgrace. I see who you truly are, Elizabeth Bennet. I hoped to find you reasonable, but since you are not, I know what to do. Find another dupe to marry you. It will never be my nephew!”

With these final words, Lady Catherine turned and quickly strode about the side of the house, presumably to her carriage.

“Good riddance,” Elizabeth said with a little laugh.

Shaking off her impulse to yell at the retreating figure, Elizabeth walked in the opposite direction Lady Catherine had taken, following the path to the stream. There, she found a safe spot to dip her handkerchief into the cool water, which she then pressed to her heated cheeks. It would help calm her before she returned to the house. She wished she had a way to inform Mr Darcy of his aunt’s agitation. It might prepare him for whatever Lady Catherine would say to him. Elizabeth knew it would not be pleasant, but he was likely used to her manner and would manage her better than Elizabeth had.

He will be back soon, perhaps even tomorrow. We can discuss our shared experiences with the redoubtable Lady Catherine de Bourgh! Silently, she chuckled at her joke.