Chapter 20

She slept poorly, eventually rising much earlier than her custom and dressed in her favourite blue riding habit. She went downstairs and as usual, left through the kitchens, nodding to the kitchen maid as she procured a carrot for Artemis. Mr Darcy was in the stables, dark circles under his eyes and looking exhausted, his horse and her own were saddled and waiting.

"Mr Darcy, I did not expect you," Elizabeth spoke first.

"Would you join me for a ride this morning? I believe we are long overdue for a private conversation," replied Darcy.

Elizabeth broke the carrot in half and split it between the two horses before Darcy lifted her up into the saddle. Elizabeth dismissed her grooms and Miss Carmichael, who were shocked. Elizabeth never rode without her own protection, even when riding or travelling with trusted friends, and especially not with a gentleman. Elizabeth was very observant of propriety since losing her husband. She had no wish to be known as a merry widow and took care never to be alone with a man. Today Elizabeth wanted privacy for once. The shocked servants were left behind and forgotten, as the two rode hard for a half hour, galloping and racing across the fields. Eventually they came to a pretty spot where Elizabeth often dismounted and walked about on her outings. She had even ordered a mounting block erected nearby for convenience. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon and brighten the grey scenery.

Darcy assisted her down and they began to walk. After a moment Elizabeth spoke. "Mr Darcy, I am a very selfish creature, and for the sake of giving relief to my own feelings, care not how much I may be wounding yours. I can no longer avoid apologising to you for my refusal to appease your aunt yesterday. I must confess that it was not my intention to allow her to believe in an understanding between us. I just cannot bear for someone so wholly unconnected with me to demand an explanation of my personal affairs, so I mocked her and gave her no solid answers. I am afraid I am sometimes more my father's daughter than I like to admit. Since I heard her in the hall last evening, I have been most mortified by my behaviour, and anxious to acknowledge to you how sorry I am for having misled her and caused you embarrassment."

"I am sorry, most exceedingly sorry," replied Darcy, in a tone full of emotion, "That you had to experience such rude and intrusive behaviour. I certainly lay no blame upon you."

Elizabeth swallowed, "I also owe you an apology sir, for my conduct the other morning. I did what I felt I must, and I have not yet learnt to regret it. I must, however, acknowledge that it was poor repayment to all of those who have attempted to protect me these last two months. I am aware of how I frightened you, sir, and I apologise. I have suffered without your company these last few days, although I acknowledge that you have every right to be furious with me. I accept that you have every right to decline forgiveness for such behaviour."

"Although it is hard, I chose to forgive you for your actions as soon as I was able to accept that you were unharmed. I fear I kept my distance for an entirely different reason. The next day, I was heading toward your study and heard you say to my cousin that you were happy that you owed no explanation to any man, and I believed that after your experience you may no longer welcome my suit," confessed Darcy.

"Ah. It is a shame that you did not pause to eavesdrop," replied Elizabeth. "You only heard part of my statement. I observed to Colonel Fitzwilliam that there may come a day when I should have to answer to a man for my conduct, but happily, that day had not yet arrived. I was being obstinate, sir, because I knew I owed an apology to your cousin and Colonel Brandon at the very least, and I felt guilty."

After a short pause, her companion spoke again, "You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were in London, please tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever. Dearest Elizabeth, I am miserable without you by my side. There is no one's society I desire more than yours, no one whose company and esteem I have longed for as I have longed for you these many months. Please ease my suffering and tell me if you believe it is possible that I may earn your regard?"

"You have been taking lessons, I see, in courting. You are improving in leaps and bounds, sir," teased Elizabeth. Then, feeling all the awkwardness and anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to speak seriously, though not very fluently, and gave him to understand that her sentiments had undergone so material a change since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure his present assurances. The happiness which this reply produced was such as he had probably never felt before; and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be expected to do.

"Lady Catherine will not be pleased when she learns she has driven you into my arms instead of preventing our relationship," Elizabeth chuckled.

"Lady Catherine's behaviour taught me to hope," said he, "as I had scarcely allowed myself to hope before. I knew enough of your disposition to be certain that, had you been absolutely, irrevocably decided against me, you would have acknowledged it to Lady Catherine frankly and openly."

Elizabeth coloured and laughed as she replied, "Yes, you know enough of my frankness to believe me capable of that. After abusing you so abominably to your face, I could have no scruples in abusing you to your relations."

"What did you say of me that I did not deserve? For my behaviour to you at the time merited the severest reproof. It was unpardonable. I cannot think of it without abhorrence," confessed Darcy.

"You must not abuse yourself so. Take my belief and think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure," urged Elizabeth.

"I cannot be so easily reconciled to myself," said Darcy, shaking his head. "The recollection of what I said, of my conduct, my manners, my expressions during the whole of it, is now and has been ever since, inexpressibly painful to me. Your reproof, so well applied, I shall never forget: ‘Had you behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner.' Those were your words. You know not, you can scarcely conceive how they have tortured me, though it was some time, I confess, before I was reasonable enough to allow their justice."

"I was certainly very far from expecting them to make so strong an impression. I had not the smallest idea of their ever being felt in such a way," said Elizabeth.

"I can easily believe it," he replied. "You thought me then devoid of every proper feeling, I am sure you did. The turn of your countenance I shall never forget, as you said that I could not have addressed you in any possible way that would induce you to accept me."

"Oh! Do not repeat what I said! These recollections will not do at all! We must make new memories as soon as we can. Let us return to the house," Elizabeth said.

Darcy assisted her onto her horse, and they raced back to the house. It was still rather early for breakfast, so Elizabeth led him into her study. He grasped her and kissed her soundly as he shut the door firmly behind them. After a passionate interlude of several moments, during which it was made abundantly clear that they would be intimately compatible, he broke away. "Elizabeth, please end my agony and say that you will accept my hand as soon as possible."

"I will, of course. However, there are some matters of business you will wish to look at first," said Elizabeth, going to her strongbox and opening it.

"I care nothing for business. I am unconcerned with monetary matters in this circumstance," declared Darcy.

"Do not be so hasty, sir," she said as she pulled two folders of papers from her safe. "There is quite a bit about me which you do not know, and may not like to take on. Many of my acquaintances believe my wealth comes from an inheritance from my late husband. While that is not completely false, it is also true that I am also a businesswoman with vast holdings in many investments and industries. My business takes much of my time, and therefore I must be sure that I will have the freedom necessary to conduct it as needed. In addition, my late husband was a very liberal gentleman, very forward thinking with many modern ideas. I am accustomed to a level of personal independence that most prospective husbands would baulk at. My terms for marriage are that any gentleman I accept must be willing to sign a new version of the settlement laid down by my late husband."

She sat upon the edge of her desk as she laid the documents out in front of him. "This, sir, is the most updated list of my holdings and their current estimated values."

Darcy looked through the pages, his eyebrows high. "Engineering… Locomotives… Steam engines… Shipyards… Patents… This list is never ending! These estimated values total many times more than all of my estates and worth combined! What is this next page, with the list of business names? Are these investments?"

"Those are businesses that I own outright, sir." She answered.

"Whites and Gentleman Jack's! You cannot own these! How do you come to own the most premiere Gentlemen's Clubs?" he exclaimed.

"That was an amusement more than anything else. There were discreet whispers that the clubs were to be sold but there were no buyers at their price. I made offers under the guise of the name of a business, and then I made improvements once I owned them. It amuses me that the most elite places in London, where ladies are unwelcome, are owned and improved by the skills of a lady," she giggled. "Here are copies of the original marriage settlement designed by my late husband, and also a newer version. It has been updated to reflect my current financial status, but I have added no new freedoms. Sir Christopher was very liberal already."

Darcy's mouth hung open as he read the settlements. It took him several moments to review them both. "I have never seen or heard of such an agreement," he admitted.

"Sir Christopher was very forward thinking. To his mind, under the current laws, women are little better than slaves, or farm animals. He insisted he needed a partner for his life, and had no use for a slave. He preferred a wife who stayed because she wanted to, not because she had no other choices. He said that he could not use a woman as a broodmare and give her no rights over her own person or the welfare of her children. He believed it would be a sin of the highest order. A sin against humanity."

Darcy swallowed. "You must have thought me the most appalling idiot when I made that dreadful proposal in London."

"I will admit that idea crossed my mind, yes. However, I understand your disposition better now, and you have seen to your self improvement admirably," Elizabeth assured him.

"I have two questions. One, are you certain that you have time for the duties of a wife? It seems like a silly question to ask, as I see that you do a marvellous job with your daughter and your home. But Pemberley is an extremely large estate that has been without a mistress for many years. Will you have the ability to manage everything, especially once we are blessed with more children? My other question is whether you require or wish for my assistance in any of this business. There seems to be quite a lot of it," said Darcy.

"It is quite a lot of business, and yes it does take a great deal of my time. I have not found it difficult to manage so far, even without the assistance of a husband. Christopher never helped, since he had his own important work. You will as well of course. I must admit, I have many more interests now than I did then, but Mr Banks is very efficient. He and Colonel Fitzwilliam have been discussing him taking on a deputy steward who can train under him and take over certain duties. I am sure I will be able to manage, and if it becomes difficult, it will be easy to make changes as necessary. As for whether I need help, the answer is no, although I would at least like to acquaint you with the many aspects of my business affairs so you are familiar with them, just as I hope you will familiarise me with the management of Pemberley. If it happens that you take on roles in any capacity, I would have no objection, particularly if you wished to help during my confinements. Consider this carefully, Mr Darcy. It is a rare man who could give such freedoms to his wife without feeling emasculated or resentful. I should be heartbroken if you found yourself to be unhappy later," Elizabeth responded.

Darcy looked over the papers quietly for another few moments and spoke, "I believe I could agree to these terms without resentment, Elizabeth. It certainly brings to light new ideas and points of view I have never previously considered, but as your late husband stated, I also have no need for a slave. It would be a danger to the entire family to sign a document such as this with a different kind of woman. But you are very educated and intelligent, and you have financial resources and intellectual abilities that most men would give all of their teeth for. I can see how having your activities curbed in such a fashion as a typical wife now would be cruel and unnecessary."

Elizabeth sighed in relief. She had been nervous that the gentleman would be outraged at the idea of signing such a document. "There is only one more thing," she hedged nervously.

"There is more ?" Darcy choked.

"Possibly?" Elizabeth responded timidly. "It is my understanding that your family has turned down titles from The Crown on more than one occasion."

"Indeed, by my great-grandfather, and more recently my father. These were political decisions, for my forebears did not approve of the behaviour and policies of the monarchs in question," Darcy replied.

"I am not entirely certain it will happen, but Her Majesty has made several comments since I was widowed," speculated Elizabeth. "It is not common for The Crown to allow one family to be so wealthy and powerful without ensuring their loyalty to The Monarchy. It was entirely possible already that any man I marry might be coerced into accepting an earldom at the very least, if not an even higher rank. Adding your wealth, estates, family connections, and consequence to the match, there is little chance of the crown allowing us to go untitled. Her Majesty will want to ensure our loyalty to her. If you marry me and it is offered again, I do not believe you would be permitted to decline it this time."

Darcy sighed. "It would not be my preference, but I would accept it if it meant you would be mine, and if it made you happy."

"I have no preference in either direction. I have been titled and I have been untitled, and it makes little difference to me. Your place in society paired with my own connections will allow us to move in the same circles we have always inhabited, with or without a title, and my friends will treat me no differently after the loss of my title when we wed. But I would not like you to be unhappy or to compromise your own convictions," she said.

"The only thing I require to complete my happiness is for you to be my wife. Do I have your permission to travel to London for a special licence?" Darcy asked.

"You certainly do," answered Elizabeth, smiling. "Although I still will not marry too quickly, for it would be a poor example to my sisters. I have spent too much time lecturing about missing out on the joys of courtship and engagement to have a hasty wedding now. I believe the last of the burn patients will leave within a week. Their cottages are being prepared for them, to my understanding. The sisters and Evie will go at the same time, and Mrs George can easily close the house for us. What say you to 3 weeks from now, at Netherfield? I am sure you will wish to return to Miss Darcy without any further delay."

"If that is what will please you, then I am happy to indulge you. Should I call upon your father?" he inquired.

"Please do not," Elizabeth said quickly. "My sister and I prefer to manage our affairs without our father's interference. You may call upon my Uncle Hexham while you are in London if you wish. I shall write a note to take with you and he shall be overjoyed to welcome you to the family. He has been after me to remarry since I was widowed. It has not been easy, keeping the fortune hunters at bay, and he will be thankful that I shall be safe from them again. It would also be kind to call upon My Uncle Gardiner in Gracechurch Street. It will be Uncle Hexham who will expect to bless the match, but Uncle Gardiner allowed me to grow up in his household, and has been more of a father to me than my own has. You should take the settlement with you, and meet with your solicitor and my man of business, Mr Montague. Then you can all determine if there are any small alterations you would like to make to the settlement."

"I am not thinking of alterations precisely, but a section must be added to ensure your settlement from Pemberley, allowance, and lifetime use of my properties," He answered.

"Mr Darcy, did you read the list of my holdings? What need do I have for a settlement or an allowance?"

"Regardless of whether you need it, you are entitled to it and you shall have it. Also, I noticed that while Sir Christopher signed away all rights to your dowry, it is designated to your next husband upon remarriage," he observed.

"That is because the sum is very little to me, really. Indeed I had no objection to it going to Christopher either, but he refused it, I believe to thumb his nose at my father, who attempted to make Christopher sign it over to him. The dowry originated from my mother, and was in the care of her relatives. Papa spent my youth plotting to obtain it. But if I am to marry again, then I shall likely reside at my husband's estate, and therefore, am very happy to contribute to the improvement and welfare of my new home, family, and heirs, especially since my wealth is now so vast that such a small amount is truly no loss to me at all," Elizabeth said.

"I thank you, but I have no need of the funds," said Darcy firmly. They argued back and forth for several moments, during which Darcy refused to accept the dowry, neither to improve his estate, nor to add to his sister or future daughter's dowries. Eventually Elizabeth asked if she kept the funds in her possession, would she be expected to use them as she saw fit and whether she would be allowed to make improvements to the estate as its mistress, to which he replied that of course she would.

"Very well. I shall retain possession of the funds, but I warn you now, I am going to make massive improvements to your estate even if it does not need them. I predict that I shall spend the entire sum by our first anniversary," Elizabeth declared. "We shall have the most comfortable and well housed tenants in Derbyshire, perhaps even the kingdom, sir. They shall have comforts that most rich people do not have, and would find positively absurd to bestow upon tenant farmers. And you should also prepare your pride that I will also settle large sums upon our children, and ALL of our sisters on their marriages, in addition to whatever they receive from you."

Darcy did not argue further. He could not imagine sinking thirty thousand pounds into an already thriving estate in one year, but if anyone could do it, he was sure it would be Elizabeth. "I only have one further request," she stated. "Charlotte is now my cousin by marriage, and is carrying the child that may be the future heir of my family's estate. I have invited her to make her home with me permanently, and to assist me in bringing out all of my sisters. Mary will make her home with me until she marries, and Kitty, Lydia, and Charlotte's sister Maria have all been promised their come outs and seasons in town. I will see to all their education and expenses. Will that disturb you?"

"Of course not. Our cousin Mrs Collins will always be welcome at Pemberley, as will any other family you choose to welcome. I am also certain that as my sister recovers, she will welcome the assistance of yourself and your sisters as she prepares for her own debut," Darcy responded gallantly. The two rose and, after another passionate kiss, made their way to the breakfast room.

The entire party was present in the breakfast room and Colonel Fitzwilliam gave a whoop as they entered holding hands. "We shall never hear the end of this from the pater! He said he would get Aunt Catherine to prod you along, and so he did!"

"Indeed, and almost caused poor Alice to be sacked without a recommendation. Perhaps you could mention to your father that by bribing my servants, he is putting their employment at risk," Elizabeth replied as Darcy held up her hand and kissed it.

"I would like to inform everyone that I have asked Lady Astley to be my wife, and she has accepted," announced Darcy. As they received everyone's excited congratulations, he bowed his head low to Charlotte and said quietly, "Cousin Charlotte, Elizabeth tells me that she hopes you will make your home with us at Pemberley, and I wish you to know that I agree wholeheartedly."

"I accept your invitation, Mr Darcy; and I thank you for taking me into your home and family. I wish you and Elizabeth all of the happiness in the world, sir," said Charlotte sincerely.

"Colonel Brandon, I wonder if you would consider delaying your trip north by three weeks. We will return to Netherfield next week, and it would make us very happy if you would attend the wedding," said Elizabeth.

"I shall be very happy to delay my journey, Lady Astley. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to celebrate such an event with you and your excellent family," the Colonel replied.

*****

The rest of the day was spent in a flurry of activity. Darcy sent expresses to Georgiana, his grandmother, and both of his housekeepers, to open Darcy House and prepare the mistresses' apartments in both houses. Elizabeth sent expresses to her housekeepers as well, preparing Mrs Hayes for the announcement in the papers. She instructed Mrs Nichols to open the master's apartments, prepare the house for the wedding, and the dower house for the gentlemen. She also wrote to Mrs Gardiner and Kitty. They agreed upon a date, and Elizabeth, Mary, Lydia and Charlotte began writing invitations for the wedding and a large dinner party to be held at Netherfield a week before the ceremony. The events celebrate the engagement and take their leave of the neighbourhood. A ball would have been nice for the neighbourhood, but Elizabeth had no desire to plan a ball and a wedding in three weeks by express post.

The three gentlemen went to London together the next day. Colonel Fitzwilliam was overdue to resign his commission, and Colonel Brandon went to keep the other gentlemen company at Darcy House. Darcy carried with him several wedding invitations that Elizabeth wrote the day before, that he would distribute to her uncles and whatever family and connections he wished to invite. Darcy made an appointment for himself and his solicitor to visit Mr Montague, Elizabeth's man of business, to discuss and update the settlements. He then presented himself at Hexham House. As Elizabeth predicted, his lordship welcomed him heartily. "I know of you, young man, though we have not formally been introduced. I must say, my niece has a knack for selecting gentlemen of excellent reputation. Your grandmother and our family have a number of mutual acquaintances, so we know each other well. Is Lady Rose in good health?"

"She is, though she travels little these days," replied Darcy, "She is currently overseeing the care of my sister, who has lately been unwell." His lordship seemed to be a good natured, if not proud gentleman, not unlike his Uncle Matlock. Darcy anticipated enjoying the older man's company in the future.

He visited Mr Gardiner next, who was also thrilled with the news, and was clearly a fashionable and intelligent gentleman. Darcy invited both of Elizabeth's uncles, as well as his own, to dine at his home his last evening in London before returning to Kent. Uncle Matlock would come to dinner, although he was sad to miss the wedding. He would be settling Aunt Catherine in at Matlock when the wedding day arrived, and Aunt Eleanor would be seeing to Anne in London, However, he was excessively happy to be gaining Elizabeth as a niece. Darcy also visited Bingley and acquainted the man and his wife with his news. He was astounded by the coolness of Mrs Bingley's reception of the announcement, and she claimed they would have to see about attending the wedding.

Later in the visit, when he was alone with Bingley in his study, the man sighed and said, "Gad, Darce. I am deuced sorry about Jane's response to your news. I have to admit, that while I still believe my wife is an angel, and she is in many ways, she does not like her elder sister."

"Bingley, I had no idea. Even after all Lady Astley did for her after your sister's behaviour?" said a surprised Darcy. He could not imagine anyone who did not find Lady Astley delightful, except perhaps his aunt.

"I cannot understand it myself, but I have learnt to keep out of it," sighed Bingley. "Jane does not wish to visit with Lady Astley, she will not stay in her home, she does not call upon her, she does not wish to know her friends or her society. She will acknowledge her in public, and keep a polite face on it, but she cannot stand her sister. But I will not be dictated to, I will attend your wedding, and I assure you, my wife will be all that is cordial."

"Of course you are welcome, but are you sure it will not make your wife unhappy?" inquired Darcy.

"Darcy, I swore to Gardiner that I would make Jane keep this quiet and not spread it about, but as you are marrying Elizabeth I am sure I can tell you. Elizabeth planned to settle fifty thousand pounds on Jane for her marriage, and Jane would not marry me unless I declined the dowry. She also refused to live in Netherfield when she learned her sister owned it. I have given up enough to make her happy. I have done all I can to prove my love for her. I shall not turn away from my most valuable friendship for her rivalry with her sister. She will have to adjust to the idea that she will be in Elizabeth's company occasionally, for I will not give up your friendship," Bingley confided.

Darcy was astounded. He assumed Elizabeth would settle something on her sisters, but he had no idea that it would be so much. The amount was far more than even his sister's dowry, and Elizabeth had four sisters. He included Bingley in the invitation to dinner, and Bingley accepted.