24. Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four

April 13, 1812 Gracechurch Street, London Elizabeth

E lizabeth awoke Monday morning feeling restless. Charlotte was gone, likely up hours ago, and that left her time to think. She had received a brief note from Mr. Darcy on Saturday, informing her that he had arrived in town and would call on her on Monday during calling hours. She did not know if she wished to see him; there was no escaping the betrothal now. There were too many people who knew, who had witnessed the disaster in Lady Catherine’s sitting room for her reputation to emerge unscathed.

She had not told her aunt and uncle about the betrothal until the note had arrived. Both had regarded her with surprise and after explaining everything, both had agreed: her engagement to Mr. Darcy was a done thing now and there would be no avoiding it.

Charlotte had not spoken much during their journey to town. When they arrived, she had retreated to their shared chamber and remained there until dinner, claiming fatigue. Elizabeth wondered if her strong and capable friend had allowed Mr. Collins’s foolish words to bother her. Elizabeth’s cousin was a ridiculous being. Surely, steady Charlotte had not taken those terrible things to heart.

Elizabeth came down after readying herself to find her aunt and friend at the breakfast table.

“Good morning, Lizzy,” Aunt Gardiner said kindly. “I trust you slept well.”

“I did.” Elizabeth took her seat. “Did you?”

Aunt nodded and Elizabeth turned to speak to Charlotte. Her friend’s plate held but a little food, and she did not think it was because she had already eaten her meal.

“How do you do this morning, Charlotte?” Elizabeth asked.

“I am well. Only very fatigued. I do not know why our journey tired me so. I ought to have recovered by now.” The lady pushed her food around her plate, not taking a bite. “When do you expect Mr. Darcy to call?”

“He says he will come at one o’clock,” Elizabeth said.

Charlotte nodded. “I wish we had been able to take our leave of the others. Sir Andrew and Lady de Bourgh especially.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “Yes, their company was diverting, was it not? Lady de Bourgh flummoxed Lady Catherine so often, I feared the latter would suffer an apoplexy.”

“Lady de Bourgh sounds like an interesting character.” Aunt Gardiner sipped her tea before continuing. “She said she would sponsor you. That is good, for you will need a good connection to do it. Mr. Darcy is placed much higher in society. It is expected that as his wife, you will be presented.”

“I do not know that I can depend upon her offer. I thought she merely sought to further discompose Lady Catherine.” Elizabeth shrugged.

“I suppose we will have to address that later.” Aunt Gardiner changed the subject. “Your father is not expecting you at Longbourn until Saturday. Will you keep to that schedule?”

Elizabeth considered. Do I wish to stay here where Mr. Darcy can come to call whenever he wishes? Why not return to Longbourn for the duration of our engagement?

“I believe the matter should be considered after Mr. Darcy’s call,” she finally replied. Yes, his call would determine whether I stay or go.

After breakfast, the ladies amused themselves while Aunt Gardiner completed her household duties. At promptly one o’clock, the bell rang, and Mr. Darcy was admitted.

“How do you do, ladies? Mrs. Gardiner, it is a pleasure to see you again.” Mr. Darcy bowed to his hostess before turning to Elizabeth. He extended his hand, offering her a calling card.

“Lady de Bourgh wished for me to give this to you. She would like to meet with you to discuss… things.” He trailed off. “She accompanied us to London.”

“And Sir Andrew?” Charlotte cut in. Elizabeth glanced at her friend. Had she formed an attachment whilst in Kent? She never would have guessed.

“Sir Andrew remains at Rosings Park for the nonce. Afterwards, I understand he is going to Briar Court for business.”

Charlotte nodded and turned away. Aunt Gardiner invited her guest to sit, and he did so, taking the chair closest to Elizabeth.

“Tell me you are well,” he said quietly. “I feared for your safety when Mrs. Collins told me what her bumbling husband had done.”

“We are both well, sir. Charlotte and I are capable of securing a room and passage on the post coach without anyone’s aid. But I thank you for your concern.” Elizabeth smiled pertly, raising an eyebrow at him as if daring him to disagree.

“I know you to be more capable than any other lady of my acquaintance, Elizabeth. And more determined. I was simply worried. It is dreadfully dishonorable to turn two ladies out when it is nearly dark.”

“I am simply grateful my cousin arranged a cart to transport our trunks,” she confessed. “We would not have gone far otherwise.”

“Well then. Let us discuss more pleasant things.” He shifted and took her hand. “I wish to marry as soon as the banns are called. Pemberley is wonderful in the summer, and I wish to take you there in July. Georgiana will, of course, spend a few weeks with my Matlock relations so that we have privacy. We will come to London immediately following the wedding. Lady de Bourgh insists that you are to partake of the rest of the season before ‘I abscond with you’, as she says. I would not dare contradict her, and so I have agreed.”

Elizabeth clenched her teeth as he spoke. How well he has already ordered my life. “Is a short engagement truly your wish?” she asked.

“Elizabeth, I have pined for you since last November. I think three callings of the banns is enough to drive me mad. Perhaps I ought to purchase a common license instead.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.

“I am not of age.” She shifted uncomfortably. “I shall need my father’s permission.” He will refuse it, if he wants, and then this whole mess can be resolved with no harm to my reputation. “I shall return to Longbourn tomorrow, if my uncle can arrange the carriage.”

“I shall accompany you and Miss Lucas. Once things are settled, I will return to London and complete the wedding articles.”

He sounded so sure of himself and his grand plans. “Complete them?” she asked. “Have they already been started?”

He nodded. “I wrote to my solicitor a week ago to begin preparations. The usual terms are there and the settlements are the same as what my mother had.”

Lady Anne Darcy had been the daughter of an earl. What pin money had she possessed? That lady likely came with a substantial dowry. Elizabeth came with nothing and yet Mr. Darcy still meant to see her as wealthy as a peer. Well, he cannot have his wife look anything less than Mrs. Darcy ought, can he?

“Well, you seem to have everything arranged to your liking.” She spoke sarcastically again, and once more he did not hear it.

“I am nothing if not thorough,” he replied. “I promise you, Elizabeth, I shall be the best of husbands. You will want for nothing.”

Nothing except mutual love and affection, she thought. Instead of speaking her thoughts, she smiled blandly and glanced away, hoping he would see her behavior as proper and demure instead of avoidant.

He then started as if he had remembered something and reached into his pocket and withdrew a letter, which he offered to her. Elizabeth turned it over and immediately recognized Jane’s handwriting. She looked at him curiously, and he grimaced.

Quickly Elizabeth broke the seal and read.

Dearest Lizzy,

I must make haste so that this note can be in Mr. Darcy’s hands before he leaves for London. He was kind enough to call and take his leave, thankfully whilst my husband is not at home.

Lizzy, Mr. Collins has commanded me to cease all contact with you. I have tried to reason with him, but he will have his way. Lady Catherine’s word is law, and I fear he will remain unmoved until the day he dies.

I will not be prevented from writing, dearest. Using an intermediary to communicate is the only way. I intend to send a letter to our aunt Gardiner, asking her to fill the position.

This unfortunate turn of events means that I will not be in attendance at your wedding. Know that I am with you in spirit.

Love,

Jane

Elizabeth refolded her letter. Mr. Collins’s firm stance against her meant that Jane was likely correct. If Mr. Bennet died, there would be no place for Elizabeth at Longbourn. Distracted, she put the letter in her pocket and returned her attention to Mr. Darcy.

He left a short time later, promising to bring his coach tomorrow to transport the ladies home. He would ride alongside and speak to Mr. Bennet when they arrived. Elizabeth and Charlotte thanked him graciously and he departed with a smile on his face.

“You are very fortunate to win the favor of such a man,” Charlotte murmured when they were alone.

“Even though I do not want his favor?” Elizabeth thought about arriving at Longbourn and begging Mr. Bennet to turn the haughty, proud Mr. Darcy away. He would do it, just as he had Mr. Collins, and Elizabeth took assurance in that fact. Soon this whole disaster would end.

“Yes. I have never had a man’s favor, Lizzy. It must be a heady thing, knowing Mr. Darcy would do anything for you out of love.”

She had not considered that.

“How much good you could do as Mrs. Darcy.” Charlotte turned and took Elizabeth’s hands. “Promise me you will not forget me when you marry. I shall be quite alone in Meryton you know.” She smiled sadly.

Elizabeth pulled Charlotte into a hug, holding her tightly but saying nothing.

“You seemed very interested in Sir Andrew’s whereabouts,” she said as she broke away. “Have you something you wish to share?”

“No. I told you of his position. He will not marry me. Besides, why would he settle for an old spinster when he could marry a handsome, young lady?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “Do not let what my dreadful cousin said affect you so. He is wrong. You are a marvelous woman, Charlotte, and any man would be fortunate to call you wife.”

“You are kind, Elizabeth, but I am not blind to my defects. The best I can hope is that my friend will take me in when my family abandons me. You will have enough room in your grand houses to keep a spinster, will you not? I promise I shall teach your children to play their instruments very ill.”

Elizabeth laughed, hoping to lighten the dismal mood in the room. “We both know you cannot carry a tune, Charlotte,” she said. Sobering, she took Charlotte’s hand again. “I promise I will not forsake you.” It was the best she could do, for her friend did not know that she still hoped to find a way out of marrying Mr. Darcy.