His Uncle's Favorite (50 page)

Mr. Stoddart was quick enough neither to miss the truth behind the earl’s words nor to ignore the potential interest in such gossip. But his wisdom assisted him in choosing the side he should take. The interest of the editor was overcome by the gentleman’s common sense and his awareness that Lord Matlock was not to be trifled with. Therefore, Mr. Stoddart politely accepted the explanation without further inquiry; he even suggested that Lord Matlock should be certain that such an announcement had not reached other newspapers, too, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.

After dinner ended and Mr. Stoddart left, the three gentlemen were enjoying a brandy in the library when the door was thrown open. As Lord Matlock feared, the day, which started so badly, turned even worse.

“Did you know Darcy is already engaged to that Bennet girl?” Lady Catherine cried.

“Catherine, where have you been? You disappeared like a lunatic. What were you thinking?” Lord Matlock instantly became as furious as his sister, and no attempt by his sons succeeded in calming him. “I warned you to behave reasonably or you would be forced to return to Rosings. You will leave the house first thing in the morning.”

“Did you know Darcy is engaged?” she repeated. “Her father himself informed me of it, and her horrible mother nearly drove me insane with her deranged outburst. That woman is out of her senses, I am telling you! What should we do? What should we do?!”

“CATHERINE! Silence, not a word more! You are not allowed to speak about anyone being insane! You are completely unbalanced! Yes, I do know Darcy is engaged, and I could not be happier. I imagine he will be married as soon as possible, so there is nothing you can do. I shall ask servants to prepare your luggage!”

“You have been to Hertfordshire? To Longbourn?” inquired the viscount.

“Oh, and just so you know—Mr. Stoddart had dinner with us today. Do not expect to see your preposterous announcement in the newspaper. What was in your mind to do such a thing? Can you imagine the consequences if the announcement appeared and then Darcy married Miss Bennet? Can you imagine what that would mean for poor Anne—and for our entire family?”

“Stoddart is a betrayer; I shall go to other newspapers instead!”

“You have been to Longbourn?” the viscount repeated while everyone ignored him.

“Go to your rooms until the morning, or I shall be forced to throw you out this very moment. Gibbs, help Lady Catherine to her apartment, and be certain her carriage is ready at daybreak,” the earl addressed a stunned servant, lost in the middle of the din, then the earl himself took his sister’s arm and directed her out of the library.

The viscount and the colonel looked at each other in frozen disbelief.

“You must be correct; she surely was at Longbourn,” the colonel finally replied sternly.

***

As soon as Mrs. Bennet’s nerves allowed her to calm and she felt well enough to inquire after her sister Gardiner’s health, Mr. Bennet suggested that Jane tell her mother and younger sisters all the details of their long trip while he discreetly invited Darcy and Elizabeth to follow him into the library.

Immediately, Darcy began a formal address regarding his proposal to Elizabeth, but the elder gentleman interrupted him with a wave of his hand.

“Indeed, sir, as I already told you in my letter, I could not think of anyone better for my Lizzy. I feel grateful and honoured by your request, and I never gave my consent as warmly as I do now. But we shall talk about all this later. What I wanted to tell you before my wife does is that we had a most surprising visitor earlier today.”

Darcy’s countenance softened and warmed with each of the gentleman’s words, but the final statement did not make an impression on him. He turned to Elizabeth with a small smile, certain that she was the one to guess about the visit.

“Can you not guess who the visitor was, Mr. Darcy?”

“Me?” He was completely lost, searching for a sign of mockery.

“You indeed, as the matter concerns you quite a lot. I dare say not everyone in your family approves your engagement with Lizzy, am I correct?” Mr. Bennet was positively amused, but Darcy turned pale and silent, staring at his host with obvious worry.

“Lady Catherine was here?” Darcy’s voice sounded lost and incredulous. Mr. Bennet laughed.

“She was, indeed. I must say, Mr. Collins’s description did not do her justice. Lizzy dear, it seems she was quite upset with you; she declared you ungrateful that, after she invited you for dinner at Rosings, you somehow deceitfully charmed Mr. Darcy.”

Elizabeth blushed and attempted to laugh, but Darcy’s distress pained her. She tried to form a reply, but the gentleman spoke first.

“Mr. Bennet, words are insufficient to express my regret for the dreadful situation you endured. I never suspected such a thing might occur; please forgive me, I—”

“Sir, there is really no need for such distress. I had quite an amusing time, and it became even more diverting when Mrs. Bennet returned home unexpectedly. Did I mention that Lady Catherine’s loudly expressed indignation allowed Mrs. Bennet to discover the secret of your engagement? Mrs. Bennet and half of Meryton, to be more specific.”

“I am truly sorry, sir, truly sorry,” Darcy repeated.

“Do not be sorry; nobody ever made Mrs. Bennet so happy. My only concern is about Miss de Bourgh. I understand it was expected that you would marry her? How does she bear your engagement? This is not something to trifle with.”

Without even asking permission, Darcy poured himself a glass of brandy then managed to reply coherently.

“Nobody expected me to marry Anne except my Aunt Catherine. Please be assured that I did not break my word, nor did I pain anyone with my engagement. I happened to speak to Anne a few days ago when she arrived in town. She was quite happy about the news, I might say. The matter of a marriage between us was long settled.”

“Good. Now, be so kind as to pour me a glass of that brandy, and have a seat. Now would be an excellent time to give me more details about your arrangements.”

Elizabeth breathed in relief and glanced at Darcy; his discomfort was still darkening his expression, but he attempted to speak lightly as he informed Mr. Bennet about what they decided. Mr. Bennet interrupted him a few times in obvious good humour, declaring he had expected the news of their engagement since they shared those few short letters. He then asked Darcy whether the invitation to Pemberley was still valid since he already secured Elizabeth’s hand and did not need to be polite any longer.

Mr. Bennet’s teasing brought little comfort to Darcy’s embarrassment; Elizabeth could see that. He rarely smiled, and he seemed to struggle to understand whether Mr. Bennet was joking. Her father’s next question, however, took her by complete surprise.

“So, this is your plan… And may I ask why you think a three-months’ engagement is necessary? I do not mean to intrude; I am just curious. It is my understanding that no more than a week is needed to apply for a special license.”

Elizabeth felt her cheeks burning, and she dared a glance at Darcy; his expression suddenly changed, though he seemed equally uneasy.

“We thought it would be proper not to rush… We believed that it would be better if…” As he spoke, he kept glancing at Elizabeth as if waiting for her intervention. His words seemed weak and his arguments unconvincing.

“To be honest, sir, I thought an engagement of three months would be comfortable for Elizabeth. If it were my choice alone, I would say two weeks would be long enough. However, Elizabeth’s comfort and wishes are more important than mine.”

“I would imagine as much.” Mr. Bennet laughed while Elizabeth turned crimson. A moment later, Mr. Bennet became more serious.

“As I said, I do not mean to intrude but I was thinking—perhaps you should choose a shorter engagement, considering the circumstances. From what I observed earlier, Lady Catherine will not cease interfering until everything is settled and publicly acknowledged. I would say the best way to avoid a scandal is to be done with it.”

Darcy’s expression darkened again, and he avoided Mr. Bennet’s eyes for a moment.

“Mr. Bennet, I could have all the arrangements completed in a week, and nothing would make me happier. But I shall not force Elizabeth to hurry or to decide against her wishes only because of my aunt’s behaviour. Despite anything my aunt might do, I will find a way to protect Elizabeth and our families. Please do not worry about that.”

Elizabeth gently touched his arm with her hand, and he turned to meet her eyes. She smiled, her cheeks still burning, her eyes sparkling.

“I think we should discuss this…the engagement, I mean. And no, I do not worry about Lady Catherine either.”

“Good—excellent,” Mr. Bennet said while the couple looked at each other in silence. “Discuss this, and let me know what you decide. And your mother too—she will never forgive you if you do not allow her time for proper arrangements. Now let us return; I am certain Mrs. Bennet is anxious to ask Mr. Darcy what he would prefer for dinner.”

“Papa, may I have a few more minutes with Mr. Darcy? We will join you shortly.”

“Sir, would you be so kind as to lend me a pen and some paper? I intend to send an express for my uncle. I was thinking that an announcement in the papers—about our engagement—would be necessary,” Darcy said.

“Yes it would—yes indeed. Lizzy will show you everything you need.”

Mr. Bennet left the library, but no words were spoken for some time. Meaningful, deep looks attempted to share each other’s feelings before the silence was broken.

“Elizabeth, I cannot say how sorry I am. I cannot forgive myself for exposing you and your family to my aunt’s malicious actions. I never would have believed her capable of such things. You cannot imagine how ashamed I am and—”

“You take too much upon yourself, truly. It is done and cannot be changed. I am certain my parents took the situation much better than you did.” She laughed, gently caressing his face. “As for being ashamed—I believe I know your feelings. I love my mother dearly, but her exuberant behaviour has frequently made me uncomfortable.”“Your mother would never behave like Lady Catherine did; of that I am sure.”

“Oh, yes she would.” Elizabeth laughed heartily. “Only try to tell her you decided to marry someone else after she was convinced she would have you as a son-in-law, and you will see. But that is quite easy to understand; nobody would ever accept easily the loss of such a faultless man—tall and handsome and worth ten thousand a year!”

Her eyes laughed along with her teasing, and his countenance brightened at the sight. He captured the hand that was still caressing his face and placed a long kiss in her palm while his other arm encircled her waist.

“You are generous to forgive me so easily. I shall abuse your generosity by insisting on listening to your father and choosing another wedding day—a much earlier one,” he said while he gently pulled her closer.

His lips brushed small, warm kisses on her palm and along her wrists, then further to each finger while his eyes never abandoned hers. She rested her other hand against his chest while she wondered how it was possible to shiver on such a warm day.

“You said I would enjoy being engaged at Pemberley,” she whispered, smiling shyly.

“Indeed. But you will enjoy even more being newly wed at Pemberley.” He wiped her smile with a warm kiss that took her breath away and left little doubt about his meaning. She moved closer, and her hands curved around his neck as she daringly accepted the passionate demand of his lips.

“I do not believe I can finish preparations in less than two weeks,” she managed to whisper, her lips almost touching his. “I will need a new trousseau, new dresses…”

His lips captured hers again with more passion. He allowed her to breathe again, enough to respond.

“Do not bother yourself with new clothes; you will not have time to wear any of them…”

She froze then pulled away, staring at him in shock. “Mr. Darcy!”

His hands were still around her waist, and he looked at her—her eyes sparkling, her cheeks and neck red, her lips wet and crimson—and he was at a loss to understand what offended her. Then suddenly the revelation struck him, and he started to laugh while his arms crushed her against him and he gently kissed her hair.

“What I meant was that I plan for us to leave for Pemberley immediately after the wedding, so there will be no special occasions to require new dresses. And you will have plenty of time to order everything you need after we marry.”

She looked at him, incredulous at his explanation, and he laughed again and kissed her hand. She started to laugh, too.

He leaned closer to whisper in her ear.

“However, I confess I am exceedingly pleased that your imagination equals the quickness of your mind. And it gives me one more reason to insist we decide on an earlier date.”

“Very well, sir. I should have known that you would not have it any other way but your own. We shall marry as soon as you make all the arrangements. Two weeks should do.”

The expression of heartfelt delight diffused over his face warmed her heart, and with no trace of shyness, she rose on her toes so her lips could reach and join his. Another kiss brought them closer, with growing passion, until he began to laugh against her lips.