The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy (26 page)

Georgiana loved all the hustle and bustle of London. She had been sitting on the window seat in her bedroom watching nannies pushing prams and servants walking their masters’ dogs in the park when she saw Lady Catherine’s carriage stop in front of the townhouse. Georgiana, who enjoyed gothic mysteries because they got her heart racing, found that there was nothing in her novels quite as frightening as Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

“Fitzwilliam Darcy! I demand you come here immediately,” Aunt Catherine shouted from the foyer below.

Georgiana was unsure if her brother was even in the house. She had only just returned from a final fitting for her dress for the Warrens’ ball where she would make her debut in one week’s time. Will might possibly be at his solicitor’s office in connection with the papers to be signed by Lydia Bennet and Wickham or in a business meeting with George Bingley. Unfortunately, she must assume he was not in the house, and with great reluctance, she went downstairs to meet her aunt.

“Where is your brother, Georgiana? I shall speak with him this very moment.”

“Aunt Catherine, I don’t know where…”

“Georgiana, it’s all right,” Will said, appearing miraculously from behind her. “You may return to your room. It seems as if our aunt has business with me.” Georgiana hurried up the stairs, but as soon as Will and her aunt had gone into the sitting room, she put her ear to the door.

“I have just come from Hertfordshire and a most unpleasant interview with Miss Elizabeth Bennet with regard to a malicious rumor being circulated by either herself or her allies that you intend to make her an offer of marriage. When I insisted the report of your engagement be universally contradicted, she refused to do so,” she said, shaking her cane at the window and the faraway Elizabeth Bennet, who was out there somewhere defying her. “When I asked for a promise that she would never enter into such an engagement, she said, ‘I will make no promise of the kind.’ She is an unfeeling and selfish girl, unworthy of my attention, and no one in my family will have any further association with her.”

Darcy maintained the stoic exterior he adopted whenever he was around his aunt, but inside he was smiling. He could easily imagine Elizabeth standing opposite the august personage of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and stubbornly refusing to give ground.

“Aunt Catherine, Miss Elizabeth could not refute the rumors that I intend to make her an offer of marriage because they are true. As soon as Georgiana makes her debut, I shall be on the road to Longbourn Manor for just such a purpose.”

“I forbid it! Your alliance will be a disgrace. If you persist, I shall not receive you. Your name will never be mentioned by me again.”

“That would be unfortunate, Aunt Catherine, but it will not deter me. I am in love with Elizabeth Bennet, and if she will have me, I intend to make her my wife.”

“If she will have
you
! If that woman truly has any regard for you, she will refuse any such offer as you will be censured, slighted, and despised by all your acquaintances.”

“I appreciate your concern, but you need not worry about matters that fall exclusively to me.”

“Will you deny your mother her most cherished wish that you marry your cousin and my daughter?”

“My mother and father were deeply in love, and Mama wished the same for me. I love Anne as dearly as I do Georgiana, but as a sister, and her love for me is as a brother. Despite your hopes, it has never been otherwise. There is nothing you can say that will change my mind as to my choice of wife. I do not wish to be estranged from you, as you are dear to me and my mother was devoted to you. However, that is your choice. If you do not wish to see me again, I shall accept your decision. Likewise, you must accept mine.”

Georgiana continued to listen to what had become a one-sided argument with her aunt’s shrill voice reaching new heights. Confident that her brother could not be dissuaded from making an offer to Elizabeth Bennet, she returned to her room, but she knew when her aunt was leaving because she could hear the impact of her cane hitting each step. As soon as she saw her carriage pull away, she ran downstairs to her brother.

“Will, Aunt Catherine is very angry.”

“That is an understatement,” he said, laughing. “She objects to my having fallen in love with a woman who has no rank or position in society. Frankly, I am beginning to see that as an asset.”

“Anne must have told her. How else would she know?”

“Oh, beyond a doubt, Anne is behind this. She knew exactly what her mother would do upon receiving such information.”

“Will, since Miss Elizabeth has endured a good deal of abuse on your account, it seems only fair that you should go to Hertfordshire to apologize for the behavior of our aunt.”

“You are right, Georgiana. It is my responsibility to go to Longbourn to make sure Elizabeth has suffered no permanent damage from Aunt Catherine’s attack.”

Georgiana ran to her brother and hugged and kissed him. “But, Will, you must go as soon as possible. I do not want you to wait for my debut. It is still six days off, and that is sufficient time for you to go to Longbourn to make Elizabeth an offer and to return in time to escort me to the Warrens’ ball. Will you do this for me?”

Smiling and nodding, Darcy shouted for his valet. “Mercer! Mercer! Where are you?”

“Sir, I am here,” Mercer answered from his perch.

“Tomorrow I am to go to Hertfordshire on important business, possibly the most important of my life. Please prepare for our departure.”

“Trousers or breeches, sir?”

“Trousers.”

Mrs. Hill had a view of the road from the kitchen window, and when she saw the carriage pull into the lane, she thought it must be Lady Catherine again. Who else could afford such a fine conveyance? After her visit, Miss Lizzy had told everyone that Her Ladyship was merely paying a courtesy call. Well, if that’s what she called courtesy, Mrs. Hill would take a pass on civility. She could not hear what was being said, but she knew an angry voice when she heard it. And although it took her longer to figure out what the strange thumping noise was, when Lady Catherine came out of the parlor leading with her cane, that mystery was solved.

Instead of the grouchy grand lady Mrs. Hill was expecting, she opened the door to find Mr. Darcy holding a letter and asking that it be delivered to Miss Elizabeth and that he would wait for her answer in the garden. Mrs. Hill was reluctant to deliver the letter. What if the nephew was as angry as the aunt? She hated to see her sweet Miss Lizzy upset, especially since everyone in the house was in such a good mood. Miss Jane was engaged, Miss Mary had a suitor, and Miss Lydia was still in London not causing anyone any trouble at the moment.

“Mr. Darcy is here at Longbourn? Where?” Lizzy asked as Mrs. Hill handed her the letter. When she read its two sentences, she smiled. No wasted words here, but it was enough.

Dearest Elizabeth,

Although I come unannounced, I hope you will be able to spare a few minutes of your time for me. I shall wait for you in the garden.

Yours, Fitzwilliam Darcy

Quickly grabbing a bonnet and cloak, she was out the door. As soon as she saw Mr. Darcy sitting on a bench in the garden, her spirits soared. He was wearing a very fine coat and her favorite dark green waistcoat. He had come dressed to the nines to pay a call on her.

“Mr. Darcy, what a pleasant surprise.”

“Miss Elizabeth,” he said, bowing, “I am happy to hear you find my visit a pleasure considering my aunt’s behavior in coming here. Her manners and speech were abominable, and I ask your forgiveness.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. Only your aunt should be held accountable for her speech, but she certainly does speak her mind.”

“From what I heard from my aunt, you do likewise.”

“Which should come as no surprise to you, Mr. Darcy.”

“As long as it is not I who is on the receiving end of expressions of your displeasure, I shall always encourage you to speak your mind,” and with that hint of a future together, he stepped forward and took her hand.

“Before you say anything else,” Lizzy said, holding tightly to his hand, “I must thank you for what you did on Lydia’s behalf.”

“Please, I did very little, and I have no wish to speak of it.”

“But, surely, you will allow me to…” but before she could complete the sentence, he took her in his arms and kissed her. It was not one kiss, but many, and with each kiss, she could feel his passion rising until she felt it necessary to gently push him away. “Sir, please, I have never been kissed before.”

“Good,” he said, and after untying her bonnet and tossing it on the bench, he pulled her close, and she felt his warm lips once again. As pleasant an experience as it was, propriety demanded she step away from him.

“Mr. Darcy, you are quite overwhelming me,” she said while retrieving her bonnet and fixing her hair. “If you would, please come and sit beside me.”

Darcy was about to get to the purpose of his visit, when Elizabeth said, “Before you begin, Mr. Darcy, I should caution you…”

“Caution me! Are you saying you will refuse my proposal?” he said, standing up. “What is it you want from me, Elizabeth? Shall I tear my heart from my chest and lay it before you? What must I do to secure your love?”

“Sir, you have my love, and I am not refusing you. I am merely suggesting that we move at a measured pace. We must have a courtship.”

“Why on earth do we need a courtship? A courtship serves the purpose of exposing one’s faults before vows are exchanged. Have you not seen me at my very worst?”

“I don’t know, have I?”

“Oh, I can see you are enjoying yourself. You have my heart, and now you will toy with it,” he said, laughing, but his laugh hid a growing impatience. He had been prepared to purchase a special license, so that they might marry immediately. But, now, she was talking about a courtship. “All right, then, three weeks of banns, and then we shall marry in the village church.”

“Three weeks? That is not very long. Have you forgotten that until very recently we were adversaries?”

Darcy could not deny that. During their time together at Netherfield Park during Jane’s illness, at the home of Sir William Lucas, and at the Netherfield ball, they had sparred on each occasion, and their adversarial postures had traveled with them to Kent, culminating in the scene at the parsonage. Only when they had met at Pemberley did their discourse take on a friendly tone, and their one private conversation in the gazebo had lasted no more than fifteen minutes.

“Agreed. You will have a courtship. What shall I bring when I come calling? Flowers? Jewels? Or should I order a fine carriage?”

“Flowers fade and jewels are locked up in boxes, and the last thing a Darcy needs is another carriage. What I want is for you to write me love letters or poetry.”

“I have no gift for writing,” he said, dismissing her request.

“I remember a conversation we had at Rosings regarding the importance of practice if one is ever to acquire a skill, whether it be playing the pianoforte or engaging strangers in conversation. Determination, effort, and practice are rewarded with success.”

“Have my determination and effort to win your hand met with success?”

“Indeed they have.”

“In that case, shall I get down on one knee?” Darcy asked.

“Only if you want dirty trousers, as it rained last night.”

Darcy pulled her gently to him, and he asked, “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, will you accept my offer of marriage and agree to become my wife?” and with her head upon his chest and feeling the beating of his heart, she whispered, “Yes.”

***

On the night of Georgiana’s debut, Darcy had an inkling of what he would feel on such an occasion if Elizabeth and he had a daughter. He was flooded with memories of his little sister climbing on her first pony, walking through the maze with their mother, sitting next to her father on the phaeton holding the reins together, or running around a maypole with the village children. In the last five years, their lives had been so entwined that he could hardly believe he might have to part with her in a very short while. But it would happen, as the young men at the ball flew to her as moths to a flame.

He had hoped that it would have been possible for Elizabeth to return with him to London and to stay with the Gardiners, so that they might be together on this special evening. But her family’s reaction to the announcement that they were to be married had been coolly received. He understood it was his own doing as his behavior at the assembly was still discussed in the neighborhood, and, subsequently, his role in Bingley’s departure from Netherfield had been revealed. But because he had asked Elizabeth not to share with her parents his role in Lydia’s fiasco, neither knew how indebted they were to him.

Mrs. Bennet’s reaction to the news was one of shock. Now that Lydia and Jane were shortly to be married and Mary would eventually marry after Mr. Nesbitt had been called to the bar, she was feeling quite secure and mentioned to Lizzy that, unlike Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy was a disagreeable man and one who thought that he was above his company. Nevertheless, she should consent to become his wife.

“Think of the pin money and the dresses, the jewels, and the carriages. Nothing will be denied you, and then you can find a husband for Kitty by throwing her into the path of other rich gentlemen.”

Mr. Bennet’s reservations regarding the marriage were such that Darcy was concerned that he would withhold his blessing, which would have deeply hurt Elizabeth. It was obvious that she was her father’s favorite child, and it was only after her father had talked to his daughter behind closed doors and had been reassured that her intended had no improper pride, that he was perfectly amiable, and that she loved him dearly, that he had given his consent. But he did so reluctantly.

Darcy left his future bride with her family for the purpose of rehabilitating his reputation, but he again cautioned her about revealing his role in Lydia and Wickham’s upcoming marriage. After returning to London, he had called on the Gardiners in hopes of hearing that Lydia had reconsidered, but he was informed that she would not yield. Tired of listening to her aunt and uncle’s pleas, she had finally put an end to their efforts when she had made a confession: She had lied to them when she told them that she was still a maiden. Mrs. Gardiner did not believe her, but the desired result was achieved.

But thoughts such as these should be reflected upon only in the darkest hours of the night and not at his sister’s coming-out party. As he danced with Georgiana’s friends and watched as they huddled in the corners between dances, giggling as girls always do, he delighted in the thought that his lovely sister had formed a deep attachment for Elizabeth. It was as he had always hoped.

***

At a time when Darcy had the pleasure of escorting his sister to a series of breakfasts and balls, there was an unpleasant piece of unfinished business to deal with. On this day, Lydia Bennet was to marry George Wickham.

Darcy was standing on the church steps when Lydia came bounding out of the hackney with her aunt and uncle. She had taken forever to mount the steps of St. Clement’s as she wanted all of the people out and about to admire her wedding dress and bonnet. Passersby called out their good wishes, which was a good thing, because they were the only ones who did. When she entered the church, she looked around for her family. Why were they not here to share in the joy of her marriage? But the beaming bride shrugged off their absence as soon as she saw Wickham, who had arrived at the church in the uniform of his new regiment. If Darcy had cared one whit about him, he might have asked what accounted for the bruises on his face and the bandage on his hand, but he was confident he knew the answer. Wickham had had a rough reception in Brighton.

Darcy was surprised, but he should not have been, when he saw George and Hannah Bingley in the church. George always dotted his i’s and crossed his t’s, but once Lydia was married, his role would come to an end. The only humor in the situation was Lydia’s face when she saw George Bingley. She had nearly walked into a pew in her effort to give him a wide berth. After the ceremony, George approached Darcy to reassure him that Lydia would be looked after.

“I have written to Wickham’s colonel asking that he alert Mr. Stone if he thinks Lydia is being mistreated in any way. Even with that, she will face challenges once she reaches Newcastle. I grew up in the North, and its people are shaped by its harsh climate. We are coarser than our southern brethren, but more honest to my mind, and we have no tolerance for artifice and lies.

“In that same letter, I again warned Colonel Davenport of Wickham’s proclivity for walking away from unpleasant situations. The colonel assured me that no such thing would happen, as his soldiers were going to be put through a rigorous regimen as he was anticipating that the regiment would shortly be receiving orders to go to the Peninsula to fight Napoleon’s forces in Spain.”

“The Peninsula? I had not thought. Were you aware of this when you helped secure Wickham’s commission?”

“Wickham signed the requisite papers for a commission as an officer in an infantry regiment. His days of parading about the village in his well-tailored uniform so that the ladies might admire him are over. His shoulder will be put to the wheel. As for Wickham’s possible deployment to Spain, he is an officer in His Majesty’s Army, and as such, he will go where he is sent.” After watching the young Lydia enter the carriage with Wickham, he added, “I am a man of faith, Mr. Darcy. As such, I believe good deeds are rewarded, and bad deeds are punished,” and he said no more.

With the newlyweds traveling to Longbourn in three days’ time, it would be impossible for Darcy to go to Hertfordshire to see Elizabeth. However, Elizabeth had written to say that Jane and she were coming to London so that her sister might purchase material for her wedding dress. This was the silver lining to the marriage he had just witnessed, and so there was something to celebrate after all.