Mr. Darcy's Decision: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Page 4

  Elizabeth’s affections grew, her smile was irrepressible and her face was overspread with color. “I could never have contemplated loving another, you are exactly the sort of man I would have designed, your skill lay in having concealed it from me for so long.”

  “You really did despise me?”

  “I was resigned to.You did little to persuade me to feel otherwise but I concede the severity of my dislike was, at times, a little extreme.”

  “The severity of your dislike was matched only by the degree of my own folly. For my part, I will confess to foolishness. I was on guard, embarrassed.”

  “And all this you would have continued to be had you not imagined your cousin to be falling in love with me?”

  “You may condemn me for my envy, Elizabeth, it will not lessen my feelings.”

  “I should never wish to be the cause of decreasing your feelings for me, Fitzwilliam. In fact,” she said quietly, “I am disposed to behave in a way that will further them.” With a quickening step Elizabeth headed for a secluded patch of ground beneath a heavily laden oak. Darcy followed but was not inclined to run and called out to her, “Every word you speak furthers my feelings, Elizabeth.”

  “I cannot always speak in words,” cried she, “where love is concerned it is not the only language.” She settled on a seat. Darcy was soon before her. “Ah poetry,” he said, “you know my feelings on that... and music... ”

  Elizabeth raised her finger to her husband’s lips. “I must interrupt you, sir, for I believe no language speaks clearer than a kiss between lovers.”

  When, through some twist in their conversation as both had just experienced, Darcy and Elizabeth were forced to recall their previous misunderstanding of each other they recoiled from the memories and put both their past behaviors down to the fact that the violence of their feelings had made them both ill-tempered and judgmental. On happier notes, Lizzy’s untidy arrival at Netherfield Park to attend Jane in her illness, although long in the past, was always a source of amusement. Elizabeth had never had any difficulty in finding amusement in the examination of her own personality and was always ready to laugh at herself. This was a quality not natural to Darcy but he was mastering it well enough.

  When they had called their brief respite beneath the oak to a close they walked hand in hand to the lake where already on several occasions they had diverted each other about their most portentous if impromptu meeting at Pemberley when Lizzy’s Aunt and Uncle Gardiner had accompanied her. Again, Elizabeth’s laughter set the style of their discourse.

  “What a meeting, both of us embarrassed, for our own reasons, I cannot imagine which of us more so, though I daresay your inappropriate state of attire caused you provocation. Ah, but all is fair for I believe your untidy condition at the time equitable to my own at Netherfield?”

  Her husband smiled.“It is a just comparison.”

  “Then we are equals?” she asked.

  He was too close now for her to maintain any composure and she felt herself to be very deeply impressed by his proximity. “In every way it is possible to be we are, as you put it, equals, but in other matters I cannot compete, yours Elizabeth is the fairer sex,” he said.

  They headed back to the house refreshed by the outdoors and their reflections. The intoxicating effects of love and fresh air combined to make them more amiable in character than ever and they conceded that they must delay no longer in requesting that Mrs. Bennet should come to Pemberley.

  “Poor mama,” said Elizabeth.“I fear two weeks will not be early enough notice of such an engagement. I am all too familiar with the lengthy style of her preparations for a simple invitation to tea. I pity poor Kitty for she will endure the impact of mama’s frenzied arrangements.”

  Darcy smiled. “Indeed, it is not difficult to imagine the scenes at Longbourn. No one will be safe! But I wonder now, having recalled your mother’s characteristics, if we would be better disposed to receive her in mixed company here rather than attempt to withstand her personality alone. I have it from Bingley that she has been at Netherfield several times more than his sanity can bear, and if his serenity can be shaken I daresay mine will be tattered in a third of the time.” He watched Elizabeth carefully; she had caught his look of concern.

  “I am not insulted by your views, for they are as my own. Mama is excitable to be sure, and I think if you can bear her presence in a small company then it may be preferable to dilute her effects so. Perhaps Jane and Bingley could be amongst the party also, I would dearly love to see them both and there is little for them to wonder about mama’s nature that they have not already experienced,” she said.

  “The perfect scene, Elizabeth. If Bingley can withstand more of Mrs. Bennet then I must oblige also.”

  “I doubt that Miss Bingley will be so receptive as you, she has the greatest difficulty in these matters.”

  Darcy nodded. “Yes, we are giving her a good subject for criticism since she is no longer able to find fault with you, my dear.”

  Elizabeth was surprised and could not conceal it. “You are mistaken, I think Caroline Bingley is as able and as inclined to find fault with me as ever she was, her facade is an affectionate one but it does not fool me.”

  “I am aware that little does and that affords me satisfaction, but I am grieved to hear that you detect scorn on Miss Bingley’s part. You are too tolerant! I cannot accept it, I will demand she take her leave.” An expression reminiscent of Darcy’s previous arrogance spread across his face.

  Elizabeth sighed. “Allow me to appease you. Her dislike is of little matter to me and who knows, it may ease in time, it would be a great loss to Georgiana should Miss Bingley depart, for despite her curtness she is accomplished and refined socially, her influence therefore is not entirely ill.”

  After a long silence Darcy said, “Then let it be so, though to hear censure of you, my beloved, is to feel fire in my blood.”

  CHAPTER 4

  It was a large, handsome, stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; and in front, a stream of some natural importance was swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its banks were neither formal, nor falsely adorned.

  All was tranquillity until Mrs. Bennet received news from Pemberley. Before she had read the contents of the letter, she had already had a fit of the nerves. She was given the vapors twice over and took no breakfast but for a little tea.

  On finally reading the letter she shrieked, “Listen to this, Kitty, we are all requested to spend a week at Pemberley.This is a formal invitation indeed, my dear, in the master’s own fine hand. I do wonder at Lizzy that she could not write to her own parents with all the time her leisurely life affords her. Ah well, it is of little consequence. I daresay this is Mr. Darcy’s notion for he has always shown a definite regard for me. What a gentleman, so well bred.” Turning to her husband she said, “I have always said his manners are as elegant as his dress.”

  “You outstrip Brummel with your inclination to judge a man by the cut of his coat,” said Mr. Bennet.

  Mrs. Bennet ignored her husband’s remark and said, “Mr. Bennet, you will write directly to confirm our acceptance.”

  With a feigned look of surprise Mr. Bennet said, “Oh I see no necessity for haste, your nerves will surely not be intact by the time of the visit, which is to take place... when?”

  Mrs. Bennet aimed a look of exasperation at her husband.“We have but two weeks today to make the arrangements.The travel is not of our concern for Mr. Darcy writes that our dear Jane and Bingley are to be amongst the guests.We have the opportunity of making up a party in one of their fine carriages.”

  “Then with so little to concern yourself with and a full fortnight to ponder the delights of this invitation I wonder that you insist on my replying, when you will have ample time to write yourself.”

  Mr. Bennet often lamented that Lizzy was not present to see his purposeful vexations of his wife, but still he satisfied his own vo
racity for humor with his wit.

  Mrs. Bennet huffed. “Write myself? Have you taken leave of your senses, Mr. Bennet? No indeed, I wager you had no senses to begin with. I cannot write myself, as you suggest, it will not do!You must reply and follow the dignified method that Mr. Darcy employs. And I will not have you think my time shall be spent idle from now until our departure, for there is so much to do. I have not a stitch of clothing that is fit to be seen in elegant company. Poor Kitty is equally deprived, you know, so we have no time at all to waste. There are some fine new muslins in Meryton which will make up very nicely into suitable gowns.And do not forget, I have my sister to inform.” To Kitty she said, “Your poor Aunt Phillips lives to hear all the particulars of my social sphere and I should feel guilty not to brighten her dull life by letting her have this news before I am gone to Pemberley.” She sighed and went on, “Ah Pemberley, Netherfield is nothing to it I hear.”

  Mrs. Bennet’s agitation soon ceased and she afforded her nerves little consideration but set about her plans in a chaotic manner. Kitty was relieved that her mother’s humor had much improved on receiving the news from Pemberley and was excited herself to be returning there.

  “I wish Lydia could be with us, she makes such a merry addition to a party with her spirits.”

  Mrs. Bennet agreed. “Alas, my poor Lydia will miss out on this occasion. Though they do invite Mary, who would not enjoy it a jot, but she is better able to travel from Rosings than Lydia is equipped to get there from Newcastle. I daresay the distance is the only reason she is excluded and Wickham also for he has links to Pemberley and is all that is charming. But we will not trouble ourselves over their absence, for I am now of a mind to visit Rosings Park to discuss the arrangements with Mary.” She looked knowingly at Mr. Bennet. “I confess I shall relish this opportunity to let Lady Catherine de Bourgh know my news. I hear that she will not go to Pemberley and that they will not have her. If I can incite a small measure of envy in her I will not feel it unjust.” She thought for a while. “There you see, the week ahead runs away with me, for there is yet another visit to add to things. Oh well, if my health should finally give out with all this effort I shall at least die happy.”

  “Indeed you shall, my dear,” said Mr. Bennet wearily,“for I have seldom seen anyone so gladdened by self-congratulation as your goodself.”

  Mrs. Bennet was too enraptured with life at that moment to take any offense at Mr. Bennet’s comment, which in turn partially deprived him of some of the satisfaction he gained from making it. The talk of Pemberley went on for the full day and the cries and shrieks from Mrs. Bennet were heard all around the house. By the evening she had entirely worn herself out which granted the household some longed for peace when she retired to bed with one of her headaches and a bottle of salts.

  CHAPTER 5

  “You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.”

  News of the Bennets’ imminent arrival at Pemberley had reached Lady Catherine before Mrs. Bennet arrived at Rosings Park with the intention of revealing it. Lady Catherine was quite sure that she would never find it easy to receive Mrs. Bennet but she was little disposed to refuse her while Mary did such service to Anne.

  Mrs. Bennet corrected her accent when in the company of Lady Catherine, which gave spuriousness to her manner of speech, her flattery sang of falsehood also.“Your ladyship is quite well I am pleased to see, and your dear daughter is in good health I take it?”

  Lady Catherine nodded, but there was no softness in her address, she remained as brittle as ever. “Yes, Mrs. Bennet, I am reasonably well, considering, and Anne’s health shows no signs of expected deterioration although I would not be surprised to see such given her recent share of traumas.”With this she glared at Mrs. Bennet accusingly before continuing.“In light of family distress of the kind we have endured it astounds me to learn that my nephew is comfortable to be sociable and entertaining while others suffer.” She looked over to where her daughter was sitting with Mary close by her side.“But it is of little consequence.Anne improves a little, as I do, since our opinion of my nephew has altered with enlightenment. Were his morals as high as his manners he would show compatibility with Anne, as it is, the reverse renders his union to your daughter no great loss to us. In that way I justify my present contentment, and my future satisfaction relies on the inevitable woe that the pair will suffer on closer acquaintance with each other.”

  Mrs. Bennet’s apprehension of Lady Catherine prevented her offering defense on Darcy’s or Elizabeth’s part and she was very nearly lost for words but she replied meekly,“I am sure, ma’am, that your present misery will soon dissipate on seeing your daughter so much improved, my Mary makes a good companion does she not?”

  “Yes,” said Lady Catherine, “which gives me reason to inform you that she shall remain here at Rosings. She is a sensible girl. It will not disappoint her to be denied Pemberley. Besides, Anne cannot spare her, her situation is too delicate.”

  “Perhaps ma’am, Mary may be permitted to voice her own wishes on the matter?”

  “She is entirely at liberty to do so,” said Lady Catherine looking at Mary expectantly.

  The girl chose to address her employer before her own mother, “Your ladyship,” she began in a somber tone,“it will be no deprivation for me to stay with Anne, for I see no virtue in the frivolities and entertainments at Pemberley.” She paused before turning to her mother, then she said, “I am sure your enjoyment of the visit will be little sullied by my absence, please send my highest regards to my sisters and father and my apologies, they will understand I am compelled by duty and instinct to remain here.”

  Lady Catherine looked analytically at Mary then lifted her head back a little so as to look down her nose at Mrs. Bennet.There was a hint of a smile on her lips and it had been put there quite decidedly by Mary’s confession that she felt more duty bound to her employer than she did to her family.That was as good a sign of loyalty as any.

  Mrs. Bennet was not so surprised by Mary’s resolution. In a small way she had gained some satisfaction from having achieved legitimate entrance to Rosings. In light of the subsequent claims she, Mrs. Bennet, would enjoy, Mary’s movements were of little consequence.

  Her nerves were in a heightened state as she delivered the news to Mr. Bennet. “Let me tell you of her ladyship,” she said. “I have never met with such avarice I am sure, and my intent was to be all politeness, so as not to cause offense.Well, so be it! Mary, of course, is as drab as ever; in fact the three of them make a woeful picture. They are quite greyly appointed there in all their seriousness. It falls to the more pleasant of us to enjoy life to the full and I am glad of it, for Mary has spoiled many a gathering with her moods. Never mind, my dear, that is Mary for you, but Lady Catherine need not have shown her smugness so explicitly.”

  “Indeed not,” replied Mr. Bennet. “But do bear in mind, my dear, that Lady Catherine has not your good example to follow and I daresay this misfortune leaves her manners somewhat lacking.”

  “Yes indeed,” agreed Mrs. Bennet who was as ever unable to detect the sarcasm in her husband’s comment.

  No sooner had Mrs. Bennet distributed her news to her sister, Mrs. Phillips, and the Lucases, and further let it slip at the haberdashers that it began to multiply and be universal knowledge of an exaggerated nature.

  The Collinses had their share of the announcements at Lucas Lodge. Charlotte Collins rejoiced at the news, but her husband still privately harbored feelings of humiliation regarding Lizzy’s rejection of him and this discomfort was further worsened by the loss of Lady Catherine’s patronage and in turn the loss of his connection to the entire family. The only compensation in his disillusioned life was that he had Longbourn to look forward to. Though he realized that his anticipation of taking up residency of the estate made him desirous of Mr. Bennet’s death, he felt only a fraction of the guilt he perh
aps should have. The fact that Mr. Bennet, newly relieved financially and in fine spirits generally, showed no signs of passing away perturbed Mr. Collins, but he did not mention it to Charlotte who maintained a genuine affection for all in the Bennet family.

  CHAPTER 6

  Mrs. Gardiner abused her stupidity.“If it were merely a fine house richly furnished,” said she,“I should not care about it myself, but the grounds are delightful.They have some of the finest woods in the country.”

  On arrival at Pemberley Mrs. Bennet was awestruck, for it was all and more than she had dreamed of for her daughter. At once she was determined to do all she could to hone Elizabeth to Darcy’s liking. Disturbed by Lady Catherine’s words she feared that the destruction of the marriage could indeed become a reality if her Lizzy’s oft-untamed manners remained unchecked. It was her maternal duty to succeed in advising her daughter of the perils of being overly natural.