Chapter 2 – The Woman in the Road

The overall mood in the dining room at Longbourn the next morning could not be described as calm. With Mrs Bennet's constant compliments of Mr Darcy and the praising of her second daughter, the occupants of the room could only be described as apprehensive. Elizabeth was the most apprehensive, unknowing what her Mother's reception of Mr Darcy would be. Would she possibly embarrass the family by complimenting him on his richness and the ability to allocate a part of it to their daughter through marriage?

Mrs Bennet on the other hand, was not so apprehensive, thinking of nothing more that the impact Elizabeth's marriage would have on her remaining daughters.

"Oh, just imagine the acquaintances you may be introduced to Kitty!" Mrs Bennet said in excitement. "Mr Darcy will surely find a good match for you among his rich acquaintances!"

"Mama, Mr Darcy will do no such thing!" Elizabeth added with frustration.

"But Mr Darcy and Lizzy should be allowed time to expand their own relationship, of course. You should try not to lose him Lizzy! He is a good man who will provide for us well when your Father is gone."

"My dear Mrs Bennet," Mr Bennet said as he placed his newspaper on the table. "I am in no haste to leave this world, you may leave Mr Darcy's fortune intact for the time being."

"But you may die, Mr Bennet and very soon! We need to know that Mr Darcy will provide for us when you are gone!" Elizabeth sighed slightly.

"Mama! Mr Darcy has already laid down a good deal for our reputation, I do not see why he should feel indebted to do more." Elizabeth said quickly before placing her cutlery down and standing. "Please excuse me." She hastened from the room at this in the direction of the gardens. There she recited her Mother's words and understood her reasoning. Yes, the Bennets would need assistance when her Father passed away but would it be right? Would it be decent to ask Mr Darcy to be of assistance when he has risked so much already?

Elizabeth walked steadily around the gardens thinking of Mr Darcy. She was to be his wife but she did not wish him to feel restrained and indebted to her family. It was, after all, her family that was indebted to the gentleman after his rescue of Lydia.

"Lizzy?" Elizabeth turned quickly to the sound of her Father's voice.

"Papa, I am sorry I did not intend to be discourteous. It is only I feel indebted to Mr Darcy without him rescuing us from poverty."

"My dear Lizzy, if Mr Darcy loves you as well as he described he should have no trouble in providing for my family to secure your happiness."

"I do not wish him to! He has already risked too much on our account. Papa…" She stopped at this, looking down to the ground.

"If you mean that Mr Darcy is setting his pride aside to marry a woman beneath him, then let me assure you that he has no objections. He informed me of such when he came to my library to ask for consent."

"I do not mean that, Papa. Mr Darcy cares nothing for the effects our marriage will have on his reputation."

"What can you possibly mean, Lizzy?" Mr Bennet said with confusion.

"Papa, I can no longer keep secrets from you, I detest it. You remember Mama's elation on Lydia's marriage?"

"How can I forget, Lizzy. The whole house was in uproar, rather like it is today." Elizabeth smiled slightly at her Father's joke.

"Papa, you and Mama thought that it was our Uncle Gardiner who paid of Wickham's debts." Elizabeth paused slightly. "I am sorry Papa, I should have told you the truth."

"It was not your Uncle Gardiner that paid Wickham's expenses?" Mr Bennet said with a stern countenance. Elizabeth looked into her Father's eyes and tried to prevent the tears forming there.

"It was Mr Darcy." Elizabeth said softly while gazing to the ground. "Despite their past, he discovered them in London. HeH paid for the wedding, Wickham's debts and covered the cost for a new commission."

"I must pay him back." Mr Bennet said after a moment.

"No he would not wish it! We have all judged him papa, I most of all. You must not inform anyone of this, he would not wish it."

"I now understand why you love him so Lizzy."

"No Papa, I do not love him for his assistance in Lydia's elopement, it is indeed for a very different matter. He overcame his pride and I saw the gentleman that I loved, he is not proud and I now feel that I can love him for the man that he is, not for his money."

"How can I look at him knowing that he paid to save my daughters' reputations?"

"He did so in order to save my reputation Papa. He selfishly felt nothing for my sisters, he thought completely of me."

"Then he is a better man than I expected. He will do you well Lizzy, and you him if you have the equality in marriage for your mind."

"Oh, Papa." Elizabeth said as she laughed. Mr Bennet smiled also before he turned back to the house and invited his daughter to walk with him. She took her Father's arm and smiled up at him.

"I wish I told you earlier of Mr Darcy's involvement, Papa."

"Do not trouble yourself, Lizzy. I can now recollect on the fact that he deserves you greatly and you him."

"Thank you." There was silence for a moment before Mr Bennet spoke.

"Mrs Bennet is scheming to ensure that you are Mr Darcy are not troubled by your younger sisters at Netherfield today." He said with a little disappointment.

"What do you mean Papa?"

"She has forbidden Kitty and Mary to accept the invitation to Netherfield, you are to be Jane's companion and her yours."

"Papa! You must persuade her otherwise! Does she care nothing for my character?" Elizabeth said as she smiled.

"Your Mother cares very much for your character but I believe at the moment, Mr Darcy's ten thousand a year is clouding her judgement." The pair laughed together for a moment before entering the house which was still abuzz with Mrs Bennet's excitement.

Mr Darcy sat silently at the breakfast table in Netherfield drinking coffee to stem the pain in his head. They had drank far too much brandy and stayed into the drawing room far too late. Hence why Bingley had not yet arrived for breakfast.

Darcy rubbed his temple quickly before signalling for more coffee. He was to see Elizabeth today, he would see those magnificent eyes which sparked his affection. He sipped his coffee quickly and looked down to the newspaper in front of him. There on the page was the new engagement announcements where, soon enough his own name would be printed with Elizabeth's.

It was only a short time later when Bingley's voice echoed through the room in greeting.

"Good morning, Bingley." Darcy said in reply before sipping his coffee again.

"What a lovely morning!" Bingley said as he gazed out of the window. "How would you feel about a walk to Longbourn?" Darcy looked up from his paper in interest.

"I would be very pleased with that." Bingley took his seat at the table before smiling.

"Good, shall we leave after breakfast?"

"Do you not think it a little early to be calling upon the Bennets?" Darcy said with alarm.

"Not at all, Mrs Bennet assured me that I could call at any time. I would imagine that the same would apply to you. Come, are you not excited to be seeing Miss Elizabeth again?" Darcy smiled slightly.

"I am."

"Good! It is settled then." Bingley said as he smiled before turning his attention to break his fast.

Some time later Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy walked down the lane outside of Meryton, the sun shining gloriously.

"Jane and I spoke of the possibility of you and Miss Elizabeth as a match, Darcy."

"When was this?" Darcy asked with a slight smile.

"A short time after our engagement begun. Jane and I both insisted that the match would be very interesting, now you can imagine my surprise when it has become truth."

"I can indeed!" Darcy said as he laughed. "But I think that Miss Bennet may have had a disadvantage over you, Bingley."

"What can you possibly mean, Darcy?"

"I am sure that Miss Elizabeth will have expressed her feelings to her sister."

"Yes, perhaps." There was silence for a moment. "Jane will be so very happy that you are to be her Brother, she said so."

"She said that she would like me as a Brother?" Darcy said before laughing.

"Yes, she said that you were a very amiable gentleman who would do very well for Miss Elizabeth's greatness of mind." Darcy smiled slightly.

"I am pleased she thinks so." Bingley nodded. "At least the two eldest Bennet daughters will see more of each other."

"I should hope so, Darcy. You and Miss Elizabeth will always be welcome in my home…our home." Darcy laughed slightly.

"And you and Miss Bennet are welcome at Pemberley." As Bingley smiled Darcy's attention was stolen away by a slender figure crossing onto the path from the trees, a letter capturing her concentration. Elizabeth Bennet walked steadily toward them, her nose pressed deeply into the letter. Darcy's breath was stolen at the sight of her, her bonnet draped across her wrist and her dark curls blowing in the breeze.

The young lady in question did not lower he letter until her attention was taken by two pairs of boots on the ground. She raised her eyes and looked at the gentlemen before smiling.

"Good Morning Mr Bingley!" She said as she curtsied before turning to look at Darcy. "Mr Darcy." She offered him her hand and he took it gratefully, placing a soft kiss on her skin.

"Good Morning, Miss Elizabeth."

"You are walking early today, Miss Elizabeth." Mr Bingley said with a smile. "Are you planning to go far?"

"I normally walk through the fields by Lucas Lodge and follow the stream for a few miles before returning home." Mr Bingley seemed rather surprised.

"We were just walking onto Longbourn," Mr Darcy said with a smile. "To call upon you and your family."

"I am pleased that you could. Perhaps I could walk back to the house with you."

"What of your walk, Miss Bennet? We would not wish to impose on you." Mr Bingley said.

"Do not be troubled, Mr Bingley. I make this walk many times. I will not forget it if I do not go one day." Mr Darcy laughed slightly before his attention was caught by the letter in her hand. He saw the familiar script upon the paper and looked up to her where she watched him with interest.

As Mr Bingley walked in front Darcy smiled for a moment before offering his arm to her. She took it gratefully before smiling.

"I thought that I would never see that letter again." Darcy said with a smile. "I thought you would have burnt it." Elizabeth held the letter up for a moment and gazed at the Darcy seal in the wax.

"Do you wish that I burnt it?" She asked with a smile.

"It does not show my good character, rather the opposite." He paused slightly. "It is your letter Elizabeth, you may do with it what you wish."

"Parts of it show your good character, other parts only show the truth."

"What do you mean?"

"Some of the things you said about my family may have been true but it hurt me to hear of you speak of them. My prejudice obstructed me from seeing it immediately and seeing the gentleman that you could be. The main thing that captured me in this letter is your honesty that is why I have kept it."

"I have always valued honesty it is one virtue I can boast." He laughed slightly before continuing. "What did you think on first reading the letter? Did you think it truth or did you still place your faith in Wickham?"

"I was angry at first, I cannot deny it. I was angry at myself for believing Wickham. For the more I read of your letter the less truth Wickham seemed to tell. When I had finished the letter I knew that I could not deny you were speaking the truth, after relating it to your own sister."

"Georgiana suffered greatly at the hands of Wickham, I do not know if she has yet recovered."

"As my sister will now suffer." She said as she looked to the ground in shame.

"I should hope not."

"I would hope too but we both know Wickham's character. I should not wish to see him again."

"Is it because of my own past that you would not wish to see him?" She thought for a moment.

"No, it is due to the shame he nearly brought upon my family, the situation he has forced on my sister and for Georgiana."

"Georgiana?" Darcy said puzzled.

"I would never wish her to be subjected to meeting that gentleman again. The pain caused by their last encounter was enough for a lifetime I fear."

"Georgiana will be pleased to hear it. I would not like to imagine how she would feel if she ever saw him again."

"Have you informed her of my sister's marriage to him?"

"No but I will. I am sure that she will hear his name mentioned at some time. You saw her reaction when Miss Bingley mentioned him at Pemberley?"

"I did, it made me very angry that Miss Bingley would mention him in your home."

"She is unaware of our past with that gentleman, I cannot blame her."

"When will you inform Georgiana?"

"When she arrives at Netherfield, it will be for the best, she will understand." Elizabeth nodded.

"Would you be more contented if I were to inform her? I think we developed a trusting relationship in Derbyshire." Darcy smiled slightly.

"I think that it may be better coming from the woman that is to be her new sister." Darcy kissed her hand softly at this.

"Have you written to her yet?"

"I wish I had the time to do so!" He laughed slightly. "Bingley insisted on keeping me up half of the night to celebrate!" Elizabeth laughed.

"I feel the same! Jane and I sat into the night talking about every detail! Do you know that Jane and Mr Bingley discussed the possibility of us being married?" Darcy laughed.

"Yes! Bingley informed me further down the road! I never thought that they would be very good matchmakers!"

"Nor I!" Elizabeth said before they laughed together. "It seems that we were both mistaken."

"Indeed." He paused to look at her face. "You have made me the happiest of men, Elizabeth."

"And I am the happiest of women!" They smiled again before gazing down the gravel path to Longbourn. "Shall we follow Mr Bingley in? There will be a piece of paper for you to write to your sister should you wish it."

"That is very generous."

"It is indeed, but I fear that I have been forgetting my poor Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. That is one letter I will take great enjoyment in writing. You never know I may sit beside you and admire the evenness of your writing, as another young lady did." Darcy scowled slightly at the mention of Miss Bingley before laughing at her sarcasm.

"You are welcome to, Elizabeth. Then while you take enjoyment in writing to your Aunt and Uncle I have one unpleasant letter to write."

"Your Aunt?" Darcy nodded slightly as he led her down the path to her home. "What of your cousin?"

"Anne?" Elizabeth nodded.

"I heard that you were betrothed."

"Neither of us desired it, my cousin knew that I would never marry her. She will find her own gentleman soon, or my Aunt will, either way."

"I am pleased."

"Why?"

"Because I am now free to marry you, despite your Aunt."

"Nothing could make me happier!" They smiled at each other for a moment before they entered the hall of Longbourn.

Darcy removed his hat and gloves quickly, watching as Elizabeth undone her coat and handed it to a waiting maid. She smiled briefly at the maid before turning to him and bidding him to follow her.

She walked down the corridor and entered the drawing room. Darcy swallowed slightly before following into the room, hoping that his reception would be good.

"Mr Darcy!" Mrs Bennet said in excitement as she stood with the rest of the room and curtsied. "Good morning sir!"

"Good morning, Mrs Bennet. I hope I find you well?"

"Very well indeed, I thank you. Please be seated." Mrs Bennet held out her hand to the chair beside Elizabeth and smiled.

"Thank you." He said as he took the seat.

"I was so pleased to hear of your engagement to Lizzy!" Mrs Bennet said with more excitement than necessary.

"Thank you, I am also delighted."

"Good." Mrs Bennet fell silent at this, unsure of what else to say.

"It is a glorious day!" Mr Darcy said as he turned and gazed out of the window.

"It is indeed, sir. Have you walked from Netherfield with Mr Bingley?"

"I have ma'am. We met Miss Elizabeth not far from Lucas Lodge."

"Lizzy was always a good walker Mr Darcy. I am sure that she will have many opportunities in Derbyshire."

"Many indeed! Miss Elizabeth knows some of the paths in Derbyshire."

"Elizabeth has seen Pemberley I believe? My sister, Mrs Gardiner informed us of their journey there."

"She has, I think she agreed with it."

"I did indeed, it is a very beautiful home Mama." Elizabeth said with a smile to Darcy.

"How many rooms does Pemberley have, Mr Darcy?" Mrs Bennet asked.

"Mama!" Elizabeth scolded as Darcy laughed.

"Far too many, Mrs Bennet." Darcy said before gazing at Elizabeth and smiling. Mrs Bennet's lips formed the word 'Oh' for a moment before she fell silent.

"Are you and Mr Bingley planning any hunting while you remain at Netherfield, Mr Darcy?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not that I am aware of, we may have a day of hunting every now and again. Nothing too time consuming." Elizabeth smiled in relief.

"I am sure that you have many other things to occupy your time now, Mr Darcy." Mrs Bennet said with a smile.

"I do indeed. I also, have a great amount of business to relay to paper as well as a letter to my sister."

"Are you writing to inform her of your engagement?" Mrs Bennet asked.

"I am indeed."

"I am sure that Elizabeth will take great pleasure in showing you the second drawing room. You may write to your sister there if you wish."

"That is very kind of you Mrs Bennet." Elizabeth stood at this and dropped a small curtsy to Mr Bingley before showing Darcy out of the room.

"I think that my Mother suffers from forgetfulness when you are here, sir. She never seems to be able to hold a conversation."

"I am sure that in time she will be able to speak to me like she does, Mr Bingley." Elizabeth laughed as she opened the door into the second drawing room.

"I hope that she will. I think at the moment she just sees you as a little daunting, she will become accustomed, I assure you." Elizabeth crossed the room and showed him the paper and ink before taking a chair and taking up her own pen. Darcy sat next to her but could not resist staring at her for a moment as she dipped her pen in the ink.

"This house is very quiet." He said suddenly. Elizabeth looked up quickly and laughed.

"Perhaps you should come a few hours earlier, Mr Darcy. Then you may see Longbourn at its worst."

"Surely that could not be so! Sitting here the house seems perfect."

"Surely the sounds of three young women wishing to be dressed at the same time is not pleasurable. That is of course, if you come early enough." She smiled slightly.

"Three young women?" He asked puzzled. "There are four young women in this house, is there not?"

"You are correct, I am not counted among those numbers."

"An early riser!" He said before laughing.

"What is amusing with rising early?"

"We match perfectly Elizabeth, that is all." As her eyes raised from her letter, he saw the beauty of her countenance that he had come to love. Every aspect of her was a joy to him, a joy that he hoped to have for many years to come.