Chapter 2

Bingley approached the sitting room where his sisters were currently awaiting morning callers with some trepidation. In his hand the morning's paper containing the announcement of the engagement of Fitzwilliam Darcy to a woman that was not Caroline Bingley. He had been beyond surprised to read of Darcy's engagement, especially to Miss Elizabeth Bennet as Darcy himself had objected to Bingley connecting himself to such a family, but he knew his surprise would be nothing to the shock and outrage that Caroline would feel. As such, Bingley wanted to make her aware of it before one of her "friends" did when they came to call.

While Caroline believed she had many friends, the truth was she surrounded herself with women just as vicious as she, and he knew they would each delight in pointing out her failure. Everyone knew that Caroline Bingley had been after Fitzwilliam Darcy with a vengeance since she had first come out, and the announcement in the paper would be the end to many years of fruitless pursuit. Still, while Bingley did not enjoy his sister's often haughty and condescending attitude, and believed she did deserve a set down occasionally, he did not want her publically embarrassed. He felt that it would be best that he be the one to point it out to her. In private so that she'd have time to prepare herself before her friends came to call.

So it was he found himself entering the parlor to greet his sisters, "Good morning, my fair sisters."

Looking up from the fashion magazines they were pursuing, as both Louisa and Caroline were determined to always portray themselves with the newest fashions, Caroline replied, "Good morning, Charles. Is there something you needed? You do not normally join us to greet callers in the morning."

Clearing his throat, Bingley replied, "And I have no intention of joining you this morning. I just wanted to make you aware of something in the paper before anyone else has the chance to."

Uninterested in anything not in one of her fashion magazines, Caroline went back to reading as she waved her hand dismissively, "Oh I'm not too concerned with the news. It is always terrible anyhow. What bill is passing in parliament and so on. Or whether or not the peasants should be educated. All terribly boring to me as you know."

Louisa, picking up on her brother's nervousness, asked, "Does it pertain to us, Charles? Otherwise I have to agree with Caroline. You know neither of us is really interested in reading the paper."

"You'll be interested in reading this one. I assure you."

Moving to sit next to Caroline, Charles took her hand, and said, "Caroline, I know this news will distress you, but I ask that you remember all the talks we had of my friend. I have told you time and again that Mr. Darcy is not interested in you, and have begged you on more than one occasion to stop pursuing him."

Now he certainly had her attention. Dropping her fashion magazine, Caroline demanded, "What are you speaking of, Charles? I know of your opinions of my connection with Mr. Darcy, but I assure you he is soon to make his addresses. The aligning of our families would be marvelous. And you really should pursue Georgiana. She is just the sort of girl you should settle down with."

Rolling his eyes, Bingley insisted, "I care deeply for Georgiana, Caroline, you know that, but as a sister. I could never see myself married to her. I remember her as a child when Darcy would invite me to Pemberley with him over the holidays when we were away from school. I played games with her! No. You must stop placing your hopes on such a union. I will choose a wife I feel my chances of felicity are best with."

Holding out the paper to his sister, Bingley announced, "And Mr. Darcy is not meant for you either. His engagement to Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Hertfordshire has been announced in today's paper. The wedding is to take place two months from now."

There was a stunned silence as Caroline's mouth dropped open in shock before her face turned a bright red. Jumping from the settee as her fists clenched at her sides, Caroline screeched, "What?! Charles, if this is another of your pranks I do not find it amusing in the least!"

Expecting his sister's reaction, Charles soothed, "It is not a prank. The announcement is in the paper, and you know only a gentlemen can place his own engagement announcement. Darcy has asked Miss Elizabeth to marry him and she has accepted him. They are to be married."

"Of course she accepted him! That scheming social climber!"

Snatching the paper from his hand to read the announcement, Caroline cursed, "That harlot! She has entrapped him!"

Spinning away from her brother and sister Caroline began to stalk about the room with the paper clenched in one of her fists. She was literally too angry to do more than pace and mutter under her breath. As she did this Louisa said to her brother, "This must be a mistake. I never noticed any regard on Mr. Darcy's part for the girl. And her family! They are positively disgraceful! I cannot fathom how a respectable gentleman such as Mr. Darcy would align himself with people like that."

While Bingley had actually detected some interest on Darcy's part for Miss Elizabeth, he too was just as surprised, but more so because he had believed that Miss Elizabeth despised Darcy. Still, he couldn't help but reply, "I myself am surprised, but Darcy has always been a private man. He would not want to display his feelings or intentions to others. Regardless, the fact remains he is engaged to be married."

Caroline hissed, "I cannot allow this! That scheming upstart has entrapped him somehow! We must rescue him!"

Bingley glared at his sister and replied, "Caroline, you of all people should know that Darcy is not easily entrapped."

Had her face not already been aflame with her fury, Caroline would have blushed. She did not appreciate her brother's not so subtle reminder of her one and only attempt to entrap Mr. Darcy by compromising him her second season. It was the one thing she was truly ashamed of, though had her plan worked she would probably not be so embarrassed by her actions. Instead she had begged forgiveness from her brother and Mr. Darcy for her behavior, claiming her youth and inexperience had led her to joining Mr. Darcy alone one evening in the library well after everyone else had retired. As soon as he had seen her he'd risen from his seat and made haste from the room. Not even giving her time to utter a word or get anywhere near him. The next morning Charles had called her to his study and berated her for over two hours for her actions, and forced her to apologize to Mr. Darcy in person with him standing right there. She had, most emphatically, and Mr. Darcy seemed to accept it, but he'd also been extremely careful since then to make sure he was never alone with her, and always had a footman or valet with him when visiting.

"Charles, that was unkind," Louisa gently admonished. "Caroline was just a young girl. She didn't know what she was doing."

"That remains to be seen," Charles scoffed. He loved his sister, but he was not blind to her faults, and he knew that given the chance his sister would do it again. "Still, the fact remains that Darcy is engaged to be married. How it came about is none of our business. All we can do is wish him well."

Shaking her head, Caroline denied, "No Charles, that is not all we can do. As his friends if he is being forced it is up to us to help him! We cannot allow this travesty to take place!"

Hating to be blunt, but unwilling to allow his sister to cause problems for his friend, Charles advised, "Caroline, I warn you not to do anything you will regret. I have told you repeatedly that you are wasting your time pursuing Darcy. I've told you that he has asked me more than once to speak to you about your blatant pursuit of him and your obvious flirting. He was never interested in you. What attentions he paid you he did because he is my friend and he believes in behaving as a gentleman. Darcy has made his choice. It is not you, and you must accept it."

"I do not have to accept it! A girl like Eliza Bennet could never be anything more than a gentleman's mistress! If he desires her let him set her up in a house somewhere when he feels the need to indulge in his urges, and take a proper wife! A woman of taste and fashion! Not one that goes traipsing three miles through the mud alone! He cannot possibly let that woman be the next mistress of Pemberley!"

"Caroline!" Charles was appalled at his sister's words. "Elizabeth Bennet is a lady! The daughter of a landed gentleman! Which is more than any of us can claim. You had best remember that!"

Caroline's voice was full of fury, and she seethed with rage as she hissed, "I will not allow this! I will not allow some upstart country nobody like Eliza Bennet to steal Mr. Darcy from me! I will put an end to this nonsense! Just you wait and see, Charles!"

With an outraged scream Caroline stalked from the parlor, leaving Charles and Louisa to stare after her. Once she was gone Charles looked to his other sister and begged, "Louisa, you must speak to her. Mr. Darcy nearly cut her before for her behavior. She refuses to acknowledge that he is not interested in her, and if she pushes him too far he will cut her. He's told me before he tolerates her behavior because of our close friendship, but it will not save her from his wrath if she pushes him too far."

"Give her time, Charles. You must admit this news was entirely unexpected. She is in shock. I will speak with her later tonight. She will have to come to see reason, because as you said, there is nothing we can do but wish Mr. Darcy well. The announcement has been made."

"Indeed it has."

Upstairs in her bedroom, Caroline read the announcement, then read it again, and then once more before letting out a very unladylike screech and tearing the paper into tiny pieces before tossing them onto the floor to stomp upon in her tantrum.

Spinning around she grabbed the nearest thing she could lay hands on, which happened to be a vase with beautiful flowers, and hurled it across the room. Within moments anything not too large for her to lift was sent flying until she finally ran out of steam.

When her initial fury had run it's course Caroline collapsed atop her bed and vowed, "I will not allow this to happen! Fitzwilliam Darcy is mine!"

In Kent another scream of outrage could be heard from one Lady Catherine de Bourgh as she too read the announcement in the paper. Slamming the offensive material down onto the table where she and her daughter were enjoying a late breakfast she demanded, "Have my carriage readied! I am leaving for Hertfordshire this instant! How dare that boy! To let that girl pollute the shades of Pemberley! I will not stand for it!"

Lady Catherine said no more as she stood from the table and rushed from the room. Leaving her daughter Anne and her companion to stare after her. Neither inclined to follow.

In Hertfordshire Elizabeth was reading the announcement of her upcoming nuptials as well. Instead of anger there was only despair. She couldn't help but wonder why Mr. Darcy had made the wedding date in two months. She half expected him to demand they use a special license so he could force her into his bed as soon as possible, but she was grateful for the extra time to reconcile herself to her circumstances nonetheless.

"Miss Elizabeth?"

Looking up Lizzy saw their housekeeper Mrs. Hill standing at her bedroom door. "Yes, Mrs. Hill?"

"Your father requests you in his study."

"Tell him I'll be right there."

Once Mrs. Hill left Lizzy folded the paper with her engagement announcement and placed it under her pillow before seeking out her father. Entering his much beloved sanctuary she greeted, "You wanted me, Papa?"

"Indeed. Have a seat, Lizzy. I've just sent for your Uncle Phillips. I want him to go over the settlement papers with me before I return them to Mr. Darcy's solicitor."

Taking a seat in front of her father's desk, Lizzy asked, "And what do you need me for? I trust you and Uncle Phillips will do your best to make sure the settlement is fair to me. I know with our circumstances we can't really hope for much, but as long as Mr. Darcy saves us from ruin that is all that really matters."

Sliding the settlement papers across his desk towards his daughter, Mr. Bennet said, "I was of the same mind yesterday when Mr. Galloway first arrived with the settlement, however, I was shocked at what Mr. Darcy proposed. I confirmed with Mr. Galloway several times that the stipulations were ordered by Mr. Darcy himself and this is how he wishes it."

Believing Mr. Darcy had given her as little as possible in the settlement papers since he had the upper hand in this situation, Elizabeth asked, "Is it so bad? I had hoped he would be somewhat fair."

"Take a look for yourself."

Picking up the settlement papers Elizabeth began to read and the further she got the more her shock grew. When she finally came to the end she looked up at her father with wide eyes and gasped, "This cannot be!"

Giving his daughter a faint grin, Mr. Bennet laughed, "I was just as surprised as you. I told Mr. Galloway the same thing, but he was insistent that Mr. Darcy demanded these stipulations in the settlement. Mr. Galloway told me he tried to advise Mr. Darcy several times not to give you so much, but Mr. Darcy refused."

Looking down at the papers in her hands, Lizzy whispered, "But it is so very much."

"Indeed. Even without Netherfield with that much money settled upon you at the time of your marriage you will make well over two thousand pounds per annum. And that is in addition to the ample pin money Mr. Darcy intends to provide you."

"And it is mine to do with as I please?"

Nodding his head, Mr. Bennet replied, "Yes. Mr. Galloway said that your intended was adamant that you never need to ask anyone for money. Not even him. He said that Mr. Darcy was insistent you be well provided for should he die or no children come from your union."

Still in a daze, Elizabeth asked, "And he truly purchased Netherfield for me? The money that estate makes from now on will go into an account for me?"

"Yes."

"I—I just cannot believe this. It is more than I could have ever imagined. Especially from a man such as Mr. Darcy."

"I am of the same mind, but there is more, Lizzy."

Meeting her father's equally shocked gaze, Lizzy asked, "What more could he possibly give?"

"Mr. Galloway told me that Mr. Darcy has his attorney working on breaking the entail on Longbourn. He will offer to buy it first from Mr. Collins, and if that does not work he will take him to court to legally break the entail. From there Longbourn will be given to you to decide what to do with."

Elizabeth sank back in her chair in total stupefaction. She literally had no idea what to do or say. She and her father sat in silence for several moments before Mr. Bennet said, "Lizzy, I know Mr. Darcy has said he loves you, and I know he proposed to you in Kent and you denied him, but these are truly the actions of a man in love."

"An insufferably proud and arrogant man who has little care or concern for the feeling of others, Papa."

"That may be so, but for him to provide so much for your comfort and the comfort of your family I can't help but believe he truly wants to make you happy."

Glaring at her father, Lizzy insisted, "If he wanted to make me happy he wouldn't be forcing me to marry him."

"I'm not excusing his actions, Lizzy, but I cannot deny that this gives me hope. I despaired that you were going to be shackled to man that would treat you like a toy, and now I know that is not the case. Again, I do not agree with Mr. Darcy's actions in forcing you to marry him, but now I believe he is doing it because he is desperate. I do not know if you can ever love him, but I now have hope that you might find some happiness with him. If he is willing to go to such lengths to make sure you are provided for certainly he will go farther to make sure you are happy."

"Do you truly have such hope, Papa?"

Nodding his head, Thomas Bennet answered, "He swore to me he'd do everything in his power to make you happy. That he would do his best to earn your love and regard. At the time I did not believe him. I thought he was trying to justify his buying your hand, but with this settlement I can't help believe that he truly intends to do everything in his power to make you happy."

Looking down at the settlement papers in her hands, Elizabeth remarked, "I have no idea what to think, Papa. I cannot sketch Mr. Darcy's character. On one hand he is forcing me to marry him, and on the other he is doing so much for me and our family. What am I to make of any of this?"

"I am just as lost as you, Lizzy, but I do know that Mr. Darcy is apparently a man of many mysteries. Before he came to demand your hand I had no idea of his interest in you whatsoever, and after that I day I was so certain he was a man that cared only for his own happiness, but with this settlement I now am certain that while he is most definitely a selfish man, and exceedingly proud, he is also in love with you. Of that I am quite sure."

When Lizzy remained silent, Mr. Bennet continued, "The question now, my daughter, is whether or not you think you can ever be happy with him?"

"I—I do not know. I'm beginning to realize I don't know him at all. Like you, I had no idea of Mr. Darcy's regard for me until he proposed to me in Kent. I thought he disliked me as much as I disliked him, but …"

"But?"

Looking into her father's hopeful eyes, Lizzy continued, "But now, much as you, I am certain he truly loves me. I just do not know if I can ever love him."

Standing from his desk to take a seat beside his most beloved daughter, Thomas Bennet urged, "I want you to try, Lizzy. I know he is not the most agreeable man, but perhaps you can change him for the better. Perhaps there is more to him than meets the eye. I don't want you to be miserable, Lizzy, especially because I was unable to do my duty as your father, but I want you to try and make your relationship with Mr. Darcy work. Perhaps you can find some happiness with him. Perhaps one day you could even come to love him."

Giving her father a reluctant smile, Lizzy promised, "I shall try. I certainly have time to get used to the idea of being his wife. I must admit I was surprised that he made our engagement period so long. I truly expected him to want to force me down the aisle as quickly as possible."

Coloring slightly, Mr. Bennet explained, "Well—uh—Lizzy, there is actually a very good reason for the prolonged engagement period."

Not understanding, Lizzy asked, "And that reason would be?"

Clearing uncomfortable, Mr. Bennet continued, "As indelicate as this may sound, Lizzy, due to our family's drastically different social standing, and your total lack of dowry and connections, most will assume that Mr. Darcy is only marrying you because he has to."

Still not comprehending, Lizzy asked, "Why would he have to?"

Hating to be blunt, but knowing how innocent his daughter was, Mr. Bennet replied, "Lizzy, most will assume that you allowed Mr. Darcy liberties and that you are now with child, and that he is marrying you because of it. The prolonged engagement will ensure there is no child in nine months. It will prove to the naysayers that you have not entrapped him with arts and allurements."

Blushing scarlet, Elizabeth's gaze dropped to her lap as she muttered, "Oh."

"Yes. Mr. Galloway did not come right out and say that was Mr. Darcy's reason behind setting the wedding date so far away, but he certainly made it clear in none so subtle terms that it was the cause."

After another moment of silence, Mr. Bennet announced, "Mr. Galloway also gave me a letter from Mr. Darcy to give to you. If you'd like you can read it now."

"I would."

It took a moment for Thomas to dig through the many papers on his desk to retrieve the sealed letter. Once he had it he handed it to his daughter and retook his seat beside her as she broke the seal and began to read. He was very interested in knowing what the letter said, and he hoped that Lizzy would share it with him.

My Beloved,

I find I am much better at expressing myself in written words than in person, so let me assure you that your happiness is everything to me. It pains me that we are coming together this way, but I felt I had no choice. The thought of living my life without you was killing me, and as horrible as it was of me, as soon as I heard of your sister's elopement I couldn't help but make haste to your side. Forcing your hand is the worst thing I've ever done, and I will spend the rest of my life atoning for it, but I could not let you go. I simply couldn't.

I know you are not as happy with this situation as I am. I know you probably despair at the thought of having me as a husband, or of raising children alongside me. For myself the thought of the future brings me nothing but the greatest joy. I cannot wait to spend every day of the rest of my life with you at my side. I cannot wait to wake up beside you, to see your face every morning and every night. I long to spend every evening with you, listening to your pert opinions as you tease me as no one ever has before. I cannot wait to introduce you to my friends and relations so they can see what a marvelous woman I have chosen to be the next Mrs. Darcy. I know for sure that my mother and father would approve of you were they here to do so. My mother especially.

Perhaps even more significant is that I cannot wait to have children with you. I long for daughters with your bright eyes and charming wit. And should we have sons they will have your courage and compassion, and I know you will make the best of mothers. And should we not be blessed with children I know I will regret nothing as long as I am with you always. For you alone, dearest Elizabeth, are the source of all my future happiness. I am sure of it. Again, I know you must be angry with me, resentful of my taking advantage of your family's plight, and you must loathe the thought of spending the rest of your life as my wife, but I promise to do everything in my power to change that. I hope one day for you to love me as much as I love you, and if that never happens I hope at the very least you can come to see me as a true friend and companion.

I know you are angry with me, and I beg of you to tell me how I can begin to make amends. As I told your father anything you wish for shall be yours. You have but to ask and all that is in my power to give shall be given. I want you to be happy, my dearest Elizabeth, and anything in my power to do to make you happy shall be done. Except, of course, letting you go. That, I am afraid, is something I cannot do.

Faithfully and lovingly yours,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Elizabeth read the letter a total of four times, trying to comprehend the words and what they should and did mean to her, before finally letting the paper fall to her lap as she looked at her father beside her and declared, "Papa, I cannot sketch this man's character! Everything I know of him speaks of a proud, disagreeable man with a selfish disdain for the feeling of others. A man that cares only for himself and the respectability of his family name, and yet his actions and words here make me think I do not know him at all!"

"Then perhaps you should try and find out," Mr. Bennet advised. As Elizabeth's hesitant gaze held his, Mr. Bennet said, "I will not ask to read your letter. What goes on between you and Mr. Darcy now should be private, but if it has so shaken your beliefs on the man I must urge you to try and look past your prejudice towards him and try to form some type of attachment."

Indicating the settlement papers on his desk, Mr. Bennet continued, "These give me hope for your future, and if that letter gives you some hope as well I ask that you hold tightly to it. I do not want you to be miserable, my Elizabeth."

Picking up the letter to gaze at the words that so confused her, Elizabeth whispered softly to herself, "Who is Fitzwilliam Darcy?"

In London Darcy was doing his best to keep his temper in check as he waited for his servants to finish packing Lydia's trunks into his carriage so that he could escort her and her new husband back to Hertfordshire. Wanting to be generous to the girl he knew was going to have to face the reality of just what kind of man her husband was, and just what kind of life she was going to have to lead, Darcy had provided the funds to Mrs. Annesley to purchase a suitable wardrobe for Lydia during their shopping trip the day before. More than likely it would be the last time Lydia Wickam would ever have the chance to purchase new gowns.

Darcy had born witness to the wedding of George Wickam and Lydia Bennet the afternoon before, and it had been a painful experience. Painful in the fact he knew that Lydia's happiness at her circumstances would not last. Yes, Lydia Bennet, now Wickam, was a silly and vulgar girl who had never been checked by her parents and thus been allowed to grow up wild and without a single thought to propriety, but she was also still an innocent girl who had been preyed upon by a rogue. So much like his dear Georgiana, and he knew the truth of her circumstances would hit her hard. Once the bloom of her youthful romanticism faded, she would see George for the man he truly was, and she would understand just how hard a life she had chosen for herself.

George would never make something of himself. He would never be able to provide for his wife and whatever they children they were unfortunate enough to have, and while Darcy was willing to pay to ensure Lydia remained housed, clothed, and fed, he was not going to support an extravagant lifestyle. She would have to do work she had never done before. The one servant he was willing to pay for would not be able to do the things Lydia was probably brought expecting to be done for her. She would not have a maid to help her dress, or a governess to help her raise her children. Lydia Wickam was in for a rude awakening once she realized how lacking the lifestyle her "dear Wickam" would provide her truly was.

True, he had made sure that Wickam would have no access to the finances he'd provided due to managing everything through the solicitor instead of simply handing over money, but he also knew that Wickam would squander what little money he did earn instead of trying to invest or make something of himself. Wickam would care not how hard his wife worked to keep their home running, or what his children would never have due to his wicked ways. No, Darcy knew all Wickam would ever care about is his drink and his women, and poor Lydia would have to learn to live with that knowledge.

Despite worrying over Lydia's future, however, Darcy couldn't help but be annoyed by her inane prattle. Lydia had been going on and on all morning about how she couldn't wait to go home to greet all of her older sisters as a newlywed. She was positively giddy about gloating about her "accomplishment". How this silly girl could be the sister of his darling Elizabeth he would never understand. His Elizabeth was all that was goodness and grace. She was so poised, so intelligent and charming, and she always behaved as a lady ought. True, she was a bit wild, the memory of her walking three miles through the mud to tend her sister came to mind, causing Darcy to smile a bit, but in his mind the act was only more noteworthy because he knew it was Elizabeth's love and devotion to her sister that had her making such a venture. He could only hope one day she would love him half so much.

Darcy's inner musings were brought to a halt as his butler announced that the carriage was loaded, and his horse was saddled and waiting as well. Darcy had absolutely no intention of riding the more than half day journey to Hertfordshire in the carriage with Wickam and Lydia. His sanity would not withstand it. He would ride his own mount.

Standing, Darcy declared, "Very well then, let us be off."

"Oh yes!" Lydia exclaimed, "I cannot wait to see my sisters! They will positively green with envy!"

Latching onto Wickam's arm she smiled up adoringly, not notice the grimace on her husband's face, and continued, "They will all be so very jealous that I have managed to capture such a fine husband for myself! Especially Lizzy! You were a favorite of hers you know, my Wickam!"

Letting out another girlish giggle, Lydia scoffed, "I cannot wait to see her face when I am announced as Mrs. Wickam!"

George's eyes flashed to Darcy's and noticed the tightening of his jaw that signaled his anger at Lydia's outburst. George, none too pleased with his circumstances, and even less pleased at the thought of having to spend more than half a day ensconced with his stupid wife in the confines of a carriage, said, "Lydia, we had best be on our way."

"Yes," Darcy clipped, wanting out of the silly girl's presence as soon as possible. "The sooner we leave the sooner we reach Hertfordshire."

Lydia fairly skipped out of the townhouse while dragging a reluctant Wickam with her. Mr. Darcy followed behind them thinking, 'I hope at the very least my letter has softened Elizabeth's heart towards me. I know I am a long way from earning her respect and affection, but I will not rest until she loves me as much as I love her.'