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Chapter 10

The ride to Longbourn from Kent had gone effortless. He had changed horse once for speed, as his eagerness to get on with his live with Elizabeth, and get all the hindrance to that outcome out of his way as soon as possible. The kiss Elizabeth had given him that morning still lingering in his mind; he noted that he had had smiles on his countenance throughout his journey to Longbourn village, near Meryton. When Longbourn house came in view, he became tense, so he took some calming breaths, -which did not help much to his dismay-, before he dismounted his hired horse. A Longbourn groom took the horse from him and promised to walk him for a while, before giving him rest and water. Darcy squared his shoulders, donned his master of Pemberley facade, and strode determinately to the front door.

The Longbourn butler, took his greatcoat, hat, brought him to his masters' study, and then left him in the lion's den.

"Mr. Darcy, it is an honour to receive you here at Longbourn." Mr. Bennet greeted his unexpected guest, perplexed, but amiable. Alarming him a bit was the forbidding countenance his elevated guest featured, but on second thought, he realized the man had always looked so.

"Thank you, sir. It is an honour to be here." Darcy replied respectfully, while he bowed deep for his future father in law. This to the amazement of the country squire, who had no idea he was to become the father in law of the man he was looking at.

After Mr. Bennet had asked him, if he would like some refreshment, Darcy declined, feeling unaccountably queasy since he approached the house. He would get a little sustenance on his way back to Kent. Mr. Bennet indicated for Darcy to take a seat, as he sat down behind his desk.

Despite Elizabeth's communications from Kent in which she gave an enthusiastic recommendation of the man, his coming to his humble home surprised Mr. Bennet. He was mystified at what such a wealthy and powerful gentleman could want from him.

"To what do I owe the honour of your visit, sir?" Mr. Bennet enquired politely, but definitely intrigued.

Twisting his signet ring with vigour, Darcy spoke respectfully, "I have asked your daughter, Miss Elizabeth, for her hand in marriage, which she has accepted, and now I have come to acquire you consent and blessing for it, sir."

Dumbfounded, Mr. Bennet spoke hesitantly, "my Elizabeth?"

"Yes, sir."

"Oh," Mr. Bennet mumbled befuddled. "My Elizabeth married?" He was not prepared for such a entreaty.

"She gave me a letter for you, sir." Darcy received the letter from his coat's pocket, and handed the letter to his intended's father. His stomach had turned once more, when he saw Mr. Bennet's unguarded reaction.

Mr. Bennet took it, sighed heavily, and opened the letter, what he read there, made him content and sad simultaneously.

Hunsford parsonage, Kent

Dearest Papa,

You must be shocked to see Mr. Darcy at Longbourn. To my regret, you have had not much opportunity to get to know him, but fortunately, I have. I have spent pleasant time with him in Hertfordshire, - in contrast to many of the other citizens of our fine county- and now here in Kent. Where, as you know, Mr. Darcy is visiting his Aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He has asked for my hand in marriage, and I am happy to tell you I have accepted his offer with great joy. He is with you now to obtain your consent and blessing for our marriage. In essence, he is not the stern and dour man you have seen in Hertfordshire; in my company, he is perfectly amiable. Reserved and extremely private he is, but that does not diminish his other excellent qualities, and I have come to see he is my perfect match. I will be frank here my dear father. I love him. I request you to give him your blessing and consent to make me his wife, soon. Now I have found the man, I believe will make me happy, I do not want to wait long to be his wife.

Respectfully yours,

Lizzy

Ps. Convey my greetings to my mother and sisters.

Mr. Bennet looked up from his letter and fixed a staid gaze on the visitor, that was about to steal his favourite from him. "I did not even know you had any design on my Elizabeth." He stated flatly.

Darcy cleared his suddenly even dryer throat, "Oh, but I have since meeting her. She is extraordinary, and has caught my eye early on when I stayed at Netherfield with Bingley, sir." He explained.

Feeling ire over all the inconsistent and caddish men flooding Hertfordshire the last months, he retorted. "Yes, that man left my other daughter open for derision when you all left so unexpectedly last autumn."

Now Darcy's stomach fell in some hitherto unknown abyss. As Elizabeth had told him Mr. Bennet knew nothing of what had occurred at Netherfield with Miss Bennet, what to say now. Did Mr. Bennet blame him for the abrupt departure of the Netherfield party and Bingley's conduct? "Mr. Bingley left suddenly on an emergency in his family residing in Scarborough, which is where he hails from." Darcy decided to reveal, as that was the only thing he knew himself. Whether it was true or not, he had no evidence.

"Well it is of little matter now, is it? He did not even have the decency to explain that, he could have written if he was in such haste. After Jane's embarrassment in front her peers, he will not be welcome at Longbourn any more." Mr. Bennet stated, still riled at the treatment his girls had received. "As of my consent and blessing for your marriage to my Elizabeth, I will give it, albeit I am disappointed at the suddenness. As I have read in Lizzy's letter she has made up her mind, and knowing her, that will not change."

"Thank you sir," Darcy voiced, while the queasy feeling miraculously left.

"As to when this wedding will take place, I suspect you have spoken to Elizabeth about that." He asked a little petulant

"Yes, sir. Soon, is what we have agreed on, sir. We have not set a date."

To get it over with Mr. Bennet decided, "if we begin to let the church read the banns next Sunday, you can wed any time after that." he spoke unhappily, but resigned to his fate.

"Thank you Mr. Bennet, I will tell Miss Elizabeth your decision when I see here again this evening at my Aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh's estate, Rosings, where she and the others from the parsonage will dine. " Mr. Bennet nodded. Darcy felt the man needed reassurance from him that he would not whisk away his daughter, never to be seen again.

"Mr. Bennet, you and your family will always be welcome in our home in London and on our estate Pemberley, in Derbyshire. Miss Elizabeth told me of your fondness for reading, and in both houses there is an extensive library, as we Darcy's have the same affliction."

Here Mr. Bennet had to smile for the first time since Mr. Darcy had entered his study. "Affliction, you say?"

Darcy flashed a smile, shocking Mr. Bennet. "Yes, it seems we have something in common, sir. If I may belief your often teasing daughter, that is. I would rather stay home reading a book, then go to a ball."

Mr. Bennet laughed aloud, relieved to see this side of the man before him and his use of 'our' home, to him that indicated closeness between the couple and respect for Elizabeth. "Indeed sir, we share that trait for sure."

He stood up and extended his hand with a genuine smile. "Welcome to the family Mr. Darcy." They shook hands. "Shall we visit with Mrs. Bennet and tell her the good news, before you need to leave for Kent soon, will you be able to dine with your betrothed, sir."

"I would be honoured. Would you please call me Darcy, sir?"

"Only if you will call me, Bennet. Darcy." They individually decided to get to know each other for Elizabeth's sake and their own.

Mr. Bennet took the lead and showed Mr. Darcy in the morning parlour where Mrs. Bennet, an unknown woman, and her three youngest daughters where embroidering. Darcy was pleased to see that the youngest were all showing gentility, as the young lady's stood and waited to be addressed.

"Mrs. Bennet, I am sure you remember Mr. Darcy?" She curtsied, and calmly welcomed him in her home.

She introduced the other woman as Mrs. Curtis, the governess of her girls, selected and sent to Longbourn by the Gardiners', on Mrs. Bennet's request. As she was determined now to raise her daughters right, and give them all the opportunity to marry well. At first, it had been difficult to change her own behaviour, but with her daughters determined to do well, she just followed, and now they had Mrs. Curtis to help. Her relationship with Mr. Bennet had changed for the better too, she thought she could not be happier. Now here was Mr. Darcy, for Elizabeth? Did she dare hope?

"Mr. Darcy," she said, "I trust you remember my daughters Mary, Kitty, and Lydia." He bowed, whereupon, the girls curtsied prettily. Darcy was impressed; he almost did not recognize them. Mary had changed the most, as she now looked very pretty and the youngest wore appropriate clothing suiting their age.

"Mrs. Bennet," Mr. Bennet spoke again. "Mr. Darcy has come to us today to ask permission to marry our Elizabeth. Of course I have given him my consent and blessing."

Then the Bennet women showed Mr. Darcy that a person could change in conduct, but not in essence. All four of them came forth and congratulated him with all the joy they had over Elizabeth's fortune of having found such a fine gentleman to marry. And as no vulgarity was uttered, he bore it all very well.

/

After his sisters had left him to himself again, Charles Bingley called his valet, "Thornton, will you clean up this filthy chaos here after you have attended me."

"Yes, sir. I will have them sent up warm water for a bath." The stoic and loyal man responded.

After having first scrubbed of the grime of his body, he then soaked in the warm and soothing water. There Charles Bingley took stock of his life. Now he had made clear to his sisters he was not going to put up with their demands any more, he could quite this act. He had felt their fear for him when they found him in such a state and his new attitude, just as Thornton had predicted. Although he had not been able to wring some guilt out of his sisters, to see if there would be any redemption possible for them. He also decided he had suffered long enough. He had conquered his shame, and his lamenting over his foolish actions concerning Miss Bennet had to stop. Even though, the experience had really wounded him, he could see now he had grown from his heartache. He had been in the wrong in his treatment of Miss Bennet, he knew that, could not do anything about that any more, so, he had to get on with his life. The good thing of it all was that he had learned he had to take his own life in hand, and stop being such an easy prey, full stop! He needed to get back to London for the season in about two months and see how the land laid with Darcy, get Caroline married to somebody of the gentry, cast the Hursts' off, and then he would know how to proceed. For now, he would see to his business and increase his income. Funds and connections would get him anywhere.

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