Chapter Thirty-Six

For a moment neither of them spoke. Elizabeth was shocked. Mr. Darcy was the last person she had been expecting. She wondered if Jane knew. If she did, she wished she had told her.

"Miss Bennet."

"Mr. Darcy. I was not expecting you."

There was an awkward silence. Elizabeth's heart was beating painfully in her chest. It was hard to look at him. "How is Georgiana?"

"She is very well and very happy. Have you not heard from her?"

"Yes… I heard two days ago," said Elizabeth, feeling suddenly foolish that she had asked the question. "And Colonel Fitzwilliam, how is he?"

"Very well I think."

"And is he still in London?" Elizabeth knew she was talking too much, but she couldn't help herself. Mr. Darcy was making her feel nervous. Why was he there?

"Miss Bennet, please sit down."

Elizabeth sat, perched on the edge of the sofa. She held her hands tightly on her lap, hoping he would not see she was shaking.

Mr. Darcy turned away for a moment and stared out of the window.

Elizabeth waited patiently for him to speak.

At last he turned back to her. She couldn't account for it, but he looked as if he was struggling to speak.

"Miss Bennet, you know I am a man of few words and even those I have been known to get very wrong, so I ask for forgiveness if what I have to say sounds wrong."

Elizabeth felt a little alarmed. She had no idea what he was talking about.

"Some time ago I asked you to be my wife. It was a proposal that was deeply insulting to you and one that I hope you can forgive me for."

"Mr. Darcy, this was something we said we would never talk about again," said Elizabeth her voice shaking. "If that is all you have to say to me…" She started to get to her feet, but Mr. Darcy stopped her and he sat down beside her. Elizabeth immediately moved along the sofa, putting some distance between them.

Mr. Darcy smiled wryly at the small gesture. "I cannot blame you, if you feel that way." Mr. Darcy got up again and started to pace around the room. "I did not want to raise this matter again, but I must. It has been pressing on my heart and I cannot, I will not let it go."

Elizabeth looked up, wishing he would stop moving. He was making her feel quite dizzy.

"I have always been proud of my family and our accomplishments and that has led me to feelings of superiority that I can see are not warranted or worthy of me. And it is you who has shown me that."

"I don't understand, sir," said Elizabeth.

Mr. Darcy stopped pacing. "And why would you. Miss Bennet, what I am trying to do is to ask you to marry me. Of course, you already made clear your feelings towards me at Hunsford but I hoped… I thought… that perhaps you might reconsider and do me the very great honour of becoming my wife."

Elizabeth hesitated, wondering if she was dreaming.

"Naturally if your feelings are unchanged… which they have every right to be under the circumstances, then I will never speak of this again."

Tears started to slip down Elizabeth's cheeks. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

Mr. Darcy looked horrified. "Forgive me, I should not have spoken. I did not mean to distress you."

Elizabeth took in a deep breath and suddenly found her voice, though it wavered slightly. "Mr. Darcy, I am not distressed, I am only surprised. What has changed your mind, sir?"

Mr. Darcy looked pained. "From the first time I saw you, I think I fell a little bit in love with you? Yes, I know it does not ring true," he said at her disbelieving face. "I was rude about you to Bingley, but that was my defence. I was not accustomed to having my feelings touched in any way and I did not want Bingley to guess and tease me about it. Nor did I think a relationship between us would ever be possible."

"Because of my family?" asked Elizabeth, frowning at him.

"No…. yes… well partly. Elizabeth, it is not right and I am not proud of the feelings I had back then, but yes it was a consideration."

Elizabeth was pleased he was honest with her.

"But since that time, I have got to know you a little better and my admiration for you has grown. You were kind enough to help me with Georgiana even after I had insulted you and for that I will be ever grateful. And you opened my eyes to Georgiana's unhappiness and how I had been neglecting her."

"Sir, I don't think I was ever that harsh," protested Elizabeth with a laugh.

"Perhaps not, but by your gentle admonishments and questions I realised that I had been failing Georgiana."

"Sir, you are too harsh upon yourself. Georgiana has always loved you."

"And I her, but it is not my sister I want to think of right now. It is you. Perhaps I have not made it clear. Elizabeth, I love you."

Elizabeth felt her body suffused with love. "Sir, I have never wanted to be married, but two very wise women told me that was because I have never met a man worthy of my love."

"And have you now?"

Elizabeth paused for a moment and she inwardly smiled at the doubt she saw in his eyes. "Yes, sir, I have. There is nothing that would give me more pleasure than to be your wife."

Elizabeth had never seen him smile so naturally. "My dear Elizabeth. I want you to know, Miss Bennet, you have made me the happiest man in England."

Elizabeth was too overcome to speak, but as they sat there alone, he again repeated how much he loved and admired her and what an honour it would be for them to become man and wife.

So involved were they with each other that it was a shock when the door suddenly opened and Mr. Bingley was standing there with Jane Bennet, a big smile on his face. "Well?"

Mr. Darcy quickly got up from the sofa. "Bingley!" he explained rather exasperatedly.

"I could wait no longer," said Bingley, unabashed by his friend's annoyance. "Tell me, is there news?" he asked as he and Jane came into the room.

"Yes, there is news," said Mr. Darcy. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet has agreed to marry me."

"Oh Lizzy." Jane was immediately by her side while Mr. Bingley shook hands with his friend and then slapped him excitedly on the shoulder.

"At last, at last. It could not be better news."

Jane took Elizabeth's hands in hers. "Dear Lizzy, nothing could please me more. I hoped, I really did, but I never thought it would happen."

"Oh Jane, nor did I," whispered Elizabeth.

"But you are happy, aren't you?" asked Jane, sounding suddenly anxious.

"Jane, do not fear. Nothing could dent my happiness."

Elizabeth was wondering if those words were quite true when they sat down to dinner and Mr. Bingley, without consulting Mr. Darcy, announced their engagement to the Hursts and Caroline Bingley.

"How extraordinary," said Miss Bingley as the footmen served them their fish course. "Mr. Darcy, I had no idea that you knew each other so well. Marrying the companion. That is most unusual."

"Is it?" asked Mr. Darcy with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

Elizabeth was glad to see him refuse to rise to Miss Bingley's poison.

Caroline's cheeks flushed an unbecoming red which clashed with her gown. "Yes, I think it is most unusual, don't you, Louisa?"

Mrs. Hurst, the eldest of the Bingley siblings, nodded vigorously. "I am not sure what people will think," she said.

"Other's opinions are of no consequence," said Mr. Bingley in a stout defence of his friend.

Caroline Bingley raised her eyebrows. "Really, Charles. How strange you can be. In good society, the opinion of others has already mattered."

Elizabeth flashed a quick look at Jane who smiled back sympathetically.

"Caroline, do pipe down," said Mr. Bingley. "We must congratulate Darcy, for not only has he snared one of the most beautiful women in Hertfordshire, he has also fulfilled his father's wishes and ensured the future of Pemberley."

Everyone turned towards Mr. Bingley. "Charles, what are you talking about?" asked Miss Bingley immediately.

Mr. Bingley suddenly looked embarrassed. "I only meant… that old Mr. Darcy had always wanted Darcy here to get married and now he is."

Everyone around the table knew he was dissembling. "I should not have spoken," he said.

Elizabeth could see that he was shaking slightly. She turned to Mr. Darcy, whose face had darkened. Whatever Mr. Bingley was talking about Mr. Darcy was not happy.

"Mr. Darcy, tell us. Is there some reason why you are in such a rush to wed Miss Bennet?" asked Mr. Hurst, slurring his words as he had already enjoyed too much good wine.

"The only reason why I am marrying Miss Elizabeth Bennet is because of my deep admiration for her. Nothing more."

Mr. Darcy raised his glass to Elizabeth and somehow she managed to smile.

"Thank you, sir."

"Well, I think it is all very extraordinary," said Mrs. Hurst.

"Extraordinary indeed," parroted Caroline Bingley, her eyes firmly fixed on Elizabeth's face.

Jane came to the rescue and asked Miss Bingley about her recent trip to the theatre. Miss Bingley, who liked to dominate the conversation, was quite happy to talk about the play they had seen and Mrs. Hurst chimed in.

Elizabeth was grateful to her sister, because thoughts were swirling around her head and she could not speak. A rush to wed, Miss Bingley had said. She would like to have dismissed it as Caroline being unpleasant, but she could not. There was something in what Mr. Bingley had said and the way Mr. Darcy had glared at him that told her something was amiss. And she remembered the conversation she had heard at Rosings. Colonel Fitzwilliam had mentioned something about a will. What did it all mean? Had Mr. Darcy proposed once again because of business arrangement? It was all very puzzling.

The meal seemed to go on forever, and Elizabeth was glad when it was over. The women left the men to enjoy their port in the dining room and Mrs. Hurst let them back to the drawing room. Caroline Bingley immediately returned to the attack. "You are very lucky, Miss Eliza, that Mr. Darcy has offered you marriage."

"Lucky, Miss Bingley? Why would you say that?" asked Elizabeth, thinking that Miss Bingley's jealousy was very unattractive.

"You know he is a man of considerable fortune."

"I had heard that," said Elizabeth carefully, "but I was always taught in polite society it was vulgar to discuss a person's money."

Elizabeth heard Jane gasp beside her, but she did not care. It was not her habit to show such a marked lack of manners, but Miss Bingley was deliberately trying to rile her.

"You know his aunt will never allow it, don't you?"

"His aunt?" Elizabeth was deliberately obtuse.

"Lady Catherine de Bourgh," said Miss Bingley. "I hear she has a great deal of influence over Mr. Darcy and I cannot imagine she would be happy with him marrying someone who is not of equal status."

Elizabeth felt insulted, but she knew Miss Bingley was not acquainted with Mr. Darcy's aunt. "Mr. Darcy is the son of a gentleman and I am the daughter of a gentleman and therefore we are equal."

Miss Bingley looked at her with pity. "But your other relatives. Do not think we are ignorant of them."

"Any yet you are willing to let my sister marry into your family."

"Charles is very stubborn… I mean."

Elizabeth inwardly smiled. It was the first time Miss Bingley had dropped her guard in such a way. It was just as she had always thought. Despite giving every appearance to be fond of Jane, Miss Bingley had little real feeling for her. Elizabeth felt sorry for her sister. Thank goodness Mr. Bingley loved her.

"What are you two talking about?" asked Jane suddenly.

"We've been discussing the wedding," lied Elizabeth quickly. It was not the moment to utter the truth. She could only hope in time the scales would fall from Jane's eyes and she would realise that Miss Bingley was not her friend.

Elizabeth was relieved when they were able to leave. Mr. Darcy, she noticed, had been strained for the rest of the evening. The happiness she had felt at his proposal had now dissipated and she was unsure of herself and of Mr. Darcy.

Before they left, Mr. Darcy whispered, "Miss Bennet, I shall call at noon tomorrow. Do not speak of this until then."

Elizabeth could do no more than nod as the footman arrived with their cloaks and they were ushered into their carriage. She couldn't wait to get back to Longbourn.

"Lizzy, what was Mr. Bingley talking about? I tried to ask him, but he would not say," said Jane as the carriage pulled down the drive.

"It was nothing, I am sure," said Elizabeth, glad it was too dark for Jane to clearly see her face.

"But I saw Mr. Darcy's expression. He did not look happy and it seemed to be something of significance."

Elizabeth agreed, but she did not want to say so. "Jane, do not be concerned. Mr. Darcy, as you know, is not one for frivolity. He often looks very serious."

"That is true," said Jane. "But Lizzy, that does not matter. He is a very handsome man, almost as handsome as my Mr. Bingley."

Elizabeth laughed. She actually thought Mr. Darcy was far more handsome that Mr. Bingley, but it wouldn't have been polite to say so.

"When are you going to tell Mama about your engagement?" said Jane. "She is going to be so excited."

"Not tonight," said Elizabeth quickly. She was no longer certain there was going to be an engagement.