Chapter 12:
Dearest reader, what wonderful news do I have to share! Mr. Darcy, one of the most eligible gentleman is off the Marriage Mart! He is engaged to be married to no other than Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the sister of the Diamond of the Season. She beat her own sister to the marriage race! And what a fine match indeed! For all the happiness to go around, there is certainly one gentleman who must not be relishing in the good news. It has come to this author's attention that at Lady Sandhurst's party, in which Miss Elizabeth danced with Lord Sandhurst, Lord Sandhurst retired soon after the Bennets left, at earlier time than what was otherwise expected. What transpired during their dance and Miss Elizabeth's departure is unknown but one thing is known, Mr. Darcy made a short appearance and to this author's knowledge the happy couple became engaged. Nothing like fearing one's love is to be taken to entice a man to act swiftly! Perhaps all men should take a page from Mr. Darcy's book, for gentleman, the ladies that are here today might be gone tomorrow.
Details of the wedding are not known to the author though the general murmurs are that it is to take place very soon indeed. A love match is one of the most powerful and a hasty engagement is always welcomed from all sides. When one finds the person to spend forever with, why would you not want forever to start now? Till forever, Mr. Darcy and soon to be Mrs. Darcy!
Lady Whistledown
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Lizzie could not recall the events of the previous night by the next morning. It was all so sudden that she allowed her father to relay the news of her engagement, it was only after everyone had allowed her to escape to her room, with many expressions of "ten thousand a year!" that she told Jane exactly what happened. Jane merely listening and comforted her—happy and excited for her sister. It was obvious to Jane that Mr. Darcy truly loved her—why else would he have acted in such a way?
The next morning brought a rush of visitors all wishing to impart their felicitations. Lizzie was thankfully able to avoid them all for her mother, Mrs. Bennet, rushed her to the modiste at the earliest possible time. She needed her wedding dress to be perfect. Lizzie stood there, faked a smile, and was the easiest costumer she had ever had. For someone that was going to be married, the modiste thought she did not show much interest in her wedding dress.
"It is a love match!" said Mrs. Bennet, with happy eyes, explaining her daughter's lack of interest in the actual wedding dress. "But I would still love for her to look absolutely stunning!"
"Of course" murmured the modiste, licking her thread and putting another pin in the dress.
By the time Mrs. Bennet and Lizzie had arrived back, the only guest remaining was a young lady dressed in an impeccable and very expensive morning dress. Mrs. Bennet started doubting if the material they had chosen for the wedding was too simple—Lizzie was going to be the new Mrs. Darcy afterall. Perhaps she ought to ask Mr. Bennet for more funds—she knew he would groan but she did not want her daughter to look like a pauper! With that thought in mind, she greeted Miss Darcy warmly and then went off to look for her husband.
"Miss Elizabeth!" exclaimed Miss Darcy, her whole face lit up at Lizzie's arrival. "We are to be sisters!" she shrieked, going over to her and squeezing her hands tightly with love.
"Georgiana—please call me Lizzie or Elizabeth" said Lizzie warmly, "Thank you for waiting" she added, forcing a smile. Lizzie looked behind her to see if her brother was there. She wanted to, no she needed to, speak to him.
"Oh, Fitzwilliam is not here" she said, with a wave of her hand. She was pleased that Lizzie was looking for her brother, they were in love! Georgiana looked like she had won the greatest prize, she looked so pleased and happy. "He said he needed to take care of the marriage license" she explained, sitting back down, once Lizzie motioned for her to join her on the sofa.
"Indeed" said Lizzie, biting her bottom lip nervously and then forcing another smile.
"I shall tell him to visit" said Georgiana warmly, "This must be so exciting for you—how do you feel?"
"Overwhelmed" said Lizzie, happy to at least be honest. She wanted to feel elated, to feel that she was marrying a man that loved her but until she heard it from his lips, she was not sure.
"So is Fitzwilliam—it must be the rush of the wedding, in three days time!" said Georgiana, unaware of how her words sounded to Lizzie. Georgiana stayed for close to an hour and left in the best of spirits and with very warm farewells. She had spent the latter part of the house playing the piano forte with Mary, giving her a few pointers, which Mary gladly welcomed. Mary had been working on her skill most diligently.
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"How was your morning visit?" asked Fitzwilliam, looking up as Georgiana entered his study. He had been busy with his lawyer, finalized the marriage settlement which he wanted to bring over to Mr. Bennet by the end of the day. The marriage license had been secured and this was all that was left to do.
"It was lovely, I truly do care for Lizzie" said Georgiana dreamily. "She looked around for you when she saw me."
"Oh?" asked Mr. Darcy, looking up once again, this time with unveiled interest.
"She seemed disappointed that you had not called with me" observed Georgiana.
"I hope to see her this afternoon, when I speak with Mr. Bennet" said Mr. Darcy, fixing his cravat.
"I think you should bring her flowers" said Georgiana, with a sweet, yet knowing smile. "She looked quite down and I know she cares for you deeply."
"How do you know that?" asked Fitzwilliam, allowing her sister the confidence of a sister and not just a younger sister.
"I am a keen observer, brother" said Georgiana, with a twinkle in her eye. Mr. Darcy smiled and then nodded.
"I shall take your suggestion into consideration" said Fitzwilliam lovingly.
"That is all I ask" said Georgiana, "I shall leave you to finish your work, so you can attend to your fiancée."
"I thank you" said Mr. Darcy and with a deep breath, looked down and continued working, eager to finish this as quickly as possible.
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It was near tea-time when Mr. Darcy, with a bounce to his step, and his hand carrying an exquisite bouquet of flowers knocked on the Bennet's door. He was shown in immediately, by the butler, who looked particularly pleased to be welcoming Mr. Darcy, Miss Elizabeth's betrothed.
"Mr. Darcy!" he announced beaming, knowing his appearance would cause an uproar of emotion. He was not disappointed.
Mrs. Bennet was the first to almost throw herself at him.
"Mr. Darcy!" Please do come on, we are so pleased, we could not be more pleased, for our dearest Lizzie to be making such a splendid match!" said Mrs. Bennet, quite unguarded.
"I thank you" said Mr. Darcy, looking shy and uncomfortable at all the attention. His soon to be sisters also gathered around him and it was a few seconds before he could meet Elizabeth's eye. She was watching this all with interest from the window. He nearly melted when he saw her—memories from the night before flooding, he could not help the sly smile on his lips. "Pardon me" he said to no one in particular, and walked towards Elizabeth, the beautiful bouquet of flowers in hand.
"Mr. Darcy" said Elizabeth, taking a deep breath. She felt her heart leap when she saw him come into the drawing room and when their eyes met, she could feel herself swooning. She was in love. It must much harder to remain angry when one was in love, she mused.
"For you" he said, bowing slightly and handing her the flowers.
"They are beautiful" said Lizzie with emotion, touched by his gesture.
"They were Georgiana's idea" he said. She raised an eyebrow immediately, he clearly did not realize he had said the wrong thing. "She told me she had a lovely morning visit—she is very eager to have you join our family." He cleared his throat, feeling the topic was slightly intimate. He was still unsure of her feelings though Georgiana had dared him to hope. "Elizabeth, could we speak in private?"
"Yes, please" she said, sounding relieved. She had been waiting for a few moments with him since last night. "Come with me" she said, taking his hand and pulling him out of the drawing room, into her father's empty study. Mr. Bennet was out, reviewing the documents Mr. Darcy had sent over earlier, with Uncle Gardiner.
Mrs. Bennet and her sisters watched them leave with unveiled curiosity, Lydia snickering and then being scolded by Jane.
They entered the study and Lizzie shut the door.
He looked at her in surprise.
"We are already compromised" teased Lizzie. Her smile was infectious. He took a step closer and reached for her hands.
"Elizabeth...I am sorry for last night" he said with much feeling.
"Sorry?" she asked, surprised. She pulled her hands away from him and looked away. "That is not what I expected you to say."
"I fear I may have ruined your chance at happiness" he said, taking from her reaction that his assumption was correct.
"You do not wish to marry me?" asked Mr. Darcy, looking hurt. Lizzie turned around, staring into his eyes. She was taken aback by how close he now was.
"No" said Lizzie, "I….how do you expect me to answer that question when you have not declared your feelings nor intentions towards me!"
"Elizabeth" whispered Darcy with feeling, her reaction making sense now, "Why do you think I followed you into the garden?!"
"Why do you think I went into that garden?" asked Elizabeth, "I love you."
"And I, my dearest, loveliest, Elizabeth, love you" said Darcy in a soft whisper, staring at her lips as she spoke. Without waiting for her to respond, he kissed her. They melted into each other's arms for what seemed like mere seconds but also an eternity before hearing a knock on the door of the study. They jumped from each other, each blushing and smiling, before looking up.
"Lady Catherine de Bourgh" said the footman, before moving aside to allow a very formidable lady entry.
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I wrote this chapter while listening to the Bridgeton sountrack, it really added something. There is a certain softness but also urgency to the music that when mr. darcy walks into the drawing room and meets lizzie's eyes, everything else melts and they just focus on each other and he is so drawn to her. i found it quite beautiful :)
ahhh don't kill me for the cliffhanger but we need some more "shock" and "delight" before what promises to be, the wedding of the year!
p.s. the line about after her in the garden was from Bridgeton, one of my favorite lines. It is followed by Simon saying "I burn for you", which I know people were melting over but I didn't really like it (I know, i know), it just sounded very physical instead of a deeper emotional connection.