Jest Chapter 3, a pride and prejudice fanfic

I tweaked the previous chapter a bit.

~~~J~~~

Elizabeth hesitated. Too many conflicting thoughts and emotions played havoc with her equilibrium.

She had been so very sure about Mr Darcy's arrogance and his dislike for her, that it was well nigh impossible to believe this sudden turn-around. She realised that she could not make a decision like this on the spur of the moment, especially in her current state of mind. She needed time to think.

'Mr Darcy, please forgive me, but at the moment I have no answer for you. I have had too many shocks today, and need time to consider all that you have said. I suspect that you too need time to think about what has happened tonight. May I suggest that you join me in my walk in the morning, and perhaps this time you will speak, rather than stalk silently at my side.' Elizabeth gave a tremulous simile. Her customary impertinence having temporarily deserted her, she tried to take the sting out of her words.

Darcy was relieved. While it was not the answer he hoped for, it was better than an outright refusal. At least he would have a chance to make his case. 'Thank you, Miss Bennet. I believe that you have the right of it, thinking that we both need time to process all that was said tonight. I shall take my leave, and I look forward to a chance to explain myself. Good night.'

Darcy beat a hasty retreat, before he could say something that would make Elizabeth change her mind. In the hallway he encountered Charlotte carrying a tea tray. 'Mrs Collins, thank you for your understanding. Miss Bennet has just granted me permission to accompany her on her morning walk.'

'You are welcome, Mr Darcy. There have been too many misunderstandings between you. I hope that you and Elizabeth can clear the air.'

Darcy bade Mrs Collins goodnight, and Charlotte joined her friend. She poured tea for them both, and waited for Elizabeth to speak, while they both sat and sipped their tea. When her friend sat mute for several minutes, Charlotte prompted, 'well?'

Elizabeth came out of her reverie. A self-deprecating smile quirked her lips. 'This has been the most confusing conversation I have ever had in my life.'

'You truly thought Mr Darcy was jesting?'

'Charlotte, you should have heard him. While he started well enough, saying that he had come to admire and love me, he then proceeded to tell me in the haughtiest terms that I am completely unsuitable to be his wife, due to my lowly station and poverty. That his offer went against everything that he believed in, and that my whole family, with the exception of Jane, was an embarrassment. At least he did not say that I would never receive another offer.'

'And despite all these objections, Mr Darcy felt compelled to propose. He must love you a very great deal,' Charlotte commented.

Elizabeth gave her a startled look. 'You have a unique perspective on this situation. I would have said that he insulted everything and everyone that I care for. Yet you see these insults as a compliment.'

'Think about it, Eliza. Mr Darcy is an intelligent and thoughtful man. For many years he has had a great responsibility on his shoulders. Managing a large estate and raising his much younger sister. he is used to considering how his actions impact those dependent on him. Since marriage is for life, I am not surprised that he would consider everyone's reaction to his choice of wife.'

Lizzy stared at Charlotte in horror. 'Please, do not say that you agree with Mr Darcy.'

'Eliza, you know that I am pragmatic. As an outsider I can see both sides of the coin. Yes, I know that Mr Darcy is a gentleman and that you are a gentleman's daughter. In that you are equal. But there the similarity ends. Your mother is the daughter of a solicitor, whereas his mother was the daughter of an Earl. He is wealthy, you and your family are not. His family is well-known in the ton, yours is not. I could name a myriad of differences.'

'Perhaps he should select a wife from his circle of society,' huffed Elizabeth.

'Mr Darcy has had many years and many opportunities to do so, but he did not. If he saw marriage simply as a business arrangement, he could have chosen a wife from the ton, or even his cousin and satisfied Lady Catherine. But I suspected that he, like you, craves felicity in marriage, even if he has never admitted this even to himself.'

'But he always looked upon me with such disdain, and he does not think that I am handsome enough to tempt him.'

'You must have tempted him a great deal, to offer for you. Do you not think it is possible that you tempted him all along, but he was afraid to follow his heart, because of how society's reaction to you might impact his sister? I believe he cares greatly for his sister, and wishes her to have the opportunity to marry well.'

'She could marry a Duke and still be miserable. Is it really worth the bother?' Elizabeth argued.

'On the other hand, if Miss Darcy were to fall deeply in love with this hypothetical Duke, and he with her, but because of her brother's marriage to an unsuitable wife, they were not allowed to marry? What then?'

'You have an answer for everything. I believe I shall come to hate you, if you destroy all my beliefs.'

'And yet, despite all the considerations, which told Mr Darcy that marrying the daughter of an unimportant gentleman was an unwise decision from society's point of view, he still proposed to you. As I said before, he must love you very much.'

'Charlotte, all this is making my head hurt.' Elizabeth shook this same hurting head. When her friend opened her mouth to speak again, Elizabeth begged, 'please, no more. Any more new ideas, and I am convinced that my head will burst. I believe that I will need to sleep on this. Perhaps in the morning all will be clearer.'

'And if it is not clearer, when you wake, you can ask Mr Darcy to clarify his motivations to you.'

Elizabeth gave Charlotte a disgusted look. 'I wish you had not reminded me. Perhaps sleeping is not such a good idea after all. I might have nightmares all night long, dreading the encounter.'

'I am certain that it will not be nearly as harrowing as you make it out to be.'

Elizabeth looked unconvinced, but since the confrontation had exhausted her, she decided to risk sleep after all.

~~~J~~~