Four weeks passed since Elizabeth and Jane had returned to Longbourn and the sisters cheerfully fell back into the rhythms of life as the flowers bloomed and days turned warmer. Elizabeth, in particular, was pleased to spend long hours reading to her father.
"D-Darcy?" Mr. Bennet said the next time she sat down with him. "How is he?"
"Papa!" Elizabeth exclaimed, her face heating. "I have no idea how he fares. I haven't seen him since he left Rosings. How did you know I saw him?"
"You said," he said, half-smiling, "he was handsome."
"Oh," Elizabeth remembered telling her father when she thought he was unconscious. "I'm astounded you remember that."
"I listen," he said, half-smiling. "But don't tell Mrs. Bennet."
Elizabeth smiled, but an uneasiness tugged at her. She hadn't liked how she'd ended her acquaintance with Mr. Darcy, and she now felt sorry she had been so hard on him. His letter had given her another perspective. She simply had to allow that out there in the world was a man who most certainly despised her and there was nothing she could do about it. Thankfully she was unlikely to encounter him again as their lives did run in different circles, as he noted.
"Lizzy!" Her sister's voice rose up from somewhere in the house. It sounded like Lydia. "Charlotte Lucas is here to see you."
"Lydia, do not yell. My nerves!" Mrs. Bennet called, in equal volumne
Elizabeth set down her book, patted her father's side, and indicated she would return shortly. Her father nodded at her, a familiar twinkle in his eye.
Downstairs, Charlotte sat in an empty sitting room when Elizabeth finally found her.
"Charlotte, what a pleasant surprise your visit is today," she said as she entered the room. "How are you?"
Charlotte's face was flushed, her hair was flatteringly windblown. She had a lively look to her Elizabeth couldn't quite place.
"I am well, Lizzy. I have news," Charlotte told her nervously.
Elizabeth's eyebrows rose with interest. "Is it about Mary King and Mr. Wickham? If so, we have already heard he's not to marry her. Lydia is only too relieved. Do come in and sit down."
Charlotte cleared her throat. "It's not about Mary King or Mr. Wickham."
"And who does it concern?" The maid came in with a fresh pot of hot water and Charlotte sat awkwardly while they were both served.
"It concerns me, mainly."
Elizabeth blinked with surprise and raised the teacup to her lips.
Charlotte wasn't sure how to say what she needed to. She wished she had something to fidget with, though she fervently believed one should be as honest as possible with one's friends. Suddenly coming to tell Elizabeth in person seemed like a poor idea.
"I am engaged, Lizzy," Charlotte said. "Mr. Collins and I struck up an acquaintance in Kent, and he has written to me since we've left. He has proposed," she said, swallowing. "And I have accepted."
Elizabeth's eyes grew wide and her teacup momentarily faltered in her hand.
"Engaged? To be married?"
"Yes, to be married," Charlotte's patience fell away for a moment. "What other kind of engagement is there?"
Elizabeth felt herself frown. "But, Charlotte, do you wish to marry him?"
Charlotte's smile trembled for only a moment. "I can see what you are feeling. You must be surprised-very surprised-as so recently Mr. Collins was wishing to marry you. But I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I'm not romantic, you know. I never was. I only ask for a comfortable home, and considering Mr. Collin's character and connections and situation, I am convinced my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people entering the marriage state."
Elizabeth said nothing and only nodded. She smiled at her friend, and told her how happy she was for her, aware that her eyes shone with unshed tears.
Mrs. Bennet was less pleased to learn of Charlotte's engagement.
"What a clever little piece Charlotte Lucas is!" Mrs. Bennet said when she heard the news. "She has always fancied Longbourn, and now she will be its mistress. No thanks to you, Lizzy!"
Elizabeth, who sat on the loveseat reading, rolled her eyes, but did not respond.
"Mama," Jane said, in her sister's defense. "You know she and Mr. Collins would be an unsuitable match. Lizzy cannot marry a man she does not respect."
"Girls today are so spoiled! Always expecting a love match. Mr. Bennet and I have been perfectly happy all this time and we barely knew one another when we wed."
Elizabeth and Jane exchanged knowing looks.
"I cannot imagine a woman who would be a good match for Mr. Collins," Kitty said. "Even poor Charlotte!"
"I do not feel sorry for her at all. She is getting the better end of the bargain," Mrs. Bennet said. "And now Longbourn shall be her home."
"Only so she won't be an old maid," said Lydia, sniggering.
"That is enough, Lydia."
"Do you think a fine home is worth an unsuitable match if you have to marry someone ridiculous?" Kitty considered. "Would you marry Mr. Collins if he lived at Netherfield and you were to be its mistress?"
"To be Mrs. Collins, I'd want a title and a fortune. And to think, Jane nearly got Netherfield and a handsome husband!" Lydia said.
"I might have been preparing to see a daughter wed right now," Mrs. Bennet fretted. "As a mother, this is all heartbreaking." Kitty automatically stood and handed her mother a clean handkerchief as she sniffled. "Oh, thank you, Kitty dear."
Elizabeth raised her head from her book. "Do you all talk of nothing but men?"
"Jane is not talking of men. It is Lydia and me," Kitty said. "And Mama."
Elizabeth sighed. "And must we all turn our lives upside down simply because a man esteems us?"
"Only if he is handsome, or very rich," Lydia said, popping a grape into her mouth and laughing at her own joke.
Three weeks later, Elizabeth, her sisters, and Mrs. Bennet, all dressed in their summer finest, walked the half-mile to the Lucas Lodge for the wedding breakfast to celebrate the joyous occasion of Miss Lucas and Mr. Collins becoming man and wife.
Kitty, who walked behind the others, paused and sneezed twice. Loudly.
"Kitty, do stop sneezing onto my gloves!" Lydia turned and said. "You will ruin them and then I will never be able to wear them again."
"I am not sneezing on purpose. You know I have hayfever."
"Well, must you have hayfever all over my gloves?"
"I cannot help it."
"Girls, do stop bickering," Mrs. Bennet said. "We have nearly arrived. No need to give Lady Lucas one more reason to lord over us." Her voice dropped low. "Who would have thought Charlotte married before any of my girls."
"Please do not cry again, Mama."
Mrs. Bennet dabbed her handkerchief to her eyes. "No, I shan't."
Jane was at her side. "It is all right, Mama."
Outside Lucas Lodge were several high bushes, containing a swarms of chirping songbirds. Flowered garland twined the steps to the front door.
"Bah, the birds are so bothersome," Lydia said.
"They sing the sound of nature."
"Oh, Mary, do be quiet."
"Lydia, smooth out the wrinkles on your skirt. Jane, do help Mary tie her bonnet. We shall not give them anymore to gossip about - as if five unmarried daughters was not enough."
Elizabeth was relieved the ceremony had been small and open only for family, so she did not have to attend. A bustling wedding breakfast allowed her to congratulate Charlotte without having to make much conversation with Mr. Collins, which suited her perfectly.
It was a warm day. Elizabeth straightened her shoulders, conjuring the courage to face the neighbors - and their gossip about how she'd rejected Mr. Collins.
She was not sorry, of course. Still, she knew she'd be whispered of when they entered Lucas Lodge.
"The Bennet girls, lovely as always!" Sir William called from the front porch, welcoming them.
As if on cue, Mrs. Bennet simpered. "Oh, you are very kind."
The door opened and Elizabeth saw the room full of guests, all dressed in their finest. Extravagant floral arrangements were set on every table.
"My hayfever is going to be worse inside today," Kitty said, eying the flowers
In the back of the room sat Lady Catherine, her face tart as a lemon, shimmering in jewelry. Behind her stood an equally serious tall Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth's limbs went cold.
What was he doing here?
He saw her, and his lips parted briefly as if he might speak. His eyes were dark and unreadable. Elizabeth wondered how often she had mistaken this look for arrogance. Next to her, Jane, the only person who knew of his Hunsford proposal and her refusal, grasped her arm in hers.
Then Mr. Collins, preening like a peacock, stepped in front of them all, blocking their view of Mr. Darcy and his aunt.
"Mrs. Bennet, I see you have come to share our joy on the happiest of days." He puffed his chest out and smiled importantly.
"Of course, Mr. Collins, we wouldn't miss it. Would we, girls?"
Kitty nodded tepidly while Lydia craned her neck to see who was behind him.
Mr. Collins clasped his hands in front of him as though he were to begin a sermon. "My patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, is in attendance, as well as her nephew Mr. Darcy. My wife and I are very honored by their presence. Of course, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is already acquainted with them, having come to Rosings Park this spring." When he said this, Mr. Collins looked at each of the girls except Elizabeth.
Elizabeth bit the inside of her lip and fought the urge to roll her eyes.
She sighed, fixing her gaze on Mr. Darcy behind him.
It had been two months since she'd seen him, and-god help her-he'd grown more handsome in that time. Was it now that she better understood his past actions, and therefore, his character? His hair was longer, now fully touching his collar, which suited him somehow. Lady Catherine said something to him, and he bent down to hear, his dark head lowered. A blush crept up her neck and a strange lump formed in her throat. She could have been his wife. It was a shame he likely disliked her now.
"Here comes my fair bride," Mr. Collins said.
Charlotte appeared in a new dress, moving to them and hugging Elizabeth tightly. "Ah, you are here." She then turned to the Bennets girls and hugged each one of them, even Mrs. Bennet, who looked confused. Charlotte dabbed at her eyes, causing Elizabeth to wonder if they were tears of joy or regret, or perhaps some mixture of the two.
"How was the ceremony?" Kitty asked. "Did you cry? Or swoon?"
"She did cry a little. Tears of joy, I hope!" Mr. Collins interjected.
Charlotte smiled. "Yes, I must confess."
"Out of happiness or...?" Lydia asked, and Elizabeth quickly pinched her arm to quiet her.
"Ouch."
"It must be an overwhelming day," Elizabeth said quickly to quiet her.
Mr. Collin's attention turned to new guests as he heartily shook another man's hand.
"Lady Catherine is here, and she has already tested my mother's patience several times," Charlotte said quietly. "We did not expect her or Mr. Darcy to attend, but she insisted. She even purchased the flower arrangements."
They all glanced around the room. That explained the outsized hothouse arrangements of flowers that spilled from each table and free nook.
"Each arrangement contains orchids, nosegays, and forget-me-nots and cost more than five pounds!" Mr. Collins said.
"My!" Mrs. Bennet said.
Lady Lucas approached and began complimenting the girls and Mrs. Bennet on their dresses, and Elizabeth took a moment to pull Charlotte aside.
"How are you faring, Charlotte, truly?"
Charlotte nodded solemnly. "I am well. It's a hectic day, but we will return to Hunsford after breakfast and get more rest then."
Elizabeth nodded, suddenly sad her friend would be gone.
"You will visit?"
"Of course," Elizabeth said. "Although I'm not sure Lady Catherine will have me. And I'll be certain not to stay when Mr. Darcy is in attendance."
"Oh, Mr. Darcy is not so bad. You may stay with us, of course, once we are settled. How is your father?"
"He is improving slowly. He has begun speaking again."
Charlotte's mouth relaxed into a warm smile. "Mr. Darcy was most interested to know of his condition when he arrived."
"He was? That is odd." Elizabeth paused, her brows knit together. She smiled to hide her confusion. Why would he care about her father? But then he claimed he loved her most ardently. Maybe she was wrong about more things than she knew.
Charlotte smiled again. "I'm glad he is improving."
Lady Lucas stood apart from the crowd and tapped a spoon on a champagne flute to indicate breakfast was beginning, and in the overpacked room, people began moving to their seats. Charlotte and Mr. Collins were seated at the center table.
Mr. Darcy left his aunt's side and awkwardly tried to move against the flow in the crowded room, past the guests who stood and stopped to find their seats at the closely-set tables. He managed one or two steps and then was then forced to wait for the next matron or fellow to find a seat and sit down. Across the room, he met her eyes and his mouth turned up in an abashed way. Elizabeth returned a tentative smile, watching Darcy make his very slow way in her general direction. His facial expression shifted from patience and general tolerance and tipped to frustration with each guest on whom he had to stop and wait. Elizabeth suppressed her smile, although the sight of Darcy taking a step and then stopping every few feet was quite amusing.
Finally, he found his way to her. He bowed gallantly.
"Miss Bennet."
"Mr. Darcy, I feared you might never complete the journey all the way across the room past all the guests."
He exhaled slowly. "Yes, I could see that you were enjoying my tribulations." His lips quirked up in a half smile. "May I inquire after your father's health?"
"He is well. Improving, we think." Perhaps he didn't hate her even after their last conversation.
Elizabeth merely looked at him. He seemed less confident than she remembered him seeming at Netherfield. Had she been wrong about everything?
Behind him, Mrs. Bennet saw Elizabeth speaking to him. She harumphed and glowered in Mr. Darcy's direction.
"You have returned to Hertfordshire," she said simply, ignoring her mother.
His smile appeared again. "I have discovered I still have business to attend."
"Oh, I didn't know you had business here."
His face pinkened. "Well, business of a different nature."
She nodded.
He paused, looking as though he wished to say more, when Lady Lucas clinked her glass again, reminding everyone to take their seats.
Author's note: What do you think so far? Any feedback is welcome. I did have to put my beloved cat down on Thursday. Thanks for all the nice comments about that. So I'm seriously considering changing the title to The Darcy Rule (because I'm realizing it's more his rule than Elizabeth's). Or Mistakes Mr. Darcy Made. Does anyone have opinions on either title? Coming to the end (really!). Thanks for reading so far.