Dear Reader, I apologize that it's been so long. Truly, it's shocking to me how fast time passed. I hate it when I have to go back and reread to figure out what happened, so here is a brief recap. This is the one where Lizzy gives Darcy a piece of her mind in her father's study. Darcy writes Colonel Fitzwilliam and he joins the party. They patch things up a Netherfield. Collins shows up and Lizzy provokes him to propose to Caroline (many of you commented LMAO), setting off a flurry of other proposals. Bingley and Jane get engaged. Darcy gets rejected. Lizzy and Jane go to London. Gardiner speaks to Darcy and agrees to carry a letter. Lizzy forgives Darcy. Lady Cat shows up at Longbourn (where she threatens to send a governess), Netherfield(she threatens Miss Bingley's respectability), The Gardiners (threatens Lizzy) and Darcy House (she abuses Lizzy to Darcy giving him hope). Lady Cat provokes Darcy to go to Lizzy (inadvertently) and she receives a letter from her father that Lydia has run off, just before he arrives. Lydia is discovered, Darcy thinks Parker may be the solution.
Chapter 71
The party at Gracechurch street anxiously reviewed Mr. Darcy's note, which, as such, was limited to expressing Parker's desire to meet Lydia. They all breathed a sigh of relief for the potential for such a happy conclusion to such unhappy events. The following morning was selected for the momentous occasion that would, as such, play a role in all their fates. The morning was now upon them - Lydia and Colonel Parker held, to some extent, all of their futures in their hands. The weight of the occasion escaped not one of them - even Lydia came to consider the ramifications of this morning's event. Her aunt's gentle admonishments having been more of a success than any of them, even Lydia, had come to comprehend.
Their Aunt had the benefit of that evening to speak with Lydia yet again, impressing upon her that this may very well be her only hope of regaining all she had lost, and more so still. It was her ticket back into society; the ability to yet again dance, receive invitations and her status would rise; if she married she would be the hostess of her own table and be among the first of her sisters to be wed. Her aunt left her to understand that if she did not make a good impression - if she did not marry, it was almost certain that another good offer would not come along - her family's connections and consequence alone could perhaps secure her a tenant farmer or clerk for a ruined girl - this was her opportunity to be the wife of a gentleman.
However, if she earned his favor, and received an offer, it also came with a responsibility. It could no longer be her happiness alone which she sought, she must consider his happiness as well, for his sake and her own. This young man, Colonel Parker, who was offering her an opportunity at her own respectability, was deserving of every consideration; the happiness of the family that they would make must now take precedence over their individual happiness. Aunt Gardiner did the best she was able, limited by Lydia's understanding, to explain the importance of both partners having a reason for joy. Her aunt's message was clear; Lydia understood it, this was her chance and she would take it, no longer could she think only of herself; he would have a great deal of control over her own happiness.
Now, as the knock at the front door alerted them to their company, they tempered their hope as they well knew it could also be a death knell to their own happy futures. Jane and Elizabeth held their breath and glanced at their sister. Their sister was clearly determined to do her best, though now subdued, one could not so quickly make up for a lifetime of not being confined to that which was strictly proper. Their uncle shot her a glare, not out of cruelty, but out of a desperate attempt to provide her with the discipline whose absence had so marred her education; little did it signify though, as she readily dismissed it. Knowing a moment could hardly make up for a lifetime of lack, their aunt gave a kind look to all of them and nodded at Lydia, encouraging her to do her best.
Darcy, Bingley, and Parker were finally announced; seconds having felt like hours. The gentleman entered, each feeling concern for their own set of circumstances. Introductions were made, and polite, though stilted conversation commenced.
True to form, though highly subdued in the view of those who knew her, Lydia began to take center stage. Her liveliness could be repressed for only so long, as she and Parker spoke, recognition of the admiration in his eyes dawned on her and she felt encouraged through the perceived advantage to work at gaining his affection. Her enthusiasm for chatter began to draw him out, her flirtation began to barely retain its newfound harness.
Though he was a bit embarrassed to confess it, even unto himself, he found the liveliness in her rather pleasing. He understood at once Darcy's attraction to her elder sister, her spirits provided relief from his levity, he hoped he could find the same with the sister. He could see the similarities between the two, hoping Lydia would gravitate towards Elizabeth's nature as she matured. He knew she would never have the same spark of intelligence in her eyes, but they were fine all the same. He believed, with the maturity that life was naturally bound to provide, that she would ultimately develop into a woman far more sensible of the dangers in the world. He knew his mother's influence could be the turning point in Lydia's life and allowed himself to enjoy her company. It felt almost a relief, to allow himself as much, as his sensible nature would not have allowed him to indulge in considering a woman so prone to silliness under ordinary circumstances. All things considered, Parker was convinced they would have as much chance at happiness as any.
He asked that she would tell him of her family, and she graciously obliged. Delighted to share the joy of Jane and Bingley, decry Mary's pedantic and religious air, describe her closest sister's tastes as tolerable, and finally arriving at Darcy and Elizabeth declare it a fine joke. "La, for who should want to marry someone they thought too ugly to dance with!"
Darcy blushed. Parker blushed for him, raising an eyebrow that insisted an explanation be provided at a later date. Even Jane and Bingley couldn't keep their countenances. As Lydia clearly meant to continue, Elizabeth shot a desperate look at her aunt, who immediately suggested the young people take advantage of the weather and go for a walk. They gladly obliged, happy to disrupt the current conversation; with the exception of Lydia, who, as it were, was oblivious to her indelicacy.
As they readied to leave, Parker requested an audience with Mr. Gardiner, and nodded towards Darcy, feeling himself decided enough to relieve the room of its most pressing concerns. He had known before he had met her that she was spirited and indiscrete, what he had not counted on was the lust for life, the desire to really live again that he felt upon engaging with her. He was ready for a new chapter, and so was she; they would embark on this life together if she would have him.
As they exited the townhouse they naturally began to move in pairs, leaving a desirable distance for privacy amongst their parties but never straying far enough to be improper. Jane and Bingley saying little, Lydia could be heard laughing at her own depictions of Darcy & Lizzy's courtship, prompting Parker to frequently look back, shooting them a questioning look.
As our dear couple increased the distance between themselves and the others, Darcy turned to Elizabeth with hope in his eyes, well-tempered with hesitation. Would Elizabeth have him now that all was resolved with her sister? She interrupted his musing by saying,
"Well sir," she said, eyes sparkling with mischief, warming his heart as she couldn't mean to hurt him while such joy danced in her eyes, "If you have something you still mean to say to me, I would have you say it."
Darcy exhaled the weight of the world, never believing things could be resolved so soon, though the worst was behind them and her sister would be married. He turned to her and said, "My dearest, loveliest, Elizabeth. My affections and wishes are unchanged, I beg of you to end my suffering and consent to be my wife."
"I am finally able," she said, lifting her face to look him in the eyes, "to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness and yours, without reference to the effect on my poor sisters, or your's. Nothing should make me happier than to finally accept."
Knowing it to now be fully within his right, though hardly proper in so public a setting, he could not keep himself from finally kissing her, seeing it was her wish as well when her eyes drifted to his lips.
Parker and Bingley, knowing their friend's rigid sense of propriety, gaped with more incredulity than the maidens. When Darcy's lips finally broke away from hers she stood firmly on her toes and kissed him yet again. She was decided one such kiss would not be enough, and resolutely pursued her goal. He could have been knocked over with a feather; having never been so delighted.
To the benefit of Mr. Gardiner, he had missed both kisses, having turned from the window to speak to his wife. Mrs. Garidner, though herself firmly of the belief it would never due to be any less than proper, decided not to alert her husband, as he had quite enough to deal with in regards to his nieces. She quickly concluded that Mr. Darcy was a gentleman, therefore matters between himself and her niece must be decided. Her instincts proved correct when upon their return Mr. Darcy requested an audience immediately following Parker. When it looked as though her youngest niece would expose the matter, she quickly shot her a firm look and quietly declared there would be an extra bonnet in her trousseau if she chose instead to exercise discretion.