Thanks for all of your responses on Lydia and Wickham, some of you hit the nail right on the head, you'll see later in Elizabeth's musings on how it all came about.
Chapter 55
Elizabeth sat there, attempting to indulge herself in a novel, but could not quite keep her mind fixed upon the story, entertaining though it was, thoughts of Darcy kept intruding, stealing her attention from the diversion. Looking upon her book, Elizabeth mused that she had, in many ways, been her own antagonist when it came to matrimonial bliss; she, in the past, had always viewed that role as her mother's. Though in this instance that came as a relief as Mrs. Bennet had been unable to chase off Mr. Darcy, she thought it unlikely Lady Catherine would accomplish the task. She knew her musings were all in vain though, at least until her uncle returned and something could be done about the matter.
Suddenly, once again, a great rapping upon the door intruded upon her thoughts. Good Lord, could Lady Catherine believe a second attempt could yield more fruit than a first? Perhaps her ladyship saw some deficiency in her previous insults and was determined to rectify the matter. She scoffed, thinking surely nothing was beneath this great lady's attention, which could furnish her with an occasion of dictating to others. Perhaps she had found Elizabeth another groom that she also deemed suitable, or, she supposed, her ladyship could be here to deliver her aunt a new housekeeper, who would manage household affairs as Lady Catherine believed proper for those in trade. Elizabeth had no doubt Darcy's aunt would be in every way excessively attentive to such matters, surely the old woman thought it wouldn't do to have tradesmen with such elegant and fashionable taste.
As Elizabeth lost herself in her musing, the footman entered and handed her an express. She recognized her father's handwriting at once (little though he wrote), and felt herself immediately suffering trepidation, as he was unlikely to trouble himself with either a letter or an express, unless, of course, there was something greatly wrong. She read it swiftly and nearly collapsed upon her father's conclusion that the couple must be headed to London, where Wickham was unlikely to initiate matrimony, whatever it was Lydia believed.
Nearly the same moment that the gravity of the situation hit her, so did Darcy appear, arriving just a minutes after the letter. Having been right behind the footman, seeing her present state, he did not wait to be announced but instead rushed to her aid.
"Dear God," he said, after entering the parlor, and seeing her distraught. "Tell me I am not the cause of your misery, one word from you will silence me on the subject forever. Surely you know it was not my intent to distress you."
"Indeed not sir, I have just received word. Now, after I have finally learned my own heart, it is too late I fear. For this can never be made right without connecting you to Wickham, I couldn't bear it, I would never ask it of you, nor would you freely give it. I must then release you from any debt of honor which stems from your previous declaration."
He could barely understand her, had Wickham impressed upon her in some way? Was she now with his child? It could not be so, he couldn't believe it of her, though he could well believe it of Wickham.
"I've not the pleasure of understanding you madam, have you had dealings with Wickham, beyond which I am already aware?" He inquired, dreading the answer, but believing he must have misunderstood her.
"Surely not sir! It's my youngest sister, my father begs my uncle's immediate assistance and he, himself is hard on the heels of this letter. Neither my uncle nor my aunt is at home. But what is to be done, how is such a man to be worked upon? Lydia shall be ruined and us with her. And I who knew what he was, and knowing full well of her ignorance and infatuation, abandoned the matter, after swearing to ensure she was not caught in his deceptions. It was I alone who could have prevented this matter, yet I abandoned her to his charms, never imagining something of this nature could happen, though she believes it an elopement, she has nothing to tempt him, no fortune, no connections, he cannot mean but to abandon her, and I, who could have prevented it abandoned her too, thinking of nothing but my own comfort. I am utterly ashamed of myself."
All of her anguish, fear, and guilt was flowing out at once, with little semblance of a narrative, though it was beginning to make sense to Darcy, "I believe he meant to revenge himself upon me, madam. My cousin went to deal with his treachery before we left Meryton. He must have received word of my proposing marriage and thought only of me." A thought suddenly struck him, and he had to ask to know "You are too generous to trifle with me madam, if your feelings are what they once were, I would not bind you to myself with gratitude. You owe me nothing, this situation is of my making and so must the remedy be."
"You can not believe it of me," she cried. Now he would never know the truth of her affections, little good it would do her as he would never bind himself to such a man as Wickham through matrimony. "Though regardless I would have received you to beg assistance, to inquire if you knew of his whereabouts, I would not feign affection where I did not feel it, you must know that to be the truth. Though I know nothing could come of it, you would not make such a man your brother and without the marriage, my sisters and I will all be ruined, as by now, it must be well known in Meryton. I ask nothing from you, sir, only that any information you have may be passed to my uncle. The only regret I could have then would be knowing my heart too late. Though it would have been a far greater regret had we been bound when this had occurred, as you would have been unable to escape me and would have had to live with the regret. I could not have borne it, looking upon you daily knowing you would wish our union to be undone. I would not have you, nor your sister, suffer so in having that man as a brother. I suppose you've long been desiring your own absence; I will not hold it to your account."
"All is not lost Miss Bennet, I beg you won't give in to your despair," cried Darcy, feeling that though he had not the words to comfort her, he did have the means to right the situation, equally of his own making.
He bowed and began to take his leave. Whatever could he mean? she thought. "I must insist sir, on knowing what you're about. I fear for your safety if you indeed mean to confront such a man. I beg of you to think of your sister and think on how I could not release myself if harm came to you on behalf of my family. I'd trade the world to be held by you for but a moment. I must beg you to consider, and not make the matter more devastating still by seeking to rectify it."
He paused, struck dumb by her plea, opening his arms to her, himself also willing to trade all his possessions to but hold her. As she entered into his embrace, he finally spoke, "Elizabeth, there is no point in making a claim against such a man's honor, he would neither feel the sting of it nor care to defend it. Wickham only cares for coin, there is no disagreement with him that cannot find a resolution in currency. "
"My poor sister, to be stuck with such a man, but what else could be done about it? There is nothing to be done for it, they must marry, whatever misery it brings her."
"If he's revealed his true nature, and she is now willing to quit him, I daresay a better husband could be found. If she is determined on her course, in the end, it is she who will suffer the consequences, however young, or foolish, for that reason the choice must be hers, it would be just as bitter to believe herself to be robbed of something profound. One cannot form better character when regretting another's behavior, only when they see the error on their own. We can only pray she's unwilling to receive him."
"Indeed, what I would give to see her situated with a better man, who could have a good influence on her. But how could it come about? My father could not afford such an endeavor, we have no connections, surely no man would take a ruined girl with nothing to recommend her." she said, still safe in his arms.
"Elizabeth," he breathed, "You must know I would do anything for you."
She cried out, pulling back, just a little "But it is not your expense to bear, it would not be right. I could never ask it of you."
"Your sister is to be my sister as well if you meant what you said to my aunt. My feelings and wishes remain unchanged. What is such an amount to me? It is nothing compared to your happiness, if I should be willing to spend such a sum on your jewels, why not also on your sister's happiness? I know you well enough to know which of the two would bring you greater joy."
"But what of your sister? You can not mean for her to be a brother to such a man? I could not expect that of her. You must think this through, you cannot mean what you say."
"I daresay, she would understand better than most, and surely you understand he would never be welcome at Pemberley or Darcy House. I have thought of little else, since early in our acquaintance. Together we can address every objection to our union. I have no intention of letting anyone's opinion, but your own, stand in our way."
She began to tell him that she now no longer harbored objections, but before the first word quit her mouth, her family arrived. She was both relieved and vexed, as their assistance was needed, but their timing was unwelcome, she gave Darcy an encouraging but sad smile as she squeezed his hand in reassurance and turned to face her Aunt and Uncle, who seemed aghast, to find her in the arms of Mr. Dary, improper as it was.
What do you guys think of this Elizabeth and Darcy scene? Was it gratifying enough, in spite of Lydia and Wickham? What are your thoughts on them both having some clarity on their relationship prior to the elopement, unlike cannon? Knowing Elizabeth's feelings (because of Lady Cat) seems to give him the freedom to share his involvement with her because he doesn't need to be too fearful she'll respond with gratitude or obligation. But does that kill the angst that makes their uniting all the better? Or was there enough? Would you say it was moderate angst getting to this point? Were you ever just dying to see how they resolved things? Arguments, for some reason, are easier for me to write, so I'd much appreciate the feedback.