I'm so sorry it's been so long. I wrote the epilogue some time ago (it's my favorite chapter) so I'm sure I'll finish the story this week. This is the one where Darcy overhears Lizzy's opinion at Lucus Loge, Darcy botches the apology in Mr bennet's study. Colonel Fitzwilliam comes to match make. Collin's proposals cause confusion (especially the one to Miss Bingley), and a flurry of other proposals. Lizzy & Darcy make things right, Lat cat send a governess, Lydia elopes, and ends up with Darcy's friend carter.
Chapter 74
The ladies and their respective gentleman suitors spent the next few days shopping, courting, and adjusting their lives to their impending nuptials, and thus they had arrived at Longbourn; none eager to finish their courtships under their parent's supervision having been previously provided with the faithful good sense of both their aunt and uncle. Even Lydia it seemed, came to understand the value of their aunt's tutelage that their mother could not be expected to provide; she gave their aunt the longest and sincerest goodbye, insisting on correspondence, and thinking little of any inconvenience on her aunt's behalf. Lydia was still Lydia, but she was atleast expressing a willingness to learn; a decade's worth of sense had simply failed to yet catch up with her.
Immediately upon their arrival in the drawing-room Mrs. Bennet was struck dumb having heard nothing of her other two daughters' suitors from her husband. Upon seeing Mr. Darcy it to mere moments for her logic to lead to matrimony and escape her lips sooner than it had fully formed in her head. "Oh I know how it would be, so soon as Lady Catherine told you that you could not wed Mr. Darcy I knew that you would insist upon doing so. Though I'm little inclined to show her any courtesy, I daresay in this matter, I find myself obliged. When I declared it to Mrs. Long she scoffed at me, but I daresay when she sees you at the alter Lizzy, she will believe it then. What pin money you shall have!" She then turned her attentions to Carter, recalling that she had three daughters neither engaged nor wed and insisted on an introduction declaring her love for a man in a red coat. As soon as the introductions were complete, she insisted he stay for dinner, as she began recommending her dearest daughter to him at once.
Elizabeth was careful not to display her vexation, she knew her mother could not comprehend her previous objections and likely viewed a daughter wed as a triumph more important than any other consideration. Furthermore, if she could no longer comprehend those objections to Mr. Darcy herself; it was hardly rational to expect someone of her mother understanding to. She instead turned her attention on Charlotte Lucus.
"Well Lizzy, the last the neighborhood heard from you on the matter, you were heard calling him a debauched libertine, it's no wonder they expressed surprise at your marrying him," said Charlotte and with a playful smile, she added, "Nor did anyone know that you became tolerable enough to tempt him, before his ill-fated proposal. It seems the two of you have some work to do before your nuptials; aiding society's credulity in the matter of matrimony between the two of you. It seems your mother's speculation that you would except him as soon as his aunt forbid it was not nearing enough to suspend their disbelief."
" Oh, Charlotte, do not remind me of what I said. I'm ashamed of what I uttered now."
How earnestly did she then wish that her former opinions had been more reasonable, her expressions more moderate! It would have spared her from explanations and professions which it was exceedingly awkward to give; but they were now necessary, and to the whole of the neighborhood too!
As Paker spoke with Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth and Darcy took a turn in the garden, expressing their desire to stretch their legs after so much time in the carriage.
"Sir, before I say what I must. I beg you would remember that I grew up with these people and that they are consequential to me," said Elizabeth to Darcy.
"Whatever is a matter?"
"Nothing aside from the labors we now have before us in convincing the neighborhood we can intend to wed, as in general, the neighbors believe it to be entirely nonsense that better expresses my mother's imaginings rather than the actual state of affairs."
" If they are incredulous now surely they'll believe it when we're wed." said Darcy, unuse to explaining himself, failing to imagine what else could need done about the matter.
Elizabeth however saw the complications that could naturally arise from the matter, being far better versed in the art of managing society, "the last the neighborhood heard from us sir, you were calling me ugly and I was calling you debauched; we disputed in public, but we became friends in private. I do not wish my friends to believe that we marry for a reason other than our own inclination, especially with gossip about Lydia barely quelled. Though the elopement escaped their notice, her quick engagement surely will not. I would much rather our nuptials be better spoken of, I would no one doubting our rationale, which will only happen if the neighborhood is better able to see our regard."
Darcy who never enjoyed being a public spectacle began to see her point: it would do them no good in society, if they were believed to be married due to some sort of scandal, the matter was indeed comprised of more subtle nuances than generating and maintaining the general good opinion of the neighborhood; their union would insight gossip without local speculation fueling the rumors that would naturally occur in town when a member of the first circles took an unknown bride; it wouldn't do if her own neighborhood thought it an odd affair.
They together determined to endeavor that their disputes would remain private and their respect and affection would be made public. Steady in their resolve they publicly courted in the three weeks the banns were read; leaving no one doubting their mutual affection and all of the neighbors insisting that they had known all along that their protests to one another were only meant to hide their embarrassment at their budding regard.
