Chapter 12
"Miss Bennet, thank you for accepting my proposal, but I want to have the opportunity to tell you a little bit about me..." David was so nervous that he could not continue talking. Jane's quick acceptance had thrown him completely off balance, and he forgot the entire speech he had meticulously memorized.
"Colonel, you do not know how my life has been in the last weeks," said Jane, unable to hold back her tears. She had hidden her worry and anguish for almost three weeks not to worry her family anymore. Yet, at that moment, she did not know how she had released everything she had kept for so many days. "I am sorry, Colonel Smith. Please, excuse me for my foolishness," added Jane, drying her tears.
David's heart clenched when he saw Jane very sad, and he told her immediately. "Don't worry, Miss Bennet; I understand that things haven't been easy for you in the last few days."
Jane sat in one of the chairs in her father's study, and David sat in the front chair and didn't say anything until Jane stopped crying. "Do you mind if we talk about my marriage proposal?"
"Yes, Colonel. There are many details we need to discuss. But please, before you tell me your reasons for proposing to me, let me reiterate my thanks. I imagine you must be in dire need of a wife, and that's why you're here. But I want you to know that nothing of what people in Meryton say about me is true. I am a good and decent woman, and I will be the best wife you can have." Jane didn't know why she was saying all those things to David. She was always very reserved and hid her feelings even from Elizabeth, who was her dearest sister and best friend.
David understood that Jane was affected by everything and that the last thing she needed at that moment was a declaration of love from a man she hardly knew. "I know very well that everything is a lie, Miss Bennet. That evening, I was in the garden, and I saw everything that happened on the terrace. I even tried to counter the rumors but without any success."
"I'm glad you know that Mr. Bingley and I only spoke for two minutes and nothing more." Jane told David how the rumors began to circulate and that his family had been living in ostracism for almost two weeks.
"Unfortunately, there are many ill-intentioned people who don't realize the damage they do with their lies and intrigues," David added to reassure Jane.
"Colonel, you haven't told me why you need a wife," Jane said a little more calmly.
"I need a wife so my family doesn't worry much about me. My father says that I live a kind of nomadic life and that I should leave my job and take over the family business. I love my career and intend to continue as an officer in his majesty's service until I ascend to the rank of General. If I marry, my father will not be able to say that I live as a man who thinks only of himself." David's father had always told him that he should settle, get married and start a family, so he was somehow not lying to Jane.
"I'm so glad I can help you like you're helping me," Jane said, smiling for the first time. A faint but serene smile revealed she was feeling better.
"Miss Bennet, I just want to ask you a favor that is very important to me." David told Jane that he was very close with his parents and his sister and that for that reason, he preferred that they not know the truth about their union. "My father, but especially my mother and my sister, would feel very sad and disappointed if they knew our reasons for getting married."
"I understand perfectly, I don't want my family to know anything either, and I think I know what we should tell all of them. Since you were in the garden the night of the Netherfield ball, I can say that I went to talk to you. But, Mr. Bingley interrupted us, and someone malicious created the false rumor that I was in an intimate encounter with that man.
"I think it's an excellent idea, Miss Bennet. In fact, several servants saw me in the garden. Besides, I had to travel to London on personal matters, and I can say that it was to arrange some matters before our engagement." David thought that version was pretty close to reality, so he felt he wasn't lying.
They chatted for two more minutes about everything they planned to say. But David needed to tell her something important before Mr. Bennet returned to the study. "Before we conclude our conversation, let me tell you that it is essential to me. Miss Bennet, you must know that I intend to respect your space and will never impose my presence on you."
Jane couldn't help but blush, but she didn't shy away from the conversation. "Colonel, since I met you, I have thought that you are an honorable and hard-working man. I know that all the medals you have won have been for your courage and honesty, which is why I know I am making the right decision to accept you. But I also want you to know I'll be a good wife, and I do not need much to be happy," Jane concluded and took David's hand.
"My salary as an officer would allow us to have a decent life, but I have other sources of income, so I want you not to worry about money. You will have the life you deserve." David would tell Jane more about his family at another time.
"I know very well how to save money, and you will see how we will never lack for anything," said Jane, more animated.
He smiled and stroked her cheek, "Thank you, Miss Bennet. May I ask you to call me David when we are alone?"
"Yes, and you can call me Jane."
Just then, Mr. Bennet returned to the study, and Jane and David told him that they were engaged and needed only his blessing to marry. Due to Jane's situation, they decided that the wedding would be in less than a month but that the engagement would be announced the following day.
David was comfortable with his decision and confident that, in time, Jane would learn to love him, at least as a good friend. For her part, Jane was much calmer than she had been in days and content with her decision.
She knew she could never love anyone again after suffering a terrible disappointment with Mr. Bingley. She had lived for several weeks, excited to meet the writer of the wonderful story. But, after he asked her to go to the terrace to talk about it, he simply abandoned her. She didn't want to be carried away by her feelings anymore and preferred to have a life next to a man she was sure she could admire.
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Elizabeth was very confused when her father announced the engagement between Jane and Colonel Smith at dinner that night. The news no doubt came as a great surprise to everyone, and even Mrs. Bennet left her bedroom and joined the family for the celebratory dinner.
Over dinner, Jane told the family what she and David had agreed on. David was very patient in answering all the impertinent questions from Mrs. Bennet and her younger daughters, but he was so convincing that everyone believed what he told them except Elizabeth.
Mrs. Bennet immediately began planning social gatherings, dinners, and much more so that she could show all of Meryton that her daughter was getting married. Also, she planned to have a wedding that would be remembered for years, but Jane and David told her they preferred something simpler because there was no time for a lavish wedding. In addition, David explained to Mrs. Bennet that in a few days more, he would have to travel to London to inform his superior officer about his wedding and to Manchester to tell his parents the news.
The only one who wasn't happy was Lydia because she had always dreamed of being the first to marry and because she didn't like Colonel Smith because he seemed very serious and boring. Also, neither Wickham nor Denny liked the Colonel with the bushy beard because he was very strict and wouldn't let them have fun.
On the contrary, Mary and Kitty liked how patient and easy to talk to David was. The Colonel was different from the other officers, who used to be rude and vulgar.
The day after the dinner, Mrs. Bennet and Jane went to Meryton to shop. David joined them so that everyone could see him with Jane. In addition, Mrs. Phillip organized a small social gathering in her house and invited the Long and Newland sisters to tell them the news of Jane's engagement. Mrs. Phillip was a great gossip and knew how to counter or start a new rumor. That's why she invited Meryton's gossip girls to make sure her plan worked.
When the Long and Newland sisters realized a new rumor was spreading, they immediately changed their minds and version. Not to mention that they wanted to be invited to the wedding because it would probably be Meryton's only major event of the season. So, they began to spread the new rumor that Mr. Bingley had tried to separate Jane from Colonel Smith by interrupting his proposal on the terrace. In a few days, Jane went from being a libertine woman abandoned by a man who did not love her to a good woman victim of a scoundrel. Also, they added that Mr. Bingley's sisters started the old rumor to ruin Jane's reputation in revenge because she had rejected their brother.
Jane spent two days avoiding Elizabeth because she needed to focus all her energies on her new reality and didn't want to argue with her.
"Jane, can I come in?" Elizabeth asked when everyone had gone to sleep. She saw it was still light in Jane's room and thought it was the best time to talk to her.
Jane was reading the Adventures of General Robinson for the last time. She knew that whenever she read that story, she would think of another man, and she didn't want to do that to Colonel Smith. She didn't want to think about one man when she married another. She intended to throw all the pages into the fire, but for some reason, she couldn't. So when she heard Elizabeth's voice, she put them away in her nightstand drawer.
"Come in, Lizzy," Jane nervously replied because she knew why Elizabeth was there.
Elizabeth entered the room and immediately said. "Jane, are you sure you're doing the right thing? Jane, we can go to Canada with Aunt Alice if you want... Dear sister..."
"No, Lizzy. I haven't done anything wrong to run away from my family and country, but besides, I could never force you to leave your land and your life. If you want to go with Aunt Alice, let it be because you want it and not because of me."
"I understand, but Jane, you are in love with Mr. Bingley..."
"No, Lizzy, I was in love with an illusion, a person who never existed. Or do you think I can love someone who played with my feelings and abandoned me?"
"No, Jane, he doesn't deserve your love. But I don't want you to marry like this. You deserve to love and be loved, my dear Jane."
"My future husband is a great man, and I do not doubt we will have a harmonious marriage."
"Yes, Jane, I know that Colonel Smith is an excellent man, and with all my heart, I want you to be happy with him. It's just that I would have liked to see you happy and excited about planning your wedding and not as if it weren't one of the most important days of your life."
"I know, Lizzy. But please don't feel sorry for me because I'm happy with my situation. A few days ago, I only thought about running away from my family and home, and Colonel Smith has allowed me to have my life back. I don't want to be the foolish Jane anymore, but rather a woman who will support and never fail her husband."
Elizabeth was heartbroken to hear her sister talking so coldly and didn't want to continue arguing with her. She had witnessed how Jane suffered in silence the weeks after the ball. So, she decided to support her in everything. "Jane, I wish you all the happiness in the world, and I hope you know that you can always count on me for whatever you need," Elizabeth said and hugged her sister.
"Thank you, Lizzy, but promise me you won't worry about me anymore. I am and will be alright," Jane said and kissed Elizabeth on the cheek.
Rumors of Colonel Smith and Jane Bennet's romantic love affair and engagement reached Harriet Forster's ears. She attempted to counter the new version of the Netherfield incident, but no one paid attention to her, so she had to give up to prevent anyone from questioning her motives. But she was furious and tried to make the last attempt to stop David from marrying Jane.
Colonel Smith was happy and optimistic. Although since their first conversation in Mr. Bennet's study, he and Jane had not spoken in private. He saw that Jane was content and smiling after being so depressed. She was still gaunt, but he thought it was natural after spending several weeks practically without eating. Kitty had told him everything that had happened to Jane since Mr. Bingley abandoned her.
He planned to travel to London the next day and then north to talk to his parents. He would return to his house in Meryton only the day before the wedding but would ask his sister Rebecca to travel to Hertfordshire to help Jane with whatever was necessary. Furthermore, he continued to write Hidden Feelings because he wanted to give the complete story to Jane when he found the right time to tell her the truth.
Fortunately, David finished the last round of the troops earlier than he had planned so he could visit Jane. Then, when he was ready to mount his horse and go home to change his clothes, a female voice spoke to him.
"David, you will never be happy with a woman as stupid as Jane Bennet. You need a woman who knows how to please you and not some cold chit who probably doesn't even know how to kiss a man." Harriet was furious, but she was even more obsessed with Colonel Smith.
"Madam, I won't tell you what you deserve just out of respect for your husband. I know very well that you tried to tarnish my betrothed's reputation, but it didn't work. So it would be best if you do not speak to me again. Also, if you approach my future wife, I will talk to your husband." David mounted his horse and rode away from Harriet.
She was almost out of control when a caramel voice told her. "I believe, my dear Mrs. Forster, we have a common enemy."
"You hate damn Smith too?" Harriet asked Wickham.
"Hate is a powerful word, Harriet. But let's just say he got in my way once, and I do not easily forget when someone meddles in my business."
"I do hate him, though not as much as hateful Jane Bennet," Harriet said uncontrollably.
"How interesting; I also have a Bennet on my list of people I want to get revenge on. Maybe you and I should unite our forces since we have so many enemies in common, don't you think?"
"I think it's an excellent idea. What do you want me to do?"
"I think we should wait, for now, Harriet. Sooner or later, we'll find a way to get back at them," Wickham said, smiling.
Harriet smiled too, thinking that who laughed last always laughed best.
P&P
Georgiana was surrounded by family, and her dear brother arrived two days ago to spend Christmas and the end of the year celebrations with her. She had a lot of fun with her cousin's little son and was very excited about the new baby. She had practically forgotten about Mr. Wickham and realized what she felt for that man was just a foolish sentiment of a girl who knew nothing about life.
Also, she was delighted because she had resumed her friendship with Elizabeth Bennet. Finally, she was able to thank her for protecting her from what could have been the worst mistake of her life. But at the same time, she was a little worried about her friend because she sounded very sad in her last letter. She revealed a secret to her and told her that she wanted to emigrate to Canada with her aunt because she felt there was very little for her in England. Georgiana was not so innocent and understood that Elizabeth was a girl without prospects because her father's estate was entailed, and she had no dowry.
Thanks to everything that had happened in the last few months, Georgiana had matured a lot and could appreciate more than ever all the advantages that her privileged social position gave her. In addition, the experience with Mr. Wickham and Mrs. Younge taught her how to deal with people with double intentions.
"Georgie, why are you so serious? What are you thinking about?" Mr. Darcy asked his sister. Mrs. Annesley informed him that Georgiana was in the music room, and he had wanted to talk to her. The day was extremely cold, and he preferred not to ride to protect his horse.
"Nothing, dear brother. I was just thinking how hard life is for some people, that's all."
"And what or who inspired such thoughtful and profound reflection, my dear?" Mr. Darcy asked, a little surprised. He sometimes found it hard to believe that his sister was no longer a girl and that she reasoned as a much more mature person.
"Nothing in particular," Georgiana said and tucked Elizabeth's letter into her sheet music.
"Is it related to that letter you just put away? Who wrote you? Is someone bothering you?" Mr. Darcy asked worriedly.
"No, brother. This letter is from Lizzy, and she's a little sad and thinking about making decisions that can impact the rest of her life," Georgiana explained. Georgiana did not want to reveal Elizabeth's secret, so she did not mention anything related to Canada. Instead, she intended to honor her friend's trust.
"Ah, I'm glad to hear that you and Miss Bennet have reconnected," Mr. Darcy said, trying to hide his nervousness. "Does she have a serious problem?" he asked as casually as he could.
Georgiana knew that her brother had never liked Elizabeth and that he had a better opinion after revealing what she knew about Wickham. "No, William, she has no serious problems, or so I think. It's just that life is so unfair because Lizzy is such an intelligent, sound, and pretty woman, and it is so unfair that she has a very uncertain future. So much that she is thinking about... Well, making decisions that can change the rest of her life without even having much time to think about it."
"Do not worry, Georgie. Whatever decision she has to make, I am sure she will make a good one because she is an intelligent woman." Mr. Darcy said and then abruptly changed the subject. "Georgie, I want you to know that I have several presents for you this Christmas, but I had to leave some in London because they were too big to bring here."
Georgiana realized her brother didn't want to talk about Elizabeth anymore, and she replied enthusiastically. "I understand, brother. But you'll have to tell me at least what gifts you couldn't bring. I'll only be back in London in the spring, and I do not want to wait until then to find out what you've bought me."
"I will do it, but just on Christmas day," replied Mr. Darcy trying to smile.
Mr. Darcy and Georgiana talked for nearly half an hour about the family, Pemberley, and plans for the following summer when they could return to their estate together.
Since it was already close to dinner time, Georgiana excused herself and went to change clothes. The moment Mr. Darcy was left alone in the room, he immediately stood and looked out the window to watch the sunset and process everything his sister had told him. Then, he remembered Caroline Bingley mentioning that Elizabeth was betrothed to her cousin and that he was the heir to Longbourn.
"You can not marry that man, Elizabeth! You must reject him; I know you will reject him," Mr. Darcy said forcefully. But he knew he couldn't do anything but pray that it didn't happen because he knew she could never be happy with a man as ridiculous as Mr. Collins.
"I'd better get you out of my head forever. That's what I have to do," Mr. Darcy said without much conviction, feeling pain and anguish that made him feel miserable.
P&P
Thank you to everyone who leaves supportive comments and enthusiastically follows the story.
I just want to let you know that this second phase will focus more on Jane, but the third and final phase is about ODC. I hope you are enjoying the story of Colonel Smith because we will have several more chapters of him and Jane.
I know I promised you a wedding in this chapter, but it was a bit long, and I preferred to divide it into two, so you wouldn't have to wait so long for an update.
See you soon!
Saludos,
Yo