A/N

HLW - Chapter 6 for your perusal, hope you enjoy.

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Her Last WordsChapter 6

"Do you know who is responsible for Jane not allowing Mr Bingley to bring up any personal matters in their conversation?"

Darcy nearly jumped out of his skin as the question came at him so unexpectedly. He turned his head irritatedly and saw Mrs Bennet standing next to him with a belligerent look on her face. He opened his mouth to request the woman to stop creeping on him in this annoying manner, when he remembered that he was still attired in his banyan and flushed uncomfortably. Banes, his valet, was in the process of laying out his attire for the day when Mrs Bennet showed up, nearly giving him an apoplexy. In the guise of addressing his valet he shifted behind a nearby settee and felt a modicum of relief.

"Banes, I left the book I was reading last night in Bingley's library... I have been trying to remember a portion of a sonnet for the past few minutes – quite unsuccessfully I must add. Would you please go and retrieve the book before we get on with dressing for the day?"

If Banes was surprised by this arbitrary request, he did not let on. "Of course, Mr Darcy." He nodded and left to get the book. Since the book was already in his valise, Darcy knew that Banes would be away for quite some time. He might have felt bad for sending his poor valet on a fool's errand but there was no other recourse. He had no wish for anyone to hear or see him talking to thin air – even if it was his loyal Banes!

As the door closed behind the valet, Darcy turned and looked at Mrs Bennet once again. His first impression had been right, the lady appeared quite agitated. He sighed and dropped the idea of remonstrating with her for appearing in his room without a by your leave.

"I thought it was Bingley who could not gather the courage to talk about their personal issues?" he asked mildly, in a prudent but unsuccessful attempt to placate the woman.

"No, it was Jane who deliberately did not allow him to bring up the topic," was the bald response.

"Why would she do that?"

"Because she is not yet ready to talk to him about anything that would lead to a discussion about their... their friendship and its future."

"But... why? I was given to understand that Miss Bennet was left heart broken when Bingley decided not to return to Netherfield." Darcy's puzzlement was obvious and Mrs Bennet added to it greatly with her cryptic response. "Because of you, Mr Darcy."

"Me! Whatever do you mean by that, madam?" Darcy exclaimed. "And... what is the basis of these fantastical claims?"

"Last night Lizzy and Jane were discussing your and Mr Bingley's visit earlier in the day, and I decided to listen in."

"Of, course you did," Darcy muttered, but Mrs Bennet ignored the interruption and continued. "Lizzy asked Jane how things had progressed between her and Mr Bingley, and Jane then admitted that she had ensured that their talk remained on impersonal matters."

"But what has that got to do with me?" Darcy asked in some irritation.

"Well... sir, by proposing to Lizzy, despite having a number of objections against the alliance, you – according to Jane – have showed how a gentleman behaves when he knows his mind and is constant in his heart. It would appear Mr Bingley does not measure up to these high standards," Mrs Bennet replied dryly and watched with satisfaction as Mr Darcy's eyes widened in shock.

To discover last night that Jane was in two minds about Mr Bingley, and Lizzy had been stupid and stubborn enough to reject Mr Darcy's hand in marriage had shocked and angered Mrs Bennet. Additionally, the implications of Jane not marrying Mr Bingley and the affect that would have on her own uncertain status had agitated her further. Feeling furious with Mr Darcy for hiding relevant information from her, she had come here to confront him at the first available opportunity.

A visibly discomfited Darcy continued to stare at Mrs Bennet for a long moment. "Eli... Miss Elizabeth has... discussed about my offer of marriage with Miss Bennet?" he finally asked in a constricted voice.

"Yes, a few days ago if I understood their conversation correctly. But she had no other option – Jane found her reading a letter written by you."

"Oh! She... she still has the letter?" Darcy asked foolishly.

"It would appear so – if she still reads it."

In the ensuing silence, Mrs Bennet keenly observed the tall, proud man, who stood staring determinedly out of the window. The manner in which he clenched and unclenched his hands revealed the agitated state of his mind. She had been infuriated when she came here, but now as she stood watching his tormented face, she felt the anger draining out of her. She recollected the discussion she had heard between Mr Darcy and his aunt on the day of her demise, and finally understood the reason why he had so staunchly supported Lizzy that day.

'Oh, Lizzy, you foolish girl,' she thought and her frustration with her second born could not be contained any longer. "Lizzy never does know what is good for her and I am really at a loss to know what that young lady wants in life. She had earlier rejected Mr Collins' offer of marriage as well... and did not cede an inch when I insisted..."

"What! You wanted her to marry that pompous buffoon? During my visit to Rosings, I had the misfortune to see how the current Mrs Collins struggles to manage his stupid vulgarities. A lifetime with him would have sucked all the joy out of Elizabeth's life. She would have been miserable," Darcy interjected angrily.

The passion with which Mr Darcy was championing a woman who had rejected his heart so summarily, surprised and impressed Mrs Bennet in equal measures. It was only now that she was able to appreciate Jane's arguments from last night. However, it was still not easy for her to admit that she had been wrong to promote Mr Collins' suit for Elizabeth.

"I do believe you are being too harsh on Mr Collins. I acknowledge that he talks too much, especially about his noble patroness, but... but then he also revealed how much Lady Catherine values his sage advice. I..."

"I believe you saw his noble patroness in all her glory that day in my study, madam," Darcy interrupted her dryly.

Mrs Bennet's eyes widened as she recollected the vile accusations of the old crone. "Oh..." She was silent for a long moment as she digested this information. "Perhaps it was as well that Mr Bennet supported Lizzy on the matter," she finally admitted.

"But... I do not understand why she would reject your offer – you at least are not a pompous buffoon!" Mrs Bennet complained in an aggrieved voice, conveniently forgetting that she herself had advised Elizabeth to not even accept a request for dance from that proud, disagreeable Mr Darcy!

Darcy sighed, not at all liking to lay bare his foolish conduct and wounded heart – even to a spectre. However, in all fairness he had to admit the truth. "If you had heard my offer of marriage, Mrs Bennet, you would definitely rethink that statement."

He winced when Mrs Bennet replied thoughtfully, "Hmm... Lizzy did point out to Jane last night that your proposal was extremely offensive..."

After a while she asked tentatively, "If you do not mind my asking, what exactly did you say that was so offensive?"

"You do not want to know, Madam," Darcy replied evasively but when she continued to stare at him enquiringly, he muttered, "Suffice to say that I listed out all the reasons – in full detail – that had initially made me reluctant to offer for her."

For a long moment, Mrs Bennet stared at him open-mouthed. "But... why would you do that? To be honest, I do not consider myself the most intelligent of women, but even I can tell you that listing out someone's failings just before asking for their hand is not really a recipe for success," she protested after a while.

Darcy flushed at the amazed wonderment in her eyes. "I... I just wanted to let her know that I was not asking for her hand as a result of some wild impulse... that... I had thought things through and was willing to fight for our future together," he burst out in his own defense.

"Well... that is certainly one way of looking at it," Mrs Bennet agreed dryly, and she might have said something more but his glum expression stayed her tongue.

"M... Mrs Bennet?"

"Yes?"

"Umm... how... how did Miss Elizabeth react when Miss Bennet revealed her reasons to... to avoid... talking to Bingley at present?"

Mrs Bennet looked on in amusement as Mr Darcy appeared to be tying himself in knots just to ask about Elizabeth's reaction to Jane's praise of him. Unfortunately, she did not have anything very encouraging to tell him.

"Well... it is difficult to tell with Lizzy, Mr Darcy. She did not argue when Jane suggested that your unfortunate manner of proposing actually proved her point. According to my eldest your... er... unique proposal only demonstrated the strength of your feelings. Despite having many reservations against the alliance, you overcame them to make Lizzy an offer. The only thing I can tell you is that Lizzy appeared in a contemplative mood after the discussion."

When Mr Darcy did not seem very pleased with her response, Mrs Bennet thought of suggesting a remedy. "Are you still keen to marry, Lizzy?" she asked boldly, quite enjoying the freedom that being a spectre was providing her.

Darcy's lips tightened at the query but he was fair enough to acknowledge that he had invited it by revealing his interest in Elizabeth's reaction. "If only one could snuff out emotions as one would a candle," he replied obliquely.

Mrs Bennet's eyes widened a little at the poetic response. "I will take that as an affirmative. In that case why do you not offer for her again, after excluding the er... offensive bits from it?"

"Oh Lord!" Darcy rubbed his face in agitation. "Please pardon me for saying this... but you seem to have completely forgotten that your family... your daughters... they are in mourning – for you! Even if Miss Elizabeth did not dislike me already what impression she would have of... of my character... my sensitivity, if I went around renewing an offer of marriage so soon after her bereavement?"

"Oh!" Mrs Bennet appeared nonplussed for a moment. "I obviously did not consider that particular concern, but perhaps..." she began but Darcy interrupted her.

"And even if I decently could, I would not offer for her at present. Had you heard how Miss Elizabeth responded to my first proposal, you would not have advised me to do so. The truth is she does not like me very much, and the manner of my proposal was the least of the offences she holds against me."

Mrs Bennet opened her mouth to ask about these offences but something in his closed expression made her desist. To be honest, she could even make a guess about one or two as her mind flew back to the night of that assembly all those months ago. She sighed, not really knowing what to say to him, and chose to remain silent.

Although Mrs Bennet did not seek any further information, Darcy, to his surprise, found himself revealing more to her. It was almost cathartic to speak about it to someone – especially as there was no danger of that someone revealing his secret to anyone else. "One of her accusations was due to deliberate misinformation and another one due to misunderstanding of my intentions. I have shared all the pertinent facts with her... in that letter you mentioned... and can only hope that she will believe them. However, to my utter shame, I have realized that she was entirely correct in castigating me for my conduct in Meryton last year. Consequently, I can contemplate approaching her again only when I can show her that I have at least tried to make amends."

Mrs Bennet stared at him speechlessly. It was difficult to believe that this was the same supercilious Mr Darcy who used to behave as if he considered it beneath his dignity to converse with anyone in their neighbourhood. Something had obviously brought about a change in him and whatever she had seen of it – it was all for the good. 'Oh Lizzy, I do hope that you soon realize what a mistake you made in rejecting his hand.'

"Then all I can wish you luck," she said finally and Darcy nodded in response.

As the silence between them lengthened Mrs Bennet decided to leave. Now that they had discussed the matter of Mr Darcy's proposal, it seemed foolish and petty to blame Jane's reluctance to reconcile with Mr Bingley on him. 'But what will happen to me if Jane does not marry Mr Bingley?' She sighed unhappily. "Well, then I..."

"What is it Mrs Bennet? Why do you appear so sad all of a sudden?"

"I was just wondering what would I do if Jane does not marry Mr Bingley? Would I forever remain like this – stuck in between two worlds – where no one can see or hear me."

Darcy stared at her woebegone face and tried to console her. "When we were coming here, Bingley had been eager to apologise to Miss Bennet for all that has happened in the past few months. Last night, as we talked, he appeared quite determined to have his say when we visit Longbourn later today. Perhaps Miss Bennet will forgive him after all."

"I certainly hope so. Let us see how things progress." Unfortunately, Mrs Bennet still appeared forlorn and almost without volition Darcy found himself suggesting, "Umm... Mrs Bennet, if it so happens that Miss Bennet and Bingley do not reconcile... and... you do find yourself stuck between two worlds... then you are welcome to stay at Pemberley. Only if you wish it of course... At least you will be near the one person in this world who can see and hear you."

There was a long silence as a Mrs Bennet stared at Darcy in stupefaction, and she had to clear her throat before she could speak. "I suppose this must be a first in the history of the mankind... when someone is themselves requesting a spectre to haunt their abode!" ere she finally said with an odd laugh.

Darcy seemed much struck by her description and chuckled as he realized its truth. "Perhaps, Mrs Bennet, however, I stand by my invitation."

"Thank you, that is extremely kind of you, Mr Darcy, even if quite foolhardy," Mrs Bennet replied with a pleased smile, and after a moment added softly, "I do not know whether you and Lizzy will ever be able to reconcile your differences. But I very much hope that it happens, as I would be very proud to have you for a son." Just before vanishing she gave a sudden mischievous grin. "And it is not because you are rumoured to own half of Derbyshire."

~§§§~

Her Last Words

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