Chapter 19
Elizabeth, Kitty, and Mary congregated in an alcove. In front of them were two doors. The left led to their father and Lydia. The right led to Bingley and Jane.
"What do you think will happen?" asked Kitty.
"We can only pray for the best," replied Mary.
Elizabeth grabbed both of their hands.
"We may have to say farewell to Bingley," she said.
"No," whispered Kitty. The right door opened. Bingley appeared with a sad smile. "No!"
Apologetically, Bingley nodded.
"No!"
"We heard you the first time," muttered Mary, but her mien spoke of almost equal disappointment.
"Why?" cried Kitty, standing. She approached the gentleman and nearly collapsed in his arms. Her head shook as dreadfully as her body.
"My dear Kitty, do not waste your tears on me," said Bingley. Still, he allowed her to cry on his shoulder. "As I told Lizzy, I will always consider you all my sisters."
The left door opened, and Lydia skipped into the hall.
"Where is my Denny?" asked she. "We are getting married! Oh—Bingley, my papa says that he is able to speak with you now. Do take care not to provoke his temper. He is quite angry."
As Elizabeth took over the support of Kitty, Bingley thanked Lydia for conveying the message and congratulated her engagement. He mentioned Jane wanting time to be alone before he entered the lair that was Mr. Bennet's library. The left door shut once more.
"You are to marry Denny?" asked Elizabeth, half astounded. "Papa really approved of it?"
"He is a mere boy," said Mary. "Papa must be worried that people will discover what happened. There is no other reason for him to give his consent."
"Where will you live? With his mother?" questioned Kitty. She wiped the last of her tears off of her face. "They are poor."
Lydia revealed, "We will live at Longbourn. Papa has allowed it. As much as he pretends to dislike my Denny, he is actually fond of him. How could he not love him when my Denny is the smartest person in the room? I daresay my angel knows more about ailments than those physicians who were here some months ago. He certainly knows more than Mr. Jones. I will not be surprised if, in several weeks, papa will declare him his favourite."
"To live at Longbourn, married? How dreadful!"
Mary disagreed.
"It is generous of papa," said she. "If not for Mr. Collins, I would like to stay at Longbourn until my final days."
"Mama will be joyful when she learns that she will have my company instead of only yours and Kitty's," said Lydia.
Elizabeth, who had noticed the peculiar, affectionate behaviour between her parents, could not help but think that her mother's tender feelings had influenced her father's rather compassionate decision.
"Now, I must find my Denny," continued Lydia. "I must tell him that I am sorry for leaving him and allow him the opportunity to give me his own apologies, so that I may forgive him."
"He is with our uncle and Darcy," said Elizabeth.
"My poor angel! He does not like talking with unfamiliar, old people. I shall have to save him."
Lydia left them. Kitty followed, then Mary went away to read. Elizabeth stood alone. She wished to see Darcy, but knew that she could not avoid her mother if she wandered beyond the hall. As she contemplated Lydia's fate and her next movement, the left door opened and Bingley reappeared.
"So soon?" she asked.
"I am surprised as you are," he replied. "He agreed rather quickly."
"What of the contract?"
"He said that it is forgotten. Oddly, I do not think that it has anything to do with what happened with Lydia."
"You saved her. I thought that my father's gratitude would have meant something."
"I am sure he is grateful, but I think that the contract was meant to protect your family's future more than anything. Perhaps he feels secure now that you are marrying Darcy."
Elizabeth was silent.
"What is it?" asked Bingley.
"What if," suggested she, "my mother is—"
She gestured to her stomach.
Bingley blinked. A second later, his jaw dropped. "No!"
"It makes sense!"
"It certainly does! But what if the pattern of you and your sisters continues?"
"I suppose my father might also be thinking of my engagement, as you said. I do not wish to subject Darcy to the permanent company of my family, but I have no doubt of his generosity. I may have to save for a distant cottage for the future."
"It is no wonder my friend loves you," spoke Bingley, smiling. "As much as he is your protector, you subtly and uniquely protect him. I personally would have let him face your mother."
Mr. Bennet's voice sounded through the left door. "Elizabeth!"
"Oh, yes, I forgot. Your father asked me to send you in," said Bingley. "I put in a good word for you and Darcy; I sincerely hope that it helped."
As Elizabeth closed the door behind her, she tried to quell her disconcertment. Her father sat in his chair, appearing more tired than she had ever seen him. She waited for him to speak.
"These past days have been very long," he finally said. "I should have known that, with five daughters, my meetings with their suitors would have at least several unexpected elements. Your elder sister's gentleman has just rejected her, and your younger sister has somehow fallen in love with a male bluestocking. However, I was surprised most of all with you, my little Lizzy, and your chosen beau. Tell me that you did not accept Mr. Darcy due to a sense of obligation! I thought you hated the man."
"You cannot be against him after all he has done," spoke Elizabeth.
"Indeed I cannot. Even without his assistance, I would not have dared to refuse anything he asked of me. He is such a man that I would deny his aunt before denying him."
"Yet you expect me to be able to do what you say you cannot."
Mr. Bennet was silent, and not for the first time, Elizabeth was disappointed in his inaction.
"It does not matter. I love him, papa," whispered she. "I was wrong to judge him so harshly before. It might have taken some time, but we have come to understand each other more deeply than it seems possible. He has become my closest confidant."
"Over Mrs. Collins?" asked Mr. Bennet. "Over Jane?"
The answer flowed easily. "Yes."
"You must have noticed that I have lately become more sceptical of men. I have not forgotten Mr. Wickham's transgression against you in my own home. Then there is Mr. Bingley, who I highly regard as a gentleman. If I cannot trust him to love my daughter, whom can I place my confidence in? At least Denny will be here, where I will be able to see that he will treat Lydia well. You will not live so near. Could I trust this man to love you as you deserve, if I cannot observe him?"
"If you knew how ardent and unwavering Darcy's love for me is, you would think yourself silly for being worried," said Elizabeth. "We have been through too much to have his devotion questioned. He loved me still when he could not hope. His loyalty is strong, his feelings are true, and his actions are admirable and gentlemanly."
"What do I not know?"
She did not tell him everything, but he learned a little of Kent. It was enough to make him understand.
"I am flabbergasted," spoke Mr. Bennet. "Of course I cannot blame him for loving and pursuing you, my dearest daughter, but this degree of constancy is almost unheard of. Very few men would continue to want the women who have rejected them. Look how easily Mr. Collins shifted from you to the former Miss Lucas. A man who jumps from one woman to another after passionate proclamations is to be ridiculed rather than respected."
"I trust Darcy with my life and heart," said Elizabeth. "That will not change."
Mr. Bennet closed his eyes, and she thought for a moment that he was dismayed. She really feared when his eyes grew wet. Then he laughed, and she began to laugh as well, reassurance and the remembrance of a father's love overflowing within her.
"You love him," he stated.
"I do."
"And he loves you."
"More than anything."
"Then I believe I am able to live my following days in relative peace. You and Mr. Darcy will have my blessing," said Mr. Bennet. "Now, if you will bring Jane to me, I will not have to make Hill fetch her."
Elizabeth thanked her father with a daughter's embrace. Before she went away, however, she was curious enough to inquire, "Did your release of Bingley have anything to do with mama's state?"
"You will have to be more specific."
"Is mama with child?"
Mr. Bennet's eyes twinkled. He spoke, "If you will keep your mother unaware of your knowledge, and your sisters' knowledge, for you will no doubt tell them, I would be grateful."
Stunned, Elizabeth left the room.
She found Jane, eyes red and nose equally affected. Immediately, she felt a pang of pity. It was, however, nothing compared to her support of Bingley.
"I did not think that I would hurt so much. I thought that I was prepared," said Jane. She hiccupped. "But it is for the best. He deserves all the happiness in the world. It is over, and I do not want to talk about what will only make my heart suffer."
Elizabeth could not help but wrap her arms around her sister. Jane tightened their hug.
"I love you Lizzy. I will miss you when you are married."
"I love you too." She wished she could say that she would miss her as well, but it would have been dishonest. Fortunately, Jane only noticed what was good and was incredibly happy for it.
"I am glad you are not angry with me. I fear that mama will be disappointed with my broken engagement."
Elizabeth took the opportunity to distract her sister from her pain and said, "I was speaking to papa. Before I left him, he asked me to fetch you—but he also told me that we might have a younger brother or sister in several months."
It had the desired effect. Jane was so surprised that she forgot, at least for the moment, that she was sad. Sudden elation overtook her.
"A brother or sister!" cried she. "Oh, that is wonderful news!"
"It is. There has not been a babe at Longbourn for many years."
"How precious the babe will be!"
"And we must not forget the possibility of Mr. Collins being usurped."
"Poor Mr. Collins! I did not even think of that. But he has a nice living under his patroness, does he not? He will be happy for us, I am sure, even if papa will have a new heir."
"You think too highly of our cousin's generosity. Our brother would be quite mischievous to appear now, but I would wholly support his timely decision."
Somehow Elizabeth managed to evade her mother. She reached Darcy without interruption, and he happily allowed her to lead him to a private area in the gardens. Away from prying eyes, they took advantage of their time alone together.
She preferred his embrace to anyone else's. Her prior hugs with her father and sister were no match for the warmth, love, and comfort she experienced with Darcy. Inhaling his scent, she relaxed in his arms.
"I wish we were back at Pemberley," she said wistfully. She propped her chin on Darcy's chest. When she looked up, she her heart sped at the sight of dimples and a dashing smile.
"It is dangerous for you to say such a thing," spoke he.
"Will you whisk me away if I continue?"
"You tempt me."
"We will marry soon enough. You will be able to take me home then."
"Yes. Home." Darcy stroked her back. "A sennight, then we will be on our way home."
It sounded perfect, except Elizabeth knew nothing of the importance of a sennight.
"A sennight?" she repeated. "We are to marry in a sennight? How will it be possible?"
Darcy spoke with no shame. "When I was in London, I acquired for us a special license."
"All those weeks ago! We were not even engaged then!"
"I knew you would not spurn me."
"Did you speak with my father about our wedding date?"
"I did. He believes that it would soften any impending rumours about your sisters' own relationships. I think he knew that Bingley would come to him again to end his engagement, and that he would allow it."
She told him that Mr. Bennet knew of his first proposal. Darcy grimaced and held her tighter.
"Did he hate me for the pain I caused you?" he asked.
"Oh, no. I did not tell him the particulars of your address. I only said that you had proposed to me in Kent before your proposal at Pemberley."
"I hate that I was cruel to you."
"I was not terribly kind to you either."
"You were, before I provoked you. Even when you were furious you were elegant and graceful." His eyes were earnest. "I am incredibly sorry for proposing to you in the most insulting manner."
"You have made up for it since then," spoke she. "We are together now the happiest pair in the world. At least, I believe we are."
"Yes, we are. It is not to be questioned."
His touch was, at first, light, and she, too, was tentative. His fingers trailed from her cheeks to her neck, then lower, leaving her skin pink and alert. Slowly, she began to feel him as well. Her hand settled where his heart was.
"Yours," he murmured. He did not have to say it. She felt it, so vibrantly it was beating for her.
He bent his head, and she stood on her toes.
Afterwards, Elizabeth spoke breathlessly, "I suppose you were wise to retrieve a special license." She fondled his cravat. "The rumours in Meryton will quell, and my mother will be pleased at the distinction you so thoughtfully acquired."
Darcy laughed. "Yes, those are the reasons why the special license is prudent. Must you speak of your neighbours and mother now?"
"The former we could do without, but you will want to hear about mama. I have the most interesting news."
"It is incredible!" exclaimed Bingley. Since believing himself naturally unwelcome at Mrs. Bennet's table, he joined his two dearest friends in the gardens before he left the Longbourn grounds. "A child after all these years!"
"It is not so unusual. My sister is over ten years my junior," spoke Darcy.
"I have never been so excited for a birth."
"I suppose the anticipation of an heir alone makes it an exciting event."
"Do you have a preference for heirs?" Elizabeth asked the gentleman she was to marry.
His eyes locked with hers. For a moment, Bingley was forgotten.
"No," Darcy spoke finally. "I do imagine that we will beget one eventually. However, I would not be disappointed if we had only daughters."
Elizabeth could not escape the warm, tingling sensation she felt. To hear her handsome betrothed talk about their future family was new and marvellous.
"I cannot wait for you to have children," said Bingley. "Louisa and Hurst seem adamant to not have any at all, and I have my doubts about Caroline. As for myself, I fear that I will never fall in love again."
"Then Lydia asked for her name, and it turns out that she was someone important somewhere! Her name was Lady Cassandra. Lydia said that she was very beautiful, but Bingley complained about her all the way to Longbourn," said Kitty. Lydia had banished her forever from their room, stating that, as an engaged woman, she needed the privacy. Kitty then went to her other engaged sister, who readily welcomed her.
"It is not like Bingley to disparage someone not his sisters," mused Elizabeth.
"Lydia says that he positively hates her."
"He might protest too much."
"What do you mean?"
"His hatred seems entirely too strong. It is like he is denying his real feelings, or likely unaware of them."
Kitty hummed, then exclaimed, "Oh! Like you and Mr. Darcy!"
"Well, I would not make that comparison."
"Everyone thought that you hated him, but really you love him." Kitty wrinkled her nose. "Must you marry him? He frowns too much, and he lives so far."
"He has a house in town."
"Yes, but you will be there, instead of here. I have no doubt that your husband will selfishly have you to himself."
"Oh, Kitty, he is not like that."
The expression her sister wore spoke that she was completely unconvinced.
"He might prefer us to be alone more than not," conceded Elizabeth, "but he will never forbid the company of family and friends. We have Georgiana to care for, and Bingley, and then you must live with us for some lengths of time as well."
"Truly? I could come with you to your grand houses?" The excitement in Kitty's voice was unmistakable. "What of Jane?"
"She will not come," Elizabeth said simply. "Though Mary will be with us, if she chooses."
"She will state that she wants to stay at Longbourn, I am sure. I do not know why she chooses to have no fun, while Lydia is forced to forgo adventure," remarked Kitty. "Lydia pretends to be happy now that she has found her true love, but she hates having to live at Longbourn."
"She might do better here than far away, but I have sympathy for her. I would not be amused if Darcy and I were to live here."
"She will be jealous of me when she learns that you will take me instead of her and Denny, not that papa would allow it in any case."
"And how do you like this young Mr. Denny?"
"I find him quite pathetic! He looked positively ill when papa spoke to him at dinner. I was ready to like him, too, for I have always adored what Lydia adored, and loved whom she loved. What does it mean if my feelings do not align with hers this time? The more I think about it, the more I am of the mind that she should not have run away from Brighton in the first place."
Elizabeth tried to hide her smile.
"It means," she said, "that you are becoming an independent lady, and the world will cower as they are met with your fearsome, valiant soul."
Kitty giggled first, Lizzy laughed next, and together, they fell asleep.
Up Next: The border of Netherfield and Longbourn.
