Chapter 22:
The week that followed was difficult for Jane, but she was comforted by having Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy by her side. He was staying at Darcy House but would go her humble abode in Cheapside every day, spending the entirety of the day with them, feeling like the brother that she never had.
The funeral took place within that week and Mr. Darcy sat with the family, to the puzzled looks of the few that attended. However, he did not notice their stares nor their comments, he only whispered words of comfort to his Elizabeth and proudly stood by her side. He was welcomed warmly by Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. There were not many people from the ton but that did not prevent from word getting around that the newly widowed Mr. Darcy had found himself a rather pretty bride. He knew the moment he made the decision to accompany Elizabeth to London that this would be the case and he did not doubt his action, not even for one moment.
They were sitting in Jane's drawing room, Mr. Darcy reading a book, Jane dabbling with some embroidery, and Elizabeth answering a letter her mother had written earlier that day. Mrs. Bennet was still rather upset that Jane had insisted they do not attend the funeral—she was complaining to Lizzy about it, hoping she could influence her sister Jane and extend an invite. Mrs. Bennet longed to be there for her daughter and though Lizzy found her silly most of the time, she felt at this time, her mother was genuine.
"How long will you stay here, Fitzwilliam?" asked Jane, not looking up from her embroidery. She had almost finished the pink rose on the side and she was eager to finish it before the sun went down. Elizabeth did not know this yet, but this was to be part of her wedding gift. It was usually a mother's job to embroidery something for the couple, but their mother was not quite a loving mother, thought Jane wryly.
"I am not sure" said Mr. Darcy closing his book, "I do need to go back to check on George, however, I did not want to leave before discussing with Elizabeth our wedding details."
"Oh?" asked Lizzy, looking up from her letter. "We have not really spoken about that since we arrived here...I am sorry, Fitzwilliam."
"No, not at all. I am glad that we have been of comfort to Jane, or am I presumptuous in thinking that?"
"Yes and also yes" said Jane sweetly. "Well then, perhaps it is time we discuss it?"
"We?" teased Lizzy.
"Yes, we, I am your elder here and thereby taking the role of mama and papa in helping with your wedding" said Jane, smiling widely.
"Will you also be providing a dowry?" teased Lizzy, a dimple on her cheek.
"I would not take one, either way" said Mr. Darcy, interrupting the sisters, "Elizabeth, it is of no matter that I am still in mourning. I believe our appearing together has made a declaration of sorts and I have never cared for the opinions of others—as you well know" he added kindly, "Would you like to wait till half mourning or should we marry at once?"
"At once?" asked Lizzy, taken aback. She had not thought about it, not really. Since they had arrived she had been only thinking of Jane. And though Jane seemed to have been prepared, Lizzy was still coming into her room at night, comforting her while she sobbed and mourned her husband.
"I have not had a chance to think about it—if I am honest—however, I do not see a benefit in delaying. Perhaps we should marry in Longbourn?" asked Elizabeth.
"I shall speak to my solicitor and arrange the marriage contract. Once it is settled, we can go to Longbourn and arrange the wedding" said Mr. Darcy. He leaned in closer to Lizzy, reaching for her hands, "I know you do not care for a big wedding, I, however, would like to give you the closest and most beautiful wedding that your heart once desired. I do not want the circumstances to make you feel like we ought to be hiding or enjoying less. Our marriage is one of love" he added, kissing her hand lightly. Lizzy blushed and Jane kindly looked away, giving the couple their tender moment.
After taking a moment to compose herself, Lizzy closed her eyes and pictured the wedding she always wanted. She had not truly thought about it but she imagined it would be in Longbourn, followed by a wedding breakfast, and lots and lots of flowers. She conveyed as much and Mr. Darcy smiled, eager to please her.
"Consider it done, my dear" he said softly, "I shall call on my solicitor now, to get the contract in process." Lizzy and Jane nodded as he left the room, a lightness in the air.
The sisters had not had time to discuss what had occurred for a caller was announced.
"Miss Emily Rochester and Mr. Rochester" said the maid, showing them into the drawing room.
"Oh Jane!" exclaimed Emily, dressed in an appropriate black muslin gown. "I am so sorry for your loss!" She went over to Jane and hugged her tight. With someone else the expression might have felt disingenuous but Jane was truly touched. She knew Emily always said what she meant and that they had shared a friendship.
"I thank you for calling" said Jane softly. "Mr. Rochester, thank you for coming as well, would you like to sit down?" asked Jane kindly, noticing that he was standing still staring at Elizabeth.
"Please do not stand for me" said Mr. Rochester, who noticed Jane was about to stand for he had frozen into space. He should have knowing Miss Elizabeth would be there but he assumed she was in Longbourn.
"Miss Elizabeth" he said, once he had sat and could not longer justify staring at her without greeting her, "How lovely to see you, though I am sorry about the sad circumstances."
"Very sad indeed" said Lizzy, "Mr. Bailey was a very good man. My sister is very affected by his passing, I thank you for calling."
"Indeed" said Mr. Rochester, nodding his head and easing into a comforting silence. Emily and Jane kept talking, Emily feeling the best way was to encourage Jane to talk about her husband—and once Emily got started talking, there was no stopping her. Mr. Rochester's eyes said as much for her looked at Lizzy and she smiled, knowing exactly what he was referring to.
"I believe I am to congratulate you" he said softly, not wanting to interrupt their eager conversation.
"I thank you" said Elizabeth, "Yes, I am engaged to Mr. Darcy."
"I wish you both happiness" said Mr. Rochester, not surprised of the turn of events, though perhaps a tad surprised at how quickly they got engaged. He wanted to ask more but he did not think himself capable of caring such a conversation with ease so he retorted to silence.
After an acceptable thirty minute visit, Emily Rochester said her goodbyes and thanked Jane for receiving her, greeted Lizzy like the sister she would have been and the room was once again left with two sisters who had much to say but could say nothing at all.
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Hi! so short chapters are working for me at the moment, i find that this is about as much as i can write in once sitting and still get the ball rolling. I want to skip ahead but i also want to respect this part of the process as well as acknowledge how important it is for mr darcy to take this stand with lizzy. im not an expert on mourning rules, i did read up a bit about it and it seems that half mourning (6 months for a spouse) they can partake in almost everything, but we are going to maybe bend some rules here? feel free to share anything you may know about it. i didnt read anything that they could NOT marry while he was in mourning and since mr darcy lives in pemberley and doesnt like london, i dont think he would care if it wasn't according to the norms. he is also very eager to make amends to lizzy and he will not take the chance to lose her again.
p.s. love that someone checked out the drama! iknow its amazing, "love like the galaxy"-but dont check it out if u dont have 50 hours of your time to spend on it...its that addicting lol
