From the author:
Thank you, everyone, for the amazing reviews and encouragement! I know that I left this story years ago but I wanted you all to know that I will be posting as soon as chapters are ready. I have finished imagining, outlining, and writing the majority of this book. It will be around 80K - 100K words when it is done. I am so excited about what scenes I have coming up that I wish I could just tell you all right now :). Please read, enjoy, and review!
Chapter 4: A Compromise
"Elizabeth!"
Darcy and Elizabeth shot backwards from each other as if they had been yanked back by a cord. Darcy raked his hand through his hair and Elizabeth covered her face in shame. They both looked at Jane who stood frozen in the doorway.
Well that was that thought Darcy. They were caught by her sister no less. Of course, she would go running to their parents claiming a compromise. They would be forced to wed, and she would be his. It is not exactly the way he wanted the marriage to come about, but it certainly was a means to an end. There were worse women to be forced to marry. He started laughing as it dawned on him, he had spent years avoiding this exact scenario and it ended up being him who unknowingly orchestrated it.
"I do not know what you are laughing at Mr. Darcy" said Jane. "This is a very serious situation"
"I know, but it is alright. Do not worry I will marry Elizabeth."
"Marry me?"
"Well, yes. We've been compromised, Elizabeth".
"I do not believe a forced marriage is what my sister wants, Mr. Darcy. I see no need to tell a soul about this. I have not mentioned your dalliance with my sister in the woods and I have not called attention to your abhorrent behaviour towards her since that day. Though now I am truly regretful that I have misread your character. I believed Mr. Bingley when he defended you to me. But this is enough. She is a gentleman's daughter and should be respected and treated as such no matter how above us you feel. Our mother was right about you. Gentleman indeed. Come Lizzy,"
Elizabeth, although she felt sorry for Mr. Darcy, could not help but smile. She was in awe of Jane and could not feel prouder to call her a sister.
Mr. Darcy on the other hand felt like he had been slapped. He had never heard Jane speak so much and with such conviction. She was right of course. Everything she had said was right. Elizabeth did deserve more respect than to be directed to a private room with him. He ran his hand over his face in exasperation and embarrassment.
"Darcy!" As Darcy entered the hall, he was called by his friend Bingley who most certainly did not look pleased. "Darcy, Jane informed me of your little tryst. We will talk about this later when we get home. I am serious about Jane and I will not have my friend and guest treat her and her family in such a way. She is very upset."
"I thought she would not tell a soul" said Darcy resentfully.
"Well she told me as she felt there needed to be somebody to check your behaviour"
"Do not worry about that. She thoroughly checked my behaviour"
"We will talk about this tonight" Bingley said as he left his friend's side.
Darcy scanned the room to see where Elizabeth was. He felt her connection earlier and wanted to see if she was well and if there was still hope for him. Eventually he saw her with her with Miss Lucas and he caught her eye. She lifted her small hand to her mouth to cover her soft laugh and her eyes were lit with their usual playfulness.
As the evening came to an end the Netherfield party made their goodbyes and entered their carriage. Miss Bingley was less than pleased with how the evening had gone. That damned Miss Eliza had somehow weaseled her way into the heart of Mr. Darcy. She could not comprehend it. Eliza had no fashion, taste, or style. Her family was poor and wild. Yet despite all this somehow Mr. Darcy could not see how wrong Eliza was for him. Men, she thought. All they think about is a pretty face. With that thought she narrowed her eyes as she looked at her brother, clearly lost in thought and probably mooning over Jane Bennet. Caroline needed to get rid of the Bennet problem.
"Well Mr. Darcy it seems you have some competition for Miss Eliza. She was quite popular again this evening." Caroline said mischievously.
"She did look stunning" he replied.
"Yes, well, I heard that soon there might be a marriage"
Darcy rolled his eyes "Mr. Lucas is far too young to be able to offer anything serious." He said dismissively.
"Not Mr. Lucas, Mr. Darcy. I did say she was quite popular." Caroline gave a look to her sister.
Darcy shot a panicked look at Bingley who was now fully paying attention. Knowing that she had their full attention and interest, Caroline continued "why yes, Mr. Bennet's cousin, the one who is to inherit Longbourn upon Mr. Bennet's death is set to arrive tomorrow".
"Caroline you should not be spreading gossip about a man who has not even arrived" scolded her brother.
"It is not, I, Charles." She replied and looked directly at Mr. Darcy as she said "Mrs. Bennet told me this evening that they received a letter from him stating that he was regretful of the divide in the family and for the entailment. To make amends he hoped to visit the family with the intent on marrying one of the daughters. To which Mr. Bennet added, that it seemed to him that his cousin's sights are firmly set on our dear Miss Eliza." She finished with a triumphant smile.
The carriage fell silent as they approached Netherfield. To Miss Bingley's disappointment as soon as they entered the manor Mr. Darcy and her brother went straight to the study instead of taking tea with her.
Mr. Bingley filled a glass with some scotch and passed it to his friend. He had imagined this long speech that he would give to Darcy about how he would likely soon become Miss Elizabeth's brother and that he would not let even his friend string her along and demand to know Darcy's intentions. But now, looking at his friend in front of him he could not scold him any further. He looked so sad. Lord, yet another man with interests in Miss Elizabeth. If he were to become her brother, he would certainly have his hands full protecting her interests. He cannot even get one man to pursue Caroline.
"Thank you" Darcy said, accepting the glass.
"Darcy, I do not condone your behaviour towards Miss Elizabeth. I am hoping that one day I might be so lucky to be her brother. I do not like what I have seen from you so far. You make offence everywhere you go, it looks badly on me, and it cannot be helping your pursuit of her hand. Which I certainly hope is your intention after the display Jane witnessed tonight."
"It is. We met my first day here and ever since I have been convinced, she is who I need to marry. Until this evening" he smiled "I was concerned perhaps she would not forgive me for my slight at the assembly. But now I believe, despite what Miss Bennet may think, Miss Elizabeth would have happily married me if we had been forced to."
"Darcy, I do not know what happened between you two in the woods nor. Nor do I want to. But I have it on good authority that Miss Elizabeth is determined to marry for only the deepest of love. Do not confuse her curiosity or attraction towards you as confirmation she will accept you. Your reputation in the neighbourhood is that of being haughty, reserved, fastidious, and proud. Those are not the characteristics that will incline you towards her."
Darcy furrowed his brow. Is that really what people thought of him? What she thought of him? He was remembering her expression earlier that night when he insulted Mr. Lucas. Perhaps Charles is right?
"Luckily for you, Darcy, your sister arrives tomorrow. She is always able to bring out the best in you and I dear say I believe she could be a powerful ally for you" Bingley said.
"What of this cousin? Miss Bennet mentioned anything of him to you?"
Bingley shook his head. "Not really. Only that he would be arriving soon and that they have never met him because their fathers had a falling out years ago."
The two men finished their drinks and said good night. They had set a plan to call upon the Bennets the following morning once Georgiana arrived. Mr. Darcy was eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see Elizabeth again as well as to meet this cousin.