Author's Note:
Thank you to everyone for reading and reviewing - I really appreciate it, and do try to take your thoughts on board.
I can see there was some concern about Mr Bennet's intentions, but he's definitely not evil! What I was trying to convey (obviously not very successfully!) was that Mr Darcy had not properly communicated his feelings (internally, his sentiments were heartfelt, but externally, he still came across as stern), Mr Bennet then misunderstood his words/intentions a bit, then went on to not communicate very well with Elizabeth, who then also interpreted Mr Bennet's words more harshly than they were intended. So, Mr Bennet was not helpful, but it was everyone's fault, really.
I also note the concern about misunderstandings between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy, but I'm afraid that will continue for a few chapters! These are two people who are often blinded by their feelings, don't trust each other right now, and are frankly terrible at communicating with each other, so they're just not going to be having open and honest conversations right away. But they will get there, I promise! Misunderstandings will definitely not be the only plot device - there'll be kind of a progression from misunderstanding, to questioning, to understanding.
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Chapter 4 - Longbourn - Engagement
After bidding the Bennets a quick goodbye, Mr Darcy had departed for London that same day, but not before promising to have dinner with the family upon his return. Over the next two weeks, while he completed the business of the marriage arrangements, Mrs Bennet threw herself into planning a lavish wedding, encouraged by Mrs Phillips and tempered by Mrs Gardiner, who had arrived with her family to stay.
Elizabeth, who had been kept occupied with wedding gown and trousseau arrangements for the preceding weeks, felt utterly unprepared to receive Mr Darcy back at Longbourn, and looked upon the impending dinner with trepidation. She and Mr Darcy had exchanged a few cordial letters - she confirming details of the wedding, he asking her preferences on the preparation of her rooms, and neither holding strong opinions - but they were yet to have an intimate conversation since those stolen minutes at Hunsford.
Now that the shock of the situation has largely worn off, Elizabeth felt an increasing curiosity about her future life. What would Pemberley be like? How much time would she spend there and how much in London? What did Mr Darcy like to do is his leisure time in his own home? Would she enjoy the walks? She hoped that the topic of Pemberley might stave off any awkward silences with Mr Darcy when they were reunited.
Mr Darcy arrived in the early evening, and after greeting the rest of the Bennets, he walked over to Elizabeth, bowing, then kissing her hand.
"Miss Bennet," he said, tentatively.
The touch felt a little too intimate, and Elizabeth blushed, as she replied, "Mr Darcy."
"Are you well?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," she replied, "Quite well, I thank you. And you?"
"Yes, very well," he said, "I mean, that is, yes, I'm well, I thank you."
Elizabeth glanced at him curiously.
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He had scarcely arrived and was already regretting his words. He'd been slightly dazzled by seeing her again - 'his' Elizabeth - and without thinking, had kissed her hand. She had blushed so prettily that when she asked how he was, he'd responded a bit too positively, then realised how it must have sounded. 'Here she is, miserable with our circumstance, and I'm behaving as if I'm all contentment'. He had tried to backtrack his statement, but seemed only to confuse Miss Elizabeth.
He smiled again, nervously, then glanced about the room, noticing a fashionable looking couple observing him with Miss Elizabeth.
"Would you do me the honour of introducing me to your friends?" he asked, politely.
Miss Elizabeth blushed again, then led the way over to the couple.
"Mr Darcy," she said, "These are my Uncle and Aunt Gardiner. Jane stayed recently at their home in Cheapside."
"Uncle, Aunt," she continued, "This is my… betrothed. Mr Darcy."
'My betrothed'! He felt his heart beat more quickly than usual, hearing Miss Elizabeth call him as such. It sounded almost musical to his ears.
He greeted each of the Gardiners in turn, smiling broadly, "Mr Gardiner, Mrs Gardiner."
They began to converse.
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Elizabeth was all astonishment at the way Mr Darcy had greeted the Gardiners. She had expected the cold, proud Mr Darcy to return, but instead, an affable, charming Mr Darcy was in his place. He conversed with Mrs Gardiner about her childhood town, which turned out to be quite near to Pemberley, and then engaged Mr Gardiner in a conversation about fishing. He even invited them to come and stay at Pemberley once he and Elizabeth were married.
Elizabeth could not reconcile these two Mr Darcys. Had the old Mr Darcy changed his ways for her benefit? Was the new Mr Darcy simply determined to make the best of their situation? Could it perhaps be that she was wrong about his pride?
Part way through the conversation, the Gardner children came in to say good night to their parents. The smallest boy, Edmund, walked right up to Mr Darcy and stuck out his hand, saying, "Hello".
Mr Darcy smiled and shook his hand, then crouched down to the little boy's level.
"Hello," he said, "I'm Mr Darcy. What's your name?"
"I'm called Edmund," replied the boy.
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Edmund!" said Mr Darcy, still smiling broadly, "You have a fine handshake! Do you happen to like marbles?"
Elizabeth smiled on in amazement as the two continued to converse animatedly - who could have anticipated that Mr Darcy, who, with the exception of tonight, was so stiff and proud around adults, would be so open and wonderful with children?
Soon, the children went off to bed, and the dinner bell was rung. Mr Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm, and they walked together into the dining room.
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Mr Darcy was an attentive and considerate dinner companion, and Elizabeth had been right - the topic of Pemberley gave the two some pleasant conversation. Elizabeth found herself looking forward to seeing Pemberley at last. Mr Darcy described some walks that he thought Elizabeth might enjoy, and she was touched that he had been thinking about it.
As dessert was being served, the two were drawn out of their conversation by the antics of the Kitty and Lydia.
"Lizzy will be able to host a ball for all the officers at Pemberley!" Lydia laughed.
Elizabeth turned toward her in shock, then looked back in time to see Mr Darcy school his frown into a mild expression. Could she not get through even one dinner without embarrassment?
"I'm sure Miss Elizabeth, as mistress of Pemberley, will throw wonderful balls," Mr Darcy asserted, turning to smile at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth looked up at him, relieved, then turned to Lydia.
"Perhaps you might let me settle into my new duties as mistress of Pemberley before you start hoping for a ball, Lydia," she replied, turning back to smile shyly at Mr Darcy.
"Her new duties as mistress!" Lydia giggled into Kitty's ear.
"She did alway say she would only marry for love!" Kitty laughed.
Both Elizabeth and Mr Darcy turned away, red faced. Elizabeth was mortified.
"Oh, my girls," laughed Mrs Bennet, "Don't teaze your sister!"
She turned to her own sister, Mrs Philips, whispering, "I remember all too well anticipating my wedding night - I could hardly wait until dark!"
Unfortunately, as she had had more wine than she was used to, her 'whisper' had been audible to everyone present, and Kitty and Lydia had dissolved into laughter again.
"Excuse me," mumbled Mr Darcy, leaving his seat at the table with a stony look on his face.
It was little wonder he was ashamed of her family, Elizabeth thought - she herself was ashamed at their behaviour. She could hardly be surprised that Mr Darcy had tried almost every method to be free of this engagement.
With the entire table watching her, Elizabeth stood up from the table to follow her future husband outside.
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Mr Darcy was furious with himself. He had tried to show Miss Elizabeth that he could be pleasant to her family, and had felt that he was succeeding - he had genuinely enjoyed the company of the Gardiners, and was looking forward to getting to know them better, and he had even found he could tolerate Elizabeth's sisters, provided the visit was not too lengthy.
But he had been thwarted by this damned wedding night conversation! He could have tolerated the crude comments, but Miss Kitty's remark that Miss Elizabeth had wanted to marry for love was his undoing. That was exactly what he couldn't offer her - a marriage to a man she loved, a real marriage. How could he live with that?
He heard a door close behind him, turning around to see Miss Elizabeth.
"Miss Bennet!" he exclaimed, surprised.
"Please Mr Darcy," she said, "I'm sorry about my sisters. And my mother." She stepped closer to him, her eyes wide with worry.
"There's nothing to forgive," replied Mr Darcy, "I certainly wouldn't like to be held responsible for the comments of all of my relations! Besides, I'm sure your family has never been as rude to me as my Aunt Catherine was to you."
He smiled at her, and she sighed in relief.
"Well," she said, slowly smiling up at him, "How can you blame her? I do give my opinion quite freely for one so young."
She continued to smile, teasingly, and Mr Darcy felt himself grinning at her.
"Well, Miss Bennet," he said, "Unlike my Aunt, I find I quite enjoy impertinence now and then."
At that, Miss Elizabeth blushed and bit her lip, then smiled at him again.
"Shall we head back inside before they make even more assumptions about us?" he asked.
Miss Elizabeth nodded. He went to reach for her hand, then changed his mind and took her arm instead.
He felt like he'd made some real progress tonight, but he didn't want to move too quickly.
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Elizabeth had been surprised at his good humour about her family. And even more so by his humility about his own family. Maybe she really had been wrong about his pride?
And then, it had seemed like he was going to reach for her hand - maybe to kiss it again? - but then he changed his mind and reached for her arm. To her surprised she found herself almost… disappointed.