"Tensions are running high. I think some time to settle would be beneficial to us all. Would you not agree? A bit of privacy with my wife and daughter would be welcome, may we claim use of your library?" Mr. Bennet sought to calm the situation further.
Lady Anne slipped back into the role of hostess. "Of course, you may. Take all the time you like. I will have some tea sent to you." She summoned a footman from the hall, who led the Bennets to the library before heading to the kitchens with the order from his mistress.
Mr. Bennet longed to peruse the shelves of books, even though the collection was small. Instead, he made sure his ladies were comfortable and took a seat by them. "Well, where shall we begin?"
Seeing that Elizabeth looked a bit dazed, he opted to delay the discussion of the younger Mr. Darcy's behavior and start with that which was the greatest surprise this afternoon. His wife. They all knew the attachment between Elizabeth and William was growing stronger. An engagement was a matter of when, not if. And George Darcy was just as he expected, having heard of the gentlemen's treatment of his family. But his wife's behavior captured his more immediate interest.
"Mrs. Bennet, it seems young Mr. Darcy was not the only one to come to our Lizzy's defense. I commend you, my dear wife, but I am understandably a bit perplexed."
"I am as well. Did you mean what you said about me? Are you jealous of me?" Elizabeth was emerging from the haze generated by William's words and kiss.
Mrs. Bennet got up and paced. "This is so difficult. When Mr. Darcy's father started to insult you, something in me broke. I will not tolerate any ill spoken about any of my girls. I did truly mean to support you though I did not mean to reveal myself in such a way."
Father and daughter waited as Mrs. Bennet continued to pace and wring her hands.
"Lizzy, you are everything that I said to Mr. Darcy, and I know that I did not even touch upon all your good qualities. I realized long ago that I am…resentful of those things which make you so very special. Is it not wretched to be so envious of one's own daughter? And Mary, too, you are both so different from your sisters and from me. I do not know how to engage with you. You talk of things which I do not understand. I could not bear to lose you like I lost your father, so I distanced myself from you before you could do it to me."
"You have always made your preferences known but it has gotten worse since Mr. Darcy has come into the neighborhood. Why did you try to have him throw me over in favor of Jane? I heard you tell my aunt that you did not want me to live so close as Netherfield. Is my presence so undesirable?"
"You heard that? I am sorry. I am a selfish woman and was only thinking of myself. I know you would not wish for me to live with you after your father passes, whether you live in Hertfordshire or London or the Outer Hebrides. I know Jane will take me in, and I think Jane will need me more. If she were to marry the master of Netherfield, I could remain near my sister and all my friends in the only community I know.
"But when Mr. Darcy insulted you, in an instant, I realized I am no better than him. In fact, I have subjected you to far worse. I am so very ashamed."
Elizabeth was both heartened and dismayed by her mother's disclosures. She did not know how to proceed.
"The fault does not rest on you alone, Mrs. Bennet. I am the one who created the situation in the first place. I bear the responsibility for that. I could have rectified all this long ago but did not bother. My lack of action has caused us all to suffer unnecessarily. Lizzy, your mother and I have much work to do to earn your forgiveness. I hope you will give us a chance."
"My pressing concern is that nothing will stand in the way of my relationship with Mr. Darcy. I will not accept opposition from either of you or Mr. Darcy's father." Elizabeth was still unsettled by her mother's confession.
"You are determined to have him, are you?" Mr. Bennet asked and received a quick nod. "A declaration of love and a kiss in front of your nearest relations, while embarrassing, is hardly a scandalous compromise. Despite my flip words in the sitting room, you will not be forced to marry."
"But Lady Catherine said she would tell her family. We do not want to give them the wrong idea about Lizzy." After resisting their pairing for so long, Mrs. Bennet was suddenly worried a marriage would not come to pass.
"As much as I believe Lady Catherine enjoys needling her brother-in-law, I believe her love for her nephew matters more. She would not do anything to harm him. What is it you wish to happen, Lizzy? Are you as far along in your feelings as Mr. Darcy appears to be?"
"I believe the vehemence of my reaction to his father's conduct corresponds to the strength of my attachment. I might have wished for a proposal under different circumstances, but I will say yes if Mr. Darcy asks and I will do so with great pleasure."
"Do you really like him, Lizzy? I could not stand for you to commit to someone just to spite me or prove me or anybody else wrong." Mrs. Bennet asked, with tears in her eyes.
" I do, I do like him," Elizabeth replied, "I love him."
"Five weeks then." Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth glanced at each other in question and then looked to Mrs. Bennet for an explanation of her words.
"Have the banns read for the first time on Sunday and then marry in five weeks. A special or common license would lead to speculation of a compromise. We do not want that to happen. Marrying as soon as the banns are completed in three weeks may also inspire conjecture. But we still must protect against gossip should one of the staff learn of it and speak out of turn. Five weeks is neither too soon nor too distant. As it is Monday, we really have six weeks. It is perfect. After all, who would wait so long if there was any impropriety."
"That is very well thought out, Mrs. Bennet. I will mention that to Mr. Darcy when we speak."
Mrs. Bennet preened. Her husband never complimented her on anything but her dinner menu. It felt good. The difficult conversations over for the moment, she looked at Elizabeth with a gleam in her eye.
"You will be the first of my girls to get married. I hope you will let me help with the wedding."
"Of course, I will seek advice from both you and Mrs. Darcy. I imagine Lady Catherine will wish to weigh in as well."
"Now, tell me, how was your first kiss?" Mrs. Bennet asked excitedly.
"No, no, no, nonono!" Mr. Bennet shot up from his seat. "I do not need to hear this. I will go check on that tea we were promised."
He wandered through the hallways not really caring about the tea but not wanting to return to the conversation in the library. As his meandering took him past the sitting room, he noticed Lady Catherine leaning close to the door, listening. She made no move to disguise her actions when she noticed Mr. Bennet, rather she motioned him to be silent and made room in case he wanted to join her.
When the Bennets removed to the library, Lady Catherine had been asked to leave so the Darcys could speak amongst themselves. Once alone, none of them were keen to make the first move until Mr. Darcy could contain himself no longer.
"Was that really necessary?"
"I am sure it was, but you will have to be more specific as to what you are referring," William answered.
"You have become far too impertinent. I would say it is the influence of that girl, but I know Catherine is the far more likely culprit."
"I will happily bear the influence of that girl on all manner of things. And that girl is 'Miss Bennet', at least for the time being."
Mr. Darcy sighed, "Was it necessary to put on such a display? Kissing Miss Bennet, your profession of love."
"Displays are created for other people to view. And I can assure you I was thinking of no one else but Elizabeth and me in the moment." William paused and smiled at the memory of his lips upon hers. "I am too happy to argue with you so let me just state unequivocally that I love Miss Bennet. My display, as you call it, has nothing to do with you. It was not done to injure you. I would never use a lady in such a cruel manner. My desire to marry her is just that my desire. One I hope she returns."
Mr. Darcy dropped into a chair and rested his head against the back, weary from his long day. He knew that William would not be swayed. And in truth, he did not dislike Miss Bennet. From what he had seen of her sharp mind and wit, he might have found it admirable, even amusing, had it not been directed at him. She had a fire to her that was similar to his Anne when they were courting.
He allowed himself to think of those heady days of youthful romance. Lord knows Anne supported me in those early times, he thought. Her family could have very well insisted that she marry a peer, but the fact that Anne loved him was enough for them to accept her choice. Now, they were so far away from where he thought they would be more than twenty-five years later. If their family had followed the expected course, he would have encouraged William to make a love match, too.
He had bungled everything. He did not even understand his own behavior. And he had missed out on so much. He had caused his family to miss so much. He sensed any further relationship with his son, hinged on this very moment. Why was he still fighting so hard against everything?
As he sat there thinking, he realized all the fight had indeed left him. "Your Miss Bennet certainly put me in my place," he suddenly chuckled. It was a real laugh that his wife and son had not heard in a long time.
"That she did, Father." William chuckled as well.
"Tell me about her." William looked at his mother. It was not like George Darcy to ask.
"You will excuse me if I question your motives. Do you really care?"
"I do, William. I do. Tell me about your young lady." William did not go into too much detail, but he made sure to present Miss Bennet in the best possible light, which was not difficult. He was struck that he and Mrs. Bennet had articulated many of the same things. He looked forward to hearing the story of her sudden reversal.
"Miss Bennet has a protective nature, just like your mother. You will be in good hands."
"That is all you have to say?" William asked suspiciously. "Whatever ploy this may be, I will not be persuaded against Miss Bennet."
"I deserve your distrust, but I will not stand in your way. After all, I know I am to blame for the mess in which we find ourselves." He saw his son's expression harden when he realized the implication of what he said. He hurried to explain himself. "I am not suggesting your courtship of Miss Bennet is a mess. I just mean had I been the man I thought myself to be, you would never have had to seek a home away from Pemberley. You would never have been in Hertfordshire to meet Miss Bennet. Not that meeting Miss Bennet is a mistake…"
"George, stop talking," Lady Anne urged.
"Yes, quite right," Mr. Darcy agreed and looked at his son expectantly.
"You will apologize to Miss Bennet and her parents?" William asked. His father nodded. "I appreciate you not making this more difficult than it needs to be."
"Will I be invited to the wedding?"
"The most pressing question is will there be a wedding. Miss Bennet may not wish to have anything to do with me after your display. My own actions were not appropriate either. I must ask for forgiveness myself." William moved towards the door. "In fact, I should do so now."
As he opened the door to the sitting room, he found his aunt leaning on her cane right by the threshold, looking entirely too nonchalant. Mr. Bennet, having resisted the temptation Lady Catherine offered, was standing much further down the hall chatting with a footman about his family, one of Longbourn's tenants.
"Mr. Bennet, given your presence here, may I presume now would be a good time for me to speak with Miss Bennet?" William asked when the men's concluded their conversation.
"Of course, my boy." They walked back to the library. "But let us knock first, shall we?"
William wondered at his cryptic words, for once they were granted entry, he could see nothing amiss. Candles were lit to ward off the early evening darkness. And Elizabeth and her mother were seated by a cheery fire.
"Gentlemen, come have some tea. It is still hot." Mrs. Bennet's demeanor was polite but reserved, still William thought it was more warmly than he had ever heard her speak in Elizabeth's company.
"Thank you, I would like some tea," he said, suddenly nervous. Mrs. Bennet gestured for Elizabeth to prepare a cup for William and then her father. "I would also like to speak with Miss Bennet alone, please. And then Mr. Bennet, we shall finally have our conversation."
Mr. Bennet took his cup and saucer in one hand and offered the other to his wife. "We shall leave you to yourselves, however, the door will remain open, and Mrs. Bennet and I will be nearby. Tsk, such an expression, Mr. Darcy. But considering you kissed my daughter in full view of her parents and your own, I have no wish to provide a clear path for temptation."
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet left the room, with Mr. Bennet leaving the door half open. A few seconds later, Mrs. Bennet returned and closed if even more, until it was only open a few inches. William waited a beat to see if the door would be adjusted one way or the other. He heard their footsteps retreat and the low murmur of voices. He thought it most likely that they were settled on the window seat further down the hall.
When he looked back at Elizabeth she was still on the sofa, watching him with a tender smile. She did not wait for him to begin.
"I believe now would be a good time to say I love you too, Mr. Darcy. I would return the kiss as well, but you are quite a distance away." She laughed when William practically flew to her side. When he knelt before her and took her hands, she rewarded him with a quick kiss, but it was no less heartfelt than the one he had given her.
"Thank you, Miss Bennet, and not just for the kiss. Your love, companionship, and understanding are gifts to me, the greatest I have ever received. I am very sorry I only revealed the true extent of my regard for you in the course of my father's visit but my feelings are not the work of a minute. I think you know they have been growing throughout our courtship. I have long known I was falling in love with you. It now seems as though I have landed safely, secure in that love. You have no idea how happy I am that you share my feelings and do not hold the circumstances of my revelation against me."
Elizabeth, her hands still captured by William's, moved closer to him and whispered, "I do, I do share your feelings. While I might not welcome those circumstances, I am happy to celebrate the outcome."
"Would you be happy to extend that celebration of our love to a celebration of a life together? Marry me, Elizabeth, please. Will you be my wife?"
"I will be your wife. Nothing would make me happier, William. Or should I call you Fitzwilliam?
"William is fine. You may call me anything you like. However, for others I think Elizabeth Bennet's fiancé or Lizzy's betrothed sounds quite wonderful." He kissed the tip of her nose and sat beside her.
"I agree. I hope being Lizzy's husband brings you even more joy."
"It will." William's tone, and that simple statement, was imbued with confidence. "Do you think we can marry soon? I did compromise you, after all. Such matters must be handled quickly, as is proper. I can get a common license."
"I am afraid my mother has other plans."
"I hoped her comments in the sitting room indicated a change of heart. Are we to have a long engagement and wait until after your sister returns from London?" William's worries about Mrs. Bennet returned.
"I understand why you might think so but that is not her intention. She is strategic in her plans, thinking of how a quick marriage might appear to others but allowing us to marry in a timely manner. She thinks five weeks would be appropriate. That is not so long, is it?"
"That is…acceptable. May I ask what has come over your mother?"
Elizabeth took William's hand and intertwined her fingers with his. "Your father, or rather, your father's reaction to our courtship. Where she may criticize, others may not." She paused for a moment. "My mother says she is intimidated by me. Is that not comical?"
"While I did not ever expect to say so where your mother is concerned, I think that is logical. There is no other woman of my acquaintance that holds a candle to you. The ladies of the ton will be in awe of you. You will encounter their jealousy too." William kissed Elizabeth's hand. "Do you believe your mother will cease her obstructive way?"
"My mother's feelings are also not the work of a moment. We may have achieved a bit more understanding of one another today but there is much to be done to repair our relationship. And what of your father? I expected you to be sequestered with him for much longer."
"I am pleased if you and your mother are on the path to reconciliation. I have no such expectations for my father and me. Our relationship has and always will be fraught. There may be too much damage. Any progress that may occur will be slow - an end to our open antagonism, then perhaps we can meet as common and indifferent acquaintances, still later we might even be friendly enough to meet at the club." William thought for a moment. "I do not know how things will evolve and I do not know if I will ever be able to let down my guard with my father. I am glad our children will have your father in their life."
"Our children will have my father and your mother. And five aunts! If our more challenging parents never come around there will be no lack of love and support."
"And two uncles. My cousins, James and Richard, are like brothers to me. Of course, Richard is quite ridiculous. They will love him. And there is Anne and her husband Julian. My aunt Catherine and uncle Hugh will spoil them as well."
"We must not forget my aunt and uncle in London, who you have met, and their children. You have not met my aunt and uncle Phillips."
"It is more than many people have," William said quietly.
Elizabeth rested her head on William's shoulder. "And we have learned from the mistakes of others." William kissed the top of Elizabeth's head. They were both quiet for several minutes.
"This is nice. Five weeks and we can truly be alone. And we do not have to worry about your father hovering outside and presenting symptoms of what appears to be a very sudden cold." In quick succession they heard Mr. Bennet clear his throat, cough, and sneeze, each noise louder than the last, until the man himself appeared at the library door.
"Lizzy, Mr. Darcy, it seems you had a very agreeable conversation. I could say I am sorry to disturb your comfort, but I am not," Mr. Bennet said wryly. He stared at the young people, who had remained closely positioned on the sofa, until they separated. "Lizzy, Lady Anne ask that you join the others in the sitting room, your young man and I will be along in a moment, and then if there is any mercy, we can all have a nice quiet evening."