Chapter Five – The Compromise

As I moved through the dance I heard several men comment on Mary's transformation. She was in very fine looks that evening and more than one of the men who had ignored or disparaged her in the past noticed. They speculated on how ashamed she must be to have such an inept dance partner, although Mary showed no sign of being ashamed, something they did not see or understand. They also spoke of noticing her physical beauty for the first time. Of course, the change was as much a result of her mood and attitude as it was the clothes and hair. Happiness can make a woman beautiful. All the same, the commentary made me more confident I could find her a husband even if Mr. Collins decided the scandal of Lizzy's upcoming compromise was too much to bear. I might even be able to find her someone better once I had Mr. Bingley's connections to help me.

Of course, I did not become so involved in the gossip about Mary that I failed to be attentive to Mr. Bingley. At every turn of the dance I offered him my best smiles. I hung on his every word as if it were the most fascinating of speeches. I did everything I could to make him aware of my regard without stepping too far out of character. The hardest part was keeping a straight face when Mr. Wickham rolled his eyes after I complimented Mr. Bingley on one of his sillier speeches. It did not escape me that I was behaving in much the same way Miss Bingley did when in company with Mr. Darcy. It made me glad that gentleman had not yet made an appearance. Of all Mr. Bingley's party, he was most likely to realize exactly what I was doing. I could not afford to make him suspicious of my motives.

By the time Mr. Darcy showed up, sometime during the second set as Mr. Bingley had predicted, Mr. Wickham had melted away into the anonymity of the mass of red coats. In between dances, I wondered what kind of compromise my partner in scheming would arrange. There were many possibilities, some more damning than others. On consideration, I realized I should have specified that Lizzy would not be physically harmed. There was nothing to do about it now, of course, but hope he was not that cruel.

With the militia officers in attendance, there were finally enough men present for every woman to be able to dance if she wished, unlike at most of our assemblies. Lizzy had been asked for all the dances prior to supper even before the second set was called. As we waited together for our partners for the supper set, she told me she wished she had managed to fill them all.

"Mr. Darcy asked me to dance, Jane," she said. "I have no idea why. At first he asked me for this dance, although I cannot imagine why he would want the supper set and have to spend the meal with me as well. I hoped when I told him it was already taken he would give up, but then he asked to have my next available set. Well that is the one immediately after supper, although I have partners for a few of the others. I had to say yes or I cannot dance any of them. I strongly considered refusing anyway, but Charlotte was there and prodded me to answer. Then I remembered how much this evening and his approval means to you, so I agreed. All the same, my dinner is ruined since he is all I have to look forward to after it."

"You are being melodramatic, Lizzy," I said. "Mr. Darcy is not that bad, and it is only a dance. Perhaps he wishes to make up for not dancing with you at the assembly." I continued over her snort of disbelief. "I am very grateful you did not turn him down. Now, have you noticed all the attention Mary has received this evening?"

"As you wish, Jane. I will drop my complaining. Yes, I have noticed. I do not think she has ever danced so many sets in a single evening and there is still half an evening to go. It is such a relief Mama pointed Mr. Collins to Mary. I could not have stood all the attention he pays her and I would certainly never marry him."

"I think he has grown somewhat jealous of all the attention being paid to her by other men tonight," I suggested, ignoring her other comments.

"Perhaps it will make him value her more truly. He should realize how lucky he is," Lizzy said sharply.

"I think he might," I said as I noticed him collecting her for the supper set. "Look, they are about to dance again." I watched as he led her to the edge of the balcony instead of taking a place on the dance floor. "Wait, Lizzy," I said, placing a hand on her arm to stop her as she was about to walk away with her dance partner, who arrived just then.

She followed my gaze and smiled. "Do you think he is going to ask her?"

We watched as he wound down from whatever speech he had been making and looked at her expectantly. As Mary nodded and appeared to say yes, both Lizzy and I almost squealed with delight.

"He did!," I said in a slightly squeaky voice, startling Mr. Bingley who had come to escort me into the dance.

"Who did what?" he asked. Lizzy nodded to me and walked away with her partner, smiling broadly.

"We think Mr. Collins just proposed to our sister Mary. It is so romantic," I explained, wondering if that might prompt a proposal for me as well.

"How delightful," Mr. Bingley said as he offered me his arm. "I wonder if he will speak to your father in time for it to be announced at supper. I am certain the whole neighborhood will wish to celebrate."

As we took our places in the line I saw Mr. Collins and Mary approach Papa, who had reluctantly allowed himself to be dragged along with us this evening. The dance began, but I only paid it minimal attention as I watched my sister and her suitor speak with Papa. He asked a few brief questions, listened to the answers and then nodded while giving something I assumed to be his blessing when both supplicants broke into wide smiles. I could have cheered. Now, even if Mr. Collins was upset about what would happen later, he was far less likely to back out of a settled engagement.

I turned my full attention back to Mr. Bingley, willing him to take the hint and follow Mr. Collins's lead. I was encouraged when he said he had to take care of something as soon as the dance was over, but that he hoped he could have a private word with me before we went in to the meal. I almost told him flat out he had no need for privacy and could ask me his question right there on the dance floor. That would have been a bit too much, however. He needed to think this was all his idea. I agreed to meet with him by the same balcony where Mary received her proposal.

Just as the dance ended, I noticed Kitty going off somewhere away from the dining room with one of the officers. I was not about to let her spoil the evening by doing something stupid, so I started to excuse myself to follow. My intent must have been obvious, because Mr. Wickham placed himself directly in my line of sight, shook his head and then winked at me. I realized Kitty's disappearance must be part of the plan.

Mr. Bingley excused himself and I started to drift towards the balcony, wondering if the compromise would happen before or after my private audience. I saw one of the servants approach Lizzy where she stood with her last partner on the far side of the room and tell her something. She looked both worried and upset as she headed out of the ballroom towards the more private areas of the house. Suspecting the plan was in action, I followed slowly, wanting to confirm the end result. I looked around the room and did not see Mr. Darcy anywhere. That boded well for me, but I doubted Lizzy would take any comfort in the fact.

Several minutes passed as I ambled across the room and slowly entered the hallway. Then I heard it. Mama might be artificially calmed, but she was still awake and capable of her most piercing shrieks.

"Lizzy Bennet! What have you done!" Mama cried.

She was quickly followed by Aunt Phillips, who shrilled, "Oh, Lizzy! How could you?"

I started that way and turned a corner to see Lizzy and Mr. Darcy standing outside of a small storeroom off the side hallway. Mama and Aunt Phillips faced them, flanked by Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long. I would say Mr. Wickham outdid himself. All the top gossips of Meryton in one place as witnesses. It was a masterful stroke and exactly what I would have advised.

Lizzy was in tears and her gown was torn at the shoulder, although she did not appear to be physically injured. Even as she scolded, Mama handed over her shawl so Lizzy could cover herself. Mr. Darcy had on his haughtiest look, but he seemed to be saying something important to the witnesses. When Mama shrieked again I knew the plan had succeeded.

"Married! Oh, Lizzy! He has ten thousand a year!"

It was a good thing I had given her the calming herbs, I thought. If she had been her usual self she might have fallen over in an apoplexy. As I saw Lizzy start to sob, I backed away so none of them would see me and expect me to comfort her. Normally, I would, but the timing now was too important for sentiment. She would be fine, I reminded myself as the twinge of guilt hit me again. Or, at least, she would be very rich. Mr. Wickham had done exactly what I needed. Now it was time for my move.

Mr. Bingley was just arriving at our meeting place as I hurried back into the ballroom. I went straight to him and it took little effort to squeeze out a few tears to engage his sympathy.

"Miss Bennet! What is wrong?" he asked.

"Oh, Mr. Bingley," I half-sobbed, "it is all too late!"

"My dear Miss Bennet, what is too late? What has happened?"

I managed a few more tears by thinking of where I would be if this failed. "We are ruined, all of us. Lizzy has been compromised by Mr. Darcy! Oh, I do not know if I can stand it. I had just come to hope that you felt the same attraction for me as I do for you. I love you, Mr. Bingley, but we are all undone. If Mr. Darcy does not marry Lizzy my whole family is ruined and no one will have any of us." I stopped with that and waited, dabbing at my eyes with the handkerchief I took from my reticule.

"My dear Jane," he said comfortingly, "of course, Darcy will marry your sister. He is an honorable man. And even if he does not, that cannot change how I feel about you. I love you as well. I came here intending to ask you to marry me. I am still determined. Will you, Jane? Will you marry me, no matter what?"

I cheered inside, but the battle was not quite won yet.

"Oh, but the shame," I sobbed. "I would not wish to bring dishonor to you or your family."

"You could not, dear Jane. We will hold our heads high and let others say what they will. Please, will you marry me? I cannot be happy without you." he was begging now. There would be no questions about me taking advantage after this performance. I smiled through my tears and answered him.

"Yes, Mr. Bingley, if you are certain."

"Call me Charles and I have never been more certain of anything, my dear. We must go to your father. He can announce our engagement at dinner and that will distract people from whatever happened with your sister and Darcy. If your father announces Miss Mary's engagement as well, it should cover anything."

"Let us go quickly, then. I saw him head to the dining room."

We went to the dining room to find Papa. I was a little surprised, but also pleased, to see Kitty sitting near Lydia at one of the tables, exactly as she should have been. I would have to find a way to congratulate Mr. Wickham later. I noticed Miss Bingley entering the far end of the dining room and wondered if there was a way to match Mr. Wickham to her. He would appreciate the dowry if not the woman. Then I realized that would put him too close. The people of Meryton might trust me implicitly, but Miss Bingley would believe Wickham if he planted doubts about my behavior and motives. No, a match with my soon-to-be sister was out of the question, satisfying though it would be.

Papa was sitting at one of the quieter tables along with a few of the other local men. Mr. Bingley quietly asked him for a word, but Papa was not inclined to rise. He told Mr. Bingley to speak his piece right there. So my betrothed asked for his blessing on our engagement and requested the announcement be made before the meal.

"You and Jane as well as Mary and Mr. Collins? You wish to spoil our meal with the announcement of two engagements?" Papa asked lazily, laughing at his own joke.

"Three," said a voice from behind me. I turned to see Mr. Darcy, with his usual stern expression firmly in place.

"Whatever do you mean?" Papa asked, sensing the joke was about to be on him.

"I am to marry your daughter, Elizabeth," Mr. Darcy said. "I wish you to announce it with the other two."

Papa looked at him curiously. "This must be a jest and not a very tasteful one. Everyone knows you think my Lizzy is only tolerable and she dislikes you in equal measure."

I cringed a bit inside. Trust Papa to make the situation more difficult. I saw Mr. Darcy's expression harden, although there was also a look of hurt in his eyes. Perhaps I should have given him that hint of Lizzy's lack of regard earlier. With an inward sigh I realized what was done was done. Still, I felt for the man as he persisted against my father.

"Nevertheless, I have compromised Miss Elizabeth, although without such and intention on either of our parts. There were witnesses and now we must marry or your family will be ruined."

"I am certain you could have done nothing that serious. People love to talk. They will do so no matter what. After all, what are we here for but to make sport for our neighbors and sport with them in our turn."

"Please do be serious, Mr. Bennet," Mr. Darcy said in annoyance. "The situation is a serious one and your daughter must marry me or you will all be ruined. Would you see the other two matches you have been asked to approve this evening be broken or end up tainted? Do you wish your younger two daughters to be kept at home, spinsters for the rest of their lives, because no man will take them? Miss Elizabeth must marry me. I wish you to announce it and quell any other, less savory gossip."

I do not know if he did it intentionally, but Mr. Darcy hit on exactly the right argument to sway Papa. I saw my father glance to where Kitty and Lydia were flirting with their officers and I saw his grimace at the thought of having them home, and probably confined to our home, forever. If he thought Mama was bad, Kitty and Lydia with ruined reputations were worse. Far worse. The noise and complaints would be too loud for hiding in his study to dull them.

"Where is Lizzy?" Papa asked.

"Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Phillips are helping her to repair her gown."

Papa rolled his eyes heavenward. He knew when he was beaten.

"Very well, son. Welcome to the family." He nodded to Mr. Bingley. "Both of you."

Most of the guests had taken their seats by now. Mr. Bingley smiled brightly at me before he picked up a spoon and tapped on Papa's wineglass to gain the attention of the crowd. I saw Miss Bingley look at him in shock and surprise, then she saw me at her brother's side and surprise turned to anger. It was the right response, but for the wrong reason. She had no idea how her life was about to change.

"Good evening, friends!" Mr. Bingley said brightly. "Before the meal is served, Mr. Bennet has an exciting announcement we would like to share with you all. Will you please give him your attention."

Papa sighed and stood. He picked up his wineglass and raised it to the crowd in the gesture of a toast.

"I find myself in an interesting position, this evening. I have three announcements to make, but I am not certain of the proper order. Do I make them chronologically by when I learned of the events, or do make them in order of age for the daughter involved, or do I just say them quickly all at once?"

"Why not start with Miss Bennet's betrothal to Mr. Bingley?" someone said. I was not certain who, but it might have been Mr. Wickham.

"As you wish," Papa said, lifting the glass again. "I am pleased to announce the betrothal of my eldest daughter to our host, Mr. Bingley." The crowd laughed and cheered. For once I smiled as happily on the outside as I felt on the inside. I was publicly engaged to Mr. Bingley. I had won.

"And the next one?" someone else asked. Captain Denny, perhaps?

"I also announce the betrothal of my second daughter, Elizabeth, to Mr. Darcy."

I noticed he did not mention being pleased. The assembled crowd offered some mixed reactions as well, chief among which was disbelief. Mr. Darcy tried to stare them down, but the grumbles continued until Papa cleared his throat and spoke again.

"I must also inform you of the betrothal of my third daughter, Mary, to my cousin, Mr. Collins."

The response was, once again, mixed. Those who did not cheer seemed mostly to pity Mary. She, however sat proudly beside her betrothed and he gazed at her with a look that was almost besotted. I suspect he either did not hear or did not understand the comments being made. Suddenly, though, Mr. Collins stood and spoke over the noise of the crowd.

"Did you say Cousin Elizabeth is betrothed to Mr. Darcy?" he asked.

"I did," Papa said wearily as he sat down.

"You are Mr. Darcy of Pemberley?" Mr. Collins asked, turning to the man in question.

"I am," Mr. Darcy answered simply.

"Then you cannot be betrothed to Cousin Elizabeth. My noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, has frequently mentioned you are betrothed to her daughter, your cousin." The voices of the crowd grew silent for a moment as everyone waited for the reply.

Mr. Darcy rolled his eyes and puffed out an angry breath. "My aunt assumes too much. She may wish for a betrothal, but there is none. I have never asked my cousin Anne to marry me and I never shall. I AM betrothed to Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

Mr. Collins looked like he might argue some more, but Mary tapped him on the arm and then spoke to him quietly. He returned to his seat without another word. As the talk began again, the discussion of the crowd around us ebbed and flowed. I caught some of it, both complimentary and uncomplimentary. The only announcement that seemed universally approved, with the exception of Miss Bingley who was biting her lip in an effort not to complain and who I did not really count, was my own.

Mr. Darcy stepped forward and shook hands with his friend, offering his congratulations. He bowed to me and wished me the same. Then he turned and silently stalked from the room, perhaps to go find and talk to my sister. That was of little matter to me at the moment. I wrapped my arm through Mr. Bingley's and we walked the room, happily accepting congratulations from those assembled even as the servants began to present the meal.


AN: Well, it seems to have all gone as planned, but what happened, how will Lizzy respond, what will Jane and Wickham do and will there really be a happily ever after for anyone? We have just one more chapter and an epilogue to find out. Stay tuned tomorrow for my next update. :oD