Chapter 10
A few nights later, Mr. Wickham arrived at Pemberley House for dinner. He greeted Bingley genially, then the rest of the group. Elizabeth was interested to see Mary blush beet red when Mr. Wickham greeted her. Apparently she was still infatuated with the vicar. Elizabeth did not know whether to be concerned or not. Mr. Wickham was a good, respectable man, but she did not know if he had any interest in her sister, and she did not want Mary to be hurt.
It was actually Jane who brought up the topic when they had a private moment the next morning. "Is Mary enamoured of Mr. Wickham, Lizzy?" she asked.
Elizabeth sighed. "I am afraid she is."
"Why afraid? Is he not a respectable man?"
"No, he is indeed a very good man, but I do not know if her feelings are returned. I would be grieved if Mary were hurt."
"Have you discussed it with Mr. Darcy?"
"I did not think I needed to until last night. You think he might have some idea of Mr. Wickham's intentions?"
Jane shrugged. "I do not know. They are friends, are they not? But friends do not always share everything with each other."
"True. Still, I will ask him."
Following her resolve, Elizabeth braved her husband's study that very afternoon. When he bid her enter at her knock, he stood to greet her with a smile. "Elizabeth, is there something I can do for you?"
"Actually, there is. I am concerned about Mary and hoped you might help me."
Darcy looked concerned. "Of course. She is not ill I hope?"
Elizabeth sat in a chair next to her husband. "No, not ill. But she is – I fear she is enamoured with Mr. Wickham. I am not breaking any confidences, because she has not spoken of it to me herself, but I have seen her behaviour when in his presence for the last two months, and I think she might be in love with him."
"I see. And how can I help?"
"I was wondering if you had any idea of Mr. Wickham's intentions? I would not wish you to break a confidence either; but I also do not want Mary to be hurt."
Darcy smiled at this, looking pleased. "In fact, Mr. Wickham asked to speak to me privately after dinner last night." At Elizabeth's questioning look, he continued. "Let me just say, that his intentions are entirely honourable. He came to me, since Mary is not yet of age and I am the closest thing to an authority figure over her since Mr. Bennet is in Hertfordshire."
"Then – he has asked permission to make his addresses?" asked Elizabeth, feeling a burgeoning happiness and excitement for her sister.
"Ah, I would not wish to break a confidence," said Darcy, but he smiled widely, dimples flashing.
Elizabeth grasped his hands in hers. "Thank you, Fitzwilliam! I am so glad to hear it!"
Something flashed in Darcy's eyes, and he gripped her hands tightly.
"What is it?" she asked.
"You called me Fitzwilliam," he said softly.
She smiled softly. "I have been thinking of you as Fitzwilliam in my mind for some time. I suppose it was just habit that made me continue addressing you as Mr. Darcy."
Darcy leaned down and kissed the back of her hand tenderly. "I am glad to hear it, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth flushed, feeling pleasant shivers across her skin from the gentle kiss. She remembered what Jane had said about marital relations. Perhaps her sister was right.
Mary was surprised the next morning when a footman said that Mr. Darcy had requested to speak with her in the morning room. Usually her brother-in-law was not so formal; but she found that Lizzy had been fortunate in her husband. Mr. Darcy was a very good man.
She set down her book and made her way down to the morning room. To her surprise, instead of Mr. Darcy, she saw Mr. Wickham, who stood when she entered the room.
"Oh, I am sorry," she said, blushing with confusion. "I thought I heard that Mr. Darcy wanted to speak with me here. It must have been a different room."
"Actually, Miss Bennet, it was Mr. Darcy who requested you come here in order to speak to me. If – that is your wish," he added rather hesitantly.
Mary was surprised there was no chaperone present, but the door was open. She sat across from Mr. Wickham, and said, "Certainly. Is there anything I can help you with? I hope Miss Wilson is doing well?"
"She is, thank you, Miss Bennet. She is enjoying her labours at the school, thanks to you and Mrs. Darcy helping her settle in. But I have not come to speak about parish business."
"Oh?" asked Mary, curious now.
"Yes, I have come to speak about a matter of the heart. I hope this is not an unpleasant subject for you?"
Mary blushed, realizing at once his intent. "No, sir," she said softly.
He knelt before her. "Miss Bennet, I know I do not have much to offer a gentleman's daughter such as yourself, but as I have come to know you, I have enjoyed seeing your intelligence, your giving heart, your godly behaviour, and your beautiful countenance. I love you with all my heart, and I beg that you will accept my hand in marriage. I will do all that I can to support you through a lifetime together."
"You – you love me?" Mary whispered.
"I do," he said. "May I hope you return my affections?"
"I do," she said in a stronger voice. "I would be happy to marry you, Mr. Wickham, to help serve your parish and be your helpmeet through life."
Wickham smiled the most charming smile she had ever seen from him before – one of pure happiness. "Then you must call me George, my dear Mary."
"You are aware that I have almost no dowry?" she asked, suddenly unsure.
"You are yourself a dowry," he said, paraphrasing from King Lear.
Mary, who recognized the quotation, beamed. "Then I suppose the next step is to request permission from my father."
Wickham sat back in his seat. "I have already asked Darcy if I may take a leave of absence to travel to Hertfordshire to speak to Mr. Bennet. Am I correct to think you wish to marry from Longbourn?"
"Actually, I would be just as happy to marry from Pemberley. My sister will not be able to travel so soon after her confinement, and Pemberley has become like a second home to me. I would like to marry from your parish. That way, when my parents and sisters come for the wedding, they will be able to see where I am settled."
"It shall be as you wish," said Wickham, but Mary could tell he was pleased by her decision. She herself could not believe that her dreams were coming true. Mr. Wickham loved her! She, plain Mary Bennet! And he thought she was beautiful!
Just then she heard a sound like a throat clearing from the doorway. She turned to see Mr. Darcy. "I hope the interview is concluded?" he said.
Mary and Wickham rose from their seats. "You may be the first to congratulate us. Miss Bennet has agreed to become my wife."
"Splendid!" said Darcy, showing those dimples which almost – almost! – made him as handsome as George. "Elizabeth and Jane will be pleased to hear it. I am glad to offer you the Darcy carriage to take to Hertfordshire. It would be a long journey in a public coach."
Mary was relieved by the offer; and so, apparently, was George. "I gratefully accept," he said.
"I assume you wish to depart soon," Darcy said. "As soon as we find someone to temporarily cover your sermons, you may depart."
"It is very good of you, Darcy."
With that, George took his leave of her, and Mary gave her brother-in-law a spontaneous hug, which seemed to surprise but please him. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy," she said. "I must go find my sisters."
When she had found Lizzy and Jane, she told them in detail all about the proposal, and they squealed in delight as they hugged her. "And to think, all three of us will be settled at such a little distance!" cried Elizbeth.
"You are going to live in Derbyshire too, Jane?" asked Mary.
Jane nodded. "Charles wants to buy an estate near Pemberley. He and Mr. Darcy have been searching for an appropriate home for us."
"I am so glad to hear it!" cried Mary, hugging them once again.
Wickham sat in the back of the comfortable Darcy carriage. As the vehicle rocked back and forth, coming ever closer to his destination, he found himself growing more and more nervous. He was only a simple vicar, aspiring to the hand of a gentleman's daughter. It did not matter if her dowry were small; apparently their family had been seated at Longbourn for many generations. And he was the son of a steward, his only claim to wealth being the generosity of his godfather. What if Mr. Bennet said no?
Mary was all he wanted in a woman. Not only was she beautiful, but she had a loving, kind spirit and generous heart. She was exactly the kind of woman he wanted beside him for the rest of his life. The fact that she loved him as he loved her made the situation perfect.
He reminded himself that Darcy had written a letter to Mr. Bennet, informing him of Wickham's intentions and his coming visit. He knew Darcy's word held a lot of weight, and was grateful for his friend's assistance.
To think, he and Fitzwilliam would be brothers! He had often wished for such a thing when they were children, and soon it was to become a reality! He hoped.
An attractive woman of about forty met him when he was announced at Longbourn. He could see Mary in her blond hair and green eyes. "Mrs. Bennet?"
"Yes. Mr. Wickham? How may I help you, sir?" She looked at him curiously.
"I am here to see Mr. Bennet."
"I see. If you will follow me, I believe my husband is in his study."
Wickham followed Mrs. Bennet to a door which she opened. "Mr. Bennet, there is a Mr. Wickham here to see you."
"Very well. Thank you, Mrs. Bennet."
With that, she shut the door, leaving Wickham alone with Mary's father.
"I am glad to see you here, Mr. Wickham," said Mr. Bennet. "My son Darcy sent me a letter, telling me you were coming and praising your character."
"Darcy is a good friend, sir."
"Will you sit?"
Wickham took a chair opposite Mr. Bennet's desk. The older man seemed to be content to sit in silence, an amused smile on his face. Wickham was not sure what to think. He cleared his throat to speak.
"Mr. Bennet, over the past few months I have come to know your daughter, Miss Mary, and have great admiration for her character and person. In fact, I love her, and she tells me she returns my affections. I was hoping I might have your consent and blessing to marry her."
"Mr. Darcy tells me you are the vicar at the Kympton parish, near Pemberley?"
"Yes, sir. It was a bequeathment from Mr. Darcy senior, who was my godfather."
"And how will you support my daughter if you do, indeed, marry?"
Darcy had helped Wickham prepare paperwork to show to Mr. Bennet in the event of just such a question. He brought it forward now.
"I think you will see that I have enough to support a wife and any children we may be blessed with," he said, after Mr. Bennet had read for several minutes. "I know Miss Bennet is a gentleman's daughter, and I will be able to keep her in the style in which she has become accustomed."
"I am glad to hear it," said Mr. Bennet, looking up from the parchment. "And you say you love my daughter?"
"I do, sir. Miss Bennet said she would write you a letter informing you of her own wishes."
"She did indeed. I am pleased with her choice, and am happy to give you my consent and blessing. Now, when do you wish to wed?"
Wickham felt exhilaration fill his heart. He tried to calm his voice as he spoke. "Thank you, sir. Mary and I were hoping to marry soon, but long enough after Mrs. Darcy's confinement that she will be recovered enough to attend."
"In two months, shall we say?" said Mr. Bennet. "And Mary tells me in her letter that she wishes to marry from Pemberley."
"If that is convenient for your family, sir," said Wickham.
"I have been wanting to visit Lizzy ever since I heard of her accident, and Mrs. Bennet wants to be there when she has her baby. Perhaps it would not be good for us to arrive too close to the birth." He winked, and Wickham smiled. He had heard about Mrs. Bennet from Darcy. "Why do we not arrive about two weeks before the wedding, if Darcy agrees, and then Mary will have plenty of time to show us all her new home. I will take Kitty and Lydia out of school for a time for the wedding. They deserve a holiday after how hard they have worked."
Wickham was glad to hear the younger sisters were improving. He had heard about them, and had been amazed that the three eldest sisters turned out so well with such a family.
Mr. Bennet stood and shook his hand. "Welcome to the family, Mr. Wickham."
Wickham beamed. "Thank you, Mr. Bennet."