So, my thought process changed dramatically a couple of times while writing this:
At first, I thought this was rather slimy of Mr. Darcy.
Then, I decided blackmail was the wrong way to describe it, but still a bit slimy.
And then, after the umpteenth rereading, I realized that this seemed rather nice than anything slimy.
But I said it'd come, and here it is!
I added more mystery that'll need more explaining in later chapters.
One of the few I'll be telling from Lizzie's POV.
You know the drill, I'm sure I don't have to go through it again. Comment, comment please. :)
A frightful Mrs. Bennet and an extremely apprehensive Miss. Bennet stood outside her father's study; the whole of the Bennet family – excluding maybe Lydia, who hardly found herself concerned with her family's endeavors any more – had been anxiously waiting for this moment. Depending on the Bennet, though, the anxiety was felt for far different reasons. Mr. Darcy requested private conference with Mr. Bennet, who readily took him into the study, keeping the conversation much hushed as to avoid the ever curious ears of Kitty.
Seeming to sense her sister's unease, Jane took Elizabeth aside for a brief talk.
"Are you quite alright?"
"I'm as well as to be expected. You must know of Mr. Darcy's business here."
"Indeed, I do believe I have a good idea. But Lizzie dear, I beg you give him at least one chance. I am sure in time you will find him quite agreeable."
"I can assure that is never going to happen."
"Do not allow your prejudice to ruin any chances of happiness you have with him."
"How is it possible that I can ruin chances that do not exist from the start?"
Even Jane's angelic countenance couldn't come up with a reasonable response to reply with. After a matter of minutes, their guest exited Mr. Bennet's study amid giggles from the two youngest Bennets, and Elizabeth's father beckoned her and her mother into the study after him.
"Did he make an offer of marriage?" was Mrs. Bennet's first question, spoken in a shrill, excited tone. While the simple tone of voice grated through Elizabeth, it was Mr. Bennet's answer in the affirmative that made Elizabeth shiver.
Of course, it made Mrs. Bennet indescribably and incandescently happy, but Elizabeth went directly to her father in an attempt to plead her case.
"Papa, please, I hope you made no answer for me."
"Of course not dear. I would not be so bold."
"Elizabeth, dear, but of course your answer is yes," said Mrs. Bennet, in a tone akin to that of warning.
"Mother, I have my own voice and I do wish to use it."
"There are...conditions, however," said Mr. Bennet.
"Conditions?" questioned Elizabeth, enraged.
"I suppose 'conditions' was an incorrect term. Perhaps I should just explain the whole of Mr. Darcy and I's conversation."
"Please do Mr. Bennet."
"Yes, do. I am quite curious to hear it," said Elizabeth, crossing her arms in indignation.
"I must begin by saying, Lizzie dear, that Mr. Darcy spoke quite highly of you. There is a very clear sign of his attachment to you, and his wishes to keep your family in good condition after I pass only confirm that."
"I do not understand you."
"Mr. Darcy expressed that, only upon consent, he would supply Mary and Kitty, the two with the least prospect of attracting a suitor (words of Mr. Darcy's, my dear), a generous sum of money that they shall live on."
"'The two with the least prospect of attracting a suitor'?" repeated Elizabeth in mortification.
"Do not interrupt your father, child," said Mrs. Bennet, who was very intent on hearing the end of Mr. Darcy's terms.
Elizabeth apologized for her interruption, and her father continued, "even I cannot deny that Mary and Kitty have not had any suitors take a serious interest in them. Furthermore, upon my passing, he will be sure to provide a comfortable living for your mother and sisters, should they be in need of it."
"And this is only upon consent of marriage?"
"Indeed."
"Mr. Darcy attempts to win my favor by blackmailing me?"
"He has also agreed to pay off the whole of Mr. Wickham debts, and also the debts that Lydia has accumulated through the whole of these past four months, though with that, he did stress that would require repayment from them."
"No. Absolutely, unequivocally no."
Mrs. Bennet let out a shrill noise of unhappiness, and in the same shrill tone, stated, "you headstrong, foolish girl! Why would you deny another man who will so willingly provide a home for us after your father is dead! Surely Mr. Collins would send us out upon then, and without Mr. Darcy's kindness, we would have nothing!"
Through her mother's pleadings, Elizabeth applied to her father: "Please, Papa, you cannot possibly think this to be a good arraignment."
Mr. Bennet clasped his hands together, and once his wife stopped shouting, stated simply, "Lizzie, I myself am quite taken with Mr. Darcy. I find him to be a charming young man, and I could not think of any one more worthy for you, dear, and we would not be discussing this matter had I thought him to be any less. His additional terms are there to provide security for your family, not to blackmail, as you are so inclined to think."
"Papa..." attempted Elizabeth, in a tone less vehemently opposed than before.
With help from the shrill cries of her mother, Elizabeth could feel her sense of propriety take over her sensibilities, and her want to supply her family with a comfortable living inclined her to accept Mr. Darcy's terms, however uneasy they made her feel.
After exiting her father's study and heading into the drawing room to confide the whole of the tale with Jane, her dearest sister expressed the same sentiments as those their father did, and did not take the thought of his offers as blackmail to be very reasonable on Elizabeth's part.
"It is clear he has an immense attachment to you, Lizzie," said Jane, "even Charles expressed that he saw a sign of preferment for you in Mr. Darcy. I find his terms very reasonable, and I cannot fathom why you do not."
"Of course, dear Jane; all the world are good and agreeable in your eyes. But you have not heard of Mr. Darcy like I have, especially on accounts from Mr. Wickham, and I see nothing reasonable in attempting to use the prospects of turning my family out of their home in order to entice me into matrimony."
"Oh, I do not sense that he would turn out our family if you did not agree."
"He expressed no desire in helping our family in the past; in fact, he even found our family wanting in connections. Yet, now, with no forewarning, he is requesting my hand, desiring to put our family in good rights, and father has absolutely no objections? Not a one? It's far too suspicious."
"I will give you right on that account, but his offers suggest nothing short of security, and I see nothing amiss."
"You must wish me to express the 'all the world are good and agreeable in your eyes' again."
Jane smiled playfully at her sister, took her by the arm and lead her to the window, where they both stood silently for moments before their mother burst excitedly into the room, exclaiming about her good fortune.