Copyright 2023 Elizabeth Frerichs
Cross-posted on elizabethfrerichs dot com and wattpad
Saturday, November 30
Saturday morning, Charlotte dropped by and asked Elizabeth for a stroll about the garden. Elizabeth lifted one quizzical eyebrow and then agreed. Her friend rarely requested a private venue for their conversations.
The morning was not turning out at all how she had expected. Yesterday, Charlotte, like the angel she was, had secured a dinner invitation for Mr. Collins, so Elizabeth was spared his pointed silences all evening. His behaviour would have been amusing had it not been so uncomfortable and had her mother had been reconciled to Elizabeth's rejection. This morning, however, Mr. Collins had bid them all an affable farewell, even her, and now Charlotte was over earlier than normal, requesting a private conversation.
"I have accepted an offer from Mr. Collins," Charlotte said the moment they were truly out of earshot of the house.
Elizabeth stumbled. "Pardon?"
"Mr. Collins has offered for me and I have accepted him," Charlotte reiterated, head held high, her steps measured. "You know that I am not a romantic. I truly believe I have as much chance of happiness with him as with any other man."
Elizabeth could not even think of what to reply, and only the crunch of dead leaves broke the silence between them.
"Just because he failed to secure your regard does not make him less estimable," Charlotte continued. "And I will have my own home."
"I do not know what to say." Elizabeth shivered as a chilly wind gusted past them and wished Mr. Darcy were here. He would be reminding her of her own words: Charlotte was her friend, not her child. She could ask if Charlotte had truly considered her choice, but she could not make the choice for her. All she could do was trust to Providence to prevent such a marriage if it was a mistake. "You have long wanted your own establishment, and your skill in running Lucas Lodge will make you an unparalleled housekeeper. I just—are you truly certain that you can endure Mr. Collins's loquaciousness and Lady Catherine's opinions?" She held Charlotte's gaze.
Charlotte nodded. "I believe so. Regardless, one is guaranteed to find something intolerable about one's partner eventually, and I shall have my neighbours to visit should I desire a respite."
"Then I am happy for you," Elizabeth said, giving Charlotte's hand a squeeze even as a pang went through her soul. After recognising the dangers the entail posed for her family, she could understand her friend's reasons for accepting Mr. Collins; it still felt as though a chasm were opening up between them.
Charlotte smiled. "I am glad. You will write to me, will you not? I shall miss hearing all about you and your sisters' adventures."
Elizabeth chuckled. "Your father will not keep you informed of all the local gossip?"
"I wish to hear it from you though."
Elizabeth nodded. "Of course. And Charlotte?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for all the help you have given me over the years. I am a far better person than I would have been without you in my life. Mr. Collins is a lucky man."
Charlotte grasped Elizabeth's hand tightly. "I shall miss you, Eliza."
Elizabeth hugged her friend, her eyes burning. "And I you."
When Sir William arrived that afternoon, Elizabeth wished she could absent herself from the coming storm. Mrs. Bennet refused to credit his announcement, arguing that Mr. Collins had proposed to her Lizzy and that he would hardly have changed his affections so quickly. Elizabeth eventually had to confirm that Charlotte had told her the truth this morning. It was not a pleasant conversation. Nor were her mother's resultant vehement recriminations and pangs of nerves. She felt for her mother and the woman's fear of the entail, but she refused to sacrifice herself just to allay those fears.
Darcy returned to his seat, tension keeping his posture straighter than a plumb line as the door closed after Georgiana.
"Now, what is this about?" Lady Matlock asked, settling back gracefully onto the settee. "I cannot imagine that anything new has occurred with Georgina. She has been making strides here; I truly do not think it best for her to return to Darcy House at this time."
"I have met someone and I intend to propose," Darcy said, trying to shift back slightly so he looked less like a child about to flee.
His uncle, midway through taking snuff, merely held the pinch between his fingers, staring at Darcy. "Pardon?"
Darcy took a deep breath. "I have met a young lady."
"Who is this mystery woman?" Lady Matlock asked, one eyebrow raised. "Please tell me it is not Miss Bingley."
A laugh burst from Darcy and he settled deeper into the chair. "It is not Miss Bingley. I am wounded that you would rate my taste in women so low, Aunt."
His aunt and uncle stared at him for a moment before Lord Matlock chuckled and returned to his snuff.
Lady Matlock huffed. "Well, you cannot blame me for considering her," she said. "You have been at that harpy's house for the past few weeks."
"I promise you, I will never marry Miss Bingley, nor anyone like her," Darcy said firmly. "While in Hertfordshire, I met a young lady who is kind, intelligent, witty, and principled. She already cares for her father's tenants and excels at setting others at ease."
"What is her last name? Perhaps I have heard of her?" Lady Matlock asked.
Darcy shook his head. "I doubt it. Her father is someone of a recluse. Bennet is his last name. They own a small estate."
"Well, at least she is landed," Lord Matlock said approvingly. "What about her dowry?"
"Negligible."
Lady Matlock's brow furrowed. "She must have excellent connections then for you to be considering her."
"Not really. In fact, I rather doubt you will consider her connections to be useful at all. However, I have already made up my mind. I would like to introduce you to her soon. I believe she will be an excellent influence on Georgiana—"
Lady Matlock sighed. "William, how can you expect her to assist Georgiana in navigating the ton if she herself cannot do so? There is a reason I have always said that you need to find a wife from among our set."
"I understand your concerns—marrying Miss Elizabeth would require your assistance with the ton. However, were I to remain unmarried until after Georgiana's launch into society, you would still have to be equally involved."
His aunt glared at him. "You are asking me to sponsor an unknown country girl and your sister. That is a great deal of work."
"An unknown gentlewoman," Darcy corrected. "You are free to say no—I am not trying to blackmail you into behaving as I wish. You may easily ruin me and my bride. I am merely requesting you withhold judgement until after you have met her. Miss Elizabeth is skilled at interacting with others." His lips curved up. "She has actually taught me a great deal about small talk. Apparently, my usual demeanour was—discourteous. I even danced with four other people at Bingley's ball on Tuesday."
Lady Matlock looked at him sharply. "You danced at a ball? Who were these people that you did not wish to offend?"
"Just country-folk. I did not dance at the first assembly I attended, and I wished to rectify that misstep."
Lord Matlock's eyebrows disappeared into his hair. "You danced at a ball because you avoided dancing at a previous ball? You? My nephew, who refuses to dance unless beleaguered into doing so?"
Darcy smiled. "I did, and I intend to continue dancing at balls. It is, after all, the polite thing to do."
Lord and Lady Matlock exchanged a speaking glance.
"How do you know this woman is not a fortune-hunter?" Lady Matlock asked.
Darcy hesitated. How much did he wish to share? "I have already proposed to Miss Elizabeth; however, she wished to ensure I appreciate the consequences of marrying her and recommended further reflection."
"She rejected you?" Lady Matlock asked, leaning forward with a scowl.
Darcy gave a single nod. "She said that, once I have properly considered the matter, should I still wish to pursue her, she would welcome my suit."
"Damned strange," Lord Matlock muttered. "What woman would turn down a Darcy? Especially one who lacks connections and wealth?"
"One who truly loves me for myself and who does not have a mercenary bone in her body," Darcy said pointedly. "She is concerned that I might change my mind and find myself unwillingly bound."
"Well, then you are still free to find a suitable young lady," Lady Matlock said, raising her chin and pinning him with a glare.
If only his aunt and uncle could understand what he himself had learned over the past months. Status, wealth, the ton's approval—what were these things compared with having a true ally who saw him, faults and all, and still loved him?
He shook his head sorrowfully. "I wish I could be the nephew you desire, Aunt Margaret, but I will not give up Miss Elizabeth. You have thrown every remotely suitable ton miss at me for the past several years. While I was in Hertfordshire, I realised that I want to marry a woman of substance. Miss Elizabeth cares for me, apart from my wealth and connections, and she will be an excellent wife, a kind sister to Georgiana, and a shrewd mistress for my estate. That is far more valuable to me than any wealth or connections."
"William, you cannot expect us to simply accept this young woman on your word alone. You say that she is not a fortune-hunter, but what evidence of that do we have?" Lady Matlock said with a sigh.
Darcy nodded. "That is why I wish to introduce you." He looked back and forth between his beloved aunt and uncle. "You have been the closest thing I have to parents since I lost my own father and mother, and I do not wish to disappoint you, but I will not change this course."
Lord Matlock put a hand on his wife's as she opened her mouth. "You must do as you see best, m'boy," he said. "You are technically the head of your family and not bound to gain our approval. We do love you as our own though and are only trying to ensure your well-being."
"I know."
Lady Matlock sighed. "Bring this girl to London, and I shall be—" Her mouth puckered up as though Darcy had just force-fed her a lemon. "—glad to meet her."
"Thank you, Aunt."
A/N: Thanks for reading and commenting and just generally engaging with this story! I would not be posting it without your encouragement :)
Two reminders: 1) I'm still in need of beta-ing! If you are interested in reading back through the unbetaed chapters and either editing for grammar and such or looking at consistency and what needs either wrapped up (as we get closer to the end) or what needs cut, please message me! 2) I will not be posting June 4-19. So I'm posting as usual this week and then I'll resume posting on June 20.
See you on Thursday!