Quick note - yes, this Lady Catherine does have some resemblance with Edna May Oliver who played the part amazingly well in 1940, and who did approve of Elizabeth by the time Darcy came back to propose. Wonderful movie (not properly canon), even if the costumes were more Gone With the Wind than Regency Pride and Prejudice. Anyway, let's move on with the story...
Chapter Sixteen
Elizabeth's time in Kent was drawing to a close, and her uncle's carriage would arrive in only three days to collect Maria Lucas and herself.
"Well, Eliza," Charlotte said, "here we are again, just as we were on the first day of your visit, sitting alone with the mending basket. I will miss you when you return to Hertfordshire. Maria too of course, but she will come back to visit often."
"Are you saying I will never be invited again, Charlotte? I did not think I had been such a horrid guest as to see me banned from Hunsford." Elizabeth teased.
"I expect to see you often, my dear, but you will be a guest at Rosings and not in my house."
Elizabeth understood. "Where I stay will not change our friendship, and I firmly intend to enjoy your company in future nearly as much as during this visit. I am convinced that Mr Collins may be persuaded to leave his parish for a few weeks to bring you to Derbyshire sometimes too."
"I see your mind is finally made up. I am glad you have changed your opinion of Mr Darcy and forgiven him, I think you will be happy with him; you will be safe far away from Longbourn." Charlotte was genuinely relieved, having witnessed her friend's sadness in Hertfordshire, followed by the return of her confidence and contentment over the past few weeks.
Elizabeth nodded. "I have not changed my mind, but I have forgiven him. In essentials he has remained what he always was; by knowing him better, I simply understand his disposition better. He is too proud at times, fastidious often, haughty when he is uncomfortable with the people around him, too self-assured and over-confident in his abilities; unable to express any deep feelings without giving offence as he is painfully honest. All of these flaws somehow make him exactly what a man should be to please me. He has worked hard to earn my trust back, and I know he is a the best of men underneath the scowling mask he has adopted to fend off the less desirable members of his circles."
"Then I promise to be as poor a chaperone in your final two days as I have been so far, so he has a chance to secure your happiness." Mrs Collins affectionately said, "For I am not as blind as you think me, I am fully aware that you have walked alone with the gentleman daily. Were I not convinced he is indeed honourable, and desperately in love with you, I would have locked you in your room a long time ago, Miss Bennet."
"I will miss you too, Charlotte, I have been very happy in your home. But I do not wish to get all brooding and melancholic, so let's talk of happier topics. Now, you were telling me about the baker's new grandson."
"Elizabeth, I was hoping you would come this morning." Darcy had been sitting on a small bench he had asked his aunt's gardeners to move to their usual meeting place by the old folly a few days after their first meeting there. The day was cold, despite the first signs of spring appearing in the park around them and he jumped up and offered his arm, which she happily took; they started strolling between the trees and the river.
"I will miss this glade when I return to Hertfordshire," Elizabeth sighed, "The past few weeks have been so peaceful, I do not believe I have ever been as serene, or happy even, as I have in Kent. I will miss our daily walks, sir, and regret not being able to witness the changes spring will make to this wonderful park."
Darcy stopped their progress, and faced Elizabeth; the long and thoughtful speech he had prepared and rehearsed that same morning was forgotten and he simply took her hands in his. "Then come with me to Pemberley, allow me to share all my favourite places with you. Walk with me every single day for the rest of our lives, and witness the seasons in Derbyshire. Marry me, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth's fine eyes filled with tears, her throat constricted for a moment. Her answer came out as a whisper: "Yes, Mr Darcy, yes."
She had never seen such a wide smile on his handsome face; it suited him. "Will you call me William, my love? If you feel more comfortable calling me Darcy in company, I can understand, but people only call me Fitzwilliam when they are angry at me, and I never want to raise your ire again."
"Very well then," she answered with a small chuckle, "yes, William, I will marry you and walk all the paths of Pemberley at your side. I love you, deeply and sincerely, forever."
They walked for over two hours, meandering mindlessly through Rosings Park, sharing the content of their hearts and making plans for life after their wedding.
When at last they turned their steps once more towards the parsonage, Elizabeth soberly said: "I will come of age at the end of June, before that I must remain at Longbourn, for Mr Bennet will never allow me to marry as long as he can prevent it. I do not know whether it would be wiser to ask for his permission or simply to ignore him and wait until it is no longer needed."
Darcy was firm in his answer. "I will not hide our engagement, Elizabeth, nor will I allow him to attempt to separate us. I am more worried about your mother being unhappy since she asked Bingley to keep me away from Hertfordshire many weeks ago; I hope she is not too angry with my friend."
Elizabeth laughed again: "I wrote to Mama several times in the past few weeks and I told her and Jane some of what has passed between us, although I have yet to share any of this with the younger girls. I believe your invitation to Netherfield Park will be waiting for you in London. Mama will not be unhappy, William, she only wants my happiness and that can only be with you."
"Then all is well. Do not worry about Mr Bennet, dearest, we will face him together. First, though, lead me to Mr Collins' study, for I must have a word with your temporary guardian. Will you send an express to your uncle in London? I hope you will allow me to escort you and Miss Lucas back to town on Saturday, and perhaps we can announce our engagement to your family there."
Elizabeth laughed. "An offer to spend four or five hours with two educated and charming gentlemen rather than with my uncle's servant? I suppose Maria and I will have to accept such a compromise for our comfort. Now though, I must go and accept some congratulations from my oldest friend and her sister."
Darcy ignored her teasing this time. "My dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, may we make a formal announcement tonight as you are all to dine at Rosings?" She nodded happily in response.
Darcy stood by his aunt while her guests were happily engaged with Anne around the pianoforte. "What is the matter, Aunt Catherine? You look unsettled. I thought you would be happy that Elizabeth has agreed to marry me at last."
She waved her fan impatiently. "I am, I am, do not fuss, Darcy. You cannot doubt my support, nor can you be blind to my appreciation of Elizabeth; her mischievous wit pleases me greatly, and she is good for Anne too, she makes her laugh and wish to be more active; we will both regret her departure. But when your years advance as much as mine have, it is difficult to fully set aside the hopes one cherished for as long as I did; I wished for my Anne to be happily wed and well cared for, you cannot blame a mother for hoping."
"First, you are not old, Aunt, and you know it. Second, Anne is happy here with you, she has no wish to marry and follow a husband to another estate, or heaven forbid, a house in town. While I have invited both of you to Pemberley, I know you would not wish to live there; Rosings is your home, and now that Anne has chosen Richard as her heir, you can trust that it will always be looked after, just the way you would want it to be."
Her Ladyship nodded in her usual assertive manner. "I know Darcy, and I am glad he has agreed to it; The Lord knows that boy can be as stubborn as Anne or you. I feared he would see it as pity rather than love and refuse, yet I cannot bear to have him return to active battle again; he has done his duty and cheated death often enough, it is time he resigns and behaves like a gentleman!"
Darcy chuckled. "Do you mean Richard may be as bull-headed as any Fitzwilliam? Are you not yourself as proficient as the rest of us when it comes to being strong-willed and contrary? But I too am glad he will not return to this endless war. And I am grateful for your support, my dear aunt; it feels as if my Mother would approve if you do, as you were always so closely aligned."
"My Lady Anne would have approved of Elizabeth, there's no question of it, and George would have come around fast enough once she told him to. The Earl will not be happy as you are not bringing any parliamentary allies to him, and the Viscount will not care for any lady who does not come from a heavily titled family, but your aunt will warm to your future wife quickly. Let me write to Helen before you tell your uncle." Lady Catherine's low mood had passed as soon as the need to plan more strategies had returned. "Now, let's rejoin the others so we can all agree on what will be communicated and when. We have much to do before you and Elizabeth leave on Saturday."
The parting between Elizabeth and the inhabitants of both Rosings Park and the Hunsford parsonage on Saturday morning was bittersweet; she was looking forward to spending a few days in London with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and with Mary and Catherine, yet she was leaving behind her dear Charlotte and the ladies of Rosings who had fast become so dear to her, without knowing when she would be able to return and see them again.
The journey to London was pleasant; Darcy's carriage was more comfortable than any the two ladies had ever travelled in, and Colonel Fitzwilliam's curated stories of heroics and camaraderie in the Spanish Peninsula kept them well entertained on the way. Sooner than Elizabeth thought possible, Maria and she were safely standing on the wide steps of the Gardiners' home on Gracechurch Street.
"Lizzy, Maria, you are here, finally," Catherine excitedly exclaimed as they entered the sitting room, before noticing the gentlemen and blushing furiously. "Oh, I did not know you had guests, please forgive me."
"I am very glad to see you too, Kitty, and Mary, you look very well today," Elizabeth briefly hugged her sisters before performing the introductions.
"Mr Darcy, my aunt grew up in Derbyshire," she added once they were sat around a fresh tea tray, "in a town called Lambton, that is in her eyes the loveliest town in the whole of England. Is it far from Pemberley?"
"Lambton is but five miles from the house, it is a charming town indeed, a little larger than Meryton." He replied before turning towards Mrs Gardiner. A lively conversation about life in the northern county followed until the return of Mr Gardiner a full half hour later.
Following another round of introductions, Edward Gardiner raised the topic his wife had not dared to mention. "Mr Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, while I am grateful you escorted my niece and her friend safely back from Kent, I assume there is a reason for your presence here. So, how may I help you?"
Darcy's face showed no emotion for a moment, his well-practised mask firmly back in place. The feeling of Elizabeth's hand lightly touching his arm broke through the facade and he smiled as he answered: "Mr Gardiner, your niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet has done me the honour of accepting my offer of marriage, and we both ask for your blessing."
Before her uncle could react, Mary squealed and jumped up to hug Elizabeth, "Lizzy, I am so very happy for you; Mama will be so relieved, she hated to see you so heartbroken."
Catherine stood a little apart while everyone congratulated the happy couple, unnoticed by anyone except Elizabeth. "Kitty, dearest, are you well?" she asked gently, stepping to take her sister's hand. Catherine shook her head, and tears escaped. "You are going to be so far away from us, how are we going to do without you?"
"Miss Catherine," Darcy said gently, "I am certain you know your sister enough to see she cannot be kept from you, from all her family. The roads to Derbyshire are long, but not unpassable, and I promise that we will see each other often."
Colonel Fitzwilliam chuckled and added: "What my cousin is forgetting to mention is that he has a younger sister, my ward Miss Georgiana Darcy, who has been desperate for the company of sisters. She is sixteen now, so not much younger than you are, and once she realises she can have not one, not two, but five new sisters all close to her age, you will never be rid of the Darcys."
After laughing with the others, Darcy nodded. "Fitzwilliam is correct, Georgiana will be delighted to meet you all. Mrs Gardiner, would you allow me to introduce my sister to your nieces and Miss Lucas tomorrow after church? She is in London, staying with my aunt, and I doubt I will be able to keep her away for more than a day."
Arrangements were made before at last the gentlemen took their leave.
"I am sorry I was so downcast, Lizzy, I did not mean to spoil your announcement. I do want you to be happy, even if I am sometimes a little selfish." Catherine apologised as soon as the door had closed.
"I cried when Charlotte told me she was getting married, Kitty. I don't think it is selfish to love your sister, is it?" Miss Lucas asked, looking at Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner.
"Of course it isn't, Maria, and Charlotte certainly understood. I do too, Kitty, I felt a little sad after Jane's wedding, despite her moving only three miles away from us." Elizabeth hugged her sister once more and patted Maria's arm gently. "Now, we have been in Gracechurch Street for more than two hours and I have yet to hear about your progress with the masters my uncle found for the two of you, nor have you shared any of the entertainment and places you have visited. Come sisters, I demand to be satisfied!"
"Lizzy, you sound like Lady Catherine." Maria giggled, "Kitty, Mary, you tell us everything about London and then we will tell you everything about Rosings."
The four girls sat together on one side of the room while Mr Gardiner joined his wife near the fireplace. "So, my dear, how large exactly is Pemberley?"
She smiled. "The park is a little over ten miles around, enough for even our Lizzy to be satisfied; the estate employs hundreds of people, and keeps Lambton and Kympton prosperous as well. I fear that the ten thousand a year that gets bandied around when referring to Mr Darcy is grossly underestimated, and your sister agrees; this is why she did not trust this whole thing would come to anything. Look at our girl, my dear, I do not think I have seen her quite so content before."
"I wish we did not have to take them back to Meryton next week. I know there is little Bennet can do in the three months before Lizzy's birthday, but he will not be happy, and I expect him to prepare some petty little revenge. I do not trust his current quiet attitude, he has not yet accepted defeat, I am sure of it." Mr Gardiner's mistrust was unshakable.
At the appointed time, Miss Darcy and her brother appeared, and the long-expected introduction took place. Miss Darcy was tall, and on a larger scale than the three Bennet sisters present that day; there was sense and good humour in her face, and her manners were unassuming and gentle. The observation of a few minutes convinced Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth that the lady was exceedingly shy, unable at first to utter more than a word or two in response to any question from her new acquaintances. Being herself of a more retiring nature, Mary empathised with Miss Darcy and knowing from Miss Bingley's lavish praise the previous autumn that their guest was musical, subtly introduced a discussion about the new technique her piano master wanted her to practice. Within the space of only ten or fifteen minutes, the young girl was ensconced on a sofa between Mary and Miss Lucas, with Kitty sitting on a low stool in front of them; all four girls were engrossed in a lively comparison of their favourite composers, while Mr Darcy, Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner looked on happily.
"She is such a darling, William." Elizabeth sighed as she watched Georgiana move her fingers in the air to demonstrate the fingering of a tricky passage in Maria's favourite Mozart concerto. "so eager to make a good impression despite her shyness. She need not have worried, you know, the girls were ready, nay determined, to be pleased with their new sister. I think Miss Darcy and I will get on wonderfully well."
"I am glad to hear that," Darcy replied, "and I would like to issue an invitation to ensure Georgiana has an opportunity to spend more time in your company. Would all of you join us for dinner tomorrow night at Darcy House? This invitation includes the children, Mrs Gardiner, although I must warn you my housekeeper may attempt to bribe them into staying forever by means of sweet treats. She has been lamenting my unmarried and childless state since I turned four and twenty."
He continued after the lady assented on behalf of her whole family. "There will be one person unknown to you as well, Elizabeth, as Richard will be coming with his mother, Lady Helen Fitzwilliam, the Countess of Matlock. She has received a long letter from Lady Catherine and is eager to make your acquaintance."
"Should I worry?" Elizabeth asked, "Lady Catherine surprised me, and you too I believe, with her unconditional acceptance; will the Countess react in the opposite way?"
"I do not know, my love; Aunt Helen is a friendly, loving kind of woman, but she is the daughter of an earl and the wife of another; she has been taught to respect rank and seek high connections just as I was, and I cannot be certain of her reactions. My uncle and eldest cousin are easier to understand; they will be dissatisfied, but will not risk a breach in the family. You will not meet them this week as they have returned to their estate to deal with the usual issues landowners all face in March. I do not want you to be concerned, Elizabeth, I would like for my aunt to like and accept you, but she has no authority over me, and I will choose you over the Matlocks without hesitation." He had taken her hand partway through this speech and she smiled back, trusting him completely.
Darcy returned to the sitting room after seeing his guests off. Georgiana had retired for the night an hour earlier, so only his aunt and cousin remained in the room.
"Well, Aunt Helen, I assume you will now share your opinion of my betrothed," Darcy asked bluntly as he sat next to Richard.
"Miss Bennet is pretty enough, and I certainly can see why Cathy was so pleased with her; they share a certain impertinence and I suspect their sense of humour often aligns as well." Her Ladyship replied noncommittally. "Does she at least bring a decent dowry?"
"Not that it should concern you, but I intend to ask her to share her dowry between her three younger sisters. As you can imagine, providing for five girls means the amount is more limited despite the very significant investments made by her mother." Darcy answered coldly, holding his aunt's stare effortlessly.
After a short silent battle, the Countess relented. "You are determined then?"
"Yes, I am. Elizabeth will be Mrs Darcy, with or without your support."
Colonel Fitzwilliam helped himself to more of his cousin's good brandy. "Come Mother, you have been attempting to get one of us married for years, can you not rejoice that at last you will be able to parade a young lady in front of the Ton? And Miss Bennet will be such an improvement on the insipid debutantes we see at every season, you can take credit for introducing a previously unknown diamond in society."
His mother looked at him pensively. "I guess with the right guidance, we could make the future Mrs Darcy a success during the little season in autumn; presenting an original to the Ton requires a lot of skill and some bravery; it is a much harder challenge than you believe, Richard. You are correct in one aspect, she is not insipid, and she clearly has been educated, yet does not present as a bluestocking in any way. Yes, I can work with this."
Darcy nodded his silent thanks to his cousin, who happily emptied his tumbler before escorting his mother home.