~MoL~
Dreams and Drama
Gasping, Darcy sat up and looked around in bewilderment, astounded to see that he was in his guestroom at Netherfield and not at the top of Oakham Mount.
Could he truly be so lucky and the scene which was so vivid in his memory had been merely a dream?
There was only the slightest hint of grey in the sky, heralding the coming dawn. Determined to make certain, Darcy got up and hurried through his morning routine and shortly afterwards he was mounted on Hermes, heading towards Oakham Mount.
As was often the case when he was troubled, Darcy unburdened himself with his most trusted confidant. 'I had the most horrific nightmare,' he said to Hermes once they were beyond where anyone in the house could hear them.
'I proposed to Elizabeth in the most appalling and insulting way. She was right when she said that I would thrash any man who spoke to Georgiana in that manner.'
When Darcy paused, Hermes gave a small nicker. 'Yes, I know. She did not actually say that, but I am certain she would have if I had been so foolish as to address her in that fashion. Elizabeth would have been quite justified to be hurt and angry.'
Darcy guided Hermes towards Oakham Mount at a gentle amble as he thought further about his dream. 'You know, this nightmare was not so farfetched as it might seem. I have a knack for saying the wrong things. While Elizabeth is the most forgiving woman, I would hate to impose on her kindness. And Richard claims that I would even try the patience of a saint.'
He kept thinking about his nightmare until he reached the top, where Darcy was stunned to see his dream come to life.
Elizabeth was standing at the edge of the escarpment, surrounded by the glow of the rising sun, giving her an ethereal look.
The sounds of the hooves of Hermes on the hard surface and Darcy's gasp at the sight caused Elizabeth to turn. And just like in his dream, the dazzling smile she gave put the rising sun to shame.
~MoL~
Darcy felt like he had been given a second chance and was resolved not to mess it up again.
He dismounted and walked up to the lady. Taking her hands, and without preamble, he said, 'Elizabeth Bennet, I think you are the most wonderful woman I have ever met. I love you most dearly and I would like you to be the partner for the rest of our lives. Would you do me the honour of granting me your hand in marriage?'
The suddenness of his address caught Elizabeth unprepared. Trying to regain her wits, she could not help but quip, 'What, no flowery speeches for such a momentous occasion, Mr Darcy?'
He shook his head and answered with a rueful smile, 'I hope you will forgive me for the brevity of my proposal, but if I were to attempt to deliver a lengthy address, I would be sure to say the wrong things. Since I am not completely stupid, I thought it safer to keep it simple. But you have not answered my question. Will you please marry me?'
Elizabeth looked into his eyes and was breathless by the open love and admiration with which he beheld her. For a moment the irreverent thought crossed her mind that she now understood the hackneyed phrase her heart sang. But she collected herself as he stood patiently waiting for her answer.
Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth squeezed his hands and said, 'Yes, Mr Darcy. I would love to marry you.'
The dazzling smile which spread over his features in response to her words made her go weak at the knees and Elizabeth was grateful for the support of their joined hands.
'Thank you. I promise I will try to always make you happy,' he said quietly, as if his voice was not under good regulation, but choked with emotion.
Darcy looked into those eyes gazing up at him and could not resist any longer. He reached up with one hand to cup her cheek as he bent down to brush her lips in a featherlight kiss.
Elizabeth's eyes closed of their own volition as she leaned in to savour the sensation. A part of her mind registered that Darcy's lips were both soft and firm.
This tacit invitation led Darcy to kiss Elizabeth again… and again. The initial chaste kisses turned more passionate until after a few minutes of indulging in their closeness, they broke apart, both feeling rather breathless.
'I think I would prefer a short engagement,' he whispered hoarsely.
Elizabeth took a deep shuddering breath before she was able to respond, 'I quite agree.' After another deep breath she mused, 'No wonder there are such strict rules of propriety. I can now understand how easy it would be to get carried away.'
The reality of what she had just said caught up with her and she blushed in mortification. 'You must think me terribly wanton,' she murmured, unable to meet Darcy's eyes.
Darcy used a finger under her chin to gently raise her head so that she would look at him. 'I am exceedingly pleased that you feel as passionate about me as I do about you. There is nothing wrong about passion between a married couple.'
The loving smile and the quick kiss to the tip of her nose reassured Elizabeth and she reminded herself that her courage always rose to face a challenge. 'I shall hold you to that, Mr Darcy.'
'Elizabeth, will you not call me William, like my family do?'
'Very well, William, but I believe it is time for me to return to Longbourn.'
Darcy sighed and reluctantly agreed. While he would have liked to spend more time with Elizabeth in private, he could see the wisdom of it. He was also grateful that the cold December air helped to cool his passion.
~MoL~
On the walk to Longbourn, Darcy, who accompanied Elizabeth, mentioned his conversation with the earl.
'My uncle would like to meet you.'
'Is he trying to discover if I am a suitable bride for his nephew?' Elizabeth asked, torn between asperity and nervousness.
'I am convinced that he will be delighted with my choice,' Darcy said and gave the hand on his arm a small squeeze. 'If he should have the bad taste not to love you, that is his problem. It will not deter me in the slightest.'
'I hope that you are correct.'
'But enough of my uncle. I wonder how soon we could marry.' Darcy gave Elizabeth a sly look. 'I have resided at Netherfield long enough that we could get a common licence and not have the banns read. We could marry in just a week.'
'As much as I would like that and avoid giving my mother time to plan an elaborate wedding, it would give rise to questions, which I would rather avoid.'
'I am afraid you have a point. Please forgive me for saying this, but since I am marrying a lady completely unknown to society, there will be enough questions. It would not do to give them any cause to speculate about the reason for our marriage.'
Elizabeth grimaced and gave him a sidelong glance. 'I hope we do not have to spend too much time in that society.'
'That would be my preference,' Darcy agreed and with an impish smile added, 'I would much prefer to have you all to myself.'
That comment led to them discussing their potential future until they arrived at her home.
As the family was just sitting down to breakfast, Darcy accepted the invitation to join them.
'I was delighted to meet your cousins yesterday, Mr Darcy. They are charming gentlemen. Will we get an opportunity to meet your aunt and uncle as well?' Mrs Bennet asked as they started to eat.
'Indeed, you will. My uncle is most desirous to meet Miss Elizabeth. He will be even more so when I inform him of the good news.'
'And what news is that?' It was Collins who asked that question, although judging by the closeness between Darcy and Elizabeth, he thought that was an unnecessary question.
'I have asked Miss Elizabeth to marry me and she has agreed,' Darcy replied with a bland smile while suppressed laughter was twinkling in his eyes.
'Mrs Bennet beamed at the couple. 'That is wonderful news indeed. I hope that you both will be very happy.'
The rest of the family expressed their own congratulations while Collins grinned and added, 'It is about time.'
Whereupon Mrs Bennet told him, 'You should take Lizzy and Mr Darcy as an example. You are not getting any younger either.'
~MoL~
When an earl decides that he wishes for something to happen, it usually does. Therefore, Miss Bingley invited the Bennet family to dinner at their earliest convenience.
The following evening, Collins, Mrs Bennet and all her daughters except Lydia presented themselves at the appointed hour a Netherfield.
To make it appear more like a general dinner party and not an inquisition, Miss Bingley had also invited the older members of the Lucas family and the Gouldings.
Once the introductions were complete, it surprised no one that the earl and countess singled out Elizabeth for conversation. Lord and Lady Matlock had been eager to meet the woman who had raised Darcy's interest, but when Darcy informed them of the engagement, nothing could have stopped them. Even though the couple had hoped to speak to Elizabeth on her own, Darcy would not budge from her side.
The earl spoke quietly but with an edge to his tone. 'You must be very pleased to have snared such an eligible husband, Miss Elizabeth,' he said without preamble.
Darcy bristled, but Elizabeth's hand on his arm stopped him from speaking. 'You may believe whatever you wish, my lord, but you obviously do not know me at all,' Elizabeth replied politely but with an arch smile. 'I would never marry without mutual respect and love.'
'You mention respect before love. I would have expected it to be the other way around.'
'Perhaps for many people it is, but I maintain that one cannot truly love someone if one does not respect them first.'
The countess now placed a restraining hand on her husband's arm as she said to Elizabeth, 'Well said, my dear. That attitude will stand you in good stead, especially amongst the harpies in town.'
'And here I thought that all wildlife was confined to the country.'
'Oh no, quite the contrary. There are more bloodsuckers in town than in any swamp,' the countess laughed.
Elizabeth glanced from the countess to the earl and returning her gaze to Lady Matlock she said with arch sweetness and a touch of impertinence, 'I had not realised that your position included duties as pest repellents.'
The comment startled a laugh from the earl. 'Darcy was right. You have the wit and the backbone to deal with anyone. It will be a delight to have you in the family.'
It was Elizabeth's turn to be surprised at the change in attitude. 'I was under the impression that you were not enamoured to welcome an unknown lady into the family.'
'Darcy speaks highly of you, and I happen to know that my sister has had good reports of your family. I just needed to test your mettle myself.
~MoL~
The rest of the guests mingled and chatted prior to dinner. During that time two ladies spoke briefly and agreed to a plan.
Soon after, each of the ladies sent one unsuspecting person to the dining room on the pretext that someone needed their assistance or a quiet word.
When Collins entered, he looked around and said, 'Sir William told me that the Colonel wanted to speak to me.'
Charlotte Lucas grimaced and shook her head. 'I was informed by Mrs Bennet that Miss Bingley wanted to consult me on the seating for dinner.'
'Why do I suspect that your father was doing your mother's bidding?'
'Probably because he was.' Charlotte chuckled. 'I also suspect that Mrs Bennet is a willing participant in the scheme.'
'Indeed. Just yesterday she again suggested that I am not getting any younger and should take Elizabeth and Darcy as an example.' Collins grinned and asked, 'What shall we do about it? Shall we be very proper and remain at opposite sides of the room or shall we give them what they so obviously want?'
'I suppose that we cannot keep our understanding secret for much longer,' Charlotte suggested.
Collins smiled and a moment later stood in front of the woman he loved and pulled her into an embrace.
~MoL~
In the drawing room, the company was still chatting when the butler entered and announced, 'Dinner is ready to be served.'
The guests started to arrange themselves to move to the dining parlour, when at a nod from the butler, a footman threw the double doors to the adjoining room wide open.
A gasp from many of the guest were heard as beyond the open doorway, Charlotte and Collins could be seen kissing in a passionate embrace.
The first to react was the lady's father.
'Charlotte Lucas! William Collins! What is the meaning of this,' cried Sir William, rushing towards the couple, while behind him Lady Lucas and Mrs Bennet were grinning in the belief that their scheme had worked. 'How can you behave like this and in front of such highly placed persons?'
Charlotte disentangled herself from William's embrace and reached into her reticule from which she extracted a sheet of paper. With a grin but without words she handed the paper to her father.
Puzzled, Sir William took it and glancing at it exclaimed, 'This is a licence for you to marry Mr Collins.' He looked at it more closely. 'It is dated last week!'
'Last week!' exclaimed Lady Lucas and Mrs Bennet in unison as they crowded around Sir William.
The earl who had followed the others, precedence forgotten, smiled and said, 'I gather that congratulations are in order?'
'Why did you not tell us?' cried Lady Lucas in consternation. In response she only received pointed looks from the couple.
Mrs Bennet nudged her longtime friend. 'I believe the joke is on us,' she whispered loud enough to be heard by all.
Bingley, refusing to be fazed by the new development, merely commented, 'What jolly good fun. We have yet another reason to celebrate.'
The party did indeed celebrate, and the news of the engagements were spread over the whole neighbourhood by the following day.
~MoL~
Who would have guessed? 😊
~MoL~
Master of Longbourn (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2023