Chapter 26
"Miss Bingley, will you do me the honor of this dance?" Mr. Darcy asked courteously.
Caroline Bingley, who had watched with growing outrage as the master of Pemberley danced the first with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the second with Miss Jane Bennet, and the third with Miss Lucas, smiled and hastily rose to her feet. "Yes, thank you, Mr. Darcy."
Darcy guided her out to the floor and the music for country dance began. Miss Bingley waited impatiently until they had attained a place in the dance which would allow them to speak for a minute or two and then said eagerly, "Mr. Darcy, as much as I dislike being the bearer of bad tidings, I cannot, in conscience, conceal what Louisa and I overheard concerning the Bennet family."
A quick glance at Darcy's face showed pinched lips and a furrowed brow and she hurried on. "Ordinarily, of course, I would not pass on country gossip, but I would not wish for dear Miss Darcy's reputation to suffer due to her friendship with Miss Elizabeth."
The couple were parted by the figures for a minute and when they came back together again, Darcy said, through stiff lips, "What is being said, Miss Bingley?"
"Well," Caroline said enthusiastically, "it appears that only a few months ago, Miss Elizabeth was in Town visiting her uncle, who is in trade, and during that time she struck up an intimate relationship with a penurious libertine! I truly cannot believe she has the courage, or perhaps the brazenness, to show her face in public given..."
"That is enough, Miss Bingley," Darcy snapped, and his expression was now thunderous. "It is all lies, I assure you. I have no intention of providing details to you or anyone else, but..."
He trailed off as the dance separated them again and when the figures pulled them together, he still looked so angry that Miss Bingley decided that discretion was the better part of valor. Besides, she need not say anything more; Mr. Darcy cared deeply for his sister and her reputation, and would not permit her to be close friends with a woman of ill repute, even if the rumors of Miss Elizabeth's failings were false. Not that such a thing was likely; Caroline Bingley had taken one look at Miss Elizabeth and had recognized her for the sneaky, conniving creature that she was.
The dance came to an end and Darcy guided Miss Bingley silently off of the floor and over to Mrs. Hurst, who had taken a seat as far away from the fire as was possible. Caroline took the place next to her sister and looked up expectantly, ready for Mr. Darcy to ask whether she wished for a drink.
He did not. He turned to look around the room, obviously searching, before striding off briskly toward one corner of the room. Caroline, watching, was dismayed to see that he was heading directly toward Mr. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, who were standing side by side, well apart from their neighbors.
/
"Miss Elizabeth, Mr. Bennet," Darcy said.
"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said. "I hope you are enjoying yourself?"
"Not particularly. I heard only minutes ago from Miss Bingley that there are scurrilous rumors spreading throughout the community casting aspersions on your character."
Father and daughter exchanged glances and Mr. Bennet said, "Regrettably, that is true. We had hoped that Wickham's accusations would not spread, but there were others at the Pig in the Poke when Wickham made his claims, and they did not keep their mouths shut."
"I am very sorry," Darcy said, gazing into his beloved's dark eyes. "This is my fault; Wickham would never have come here if he were not intent on wresting money from our family."
"It is Wickham's fault, not yours, Mr. Darcy, and I will survive," Elizabeth said, lifting her chin. "In time, new gossip will replace the old."
Darcy swallowed, his heart beating rapidly, and said, "Perhaps we could provide some new, more interesting gossip right now?"
"What do you mean, Mr. Darcy?" Mr. Bennet asked, his tone a mixture of skepticism and curiosity.
Darcy glanced briefly at the gentleman, and then turned his attention back on the lady he adored. "Will you marry me, Miss Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth's eyes widened, then narrowed, and her brow furrowed suspiciously.
"Why? Because you feel obligated toward me? Because you pity me?" she demanded.
"Because I love you," Darcy said simply, reaching out to take her gloved hands in his. "Because I adore you. Because I admire and respect you. Because you are the only woman in all the world whom I have ever loved. Please, will you not accept my hand in marriage?"
Doubtfulness had given way to joy and she was smiling now, her eyes shining like stars, and she tightened her grip on his fingers. "I love and respect you as well, and would be honored to become your wife."
"Elizabeth," he murmured, and such was his ecstasy, his joy, his gladness that he forgot briefly that his darling's father was standing but a few feet away.
A sudden clearing of that gentleman's throat drew his attention and the newly engaged couple turned quickly, both young faces pink in the candlelight.
"Mr. Bennet," Darcy said uncomfortably, "I do apologize, erm..."
"No apology is necessary, Mr. Darcy," Bennet said. "As you said, the quickest way to rid our family of pernicious mutterings is to spread some new gossip. So you have my blessing, and my encouragement, to seal your engagement with a kiss."
Elizabeth blushed even brighter but her father was correct; an open acknowledgement of her new relationship would...
He was pulling her to him, and she lifted up on her toes, and her rosy lips met his, and she felt her heart beating madly, and...
"Lizzy! Lizzy! Whatever is happening?" Mrs. Bennet squawked, rushing up to the pair, her turban bobbing in her excitement.
"It is quite simple, my dear Mrs. Bennet," her husband said loudly, "Elizabeth is engaged to Mr. Darcy!"
/
Outside the Assembly Hall
The air outside the hall was cool but Darcy was too happy to notice.
"I will call on you tomorrow, sir," Mr. Darcy said, bowing to Mr. Bennet, who bowed in return and said, "I will be available all morning, Mr. Darcy."
The master of Pemberley now turned his attention on his chosen bride, whose already remarkable beauty was augmented by the joy on her face.
"I will see you tomorrow, Elizabeth," he said, smiling.
"Until tomorrow," she replied, holding out her hands to him. He was tempted to kiss her again, but she was not well dressed for a chilly evening and in any case, he would soon have the opportunity to kiss her whenever he felt like.
With a last smile and nod, he climbed into the dark carriage, where the rest of his party was waiting. Bingley rapped on the ceiling with his cane and the carriage surged into motion.
"Darcy, I cannot tell you how happy I am for you!" Bingley cried out. "I am also amazed; I had no idea that you were considering making an offer to Miss Elizabeth!"
"I came to Hertfordshire for that very purpose," Darcy said, delight evident in his tone.
"I confess to a great deal of surprise," Miss Bingley said, her voice obviously under rigid control. "I had no idea that the Bennets were of high enough position in society to be considered an appropriate bride for you, Mr. Darcy."
"As I said at dinner, Miss Bingley, I have come to the conclusion that rank and connections are not as important as genuine love and respect. Elizabeth is a remarkable woman and we have a great deal in common; she is, moreover, already a wonderful friend to Georgiana, and will be an even better sister."
"I have no doubt you will be very happy together," Bingley declared. "I look forward to spending more time with your bride's family, too; Miss Bennet is an angel!"
Darcy had noted that the eldest Miss Bennet was remarkably handsome, but knew little more about the lady except that Elizabeth adored her. Given that, and the lady's obvious charm and beauty – well, perhaps he and Bingley would eventually be brothers, which was a pleasing thought.
/
The Longbourn Carriage
The carriage jolted forward, and Mrs. Bennet shrieked so loudly that her daughters all jerked in surprise.
"Oh, my sweet Lizzy!" she exclaimed. "You are engaged to be married, and to a fine gentleman! Oh, how happy I am! I cannot believe it; I truly cannot. Perhaps you other girls ought to go to Ramsgate; that seems a wonderful place to find a husband!"
Elizabeth winced at her mother's strident cries of joy as Jane said, more calmly, "Indeed, I am certain we are all very happy for you, Lizzy; it seems you and Mr. Darcy are very well matched."
"Did you have any idea that he was going to offer for you tonight?" Lydia asked eagerly.
Elizabeth flushed in the comparative darkness and said, "No, not at all. Indeed, while I had hopes – well, I did not truly believe – I am very happy!"
Lydia, who had never heard her elder sister stutter and stumble, demanded, "Do you love Mr. Darcy?"
"It does not matter if she does or not!" Mrs. Bennet snapped. "He is a gentleman and based on rumors, he has enough wealth to care for Elizabeth. Do you know what his income is, Lizzy?"
Elizabeth did not know the details, but based on Georgiana's enormous dowry, and her description of Pemberley, Mr. Darcy was very wealthy indeed. But her mother was excited enough without learning that her prospective son-in-law was far richer than the Bennets.
"I do love him, Lyddy, very much," Elizabeth declared, "He is a kind, intelligent, honorable man, and we will, I am confident, be happy together."
"He is so handsome," Kitty sighed.
"And so romantic," Lydia continued. "I hope that when I receive an offer, the gentleman offers in the middle of all my neighbors!"
Elizabeth suppressed a chuckle at these gauche words; in truth, she had always assumed that she would receive an offer in private and if it were not for Wickham's scurrilous accusations, she would have far preferred a more secluded interview.
Given the situation, though, tonight had been perfect. In the midst of her happiness, she had noted that the stares from her neighbors had turned from judgmental to envious.
And she was so very, very fortunate. Soon she would be Mrs. Darcy, married to Fitzwilliam Darcy, sister of Georgiana Darcy, and mistress of Pemberley. It was a dream come true.
/
Georgiana's Sitting Room
Netherfield
"Mr. Darcy wishes to speak with you if you are available," Mrs. Annesley said and Georgiana, who had been reading a book by the fire, looked up in surprise and said, "Of course! Pray send him in!"
Her companion vanished for a moment, and a minute later the door opened again and Fitzwilliam stepped inside, his face alight with joy. Georgiana, who had been feeling alarmed, leaped to her feet and demanded, "What has happened?"
"I asked Elizabeth to marry me, and she accepted!" he explained, and swept forward and spun her around in his delight.
She squeaked in astonished joy and when he had set her back down again, surged forward to embrace him. "Oh Brother, how happy I am! But I had no idea that … oh, I overjoyed! Oh Fitzwilliam!"
He grinned at her, obviously delighted that she was pleased, and guided her over to a couch. In the few seconds that it took her to take her place, she recovered sufficiently to say, "You have been very sly, Brother! I had no idea that you were planning to offer for Elizabeth!"
"I apologize for my reticence; I was, indeed, in love, but also did not want to cause any awkwardness for her and you if she decided to refuse me. You are such close friends, after all."
"Of course she would not refuse you!"
"I believe she would, if she did not think we would be happy together. But I asked, and she accepted, and we are to be married."
She leaned over to kiss him on the cheek, her eyes now brimming with happy tears. "And I will have five sisters!"
"Indeed, you will."
/
/
Author Note: Three more chapters to go - 29 total - and then it will be published with the same title, "Ramsgate Rescue". Thanks for reading and commenting!