Chapter 12

Elizabeth's winter of discontent had not improved with the first stirrings of spring. The inconsistency of seasonal expectations continued to deny her the pleasure of a ramble to Mr Darcy's waterfall. Her only respite in the last fortnight had been the letter she received from Aunt Maggie. It arrived on a most disappointing day, one with little visibility because falling snow filled the sky. Lizzy was weary from the inclement weather. Even if she could see where she was going, having to contend with paths filled with ruts of melting snow mixed with mud made walking unpleasant even for her. Such impediments had rarely been something Lizzy experienced in either Longbourn or London. Instead, she remembered waking up as a child to the glorious beauty of the occasional snowfall. The sparkling blanket of white, covering all, was to her child's eye such a miracle. Today it was a curse!

The delivery of her aunt's letter happened just before she set out on her journey to the bookshop. Her boots still felt damp from yesterday's trudge back and forth. She was going to need new ones once consistent warmer weather officially arrived. How would she be able to afford them? Seeing the directions written by her aunt's hand caused her to smile despite her annoyance with the weather, and it was put in the pocket of her cloak to read once she was at the shop.

There had been few customers on such a dismal day. She spent the morning entering yesterday's receipts in the ledger, ordering a few new novels she knew would sell, and organizing the bills for Mr Goodwin that needed payment. The bell on the door signaled someone entering and immediately Iphigenia took off running to see who it could be. Next, she heard Linus thank someone for a delivery. He walked in to hand her a package with her name on it from Hatchards in London.

"This is for you, not for the shop. What do you think it is?"

"I do not know. Give me a chance to open it and find out." It was done quickly and both her colleagues, the feline and human, observed her pleasure as she pulled out Marco Polo's writings on China in Italian. Mr Darcy had remembered his promise. It was one of those moments when she was unsure whether the proper emotion was to dance with joy or cry tears of relief. Instead, she simply held the book to her heart. Once Linus returned to the front of the shop, she decided it was time to read her aunt's letter.

Dearest Lizzy,

Alice and George sorely miss you. They almost daily ask their father when you are returning to London. Almost as often, they ask him when we will visit their Grandpapa and their dear Cousin Lizzy. These outpourings of devotion for you have made your uncle more reflective with regards to his insistence you marry Mr Wickham to save your sisters' reputations. I believe he may think his actions, despite his sister's insistence and his disapproval of you returning his kiss, were not the best for you. Your fear of being wed to Bluebeard from the time you were even younger than his Alice was perhaps something more real than he was led to believe by your mother. I am hoping and praying someday soon he will want to discuss his decision with me. There is information I have been keeping from him. It is knowledge I fear your mother will react to imprudently if she learns of the gentlemen's' interest. You and your sister should be able to make your own life choices without her interference. For this reason, I have not told Edward about the two who have visited twice.

They are Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy. They both express interest in becoming reacquainted with Jane. Both have told me they have been in contact with you in the past months. The colonel was devastated to learn Jane was not staying with us. Mr Darcy seems particularly appreciative of you. He wanted me to write you of the book about Marco Polo from Hatchards he is sending you, but his most important message to you was he had not forgotten his promise of a tour of Pemberley and an introduction to his sister. He sounds serious. Is there anything you have neglected to tell me about your acquaintance?

Papa says you are worth your weight in gold. He truly appreciates your help with the bookshop. His clerk, Linus, is efficient enough to sell books to his friends and neighbours, but he has little understanding of what is needed to keep the ledgers in balance or ordering new books. He says every book you suggest buying sells out immediately when it arrives and you have to order more.

My father is becoming weary of his many responsibilities. He writes to me about turning his businesses over to Edward so he is able to retire. He has written to your uncle of such a proposal and of the tremendous help you have been with the bookshop. It has consistently made good money over the years, but he lets him know you have improved its profit since you have been working there.

With this in mind, I believe your uncle has increased the amount he sent to my father for you for the quarter. I have written to Papa to make certain you have at least one new dress, or better yet two, and a spencer or pelisse to go with them—and perhaps bonnets to match. You deserve to look lovely for Jamie's wedding, but most importantly for your visit to Pemberley. Miss Darcy must not think you are the proverbial poor relation when you meet.

Dearest Elizabeth, I want you to be happy and thrive despite the precarious position your family has put you in. You and Jane must be allowed to choose your own happiness.

Sincerely your loving aunt.

Elizabeth folded the letter and allowed herself to sob. Iphigenia tried as best she could to comfort her from the place where she sat on her lap. Between the release of all her misgivings flowing out through her tears and her friend's munitions she began for the first time in months to look forward to the future. Fitzwilliam still wanted to be her friend. Armed with such knowledge, she could again begin to dream of oh so many possibilities.

Darcy, Georgiana, and Richard were within minutes of arriving at Rosings to spend Easter with their aunt and cousin. He had spent the journey composing the speech he would deliver to Lady Catherine de Bourgh telling her he had no intention of marrying her daughter for the second time.

He laughed to himself as he remembered the first time. It had been after he had met Isabelle, but before he had kissed Elizabeth in Vauxhall Gardens. Traveling to Kent had seemed the proper thing to do at the time. Familial duty demanded he inform her of his intention to marry Miss Bowles., if she would have him. She had argued vociferously and when he refused to budge, she assured him it would not happen and bid him leave with the parting words, "You are destined to marry Anne."

This time everything was different. He felt no need to disclose his intentions to his aunt, but he wanted to put her on notice that he would accept no interference this time. Unlike before, his commitment to Elizabeth was not about status, or connections, nor was it even known whether she would ever accept him. The thought running through his mind at the point the commotion started was that she brought joy to his life.

Colonel Fitzwilliam, who he thought had also been dozing, was banging on the carriage roof yelling, "Stop, stop, stop the carriage, now!"

Darcy looked out the window and saw two young ladies he knew. One of them was Miss Bennet. The other was Miss Maria Lucas. The carriage stopped and Richard jumped out and greeted them.

Georgiana was now awake, looking fearful, and asking her brother what was wrong. "Have we been attacked by highwaymen?"

He assured her it was just an unexpected meeting with old acquaintances. "We are almost at our destination. I will find out what two young ladies from Hertfordshire are doing coming down the lane from Rosings toward the parsonage at Hunsford."

"Is it the young lady Richard has been pining for?"

"Yes, and to quote Horace Walpole, it is pure serendipity they will be able to become reacquainted!"

She gave him a mischievous grin and said, "Unexpected meetings often happen in the novels I read. They often lead to happiness."

Darcy returned his sister's grin before joining his cousin to learn the young ladies were visiting Miss Maria's sister, Charlotte. She was now Mrs Collins and residing at the parsonage with Mr Collins, the vicar. All were invited to Rosings for dinner. Within minutes they were back traveling toward their aunt and cousin.

Mr Goodwin had come down with a cold, Iphigenia had vanished, and the doldrums were upon Lizzy once again, despite an improvement in the weather. She even saw some daffodils blooming on her trip to the bookshop., but they did nothing to encourage pleasant thoughts.

Still, her work was comforting, and she was indeed having two new dresses and spencer being made for Esther's wedding and the trip she would someday take to Pemberley. And yet, she could not shake the notion that her delightful life was in jeopardy. Mr Goodwin talked of retiring and moving to London to be with his grandchildren. He assured her his daughter and her Uncle Edward would welcome her back. Still, it saddened her to think she would revert to her old life rather than moving forward to a new one like Esther was doing.

Linus had not yet arrived when the post was delivered. There was one for her in a hand she was not familiar. She took it to the back room and opened it, wishing Iphigenia was on her lap to comfort her in case it was bad news. It was from Jane and the few words she had written finally lifted her spirits.

Dearest Lizzy,

I am in Kent visiting Charlotte and Mr Collins with Maria. Mr Lucas travelled with us, but he has returned to Hertfordshire. We have been here a fortnight and will not return until after Easter. I would have written sooner, and in fact did send a letter to Aunt Maggie to be forwarded to you telling of my visit, but I did not have a direction to send to you directly.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr Collins esteemed patroness, who as I told you before he is forever referring to, is the aunt of Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr Darcy, and Miss Darcy, his sister. They are visiting for Easter. We are having dinner tonight at Rosings, the lady's grand estate. I will take this letter and have Mr Darcy address it for me. He knows where to find you I am certain.

Colonel Fitzwilliam was effusive in his delight with being able to spend time becoming reacquainted with me. You were correct in believing him to be attracted to me. I look forward to our time together. He is the most agreeable man. Now that I will know where to send my letters, I will write daily to keep you apprised.

I learned from Mr Collins that Mr Darcy is intended to marry Miss De Bourgh. She is not at all what I would have thought he would choose for a wife. Poor thing appears quite sickly and almost never speaks or even smiles. I think laughter is beyond her capacity. Perhaps he feels it is his duty.

Until tomorrow when I will write again.

Your loving sister, Jane

Lizzy, had much to ponder. He had proposed to both Isabelle and herself. Surely, he did not intend to marry his cousin. And yet, he seemed to want her to know he was in Kent. Perhaps he only wanted her to know his cousin was spending time with her sister. Linus arrived and she put away her foolish thoughts until she was alone tonight and could devote her energies to imagining what it all meant.

Darcy saw little of his cousin for the next few days. He was out every morning finding ways to meet up with Miss Bennet. He did ask whether Darcy thought it was safe for him to propose. He assured him he had a lead on an estate to lease and once again promised he would do everything to help them to wed.

A few days later, he told Darcy and his sister she accepted. They toasted his good fortune, and Richard told Georgiana, "She has the most delightful sister who lives in Lambton. After we marry, it is probable she will live with us." Georgiana looked questioningly at her brother. Darcy knew it was time she learned the full story. She seemed to know something was afoot.

For now, he said, "Yes, she is a most agreeable young lady. When we return to Pemberley, she is to visit and I plan to present her to you. She works in the bookshop in Lambton. I will tell you all about her later when we are alone."

"Is she the one I heard the servants talking about you taking to Tompkin's Peak? Please, let our conference be soon."

"Yes, to both dearest sister."

That night at dinner, Richard announced his betrothal to his aunt. As expected, she expressed disapproval. His act prompted Darcy to secure some time alone with Lady Catherine.

As usual, though he had been the one to request to speak with her, she began complaining about Richard's choice of bride as soon as he entered the room.

"What is your cousin thinking! He has chosen a penniless nobody as his wife?"

"She is a gentleman's daughter, and I believe he loves her."

"What does love have to do with a successful marriage? He was known for many years as saying he could not consider anyone with less than fifty thousand."

"That is true, but I was with him when he met Miss Bennet. He has never been as attracted to any lady before. He told me the first time he ever saw her face he knew. Yes, she is beautiful, she reminded me a bit of Isabelle when I first saw her, but he told me he saw goodness, compassion and kindness., things a man who has seen the cruelty of war admires."

"What does a second son, a soldier, know about marriage or proper ladies? She is a fool. Her refusal of Mr Collins tells me everything I need to know. He will inherit her father's estate. My nephew will leave her an impoverished war widow with who knows how many children to feed."

"I will help her if that happens. It is my hope to marry her sister someday."

"Fitzwilliam, it is your duty to marry Anne! It was decided in your infancy by your mother and me."

"I have heard you tell me so, numerous times, but it is not my wish. Like Richard, I want to marry someone I enjoy being with, who is admirable, who makes me smile, who makes me laugh. Your daughter rarely speaks. I have affection for her, but as my cousin., not as my partner for life."

"But you would join two important properties with your marriage."

"I told you before I proposed to Miss Bowles, Anne would not be my wife. I am telling you again, now. "

"She was wrong for you. I knew she wanted more than you could offer her."

"Why? My connections were impeccable, much like her own… and your daughter's. Yes, her father was only a baronet; but he owned a very prosperous estate, and her mother had been the daughter of an earl… just like you and my mother. "

"So why did she break your betrothal a week before you were to wed?"

"I struggled with the conundrum of her betrayal for many months. But then, I learned of the good deed you did to part me from a most unsuitable wife."

"What do you mean?"

"I should thank you for saving me from a loveless marriage. When the current Countess of Matlock jilted me for my uncle, nothing could console me. For several months I blamed myself because I was not enough for her. My thoughts were those of a lovesick schoolboy, and my confidence was greatly diminished. And then fortuitously, I learned of some family gossip about you from Richard, who had heard it from Bertie, who had been told by his wife, who knew because the fact had been confided to her by her best friend, Isabelle herself. He said you had encouraged your brother to offer for Miss Bowles."

"That is ridiculous. Why would I do that?"

"I suppose because you believed I would be vulnerable and offer for your daughter in desperation."

"That is preposterous."

"My maudlin thinking about being left at the altar began to shift with the revelation of your treachery. I realized my proposal to Isabelle had not been made with actual affection but was merely a well-calculated transaction to ensure my position in society. Isabelle and I had little in common, much as is the case with Anne. There was no difference between your plans for my marriage and the one I devised for myself. They were both about improving status."

"So, who do you plan to marry?"

"Miss Bennet's sister. Although, I do not know when. She refused me and I am still trying to determine how to persuade her to change her mind."

"She said no! She is definitely a fool."

Darcy's smile was broad as he replied, "You are wrong as usual. She is the most delightful rational creature. She said no, but I believe I will cause her to change her mind someday. There is no one else for me."

The two spoke on for several more minutes with no agreement in sight, However, when they parted, Darcy knew he had made it clear, he would never marry her daughter. It was possible, and he even dared hope, she would interfere again. He believed it might have the opposite result from the one his aunt desired. He started to hum a tune as he walked to his room. It could just possibly have the opposite effect.