Chapter 18: Of Family Meetings and Unannounced Visitors

Mrs. Bennet was very concerned when Mr. Darcy offered her wine to relieve her nerves. He had made sure she was sitting comfortably and handed her a fan. He placed her smelling salts on the side table where she could reach them. Francine took most of her wine quickly. He also asked if she would mind if her daughters had a drink. She shrugged. He poured them all a bit of wine. Enough for a few sips each. Jane took the wine in one gulp. Her mother stared at her, shocked. Jane rarely ever took any wine. Mary took a deep breath and took small sips. Lizzie followed Jane's example and had her wine all at once.

A knock made them all turn. Mr. Darcy went to the door. The bishop and the colonel were there as agreed. Miss Darcy insisted that she be allowed inside to support Miss Mary. She had no idea what had transpired, but from everyone's faces, she knew it had to be bad. Mr. Darcy let them in when the ladies inside assured him that they did not mind.

Jane stood up. "I have called you here today because I have found out something that is very distressing and that will change all our lives forever," she said placing the wine glass on a table near her. "This will be a difficult conversation for me to get through. As such, I beg you to please listen until I am done and not to interrupt."

"Of course, Jane. We are listening. Whatever it is, we will get through it together, like a family," Mrs. Bennet said. Elizabeth and Mary nodded.

Jane grimaced. She did not even know if they would be a family after this. The colonel moved to stand closer to her.

"As the eldest daughter in this family, I have always felt a duty and a responsibility toward my younger sisters. I have tried to be a good daughter and a good sister. As you know, I have been in the marriage mart for a while unsuccessfully."

"Jane-" Mrs. Bennet began.

"Mama, please. Let me finish before I lose my nerve."

Mrs. Bennet nodded but held onto Lizzie.

"While I was helping Mr. Bennet with his arm exercises yesterday, he admitted that he has been supplementing the estate's low income with our dowries."

Lizzie paled. Mrs. Bennet gasped and started fanning her face. The colonel refilled her wine glass and returned to his previous position.

"I would like to apologize, Mr. Darcy. I know he offered me instead of Lizzie as a more suitable bride for your circumstances. I am appalled."

He shook his head and offered a smile. Miss Darcy was shocked, but she made sure not to show it. Lizzie wanted the couch to swallow her whole. The colonel's eyebrows had disappeared behind his fringe.

"You must be wondering how we got to talk about that… He said that I had failed to get married and called me an old maid, essentially," Jane shrugged.

Mrs. Bennet reached for her now full wine glass and downed it in one gulp.

"I reminded him that after Mr. Lucas played with my emotions like he did, I asked him to help me find a suitable match, but he never made any effort. He reminded me he introduced me to Mr. Bingley, and I turned him away. I told him that considering our dowries and that all we have to offer is our looks and few skills, he should have tried harder to marry at least one of us so his costs would lower."

The colonel wanted to wrap his arm around her waist supportively or, at the very least, hold her hand. He still could not. He had to talk to Mrs. Bennet. Her voice was shaky, but she was strong and would not stop.

"I told him that since he had not managed to help me, I no longer wanted his help. I said as a legal adult, I would handle my affairs. That I would let him know once I had found a match so he could procure my dowry… He thought I was disrespectful. He reminded me he was my father, and I could not speak to him thusly. I told him he could not pick when to be a father."

Mrs. Bennet gasped. Lizzie's arm was wrapped around her. "Janey…" Lizzie whispered.

"He said that if I was done with him, I would be done financially as well. He told me that all our expenses for clothing and materials for bonnets, shoes, and such had exceeded our income for a long time. He used some of our dowries to help the situation," she whispered, "My heart turned to stone when he admitted to all that."

Mary looked up at the parson and then turned to look at Mr. Darcy. Everything made sense now. "Mine is gone, is it not?"

Jane looked ready to start sobbing, "Yes, Mary… I am so sorry to tell you this, but the first dowry he spent was yours."

Mary's eyes filled with tears, but she did not move nor speak.

"All that is left of mine is less than two hundred pounds," Jane said, answering Lizzie's questioning look. "He said he would use Kitty's next. He said he would not touch Lizzie's or Lydia's because, well… I suppose there should be an advantage to being a parent's favorite…" her tone was bitter. She shook her head. "Not that I blame you or Lydia for your good luck, of course," she looked at Lizzie apologetically.

Lizzie felt as if she had been dipped in ice-cold water. Regardless of the company, she reached behind the back of the couch and found Mr. Darcy's hand ready and waiting for her own. He squeezed reassuringly.

"As you know, the estate is entailed to Mr. Collins. We do not know how long Mr. Bennet will remain in his current state, but I wash my hands off him. He has potentially ruined my life, and any future I could have hoped to have is up in the air now. I said I was not his daughter anymore. I am an adult. I have to make my own way in the world. We need to tell Kitty and Lydia. Mr. Bennet chose which of us he thought deserved a future. I was not chosen. Neither was Mary. I have been thinking about this situation, and I decided I will look for employment-"

The colonel turned to her, confused. Mr. Darcy stared, equally puzzled.

"I do not want to be a burden to anyone while I am still unmarried," she looked at the colonel meaningfully. "I would appreciate it, Mr. Darcy, if you could help me make inquiries about open positions as a companion, governess, or a nanny. I do not want to depend on anyone."

Mr. Darcy nodded. "Of course."

Mary blinked tears away, "Mr. Darcy, Parson Villiers, I accept your offer. I want to meet with the two of you to discuss the particulars at your earliest convenience."

Mr. Darcy smiled, "Are you sure, Miss Mary?"

"Completely."

Mr. Darcy looked into her eyes, "I do not need Miss Elizabeth's dowry at all. If you prefer to stay in the marriage mart, you could keep the 1,000 and I could-"

"No, sir. I thank you. As he says… I will never marry."

"Mary!" Georgiana's heart broke for her friend.

"Worry not, Georgiana. I have had years to resign myself to my fate. I would much rather serve the Lord and a parish than keep waiting for something that will likely never happen."

Mr. Darcy shared a look with Lizzie. She looked ready to burst into tears.

"Whatever you decide, we will take care of you, Miss Mary."

"What offer are you talking about? I do not understand," Mrs. Bennet looked around, puzzled.

"Parson Villiers, our confessor and friend, needs a young woman to teach the parish's children. Teach them how to read and write, how to sum… Practical information like that. He cannot take on the additional responsibility because he is already minding everything else."

"But I am certain Miss Mary will be a welcomed addition to our community," the parson smiled.

"Like a job? You will pay her?" Mrs. Bennet was pale.

Mr. Darcy nodded, "Of course. She will have a salary that allows her to live independently if she chooses… Until her majority, and even after she is an adult, she can live at Pemberley, Mrs. Bennet, in case that eases some of your concerns."

"It does… But she would have to stay… here? So far away…"

"Mama, please, Mr. Darcy and the parson are honoring me with this offer. I have nothing else… Now, I -like Jane- have to make my own way in the world," Mary stood and asked the parson to tell her about the children. She did not want to waste time and wanted to start preparing lessons as soon as possible. He walked her to the corner of the room and started talking to her in hushed tones after fetching her ink, a pen, and parchment.

"Mr. Darcy… I do not know what to say," Mrs. Bennet cried. "I… Will you not marry my Lizzie now?"

"Mrs. Bennet, there is nothing that will dissuade me from marrying her. I would like to talk to you about Mr. Bennet and the future of Longbourne if you feel up to it."

"Could it be later? My head is pounding."

"Yes, I had a maid prepare you a separate room so that you can rest better," he opened the door. "Anna, please accompany Mrs. Bennet to her new room."

"Thank you, sir."

Mr. Darcy explained all the conversations he had in the morning to Miss Elizabeth. She was so heartbroken, so disappointed in her father. She wanted to tell her father what she felt. He begged her not to do it. He explained he was trying to buy Mr. Collins out so Longbourne would remain in her family, and it would take time. She asked him to do something he had already considered was best. He was to put the house in her mother's name. Walker was already working on further correspondence with Mr. Collins. They were in the study, and shortly after, the lawyer knocked on the open door.

"Come in, Walker."

"I have sent the express as you wanted. We should hear back in a couple of days."

"Walker, meet my intended, Miss Elizabeth Bennet," Mr. Darcy smiled in a way Walker had never seen him smile before. He turned to the woman. "I am so glad to meet you, madam." He bowed over her hand and stared at it strangely. "There is something missing here."

"Sir?"

"Walker… There has not been an opportunity yet."

"Now you have it. I shall guard the ajar door with my back to you and cover my ears. You have three minutes, Darcy. Go! Go! Go!" Walker did just that. Like a child, he plugged his ear canals with his indexes and kept watch.

Mr. Darcy blushed furiously.

"William?" Lizzie was perplexed. "I do not understand."

"I am sorry, dearest. I wanted to give this to you somewhere else, maybe during a walk or… last night, but I did not have the chance to talk to you."

"William, please. You have already done so much. You do not need to give me anything else."

"It is a gift, dearest. It would mean the world to me if you keep it. I was told it was probably too old for you, and I look forward to buying you another one more to your taste," he went around the desk and got down on one knee. He opened a small wooden box. Inside was the most beautiful ring Lizzie had ever seen from up close. "This was my mother's engagement ring. My father had it commissioned for her. If it is not your style and you would rather not wear it, I would not be offended. We can choose one or commission one from Garrard when we buy your trousseau for our wedding if you prefer," he said all this rather quickly as she was starting to cry. "You do not like it?"

"It is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen."

He sighed, relieved. "Thank heavens. Let us see if it fits." He slid it onto the correct finger. It was a perfect fit.

"Will, it was your mother's. Are you sure you-?"

Mr. Darcy stood up and pulled her with him. He kissed her lips softly and then the ring on her finger. "There could be no better Mrs. Darcy. Even the ring agrees with me," he chuckled.

"I hear a carriage approaching, Darcy. Whatever you are doing, be done."

"Walker," Darcy tapped his shoulder. "We are done. Thank you."

Walker turned and took Miss Elizabeth's hand, "Aha! Much better!"

"Thank you, sir."

He smiled, "We should get started on the paperwork, Darcy."

"Whose carriage did you see?"

"I only heard it. No nearby windows."

"Weird. Dearest, would you see to your mother? I am worried about her."

"Of course."

Just as they finished the calculations for Mr. Darcy's loan to the colonel. The doors burst open, and an impeccably dressed older man rushed in with a black bejeweled cane and a top hat.

Mr. Darcy jumped, "Uncle?! What are you doing here? I… No one announced you. I did not receive any letters that you were coming."

"Fitzwilliam Darcy… You have some explaining to do," the Earl of Matlock looked upset, but seeing his nephew's desk so covered in papers and noticing the lawyer, he softened his expression. "Elinor is right behind me. Just warning you," he hugged his nephew lightly. "She is most upset with you. Brace yourself."

"Oh no," Darcy sighed and massaged his temples.

"Walker," the earl shook his hand.

"Earl Matlock," he nodded. He, too, braced himself for the formidable lady.

"Fitzwilliam Darcy, how could you?!" His Aunt Lady Elinor stood at the doorway. Her hands were on her hips, and she had a deep frown on her face.

"Aunt… I-"

"No. Spare me the 'I was too busy,' 'I was about to write to you,' and anything like that. You know I despise it."

Mr. Darcy sighed, "Aunt Elinor, I love you. I do. Truly. But I am in the middle of several significant simultaneous crises here and-"

"And when do you need family the most, young man?!" she rushed inside and stood before him with a scowl.

"Ma'am?" he blinked.

"When you are in a crisis! It is like I taught you nothing." Lady Elinor swatted at his head with her fan. He winced but did not complain. "We are your family. We are resourceful and smart, and we can help you. What were you thinking?!" Her frown lessened at his wince, and she opened her arms to him, "Now, come here."

"My apologies," he hugged her. "You will have to be more specific, though. So much has happened that I do not know what you are referring to..."

"Oh, I do not know… How about we start with the little tidbit that you are getting married? Shall we?"

"Who told you that?" his eyes widened.

"Georgi mentioned in her last letter that she hoped your wedding would be soon before winter sets in here in the North," Elinor said in a questioning tone.

Mr. Darcy's eyes widened, but he said nothing.

"Imagine our shock," the earl said in an exaggerated, false, outraged tone to match up his wife. "We thought you were blissfully single. My steward actually thought you were into… men."

"WHAT?!" Darcy blushed.

Walker had to bend one of his fingers back until it hurt a lot not to burst out laughing.

"Well, you have been spending an awful lot of time with that Bingley chap in the past few years."

Darcy grumbled, "Robbards should keep his opinion of my personal life to himself."

"Hey!" Lady Elinor snapped her fingers in front of him, "Focus! I have asked you time and time again to let me help you find a wife, have I not?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"I have scoured the ton, the debutantes, the titled and the rich untitled suitable families. I have interrogated. I have attended too many balls and society teas to count in my attempt to find you a suitable match, and all my efforts were futile. Useless. Why? Because you decided to go ahead and find a wife on your own, and you did not even tell me so I could stop wasting my time?!"

"Aunt, I am so sorry-"

"Save yourself the apology; I just do not understand what I did so wrong for you to do this to me…"

"Aunt Elinor-?" Mr. Darcy blinked. She looked close to tears, but he could tell they were frustrated tears, not sad tears.

"You are treating me as if I were Lady Catherine, and I may not be an angel, but I do not deserve that!" Elinor exclaimed angrily.

Darcy blanched. He attempted to form a reply but failed and opted to cradle his head with his hands.

Walker felt told off even when the lady was not talking to him. He took a sip of his tea and kept himself small. This, however, seemed to alert her to his presence. "Oh! Markie, dear. I did not see you there!"

Darcy forced himself not to laugh. Walker loathed to be called Markie. He preferred Walker and, if needed, Marcus. Very few people got away with using his childhood nickname without bodily injury.

Walker exhaled loudly through his nose and fixed his expression to his most congenial one, "Lady Elinor, you get more and more beautiful each time I see you."

Elinor scoffed, "Shocking. To say such pretty words to me in front of my husband, no less. No wonder you are still unmarried. Do you have any prospects, dear? I can introduce you to some wonderful young ladies... Maybe that way, all my hard work will be worth something."

Walker blushed, "I appreciate that, Ma'am. I am still not at a point where I would feel financially comfortable enough to seek a wife."

"Darling, you should give him more business so he can afford to marry," she smiled conspiratorially at her husband.

The Earl laughed, "I shall, darling. I shall."

With exasperation, Walker held his head in his hands, but Elinor ignored him.

"Now, Fitzwilliam… Tell us what the devil is going on, please."

"I will, Uncle, but let me order you some refreshments. It is a long story. Walker, please call Richard. He has something to tell his parents as well."

The married couple shared a very concerned look while Darcy called for a tray.

"You are breaking my heart!" Lady Elinor's hand was in the middle of her chest.

"Mother! You are exaggerating!" Richard threw his head back with a groan.

"The both of you engaged?! At the same time?!"

"Well, technically, he is engaged, and I just entered a courtship," Richard amended.

Lady Elinor threw her hands up, "With two young women whom I do not know?! Did you two plan this?! Do you want to send me into an early grave?!"

"Elinor, dear, please calm down," the earl patted her hand.

"Do not tell me to calm down, husband! What did I do so wrong for you two to do this to me?!"

Mr. Darcy pinched the bridge of his nose. All he had judged about Mrs. Bennet was the exact same in his aunt. True, Lady Elinor was the perfect lady in public, and there was no fault in her manners, her etiquette, or her fashion sense. Her balls and other soirées were the talk of London for the right reasons, but in family settings, she was another matchmaking mama. The irony made him want to laugh until he cried. He bit his bottom lip when he saw the earl about to cackle.

"Mother… We just found the right ladies on our own. How is that a slight against you? You should be happy for us."

She narrowed her eyes at him dangerously, "You are already talking about dowries and properties without us meeting her! No, meeting them! It is a slight! I deserve to meet these women who have, by some miracle, captured both of your attentions when I was starting to lose hope either of you would ever marry!"

Richard sighed, "And you will meet Miss Bennet, Mother. Just not today."

"Whyever not?" the earl frowned.

"We have been resolving some family matters-"

"Well, we are family!" Lady Elinor protested.

"No, Mother, their family, not ours."

"What? What do you mean?"

"The ladies we are to marry are sisters, Aunt Elinor," Mr. Darcy explained.

Lady Elinor gasped, "I will have a conniption, I am sure!"

Once Lady Elinor finally went to refresh herself, the earl stayed with his son and nephew. They told him all that had happened. The earl was very smart and very ruthless. He was protective of his family. When they were done explaining, he stood and poured himself a double. He sat back down.

"I will address all of this, but first… I ought to send you both to your rooms without supper! God damn it, children!" he drank half his liquor and placed the glass on Darcy's desk.

"Sir?" "Father?"

"Richard, for the love of God, you have been suffering from those fits for MONTHS, and we knew nothing? What if you had been sent back to the front? What if you had a fit in the middle of battle? You could have been killed!"

"Father… I just-"

"What?!"

"Uncle. Listen, please."

"I was afraid… I f-felt… I felt like a disappointment, like I was t-terrible at the one thing I should have been good at. The m-m-military is the one thing that was mine alone. The one thing I had going for me… I am a s-second son, I-"

"Richard!" the earl gently took his son's face with his hands and turned his head to face him.

"F-Father?"

"Did I… Did I do this? Did I do this to you?" the earl's eyes got misty.

Mr. Darcy stared in shock. He did not expect the conversation to go like this.

"What?" Richard choked out.

"Look at me, son. You are every bit as precious to me as Michael. I am extremely proud of you. No condition, no fits, nothing could ever turn you into a disappointment to me and your family. I am so sorry that you have felt this way. I am also sorry that you thought you were not going to benefit from the family fortune. While the title goes to your brother, you, of course, get a part of it. How could we not give you an inheritance, child? If we had a daughter, her inheritance would be split between her dowry and an account only she could access, but we only had two sons, so…"

"I thought… I… Michael said-"

"Did he say all the money went to him?!" the earl frowned.

"He insinuated that I better become a good soldier because I would have to live off my profession."

"Damn it all to hell! He will have to answer to me for that… Richard… You mean to tell me that all this time, even when you were on the battlefield, you have been scared that you were to end up penniless? And that is why you have taken so many risks to advance in rank?"

Richard lowered his head, but he said nothing.

"Your mother is going to make your brother deaf… And me as well, probably. We deserve it," he waved his son off when he looked up concerned. "I would have to get the exact numbers from the bank, but there should be around 200,000 pounds in savings and other investments that I deposit into that account."

"And you never told him?!" Mr. Darcy's eyes widened.

"I told Michael, and he was supposed to talk to Richard. That was right before we left for our holiday in the continent."

"That was almost ten years ago. I have had access to that money all this time?" Richard blinked.

"Well, no. You are meant to control the account as soon as you are married."

"If Mother had told me this, maybe I would have already married!"

"I am so sorry… But you must be happy knowing now that you are courting Miss Bennet, right?"

"Absolutely," Richard smiled.

"Good. Now, we also acquired a house for you in London years ago. We have been renting it out, but it is on a monthly agreement, so when you marry, you can move there within one month. I do hope Miss Bennet likes London."

"She does… But I… We…"

"Yes?"

"Darcy was going to loan me money to purchase an estate between Pemberley and Lambton."

The earl blinked rapidly. He knew the estates that were around Pemberley. They were all large and costly, not as large as Pemberley, but still.

"You can afford that?"

"You sound shocked," Darcy lifted a brow.

"No, son. I… I know you do great for yourself, and I am proud of all you have accomplished... I just did not know you did this good."

"Thank you," Darcy smiled.

"Darcy, I no longer need the other thing."

"What other thing?"

Darcy shrugged, "You will receive it regardless."

"But, I no longer need it!"

"Perhaps, but she needs to feel she is contributing to your marriage."

"What other thing?!" the earl repeated.

"Mr. Bennet… Well, do you have time for this?"

"I have nothing but time. Tell me."

Mr. Darcy proceeded to give his uncle all the details.

"You did well, Fitzwilliam. By getting his debts, you have significant power over him. No one who buys debts tends to keep the nice original conditions of the first lender. You could hike up interest. You could demand payment in full. If he tries to sell the estate, as he probably will, whoever considers buying it will find out about the entail, and he will not be able to get Collins to sign off the rights to the inheritance because he needs significant money for that, too."

"I do not feel comfortable using my wealth forcefully on others…" Darcy sighed. "I do not know how to speak of it, Uncle. I want him to know he cannot act like this in my home. He has been abominably rude to his family, to my staff, to my animals-"

"To you," Richard added.

"Fitzwilliam?"

"Uncle… I am fine. It is an annoyance, to be sure, but I have faced a lot worse."

"Are you two sure you want to marry these ladies?"

"Yes," the cousins replied in unison.

The earl had never seen the two so steadfast, "Then, you will have to do things you find distasteful to deal with this man."

"I agree. Darcy, you are too polite for your own good. Just what he did to Onyx would have been reason enough to throw him out."

The earl nodded. He stood and went to his nephew's side, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Fitzwilliam, I know you are a grown man, and you do not need anyone to fight your battles for you, but I want you to know that you may not have a father anymore, but you have me. And if something distasteful needs to be done, if hands need to get dirty, you have mine. I am not above giving that man a harsh reality check. You are not alone."

Darcy sighed, "That means more to me than I can say."

"Come, son. I will go get your aunt. We want to meet at least one of the future members of our family."

"Please do not intimidate her."

"I would worry about your aunt if I were you. I am a gentleman. As far as I am concerned, if the lady is polite, kind, and truly loves you, she is already my niece. Lord knows that love matches are rare. If you managed to get something close to what your parents had, you will be very happy indeed."

"I am not worried about Aunt Elinor. She will love Lizzie. She is genuine, kind, smart, and she makes me the happiest I have ever been."

The earl smiled, "Good, son. That is good."

Just like Mr. Darcy had hoped, his Lizzie had charmed his aunt and uncle by being herself. Things went so well that Aunt Elinor had asked her to call her Aunt Elinor or just Elinor within an hour of meeting her. Lady Elinor did not do that lightly. Very few people who were not family had the leave to address her like that. While they talked animatedly, his uncle approached the refreshment cart and clapped his back.

"You found yourself a good one, nephew."

"I know, Uncle. I am glad you approve."

"Even more so that my Eli approves, right?"

"Well… You said it," Darcy laughed into his cup.

"Regardless of how Ricky's courtship turns out, I will be forever grateful that you have made him want to leave the war. We are always so concerned when he is gone."

"I cannot take credit for that, uncle. I just asked some questions that made him reflect. He chose a family. I cannot blame him. He has been through a lot."

"Quite… Now tell me, Darcy, what about this Jane Bennet, huh? I know you are biased considering your own situation, but do you think she is a good choice for my son?"

"Take care, Father," the colonel added sugar to his tea. "You are starting to sound like Mother," he chuckled and went to join his mother. The earl laughed good-naturedly.

"Uncle, I have never seen Richard so happy. When he is with her, his eyes shine, and his features soften. He is calmer, gentler, just… happier."

The earl scoffed, "You know you just described you, do you not?"

Darcy blushed, "Well, we are different people affected by ladies who are sisters. I figure it makes sense we are-"

"DARCY! HELP!" Bingley yelled from the top of the stairs in a panicked tone. The men shared a look and rushed out of the family room, not knowing what to expect.