Mr. Darcy's Proposal (27 page)

“Jane always makes me feel better.”

“What would you think of asking them if they would consider being married in London in the fall and allowing us to host their wedding breakfast? It would mean that most of your friends from Hertfordshire would not be able to attend, but it would give your mother and sisters an opportunity to visit London and shop there. I believe Bingley has plans for them to travel after the wedding for while, and by the time they have returned from their honeymoon trip, they could return comfortably to Netherfield to greet friends there.”

Elizabeth was astonished at his suggestion. “What a wonderful idea! I can think of nothing I would enjoy more,” she said. Then she bit her lip in thought for a moment. “Of course, it would mean having my mother and sisters stay with us for several weeks. Are you sure you are prepared for that?” she asked.

“If it would make you happy, I would endure it gladly.”

“I will ask Aunt Gardiner to have Mother and Lydia stay with them, and we could have Jane, Kitty and Mary at our house.”

“Before you proceed too far along in your plans, you might want to ask your sister and Bingley what they think about this idea,” he remarked with a laugh.

“I think Jane will be very pleased,” she said. “Thank you for making such an excellent suggestion and also for your generosity.”

“Surely, you know I would do anything to make you happy, Elizabeth,” he said, looking at her intently.

Elizabeth’s heart stuck in her throat. Hoping to avoid Darcy seeing her emotional state, she set aside her book and said goodnight. As she was walking past him on the way to her room, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

***

Darcy was left alone wondering at the mystery that was his wife. She had given him credit for understanding her moods enough to know that she needed to see Jane, but in fact, inviting her sister was an act of desperation on his part. He actually did not understand Elizabeth at all.

When they were first married, she had often let him hold her to offer comfort, and she had seemed to enjoy it. When they came to Pemberley, things seemed to be going well at first, but then something had changed. She had grown distant and cool toward him. Having her so close and yet so far away was becoming harder and harder to bear. Daily he struggled with his resolve to wait until she showed some sign of real affection. He wondered if she had any idea of how she tortured him. A few days ago, it had all seemed futile, but now his heart began to hope again.

Thirty Six

When Jane and Bingley heard Darcy’s idea of hosting their wedding in London, they were very pleased. After that, the two couples talked of it frequently. Elizabeth and Jane concluded they should write to their mother and inform her of the change in plans. This would give Mrs. Bennet some time to become accustomed to the idea before Jane returned home. They both suspected that her excitement at the idea of being in London would offset any disappointment she might feel at not being able to plan everything herself. Their letter had no sooner been sent than they received a post from their mother. The two must have crossed on the road.

“Would you like me to read it aloud?” asked Jane.

“Yes, of course,” Elizabeth replied.

Dearest Daughters,

I suppose you are both having such a jolly time at Pemberley that you are not even thinking about your poor mother and sisters here in Meryton. We are managing to keep ourselves occupied although we are not able to enjoy the society of our friends and neighbors as much as we would like. There have been several small dinners at your Aunt Phillips’ house to keep us entertained but that is all.

I have been suffering so with having to endure complaints from Kitty and my poor Lydia about how tired they are of wearing black and not being able to go dancing or have any fun. They are quite wearing me down.

“Oh, yes,” said Elizabeth, “I can just hear those two now.”

Jane, dear, could you ask Lizzy if she has anything to spare for her poor family. We are running a bit short this month. I certainly could use some cheering up. Perhaps we could come visit her at Pemberley. I think that would do us all up quite nicely.

Your Loving Mother

“I cannot believe she has asked for more money. She has been so extravagant in fixing up the new house that she must have gone through most of her allowance for the next few months,” said Jane refolding the letter and setting it aside.

“Mother asks me to send money to her with every letter. First, it was new curtains, and then the girls just had to have some new dresses. She thinks because I am married to Mr. Darcy she is entitled to spend extravagantly and he should pay.”

“I think she is just feeling sad because she misses Father. After all, she is on her own now with no one to guide her. We are her only protection,” said Jane.

“She hardly paid any heed to Father when he was alive. Why is now any different?” Just thinking about her mother caused irritation.

“Oh, Lizzy, we must be more patient with her. She is doing the best she can,” Jane told her.

Elizabeth felt a little ashamed of herself for speaking so harshly of her mother. “Of course, as always, Jane, you are right. I will try to be more patient. Now let me find some paper and pens and we will write to her. I have to find a way to break it to her gently that this would not be an appropriate time for her to visit Pemberley.”

As she held her pen over the clean white sheet to begin her letter, Elizabeth thought about how ironic it was that she had just promised to be more patient with her mother—almost the same thing she had asked Darcy to do only a few months ago.

***

A few days later, Jane and Elizabeth sat together working on their sewing projects. It was still early in the day and the light was very good. Although sewing was not Elizabeth’s favorite pastime, she was happy to be making some baby clothes to send to Charlotte who was anxiously awaiting the birth of her first child in the late fall.

“Soon we shall be making baby clothes for you, Lizzy,” said Jane.

Elizabeth’s hand slipped and she pricked herself. Putting her finger in her mouth to keep from bleeding on the fabric, she had to look away so that Jane would not see her face.

“Lizzy? You are not with child already, are you?” asked Jane, her face brightening.

“No, I was just thinking about how much I would like to have one, though. It would keep me occupied. I feel as if I have too much time on my hands here.”

“You have always enjoyed your walks and reading. Now you have as much time as you wish for those pursuits,” said Jane.

“Yes, but I do not feel useful at all.”

“Have you made the acquaintance any of your neighbors?”

“I have met a few people at Sunday services, but it is difficult to make friends. We have attended a few small dinners, but since we are still officially in mourning, I am not able to entertain. I do not mean to complain, but sometimes I should like a little more society and amusement,” she said. After pausing for a moment, she added with a laugh, “I cannot believe I said that. I sound like Lydia again!”

Just then, they heard the noise of boots in the hallway, and Darcy and Bingley appeared. They seemed to fill the room with a kind of restless energy.

“Jane, my angel, I have missed you!” said Bingley as he kissed her hand.

“Charles, you have only been away for a few hours,” said Jane blushing.

“It seemed much longer than that to me,” he said, beaming at her.

“What have you two been doing this morning?” asked Elizabeth looking at the gentlemen.

“We have been riding. It never fails to astonish me how large Pemberley is and what variety it has. There are streams and lakes, fields and woods, and it is all so lovely. I would like to see Netherfield grow to be more like this,” said Bingley.

“Just a few minutes ago you were talking about quitting Netherfield and finding a place in Derbyshire closer to Pemberley,” said Darcy.

“Charles, is that true? Are you really thinking about finding a house nearby for us?” asked Jane. Her eyes were bright with excitement.

“It would be so wonderful to have you both closer,” added Elizabeth.

“What do you think? Would you like to be nearer your sister?” Bingley asked.

“It would make me very happy indeed,” said Jane with a glowing smile.

Elizabeth was sure she could see Bingley’s heart melt before her eyes at Jane’s attentions.

“If you are serious, Bingley, I will begin looking around in the area,” said Darcy. “If there is nothing available now, maybe something will come up in the near future.”

Elizabeth rejoiced. Suddenly, the future seemed brighter indeed as she imagined frequent visits, pleasant holidays and raising their children together.

Bingley suggested a walk and the four of them set out. Soon Bingley and Jane fell behind, and Darcy and Elizabeth moved ahead in order to give the couple some time alone.

“Your sister and Bingley are very well suited to each other. It was very wrong of me to separate them last fall. I am sorry that my actions caused them pain,” Darcy said as they walked along together.

“You have apologized several times before, but I am glad to hear you still agree. He is a kind and generous man. Jane is a very fortunate woman indeed.”

“Ah, I think that Bingley is the one who is fortunate. Most of people I know have not been so lucky in finding wives as sweet-tempered as your sister,” Darcy responded.

“She is all that is good. Of course, it does not hurt that she is also beautiful.”

Darcy glanced down at her. He put his hand over hers as it rested on his arm. “Jane is beautiful in the classical sense, but I happen to prefer your type of beauty. I never tire of looking at you,” he said quietly.

Elizabeth was taken completely by surprise. Darcy had never told her that he thought she was beautiful. In fact, he rarely said anything at all about her appearance. She blushed and glanced away at the ground. “I thank you, sir.”

“Surely, you are not unaccustomed to receiving compliments.”

“You caught me unawares. I cannot recall your ever saying anything like that to me before.”

“I have not been certain how my compliments might be received.”

“What makes you think I would not appreciate hearing of your admiration?”

“Most women like to hear nice things about themselves, but I have discovered that you are not like most women.”

“Your compliments, sir, are most welcome,” she said, drawing closer to him. When she looked up, she saw that he was staring at her, his eyes like deep green water.

Thirty Seven

After about a week, Bingley was called away to see to some of his business affairs. Although Jane stayed on for another week, all too soon it was time for her to return to Meryton. After she left, Elizabeth felt her sister’s absence greatly but resolved to find some new and useful occupation for herself.

Darcy was obliged to be away for several days on business of the estate, leaving Elizabeth on her own. To her surprise she actually missed his company. Although she and Georgiana spent a good portion of their time together, the young girl had her own routines at Pemberley. Frequently, Georgiana went riding or visited a few old friends who lived nearby. Usually, this was not a problem for Elizabeth but on some days, she felt adrift. With so much time on her hands, Elizabeth thought she should be doing something more productive than just reading, practicing pianoforte, and sewing.

After some thought, she decided to focus her energies on the management of the house. Since she was a quick study, Elizabeth already had a firm grasp of what kept the house humming. With that in hand, she resolved to pay more attention to the finances. The amount of money it took to maintain Pemberley was shocking. One morning as she was reviewing household accounts with Mrs. Reynolds, she noticed something in the ledger that puzzled her.

“Mrs. Reynolds, what is this entry for?” she asked, pointing to a line in the account book.

“That is for baskets for the tenants and families in the area. We put in food, soap, and little necessities. It has been a Pemberley tradition for many years.”

“How often do we do this?”

“It varies, but there is a little something for each family about every other month or so. Some families depend heavily upon these gifts to sustain them.”

Elizabeth was not unfamiliar with this practice by landlords, but the amount spent at Longbourn was very small compared to the number she was looking at here. “Who makes up these baskets and how are they distributed?”

“I have been in charge of this with help from Lucy, one of the kitchen staff, ever since Lady Anne’s health made it impossible for her to continue. One of the footmen has been making the deliveries,” Mrs. Reynolds told her. “It was one of the mistress’s favorite activities, especially at the holidays. With Lady Anne gone and Georgiana so young, Mr. Darcy’s father asked me to see that it was taken care of, and I have continued ever since.”