The Houseguest A Pride and Prejudice Vagary (24 page)

Georgiana spotted Elizabeth first and ran ahead to meet her. The two ladies
chatted happily until the colonel’s loud voice interrupted them.
“Good morning, Miss Bennet!” Elizabeth looked up.
“Good morning, Colonel Fitzwilliam!” She looked past him and saw Darcy a few
steps away, advancing toward her. “Good morning, Mr. Darcy,” she said politely,
though not coldly. 
“Good morning, Miss Bennet.” 
Air.
She noticed his voice was somber and he looked as if he hadn’t slept well.
There was something missing in his eyes and something present that wasn’t
usually there – almost a haunted look.
The four of them walked together for a half hour, Georgiana and Elizabeth in
front, Darcy and Fitzwilliam a few yards behind them. Eventually, the men
approached the ladies.
“Miss Bennet, my aunt has issued an invitation for your party to join us at
dinner this evening,” the colonel stated.
“That is very kind, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
“Georgiana, would you accompany me to the parsonage to inform Mrs. Collins of the
summons?” He smiled jovially, but he had a firm look in his eye that Georgiana
knew would not brook opposition.
“Very well, Richard. I shall see you soon, Elizabeth.” She squeezed Elizabeth’s
hand as she walked away with her cousin.
Elizabeth followed them with her eyes until they disappeared around a curve in
the path, carefully avoiding looking at Mr. Darcy, who stood silently to her
right a few feet away.
She began slowly walking in the opposite direction, looking over her shoulder
slightly at Mr. Darcy, encouraging him to follow her. 
Elizabeth had been through so many emotions over the past month she could not
begin to name them all. 
Her first impression of Darcy last autumn led her to believe he was haughty,
arrogant, and unfeeling, all of which had been confirmed by Mr. Wickham. After
finding out those stories were completely false and learning Darcy was actually
blameless in his dealings with the man, she had gotten to know him better
personally, as well as his family. She had become friends with him and had
begun to feel a small regard for him, one that, if she was honest with herself,
she knew had the potential to blossom into something much deeper. 
And then everything had come crashing down around her when she heard what he
really thought of her situation and family, and she learned he had been
instrumental in separating Bingley from Jane. And then, in a mad plan to
confound her, he brought Bingley back to Jane and was to stand up in their
wedding! What was she to think?
Now, he clearly wished to speak with her, and she agreed it was probably a good
idea to clear the air. She needed to tell him that she would not be visiting
Pemberley that summer, or any summer. She could not bear it.
“Miss Bennet, we must speak.” Darcy’s voice was low and quiet, its intensity
sending chills down her arms.
“Yes, Mr. Darcy, we should.” She stopped on the path and turned to look up at
him.
“Miss Elizabeth, I believe you overheard a conversation the night of my aunt’s
ball that you were never meant to hear; actually, a conversation that should
never have been spoken.” 
She searched his eyes and saw nothing but honesty and sorrow there, so she
decided to listen with an open mind and not to lose her temper, no matter how
tempted she might be. 
“Yes, I did,” she said slowly.
“Miss Bennet, I must tell you how incredibly sorry I am to have caused you
discomfort and pain. I should not have said such things to someone so wholly
unconnected to you. I should not have been speaking of such things at all,
especially in a ballroom. It was thoughtless and I can only beg your
forgiveness.” He looked at her earnestly, his deep eyes pleading with her. She
nodded for him to continue.
“As for the matter of your sister and Bingley, please allow me to say I hold
nothing against Miss Jane Bennet personally, and I believe she is very amiable
and all that is good and kind.” 
Then why did you do what you did!?
 Elizabeth
screamed internally, but outwardly she held her composure.
Darcy continued, “Bingley is a very dear friend. He is almost like a brother to
me. I knew he felt strongly for Miss Bennet, but I thought he would get over
her quickly as he had done in the past. Bingley is one who often fancies
himself in love. What he felt for Miss Bennet was deeper than anything that came
before, but I believed that he would recover as he always had. 
“I watched your sister, knowing the neighborhood believed an engagement
forthcoming, to ascertain her feelings for Bingley. She seemed to enjoy his
company and accepted his attentions gladly, but she did not appear overly
partial to him and seemed to be happy with everyone.”
Elizabeth was breathing deeply to control her indignation and could feel her
cheeks darkening. Darcy saw the fire in her eyes, but went on, “I must confess
I did not know your sister well at the time and while I did not, and do not
now, think her mercenary, I believed she would accept Bingley because of his
position, whether she had a deep regard for him or not. I did not want my
friend to be in a marriage where he was not loved. Bingley has a lively and
giving disposition. He would give and give and give until he had nothing left,
and years from now would be a shadow of his current self.” He ran his hand over
his face. 
“I did not wish such a fate on my friend. I followed him to London at his
sisters’ bequest, and did not inform him of Miss Bennet’s presence there, until
last month, that is. I am disgusted with myself for the part I have played in
this deception, for disguise of any sort is my abhorrence. That is why I must
tell you one more thing.” He took a deep breath and looked at Elizabeth’s
waiting face. Her eyes seemed to have softened, but her mouth was set in a grim
line.
“When Bingley lamented not seeing Miss Bennet again, I convinced him that she
did not care for him. He had believed she loved him.” Elizabeth’s eyes grew
wide, but she listened silently. “Bingley trusts my judgment completely; it was
not overly difficult. I was proud of my achievement, believing I had saved my
friend from a terrible fate.” 
He began to pace in front of her. 
“When I came home from the ball and found you were gone, it was one of the
worst moments of my life.” Elizabeth was surprised at the turn in his narration
and watched as he continued to pace quickly. Four steps, turn. Four steps,
turn. 
Even in distress he is methodical
.
Suddenly, she found herself stifling a small smile, but quickly returned to the
seriousness the conversation demanded. 
“After speaking with Georgiana and Richard, I realized you had overheard my
conversation with Sir Malcolm, and I was filled with agony at the idea of you
being hurt by me. I went to Gracechurch Street to find you – you weren’t
there.” He stopped pacing and stood a few feet in front of her, looking into
her face intently. 
“I realized I must have been wrong about Miss Bennet, as you are too reasonable
to be upset about my interference if she hadn’t really loved him. That’s when I
went to Bingley and told him everything. He was not happy, but upon hearing
that Miss Bennet still cared for him and was at that moment in London a mere
thirty minute carriage ride away, he insisted we call on her immediately.
Bingley forgave me and our friendship has survived.” He looked deeply into her
eyes and took both her hands in his larger ones. 
“Miss Bennet, will 
our
 friendship
survive this? Can you forgive me my arrogance?”
Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open in surprise. She had not expected the proud Mr.
Darcy to apologize in such a way. In fact, she hadn't been sure if he would
apologize at all. She felt like he was 
her
 Mr. Darcy again; Mr. Darcy of the
library, of the walk in the park, of the breakfast room. Not Mr. Darcy of
Netherfield, or of the ball, or of the assembly in Meryton.
Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth decided honesty was the best course. 
“Mr. Darcy, I do not know what to say. You have wounded me, and my sister,
deeply.” His eyes darkened at her words. “Jane did not deserve your
interference, and she would never tell a man she loved him if she did not mean
it. She would not even imply it. She is all that is good and kind and gracious
and forgiving. How could you do it?” She looked at him with dark, pain-filled
eyes, pleading – begging him to explain his cruelty. 
She released a breath. “I thought… I thought you… I thought you were…” She stammered,
barely retaining her composure as weeks of emotional turmoil came to the
surface. 
Darcy had been prepared for her wrath, he had even steeled himself for her
indifference, but he could not handle her disappointment in him. He lifted her
hands to his chest and held them tightly to him. 
“Miss Elizabeth, I am. I am who you thought me to be. At least I want to be, I
believe I can be. I have made a grievous error and I will continue to seek your
forgiveness. I was full of my own importance and was not thinking justly. I am
seeking to correct that, and I fervently hope one day to win back your
approval. Please, tell me we are friends again.” 
He looked pleadingly into her eyes and lifted her hands to his mouth, first
one, and then the other, to bestow a gentle kiss on the back of each. Elizabeth
was surprised by the desperation and depth of feeling in his voice. She lowered
her eyes to the ground, not knowing how to respond in this intimate
moment. 
She was never one to stubbornly remain angry, and his sincerity was so clear
that she felt her choler for him leaving her body. She began to relax her rigid
stance. 
“I forgive you, Mr. Darcy. We may be friends again.”
His expression quickly changed into one of obvious relief, a wide smile making
his eyes crinkle, and he kissed her hands again and released his held breath.
“Miss Elizabeth! Thank you!”
Elizabeth released a nervous laugh and pulled her hands away, turning to
continue their walk up the path. He moved to her side, but did not offer his
arm, and they walked quietly for some time, occasionally speaking of lighter
topics until they reached the parsonage. 
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana were just on their way out.
“I wish we were staying together, Elizabeth!” Georgiana told her as she pulled
her aside to say goodbye. “It is so much more fun getting ready for dinner with
you instead of on my own.”
“Georgiana! I believe you have become quite spoiled!” she teased her. “What
color are you wearing tonight?”
Georgiana’s eyes brightened. “I had thought I would wear my pink gown, with the
yellow trim and a yellow ribbon in my hair.” She looked hopefully at Elizabeth.
“Hmm. I was going to wear my yellow gown this evening. I believe I may be able
to procure some pink ribbon from Charlotte.” She smiled widely at her young
friend.
Georgiana’s glee was clear as she practically skipped away with her guardians.

Chapter
22

Elizabeth went inside to find a letter from her sister and another from her
mother. She went to her room for privacy and settled onto the window seat to
enjoy her letters.
18 March, 1812
Gardiner Residence
Gracechurch Street, London
Dear Lizzy,
I have so much to tell you! We have set a
wedding date. It is to be the 4 of May. I know it is only a little over a month
away, but Charles just received word that his cousin in Scarborough is to marry
in the middle of June and wishes for Charles to stand up with him. Apparently
they have been quite close since they were children. Charles had wanted to take
me on a wedding tour to Scotland for a month, then on to Scarborough to meet
his family there. If we waited until mid- or late May to wed, we would have to
skip the tour, which neither of us wishes to do. 
Oh, Lizzy! Everything is happening so fast!
I have never been so excited in my life. I hope the change of plans does not
cause too much trouble for you. I received a letter from mama informing me that
she requires our presence at Longbourn a week before the wedding to make sure
everything is in place. I know we are due to arrive in Hertfordshire at that
time anyway, but I wondered if you might come to London earlier? 
I have always envisioned shopping for my
trousseau with my dearest Lizzy, and I cannot imagine doing it without you. I
hate to ask you to cut your holiday short, but Charles made me promise to ask
instead of silently fretting about it, as he calls it. He is so dear! Never has
a man been so attentive to me. I feel every need I have is met before I know I
have it. It is a most wonderful feeling to be so looked after! Please say you
will come, dear Lizzy! I am lost without you!
Charles sends his greetings and says that if
you cannot reach London on your own, he will gladly send a carriage to Kent for
you. He also wishes me to tell you that should you wish to return later in the
year to complete your holiday with Charlotte, you may do so at his expense.
What a dear man he is!
I hope you can come in time, as I must begin
shopping soon in order for everything to be ready before the wedding. Please
come, Lizzy! I need my sister with me!
Yours affectionately,
Jane Bennet
P.S. Soon I will be signing Jane Bingley!
Can you believe it? I must practice a new signature.
Elizabeth smiled at Jane’s enthusiasm and reached for her mother’s letter. They
were rare and always short, or at least short on actual information. She was
sure it would be filled with wedding plans and warehouse recommendations for
their shopping expedition.
Dear Lizzy,
I am sure you have heard from Jane by now.
She is to be married the 4 of May. A daughter married! And to such a rich and
handsome man, too! And so agreeable! I always said he would come back for her.
How could he not? 
Now if only you would have accepted Mr.
Collins, you would be married now and I would have two daughters married. What
a foolish girl you are, Lizzy! Husbands do not grow on trees, you know! You
must snatch them up when they become available – who knows when another may
come round? 
I shall need you and Jane to return to
Hertfordshire a week before the wedding. There is so much to do! And you will
have to have a new dress. I have sent word to your Aunt Gardiner, and she is
expecting you. I am sure Charlotte won’t mind – a sister’s wedding is far more
important than a visit to a friend! Mrs. Gardiner will take you shopping and
remember what I told you Lizzy - you must give the men just a little something
to tempt them, or they will not wish to see more! Mr. Bingley may have rich
friends and cousins at the wedding and you want to make a good
impression. 
Your Mother
Elizabeth folded the letter with a shake of her head and tucked it in the
drawer. Her mother would never change. 
At
least there was some constancy in that
, she thought with a small
laugh.
After speaking to Charlotte about the necessary change in plans, she sat down
at the little desk in the back parlor to pen her reply.
Dear Jane,
I am so pleased for you, dearest! You
deserve every happiness in the world! I am only too happy to accommodate you,
as I would be quite vexed if my favorite sister did all her wedding preparation
without me. I have spoken with Charlotte, and I shall leave for London on the 7
of April. That will give us three weeks to shop and return to Longbourn in
plenty of time for the wedding. I hope this plan is agreeable to you. I will
write more soon.
Your sister,
Elizabeth Bennet