“Yes, but he assured me he would not proceed with any arrangements on my behalf unless he had a direct communication from Mr. Darcy or spoke with him in person. He is yet hopeful that Mr. Darcy will do the honourable thing and marry me.”
“And what about you, Elizabeth? Do you wish to marry the man?”
“If it would save our reputations, why of course.”
He studied her for a moment before responding. “You may say that, but somehow, I sense there is something you have not told me.”
“Oh, Papa. At the ball Eliza overheard Mr. Darcy telling his aunt, the countess of Matlock, that meeting my relations had given him pause and that his sense of obligation demanded he walk away and forget he ever met me. How can I, in good conscience, be happy about being forced to marry a man who feels thusly?”
“Ah, now I understand your hesitation. ‘Tis not the most desirable way to begin a marriage, is it?”
“No, Papa, it is not. Jane and I had always wanted to marry for love, and when we resolved to seek marriages of convenience for the sake of our family, I assumed I would at least marry a man whom I could esteem and one who would regard me in the same light.”
Mr. Bennet held out his hand to his daughter. “I am so sorry, Lizzy. Would there was something I could do to remedy this situation. Hopefully we will have some communication from your uncle which will shed a more definitive light on how we are to proceed.”
“I hope so, too, Papa.”
“Thank you for telling me all of this, my dear. It has not been easy, has it?”
“No, Papa. I admit it has not, but I am trying to rally as best I can.”
“Good, very good, my dear.” Bennet nodded momentarily closing his eyes and appearing quite weary. “Lizzy, I believe I would like to rest here for a while. You should go on and change out of your traveling clothes and do the same. If you wish to speak more of this later on, do not hesitate to seek me out.”
“Yes, Papa.” Elizabeth rose and kissed her father on the forehead. “Can I get you anything before I go up to my room?”
“No, my dear, for now I am fine. I shall see all of you at dinner.”
Two Days Later
Bennet’s Study
“Papa,” Elizabeth said as she tapped lightly on the door. “May I come in? Hill said you wanted to see me.”
“Yes, my dear, come ahead.” After she entered he continued, “Ah, it looks like your foot is better today. Why, your limp is barely noticeable.” He raised a questioning brow. “Hill tells me I am not the only one to be using the castor oil compresses.”
Elizabeth smiled warmly. “Yes, Papa, the castor oil has greatly helped. My ankle is far better, thank you. I have been getting some exercise in the garden and hope to be able to walk to Oakham Mount by Friday.”
“I am glad to hear it. Please, my dear, do sit down. I have received an express from Mr. Darcy this afternoon. It is lengthier than the one your uncle forwarded to me after his meeting with Lady Catherine.”
“Please, may I see it?”
“Of course; here you go, my dear.”
Elizabeth eagerly took the letter in hand and began reading.
Mr. Bennet:
I hope this letter finds you and yours in good health. I regret that I have not been able to come to Hertfordshire and make your acquaintance. Nevertheless, I plan to remedy this situation as soon as may be. Mr. Gardiner has kept me informed of all that has transpired during my stay in Kent. Although my daughter is yet ill, my personal physician has assured me she is no longer in grave danger. That being said, I hope to make the trip to London on Wednesday, 19 June or at the very latest Thursday morning. After I conclude my business in Town, I then plan to call at your home on Friday so we may settle the arrangements for my wedding to your daughter. To that end, I have received word from my uncle, the archbishop, who has approved the special licence which I applied for. Furthermore, I have instructed my solicitor to draw up the marriage articles for your consideration. To avoid any further scandal, I propose we set the wedding for Tuesday next, 25 June. This will give me time to return to Town on Saturday the twenty-second in order to put the announcement in the papers and to submit the final marriage articles to my solicitor for completion. Assuming all goes as I have planned, I shall then return to Longbourn on Monday, the day before the wedding.
Please offer my apologies to Mrs. Bennet for the inconvenience this will no doubt cause your wife with regard to the wedding preparations on such short notice. I regret the suffering this entire affair has caused your family and beg your understanding for my part in the unfortunate circumstances which have necessitated our hasty marriage. Please know that the request put forth by Lady Catherine de Bourgh on my behalfwas issued without my knowledge and reassure Miss Elizabeth I would never have considered offering her a monetary stipend in lieu of marriage. I greatly esteem your daughter and would like to formally ask for your permission to marry her and petition her for her hand on Friday. Please extend my best regards to Miss Elizabeth.
Until then,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
On finishing the letter, Elizabeth could barely utter a word. Did he truly esteem her as he said in his letter? Looking to her farther, a single tear slid down her cheek which she quickly brushed aside.
“What is it, my dear? Does Mr. Darcy’s letter not satisfy? Your mama will certainly be in raptures having further affirmation of his intentions, despite the brevity of your engagement. I admit the man is very exacting in what he thinks should take place, but that is to be expected from one of his standing.” Again he looked at Elizabeth with uncertainty. “Surely you are not going to be disobliging since you have had so little say in the matter?”
