“Yes. I have never had a man’s favor, Lizzy. It must be a heady thing, knowing Mr. Darcy would do anything for you out of love.”
She had not considered that.
“How much good you could do as Mrs. Darcy.” Charlotte turned and took Elizabeth’s hands. “Promise me you will not forget me when you marry. I shall be quite alone in Meryton you know.” She smiled sadly.
Elizabeth pulled Charlotte into a hug, holding her tightly but saying nothing.
“You seemed very interested in Sir Andrew’s whereabouts,” she said as she broke away. “Have you something you wish to share?”
“No. I told you of his position. He will not marry me. Besides, why would he settle for an old spinster when he could marry a handsome, young lady?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Do not let what my dreadful cousin said affect you so. He is wrong. You are a marvelous woman, Charlotte, and any man would be fortunate to call you wife.”
“You are kind, Elizabeth, but I am not blind to my defects. The best I can hope is that my friend will take me in when my family abandons me. You will have enough room in your grand houses to keep a spinster, will you not? I promise I shall teach your children to play their instruments very ill.”
Elizabeth laughed, hoping to lighten the dismal mood in the room. “We both know you cannot carry a tune, Charlotte,” she said. Sobering, she took Charlotte’s hand again. “I promise I will not forsake you.” It was the best she could do, for her friend did not know that she still hoped to find a way out of marrying Mr. Darcy.
Chapter Twenty-Five
April 14, 1812
Longbourn
Elizabeth
The carriage rocked and swayed as it trundled toward Meryton. Elizabeth and Charlotte had spent much of the ride engaged in their own concerns, Elizabeth with a book and Charlotte with her embroidery.
As they passed the sign marking five miles to Meryton, Charlotte tucked her work into her bag and Elizabeth followed suit with her book.
“Will your parents welcome you?” Knowing what she did about her friend’s disappointed hopes, Elizabeth wondered if the Lucases would be pleased at their eldest child’s premature return to the community.
Charlotte sighed. “It will be as it ever is when I am home. Mama will have tasks for me to complete and I will resume managing the household accounts. There will be disappointment that I have not secured a proposal, but I have felt their sentiments on the matter before.”
Elizabeth smiled sympathetically. “I wondered, Charlotte, if you would stand up with me.” She shifted. “I did not share Jane’s note with you, but it is not likely she will be in attendance. Please say that you will.”
Charlotte smiled a pleased smile. “Of course, Eliza. I would be happy to.”
A scant hour later, Charlotte and her trunks had been delivered to Lucas Lodge and the carriage continued to Longbourn. There was no one to greet them when they arrived, but that did not surprise Elizabeth. Her uncle had not bothered to send an express notifying her family of her arrival.
“Your mother and father will forgive me in light of your news.” Uncle Gardiner had patted her hand and bid her farewell before going to his warehouses.
The carriage door opened, and Mr. Darcy’s footman handed her down. Mr. Darcy stood beside the carriage and offered her his arm after her feet were firmly on the ground.
“See that Miss Bennet’s things are removed,” he commanded his servant. “The housekeeper or butler will direct you.”
Mr. Darcy escorted her to the door and inside Longbourn. Chatter could be heard coming from Mrs. Bennet’s parlor. Not ready to face her mother and sisters, especially with Mr. Darcy standing by and watching, she instead led the way to her father’s book room. Pushing the door open, she entered, Mr. Darcy following behind.
Her sight immediately fell on her father. He sat in his chair before his desk. As he stood up to greet them, Elizabeth stifled a gasp. His coat and clothing hung on his frame. His cheekswere sunken and his hands skeletal.He must have lost two stone!Almost instantly, her resolve to have her father interfere with her sham of a betrothal faltered. Jane’s accounts of their father’s ill health could not be discounted. How could she refuse Mr. Darcy, knowing that Mr. Collins would refuse to let her stay at Longbourn? And her mother… what if Mrs. Bennet held firm as she had since November last year and cast her out? For the first time, she had some inkling of Mrs. Bennet’s fears of the hedgerows.
Such mercenary, self-serving thoughts,Elizabeth thought miserably.How have I come to this point?
“Elizabeth! You are home early. And Mr. Darcy… I am surprised to see you sir.” Mr. Bennet shook a little where he stood. He gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. “Please, sit. I shall do so and would hate to keep you standing.”
They settled themselves and Mr. Bennet asked, “What can I do for you? I assume that given your tandem intrusion of my sanctuary that you arrived together?”
His humor seems to be intact,Elizabeth noted. That was a good sign, though it did not change his physical condition.
“I have come to ask for Miss Bennet’s hand in marriage, sir.” Mr. Darcy replied politely. None of the haughty disdain colored his words.
