“We did not know you were never engaged to Anne, and we can accept that Lady Catherine had exaggerated when considering you as her daughter’s betrothed. However, we hoped you would find a wife more appropriate to our position, your name, and your worthiness. Any young heiress in town would have accepted you without hesitation. Why her? Why this country girl?”
Darcy smiled as Elizabeth’s image filled his thoughts and calmed his distress. “Because she is everything the others arenot. And because she did hesitate to accept my proposal, and I had to struggle to prove myself worthy of her.” Then he bowed and departed, leaving the Matlocks completely dumbfounded and the colonel with a broad grin on his face.
∞∞∞
The cold, fresh air allowed him to relax and grow calm, carefully sorting his thoughts. If he dared to hope that his uncle and aunt had a different opinion than Lady Catherine, the opposite was now apparent: they would likely not accept Elizabeth in the family—at least, not at present. His duty was to protect his betrothed and defend her against any opposition. And it was his privilege to present her to society and show his admiration and affection for her. He had asked her to be his wife for the right reasons, and he would never change her for the world.
He dreamt of taking her and leaving for Pemberley immediately. However, he could not allow any suspicions to shadow Elizabeth’s character, nor could they hide from ridiculous, malicious gossip.
Darcy decided to take the opportunity of those few days in London to remedy the damage caused by Lady Catherine. Anyone seeing them together would understand the truth—if they were wise and just. If not, they would no longer matter to him.
He eventually arrived home and was welcomed by Georgiana’s warm embrace and congratulations. His sister had never disappointed him, and her genuine happiness was the best remedy for his earlier distress.
They spent the evening enjoying a quiet dinner and making plans for the following days and the future.
Darcy was content and relieved to see that Georgiana wasalmostas happy as he was at the prospect of having Elizabeth in their family.
Almost, he mused with a mysterious grin that Georgiana found impossible to understand. Yet it was the expression of his brotherly care; he understood his sister’s fears she tried so hard to hide.
“My dearest,” he murmured, drawing her into his embrace, “my love for you will never waver. You are not losing anything but rather gaining Elizabeth’s love to stand beside my own.”
Chapter 2
It was an unremarkable evening at the Hursts’ London residence. A few close friends were in attendance, along with Miss Bingley, Louisa Hurst’s sister. Caroline Bingley had accompanied Louisa and her husband when they chose to leave Netherfield a few days before, unwilling to remain in a house that had, in her view, been overrun by the Bennet sisters.
The unthinkable had just happened: not only did their brother propose to Jane Bennet, but shortly thereafter, Mr Darcy did the same to that country nobody, Eliza Bennet. If they still had a sort of appreciation for Jane, Caroline and Louiza had nothing except contempt for Elizabeth. It was a mystery how it was possible for a gentleman like Mr Darcy—connected to the ton with impeccable manners and a distinguished attitude—to fall for a woman like Eliza Bennet.
As Jane seemingly was going to be their sister-in-law, they decided to forget the subject for a while, allowing timeand distance to contribute to a decent relationship only because they dearly loved their brother. In time, Jane would inevitably become the lady their brother needed, and his sisters would be the first to salute the change and accept her.
In these new circumstances, all their rancour and hostility turned on Elizabeth. They discussed this situation for days between themselves or with friends and decided that, no matter how much they appreciated Mr Darcy, they would tolerate but never accept Elizabeth Bennet. They were sure London society would react appropriately to her lack of accomplishments, common behaviour, and questionable beauty.
The subject of Mr Darcy’s engagement was the main topic of conversation during the evening. While no one around the table tried to change the subject or to defend Darcy and his future wife, Mr Hurst intervened in the conversation with unknown vigour, making all around the table fall silent, “I commend Darcy for choosing a wife to his liking!” Mr Hurst rarely formed a decided opinion, and such a statement from him shocked all those in attendance. Privately, however, the guests had their own thoughts and reservations about the match.
“My dear Mr Hurst, what on earth can you possibly mean?” His wife suppressed her anger with a complaisant smile.
Mr Hurst filled his wine glass again. “I mean that very few men have the liberty to choose their wife without considering other grounds. And even fewer dare to do so and to stand up for their choice against their families and society.”
“What is to be commended in an inappropriate choice? Does a man not have to be careful and wise in selecting his wife?” Miss Bingley asked with displeasure.
Mr Hurst remained faithful to this opinion. “I do not see Miss Elizabeth as being inappropriate. She is quite smart—too smart for my taste. She reads too much, which could be boring or dangerous for a wife. And she is rather outspoken and stubborn.Not the qualities I looked for in a wife; however, I can easily understand why they would appeal to Mr Darcy. And she is very handsome. The only thing that surprises me is the change in their relationship. I never suspected anything cordial between them. Quite the contrary, I thought they rather disliked each other.”
“Well,” Miss Bingley declared, “Eliza Bennet needed little time to understand that Mr Darcy was a great catch. I am just surprised he allowed himself to be deceived and easily trapped.”
One of their guests, Lady Cooper, finally interjected reluctantly. “That surprised me too, Caroline. I know you have been close friends and were rather attached to him for years. I would think the feeling was mutual.”
Miss Bingley blushed, then paled. “Well, it was not quite so…but we have been friends, indeed…”
“But was he not engaged to his cousin Anne de Bourgh?” Mr Lambert, another guest, asked.
“I believe it was more his aunt’s desire than a reality,” Mr Hurst replied bluntly, showing that he knew more about the world outside than his kin and friends imagined. “Mr Darcy would not propose to another young lady if he was already engaged.”
“That is true,” Charles Bingley said from the doorway. “Good evening, everyone.”
His unexpected appearance startled the party, and cries of astonishment were heard. He sat at the table, greeted with joy by his sisters and equal curiosity and excitement by the others.
“Brother, when did you return?” Miss Bingley asked. “We did not expect you in town.”
“An hour ago. I do not want to intrude. I only came to greet you briefly.”
