“I believe her father is still alive. Talk to him and get his consent, or otherwise quit Netherfield once and for all. For I willmake sure that Jane meets more worthy men than you when I marry her sister; men who have enough love and respect for her to defy opposition, men who will have stiffer resolve and firmer backbone.”
Bingley pressed his lips together in defiance, “I was going to propose to her a couple of weeks ago but then this situation with Lydia happened. I am not sure I want to connect myself with a family who has a disgraced sister. Jane, I mean, Miss Bennet is a very worthy lady, but... the degradation... my sisters would be appalled.” He removed his hat and raked his fingers through his hair, “I do not know what to do.”
“Degradation? To be married to a young lady who is the sweetest, most caring, most loving, long-suffering.... and born in purest gentility... unlike your sisters!” Darcy said with a low growl, his anger simmering as he fought for control. “And please do not pretend that your sisters are better behaved than young and immature Lydia. Your sister Caroline would have compromised me in a heartbeat, had I only given her the smallest of opportunities. And she does not have the same excuse of youth as Lydia does.”
Bingley gasped, “Now wait a moment...”
“No Bingley, this is ridiculous and very disrespectful to the young lady for she hardly deserves it. I will say it again; propose to her very soon or leave. I will give you a couple of days. Should you choose against her I expect you to do the honourable thing and quit the neighbourhood. I can live in Meryton at the inn. Do not worry about me, I will survive. The same unfortunately cannot be said about Jane Bennet, if you trample her heart repeatedly.”
Darcy then turned his horse and nudged it to gallop away.
Bingley was left looking at the back of his friend, facing a hard decision to make and a heavy heart.
***
The following day while still at Netherfield Park, Darcy received a surprise letter. His cousin Richard Fitzwilliam had developed deep feelings for Charlotte Collins, feelings she reciprocated. Although he could not marry her immediately, as she was still in deep mourning, they already had an understanding. He also announced the birth of Jonathan Collins, the new heir to Longbourn.
Darcy thought he would bring the good news to Charlotte’s best friend Miss Elizabeth. He knew she would be happy for her friend and celebrate the wonderful blessing for the widow to exchange a simpleton of a husband for one of the most worthy men in England!
However, when he arrived at Longbourn, the house was in uproar. What a surprise he had when he saw the person who had cause all the mayhem sitting in the drawing room with her brand new husband: Lydia had indeed gone to Gretna Green and married Captain Denny.
Captain Denny, it transpired was a second son. Upon receipt of a letter from his father, a letter informing him that his eldest brother and the heir to their modest estate in Somerset had died in a carriage accident, Denny had wasted no time but proposed to his sweetheart, Lydia. It was her idea to elope instead of doing the right thing by asking her father for his permission and blessing. She had convinced him to sell his commission and surprise her family. They were now on their way to Somerset to live with the elderly Mr Denny, planning to learn and understand the fundamentals of becoming the next owners of Featherstone Park.
But although Denny had avoided a whole heap of trouble with the war office in selling his commission, he now found he had acquired a new set of grievances. For on their arrival at Longbourn he understood that their reckless behaviour had brought on Mr Bennet’s apoplexy attack and his new sisters deep disapproval.
However Lydia was typically oblivious and treated her father’s malady as trivial as something he would recover from promptly. “Are you not diverted Lizzy, that although I am the youngest, I am the first one to marry?” She giggled.
Elizabeth huffed, “Was it necessary to elope, Lydia? You could have come home to read the bans and have mama fuss over you with the wedding preparations.”
“La! I would not replace my romantic escapade with boring wedding preparations. It was an adventure.” She looked around the room, “I would have found husbands for all my sisters had papa agreed to take us all to Brighton.”
“Thanks for my share of the favour, but I do not particularly care for your way of getting husbands.”
Lydia just shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly and helped herself of another biscuit.
“Do you not understand the seriousness of your actions Lydia? Our father may never recover.” Elizabeth said unhappily.
Lydia looked at Elizabeth and frowned, “He is an old man Lizzy, it is not my fault he was frail, and besides old people die every day.”
Elizabeth jumped to her feet, “I think I need some fresh air.” Then turning to Darcy she extended her hand towards him, “Mr Darcy would you care to accompany me?”
When they were out of the house Elizabeth almost ran blindly towards her favourite spot on earth: Oakham Mount!
She did not deviate from her path but sped through the country side as if she wanted to flee her own skin, desperately trying to blot over Lydia’s careless remarks from her memory.
Darcy walked by her side quietly allowing her to choose the pace, which was fast for a lady encumbered by several layers of skirts and petticoats.
They finally arrived at the nearby summit; she sat on a fallen log and dried her tears with the handkerchief he offered her. She then patted the spot next to her and he sat down.
“I am so sorry you had to witness such appalling behaviour from my sister, Mr Darcy. I will not hold it against you if you wish to leave Meryton and turn your back on us, once and for all.”
He shook his head, “Miss Elizabeth you have nothing to be ashamed of madam. Yes Miss Lydia, I mean Mrs Denny is young and thoughtless. But she is not murderous. What can I possibly say to excuse my own aunt who went about plotting to kill people, and executing her wicked plans to the letter?”
“She may not plot to kill people, but people may still die because of her reckless behaviour... and she sees nothing wrong with it.”
To that Darcy had nothing to say. It was true, while making excuses for the young lady would only distress Elizabeth further. He put his hand in his pocket and felt the letter from his cousin, “Ah I almost forgot,” he said taking the letter out, “would you like to read some good news at last?”
He passed the letter to Elizabeth who took it with trembling hands, so much was her anguish. But as she read it her expression changed from distress to delight.
