The solution was jarringly obvious. If ideas shone, then this one was like beautiful firelight reflecting off metal: bright, blinding, and painfully clear. It was a surgeon’s cut at the matter, hasty and breathtaking… but, by God, it wouldwork.
Darcy did not hesitate at all before putting his plan to paper. His courier took it at once, setting off into the pink sunset, and then all Darcy could do was wait.
Chapter 7
Dear Miss Elizabeth Bennet,
I thank you for your reply, and I apologise for my delay. I had to be sure of a few details before I wrote this letter.
I believe that I have a solution for both of our problems. But let me first summarise the issues at hand. If I have misunderstood, then please enlighten me so that I may reconsider the matter.
I have made inquiries into your sister’s prospects and thus have found out a great deal about her hopeful suitor. Mr. Collins is the rector of my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, of whom I am sure he has told you a great deal. He is therefore familiar to me, if only by hearsay. I empathise greatly with Miss Bennet, as by all accounts he is not a fair prospect.
However, as you said, he brings security with him. The entail on your father’s estate is, I am sorry to say, unbreakable. I studied it at length, and consulted with experts on such things, in hope of bringing about a purely financial solution to your family’s concerns.
Such was not to be.
It is not possible to prevent Mr. Collins from inheriting Longbourn, and of course he will dispose of its occupants as hesees fit. I cannot intrude on this arrangement, and so cannot help your sister from that angle.
The solution your mother posits is that your sister’s marriage would make sure that the family remain in their home - or, at least, connected with it to some degree, and not be cast out should your father die. You mentioned no immediate prospects for your other sisters, and so all hopes rest on Miss Bennet.
If we can find a way to protect your family’s future, therefore, your sister may refuse Mr. Collins’ offer with no regrets.
I believe that we can solve this - but I shall explain in a moment.
The second issue is that you cannot attend on my sister at Pemberley. You were correct to admonish me on this matter. I stepped away from my responsibilities for a time and am less constrained by social customs than I have been before. Thank you for reminding me of propriety.
You are right: even a chaperoned visit needs a reason, and I have not provided one. How can you possibly travel across the county to tend to a woman you have never met? More, how can you lower your position to that of a nurse, without your family (correctly) intervening?
Georgiana’s recovery will take months, if it happens at all, and such a demand upon your youth would surely destroy all of your prospects. You are wrong, Miss Bennet, to offer your devotion for such a paltry concern. I do not deserve such a gift.
You are right; it is impossible.
Therefore, I offer you my solution: you offered to be devoted to my cause, madam. I have unconsciously devoted my life to yours for months and would gladly spend the rest of my life in kind.
I would like you to consider marrying me.
This will solve both issues at once. Your family will have no concerns for their future, if they were tied to mine. Miss Bennet can break off her engagement at once. Mr. Collins would dare not protest, for he is too indebted to my family to challenge me. In confidence, Miss Bennet: from what I know of the man, to be thwarted and humiliated is exactly what he deserves.
Miss Elizabeth Bennet cannot travel to Pemberley alone, nor stay with me and Georgiana without a cause. Mrs. Darcy would make the journey in comfort and live in her new home with a most devoted husband at her side.
I apologise for the abruptness of this offer, madam, but I believe time to be of the essence if we are to help your sister.
- D
The reply came barely an hour later:
Mr. Darcy,
You knownothingabout me!
I amnotan angel!
What can you be thinking?
- E
Darcy smiled at that despite himself. He knew the frustrated expression Miss Bennet had worn when writing it; he had seen it written clearly on her face at the Meryton Ball, and at the church when she had looked at Mr. Collins. It was no deterrent; Darcy admired such spirit.
