Page 49 of Five Gentlemen at Netherfield (Pride and Prejudice Variations)
“Richard, Darcy!” she cried out, hurrying over to embrace her son.
“My dear boys, whatever are you doing here? It is wonderful to see you, but I thought you were settled at Pemberley for another month at least. Why did you not write and tell me you were coming? But come, sit down, both of you, and I will call for tea.”
She sat down, and the gentlemen lowered themselves obediently onto a small couch near the window, and Richard said, “Thank you, Mamma, but I think tea can wait. I have some exciting news.”
The countess straightened even more and tilted her head. “What is it?”
“I am engaged to Miss Mary Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire.”
Lady Matlock stared incredulously at her second son. “No!”
“Yes.”
“But who is this girl, Richard? Why have you not so much as mentioned her to me or your father? I do not understand at all!”
“She is the third daughter of a country gentleman and has a dowry of five and twenty thousand pounds. She is also the next younger sister of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who is Darcy’s fiancée.”
The countess turned wide blue eyes on her nephew. “You are engaged as well?”
“Yes,” Darcy said, “to, as Richard said, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the second daughter of a country squire.”
“My dear boys, you simply … I cannot believe you have done this without telling any of us! Your father will be most displeased, Richard. And Darcy, I know I told you some weeks ago that you ought to marry, but I did not mean that you should hastily marry in such a way. I simply cannot … why would you do such a thing?”
“I am in love,” Darcy said simply, and a smile lit up his face in a way she had never seen before.
“And I may also be in love,” Richard interposed. “I know not, but I like Mary very, very much. She is truly wonderful in every way, and I believe we will be happy.”
The countess shook her head in despair. “But given your positions, it is ridiculous that you would marry the daughters of a mere country squire…”
She trailed off as Richard stood up, walked over to kiss her on the cheek, and then stepped back.
“Mamma,” he said affectionately, “I love you to the ends of the earth, but you know I am not like Zachary. I do not want to marry a lady of the haut ton who is more interested in parties and fancy attire than mutual affection. Not that I have anything against Lady Aurelia, but she would not suit me, not at all. Mary is an heiress, along with being sensible and hardworking and kindly, and I believe we will do very well together.”
The countess considered her son with a knitted brow.
She adored Richard, but he had always been the most strong-willed of her children, and she well knew that mulish look in his eye.
As for Darcy, he had managed to avoid the parson’s noose for almost three decades now, and if he was in love, well, it was definitely time for him to set up a nursery. She sat back in her chair.
“I can see that both of you are determined,” she remarked, “so I suppose my only role in this situation is to talk to your uncle about it and smooth the waters, so to speak. Now, when can I meet your young ladies?”
“They are in Hertfordshire at their family estate of Longbourn,” Darcy said.
“Will they perhaps be journeying to London soon?”
“No,” Richard replied. “The Bennet patriarch has been quite ill for some months, and both Mary and Elizabeth intend to spend the next weeks with their father before the weddings, after which we all depart for Pemberley again.”
“Pemberley?”
“Darcy has offered to allow Mary and me to stay at Pemberley for a season, as I am selling out from the military post haste.”
The countess was on her feet once more, and she swooped forward to pull her second son into a hearty embrace. “Richard, I find that I already like Mary, as she has convinced you to leave that dangerous way of life. Very well, I hope you will at least tell us when the weddings will be?”
“Of course,” her son said with a grin.
***
Longbourn
28th April, 1812
Dearest Fitzwilliam,
I hope you were not alarmed by this express. We are all well, and there is no immediate crisis.
I am, however, alarmed at my father’s appearance. Jane and Kitty, who have spent at least an hour a day with Mr. Bennet in the last weeks, did not notice his deterioration, but I am of the view, and Mary is in agreement, that he has grown substantially weaker.
He told me that he feels he will not live much longer and asked me to read the Bible to him yesterday, from the Gospel of John, and I fear that he is preparing to leave this mortal coil for Heaven.
But perhaps I ought not to be fearful. He is tired, and weary, and crippled, and I think he is ready to enter Heaven’s shining gates.
But if he dies soon, we will be in mourning, which would be difficult in terms of marrying.
Mary and I are hoping that Richard and you would be willing to purchase licenses so that we can marry quickly.
Jane has already asked Charles Bingley, and he has said he would be pleased to wed her in the next week to ten days.
I do not know if that is something you wish to do, and I will not press you, but I want nothing more than to be your wife, my dear, darling, beloved Fitzwilliam.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Bennet
***
Netherfield Hall
3rd May, 1812
Dear Louisa,
I wish to inform you that I have once more asked for Jane Bennet’s hand in marriage, and she has accepted me. I am overjoyed.
I am not entirely certain when we will marry, but I do not particularly want Caroline at the wedding as she made it very obvious that she disdains Jane. Moreover, given that she is living with you at the moment, I think it best for you all to stay in London.
I will send you news when I am married.
I hope you are both well, and Mr. Hurst too.
With love,
Charles Bingley
***
Darcy House
3rd May, 1812
Dear Lady Catherine,
I have the honor of informing you that I am engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. I met Elizabeth last autumn when visiting my friend, Charles Bingley, and found her the most incredible, marvelous woman of my acquaintance.
I am aware that you have long considered me the rightful property of your daughter, but I never asked for Anne’s hand in marriage, nor were any documents signed. I know you are disappointed, but Anne is an heiress in her own right and will doubtless find a good husband in time.
Sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Darcy