Page 11 of Mr Darcy’s Worth: Three Pride and Prejudice Variations

“Brother, Aunt asked me why we are not dining with them on Christmas Day,” Georgiana said.

“Would you like to go? I know I am poor company,” Darcy replied.

“You are teasing me now, Brother. I prefer your company to any other. And we have always had Christmas dinner at home.”

“Please think on it, my dear, and we shall do as you please. Do you have plans for today?”

“No…we shall decorate the house for Christmas — I believe the servants anticipate it as much as I.”

“Has Mrs. Annesley left yet?”

“Yes. She will spend the next few days with her sister’s family and will return on the twenty-seventh. Did you have a pleasant time at the Gardiners’ yesterday? You looked tired last night.”

“I was a little tired, but I am well now. Yes, it was pleasant, as always. My dear, there is something of great importance that I wish to discuss with you. Something that a man of my age should not discuss with his young sister, but I trust you and value your opinion. In truth, your opinion is the only one that matters to me.”

“Oh…thank you for your trust, Brother! You are always so kind to me. What is it?”

“My dear, you might be surprised to hear this but…I admire Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

“Oh? Truly? I believed that might be the case since you wrote to me of her in your letters from Netherfield. But you mentioned nothing more once you returned.”

“You did not expect that, I am sure.”

“I did not, because I kept hearing that you two had so many disagreements…”

“We did, and most were my fault. When we first met, my behaviour towards her and her family was arrogant, even offensive.”

“I am sure it was not so bad…”

“It was. Our introduction was at an assembly in Meryton. Bingley insisted on me dancing with her, and I said she was tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me.”

Georgiana stared at him in such astonishment that Darcy laughed.

“Yes, and the worst part is that I believe she heard me…”

“Oh dear!”

“There were more other instances that induced her to have a very poor opinion of me, and deservedly so.”

“I am sorry to hear that. Is that why she said you were more enemies than friends?”

“Very likely…”

“But Brother, may I ask…you admire her in what way?”

He hesitated a moment, looking at his young sister who was still a child yet.

“I admire her in every way. She has a bright mind, is well educated, determined, spirited, has a strong character and a great sense of loyalty to those she loves. She is everything a woman should be.”

“Oh…I see…”

“What do you think?”

“Think?”

“Yes. What I mean is that I would like to pursue her. I would like to show her my admiration and try to gain her good opinion.”

“This is what I fear…do you know what her opinion of you is? Forgive me for asking that, but I have seen no sign of affection on her part…”

“You are very perceptive. Her opinion of me is rather low, though I was so arrogant that for a while I assumed the opposite. I shall try to improve that, and if I succeed, I might take a further step.”

“You mean…”

“My dear, I strongly believe that Miss Elizabeth could be perfectly suited to be my wife. I am sure she could be a loving sister to you and an excellent Mrs. Darcy.”

“Oh…but…what if…?”

“What is it? Please speak your mind. I truly wish to have your honest opinion. Do you disagree that she has all these qualities?”

“I do not doubt that. In truth, I hardly know her, but I trust your judgment. My only concern is — what if she accepts your pursuit, even if her feelings are not the same as yours? You are an excellent man, and your situation in life is impressive to everyone, even those with fortune and connections… What if…? Even you said that Mrs. Bennet is desperate to find good husbands for her daughters.”

“I understand your concern. It is fair and wise. I do not suspect either of the eldest Miss Bennets of being a fortune hunter. I was wrong when I judged Miss Jane Bennet, but Miss Elizabeth seems too obstinate to be convinced to do anything against her will. Besides, I promise I shall not make any hasty decisions. I shall take my time to get to know her and to allow her time to know me. I hope we shall form a friendship that will develop into something more.”

“That is very wise indeed.”

“My dear, I have shared my intentions with nobody else yet, not even Geoffrey. I would like to keep the secret for a while.”

“I thank you for confiding in me, Brother. I pray that you will be very happy — as happy as you deserve. There is no better man than you, and I hope Miss Bennet will see that.”

Georgiana left, and for a while, Darcy was alone. He felt relieved after the conversation with his sister. At least she was warned and would know that her opinion mattered. Her concerns were also valid and proved that wisdom was not a matter of age.

During breakfast, he could see his sister was distracted and assumed he knew the reason. After a while, she finally spoke.

“Brother, I was thinking…we both wish to know Miss Bennet as well as possible. What if we invite them all to dine with us on Christmas Day? We shall be alone, and I wonder if they have any other engagements.”

“Christmas Day? The day after tomorrow? My dear, the occasion is too important to send an invitation at such short notice. They must have plans, but if they do not, it must be quite an effort to travel from their home to ours. They cannot leave the children at home on such a day, and they have been ill recently, so they need to rest. As much as I would enjoy such a party, I am afraid it is not possible.”

“You are right, of course. How silly of me. I shall think of something else.”

The girl’s disappointment was similar to Darcy’s. Such an evening would have been wonderful if it were not impossible.

An hour later, Darcy was alone in his library when Bingley burst in. He looked agitated, with a large smile on his face.

“Darcy, look what I just received!”

“I see a letter. It must be something special to have put you in such an excellent mood.”

“It is from Mr. Gardiner! Do you remember when he asked what plans I had for Christmas?”

“I do not. I was slightly distracted yesterday.”

“Yes, I noticed. So I said I had no particular plans. And he has just written to me to invite me to join them for dinner the day after tomorrow! On Christmas Day! Surely there can be only one meaning behind this: that they consider me part of the family! And surely Miss Bennet cannot be a stranger to the invitation! They wish me to dine with them on a special evening! Can you believe it?”

“I can, and I agree with your assumption about the meaning behind it. Will you go? Your response will also indicate to them whether you wish to be part of the family.”

“Of course I shall go! On my own. Without my sisters! And after that, I must find a moment alone with Miss Bennet. I am ready to make a decision since I have thought about it countless times. I see no reason to delay proposing! It is what I have wished and prayed for since the 26th of November, at the ball.”

He paused, looking at Darcy, then continued.

“Do I have your blessing?”

“Do you need my blessing?”

“I do not, but I would like to have it.”

“If you are certain of your decision, I heartily support you.”

“I am glad to hear that! Oh, here is the letter. Mr. Gardiner included you and Miss Darcy in the invitation, but he assumed you already have plans.”

“Did he? May I see the letter?” Darcy asked, surprised, reading with curiosity.

“Indeed, the invitation is clear. Allow me a moment to speak to Georgiana. We do not have any particular plans, so we might attend after all,” he said with a strange sense of joy.

He overlooked the fact that he had already refused the invitation from the Matlocks.

It felt more exhilarating to dine in Gracechurch Street than in Park Lane.

***

The house was beautifully decorated, with holly, hawthorn, rosemary, a few Christmas roses, and even a few sprigs of mistletoe. The dinner table was rich and a little crowded, filled with so much joy and talking and laughter as Darcy did not remember experiencing in many years.

The Gardiners’ children had been shy and intimidated at first, but they needed only a few minutes to become easy and outspoken. They seemed attached to their cousins, especially to Elizabeth. The boys tried to act in a manly way, copying their father.

Darcy was enchanted to see his sister very much at ease and trying to make conversation with Elizabeth. He was also delighted that — as she had promised in her letter — Elizabeth whispered an apology to him, then welcomed him with a smile he had not seen before.

As much as he feared to assume too much, he could not overlook the obvious change in Elizabeth’s manners towards him. She was friendly, without doubt.

“I am truly grateful, and I thank the Lord for this lovely reunion,” Mrs. Gardiner said sometime later. “Who would believe that an almost accident in Hyde Park would lead to such a wonderful outcome?”

“I must say I am grateful to Darcy for telling me about your presence in town,” Bingley added. “If not for him, I might have discovered the truth much later. I might have even left town, as I had several invitations to spend Christmas in the country.”

“We are also grateful to Mr. Darcy and must thank him,” Elizabeth replied. Her voice was teasing, but the little smile on her lips and in her eyes was alluring.

“If we are to follow the same logical line, we should be grateful to Miss Elizabeth’s passion for walking, which led you to the near accident,” Darcy added, causing cheers of approval. Elizabeth was still looking at him, and he smiled at her.

“Mama always claimed nothing good would come from my wild habit of taking long walks. I am pleased that she was wrong,” Elizabeth joked.