Page 17 of Mr Darcy’s Worth: Three Pride and Prejudice Variations

Darcy finished the letter for Bingley quickly, but the one to Mr. Bennet took longer.

He realised he had never been properly introduced to the gentleman, and they had only been in company briefly at the Netherfield ball.

During the search for Miss Lydia and Wickham, he had only dealt with the Gardiners, avoiding Elizabeth’s father on purpose.

Writing apologies to someone who was almost a stranger but also an important person due to his connection to Elizabeth was a truly daunting task.

Eventually, he put down a few words,

Mr. Bennet,

You must be surprised at receiving a letter from someone you hardly know. I would not have taken such a liberty if not for my desire to apologise for the inconvenience caused by my aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s visit to Longbourn.

I am well aware that my aunt’s actions are not always within the bounds of decorum and that her impetuosity may cause harm to many.

Please know that I was not aware of her visit until afterwards, nor do I approve of anything she said.

Also, I beg you to convey my apologies to Miss Elizabeth, with whom I know my aunt had a conversation which I assume was not pleasant.

I hope you will allow me the chance to properly introduce myself and apologise in person when I next visit my friend Bingley.

Sincerely,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

He sealed it and asked it to be delivered by express; he did so with some nervousness, knowing the letter would be read by Elizabeth too. He hoped she would understand what he had not explicitly said.

“So, have you finished your urgent business?” the colonel asked.

“I have. Hopefully, Lady Catherine will not do anything else foolish today.”

“I still do not understand where such a ridiculous report came from. There cannot be two people more unlikely to be the subject of such gossip.”

Darcy filled his glass before answering.

“Well, that is not entirely true, Geoffrey. Despite my behaviour, which you criticised, I have always admired Miss Elizabeth. We did have some harsh, even painful, quarrels in Hertfordshire — and even more in Kent — but they helped me understand that I was in error in judging certain circumstances.”

“Did they? How interesting. And does she know that?”

“I hope so, Cousin. When Miss Elizabeth visited Pemberley with the Gardiners, we had the chance to clear up some of our past misunderstandings. I dare say now we are rather friends than enemies,” he concluded with a smile.

“Well, this is a surprising piece of news, indeed. I cannot remember when you last admitted your admiration for a young lady.”

“I would have if it had ever happened.”

“Miss Elizabeth is a fascinating woman, I have to say. Her manners are charming because they are natural and unassuming. She is educated and clever without bragging about her knowledge. She is witty and brave in expressing her opinion. And she is very pretty, though her complexion is not perfect. I might say Miss Elizabeth is delightfully perfect in her many imperfections. Would you not agree, Darcy?”

Darcy did not agree; to him, Elizabeth was quite perfect, and he saw nothing wanting in her. To his cousin, he responded, “I agree that Miss Elizabeth is the most enchanting woman of my acquaintance — in every possible way.”

“Oh my, what strong words coming from someone usually so severe in his judgments of people. Well, well, so it is possible that the clergyman was right. That Lady Catherine did not journey to Hertfordshire for nothing. Do not tell me that you are truly engaged to Miss Elizabeth?” the colonel enquired, his tone full of jest.

“That clergyman is never right, and Lady Catherine does many things for nothing. I am not engaged to Miss Elizabeth. I have seen her only briefly since she left Pemberley, and we spoke only a few polite words.”

“Well then, that might have caused some problems.”

“Very likely. I was content to know she no longer despises me. But that might have changed if Lady Catherine disparaged her in person as she disparaged her to me. Miss Elizabeth has every reason to loathe me and my lunatic aunt,” he ended with bitterness.

“So, Darcy, enough joking. Do you have serious designs on Miss Elizabeth? Truly? In all honesty, I wondered why you were so distressed while searching for Wickham and why you paid the idiot’s debts. Did you wish to impress Miss Elizabeth? Is it not a little too much?”

“Not at all. I specifically requested of Mr. Gardiner that Miss Elizabeth not be informed about my involvement at all. I shall not deny that I wanted to save her from the distress caused by her silly sister and that scoundrel, especially since I know how it felt…”

“True.”

“But I do not wish to impress her, and I certainly do not want her gratitude. Besides, it gives me great pleasure to have purchased Wickham’s debts. He knows I can send him to prison whenever I desire.”

“Upon my word, Darcy, I do not know what to think of all this. I know you well enough to understand that your declared admiration for Miss Bennet is not insignificant.”

“It is not. But please do not assume more. And please do not share this with anyone. I wish to avoid exposing Miss Elizabeth to more harm.”

“But I cannot deny that I am shocked. It never crossed my mind. Will you… Would you… What do you plan to do? What do you want to do?”

“See to my business, as always. Then I shall go to Netherfield to attend Bingley’s wedding, as I promised.”

“Will you… Do you intend to talk to Miss Elizabeth?”

“Of course I do. It would be awkward not to speak to her, would you not agree?”

“You know what I mean, Darcy.”

“I know, but that is all I can say. I shall be happy to meet and talk to her again. I hope she will not hold Lady Catherine’s insults against me. I shall certainly apologise to her.”

“But Darcy, do you intend to do something? In regard to Miss Elizabeth? Her family… Wickham is her brother now.”

“I am aware of that. Whatever Wickham is or does, he is not my main concern, nor the main obstacle in my plans.”

“Lady Catherine will be incandescent with rage — you must know that.”

“I do, but she is not my main concern either.”

“My parents will be shocked too. They will likely oppose such a connection…”

“I value your parents’ opinion, but as you must know, once I make a decision, I shall not be deterred by any opposition.”

“I know. That is what I fear, and I dread to assume how things will progress. I certainly need another drink.”

“I would like another one too.” Darcy smiled.

***

Later that day, the doctor returned to examine Anne, who was still asleep.

“I cannot give you a prognosis yet,” the doctor said.

“I must observe her for several more days. What I can see is that she is very weak. I shall tell Mrs. Gibbs what sort of foods I would recommend for Miss de Bourgh, and I have also brought some medicine that I have used in previous similar cases. My colleagues will join me tomorrow, and I hope that together we shall reach a conclusion. Miss Darcy is with Miss de Bourgh now,” he added.

“I asked the maid to prepare the medicine and bring some soup too. There is not much else we can do for now, except that I strongly advise that she remain in London for a while, to rest properly and to be under our supervision.”

“I shall insist on following your advice,” Darcy promised. As soon as the doctor left, he went to Anne’s room, where a maid and Georgiana were sitting with his cousin.

“I would like to speak to Miss de Bourgh for a moment,” he addressed the maid, who immediately left.

Georgiana was about to do the same, but he stopped her.

“You may stay, my dear,” he said, pulling a chair towards the bed. “I just want to ask Anne how she is feeling and — more importantly — what she wants to do.”

“To do?” Anne repeated weakly.

“Yes. Your decision is very important and the only one that matters. Lady Catherine should not have a say when your well-being is involved.”

“I am sure Mama wishes what is best for me.”

“Your mother wishes what she believes is best for you. As we all know, Lady Catherine is not always right. If I were to choose between the doctor’s advice and your mother’s request, my choice would be clear.”

“I would like to stay for a little while. But I cannot argue with Mama.”

“Yes, you can. Anne, do you realise that you are of age, and as such, you have inherited your father’s entire fortune?

You may make decisions about anything, including your mother’s future.

You may do whatever you want with your money and your properties.

Whatever you wish to do, I shall assist you in the best way I can. ”

“Thank you, Cousin. I am sorry my mother is giving you so much trouble.”

“You do not need to apologise, Anne. And please know that I refused to marry you not because I do not believe you worthy of being admired and loved but quite the opposite. I am certain that you deserve more than to be pushed into a marriage without proper affection and admiration.”

“I have always admired you, Fitzwilliam.”

“But not in a way to induce you into marriage, Anne. You admired me because you had not met any other gentlemen with which to make a proper comparison.”

“I admire your devotion to the family…I know how much you help Mama with our affairs. And you have visited me often enough, though I know you did so only because duty demanded it.”

“I shall always help you and Lady Catherine when she asks me to. And no, I did not visit you just out of duty. I would like to see you more often, to see you spending time in town or coming to visit us at Pemberley. You are as close to me as a sister, and I shall always care for you.”

“Thank you…Fitzwilliam, is it true what Mama said? That you are engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”

“I am not, but I do admire Miss Elizabeth very much. We can barely be called friends at the moment, but I wish for that to change.”

“But…forgive me for intruding…I observed you and Miss Elizabeth at Rosings. She did not seem to admire you at all. She seemed to favour Geoffrey. Mama said Miss Elizabeth is a fortune hunter and will only try to trap you for your wealth.”

As she spoke, Anne turned pale from embarrassment, and so did Georgiana.

Darcy smiled at them both.

“I thank you for your concern, but it is not needed. I am certain Miss Elizabeth is not trying to trap me — quite the opposite. She was well aware of my wealth and my situation in life when she scolded me for my behaviour and some of my actions. Indeed, nobody had ever rebuked me as harshly — or deservedly.”

“What do you mean?” Georgiana asked in disbelief.

“I am not at liberty to say more, but please believe me that I tried to express my admiration to Miss Elizabeth when we were at Rosings, and she rejected my…attempts most decidedly. I am quite certain I was the last man in the world she would have tried to trap into marriage,” he concluded, unable to conceal the smile on his lips.

“But…you and Miss Elizabeth seemed to be friends at Pemberley,” Georgiana whispered.

“I took Miss Elizabeth’s reproaches to heart and tried to make amends for my past errors. I believe she has forgiven me and granted me her friendship. I have hardly spoken to her at all since we met at Pemberley.”

“Oh…I did not know…thank you for confiding in me, Cousin.”

“I hope you will confide in me too, Anne. I am truly concerned about your health. Please consider the situation fully and let me know how I may help you.”

“I shall…but if I remain in London, I cannot stay in your house…”

“You are welcome to stay here for as long as you want, but I do agree that it would not be entirely proper for us to live under the same roof. However, you cannot move into your own house either, since you need care and supervision. You could perhaps stay with the Matlocks. I am sure they would be happy to have you. And Geoffrey too.”

“I shall speak to my aunt tomorrow. I would like to sleep now if you do not mind. Fitzwilliam, if Mama comes to see me tonight, please tell her the doctor gave me some medicine and I am deeply asleep. Would you?”

“Gladly.” Darcy smiled. “But only if you promise to try and eat as the doctor said.”

“I believe we have an agreement — finally.” Anne returned the smile.

That evening, Darcy had dinner with Georgiana, and she enquired further in regard to Elizabeth, but he had nothing more to tell her. Lady Catherine came to see Anne — as they expected — but she was denied the opportunity, and she left with even greater resentment.

As much as he wanted to, Darcy did not open the subject of Lady Catherine’s visit to Longbourn as he did not expect he would succeed in making his aunt see reason.

If things with Elizabeth progressed as he hoped and prayed for, if would mean another quarrel — more violent—with his aunt.

Until that moment came, the best plan would be to let Lady Catherine calm down in order for her to be able to receive the shock of the future changes she would have to accept.