Page 18 of Obligation and Redemption
Her father took in a deep breath, then continued, “You apparently relayed to her that you had been alone with Mr. Darcy, helping him, and something about marrying him. From this your mother determined that you and Mr. Darcy had spent the entirety of the day during the storm alone together at the folly, that you had managed to save Mr. Darcy’s life and that he was honour bound to offer for your hand in marriage. ”
Elizabeth’s hand tightened around her father’s, eyes wide, brows drawn in. “That cannot be.”
“I assure you that she believes that to be the truth of things and will not be moved, since she heard it directly from you.”
“I must speak to her and make sure she understands the truth, that...” She faltered.
What exactly was the truth? She marvelled at how her mother had been able to come up with such a close resemblance to the actuality.
The location was of course incorrect, yet she and her father had directly falsified that information, and she would have no reason to question a difference, but the rest was nearly accurate.
She did spend the day with Mr. Darcy, she possibly saved his life, and he was honour-bound, if this information got out, to offer for her.
The truth could not get out! “Papa, I beg of you, please tell me that Mama has not gone into town while I have been ill.”
“She knew that if she had come to me, I would have forbidden her to speak a word of it to anyone, so she got ready and went into town with the plan of visiting with her sister Philips, proclaiming her triumph.”
“But, Papa, surely she considered that he might not offer for me, that my reputation and that of my family would be ruined should he not come forward. He could have left the vicinity of Meryton by now, never to return, and our good name would be extirpated. He has no reason to offer me anything but disdain.” She sat there, considering her predicament, and then softly said, “Mary. She was talking about me, was she not?” As her father looked away towards the window, tears came to Elizabeth’s eyes.
In all her days, she had always maintained the rules of propriety designed to protect a woman and a man from censure.
Her father was proud of her prudence when dealing with the opposite sex.
She always treated men the same, with kindness, but no apparent favouritism that might cause a gentleman to question her interest and others to question her virtue.
She had determined that she would be the one pursued, but within societal boundaries.
Like most women, Elizabeth noticed the available men around her, but she never considered participating in any flirtations unsuitable for a daughter of a respected gentleman; the extent of her attentions towards the opposite sex was limited to nothing more than playful teasing.
Mr. Bennet loathed the emotional outbursts of the fairer sex, especially after years of marriage had made him immune to the common effects; nonetheless, his favourite daughter was dear to his heart, and he knew the possible ramifications of his ignorant wife’s actions.
He got down on a knee, so he could move closer to her and held her close, while she began to weep.
“Elizabeth, all is not lost. Perhaps our good friends will not let idle gossip affect their esteem for you. We must give this some time to assess the real damage.”
“Papa, what are people saying now? What hope can you give me?”
“I have not been to town, as you know, and the only visitors we can claim are your aunt Philips and Miss Lucas asking about your health. Lizzy, as soon as your mother told me of her suspicions, I restricted her to the house, but I am afraid I was too late to make a difference. Your sisters went into town yesterday and received stares from our neighbours. But really, my dear, that really is no different from usual. Wherever they go, they make sport.”
“You cannot jest at a time like this! This is altogether horrible.”
“Oh, Lizzy, you are just learning of it, yet I have had time to consider it these three days at least. Surely, our friends know you and would not think the worst has happened.”
“But my mother certainly believes the worst, and even more, has chosen to share her beliefs with all of Meryton. I have always understood that I was her least favourite, but to put me in such a position. It is unconscionable!”
“Lizzy, if it makes you feel better, I do believe your mother has acted out of concern for you and our family’s future rather than malice.
She cannot see the ramifications of her actions.
She sees the perfect way to secure your future in comfort and ease, not a misalliance with a man who will always look down upon you, or worse, leave you in ruin.
Mr. Darcy must know that I cannot defend your honour, for if I were to fail, Mr. Collins would inherit the house, as well as his pick of the Bennet ladies. ”
“Did you explain this to Mama?”
“No, I did not. Your mother is single-minded in this affair, and I am not certain I could change her thoughts quite yet. Also, I did not want her to know for certain what she already speculates.” Mr. Bennet then decided that this was the time to share the history subsisting between her parents.
“Dear, I have been putting a great deal of thought into whether I should share a story with you, and I think that it may help you to understand your mother a little better and what drives her decisions. You see, I grew up at Longbourn, of course, and knew the community as you now do. My father sent me away to school, and I came home on the holidays, as all sons of gentlemen do. Then I went to Oxford for my higher education, so I was not often at Longbourn. While I was away, life carried on, and some little girls turned into lovely women. Of course, I held no interest in the local ladies, no matter how beautiful, for I was to marry an heiress who could contribute to the family’s estate.
“But I was not ready to settle, and my father was still quite able to handle the estate on his own. I would go to town during the Season to enjoy the theatre and museums, as well as the soirées. Then my father and mother both died quite unexpectedly when they contracted the flu. I had to return to Longbourn and learn estate management in earnest and in the most difficult of circumstances. I determined then that I needed a wife. I quite enjoyed my time in London and had met several promising ladies, so once the mourning period was over, and the estate was in the capable hands of my steward, I left for town to secure a bride.” By now, Elizabeth had quite forgotten her own predicament, as she was lost in the story. She nodded for him to continue.
“There was a lovely daughter of a gentleman from Kent who brought ten thousand pounds with her. But her worth was not in her dowry. Although her intelligence was hidden from me at first, I soon realised through our time together, that she was astute and clever, having knowledge that was superior to most women. I had intended on asking for her hand, a match based on affection and prudence. I returned home in order to retrieve the ring that my father had presented to my mother upon their engagement.” He looked at Elizabeth who was absorbed in his tale.
Giving her a little smile and a squeeze of her hand, he continued, “I never made it back to London. While home, I carelessly allowed myself to get into a compromising situation with a young, local beauty, not a gentleman’s daughter, but the daughter of a lawyer.
I had attended a local assembly, having little intention of dancing, but there were fewer men in attendance than ladies, so I felt it my duty to stand up with those in need of a partner.
This was scarcely a hardship, as the ladies were in abundance and the music inviting, and having attended previous assemblies with these same ladies, I knew the pleasure that a dance would afford.
“Now you must remember that I was set on my chosen course in London, so I only danced once with any of the women at the assembly and kept conversation to a minimum. In my heart, I would not betray the lady in town. However, when I left, having had more punch than was good for me, I discovered too late that I was obligated as a gentleman to ask for the hand of a Miss Gardiner. I will not share with you the details of the night, but suffice it to say that although your mother may appear lacking in intelligence, she is not at all insufficient in her ability to scheme.” Both were quiet for some time before he continued, “I never saw the woman from London again, the one with whom I had fallen in love.
“I admit that I have never quite forgiven your mother for her stratagem, but I must give her credit; she secured a much better match than she had any hope for, despite her beauty. And if not for her scheming, I would not have you or your sisters. Sometimes I forget the blessings that have come my way through my children as a result of our marriage, but l would make the same choice again to ensure your and your sisters’ presence in my life.
She had no one to defend her honour, as her brother was too young at the time to force my compliance, and her father, not a gentleman and incapable anyway.
But when I look at you, my dear, I have no regrets. ”
“I never knew.”
“Of course you did not; there was no need to share such intimate knowledge of our family’s genesis, but perhaps you can understand how your mother may have come to the understanding that spreading news of a compromise might be the best course.
Although she and I did not start with a love match, we were able to find our own version of love, and she has security, at least until my demise.
You can see that her nature to manipulate a situation has not abated. ”