Page 9 of Obligation and Redemption
“Thank you, Papa,” spoke Elizabeth softly, relieved to finally have her father with her and on her side.
“Mr. Darcy, I am listening,” Mr. Bennet stated, in anticipation .
With reluctance Mr. Darcy began, “You must forgive me for not rising. I find that my injuries have left me unable to sit up, without the room spinning terribly. As you can see, and as your daughter can attest, I have found myself completely at her mercy since our encounter this morning, so you can be persuaded with objective evidence that nothing untoward has occurred this day in regards to your daughter. In addition, I can assure you, that even if I had not been injured, Miss Bennet would have been safe with me. I am a gentleman with principles that would forbid me from imposing upon her. I can offer you many character references, if you doubt the veracity of my words. I realise how our being alone for this time period may look to the populace of Hertfordshire – and the society of London, if the details were made known – but I am hoping that we can come up with an agreement that might keep the events from spreading, in order to spare your daughter from ruin, and me from scandal.” This was about all the words that Mr. Darcy could string together at the moment.
He closed his eyes and attempted to relax, despite his apparent agitation.
“I agree.”
In surprise, Mr. Darcy replied, “You do?”
“Of course. My Lizzy has no wish to be married to you, and you obviously have no wish to be married to her, as merely tolerable as she is, so I have no desire to push the match.” Darcy, not noticing the slight to which Mr. Bennet had referred, looked noticeably relieved.
“However, if word gets out, and this becomes public knowledge, I expect you to perform your duty as a gentleman and as a contributor to this debacle.”
“Papa, you cannot be in earnest!”
With a pained look to his daughter, Mr. Bennet replied, “Dear, you know the consequences should your time with Mr. Darcy become public knowledge. You will become the target of widespread gossip. Today’s events are like food to a starving man if it gets into the mind of a relentless gossip.
Truth means nothing, and no one will believe in your innocence, nor care about the injury that could come of spreading such blather.
Once out, the tale will take on a life of it’s own, like a cancer that cannot be stopped or cured.
And if this becomes fodder for the gossip mill, I am afraid that we will have only one way to respond. ”
“I do not see that at all!” exclaimed his distressed daughter.
Looking pointedly at her, he replied, “Lizzy, I know that you do. If word gets out, you, as well as your sisters, will be forever ruined in local society. You know that should neither you, nor any of your sisters ever marry well, you would all be at risk of destitution. Now I do not plan on leaving this world anytime soon, but things happen outside of our control. I cannot in good conscience leave you and your sisters to the mercy of the kindness of others. If there were means of surviving the effects of the gossip, if there were an alternative for you, then I would not go this route, but truly, Lizzy, even if there were reasonable options for you as a companion or governess, your sisters do not deserve to suffer a life with no honourable marriage prospects.”
Deep down, Elizabeth knew this. She had been contemplating the same conclusion throughout the day, but hearing her father state the truth was unnerving. She had hoped that he could and would come up with an alternative .
Mr. Darcy, witnessing this exchange, was certain that the two Bennets had been planning this to happen, knowing that news of their adventure would find its way into local society.
Even in the short week in Hertfordshire, Darcy had heard Mrs. Bennet pushing forward her daughters and gossiping in her turn.
All it would take is one word to his own wife, and Mr. Bennet’s plan would be in place.
“Sir, I believe that we can keep this whole business quiet. The only ones who know that I spent the day with Miss Bennet are Bingley’s servants and the four of us.
If we can persuade these men to keep quiet, surely no one need know, but if gossip related to this does spread, then the culpability of such an event would be laid squarely at your door.
I am confident that I can keep this quiet, but to be honest, I do not trust you or your daughter to do such a thing.
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by spreading the events of today. ”
“Except my daughter’s reputation and future happiness!” an angry Mr. Bennet retorted.
“Which would soon be rectified if I were forced to acquiesce and offer for her hand, which as a gentleman, I would be obligated to request.”
Mr. Bennet had a long history of averting unpleasant conversations and was ready to leave this one behind.
If not for the seriousness of the implications, he would have found a way to walk out with Elizabeth then, but he had to make his expectations clear to both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, as painful as that would be.
“Mr. Darcy, you have my word that not a sound of this incident will leave this room. I know that there are those in my family who have weaknesses that might, in their ignorance, contribute to their own ruin. I promise that news of this will not spread by any means that I can avoid. I will do all in my power to escape a scandal, as you will be doing the same. I plan to tell those at Longbourn that Elizabeth was found alone by me on the opposite side of my estate. I will ensure that we return to Longbourn from that route in order to keep up pretences. It is up to you and Mr. Bingley to ensure that Mr. Bingley’s men keep quiet; but I warn you, if word does get out, I expect you to do your duty as a gentleman.
You were on my estate and nearly ran down my daughter.
She has spent the whole of the day seeing to your comfort.
I will not have her suffer the consequences of your accident alone. ”
“Bingley, call in your servants.” Mr. Darcy would have preferred having this conversation standing.
He was much taller than the average man and found that his imposing stature contributed greatly to his ability to intimidate others into relenting to his cause.
Of course, he knew that this was an inappropriate way to achieve his own ends; however, he would use his assets to his benefit if needed, especially if good would come as a result.
Unfortunately, today he would have to rely solely on his finances, which were also commanding.
As the men entered, they surveyed the situation before them.
They may not have been well educated, but they were quick enough to determine how the following conversation would go.
The master’s friend had obviously gotten himself into a scrape.
When his horse had returned to Netherfield without its rider, the household went into an uproar.
Mr. Bingley assembled a search party, but had to wait on the storm to abate, and no one had had any luck finding Mr. Darcy until now.
Based on the circumstances before them, Mr. Darcy was obviously in good hands, safely ensconced in this cabin the entire time.
His clothes were hanging up by the small fire, almost dry.
A young lady, lovely yet clearly tired, had been attending to his needs, whatever they might be.
Also, before them stood a concerned father, who would likely pay well for them to forget the scene in front of them; and if not the father, then the rich, young man who would find himself married within the month without their aid.
As servants, they had no hope to become elevated beyond their present state.
Each was content with this knowledge, but having additional capital would add comforts to their lives, and if they played their cards right, could set each of them up for years to come.
They waited for the conversation to unfold.
With as much focus as Mr. Darcy could muster, he began.
“Men, I will not insult you with explaining the situation before you.
As you can plainly see, you have found yourselves with uncommonly beneficial information.
You know that I have been missing and have spent these last ten or so hours alone in this cabin with Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
Neither of us planned for the events of the day to transpire, and I hope that she and I are in agreement that we would like to forget that they have and move forward with our lives without anyone the wiser.
The only people who have any knowledge of our being here alone together are in this room.
You are fortunate that I am willing to pay for your silence concerning anything that you have witnessed. Do we understand one another?“
The two servants glanced at one another, nodding when one returned, “Yes, sir. I believe we do.”
Mr. Bingley, anxious to be of service to his friend, said, “You must also understand that if the events of today are spread after you have received payment, you will be dismissed without pay or reference.”
“Yes, sir, but I must ask, how much are you talking about? We, of course, would not have thought to ask for money for our silence, but since you mentioned it, I am interested in what you have in mind,” the other servant boldly asked.
He knew that Mr. Darcy was in no condition to make demands and was the type of man to speak plainly.
“Two hundred-fifty pounds for each of you.”
Their eyes widened. Not wanting to offend or come across as mercenary, the second footman said, “We accept.” And the other nodded his agreement.
“Very well, then. I suppose we have a deal.”