Page 24 of Sketching Mr. Darcy

On Christmas morning, long before anyone else was awake, Elizabeth was impatient to acquaint Jane with all the particulars.

With long-prepared calmness and carefully chosen words, she told her beloved sister the important parts of the discussion between Mr Darcy and herself.

As Elizabeth explained the circumstances of her engagement, Jane’s complexion turned pallid and tearful.

“Dearest, what a nightmare you endured all alone. Why did you not tell me sooner? How is it possible for someone to turn a generous gesture by Mr Darcy into something horrible? And why would someone want to compromise either of you? It is just unbelievable!”

“Yes, it is, but what is done is done. You understand now why we decided that the best solution was to marry as soon as possible. I hope you do not blame me for this.”

“Blame you? No! But are you sure you can enter into a marriage without love?”

Elizabeth fought her tears. “Well, all I have to do now is to make sure I fall in love with Mr Darcy, and all will be well. Aunt Gardiner says that his being handsome will make his faults easier to bear. I am just not sure whether he will ever find me tolerable enough to love!”

“Oh, Lizzy, how can you joke so easily? I am so sorry you have to go through this turmoil!”

“I have hopes that everything might be well in the end as Mr Darcy said. Please hope and pray with me. By the way, Jane, Aunt Gardiner told me that we met Lady Anne Darcy and Georgiana ten years ago. Do you remember when we went to Brighton?”

The sisters talked for another hour, troubled by the prospect of separating and astonished by the extraordinary coincidence.

They also discussed the possibility of meeting again quite soon as Jane had been invited by Mrs Gardiner to stay in London with them for a month or two.

Although neither dared to speak of it, both secretly wondered whether occasions might arise for Jane to meet Mr Bingley too.

On Christmas Day, during a time of shared joy at the dinner table, Mr Bennet suddenly demanded the family’s attention.

Elizabeth turned pale while her mother was only faintly aware of her husband speaking.

She was not accustomed to listening to him during dinner conversations.

Mr Bennet gulped a little wine then a smile lit his face.

“Mrs Bennet, I know that, for a whole month now, you have been upset with Lizzy for refusing Mr Collins’s proposal and even more upset with Charlotte Lucas for accepting it.”

“Oh, Mr Bennet, it is cruel of you to remind me of such terrible things on Christmas Day!”

“My dear, I trust this reminder will make you all the happier with my news. Also, I fancy that Lizzy may soon become your favourite daughter. Now, as to the news: three days ago, Mr Darcy proposed to Lizzy, and she accepted him. He also asked my consent, which I granted. So, briefly, they will marry on December 27 in Meryton with a special license. ”

For several minutes, nobody breathed. Finally, Mrs Bennet commenced to gulp and blink repeatedly.

Then she turned pale and leant back heavily in her chair.

Elizabeth and Jane hurried to her while Mr Bennet sent Kitty to fetch Hill’s salts.

Shortly, Mrs Bennet began to recover, to fidget about in her chair, get up, sit down again, wonder, and bless herself.

“Good gracious! Lord bless me! Only think! Mr Darcy! Who would have thought it! And is it really true? Oh, my sweetest Lizzy! How rich and how great you will be! What pin money, what jewels, what carriages you will have! I am so pleased—so happy. Such a charming man—so handsome, so tall! Oh, my dear Lizzy! Pray forgive me for being so upset with you before. I hope you will overlook it. Dear, dear Lizzy. A house in town! Everything that is charming! Ten thousand a year! Oh, Lord! What will become of me? I shall go distracted.”

She needed a pause to breathe, then she instantly turned pale, and everyone was afraid she might faint again.

“But my dearest child, what nonsense is this to marry in two days? We have no time to prepare you properly! You need new gowns. We all need new gowns—and to prepare the wedding breakfast and—”

“Mama, I discussed these things with Mr Darcy, and we agreed to leave for London immediately after the wedding. Considering the bad weather, his relatives will not be able to attend except Colonel Fitzwilliam. So there will be no need for special preparations.”

“No need? My child, what are you talking of? All of Meryton will be there even if you leave for London immediately. I will not sleep a moment until the wedding. Oh, just imagine: you will be married long before Charlotte Lucas—a real miracle. Oh, Lizzy, you were so smart to refuse Mr Collins—such a disagreeable man and not at all handsome! Oh, wait until Lady Lucas and Sir William hear about this! Ten thousand a year and very likely more! ’Tis as good as a Lord!

And a special license. Oh, and of course his relatives cannot attend.

Who could imagine an earl staying at the inn?

It is not to be borne! But my dearest love, tell me what dish Mr Darcy is particularly fond of, that I may have it when he arrives. ”

Nothing else was discussed that evening except the unbelievable news, and Elizabeth felt deeply grateful and relieved when it was time to retire.

Mrs Bennet made quick plans to visit her sister Philips the next morning, and she also proposed to call briefly on Lady Lucas.

Elizabeth cringed at hearing such plans, but there was nothing to be done for it.

Fortunately, it started snowing that night, and by the morning, everything was covered in white.

After breakfast, the weather warmed, and the snow became a dense, cold rain.

Mrs Bennet was devastated that her visits had to be postponed, but she could not control the weather.

She had to content herself with staying at home near the fire and discussing future balls and the grand opportunities that would arise for her other daughters.

Mr Bennet sent his footman with a note for the parish clergyman with all the details of the wedding, and he smiled to himself imagining the man’s shock at the news. Afterwards, he retired with his brother Gardiner to the library and demanded they not be disturbed.

Elizabeth spent the time searching her closet carefully to decide which gowns deserved to be taken with her to London and, more importantly, which gown she should wear on her wedding day.

Mrs Bennet complained about the tragedy of not having time to order new clothes more suitable to her new position, but Elizabeth was content that everything was settled.

However, her peace and tranquillity were still absent.

Strangely, she felt no fatigue. Her mind and her body did not desire nor require rest.

***

London, 25 December

Darcy relaxed in his armchair with a glass of wine, glancing from the fire to the window and back again.

The next morning he would leave for Meryton, and Lord Matlock and Thomas had surprised him with their decision to attend the wedding with Robert.

Darcy appreciated the importance of such a gesture, and felt gratitude for his relatives.

Without their support, it would be a formidable task for Elizabeth to adapt to her new role.

Either way, she would have to contend with London gossip. He was well aware of that.

Everything was arranged for Elizabeth’s arrival.

The household, as well as Mrs Annesley, had been informed.

He had given specific orders regarding their return from Hertfordshire, including the preparation of a special dinner.

With the help of Mrs Annesley and Mrs Thomason—the housekeeper—Darcy chose a young maid, Molly, to serve Mrs Darcy.

Darcy rose, opened the connecting door, and entered his wife’s apartment.

In two days—two nights—she would be there, and he was still unable to believe it.

Night after night, he had dreamt about her more times than he cared to admit.

Her image had tormented his mind for so many weeks that the reality of her presence only steps away from him was difficult to accept.

He knew that she would be there as a result of unpleasant circumstances and only partly of her own free will, but she had also indicated a willingness to make this marriage work—and he trusted her words.

He had promised her that he would not force her to consummate their marriage before she was ready, and he intended to keep his promise.

Even more, since he discovered that she was not aware of his admiration and scarcely returned it, his pride had been wounded and his self-confidence shattered.

In all his reveries, she was smiling at him with sweetness and desire, gently caressing him, abandoning herself to him, and opening her soul and body to him.

Such were his wishes and dreams, and the idea of her mere acceptance to avert the negative consequences of malicious tales, was appalling and heartbreaking.

If they had to marry in such haste, it was his duty—more than hers—to be certain that they would truly become husband and wife.

Darcy fell asleep long after midnight with Elizabeth’s image in his mind, wondering how she would look with her hair loose about her shoulders.

***

Longbourn, 26 December

Late in the afternoon, Mrs Philips came to help her sister, who was barely able to breathe from the turmoil of her emotions. Somehow, Mrs Philips felt blessed by association to the extraordinary fortune that had befallen her sister’s family.

When Hill announced visitors, the family was shocked to see Mr Darcy in the doorway with not one but three gentlemen companions.