Page 33 of What Comes Between Cousins

“Y OU HAVE WELL AND TRULY done it this time, Caroline.”

“How dare you speak to me in such a way! You insipid, worthless excuse of a woman!”

“She speaks to you in such a way because you deserve it.”

Hurst stepping into the room caused Caroline to step back and blanch in surprise. Louisa knew it was likely fruitless to confront her sister in this matter, but she had felt it necessary to make one last attempt. After she was married to Collins, Louisa felt it likely she would see her sister but little, and though the thought was not onerous, some vestige of sibling affection won its way past her absolute disgust for Caroline and urged her to try to talk sense into her.

“You will keep a civil tongue in your head, Caroline,” continued Hurst. “I will not allow you to continue to treat your sister as you have all these years.”

“Perhaps you should return below stairs and marinate yourself in your brandy,” snarled Caroline. “It is what you do best, is it not?”

More chilling for Caroline than had Hurst lost his temper was the fact that he only fixed her with a cold smile. “Putting you over my knee is an option, Caroline. Please, continue to insult us. I would enjoy administering the punishment you so richly deserve. Your father should have done so many years ago!”

“You both disgust me,” said Caroline, ignoring Hurst’s words. “I have been working all these years to increase our standing and bring respectability to our family’s name, and you have all ruined it! I could have been the wife of a viscount and later, an earl! It would have been instant respectability for the Bingley name!”

“You are a fool, Caroline,” said Louisa. “Nothing but infamy would have followed, even had you been successful. Do you not think rumors would have existed, even if it had been hushed up? The gossips of society would have spoken of it without cessation. The daughters of tradesmen do not marry future earls.”

“And Chesterfield would never have married you, even if you had been successful,” added Hurst. “He would have refused and I—and your brother—would not have insisted.”

“Of course, I would have married him! It would have been a perfect match.”

Louisa exchanged a look with her husband. There was no reaching Caroline, for she was convinced she was in the right. It was pointless to even make the attempt.

“I hope you are happy with your parson, Caroline,” said Louisa. “I hope even more that the marriage is concluded quickly and that you are taken away to your new home without delay, for I cannot even bear to look at you.”

Then Louisa departed from the room, through the door her husband opened for her. A scream of pure rage issued from Caroline’s throat and the sound of glass shattering impacted the door through which they had just passed. Caroline’s maid, Louisa dismissed with a kind word, and when the woman indicated that she wished to leave Caroline’s employ, Louisa assented, informing her that she would receive her pay and a letter of recommendation. When she departed, it was clear to see how relieved she was.

“You will not see Caroline again, Louisa,” said Hurst when they were alone. “I will not allow her to hurt you.”

“I have no intention of going to her again.” Louisa felt weary, as if she had been awake for a month without sleep. “She is dead to me, and you should have no doubt she feels the same way.”

Louisa allowed herself to be drawn into her husband’s embrace, enjoying the feeling of the strength of his arms about her.

“I hope she stops before she breaks all her things,” said Louisa after a moment of silence.

“She may break everything she owns,” replied Hurst. “It is nothing to me.” He paused and seemed to consider it. “In fact, I believe I will encourage your brother to take whatever damage she causes out of her dowry. It is only fitting she should pay the price for her lack of control.”

Though it was not a matter to provoke amusement, Louisa could not help but laugh. Trust Hurst to see things clearly.

––––––––

T HE MOOD IN THE CARRIAGE was subdued, which was just as well for Darcy, for he had no desire to speak of the woman he would not refer to as “aunt” again. The other gentlemen returned to the carriage some fifteen minutes after Darcy had quit the room, and soon thereafter Collins joined them.

“Mr. Collins is to stay in Meryton while waiting for his nuptials,” said Fitzwilliam. For his part, Mr. Collins said nothing, contenting himself with a wide-eyed stare at the other gentlemen. “As for Lady Catherine,” continued Fitzwilliam, “she will return to Kent at once. I believe I have put the fear of God into her, for though she continued to bluster and snap, she was eager to quit this place.” Fitzwilliam grinned, an unpleasant one, to be certain. “She can expect a visit from my father. He will not be happy to hear of her actions.”

Darcy grunted and the subject was dropped, for he had no desire to speak of it. The other gentlemen all appeared content with their own thoughts as well, for even between Mr. Bennet and Fitzwilliam there was little conversation.

When they arrived back at Netherfield, they found Bingley waiting for them there, having already seen the Bennet sisters back to Longbourn. He greeted them, none of his usual joviality evident in his manner.

“I believe we must get down to business, Mr. Collins,” said Bingley, his tone uncharacteristically firm. “Given what occurred this morning, it would be best if you were to marry my sister as soon as possible. The best way to accomplish this is for you to go to town and obtain a common license.”

The other gentlemen were watching Mr. Collins, their sternness seeming to weigh down on him. His licked his lips, displaying his nervousness before he responded: “While I am certain your sister is a beautiful woman with a fine dowry, she seems . . . set against the match.”

Hurst, who was also present, snorted at the man’s understatement. Collins, though he frowned, ignored him.

“Perhaps it would be best if we did not force her in this matter? I have no desire to live with a woman with whom I will be perpetually at odds.”

“You should have thought of that before you accosted Miss Elizabeth in the gardens and thoroughly compromised my sister.” Bingley was implacable, and Collins wilted in the face of it. “Another thing you may wish to consider, Collins: one day you may be master of Longbourn and resident of this neighborhood. People have long memories—if you do not marry her, those who live here will remember that, and you may have some difficulty being accepted when you come.”

A slow nod was Mr. Collins’s response. When he replied, he was the Collins of old again.

“Of course, Mr. Bingley. I shall do my duty, of course, and marry your excellent sister. I am certain we shall have a most felicitous life together. Uh . . . Once she . . . accustoms herself to her situation, of course.”

“I am certain you will, Mr. Collins,” replied Bingley.

In fact, Darcy thought there were few things less likely than the Collinses experiencing felicity in marriage, but in the end, Darcy decided it did not concern him. As long as they were both removed from his life forever, he cared not what they did.

“Bingley,” said Fitzwilliam, “as you noted, it would be best if your sister and Collins were to go before the parson in as expeditious a manner as possible. To that end, I would like to offer my services. I am required to go to London, as my father will wish to hear of his sister’s behavior in person, rather than through the post. Since I am bound for town anyway, I will take Mr. Collins with me so that he may obtain the required license.”

Fitzwilliam turned and eyed Mr. Collins, who seemed uncertain whether he was about to be castigated once again. “There is also the matter of the marriage settlement. Might I assume, Collins, that you have no solicitor to prepare the documents?”

“Umm . . . No, my lord. I have no such relationship.”

“Then I will also arrange for him to meet with my family solicitor,” said Fitzwilliam with a nod. “There should be no impediment to arranging these matters in an expeditious manner. Then we may return, likely by early next week.” Fitzwilliam turned to Bingley. “You can book Longbourn chapel for a wedding, and we can consider the matter completed.”

With a nod and a perceptible sense of relief Bingley nodded. “Thank you, Fitzwilliam. Your assistance would be much appreciated. I was not looking forward to being required to leave for town at present to assist Collins.”

“I knew that, Bingley,” said Fitzwilliam, slapping the other man on the back. “You have a reason to stay in Meryton, and since I can assist Mr. Collins, I see no reason for you to leave as well.” Fitzwilliam turned to Mr. Collins. “Come, Collins. I will inform my valet of our departure. Once I am prepared, we shall depart.”

Though clearly not quite understanding Fitzwilliam’s seeming friendliness, he allowed himself to be led from the room. Darcy put them from his mind and turned to Mr. Bennet.

“Mr. Bennet, might I have a word?”

The Bennet patriarch eyed him for a moment before he assented. Bingley, understanding that Darcy wished to speak in private, nodded at Hurst. “We will begin to make arrangements for Caroline’s forthcoming marriage.”

Darcy acknowledged his friend’s statement and waited until he left the room to address Mr. Bennet.

“I know this may seem precipitous, Mr. Bennet, but I believe it may be best to expedite my courtship with your daughter to protect her reputation.”

The subject Darcy had raised was clearly no surprise to Mr. Bennet. “Is that your wish, or is it truly a matter of protecting Elizabeth?”

“I believe it is nothing more than prudent,” replied Darcy, though he was a little embarrassed that Mr. Bennet had seen through him. “Yes, I wish to have your daughter for a wife—that much is true. But I am concerned that word of what happened this morning will be disseminated throughout the neighborhood. Furthermore, I worry that Lady Catherine may still have some villainy in mind.”

“You left before your cousin’s final words to your aunt. I doubt she will cause any more trouble. I consider myself a good judge of others, and while your aunt attempted to portray unconcern and strength, in reality, I suspect she is fearful about what her brother might do.”

“That may be the case,” conceded Darcy. “But given the lengths to which she was willing to go, I believe it would be best to ensure she can do nothing. And this does not even cover the possibility of rumors in town.”

Mr. Bennet watched him for several more moments before he shrugged and then followed it with a grin. “You take no compassion on me , Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth is my favorite daughter, and though I will own that her younger sisters have improved of late, they still are not my Lizzy. I will miss her companionship very much, indeed.

“However, I can see the sense in your suggestion, so I will allow it. But you must convince Lizzy it is the best course of action, for she has a mind of her own, as you well know. I have no doubt she will claim there is no need to hurry things along.”

“I suspect you are correct, sir,” replied Darcy.

“Do not be cast down, young man,” replied Mr. Bennet, his joviality entirely inappropriate, in Darcy’s opinion. “Consider it a trial run. If you marry my Lizzy, you will be required to deal with her. Trust me: you will need all the practice you can obtain.”

Darcy showed Mr. Bennet a slow smile. “I am quite looking forward to it, sir. I would have it no other way.”

––––––––

I N THE AFTERMATH OF what had happened that morning, Elizabeth found herself feeling a little annoyed at her sisters. Though she appreciated the concern they were showing for her, their attempts to reassure themselves of her wellbeing were grating on her nerves. In fact, she had been far too angry with Mr. Wickham’s actions—not to mention those of Miss Bingley and Mr. Collins—to feel any fear for her situation. It was a relief to arrive back at Longbourn and return to her room for a few short moments to compose herself and escape their smothering.

It was no surprise that her respite in her room did not last long, for she knew her mother would wish to hear an account of what happened from her own lips. Elizabeth responded to the summons as a dutiful daughter, and when her mother asked, she explained the incident from her perspective, taking care to assure Mrs. Bennet she was well and had suffered no ill effects. Elizabeth also refrained from saying anything concerning Miss Bingley’s compromise attempt—her mother and two youngest sisters retained enough of their love of gossip that such a story would be all over Meryton, should she share it with them—and intimated that Miss Bingley was made angry because of Elizabeth’s courtship with Mr. Darcy.

Mrs. Bennet listened without reply until Elizabeth’s tale had run its course, and then she sighed. “We have been beset by such odious people of late that I can scarcely comprehend it. At least Mr. Collins and Miss Bingley will soon be out of our lives.”

“And do not forget about Mr. Wickham,” said Lydia. “Mr. Darcy has pledged to see him in prison, which is exactly where he belongs.”

With a nod, Mrs. Bennet said: “I dare say he does, Lydia my dear. But there is one matter which vexes me about this affair. To think that Miss Bingley, of all people, will one day take my place as mistress of this estate! After her villainy, she is being rewarded, rather than punished. I can scarce take it in!”

“But, Mother,” said Elizabeth, “you have not considered the fact that to become the mistress of Longbourn, she must be married to Mr. Collins. I dare say that is as much of a punishment as anything we may design.”

A slow smile spread across Mrs. Bennet’s face. “Yes, I suppose you are correct, Lizzy. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize that Mr. Collins and Miss Bingley are made for each other. They are both so odious in own their ways that they shall make each other quite miserable, I am sure.

“But what of Mr. Darcy and your courtship? He has not decided to throw you over because of the actions of his former friend, has he?”

“Given how Mr. Darcy looks at our Lizzy, do you think he would?” asked Jane.

Elizabeth looked at her sister, promising retribution for her tease. For Mrs. Bennet’s part, she only seemed to consider the matter for a moment before she replied with a slow nod.

“Yes, that is quite true, I suppose. Mr. Darcy does show all the signs of a man in love.”

“He does,” replied Jane. “In fact, I will be very much surprised if he does not come to you offering to marry you sooner to protect your reputation.”

“But my reputation is not threatened,” protested Elizabeth.

“You are correct,” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet, eyes wide at the thought. “It is exactly what a man like Mr. Darcy would do.” Mrs. Bennet was suddenly once again the nervous and excitable woman Elizabeth had known all her life. “Oh, I shall go distracted! Two daughters engaged! How shall I ever bear the happiness?”

Elizabeth and Jane shared a look and shook their heads. Whatever improvements had been made to Mrs. Bennet’s demeanor of late, it was clear she was still the same woman she had ever been.

When Mr. Bennet returned later that afternoon, it was with Mr. Darcy, and as Elizabeth had thought about what Jane had said in the intervening hours, she found she was not surprised to see him. The gentlemen came into the sitting-room, where they explained what had happened with Lady Catherine, and the ladies responded with the appropriate exclamations, words of disgust for her behavior, and hopes that she would not continue to bedevil them.

While Mr. Bennet bore most of the burden of communication, Mr. Darcy sat quietly, answering questions when necessary. Much of his attention was on Elizabeth, and she felt the warmth of his earnest gaze covering her like a blanket. As the conversation wound down, he turned to her to speak for the first time.

“Miss Elizabeth, might I have a moment of your time in private? The weather is still fine—perhaps we could go out to the back gardens.”

Now certain that Jane had been entirely correct, Elizabeth assented, and with the ever-dependable Mary in tow, they soon departed the house. Elizabeth did not miss the significant look which her father bestowed on the man who was courting her, further firming her understanding of what was about to happen.

When they were walking behind the house, Mr. Darcy lost no time in making his communication, as he stopped and turned to face her.

“Miss Elizabeth, as the most intelligent woman of my acquaintance, I am certain you have seen something unusual in my manner, and I have no doubt you already expect what I am about to ask you. I also understand you to be an independent sort of woman. Thus, I ask you to hear my entreaty and consider it carefully. I would not importune you unless I believed it for the best.”

“Very well, Mr. Darcy,” replied Elizabeth. “You may speak, and I will give your words careful consideration.”

Mr. Darcy smiled and nodded. “Miss Elizabeth, I know that we have not been courting long. But given the events of this morning, I cannot help but think that you could be affected, through no fault of your own, by the actions of those who, after all, possess not a hint of your goodness. As such, I feel it proper to make you an offer of marriage. I esteem you very highly, and I believe this would be the best course for your continued happiness.”

As proposals went, it was not objectionable—not like Mr. Collins’s had been. But it was also not the romantic declaration of undying love that a young woman of Elizabeth’s temperament had always hoped to receive. Though she would never be unkind to this man, she opened her mouth to refuse him in hopes that his eloquence could be rediscovered later, when she noticed him shifting his feet while he waited for her answer.

Mr. Darcy was nervous! As nervous as ever a man was. Elizabeth was shocked. He was as confident a man as she had ever seen, and yet he was acting like a schoolboy. Of course, it was not every day that a man proposed to a woman. Elizabeth decided that a little gentle teasing might be in order.

“I doubt Mr. Wickham’s actions will affect me to any great extent, Mr. Darcy,” replied she, affecting complete nonchalance. “I was able to escape from him very quickly, and no one was in the garden watching us.”

“But we were easily visible from the house. You never know if a maid was watching through a window.”

“Hmm . . . Perhaps not. But I am also confident of the esteem in which the people of Meryton hold me. They would see the situation for what it was and would not punish me for the actions of another. Your testimony of Mr. Wickham’s character will further exonerate me.”

“I understand your faith in the people of your neighborhood,” said Mr. Darcy, his manner grave. “But many a person has had such faith, only to have it destroyed. The whispers of a few can have a detrimental effect on one in our society.”

“That may be the case, sir, but I do not think it is likely.”

Elizabeth made a show of considering the man, and Mr. Darcy was wise enough to remain silent while she thought.

“I do not know, Mr. Darcy,” said she at length. “I do not believe rumor and innuendo will be a problem. It is also possible I might receive a better offer. A viscount, for example, might find himself violently in love with me. It would not do to be hasty.”

While Mr. Darcy appeared shocked at first, he was soon grinning at her. Elizabeth returned it with an impudence she did not think he often encountered.

“You are teasing me,” said he.

“To an extent, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth. She was feeling a little giddy, which was making her flippant. “You should have known, given what you know of my character.”

“‘To an extent?’” echoed Mr. Darcy. “Can you please explain?”

“Of course. You see, I am an impressionable and romantic young woman. I have always thought the proposal I would accept would be one which filled all my hopes of romance and, furthermore, informed me of the full extent of the man’s love for me and desperate need to have me. No matter what is being said about me by my neighbors, I do not think an ill-advised attack by a libertine on my person is enough to induce me into matrimony. I wish to be loved and respected. I do not wish to be a duty.”

“You think I consider you a duty?”

“I cannot say,” replied Elizabeth. “But one might think likely, considering your presence here and what happened earlier today.” Elizabeth arched an eyebrow at him. “Do you care to disprove my theory?”

––––––––

I T SEEMED IT WAS ALWAYS the way with this woman—just when Darcy thought his love could grow any greater, she proved him incorrect. Nothing discouraged her, nothing intimidated her, and no matter what happened in her life, she bounced back with a resilience he had rarely seen in anyone.

And she was correct. Nervous that she was so independent that she would refuse to marry him, Darcy had gone about his proposal all wrong. He should have asked with confidence and poise, rather than as a child fearful of being denied a treat. She deserved nothing less than his complete devotion and his boldness. And Darcy was determined to give it to her.

“Miss Elizabeth,” said he, reaching down to take her hand in his own. “If you wish to have my devotion, then my devotion you shall have.”

She cocked her head to the side. “Your devotion? Your devotion because I demanded to be treated like a heroine in a novel?”

Darcy could not help but laugh. “No, Miss Elizabeth. My devotion to you because I simply can be no other way.”

“Well, that is a start, Mr. Darcy. But I think I need to be further convinced.”

“And so you shall be. In reality, Miss Elizabeth, I do believe that an engagement between us would be prudent. Gossip has a way of spreading with uncontrollable ferocity, much like a brush fire burning out of control in a field. But when I said that I wished you to agree to marry me, I was only speaking part of the truth.

“The truth is that the events of this morning are nothing more than a convenient excuse to speed the process.”

Miss Elizabeth’s eyebrow rose at his statement. “I am nothing more than a ‘convenient excuse?’”

“No, Miss Elizabeth,” said Darcy with a chuckle. “You are much more than a convenient excuse. You are a jewel of a woman, poised, confident, playful, beautiful, and intelligent, and I am a better man for having been admitted to your presence. You are more than I had ever hoped to find in a wife and, in fact, one I had lost hope of finding.

“I love you, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, more than I thought I could ever love a woman. You are my other half. I would be eternally grateful if you would consent to be my wife, to come away with me, to live and grow with me, until the end of our days. The matter of the townsfolk’s gossip is irrelevant—we may have as long or as short a period of engagement as you wish. I only wish for the privilege of being known as your betrothed, the comfort of knowing I shall eventually have you in my life forever, and the pleasure of introducing you to all as my future wife.

“Will you do me the honor?”

His words moved her, for Darcy could see a happy tear appearing at the corner of her eye.

“Of course, I will, Mr. Darcy,” replied Elizabeth.

She stepped forward and rested her head on his shoulder, allowing Darcy to put his arms around her, heedless of her sister’s watchful presence. Darcy looked over Miss Elizabeth’s head to where her sister was watching them, and while he might have wondered if Miss Mary would disapprove of their actions, she only regarded them with a happy smile. Then, with a wink, she turned around—quite deliberately—and looked in the opposite direction.

“Your sister appears to approve, Miss Elizabeth.”

With a sudden jerk of movement, Miss Elizabeth pulled away and looked around at her sister with alarm. When she saw that Miss Mary was looking in the opposite direction, however, she grinned.

“She has grown much these past months. I am fortunate to have such devoted sisters.”

“As am I. I cannot wait to introduce you to Georgiana. She will love you as much as I do, I am certain.”

Miss Elizabeth turned to regard him. “Do you intend to stay in Meryton for the Christmas season?”

“I do. I will not be parted from you.”

A rosy hue spread over her fair cheeks, but she gathered herself. “Then you should bring her to Netherfield. I would be happy to make her acquaintance.”

“Then I shall, if only to please you. Now, if you do not mind, I believe I should have a word with your father.”

“Then let us go into the house, for I am certain my mother would be interested to hear of these developments.”

And so, arm in arm, they went to inform her family of the news. A feeling of contentment such as Darcy had never felt settled over him. He would have her in his life forever. There could be no joy so great.